We are happy to share that we are working with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to offer Direct Admissions to several Minnesota higher education institutions.

What is it?

This program will notify graduating seniors that multiple partner colleges and universities are eager to admit them based on their academic records and projected graduation date.

How does it work?

Early in the school year, seniors at participating high schools who are on track to graduate will receive personalized communication, co-signed by their high school and the Office of Higher Education, that lists all participating Minnesota colleges and universities they are proactively admitted to.

Why Direct Admissions?

Significant educational attainment disparities exist for Minnesota's Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. These disparities occur throughout the education pathway. Direct Admissions aims to reduce self-selection bias and reduce equity gaps in college enrollment using four strategies:

• Promoting a college-going culture,
• Connecting students, families, and schools with colleges and universities earlier, giving families time to consider their options and plan,
• Easing the transition from high school to college, and
• Showing students access to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree if they choose to further their education. Learn more here.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

Next week is Homecoming at Austin Public Schools, and we wanted to make sure to share all the amazing events and activities we have scheduled. Let's go Packers!

In Austin, nearly 58% of our students are non-white and, collectively, speak 47 different home languages. This represents a huge opportunity for our students and staff to learn about various cultures and communities from around the world and has led to many unique programs and opportunities in our district.

Recently, Twin Cities Public Television came to Austin to film a segment for their Almanac program focused on the diversity within our district. The segment followed a student throughout their day to help viewers see our diversity through a unique lens while also showing many of the amazing things happening in Austin.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on Wednesday, October 4. The national test will consist of two portions and is scheduled to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. CT. The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all cell phones, so please expect all faculty and student mobile devices to be alerted at this time. For more information, visit the FEMA and FCC Plan Nationwide Emergency Alert Test for October 4, 2023 webpage.

A huge congratulations to Varsity Boys Soccer coach Jens Levisen on his 200th career win. Over his 19 seasons with the Boys Soccer program, coach Levisen has guided the program to six section titles and taken third at the state tournament two times.

Consistent attendance is an important predictor of a student's academic success. Students who attend school consistently are more likely to achieve academically, graduate high school, and succeed in their careers, college experience, or both after high school.. Source

As we enter the 2023–24 school year, vaccine coverage for Minnesota students remains below pre-pandemic levels. Minnesota students must receive several vaccines or submit an immunization exemption before enrolling in school. You can view the percentage of fully protected kindergarten students in your community by visiting School Immunization Data. Immunization coverage and exemption rates are available at the school, school district, and county levels.

Increasing immunization coverage will protect the health of all students and lower the chance of students missing school because of a vaccine-preventable disease like chickenpox, measles, or pertussis. Ensuring students get back on track with routine immunizations is necessary to prevent disease outbreaks in the school setting.

What Are Austin Public Schools Doing To Keep Students Healthy and Protected:

• We enforce immunization requirements Statute 121A.15 Health Standards; Immunizations; School Children and Minnesota Administrative Rules, Chapter 4604, Immunization. Ensure students have vaccinations or immunization exemption documentation before enrolling or transitioning to the next grade level.
• We send out reminders to families whose children are in progress or missing doses and explain that districts must show compliance with state requirements.
• Like this message, we use a variety of opportunities to communicate with parents about the importance of immunizations, such as new student orientation, Early Childhood Screening, school activities like open houses or parent-teacher conferences, school newsletter (paper or electronic), and your district or school website.
• Check out the Vaccines for Infants, Children, and Adolescents webpage, which has various translated resources for school nurses, early childhood education and childcare providers, and parents and caregivers, including forms required for obtaining medical and non-medical exemptions.
• Please know that unvaccinated children are at increased risk for illness from vaccine-preventable diseases, which could disrupt learning and lead to physical and mental health problems for students. For example, when children are unvaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), public health may recommend that they remain at home for several weeks after being exposed to prevent an outbreak at school. Source: MDE

For More Information About Immunizations, Refer To:

• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Immunization webpage
• AASA The School Superintendents Association: Addressing The Decline of Vaccination Rates of U.S. Students Toolkit

Questions? Email MDH at health.aisr@state.mn.us or Supervisor of School Health Services, Shaylie Meyer, RN/Licensed School Nurse

The Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program is now accepting applications for the 2024 legislative session, which begins on February 12, 2024. Since 1975, Juniors from throughout the state have traveled to Saint Paul to spend a week in our magnificent Capitol building. This non-partisan program is fast approaching its fiftieth anniversary and is as relevant, resonant, and rewarding as ever. Learn more here.

• Fall prevention tips for kids
• How to tell if your child has a fever
• Prescribing nature for mental, physical health

In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumnus Mike Arons.

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!

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 IJ Holton Intermediate School Speech Language Pathologist Jennifer Sorenson.

"Jennifer is passionate about her students and works hard everyday to provide the best language therapy she can."

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/staff-spotlight. It only takes a minute and can truly make someone’s day. Thanks!

• Minnesota schools work to combat rising levels of chronic absenteeism
• As student mental health needs leap, schools seek a next generation of counselors
• Five Key Drivers of Equity in Schools

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.

Austin Public Schools is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values the diversity of its employees and does not discriminate against any employee or candidate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status or membership or activity in a local commission. The school district strongly encourages anyone interested to apply to join our teams. Reasonable accommodations to access job openings or to apply for a job are available. Click here to learn more.

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