The Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) will support our District through a Hormel Foundation Grant over the following calendar year. One of the activities we will be partnering on is a review of our English Language Learning (ELL) programming. This review will include a literature review by CAREI on Best Practices in ELL, which will be the foundation for reviewing the APS program. Like previous work with CAREI, focus groups, surveys, and extant data reviews will be conducted. Following the review, there will be a report that will include recommendations to improve programming. The Teaching and Learning Department will coordinate a group to review the findings, prioritize recommendations, and develop an implementation plan.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

As the chair of the Austin School Board, I am proud of our District's progress as we work to build a greater understanding and consensus around our long-term strategic plan.

Across the District, teachers and staff have been instrumental in creating welcoming environments for our students, which is our first strategic goal. A shining example is Lars Johnson, a Ellis Middle School teacher recently honored as Teacher of the Year at Austin Public Schools. Mr. Johnson's passion for teaching makes a positive difference for students daily.

Our students, too, are doing great things. For example, Nadia Hummel, a student at Austin High School, has been named to the Minnesota Department of Education's Computer Science Working Group. Students like Nadia embody character qualities that drive our second strategic goal – the Packer Profile. These character qualities include responsibility, resiliency, learning, communication, and being a contributor.

We are also working to provide multi-tiered systems of support for all learners and demonstrate effective resource management, our third and fourth strategic goals. The school board constantly strives for excellence in academic growth for all students, utilizing the valued resources we have been provided. It is a source of pride knowing we provide the continuum of support from our youngest learners to our Austin High School graduates.

As we continue pursuing our District's strategic vision, I am grateful for the ongoing support from our staff, parents/caregivers, leadership, and community. To learn more, please visit AccelerateAustin.org.

Kathy Green, Austin School Board member

In compliance with Minnesota Statute 121A.212, dispensers for feminine hygiene products are being installed in girls' restrooms from 4th to 12th grade and in unisex and staff bathrooms. These supplies will also be available in health offices. Some schools have set up these dispensers and will continue throughout December, ensuring they're ready for use when students return in January. For 4th to 6th graders, the dispensers will be stocked only with pads, but tampons can be accessed through the health offices, considering the need for additional guidance on their safe use. This month, educational sessions on using these products are being introduced by building nurses at elementary schools and the physical education teacher at IJ Holton.

We want to express our gratitude for your patience and understanding while we navigated a challenging situation at AHS this week. Please see our communications:

• Message 1
• Message 2
• Message 3

We appreciate the work of our terrific Facilities Team and Baxter!

AHS Students - In this session, you will learn the art of crafting impactful scholarship essays and discover strategies to showcase your achievements, articulate your goals, and leave a lasting impression on scholarship committees.

This hands-on session will also help you create a compelling personal statement and secure standout letters of recommendation. Gain insights into what makes a memorable personal statement and how to approach teachers for impactful recommendations.

Be sure to RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/Fi3uvYV1AS.

The BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) program at AHS is all about getting to know students as learners and individuals. It helps teachers recognize and build on each student's strengths, spot non-academic issues that might hold them back, and determine the support and steps they need to succeed. Learn more here.

As of November 20, individual households can order four more free tests through COVID.gov before the holidays.

• A closer look at pink eye: Self-care tips for conjunctivitis
• Healthy for the Holidays
• Mayo Clinic researchers demonstrate nearly 20% boost in adolescent HPV vaccination rates using comprehensive strategy

In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumnus Keith Hanson.

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 Ellis Middle School paraprofessional Amy Fossey.

"Amy is the happiest, most fun-loving and caring person, and her ability to support both the students and her colleagues is exemplary! Everyone needs a little bit of Fossey in their life!"

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!

• New program at APS showing early optimistic results
• The Possibilities & Challenges of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
• Minnesota middle school bans cellphone use, yielding surprising results

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.

Please Note:

We are currently between the fall and winter sports seasons.

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.

You can review previous issues here.