Austin Packer Bulletin - 10/04/2024

Our mission at Austin Public Schools is to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate at all levels of the organization. Learning, communicating, contributing, taking responsibility, and building resiliency are the values that guide us in this pursuit. In future updates, we will focus on each of our Core Values, individually, and how the Strengths-focused work we are doing at APS, in partnership with Bethany von Steinbergs of Flourish Consulting, is supporting and promoting the manifestation of each of these values.

LEARNER

Academic excellence is of utmost importance. We also believe there is important learning that needs to occur alongside academic learning in all staff and students as it relates to self-awareness and awareness. By discovering and learning about innate talents (as identified by the CliftonStrengths® assessment), our staff gain clarity around their unique contribution to students and are empowered to bring their fullest potential into the classroom. This naturally sparks curiosity about the strengths of both colleagues and students. The more staff learn about the unique perspectives and contributions of others, the more effective working relationships can be.

Interestingly, the CliftonStrengths® Theme of Learner® is quite prevalent amongst APS staff. Many of the staff possess an innate posture of curiosity and a desire to improve continuously. How exciting to have so many staff excited about engaging students in the process of learning. At APS, we are fostering life-long learning!

Have you learned something new about your child, a family member, a neighbor, or your child's teacher? Consider asking this person questions to learn more about how they see the world. "I noticed _________________ about you. Is this something you enjoy? Would you tell me more?"

Think about how you approach things similarly or differently to this person. Then, consider "What is right about how this person shows up?"

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

When do absences become a problem?

• Satisfactory Attendance: 3 or fewer days unexcused.
• Warning Signs: 4 to 6 days unexcused.
• Chronic Absence: 7 or more days unexcused.

Remember, attendance matters!

This past Wednesday was National Custodial Workers Recognition Day and we’d like to take a moment to recognize those individuals who help keep our schools running smoothly through their tireless efforts to keep our sites productive, safe, and clean. Your impact on our students, staff, and families is immeasurable, and you deserve to be recognized for all the amazing work you do.

So, if you see a Maintenance or Custodial worker, thank them for the job they do. Without them, Austin Public Schools wouldn’t be quite as nice of a place to work.

October is National School Principals month, and we wanted to take a moment to recognize some very hardworking members of the Austin Public Schools family.

Our principals at APS are more than just leaders for our staff and students. They are role models, coaches, cheerleaders, innovators, and counselors all rolled into one. From helping guide instruction and school culture to working with teachers and showing students how much they care, our principals help to inspire, empower, and accelerate our students and staff.

Principals - please know that the long hours you put in to help ensure the success of your students and staff is noticed and appreciated, both in the schools and the community. Your strong leadership shines through and the difference you make in the lives of those around you is incredible. So, thank you for all your hard work and dedication.

If you see a principal this month, let them know how much you appreciate them, and let’s make this School Principals Month a great one.

The Minnesota Department of Education recently shared information regarding the Intent to Submit, now open for the Scholars of Distinction program. The program recognizes the academic and intellectual accomplishments of talented Minnesota students in grades 11 and 12 that happen both in and out of the classroom. Are you a student who wants to apply? Plan to complete your Intent to Submit by November 1. Learn more here.

Property tax levies are important for Minnesota school districts to raise funds to cover operations, building projects, and specific needs. Here's a general breakdown of how it works for anyone who isn't a tax expert. Learn more about Property Tax Levies on our Finance and Operations webpage.

Each year, MDE gathers information from parents, families, and community members about how MDE can support children and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Please join us to discuss any indicator included in the Annual Performance Report. This includes graduation/dropouts, discipline, mediations, educational environments, and more!

To register, please select your desired session from the options below.

The City of Austin and Mower County are partnering to develop their comprehensive plans in a joint partnership and asking the public for help. An online survey is available where people can offer their vision for the City of Austin and Mower County. This is an opportunity to reflect on what a high quality of life will mean for future generations. Click here to share your input.

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship (THFAAS) is a scholarship (free money) that students can use while earning a full-time or part-time education at Riverland Community College. This scholarship covers tuition (65 credits) and fees and includes a stipend for needed books and class materials. The scholarship amount varies for each student, but it will cover 100% of tuition and fees not fulfilled by federal or state grants. THFAAS has a potential savings of over $12,000 for college education costs! Learn more here.

REACH, a collaboration between Austin High School and the Hormel Foundation, supports students in the academic and socioemotional world. The elective course is a blocked class that serves several students in grades 9-12 and consists of four staff, each with their specialty and strength. At REACH, we are building a culture with values like relationships, education, accountability, character, and hard work (REACH). REACH believes in meeting students where they are at and supporting the whole child to foster success.

Most students arrive at the program behind in credits with low GPAs, disengaged from school, lacking study habits, and/or in need of mental health support. REACH believes in volunteering in the community and has partnerships with Sumner Elementary School and many other community businesses and service agencies. You can learn more about REACH here.

The 2024 Personal Finance Guidance draft is now open for public feedback.

Minnesota's Personal Finance Working Group (PFWG) has been meeting regularly since June and has made important progress towards developing guidance to support the implementation of the personal finance graduation requirement statewide.

The PFWG has put their guidance recommendations together, and the draft of the guidance is now available for public review and feedback starting on September 9, 2024, and closing on September 23, 2024. The finalized plan will be available later this fall.

How to Provide Feedback on the Guidance

1. Review the 2024 Personal Finance Guidance draft.
2. Share your thoughts: We encourage you to share your thoughts, suggestions and concerns through the online feedback survey.

Since ChatGPT's debut in November 2022, followed by other GenAI tools, there has been extensive discussion among K-12 and university educators. Check out these helpful MarshallMemo summaries:

Potential problems, including students cheating

• 9 Problems with Generative AI, in One Chart
• GenAI Strategy: Attack Your Assessments
• Grading Writing Just Got Weird

Ensuring that deeper learning happens

• Why AI Can't Replace Teacher
• Back to School with AI, Part 4: AI and the Question of Rigor
• AI Can Do Your Homework. Now what?
• The Case for Slow-Walking AI

AI tools and time-savers for teachers

• Using AI to Implement Effective Teaching Strategies in Classrooms: Five Strategies, Including Prompts
• ChatGPT: The Co-Teacher We Need?
• 9 Tips for Using AI for Learning (and Fun!)
• 5 Questions to Ask When Evaluating AI Edtech Tools

Crafting and fine-tuning prompts

• Prompt Literacy: A Key for AI-Based Learning
• ChatGPT Tips and Tricks for K-12 Educators
• 6 Strategies for Using AI for Social-Emotional Learning

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 Sumner Elementary School Grade 3 teacher Yuseina Brito Lino.

"Yuseina is a teacher with high expectations, but she is still able to have fun with her students. She is a blessing for our ML students because she communicates in both English and Spanish throughout the day. Ms. Brito Lino always has a positive and hopeful attitude and is a great Sumner teammate!"

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!

• Stressed about your child's screentime? Here's what a Mayo Clinic expert recommends
• When should I teach my kids about periods? All about kids menstrual health
• Address your stress: Small changes can help make you more resilient

• Hormel Foods joins high school students to restock food shelves
• Maintaining Balance in Parent-Teacher-Student Discussions
• A Webinar with Jonathan Haidt

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

Dates:

• 10/21
  
• 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.