Austin Packer Bulletin - 4/5/2024
Volume 2, Issue 33
Austin Public Schools Receives National Recognition for Music Programming
Austin Public Schools has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 25th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Austin is one of only seven districts in Minnesota to earn the honor.
"We're thrilled to announce that our dedication to music education has been recognized with the Best Communities for Music Education award," said Austin Superintendent Dr. Joey Page. "This honor is a testament to the collective efforts of our talented staff, students, families/caregivers, and community leaders. Together, we've made music an integral part of a well-rounded education for every child in the Austin Public Schools. We're proud of our community's strong commitment to creating an environment where music is vital to our children's growth and learning."
Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students involved in music are more likely to graduate high school and attend college. In addition, everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than those without music training.
"Our unwavering commitment is steadfast in embracing and rewarding educators, administrators, parents, and community leaders who applaud and support comprehensive music instruction as a fundamental part of core learning opportunities," said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO. "These leaders offer an extraordinary model of teaching that ignites a foundation of success we can all honor and celebrate."
"In the world that our students are living in today, music education in public schools is more important than ever before. Music connects students, both within themselves and with others around them. Performing music enables students to simultaneously use both the artistic and technical sides of their brains to create something technically precise and beautiful," said Christoph Dundas, Austin High School band director. "It teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, and perseverance. But most importantly, music education teaches students to connect with each other and the world around them. It is a universal language shared by students around the world."
Sincerely,
Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent
More than a few of us on the Austin School Board have had a long relationship with the Austin Public Schools. From my entry as a kindergartener at Woodson Elementary School (I lived across the street) to my graduation from Austin High School in 1977, Austin Public Schools has always been a place of many fond memories, friendships, and pride. Every five years for the last 45, I have attended and thoroughly enjoyed my AHS class reunions, where I reconnected with old friends and reminisced about the “good old days.” The tour of Austin High School is one of my favorite parts of the weekend. That walk through the halls of the high school elicits nostalgic feelings and a sense of thankfulness for this place where our educational roots took hold so many years ago.
As a School Board member, Alumni Committee member, alum, retired teacher, and parent of three Packers, I have had many opportunities to reflect on and boast about this district. The accomplishments of our students and staff include academic scholars, athletes, entrepreneurs, musicians, artists and orators, clubs, teams, educators, support staff, and coaches. These achievements do not come without strong leadership, exemplary staff, committed students and families, researched and data-driven decision-making, fiscal responsibility, and open conversations about what is best for our students.
Austin Public Schools’ district mission to inspire, empower, and accelerate is being realized daily with a focus on working with each unique child in a way that best meets their specific needs. In my three-year tenure as a board member, I have witnessed positive changes across the district that support our work toward this goal.
Austin Public Schools sets the bar high and is supported by a community prioritizing excellence in its educational system. Austin’s strong history of providing an engaging and fruitful education continues.
Packer Proud!
Cece Kroc, Austin School Board
Early Warning System (EWS)
In 2023, we implemented the Infinite Campus Early Warning System (EWS). Using artificial intelligence (AI), the EWS employs advanced data analytics to evaluate the relationship between factors like attendance, behavior, academic performance, and stability at home and school to forecast the probability of graduation so we can intervene more rapidly to support student learning outcomes.
What's Happening Now?
- Information Services staff continue EWS training with building leaders and support staff to enhance understanding of the GRAD Score (Graduation-Related Analytic Data) and related domains.
- Infinite Campus EWS and MTSS Data Walls in Viewpoint Data Warehouse continue to be reviewed and updated to meet the needs of stakeholders.
- Spring 2024 – Continued training at schools and within teams throughout the District to build capacity and better understand, implement, and utilize the EWS data and analytics.
- Advantages of using EWS AI and Machine Learning technologies:
- The machine-learned statistical model has better predictive power than heuristics published in dropout prevention literature.
- The EWS system can detect changes in educational data faster than staff members can and update GRAD scores accordingly for earlier identification and intervention.
For a closer look at what makes each school unique, please see our updated informational sheets for each site.
Check out the issue of the new Packer Profile newsletter.
Are you ready for severe weather? Each year, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in collaboration with the National Weather Service, sponsors Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. The week is designed to refresh, remind, and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them. It's also a great time to make and practice your emergency plan and build or refresh your emergency preparedness kit.
Statewide Tornado Drills
The two annual statewide tornado drills are the most important events during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Minnesota's 2024 statewide tornado drills are scheduled for Thursday, April 11.
Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The first drill is intended for institutions (including APS) and businesses. The evening drill is designed for second-shift workers and families.
On April 8, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It's a fantastic teachable moment for our students. However, it's crucial to prioritize safety. Please remind your students that looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can harm their eyes. If available, only use certified eclipse glasses or solar viewers. Regular sunglasses aren't enough. Let's make this a memorable and safe learning experience for everyone!
Here are some safety resources:
Minnesota Department of Education has completed the formal rulemaking process for the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards in Social Studies. The standards became effective March 11, 2024. They are scheduled for complete implementation in the 2026-27 school year. For more information, please visit the Social Studies webpage.
In 2022, Congress permanently authorized as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (P.L 117-328) the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (S-EBT). The Summer EBT program offers an exciting opportunity to reduce childhood hunger by providing families with school-aged children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals at $40/month per child ($120 total) during the summer months when children are not receiving meals at school to purchase healthy foods with funds placed on EBT cards. Summer EBT is a complement to the Summer Nutrition Program.
S-EBT Eligibility
Students attending a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)/ School Breakfast Program (SBP) at the end of the 2023–24 school year can qualify through the following methods:
- Students who are directly certified through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Foster and Medicaid
- Students who are categorically eligible (homeless, foster, migrant or runaway)
- Students approved for free/reduced-price lunch for the 2023–24 school year
- Students who are newly eligible for free/reduced-price lunch during the summer until August 23, 2024
Data Collection Process:
- MDE collects data from schools via S-EBT data portal.
- DHS issues S-EBT benefits directly to students.
- If you have questions, send an email to sebt.mde@state.mn.us.
Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District.
The Artistic Discovery Contest is open to all high school students in our District. The winning artwork of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will include the winning artwork from all participating districts from around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.
All submitted artwork must be original in concept, design, and execution. Artwork and required forms are due no later than Friday, May 3, 2024. Submissions can be delivered to the Rochester office at 2746 Superior Drive NW, Suite 100, Rochester, MN 55901, or the New Ulm office at 110 N. Minnesota St., Suite 5, New Ulm, MN 56073.
Judging is performed by members of the local art community. Further information about the program, including official rules, guidelines, and student release forms for the 2024 competition, can be found on Congressman Finstad's website or by calling the Rochester office at (507) 577-6140.
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!
