Austin Packer Bulletin - 1/26/24
Volume 2, Issue 24
I am writing to follow up on the recent coverage of the altercations that have taken place at our school. As a school district, we understand the importance of addressing these situations promptly, effectively, and transparently. We want to take this opportunity to share the actions we have taken and continue to implement to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment for all our students.
First, I want to be clear that violence of any kind is unacceptable in Austin Public Schools, and our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We have collaborated with local law enforcement to increase the presence of security personnel, ensuring a visible and proactive security presence throughout our schools. We also have worked closely with Homeland Security and Emergency Management through the Minnesota Safety Center on school safety training. Our approach at APS combines prevention, intervention, and student support to address this issue.
PREVENTION
- Student Rights and Responsibilities: This Student Rights and Responsibilities handbook outlines student behavior expectations that we believe can help ensure the safe school environment students deserve and that allows them to learn and grow.
- Comprehensive Programs: We educate students on empathy, conflict resolution, and respectful communication by identifying multiple solutions to a problem, understanding and practicing self-control, building positive relationships, and mediation between groups.
- Reporting Concerns: We strive to address questions and concerns quickly and effectively. To that end, we have developed communication protocols to promote direct, open, and respectful interactions to efficiently work through problems and concerns.
INTERVENTION
- Clear Code of Conduct: We have revised and reinforced our code of conduct, clearly outlining the expected behavior of all students and the consequences for engaging in physical altercations or any form of violence. We follow board policy in addressing acts of bullying, intimidation, violence, reprisal, retaliation, and other disruptive behaviors.
- Immediate Intervention: When fights occur, our staff members are trained to respond promptly, intervene to de-escalate the situation, and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
SUPPORT
- Student Services: Students can access school-based student service professionals, including counselors, nurses, social workers, and school psychologists.
- Educational Programs: We are expanding and implementing educational programs like PBIS and the BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks), which use interlocking strategies that build intentional relationships. This helps students achieve positive and concrete academic, social, and emotional outcomes.
Our commitment to these efforts is continuous, and we are always open to new ideas and strategies that address our students' changing needs.
We also strongly believe in open communication among our school, parents/caregivers, and students. We look to engage everyone through consistent meetings and clear district-wide communication and updates.
Finally, I want to invite our community to attend our February 1 event, which focuses on school safety and student relationships. A positive school climate, relationship building, and connectedness efforts in schools are critical for preventing many types of crises as well as supporting recovery from traumatic incidents when they do occur. This event will emphasize strategies and resources for schools to build psychologically safe and secure environments with intentionality. The community event will take place at 5:00 pm in Knowlton Auditorium.
Together, we can continue to build a nurturing environment that supports each student's personal and academic growth and emotional well-being. Thank you for being so supportive as we work to make this happen daily.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent
In the Spring of 2023, Austin Public Schools was awarded a nearly $750,000 grant to support the Grow Your Own Teacher Pathway. Funds will be used across five school years 2023-2024 through 2027-2028.
The primary goal for this Grow Your Own Program is to cultivate interest and opportunity for our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students in teacher education by creating a comprehensive pathway to completing an education licensure program and returning to Austin Public Schools.
This goal will be completed through 4 focus areas:
- Recruit and hire a Future Teacher Coordinator and two Future Teacher Club leaders to establish and coordinate future teacher activities and learning.
- Create a Future Teacher Club designed to engage students in active learning and participate in activities about the teaching profession.
- Support students interested in pursuing education with wrap-around services to support the pathway to higher education.
- Provide Scholarships for students to attend teacher licensure programs.
For additional information, please contact Andrea Malo, andrea.malo@austin.k12.mn.us, or 507-460-1924.
Austin Public Schools and The Hormel Foundation offer two scholarships for Austin Public School students to attend the Expand Your Mind summer program through the Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth (MITY).
This program offers a wide variety of courses that students can choose from. The instructor provides an intensive learning experience with meaningful academic challenges. This is a residential two-week experience held on the campus of Macalester College from June 17-June 28, 2024, or July 8-July 19, 2024.
Students currently in grades 8-11 are invited to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship will cover the cost of the tuition, room and board, and class fees (if any). For more information about the program and course offerings, visit the MITY website at https://mity.org/.
Students interested in applying for the scholarships may pick up the forms in the Career Center at Austin High School, the Counseling Office at Ellis, or by emailing andrea.malo@austin.k12.mn.us. The deadline for returning the forms is February 15, 2024. Forms can be returned to the Austin High School Career Center, Counseling Office at Ellis, or to Andrea Malo, Teaching and Learning Office, room 165, Austin High School/District Office.
What is this?
"Nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices" are alternatives to dismissing a student from school, including but not limited to evidence-based positive behavior interventions and supports, social and emotional services, school-linked mental health services, counseling services, social work services, academic screening for Title 1 services or reading interventions, and alternative education services. (MDE)
Where do I find information about a school's discipline policy?
Every public school district must have a discipline policy. The school discipline policy must include written rules of conduct for students, minimum consequences for violating the rules, grounds, and procedures for removing a student from class, and nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices.
Read the new research brief here.
Review our handbooks here.
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!
