Austin Packer Bulletin - 09/20/2024

With the school year in full swing, I want to highlight our progress and some impactful new initiatives across Austin Public Schools. Guided by our long-term strategic plan, we remain deeply committed to Inspiring, Empowering, and Accelerating learning as we prepare all students to make a difference in the world.

I am pleased to report that I have already seen this year's theme of "Connection" in action. By strengthening relationships among staff, families, caregivers, and students, we are better equipped than ever to continue advancing the four main goals of our strategic plan:

1. Provide support and resources to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment.
2. Create a "Packer Profile" for all learners, which includes building strong character qualities – responsibility, resiliency, learner, communicator, and contributor.
3. Ensure district-wide, multi-tiered systems of support for all learners.
4. Demonstrate efficient and equitable management of dollars and resources.

As a reminder, AccelerateAustin.org is your go-to place to learn more about our strategic plan and track our progress. You can also view our 2023-24 annual report, where we share detailed highlights and steps forward related to each of our goals.

Speaking of progress, we made a significant change this fall that aligns with our theme of "Connection": kindergarten students are now integrated into their neighborhood schools. This shift allows kindergarteners to be a part of the elementary communities where they will continue their education for the next five years. After two years of planning, I am proud that our neighborhood schools have warmly welcomed local kindergarteners and their families.

Our dedication to removing learning barriers and supporting APS families and caregivers is unwavering. This is the second year we've used classroom kits for preschool through fourth grade students, and this year, they are fully funded by the district, including all essential school supplies. This initiative eases the financial burden on families and caregivers, ensuring all students have the tools to succeed.

With the implementation of the READ Act, improving reading comprehension continues to be a priority for our district. This has meant connecting teachers with extensive professional development to offer the strategies and tools needed to boost student literacy across grade levels.

Here's another exciting update: This year, instead of the traditional Battle of Connects, APS high school students will participate in a service-learning project with Hormel Foods, the United Way of Mower County, and Hometown Food Security Project during homecoming week (Sept. 23-28). The Austin Student Council made this decision, and our district is proud to support it. We are excited to see the positive impact of this collaboration, which will involve assembling 24,000 snack packs on the lawn of Austin High School. Remember, the Battle of Connects is now a year-long initiative, so stay tuned for more opportunities throughout the school year!

These highlights are just a few examples of how we are driving our district's long-term strategic plan forward. I encourage you to visit AccelerateAustin.org to learn more about our goals and the progress we are making.

Looking ahead, I'm eager to see how our theme of Connection continues to foster a supportive and thriving APS community. Together, we will create an environment where all students and staff feel seen, heard, valued, and prepared to make a difference.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

September is Minnesota School Board Recognition Month. It's a great time to recognize our elected community members who selflessly give their time and energy to support high-quality public schooling for our youth. The community entrusts Austin Public Schools' board members with overseeing an annual budget of over $113 million, educating over 5,200 students, more than 850 employees, and nine buildings.

School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult or require sifting through a great deal of information. They also bear responsibility for developing a vision that will guide the school district for years to come. Through collaboration as a team and with school district staff, their governance and advocacy are building the future of education in Minnesota.

This September, we're encouraging all community members to thank a board member. Please thank them for volunteering their time and playing a critical civic role that helps form the bedrock of our democracy — public education. As a crucial bridge between the local community and the school district, their efforts are instrumental in helping us realize our hopes and dreams for our community's children.

The men and women serving Austin Public Schools and their years of service are:

• Dr. Carolyn Dubé, School Board Chair – 6 Years Of Service
• Kathy Green, School Board Vice-Chair – 25 Years of Service
• Cece Kroc, School Board Treasurer – 4 Years of Service
• Peggy Young, School Board Clerk – 10 Years of Service
• Don Leathers, Director – 12 Years of Service
• Carol McAlister, Director – 2 Years of Service
• Evan Sorenson, Director – 4 Years of Service
• Student School Board Representatives: Anita Rao and Michael Garry

For more information visit the School Board's informational webpage.

The Homecoming parade will begin at 3:45 PM on Friday, September 27, and will follow this route:

• Parade organizes in front of Wescott along 12th Street NW
• Parade starts at 12th Street NW and travels east on 4th Ave NW
• Turn Right (South) onto 4th St NW to 3rd Ave NW
• Turn Left (East) onto 3rd Ave NW to 3rd St NW
• Turn Right (South) onto 3rd St NW; Parade Route ends on 3rd St NW on East Side of Austin High School

Last week, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced that Austin High School seniors Meicy Liu and Claudia McDonald have been named semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They will each have the opportunity to move forward and compete for one of approximately 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million.

“It's [an] honor to have been named a semifinalist,” said Meicy. “This award is both a reflection of my academic progress as well as a representation of what I can and will be able to achieve in the future.”

“We are delighted to congratulate Meicy Liu and Claudia McDonald for being named semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program,” said AHS principal Matt Schmit. “Their hard work and dedication model the excellence we strive for in our school. We are incredibly proud of their achievement and look forward to their continued success.”

When asked about the impact Austin Public Schools has had on her, Claudia said “APS has supported my educational journey and given me opportunities to grow and further enrich my learning. Through RCC and PSEO classes, I have been able to expand my horizons which has helped me get ahead with my education and is a large part of why I was able to accomplish this recognition.”

“We're proud to share that Meicy and Claudia have been recognized as National Merit Semifinalists," said Dr. Joey Page, superintendent of Austin Public Schools. "This achievement is a testament to their effort and commitment, and we look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.”

Both Meicy and Caludia credited their teachers for their efforts in helping them succeed.

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The semifinalist pool represents less than one percent of US high school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Why did you want to be a student school board representative?

I wanted to be more involved within the school so when I was contacted to apply for this position, I was so excited for the opportunity. I also love to learn all about the logistics behind running the school district. Being the student rep is also an amazing chance to speak out about ways to improve the high school experience and the things that are already so great.

How do you view your role as a student school board representative?

I feel the role of the student rep is so important to connect the student body with the board members. It gives the school board a little more insight into what the student body is doing and the different activities going on at AHS. It is also a good way for me as a student to understand the different things going on in out district.

What is one thing you hope you can bring to the school board as a student representative?

I hope to bring in the perspective of the student body and show that people my age can prosper in a professional environment. Whether it be writing thorough reports or just adding insight in an intellectual manner.

Why is it important For students to take an interest in the school board?

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to run the district efficiently I think giving students to not only attend but participate in the meeting is eye-opening. By going to the meetings, I get to see firsthand how they deal with the many requests well using the insight of everyone’s opinions. It is important for students to see all this hard work going into the school board and in the end, it might even spark job interest!

What other activities are you a part of?

I love to be active within the school and the Austin community! Currently, I am in two sports, figure skating, and the swim team. I am also a part of the Mower County CEO program and Go Green Club at school. This year as a junior I participated in Link Crew to welcome the incoming freshmen. I work at Culver’s and love to volunteer in my spare time!

Why did you want to be a student school board representative?

I wanted to become a student school board representative to become more involved in my education and to be a voice for my classmates and community and I love Austin.

How do you view your role as a student school board representative?

I view my role as a student school board representative as a responsibility to get the voices of my classmates heard and to do my best to support the school and community.

What is one thing you hope you can bring to the school board as a student representative?

I hope to bring a new unique view to the meetings of what is going well and what needs to change. I engage with the community as a teenager, student and business owner, and I hope my experiences will help me elevate discussions and improvements.

Why is it important For students to take an interest in the school board?

It is important for students to take interest in the school board because high school is a once in a lifetime event that should provide positive experiences and preparation for the next steps in life. I think it is important for the school board to hear the voice of the students and understand the concerns and ideas that can make the school great for everyone.

What other activities are you a part of?

I am apart of Wrestling, Tennis, CEO, Student coucal, and DECA.

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 Southgate Elementary School principal Derik Gustafson.

"Mr. Gus goes above and beyond for the students and staff at Southgate. You can tell he genuinely cares. He brings his best every single day!"

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!

Jason Baskin (Class of 2002) and the late Gertrude Ellis Skinner (Class of 1881) are the 2024 Distinguished Alumni as selected by the Austin High School Alumni & Friends Association. As reported in the Austin Daily Herald, "a school assembly is set for 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at Austin High's Knowlton Auditorium, where Baskin will address students along with Mower County Historical Society's executive director Randy Forster, who will talk about Skinner…" Congratulations to Jason and Gertrude on your selection as our Distinguished Alumni. You can read more about their accomplishments here.

Dinner tickets are $25 per person and need to be reserved by Friday, Sept. 20, by contacting Alumni Chair Jeni Lindberg at jeni.lindberg@austin.k12mn.us or 507-433-4557.

Austin Public Schools employs a team of Success Coaches dedicated to working with non-English speaking families. With students speaking over 40 different home languages, our Success Coaches play a vital role in connecting classrooms with families, ensuring effective communication and support.

Help support:

• Field Trips
• School Fun Days
• Assemblies
• Author Visits
• Playground Equipment
• Teacher Appreciation & more!

Every step makes a difference!

Learn more here: https://youtu.be/pTyB0kziqTY

You're invited to join Austin High School's new Future Teachers Club! This is a great opportunity for students interested in exploring the teaching profession through hands-on activities, exciting field trips, and more. Come discover what it takes to be a teacher!

Austin Public Schools and Austin Aspires are inspiring change by collectively bringing our community's resources together and empowering our students, staff, and families/caregivers. We are committed to making evidence-based decisions, investing in sustainable solutions, and acting collaboratively. Together, we are stronger and building a brighter future for all our stakeholders. Explore the important work Austin Aspires is doing in our community by clicking here!

• Advancing Literacy Navigating the Minnesota READ Act and embracing systemic change
• Podcast: With costs ballooning, what's the future of universal school lunch programs?
• Youth Mental Health panel talks cell phone bans, rural needs
• Senators, parents ramp up pressure on House to pass Kids Online Safety Act

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

Dates:

• 10/21
  
• 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.