ENG 2023-24 Family Update No. 3
August 30, 2023
Dear Northfield School District Families:
We are thrilled to welcome you back to campus during our family conference days this week. Family conferences are intended to help develop a strong school-parent partnership to begin the academic year.
Over the past year, we have been working to improve the frequency of communication with families. As with any improvement effort, some new ideas work well immediately, and others need more development. We aim to establish a strong partnership with you to pursue the district’s vision together: preparing every student for lifelong success.
We always welcome face-to-face meetings and phone calls. We also use numerous tools to connect with you — software like Skylert, Talking Points, Schoology, SeeSaw, and regular email. We will also implement CrisisGo, an emergency messaging system, in the first six weeks of school.
We want to create an ongoing conversation with you about how we can support our students together. We want to ensure that every student in our district has a genuinely fair opportunity to realize their version of the American Dream. We can make that happen together.
Please contact me with any feedback you have about the school district. Have a great start to the school year!
Sincerely,
Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
mhillmann@northfieldschools.org | 507.663.0629
The Minnesota Department of Education released the statewide MCA results last week. While there are growth areas, the district’s overall results showed great strides forward in many areas.
Why it’s important
Students take MCA tests in reading and mathematics in Grades 3-8, 10 (reading), 11 (math). Students in Grades 5, 8, and 10 take the MCA science test.
The MCA tests are one measure of how our schools prepare every student for lifelong success.
Key results
Northfield outperformed state proficiency rates by double digits in reading, math, and science.
Northfield 3rd grade reading finished 21st of 316 districts that tested 10 or more students. This was a ten percent increase over last year’s results.
The district’s Grade 3 reading results for students who qualified for free or reduced-priced lunch increased by 19 percent and outpaced the state proficiency rate by 20 percent.
Northfield Grade 7 reading results ranked 22nd of 315 districts that tested ten or more students. This performance was better than 93% of Minnesota districts. In mathematics, 7th graders ranked 29th of 315 and performed better than 91% of districts testing ten or more students.
What’s next?
The district’s improvement in reading proficiency can be attributed to the dozens of teachers who are participating in training focused on the science of reading.
The district is accelerating the mathematics curriculum review process. The district will review its mathematics curriculum beginning this year instead of 2024-25 as originally scheduled. The district’s pilot of new math curriculum have shown promise.
- Dive deeper
The Northfield School District has numerous positions still available for the 2023-24 school year!
Why it’s important
Our employees make a difference for students and the community daily.
When we do not have enough staff members, it places additional stress on employees, can lead to burnout, and eventually, the loss of quality staff members.
Positions available
We have positions in the Buildings and Grounds, Child Nutrition, Community Schools, Health Services (building nurse), Ventures licensed child care programs, and many more. We are also always hiring substitutes!
Compensation
The Northfield School District offers competitive salaries and benefits for these positions.
How do I apply?
Congratulations to the following high school students who were awarded the College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Award. Students earned this academic honor because of their GPA of 3.5 or higher and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and/or AP® Exams. They can now list this honor on applications to stand out in their college application process..
Anna Imdieke
Carter Dumonceaux
Catriona Chapman
Charlotte Flory
Cora McBroom
Henry Shuffelton
Kennedy Larsen
Mari Hanson
Thea Hanson
