This week the Minnesota School Board Association recognized All-State Board Members at a luncheon on Thursday.

The ADH shared, “The award was started in 1971 and is designed to recognize, ‘school board members who are committed to student achievement, determined to build support for their local schools, and unwavering in their pursuit of what’s best for students,’ according to MSBA Executive Director Kirk Schneidawind.”

“I’m in good company,” Leathers said. “It’s really a privilege to represent the shareholders of Austin Public Schools.”

Thank you Don for your dedicated service.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

During the month of January, planning will begin for the 2023 Summer Programming Opportunities for All Students in Austin. Students in Austin will have multiple summer opportunities to inspire, empower and accelerate learning while preparing all learners to make a difference in the world.

Extended School Year Opportunities (ESY)

Students who receive special education services may qualify for Extended School Year Services (ESY). Locations of these services will be across the District, and needs for this programming will include needs for teachers and paraprofessionals. For more information, contact Executive Director of Special Services Sheri Willrodt.

Packers in Training

Packers in Training is a unique opportunity for students who have not had a preschool experience to experience what a kindergarten school day is like before the first bell of the year rings. This co-taught opportunity pairs preschool and kindergarten teachers while exploring what Woodson Kindergarten Center is all about. We include students who are "slow to warm" if we have room, but our primary objective is those with no preschool. For more information, contact Director of Community Education Jennifer Lawhead.

Targeted Services: Extended Year Programming

Summer School for our incoming 1st-8th graders will start up on June 12 this year and run through July 27, with the week of the 4th off. Students are identified based on need and with the recommendation of their classroom teacher and support from their families. The curriculum is provided for students' reading and math and enrichment activities throughout the week. We will need teachers interested in working with students entering grade 1st-8th. For more information, contact Principal, Alternative Educational Programs Jessica Cabeen.

ALC: Summer School Programing (credit recovery)

Students in grades 9-12 will be able to attend classes at Austin High School this summer to gain the credits for graduation. Summer School will run from June 12th-July 20th from 8:30-1 pm (no school on July 3rd/4th). Staff decisions are based on student enrollment and staff licensure area. For more information, contact AHS Assistant Principal Allison Gunderson.

39 Austin High School DECA students travelled to Owatonna for the DECA District 1 competition in Owatonna on January 6. Over 400 students from Owatonna, Mankato East, Mankato West, Northfield, Waseca, Faribault, and Pine Island competed at this event.

DECA is a organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Students compete by participating in mock interviews, sales demonstrations, individual and team role plays, and by presenting ad campaigns and other ideas to judges that are business leaders in the community.

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation, six sites along I-90 in Austin have bridges scheduled to be replaced or repaired from 2024 to 2026. You can view a video outlining the changes and each proposed layout. Sign up for email/text message updates to stay updated and informed. A public Open House will take place on January 31 at the Austin Public Library from 4:30-6:30 pm. You can review the I-90 Bridge Reconstruction site here.

The 2023 Minnesota on the Map ArcGIS Online Student Map Competition is now open! This competition enables participating students in grades 4-12 to create an ArcGIS StoryMap detailing research findings and results on a Minnesota-specific topic. All entries are judged, and each school may submit up to five to the state level. A team of Minnesota GIS professionals and educators judge those entries, and the top five in each division are awarded a $100 Amazon e-gift certificate. The middle school and high school with the first place state entry each receive a free, one-year subscription to Maps 101.

The top five entries in each division are submitted to Esri's ArcGIS Online Competition for US High School & Middle School Students. First-place winners in each division compete for the national title. Minnesota had national winners in 2017, 2018, and 2019!

Questions about the competition can be directed to Jim Hanson or Mike Dolbow.

As your elected representatives, School Board members welcome questions and conversations related to governing the District. Board members actively participate in many areas throughout the community, attending advisory council meetings, serving on committees, and attending school and community meetings and events. Board members welcome invitations to events and will make an effort to attend. There are formal and informal opportunities to communicate with the School Board and individual Board members. Please visit our informational page to learn more about the School Board.

A $1,000 National FFA SAE grant has been awarded to Abby VanPelt of Austin by Farm Credit. The grant will be used to expand VanPelt's Sheep Entrepreneurship Supervised Agricultural Experience project. VanPelt is a member of the Austin FFA Chapter. Her application was selected from among 1,296 applications nationwide. See the full ADH article and photo information here.

The Austin High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced its 2023 class of inductees, which include Warren "Pete" Lade, Debbie (Diggins) Van Leeuwen, Dr. Pat Landherr, Pharm. D, Class, Dena Diggins, Dr. Beau Webber, Ph.D., and Lynn Gulbrandson. The 36th annual Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend will take place Friday, January 27, and Saturday, January 28. Please see the KAUS 1480 post for more information about this year's inductees and ceremony details.

The Minnesota Department of Education's flexible learning year provides optional scheduling approaches for students and educators for a school year by building or program. Sumner Elementary School has utilized a 45/15 schedule for several years in the Austin Public Schools. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, Sumner Elementary School will return to the same calendar as the other elementary schools in the district.

This means that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all Austin Public Schools will be on a traditional calendar when all students begin in the fall, have traditional breaks throughout the year, and have most of the summer off. This transition in schedule also means that all elementary students in the Austin Public Schools will eventually begin the process of adhering to attending their neighborhood elementary school. The elementary boundaries have not changed. This transition will involve several changes throughout the district, and we would like to share as much as possible with you here.

In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumna Sara Jutz.

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/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 IJ Holton Intermediate School Behavior Coach Dave Brown.

"Dave greets the students with a smile every morning and helps them feel that they are being heard and have a safe space to be at. In short, Dave is phenomenal staff member and Austin Public Schools is lucky to have him!"

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!

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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.

You can review previous issues here.