Austin Packer Bulletin - 11/22/2024

As Superintendent of Austin Public Schools, I'm pleased to share that our district's recent model for guiding the student experience—the Packer Profile—is already showing positive results.

The Packer Profile was developed collaboratively with students, families, staff, and residents in 2021-22. It is grounded in five core values that reflect our community's shared vision for every APS graduate: a responsible, resilient, learner, communicator, and contributor ready to make a difference in the world. Focusing on these core values is helping students develop the skills they need to navigate post-secondary education, careers, and life after graduation.

In addition to these core values, the Packer Profile is built on three key principles:

1. Career Pathway Exploration: Students will leverage their interests and abilities to connect with local professionals and explore future careers and educational opportunities.
2. Meaningful Learning Experiences: Core content and instruction will provide students with meaningful lessons and skills relevant to their relationships, community, and future careers beyond Austin Public Schools.
3. Packer Portfolio: Beginning with the class of 2027, students will celebrate their progress by sharing a digital portfolio with the community that demonstrates their journey and growth in the Packer Core Values.

Career Pathway Exploration provides learners with valuable insight into various careers, including relevant courses or experiences to help them reach their goals. By developing real-world employment skills, this curriculum allows students to connect their academic work to their passions, career interests, and the larger community.

Our district launched the Packer Profile Seminar this year for all ninth-grade students. This new course is designed to support ninth graders through the academically and socially challenging transition from middle to high school. By introducing students to the Packer Profile at the onset of their high school careers, the Packer Profile Seminar empowers students to develop the academic, social, and soft skills (i.e., Packer Profile core values) to thrive into their futures.

In addition to the Packer Profile Seminar, the district launched another critical resource: SchooLinks, our new college and career readiness platform. SchooLinks is a one-stop shop for students to discover careers and scholarship opportunities, connect with industry professionals, and build their Packer Portfolio. The platform allows students to plan their next steps with confidence and intention, whether that means college, technical training, military service, or entering the workforce.

This year, the Austin Public Schools theme of "Connection" demonstrates the importance of building solid and meaningful relationships with our work, each other, our families, and most importantly, our students. By collaborating, we can ensure our students feel supported throughout their educational journeys. The Packer Profile is a tool that strengthens these connections, helping students build networks, skills, and a foundation that will serve them well beyond graduation.

We're grateful for the continued support from families, local partners, and the Austin community as we strive to create an inclusive environment where every learner is supported on their path to adulthood. After all, graduating high school goes far beyond the diploma, encompassing confidence, skills, and connections to succeed in the world. I am proud of our progress as our district continues implementing and expanding the Packer Profile. I invite you to learn more about this initiative and our broader strategic vision by visiting AccelerateAustin.org. Stay tuned for a closer look at this work in the coming weeks.

The Austin Packer Bulletin will return on December 6.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Austin Public Schools! I am grateful for our students, families/caregivers, and staff who make our school community special.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

Recently, the Hormel Foundation board of directors approved distributions of $26 million for nonprofit agencies in the Austin/Mower community for 2025.

The Austin Public School District is very thankful for the Hormel Foundation's ongoing support. This year, the district received nearly $1.7 million in allocated funds for various programs like technology in the K-12 setting, REACH, gifted and talented programs, professional development, robotics, family literacy initiatives, and support for our music programs.

Learn more here.

Earlier this week, Austin High School band director Christoph Dundas was named the 2025 Austin Teacher of the Year.

Christoph, who has worked at AHS for the last nine years, was surprised with the award in his classroom by his children and a large group of family, district administrators, and well-wishers.

According to Austin Teacher of the Year committee chair Heather Ruzek, Christoph was one of 29 nominees considered for the award. “We really want to recognize that Mr. Dundas understands what our district needs: making connections with students and making them the top priority," said Ruzek. "He works hard to make connections with students and uses music as a great vehicle to do that.”

“This is pretty humbling,” said Dundas. “Austin has so many amazing teachers that it truly is an honor to be recognized.”

Now that Christoph has received Austin’s Teacher of the Year award, he will be in the running to be Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Nominees for the state award must go through a portfolio process and be selected to move forward. Over the more than 20-year life of the program, Austin has had two nominees make it to the semifinalist stage and one make it to the final ten.

Austin Public Schools (APS) Achievement and Integration (A&I) programs are designed to support every student's success while addressing achievement gaps related to race and socioeconomic status. Our 2024-2026 plan focuses on empowering students, supporting educators, and engaging families using a strengths-based approach.

Goal 1: Achievement

• Target: Increase the graduation rate for Black/African American students from 75% in 2021 to 80% or higher by 2026.
• Progress: In 2023, the graduation rate soared to 89.7%, exceeding our goal! We remain focused on sustaining these gains and improving outcomes for all students.
• Key Strategies:
• Mentorship: APS Success Coaches and the multilingual mentors from Austin Aspires' Aspiring Leaders of Tomorrow (A.L.O.T.) program work together to strengthen connections between home and school.
• Young Scholars: A program for grades K-4 focused on building critical thinking skills and laying the foundation for advanced coursework.

• Target: Foster meaningful connections among students from diverse backgrounds through inter-district collaboration.
• Programs:
• Discover Drones: A summer camp for grades 7-12.
• Project E3: A STEM summer program exploring environmental science and engineering careers. In 2024, 53% of participants reported understanding energy applications, with many noting stronger peer connections.

Goal 3: Teacher Equity

• Target: Ensure all students feel safe, supported, and connected to caring adults at school.
• How We Measure: Student responses to questions such as:
• "Adults at my school listen to students."
• "Teachers care about students."

• Initiatives Include:
• Culturally Responsive School Leadership
• Cultural Competence Training for all staff
• Success Coaches providing academic and social-emotional support

Milestone Achievement: Sumner Elementary

Sumner Elementary is no longer a Racially Identifiable School (RIS)! By transitioning to neighborhood schools, we've reduced the racial enrollment disparity between Sumner and other K-4 schools from 33.5% in 2022-2023 to 14.45%, surpassing our 2026 goal of 17%.

We are making progress through our 2024-2026 Achievement and Integration plan. By exceeding goals, fostering equity, and creating meaningful opportunities for students, we are proving that every effort counts. Together, we will continue to inspire achievement, strengthen inclusion, and prepare all students to make a difference in the world. If you have any questions, please email Kristi Beckman, Equity Coordinator, or call 507-460-1107.

This month's update focuses on a second Core Value of Austin Public Schools (APS) - Communicator. To us, a communicator listens actively and shares learning and experiences. Our Strengths-focused work with Flourish Consulting is helping grow communicators at APS.

Communicator

English composer and conductor John Powell says, "Communication works for those who work at it." We send myriad messages, by verbal and nonverbal means, each day (in tone, words used, volume, posture, hand gestures, fashion, silence, pauses, timing, facial expression, etc). Just because we "communicate" doesn't mean we do it well or effectively. At Austin Public Schools, we want to improve our communication continuously. By intentionally focusing our learning on innate talents and their impact on human behavior (using the CliftonStrengths® as a framework), we can begin to examine natural communication patterns. We can then ask, "What is working for us? Where/when are we misunderstood?" Communication breaks down most often when we fail to understand another person's perspective or how we are being perceived as communicators. A strengths-focused approach encourages curiosity, active listening, honesty, and reflection.

Consider asking yourself the following questions to help grow as a communicator:

• Imagine you are observing yourself (in your career, as a parent, friend, etc). How would you describe your communication style?
• What are your preferred methods of communication?
• How do you prefer others to communicate with you?
• Who is the best communicator you know? How does this person show up?
• With whom or in what circumstances do you feel misunderstood? Why might this be?
• Ask someone with whom you interact regularly for one suggestion on how to be a better communicator.

We’re excited to share the first edition of our EL (English Learners) Newsletter! This newsletter informs everyone about updates, resources, and best practices for supporting our students.

Austin Public Schools is pleased to announce that Nate Thaw will be the head coach for the Austin Packers Boys' Volleyball program.

Coach Thaw is an Austin High School graduate, Class of 2023, where he was also a member of the AHS Boy’s Club Volleyball Team. "I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead our boys' volleyball team into a season of growth, teamwork, and victories.”

Thaw is currently employed as a Success Coach at Ellis Middle School.

“Austin Activities is excited to have Coach Thaw on board,” said Austin Activities Director Katie Carter. “He brings a passion and enthusiasm for the sport of volleyball and a great desire to learn and grow the program.”

Boys Volleyball is an MSHSL sanctioned sport this year, though the program has been a club activity for the last several years.

This weekend, AHS Theater presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella at Riverland's Frank W. Bridges Theater. Showtimes are 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday and 2:00 PM on Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.

Tickets are available online at https://gofan.co/app/school/MN22459?activity=Performing%20Arts or at the door.

You won't want to miss this amazing show!

Follow the Superintendent here:

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 Neveln Elementary School Behavior Coach Eric Kossoris.

"Eric goes above and beyond for [his students and] the players on his team by ensuring that their academic and social/emotional needs are being met so they are ready on the court. He is a strong advocate for our student athletes and a great role model for them as well. Austin is blessed to have such strong coaches in our district, and Eric is one of the best."

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!

• Mayo Clinic experts on kids and screens
• Test anxiety: Can it be treated?
• Mayo Clinic expert answers common questions about the flu, COVID-19

• Dundas named APS Teacher of the Year
• In Praise of the Humble Document Camera
• Commission on Civil Rights probes special educator shortage

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

Dates:

• 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.