The Byron Buzz

Last week, I had to deliver the news to the community and our staff that we will need to make significant cuts as we find expenses are outpacing our revenue. As I stated in meetings, this is because of many reasons including the end of over $400,000 in Federal funding from COVID, a projected decrease in student enrollment, increases in health insurance for this year and next year, purchased service increases due to inflation, and expenditures outpacing budget assumptions.

Many people ask if we should have seen this coming sooner. In true transparency, we could have seen some of it sooner but, with the transition of between business directors in the middle of the year and not knowing about the significant insurance premiums until April, it made it difficult to be able to understand where we were tracking in regards to expenses and revenue. Many times, school districts will have a longer period of preparation for such decreases and will have time to make strategic plans for their district. With the end of the school coming quickly and having so many people and moving parts in our school district, it can be difficult and more harmful to make "knee-jerk" reactions that can have lasting negative impacts.

When we talk with students in our classroom, we talk about treating people the right way and to keep others in mind when you make decisions. The school board and our leadership team have been keeping that in mind as we go through these reduction decisions. It is never easy to make cuts, especially at this late stage in the school year.

As I stated in my meetings, our school board, leadership team and staff are committed to doing what is right and best for our students, families and communities as we work through these financial challenges. We are committed to be transparent and we will be an even stronger and better district on the other end. Please check out our website for more information and thank you for your continued support, especially during this time.

Go Bears!

Mike Neubeck, Ed.D.

Superintendent Byron Public Schools

507-775-2383 (W)

507-923-8034 (C)

@NeubeckSupt

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, Byron High School held its annual Community Service Day where students, grades 9-12, and staff gave back to our Byron Community and beyond! There were students at all Byron Public School buildings, County parks, Churches, and homes of Byron residents through Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and clean-up routes across our community. Students participated in "spring cleaning", general maintenance, and other requests as needed. Community Service Day is always a great way for our students to show pride in our community and a special way for all of us at Byron High School to say "Thank You" to our supportive community!

The Profile of a Graduate is the model we use to live out the District's Strategic Plan on a daily basis. It has been 6 years since we first implemented the Profile of a Graduate and we continue to find ways to teach the six Cs: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Citizenship, and Character.

Learn more about our Profile of a Graduate!

The current National Honor Society members inducted nineteen new members into NHS with an Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 5th. Current members highlighted in their introductions how inductees exemplified the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.

New Members for the 2024-25 school year are: Corryn Besse, Landon Brommer, Chloe Callahan, Dominic Cunico, Max Dearborn, Olivia Farmer, Kyla Gordon, Dayne Huebert, Addison Johnson, Jordyn Martin, Taylor Matter, Nyssa Phelps, Victor Scharpman, Kailani Schroeder, Taylor Seeger, Leeah Strain, Maria Till, Emma Woodhouse, and Addison Zeitler.

Hello!

As we approach summer, it is time for my annual "Welcome to Summer" resource guide. I have included a few items on safety, summer camps, food resources, and mental health connections. Also, Zumbro Valley Medical Center is offering a free Eye Care Clinic.

Have a safe and happy summer!

Smiles,

Christine

Christine Jostock, LSW, MA
christine.jostock@byron.k12.mn.us
School Social Worker
Byron Public Schools
507/775-2189

Residents at Madonna Summit in Byron receive cards from Mrs. LaPlante's classroom. It made their day!

If you have a child who turns 5 between September 1st 2023 and August 31st 2024 they are eligible to enroll.

To begin enrollment - please visit https://www.bears.byron.k12.mn.us/enroll

If you have questions please call the Primary School at (507) 624-0311

Please see the letter below from Bobbie Burnham, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education. Thank you for your time and consideration of the Statewide Assessment Redesign Survey.

Dear Education Partners,

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is excited to launch the Statewide Testing Redesign Survey. Your voice and the perspectives of your community are important to this effort as new academic standards are adopted in science, reading, and math, along with new assessments. The survey asks about how you receive, interpret, and use statewide assessment results. Your feedback will help MDE ensure the results from the new assessments students take beginning in Spring 2025 are as clear and useful as possible.

The survey is now open for submissions until May 19. It should take no longer than 15 minutes and responses will be completely anonymous.

tinyurl.com/state-testing-survey

Additionally, MDE is hoping individuals in these groups will share their perspective:

• Students in grades 8–12

• Families of students in grades K–12

• Classroom educators

• School-level leadership staff

• District-level leadership staff

• Assessment coordinators

• Community group members and leaders

• State agency staff

We thank you in advance and appreciate your support in gathering feedback from these groups.

Your expertise is critical to this process and we know your time is valuable. Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please contact mde.testing@state.mn.us.

Sincerely,

Bobbie Burnham

Assistant Commissioner

Minnesota Department of Education

400 NE Stinson Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55413

education.mn.gov

Byron Girls track is your 2024 Section 1AA True Team Champions! State here we come! Go BEARS!

What an amazing night at the opening of Byron Performing Arts Center with "Cinderella". Over 560 people attended the performance. Well done!

Congratulations Payton! Continuing her track and field career and starting her cross country career at the University of Le Tourneau in Texas. Go Yellowjackets!

CUB DAY! Eleven of our V/JV players ran seven fun skill stations for over 60 participants! Our Cubs worked on batting, hitting front toss, steal starts/base running, outfield & infield dailys, throwing, pitching, and sliding. Go BEARS!

Monday, May 13 - Boys Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools - 2:00 pm (Lake City Jewel Golf Club)

Monday, May 13 - Varsity Baseball vs. La Crescent - 5:00 pm (Byron Athletic Field #10 Baseball Field)

Monday, May 13 - BMS Spring Choir Concert - 6:00 pm (Byron Middle School Auditorium)

Tuesday, May 14 - Boys Varsity Golf HVL Match vs. Multiple Schools - 2:00 pm (Cannon Golf Club)

Tuesday, May 14 - BHS Spring Choir Concert - 7:00 pm (BHS Performing Arts Center)

Wednesday, May 15 - Girls Varsity Golf Invite vs. Multiple Schools - 2:00 pm (Lake City Jewel Golf Club)

Wednesday, May 15 - Varsity Baseball vs. Rochester John Marshall - 5:00 pm (Rochester John Adams Middle School)

Thursday, May 16 - Boys Varsity Golf Invite vs. Multiple Schools - 1:00 pm (Owatonna Country Club)

Thursday, May 16 - Girls Varsity Golf HVL Match vs. Multiple Schools - 2:00 pm (Cannon Golf Club)

Thursday, May 16 - Varsity Baseball vs. Cannon Falls - 5:00 pm (Cannon Falls High School John Burch Park)

Thursday, May 16 - Varsity Softball vs. Stewartville - 5:00 pm (Stewartville High School)

Friday, May 17 - Varsity Softball vs. Chatfield - 4:30 pm (Chatfield High School)

Friday, May 17 - Girls & Boys Varsity Track Meet & Field vs. Multiple Schools - 4:30 pm (Triton High School)

Saturday, May 18 - Varsity Baseball vs. Rochester Lourdes - 11:00 am (Hudson Field)

Upcoming Events - Byron Public Schools HVL Conference Calendar

Pictured left to right:

• Mrs. Cordes' and Ms. Helget's 4th grade classrooms host Grandparents Day! There were crafts, photo booths and student led tours. An exciting day at BIS!
• BHS Unified PE class presentation at BMS. Eight graders had read, Real by Carol Cujec. The book speaks to all those who’ve ever felt they didn’t belong and reminds readers that all people are worthy of being included.
• Andy and Mrs. Reining having fun at ZED Activity Day! Go Team!

At Byron Public Schools, we appreciate the incredible impact our staff members have on our students. That's why we're inviting you—our students, staff, and the entire Byron Bears community—to share those outstanding staff members who consistently go the extra mile. Whether it's a teacher who inspires, a counselor who listens with empathy, or a coach who motivates and guides, your recognition will highlight the unsung heroes among us. Acknowledge a deserving staff member today and share their inspiring story with us! These stories will be featured in our district communications, on Facebook, Twitter, and in 'The Byron Buzz' newsletter. This is your opportunity to highlight the best of #ByronBears across our community!

To submit an entry please use https://bit.ly/531Recognition

The Byron School Board wants to hear from you. The Board will have two members available before each Work Session to listen to you. The listening sessions will be from 5:00-5:25 PM with the Board Work Sessions following at 5:30. During the listening sessions, the board members will be taking notes and notifying the rest of the board about topics that were discussed. They will not be making any decisions at that meeting. Listening sessions are held at 5:00 PM on the first Monday of each month at the District Office.

New! Take and Make Pottery Painting

Paint at your own pace and from the comfort of your home! Choose your item, glaze it and bring it back for firing. Items available: Bud Vases, Mugs, Gnomes, Shark Bite, Bears, or Cactus Planter. Sign up here

Summer Classes and Camps Begin Soon!

• Clay Camp for Grades 2-5 on May 28 & 29
• Bike Rodeo on May 30
• BBA Summer Skills Challenges for Grades 3-5 and Grades 6-8 start June 3
• Byron Bearmaker Camps for Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9 and Grades 10-12 start June 3
• Byron Girl's and Boy's Track and Field Camp starts June 3
• Child and Baby-Sitting Safety Class on June 3
• Home Alone on June 3
• Summer Art Club Mornings (waitlist) or Afternoons (3 spots left) on June 3-6

Looking to expand your pottery skills? Has it been a while since you played with clay?

Community Education offers Pottery Open Studio for Adults in the Makerspace. The next session runs on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings from June 4th to the 29th.

Fee: $40 early bird (ends 5/17)

Learn more about Open Studio here.

We have openings for bus drivers, paraprofessionals and teacher substitutes to name a few of them. Find our complete job listings HERE

For more information, please contact the Byron Public Schools District Office at 507-775-2383. Thank you for your consideration of these employment opportunities.