Austin Packer Bulletin - 11/08/2024

On Veterans Day, we remember all who have served our country in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force.

As the US Department of Veteran Affairs stated, “The theme for Veterans Day 2024 is ‘A Legacy of Loyalty and Service,’ and this year’s winning poster was designed by Myisha Godette, a retired, disabled Army Veteran from Queens, New York.”

Thank you to all Veterans and their families for their service and dedication to defending our Nation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

This is Part 2 of a three-part newsletter series on student well-being. Please refer back to Volume 3, Issue 11 for Part 1.

A central goal of our long-term strategic plan is creating district-wide, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for all learners. MTSS is an umbrella framework that strengthens student well-being, supports greater school connectedness, and advances our district's mission to inspire, empower, and accelerate student learning. The MTSS framework aligns academic, social-emotional, and behavioral interventions to meet the unique needs of every student, particularly those impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

Based on the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey Results, many students in our district have dealt with a traumatic experience, making them more likely to face difficulties in school. As a reminder, ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. Many APS students have experienced ACEs, which contribute to struggles in school. That's where MTSS comes in.

With three different levels of support – or tiers – for addressing student challenges, MTSS interventions strengthen relationships between students, staff, and families so that together, we can provide all learners with the tools they need to succeed.

The MTSS Framework:

• Tier 1: Universal Support for All Students
  Tier 1 MTSS interventions are universal and benefit all students. For example, our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) sets clear expectations and reinforces positive behaviors to promote an inclusive and respectful school environment where every student can thrive. In line with this year's theme of "Connection," the Building Assets, Reducing Risks (BARR) intervention fosters strong relationships between students and staff, allowing teachers to quickly recognize when students need extra help.

• Tier 2: Targeted Support for Students Needing Additional Help
  Tier 2 MTSS interventions support students who need additional academic, social, or emotional help. These supports include:
• Behavior, Social Worker and School Counselor Interventions to help students with specific social-emotional needs address mental health and personal challenges.
• Academic Interventions that help close learning gaps for students struggling to meet benchmarks.
• Targeted Services that provide additional instruction and enrichment opportunities outside of the regular school day to help students catch up in key subjects.

• Tier 3: Intensive Support for Students with Significant Needs
  Tier 3 is designed for students facing significant challenges. These students receive individualized, intensive support, which may involve more personalized mental health services or the involvement of behaviorists to address complex needs.

The MTSS framework ensures that every student, especially those with high levels of ACEs, receives the right level of support at the right time, empowering them to succeed academically and personally. By meeting the diverse needs of all learners, we are nurturing the core values we aim to instill in all APS graduates: Responsible, Resilient, Learner, Communicator, and Contributor.

In Part 3 of this newsletter series, I will focus on how our K-4 neighborhood schools promote student well-being and reduce the impact of ACEs by creating stable, community-based environments where students and families feel connected and supported. Stay tuned for more insights, including additional data on how ACEs impact our students.

Thank you for all you do for our students and schools.

Austin Public Schools is participating in the Minnesota Department of Education's Culturally Responsive Arts Education (CRAE) initiative. This effort aligns with MDE's focus on broadening cultural inclusivity in the arts, providing students with an arts curriculum that reflects a diverse, interconnected world.

What's Changing in Our Arts Curriculum? Our CRAE team members—Nikky Tolde, Krystal Lennie, Katie Tharp, David Hovland, and Kim Zerke— are working to gather music and art resources from additional cultural traditions to K-8 music and art classes, enhancing students' experiences with art and music from Myanmar, Micronesia, Togo, Benin, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Native American communities. This approach encourages respect, understanding, and an appreciation of cultural diversity within our classrooms.

The focus of the CRAE Initiative and MDE's Goals: MDE's arts standards emphasize representation, cultural awareness, and inclusion, supporting students in seeing their own cultures and others' reflected in their learning. CRAE's goals align with these standards by integrating culturally authentic resources and experiences across our arts curriculum.

Key Project Goals:

• Building Cultural Partnerships: Our CRAE team will work with culture bearers with specialized knowledge of cultural traditions to enhance and inform our curriculum.
• Inclusive Curriculum Design: This collaboration will help develop learning experiences that respect cultural contexts and give students a well-rounded, inclusive arts education.
• Accountability and Progress: Regular updates to MDE will ensure that all action steps meet CRAE's objectives, keeping us accountable to MDE's high standards for inclusivity and cultural respect.

Through the CRAE initiative, we are creating an arts curriculum that fosters a deeper understanding of diverse cultural expressions, supporting our students in developing empathy, respect, and a greater connection to the world around them.

At Austin Public Schools, one of our key priorities is providing the support and resources needed for a safe and welcoming learning environment. Take a look at this great story about Mickey Ely, who marks a unique milestone for the 2024-2025 school year. Her family is the first to have three generations working in the district at the same time, playing a significant role in making this priority a reality.

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 Austin High School Spanish teacher Rhonda Alberts.

"Profe Alberts works tirelessly to provide compassionate and meaningful instruction to her students. She has volunteered hundreds of hours to planning, overseeing, and participating in student trips to other countries. She also just organized a daylong event at AHS honoring Hispanic cultures complete with singers, dancers, speakers, and cultural realia. She is an inspiration to staff and students alike."

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!

Last week, four Austin High School students served as delegates at the Global Youth Institute, where they presented their research on global food security challenges. These students were selected to serve as Minnesota delegates from Austin High School.

Their research topics are:

• Chloe Cannon - Poor Infrastructure in Rural Romania
• Makayla Dokpodjo - The United Arab Emirates: Turning Deserts into Greenhouses
• Sabreen Nagid - Political Causes of Starvation in Sudan
• Isabella Rosenthal - Improving Belize's Food Waste and Food Production

The students' participation was made possible thanks to the support of their teacher and mentor, Lisa Sanders, along with the generous contributions of community partners Hormel Foods and the Hometown Food Security Project. (photo provided)

Austin Adult Learning is making a meaningful impact in our community by providing accessible, high-quality programs for adult learners. Whether you want to develop your English language skills, prepare for the GED, or enhance career opportunities, they offer courses tailored to various educational goals. Visit their website to learn more and see how Austin Adult Learning can support your journey toward lifelong learning and success!

This year, Austin Public Schools is using GoFan for digital event tickets. Click here to see all our upcoming events and purchase tickets.

Here's a quick guide on how to Buy, Transfer, and Use our new digital ticketing feature for APS Activities. Get the app today and make your event experience even smoother!

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, succeed in their careers, gain college experience, or both after high school. Source

Hormel Foods is partnering with the Hometown Food Security Project and local organizations to organize and deliver a communitywide turkey giveaway event on November 16, 2024 at the Mower County Fairgrounds. This drive through event is open to Austin community members and provides a free, frozen JENNIE-O® whole turkey just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

More than 3,000 turkeys will be available on a first come, first served basis. Pre-registration will not be offered. Limit one per household.

Details to Know

When:

Saturday, November 16, beginning at 9:00 AM (while supplies last - weather permitting).

For event updates and in case of inclement weather, please visit our event page on the HFSP site at www.HometownFoodSecurity.org.

Where:

Mower County Fairgrounds

700 12th Street SW, Austin, MN 55912

What:

3,000+ turkeys between 18 lb and 24 lb will be given away on a first-come, first served basis. Additional turkeys will also be donated to food shelves in surrounding communities.

Inviting community members to get involved with the school district, we welcome you to join our committees or observe our meetings, which are open to the public. Below, you'll find various ways to engage and continuously provide feedback through committees tailored to your areas of interest or expertise.

Facilities Committee

The purpose of the Facilities Committee is to participate in general facilities planning for Austin Public Schools. To maintain the high standards the Austin School Board sets, the committee will focus on ways to enhance available resources to achieve our district's strategic priorities. Learn more here.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee meets to discuss school finance issues. Learn more here.

Technology Committee

The goal of the Technology Committee is to ensure that all district technology infrastructure, software, and hardware align with District Strategic Priorities. It is an advisory team that guides decision-making around student technology access, learning tools, and safety. This group comprises staff, students, and community members and meets once per month. Learn more here.

Wellness Committee

The Wellness Committee consists of staff and community members who work to promote healthy practices throughout the district. Learn more here.

Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness (CACR) - formerly World's Best Workforce

The Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness Committee was established by Minnesota law to provide parents and community members with involvement and input regarding school programs and curricular offerings. The committee comprises parents, community members, staff, teachers, administrators, and school board members. Meetings are held every other month from 4 – 5:30 pm in the AHS Conference Room A. Learn more here.

Packer Profile Advisory Committee

The Packer Profile Advisory Committee consists of community stakeholders who will offer feedback, design ideas, and vision to APS staff in developing the Packer Profile throughout the PK-12 system. The goal is to strengthen partnerships within the community and optimize stakeholder input to continue to align profile elements for all students.

Meeting Schedule for 2024-25: 3rd Tuesday 4-5 pm on September 17, January 21, April 15.

Contact Dr. Katie Baskin for more information on meetings.

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Please join me and a School Board member at the Coffee House on Main, 329 Main Street North, for coffee and conversation.

Dates:

• 11/25
• 1/27/25
• 2/24
• 3/31
• 4/30

Time:
7:45 AM - 8:30 AM

You can reach me at joey.page@austin.k12.mn.us or call 507-460-1900 to schedule an appointment.

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.

The school district strongly encourages anyone interested to apply to join our teams. Reasonable accommodations are available to access job openings or apply for a job. Click here to learn more.

You can review previous issues here.

Austin Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity. Individuals may report concerns or questions or make a complaint of sex discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator, Sue Stark.