Austin Packer Bulletin - 1/5/24
Volume 2, Issue 21
During January, planning will begin for our 2024 summer programming opportunities for all students in Austin. Students in Austin will have multiple summer opportunities to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate learning while preparing all learners to make a difference in the world.
Extended School Year Opportunities (ESY)
Students who receive special education services may qualify for Extended School Year services (ESY). Locations of these services will be across the District, and needs for this programming will include teachers and paraprofessionals. For more information, contact Executive Director of Special Services Sheri Willrodt.
Packers in Training
Packers in Training is a unique opportunity for students who have not had a preschool experience to experience what a kindergarten school day is like before the first bell of the year rings. This co-taught opportunity pairs preschool and kindergarten teachers while exploring what kindergarten is all about. We include students who are "slow to warm" if we have room, but our primary objective is those with no preschool. For more information, contact Jennifer Lawhead, Director of Community Education.
Targeted Services: Extended Year Programming
Summer School for our incoming 1st-8th graders will start on June 10 this year and run through July 25, with the week of July 4th off. Students are identified based on need and with the recommendation of their classroom teacher and support from their families. The curriculum is provided for students' weekly reading, math, and enrichment activities. We will need teachers interested in working with students entering grades 1st-8th. For more information, contact the Principal of Alternative Educational Programs, Jessica Cabeen.
ALC: Summer School Programing (credit recovery)
Students in grades 9-12 will be able to attend classes at Austin High School this summer to gain the credits for graduation. Summer School will run from June 10th-July 18th from 8:30-1 pm (no school on June 19 and July 3rd/4th). Staff decisions are based on student enrollment and staff licensure area. For more information, contact AHS Assistant Principal Allison Gunderson.
Remote Learning Days are school days where students complete preassigned classwork (elementary) or coursework via Schoology (secondary, grades 5-12) instead of coming to a school building. At Austin Public Schools, we will use these days during an unscheduled school closure. Please visit the Remote Learning Days site for more information.
This January, our SPED Department will undergo a targeted program evaluation led by Executive Director of Special Services Sheri Willrodt and Stephanie White of Teamworks. The audit outcomes will focus on improving achievement for students with disabilities, targeting professional development based on data review, optimizing resource allocation, and strengthening collaboration between special education programs and constituents. This important work is part of our commitment to continually enhancing our special education services, similar to other multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), gifted and talented (GT) programming, English language learning (ELL), and math audits.
The TVP research has recently expanded to include a comprehensive analysis of all homicides occurring on K-12 and college campuses, an in-depth exploration of the surge in homicides in the Twin Cities during the pandemic, and a national survey assessing gun violence exposure. Their mission remains to reduce violence in society using data and analysis.
At this free webinar series on the last Wednesday of the month at noon central, Dr. Jillian Peterson and Dr. James Densley will present their latest research findings and their implications for prevention and policy.
The first session on Wednesday, January 31, at noon will provide an overview of their new research projects and present new findings on the latest version of their Mass Shooter Database (Version 8.0).
Please sign up here.
This webinar series is aimed at policymakers and practitioners, including teachers and school administrators, mental health professionals, medical professionals, security and police officers, parents, and concerned citizens. (Source: TVP)
In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumnus Gary Morem.
Are you an alumnus of Austin Public Schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you! We're excited to hear about your accomplishments and are eager to share your successes and advice with our current students, families, and the Austin community.
All you need to do is take a minute to answer a few quick questions at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/alumni-spotlight.
Thanks, and we look forward to hearing all your wonderful stories!
