During the 2021-22 school year, Austin Public Schools engaged in a strategic planning process to focus on the District's vision, mission, and strategic priorities. With feedback from all stakeholder groups, four strategic priorities were developed as the drivers of our work in preparing all students to make a difference in the world.

APS Strategic Priorities:

1. Support and resources to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment
2. Packer Profile for all learners
3. District-wide multi-tiered systems of support for all learners
4. Excellence in resource management

The Packer Profile identifies the community's shared aspirations for students and what it means to be a graduate of APS. It reflects what our students, staff, and families desire each day for our students and supports their preparation to become college, career, and life-ready. Students will work to develop the Packer core values through career pathway exploration and meaningful learning experiences, which will be demonstrated through a portfolio before graduation.

APS graduates are entering an ever-changing world filled with endless possibilities. To support our students in achieving their dreams after high school, APS staff will model and guide students toward their development of the Packer Core Values. The core values will hold our system accountable for focusing our instruction, student engagement, and community collaboration in supporting our students to make a difference in the world.

The Packer Core Values are:

• Responsible: Demonstrates accountability to self and others
• Resilient: Develops perseverance and self-confidence
• Learner: Challenges self to think critically
• Communicator: Listens actively and shares learning and experiences
• Contributor: Engages as a productive member of the community and global society

The Packer Profile reflects three key principles to guide student experience throughout their education at Austin Public Schools:

1. Career Pathways Exploration –Students will leverage their interests and abilities to explore future careers and educational opportunities.
2. Meaningful Learning Experiences – Core content and instruction will intentionally engage students in authentic learning experiences with relevance beyond APS.
3. Packer Portfolio – Beginning with the class of 2027, students will celebrate by sharing their meaningful pathway journey and growth in the Packer Core Values through a digital portfolio with the community.

Beginning in the fall of 2024, all incoming 9th-grade students will participate in the Packer Profile Seminar course. Students will use their interests and talents to explore career paths and educational opportunities. We've developed a "roundabout" of options for each career pathway, helping students better understand their choices.

The first poster we are featuring is for the Agriculture Science, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) Career Pathway. This pathway includes courses focused on improving the quality and safety of food, cultivating and preserving our natural resources, and caring for animals.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

As a 2004 graduate of Austin High School, I am honored to serve on the Austin School Board, which allows me to give back to the community. My three young daughters are currently enrolled in the District, so I see firsthand the positive impact of an excellent education.

As Deputy Sheriff for Mower County, my focus on the board naturally gravitates toward school safety and security. I have been impressed by the proactive security measures already in place and remain committed to seeing the District continue to invest in student safety.

The District's long-term plan aims to create a safe and welcoming environment and ensure strong support systems for all learners. This has hit close to home for me since I grew up with a brother with special needs. I am proud to witness our District's ongoing commitment to implementing and maintaining these crucial support systems for every student.

As I look forward to the future, I am optimistic that Austin Public Schools will only become more successful with commitment and a collective effort. To learn more, visit AccelerateAustin.org.

Thank you for supporting our District, our community, and our students.

Evan Sorenson, Austin School Board

Austin Online Academy Summer Acceleration is open to any Minnesota grade 9-12 student. All you need is a device and access to the Internet to participate!

Thank you to all the 2024 Austin Public Schools Poetry Contest participants and the Austin High School Language Arts Department for their willingness to judge all the entries. Congratulations to the finalists (and 🏆 winners) from Gifted and Talented Services and Austin Public Schools!

Ten months have passed since Governor Tim Walz signed the READ Act, and APS has been working to implement the new statute. Below is an update on the steps taken to meet the requirements of the law:

1. With the input of the newly formed District Literacy Team, Director of Information Services Corey Haugen has created an updated assessment plan to meet the need to screen all K-3 students with MDE approval and is currently working on a plan for all 4-12 students that are not reading proficiently as requirements become available, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.
   NOTE: MDE continues to determine the criteria to identify students in grades 4-12 who must be screened and give recommendations on how to implement these new practices.
2. Teaching and Learning staff have been working to plan the required Professional Development (PD)for PK-6 grade staff, which will begin next August. The District has chosen the highly respected Online Language and Literacy Academy for staff to gain the required PD. Six APS Instructional Coaches are completing the trainer program and will lead the staff through this training, using our PD days during the 2024-2025 school year.
3. We have created a READ Act page on the district website as a resource for staff, students, parents/caregivers, and the community.
4. Sheila Berger, READ Act Coordinator, will submit our first Local Literacy Plan in June. This plan will replace the Read Well by Third Grade plan and require the submission of specific data such as percent proficiency on reading screeners and the number of staff trained and certified in reading.

This week, students at Woodson Kindergarten Center received a free copy of "Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the Last Day of Kindergarten." The books were donated and distributed by members of the Ruzek family in honor of Mrs. Susan Ruzek, one of the first kindergarten teachers at Woodson when the school first opened. Mrs. Ruzek loved teaching students to read and inspiring them to be their best. The students were encouraged to bring their books home and read them to their parents.

We'd like to extend a huge thank you to the Ruzek family for their thoughtful donation.

The objective of the MnPS, which is backed by the Minneapolis Foundation and the Joyce Foundation, is to enhance the representation and perspectives of principals. You can access the report in its entirety and executive summary format here.

Check out all the classes and programs available this summer here.

The Project Graduation celebration has been held annually since 1989. The event allows AHS, AOA, ALC, and Pacelli SENIORS to celebrate with each other in a safe and fun environment. This year's Project Grad will be held at Austin High School on May 31 following graduation. The event takes many volunteers on the night of the event and up to May 31.

Parents do not have to have a senior to be involved; volunteering time when students are in 9th-11th grade helps to ensure the celebration will continue when their children are seniors. Parents of seniors are welcome to help; they will see firsthand the fun experiences their seniors have with friends.

Ways to get involved include helping deliver donation request letters/donations, chairing an event/space at the party, or signing up to work a shift that night.

The next meeting date is Wednesday, April 24.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 pm in the MacPhail Recital Hall. If you can't attend but want to be involved, don't hesitate to contact co-chairs Monica Lillis (641-295-0045 (text or call) or Kathy Ewing.

Congratulations to Callie Hillman on her 2nd place finish in the 2024 MN State Junior Duck Stamp contest! This amazing accomplishment is the culmination of months of hard work on her composition and technical abilities. Callie's artwork emphasized heightened detail and color theory as the Red Head ducks are shown swimming through a cattail marsh.

Congratulations to Ellis Middle School student Mya Opsahl, who participated in Edina's 6-8 State Honor Band last weekend (April 13-14). This was an amazing honor and something she worked incredibly hard for - she was one of only 10 clarinets from the state selected to play with the group!

The US Supreme Court, in Lindke v. Freed, addressed when a public official's social media use can lead to government liability under the First Amendment, as per Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act.

• Read The Opinion
• Previously shared: Board Policy on Employee Use of Social Media

• Don't bet on it: How to know when sports betting is more than entertainment

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• Good for you, good for others: Practicing the kindness behind 'Midwest Nice'

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 Digital Literacy teacher Matt Raso.

"Matt is a great teacher who makes learning fun! He is intentional and makes his room a safe space for middle school students."

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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• "We Need the Skills of People Who Think Differently"

• Meet the Minnesota researchers working to prevent another mass shooting

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.