My name is Gema Alvarado-Guerrero, and I am the Executive Director at the Parenting Resource Center, a nonprofit organization that provides families with resources and educational services to promote healthy and safe lifestyles throughout southeastern Minnesota. I have two children enrolled in the Austin Public School district, where I have lived for 23 years.

Working with parents, I see firsthand how funding for schools supports children and families in our communities. Quality public schools like ours prepare students for their futures. As a parent myself, I understand the value of athletics, arts programs, and other activities in preparing students to lead rich and fulfilling lives after graduation.

Next year, our district faces a $3 million budget deficit. Without increased funding, the district will have to reduce staff, support programs and extracurricular options, as well as increase class sizes. On Nov. 8, voters in the district will decide whether to authorize increasing the district's operating levy by $470 per student.

If approved, the referendum would allow the district to maintain staffing levels and class sizes while preserving successful student programs and support services. An average homeowner in the district with a house valued at $170,000 would see a $12 monthly property tax increase.

I am proud to be an Austin community member – a community that has always supported each other during challenging times. I encourage everyone to learn more about this important community decision at AccelerateAustin.org and make your voice heard on Election Day. (Austin Daily Herald 09/13/2022)

The proposed operating levy increase would protect a variety of services, like preserving smaller class sizes, retaining high-quality teachers and staff and maintaining options for extra support. Learn more about the referendum's impact at AccelerateAustin.org/impact 🏫

Note: If you want to schedule an informational presentation or have a question, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Page.

Austin Public Schools strives to address your questions and concerns quickly and effectively. Therefore, we have developed communication protocols to promote direct, open, and respectful interactions to efficiently work through problems and concerns.

The communication protocol starts with the staff member closest to the situation, as that person will usually have the most information. At times, additional personnel are required to resolve specific situations. Appropriate communication channels for a variety of topics are listed here. The District encourages any and all questions from parents and residents regarding school matters. Please see school board policy 103 for further information.

You can review this new website here. It will be located under "District Resources" tab.

To support AHS with our financial aid efforts, the Ready, Set, FAFSA series will again be offered to students and families this fall. Running September 27 to October 25, five virtual sessions will cover the college application process, general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college. All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Financial aid experts from local colleges will be available during the events to answer questions in the chat. Students who attend will be eligible to win a $500 scholarship. Registration is open now for families.

The series, called "Ready, Set, FAFSA" is a collaboration between MDE, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, ECMC The College Place, and Minnesota Goes to College.

The Departments of Education, Health & Human Services are thrilled to announce the 2022 School Behavioral Health Conference will be back in person at Cragun’s Conference Center in Brainerd from November 2 through November 4. This year’s theme is Reshaping through Resiliency: School-Based Behavioral Health in Minnesota. This conference seeks to offer attendees purposeful tools and techniques to implement and produce a positive impact on behavioral health and mental wellness. Attendees include schools, community behavioral health providers, advocates, parents, consumers, policy makers, Tribal Nation representatives and state government employees. To register, please go to Minnesota Department of Education, Health & Human Services School Behavioral Health Conference November 2-4, 2022 - Formstack

In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumnus Dylan Mittelsted.

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. Please take a few minutes to complete the quick questionnaire at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/district-resources/aps-alumni-spotlight regarding your current position and your career trajectory.

Thanks, and we look forward to hearing all your wonderful stories!

At Austin Public Schools, our mission is to inspire, empower, and accelerate every one of our learners, and we know that the only way for us to reach this goal is through the efforts of all our incredibly hard-working staff.

In this week’s Staff Spotlight, we’re highlighting Oakland Education Center special education teacher Leah Worke.

"Leah goes above and beyond for her kids. She treats them as if they are her own, and if they are in need of items, she gets them for them."

Congratulations!

If you’d like to nominate an outstanding Austin Public Schools staff member for our weekly Staff Spotlight, please take a moment to fill out the form at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/district-resources/aps-staff-spotlight. It only takes a minute and can truly make someone’s day. Thanks!

• Letter to the Editor: Referendum would support community
• Dube hoping to return to school board
• How can apprenticeships boost high school completion?
• Teens in Crisis: Social media, the pandemic and cultural changes left a generation on shaky ground
• Students, educators say cultural competency is key as Minnesota considers new teacher requirements
• All Teachers Can Use Music to Help Students Express Emotions and to Add Joy to the Classroom
• MN School Safety Center says relationship rebuilding is key to school safety

APS offers a wide range of student activities, including competitive athletics, intramurals, academic clubs, fine arts, and performing arts. View schedules and learn more here.

Are you interested in having an impact on students' lives? Check out our Employment page to see our current openings!