⏰ Reading time: Three minutes, 30 seconds

Picture at top: Spring Creek Grade 5 students performing Science Rocks!

Dear Northfield School District Families:

As we enter the last days of the school year, I want to thank you for your ongoing support. Our work together to prepare students for lifelong success is a labor of love and a partnership between families and school district staff.

We are beginning the end-of-the-school-year traditions. Things like graduation ceremonies, picnics, field trips, and other special events. Enjoy this time of year as we transition into summer!

Sincerely,

Matt

--

Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.

Superintendent

mhillmann@northfieldschools.org | 507-663-0629

Each spring/early summer administrators in the district review and update the district’s Student Citizenship Handbook. We are reviewing the 2024-25 handbook and want to invite community members to participate in this process. Two work sessions are scheduled:

Tuesday, June 11: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

If you would like to participate on this work team please complete this form. For clarity, a limited number of slots are available so not every applicant may be asked to join the team. Thank you for your engagement!

The Northfield School District will host a Juneteenth event on June 19th at the Northfield High School auditorium. You can learn more about the Juneteenth holiday here. Here are the event details:

• Date: June 19, 2024.

• Location: Northfield High School auditorium.

• 5-5:45 pm: A free meal will be provided for the first 100 attendees.

• 6-6:45 pm: Juneteenth lecture by Dr. Yolanda Williams, professor of African American literature, art, and history at the University of Minnesota

The funding for the event is being sponsored by community partners, including Northfield’s Neuger Communications, Northfield Promise, and the Northfield Racial and Ethnic Equity Collaborative. If you would like to be a sponsor, contact Matt Hillmann.

Director of Buildings & Grounds Justin Raabolle, Administrative Assistant Dorothy Cohan, and Officer Gabriel Crombie completed the Minnesota School Emergency Management program through the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management - School Safety Center. They are three (3) of the 34 people in Minnesota who have completed this vital course.

The Class of 2024 began celebrating their graduation with the “Parade of Graduates” on May 28. Shuttle buses, sponsored by Benjamin Bus, drove seniors, wearing their caps and gowns, to the elementary schools they attended. Students participated in hallway parades, took photos, and reminisced about their elementary school experiences.

This year’s Northfield Memorial Day Service featured two Northfield High School graduates. District Grounds Coordinator Tracy Closson, an NHS alum, is the current VFW Post #4393 and delivered the commander's address. Jodi Greene, another NHS alum, former Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy, and a U.S. Air Force veteran was the keynote speaker. The event was held at St. Olaf College and was well attended.

Northfield High School received a Minnesota Promising Practices Award for “Student Success Center.” Promising practices are unique and successful practices that promote character development in Pre-K–grade 12 students. The Student Success Center provides academic support through tutoring and Tier 2 interventions to build confidence and empowerment for the students. The program focuses on a philosophy that emphasizes students need to feel they belong and are respected in order to achieve academically. Congratulations to lead interventionist Ellen Mucha and the rest of the Student Success Center team!

• The school board held a regular meeting on May 28.

• Board packets, table files, and meeting videos are located on our website.

• You can listen to Superintendent Hillmann’s recap on KYMN radio.