Around 656

Congratulations to the Area Learning Center 2025 Winter graduates! What an amazing achievement! Your hard work, determination, and perseverance have truly paid off, and this is just the beginning of your incredible journey. Here's to the next chapter filled with endless possibilities. You've earned every moment of this success — YOU DID IT!

We are thrilled to welcome our new and returning School Board Members! Candace Knutson has been sworn in for her first term, alongside returning Members Casie Steeves and Jerry Robicheau. We look forward to their support of our students, as we continue striving for excellence in education.

Additionally, we recognized Richard Olson for his 16 years of dedicated service as a Board Member.

We also added a new Student School Board Representative, Isse Ali. Junior, Isse Ali will join veteran Student School Board Rep., Jillian Huberty at our Board Meetings and represent the interests of all Faribault Public Schools students.

Our FHS Theatre Troupe held the 27th Annual Children's Theatre and it was an absolute success! Our elementary students had the chance to take a field trip to watch the play, and they were completely captivated by the performance. The lively production, filled with vibrant costumes and engaging storytelling, brought joy to both the young audience and the performers. It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to experience live theatre, and the smiles on their faces showed just how much they enjoyed the show. A big thank you to everyone involved in making this annual event a memorable experience for all!

Our Lincoln fourth graders were fortunate to have Ms. Iijima visit and share her family’s personal experiences during WWII. As part of our studies on U.S. history, she spoke about her Japanese-American heritage and how the attack on Pearl Harbor deeply affected her family. It’s truly amazing when our students can connect their classroom learning to real-world experiences!

Our talented 9th-12th grade students in Ms. Knudson-Griffith's Exploring Business class have been hard at work developing their own products and business ideas. They presented their Shark Tank-style pitches to a panel of judges, seeking "investments" to bring their innovative ideas to life! Each student or team developed a product or service they believe fills a need in the market—and pitched why it’s worth supporting. These future entrepreneurs set high goals, and their creativity and business plans were truly impressive.

We’re incredibly proud of all their hard work and can’t wait to see where their ideas go next! A huge thank you to our judges—Zak Branham, Ellie Rohman, Cory Jenson, Danette Marquardt, Ashlan Zurbriggen, Superintendent Bente, Principal Olson, Assistant Principal Timmer, and Assistant Principal Sweeney—for their time, feedback, and support.

Is your child ready to start Kindergarten in the fall? Starting kindergarten is a milestone filled with excitement for both children and their families. At Faribault Public Schools, we are dedicated to partnering with families to ensure a seamless transition to elementary school. We believe that a child's success in school relies on the support of their families, teachers, and the broader community. That's why we are committed to harnessing these resources to provide a high-quality educational experience that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. You can register your child online or by visiting any school office, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The Falcon Educational Enrichment Program (FEEP), grants are awarded for specific classroom resources and learning opportunities that are beyond the school district’s budget. Katherine Forsberg from the Area Learning Center, and Faribault High School educators Lisa Olson, Chelsea Fedora, Allison Peterson, and Greg Boyd were awarded FEEP grants this fall totaling over $10,000. High school students participating in Anatomy/Physiology, Work Experience Program, Yearbook production, Fish and Wildlife and Automotive classes will benefit from these grants.

Ms. Petersen’s first graders have been learning about story elements like plot and characters through reading The Little Red Hen!

Our all-staff fundraiser for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has officially ended. We raised a total of $7,024 which means that we sponsored 234 children!

Congratulations to the DECA program on winning 15 medals, including 8 gold medals as district champions at the District 1 competition in Owatonna. Nearly 20 members have advanced to compete at the state competition in March. Medalists included:

Gold Medalists - District Champions

Jillian Huberty - Apparel and Accessories Marketing, Advanced Interview, Human Resources Management

Lexie Berger - Advanced Level Interview

Jovy Vangness - Entry-Level Interview, Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling

Adam Wallace - Financial Consulting

Brianna Velasquez-Sanchez - Food Marketing

Silver Medalists - 2nd Place

Hannah Petersen - Human Resources Management

Brianna Velasquez-Sanchez - Accounting Applications

Bronze Medalists - 3rd Place

Lexie Berger - Apparel and Accessories Marketing

Sigrid Holgrem - Business Services Marketing

Anika Gliem - Entrepreneurship

Kelsie Vigesaa - Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling

State Qualifiers

Jovy Vangness - Business Services Marketing

Tin Truong - Entrepreneurship

Aubrey Paul - Hospitality and Tourism Professional Selling

Lorelei Weston - Hotel and Lodging

Anika Gliem - Integrated Marketing Campaign - Service

Kai Favro - Principles of Business Management and Administration

Liam Redman - Retail Merchandising

Brenna VanderVeen - Principles of Marketing

Lorelei Weston - Quick Serve Restaurant

Lola Bussert and Kaylie Bertram - Start-up Business Plan

Adam Wallace - Personal Financial Literacy

Our Tuesday morning multi-age class has openings this session, and we’d love for you to join us! Every Tuesday from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m., children ages 0-5 and their caregivers will play and explore together. This session runs through March.

After circle time, parents can engage in meaningful discussions about child development right in the classroom. If you think this might be a fit for your family, don’t hesitate! Register at Faribault Community Education today!

During Paraprofessional Appreciation Week, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of our paraprofessionals. These dedicated professionals are the heart of our classrooms, providing invaluable support to both students and teachers. Whether they're working one-on-one with students, helping to create a positive learning environment, or stepping in wherever they’re needed, their hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do – your impact is immeasurable, and we are so grateful for the difference you make every day!

Check out all the awesome things happening with our Roosevelt 5th grade SOAR Council! Four of our students gave a thoughtful speech to our PTO, sharing some fresh and creative ideas they want to bring to the table. We’re so proud to give our students a voice in these important conversations!

Mrs. Isaacson and Mrs. Mens also had the chance to introduce SOAR Council members to our youngest learners—our preschoolers! And, of course, we wrapped up the week with our BIG Falcon - Little Falcon club, where our BIG Falcons paired up with their Little Falcons to practice blending words and reading. It’s always a blast when learning is this much fun!

Several FEEP committee members presented grant awards to educators at Roosevelt Elementary. Mark Sybilrud, Ken Butzow, educators Dan Tinaglia and Tara Luettel, Lori Jo Markman, and Deb Scheil are pictured above. Mr. Tinaglia submitted a grant request that will help support Elementary STEM&M programming at Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Ms. Luettel’s request will be part of a special biography project for fourth graders at Roosevelt.

Ten grants were awarded by the FEEP committee totaling approximately $16,000. The three remaining awardees will be featured in future newsletters. FEEP is a part of the non-profit Faribault Area Public Schools Educational Trust Association (FAPSETA). Since its start in 2019, FEEP has awarded grants to public school educators for innovative projects to enhance student learning. FEEP’s ability to provide these extra resources for educators and students comes from the generosity of businesses, groups, and individual donations. To learn more about FAPSETA/FEEP or to donate to FEEP go to fapseta.org and download a donation form.

- Just 1 hour per week.

- No experience needed—just a heart to help.

- Sign up by February 14th!

Sign up at www.readingpartners.org/volunteer-in-minnesota

Want more information? Call Susan at (612) 474-4292

Our Roosevelt Kindergarten Classes had an exciting adventure at River Bend Nature Center! During the visit, the students learned about the different types of weather, the changing seasons, and how animals adapt to survive in various conditions. They also had the hands-on opportunity to help build a shelter, giving them a fun and interactive way to apply what they’d learned. It was a fantastic experience that allowed our young learners to connect with nature in a meaningful way!

Faribault Public School’s earliest learners were excited to show some of the materials they added to their classroom thanks to a FEEP grant. Jenny Dalluge and the Jefferson preschool students are using these science-based materials in centers during their learning.

The Falcon Educational Enrichment Program, (FEEP), grants were awarded this school year for specific classroom resources and learning opportunities that are beyond the school district’s budget. FEEP awarded its first grant awards in 2018, as a piece of the Faribault Area Public Schools Educational Trust Association (FAPSETA). The 2024-2025 grants spanned the age range of learners in the Faribault Public Schools from preschool to the high school level.

FEEP is funded through support from the Faribault Area Public Schools Educational Trust Fund (FAPSETA), individual and group donors, the FPS staff through payroll deduction, and fundraisers through local businesses. Thank you to those donors who have helped to fund projects like these since 2018. For more information visit fapseta.org.

Join us every Tuesday evening from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM for Open Gym! This is a great opportunity for children aged five years and under to meet, play, and have fun with their peers. Please stay and supervise your child during the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over 2,100 Faribault students in preschool through eighth grade started the school year with the school supplies they needed! We are incredibly grateful for your contribution, partnership and commitment to our local students.

As a reminder, here is what we do if a Falcon Flex Day is called:

Falcon Flex Day procedure:

School buildings are closed, there will be no in-person classes. Pre-K, elementary, and middle school students should check their take-home folders or binders for work that teachers have given students in advance. High school students should log into their Schoology accounts from home for their assignments.

• Kids World child care is canceled/closed.

• Adult Basic Education classes are canceled.

• All daytime and after-school Community Education programs including Falcons Beyond are canceled/closed.

More information about our Falcon Flex Day procedures can be found on our website: Closings and Alerts. Please check your student's take-home folder or Schoology account for assignments or communication from teachers. Teachers will do their best to upload assignments as soon as possible. We ask that teachers post assignments by 10:00 a.m. and are accessible to students and parents from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. If your student needs tech assistance from home, please follow our Tech Help procedure.

(Please note: Falcon Flex days count as instructional days and do not require extended school year make-up days.)

Don't miss a beat! Check out the Faribault Public Schools activities calendar to stay informed on all activities and events.

Do you have a story to share? Email communications@faribault.k12.mn.us for a chance to be featured in the next Around 656 Newsletter.