Austin Packer Bulletin - 08/09/24
July 1, 2024
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to another exciting year at Austin Public Schools!
I hope you are still having a restful and rejuvenating summer. All of us at APS are excited to welcome back the students as we embark on a new learning journey with our district's shared purpose to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate.
Our vision remains: We are preparing all learners to make a difference in the world. We strive to create an inclusive environment where every student has the support they need to become the best version of themselves. I am incredibly proud of our students and the dedication each one of you brings to our mission to inspire, empower, and accelerate their growth.
As we look forward to the new school year, it's inspiring to know that our student population is expected to grow over the next several years. At a time when many rural school districts face declining enrollment, this growth is a testament to our positive impact on our community.
To guide our district's future, the Austin School Board has approved a long-term strategic plan focused on four strategic priorities:
- Support and resources to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment
- Packer Profile for all learners
- District-wide multi-tiered systems of support for all learners
- Excellence in resource management
These priorities were developed during the 2021-22 strategic planning process, where students, staff, and residents collaborated to define the characteristics they want to see in our graduates. The "Packer Profile" reflects our shared vision for students' futures.
Our Core Values remain at the heart of everything we do:
- Responsible: Demonstrates accountability to self and others.
- Resilient: Develops perseverance and self-confidence.
- Learner: Challenges self to think critically.
- Communicator: Listens actively and shares learning and experiences.
- Contributor: Engages as a productive member of the community and global society.
As we begin this new academic year, I want to emphasize "Connection." Connection to our work, each other, families and caregivers, and most importantly, to our students. By adopting this theme for the school year, I hope you will see, feel, and enhance focus and motivation as a team as we pursue our goals. Connections are vital to our success and to fulfilling our mission. We build a more cohesive and supportive community that fosters growth and learning by strengthening our relationships.
To help our district stay connected with you, our families/caregivers, and our community, we have two national award-winning resources I want to highlight. First, The district has a website dedicated to our strategic plan – AccelerateAustin.org. This website aims to help the Austin community learn about our plans and how they impact everything we do at Austin Public Schools. If you haven't already done so, please check out the website and refer others to it as a resource. Second, the Austin Packer Bulletin is our weekly community newsletter. This communication tool is another opportunity to stay in contact and share information with families/caregivers and the greater Austin community. It is an exciting time in the Austin Public Schools, and it is essential to know what is happening.
I'll share more about our "Connection" theme for the year at our welcome-back gathering on August 22 at 1 pm in Knowlton Auditorium. Everyone is invited, and all the details are provided below. Together, we'll continue to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate the growth of every learner in our district. Thank you for your support of the Austin Public Schools. Let's make this year one of the best yet!
Best Regards,
Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent
Austin Public Schools has been recognized by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) with multiple Digital Media Excellence Awards. NSPRA's Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards "recognize outstanding education publications and marketing/informational materials, video/TV/radio programs, social media, and websites."
NSPRA's Digital Media Excellence Awards are given out at three levels (Excellence, Merit, and Honorable Mention), and Austin received three Honorable Mentions and one Excellence, an excellent achievement for the district.
Austin received the following awards:
- Podcast Honorable Mention recognizing Packercast, a podcast highlighting staff members in the district,
- Internet Website Honorable Mention for Accelerate Austin, the district's strategic plan information site,
- Newsletter Honorable Mention for #492Happenings, the district's weekly superintendent's newsletter – for staff
- Video Award of Excellence for Empowering Futures: A Glimpse Into Austin Online Academy, an informational video about the district's virtual school initiative.
"Our goal with effective school communications is to keep the public informed and highlight the important work at Austin Public Schools," says Austin Superintendent Dr. Joey Page. "It's an honor to be recognized by NSPRA and top communication professionals."
According to Communications Coordinator Ryan Mayers, "There are a lot of innovative and successful programs at Austin Public Schools. Seeing them recognized means a lot to everyone in the district and is a real credit to the community."
As the academic year begins, we would like to take this opportunity to provide you with our annual notification notice. Minnesota Statute requires that we provide annual notifications on various topics. This notice aims to inform you about various important matters and ensure you are well informed about the policies, procedures, and activities of the Austin Public Schools. Please visit our annual notifications site for further review.
It is time to get that back-to-school Austin Packers Apparel! We have two great options for you – BSN Sideline Store and Games People Play.
- BSN Sideline Store - AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL PACKERS - AUSTIN, MINNESOTA - Sideline Store - BSN Sports – Open year Round
- Games People Play Online Store - https://gppaustin.chipply.com/AustinPackers23/ - Online store closes on August 26, 2024, at 11:59pm
New This Year: Digital Ticketing by GoFan
- Spectators will be able to purchase their tickets digitally by 1) Creating a GoFan Account or by scanning a QR code at the event. You also have the option of purchasing a ticket at the gate with cash or card.
- Season Passes can also be purchased on this platform
- Here is the direct link to the GoFan Page - https://gofan.co/app/school/MN22459
ACTIVITY SEASON PASSES ON SALE
This year, you have the option of HARD COPY PASSES or DIGITAL PASSES.
- Family Season Pass - $150 (everyone must be living in the same household)
- Adult Pass - $60
- Student K-8 Pass - $35
- APS Spouse Pass - $35
For Digital Passes and Individual Event Tickets, please visit GoFan.
For Hard Copy Season Passes, please stop into the AHS Activities Office to purchase.
We are looking forward to a great year and GO PACKERS!
Follow the Superintendent, Dr. Joey Page, here:
Are you ready for another Packercast? This month, we're talking to Banfield Elementary School Custodian Gordy Gunter. Check it out here.
