Austin Packer Bulletin - 12/20/2024

As we continue to embrace this year's theme of "Connection" at Austin Public Schools, I'm excited to share how our focus on career pathways is helping our students connect with their passions, career interests, and the broader community.

Our district's focus on career pathways guides students through various career options as they chart their course toward college, employment, and life after graduation. By helping our learners identify their strengths and develop the skills needed for future success, this focus represents our commitment to preparing all students to make a difference in the world.

Whether students are interested in business, agriculture, health sciences, engineering, communications, or the military, among other fields, career pathways provide a practical look at these careers, estimated earnings, and relevant coursework or experiences to help them reach their goals. With key questions that prompt personal reflection, our curriculums align students' strengths and work preferences with a career they can be excited about.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has outlined the educational requirements for jobs across Minnesota and compared these to the needs in Southeast Minnesota, as shown in the graph below.

Why This Matters: Connecting Education to Workforce Needs

This data compares educational requirements for jobs in Southeast Minnesota and Minnesota as more than just numbers—it's a roadmap for aligning education with real-world opportunities. Understanding the skills and qualifications most needed by employers allows Austin Public Schools to prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving workforce.

By focusing on these trends, the district can refine its programs to ensure students graduate with the skills and credentials necessary to thrive in their local communities and beyond. This directly supports our mission to "Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate" students while addressing key priorities outlined in the Austin Public Schools Strategic Plan.

This insight helps connect the classroom to career pathways, making education more relevant, impactful, and future-focused for every learner. Through this collaborative work, we encourage students to consider how they can positively contribute to the community and see themselves as a part of something larger. As students work with teachers, staff, family, and community members to craft their career pathways, they make meaningful connections between their academic work and their futures. These connections are at the heart of career pathways and resonate with our district's long-term strategic plan to ensure every student has the support they need to become their best version.

At Austin Public Schools, we remain dedicated to inspiring, empowering, and accelerating student learning. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in creating an environment of opportunity and growth for every learner.

To learn more about our long-term strategic plan, please visit AccelerateAustin.org.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful break! The Austin Packer Bulletin will resume on January 3, 2025.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

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 Social Studies teacher Megan Watt.

"[Ms. Watt] does an excellent job meeting both the learning needs and social/emotional needs of her students. She takes extra time out of her day to ensure that students feel welcome, respected, and a part of her classroom. She brings positive energy to her classroom every day and Ellis is lucky to have her."

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!

The Packer Study Table, a new initiative for the Winter Athletic Season, was created to support student-athletes in achieving classroom success. Sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays after school from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., led by AOA teacher Arik Andersen with support from Austin Aspires Navigators.

Balancing academics and athletics can be challenging, and the Packer Study Table provides a focused, supportive environment where student-athletes can receive one-on-one assistance with their coursework. Key benefits include:

• Structured time management
• Balancing academics and athletics
• A focused learning environment
• Developing strong study habits
• Reducing stress
• Support from peers and tutors
• Enhancing time management skills

The aim is to improve academic performance, provide extra support in a safe setting, and equip students with valuable soft skills for school and life. The Packer Study Table helps student-athletes stay on top of their academics, reduce stress, and balance their responsibilities. If you have any questions, please contact Activities Director Katie Carter.

Looking for another way to make a meaningful impact in our community? Our Adult Learning Program offers a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to support adults who are working hard to achieve their educational and personal goals.

New Health Standards

The public is invited to provide feedback through the Initial Health Standards Public Comment online survey as Minnesotans develop Health Academic Standards. This public review and comment period is from December 11, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Learn more information about the standards review process on the Health Standards webpage.

Making effective public comments is an important way to help shape health standards in our state. Sharing clear, well-thought-out ideas using facts or examples from local or national health standards is important. Comments should be respectful and on-topic, and helpful suggestions should be offered within the requirements of the law. Offering specific ideas that can be put into action can make a real difference and help create necessary health standards for all students in Minnesota.

Ethnic Studies

Ethnic Studies defined by Minnesota Department of Education: "Ethnic studies" means the interdisciplinary study of race, ethnicity, and indigeneity with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of people of color within and beyond the United States. Ethnic studies analyzes the ways in which race and racism have been and continue to be social, cultural, and political forces, and the connection of race to the stratification of other groups, including stratification based on the protected classes under Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 363A.13.

Social Studies Requirements

• The 2021 Social Studies standards to be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year now include a 5th strand: Ethnic Studies.
• K-4 staff are currently implementing Ethnic Studies standards through the Benchmark Advance curriculum along with supplementary materials.
• 5-12 departments are currently in the implementation process. The focus is on providing multiple perspectives and viewpoints as we discuss historical topics and current issues. Students are taught to think critically.

Ethnic Studies Course

• Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, high schools must offer an ethnic studies course. Planning will begin once the MDE working group releases the ethnic studies framework.
• An ethnic studies course is not a graduation requirement for students.

For more information, please visit the MDE Ethnic Studies website or contact our Office of Teaching and Learning.

Austin Public Schools strives to address your questions and concerns quickly and effectively. Therefore, we have developed communication protocols to promote direct, open, and respectful interactions to resolve problems and concerns efficiently. Please visit our Report A Concern webpage to review our communication protocol.

• How change in sunlight can affect your mood

• Does loneliness affect your health?

• Boosting kids' health literacy

• Schools take proactive steps to protect immigrant students
• Is calculus an addiction that college admissions officers can't shake?
• Small-town students can be overlooked. Colleges are now looking their way.

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

Dates:

• 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.