Around 656
Sharing the great work of Faribault students and staff
Student councils raise over $9,000 for Toys for Tots
"It feels really good to help kids who don't have as much at Christmas."
Jefferson fifth-grader Joelle Weasler
Hands-on activities engage Roosevelt Elementary students on Discovery Day
December 6 was Discovery Day at Roosevelt Elementary.
Discovery Day is a signature program that began when Roosevelt opened in 1997. It allows students to choose their own hands-on enrichment activities throughout the day.
“It’s really interest-driven and allows students to pick activities they enjoy that they don’t usually get to do,” said EL teacher Laura Emery, who helped students learn coding through the video game Minecraft. “For a lot of kids, this is a learning style that they don’t get to experience day to day, and they love it. The kids come in here like it’s Christmas morning on Discovery Day.”
Among the other activities students participated in on Discovery Day were making slime, playing card games, playing with Play-Doh, building with magnet tiles, making ornaments, painting, building and flying wooden airplanes, making jewelry, and various other art projects like creating unicorns, superhero costumes, mini models and string art. In the afternoon, one group traveled to New Perspective Senior Living to sing Christmas carols.
Principal Terry Ronayne said his adult children, who attended Roosevelt, still remember how much fun they had on Discovery Day.
“My kids and any of the Roosevelt students at the high school can still tell you about Discovery Day,” he said. “This is the day we have the best attendance and the fewest trips to the nurse’s office all year. The kids love it.”
Video: FHS winter concert (Dec. 9)
FHS students attend Data Summit
"We are getting feedback from other students and talking about how we can improve our schools. I enjoyed really learning about the other schools and districts and finding out how their school works and the problems they would like to fix, as well, and kind of how similar we all are to each other." -Junior Nyangath Lual
Falcon High Flyer Alumni Awards
FHS alum and professional baseball player Jake Petricka visits leadership class
Local businesses pay off over $2,200 in student lunch debt
Case, Bisping, Lombard honored as Asset Champions
Last week, Faribault Youth Investment recognized FMS staff members Caleb Case, Katie Bisping, and T.J. Lombard as Asset Champions for their dedicated support to Faribault youth. All three worked with FMS Theatre Troupe students on the recent presentation of Wagon Wheels a-Rollin'
Student Luke Weng nominated the teachers because of their strong connections with their students.
“They help kids build teamwork and leadership skills in theater,” Weng said. “They are youthful and fun and keep kids entertained and excited in the classroom.”
MacKenzie Love, the Community School coordinator at Faribault Middle School, said Case, Bisping, and Lombard work together to better benefit the students, who are always their first priority.
Love described Case as an advocate for students who need additional support to succeed. “He recognizes the strength of each student and helps them discover that for themselves,” she said.
Bisping encourages students to find themselves through acting and music, and is willing to listen when students are struggling, Love said. “She understands that students are more than what they bring to class; students have lives outside of school, and she tries to connect personally with each student,” she said.
Lombard makes learning math fun by creating videos on YouTube to help students better understand the material outside of class, Love said. In the theater program, he supervises the stage crew. “Kids are allowed to explore their interests and have fun building and painting sets,” Love said.
Hockey: Williamson second in Hockey Hub Player of the Week poll; teams start 15-3
Over 3,500 people state-wide voted for the Minnesota Girls' Hockey Hub Top Performer of the week and Olivia came in second out of 11 candidates, earning over 650 votes!
The boys (5-1) and girls (10-2) hockey teams have started the season with a combined record of 15-3!
FHS Theatre Troupe presents 'No Signs of Intelligent Life'
"Congratulations to the cast and crew of the FHS fall play No Signs of Intelligent Life.
The actors really grew in their ability to allow the audience to assign what is funny and what is not and their comedic timing and reactions.
The crew created a spectacular visual special effect which started off the production and was carried throughout the whole run.
It was all smiles backstage to hear all audiences enjoying the show as much as they did."
-Mr. Johnson, FHS Theatre Director
Teacher Cadet students gain classroom experience
Ten students from FHS's Teacher Cadet Academy gained classroom experience during a recent trip to Faribault Middle School.
Eight students were there to observe student behavior through the lens of the lessons they’ve recently been studying on student growth and development in Teacher Cadet 1 class. These students have already observed early-childhood and elementary classrooms at Jefferson this school year and will visit high school, English language learners and special education classrooms in the coming months.
Senior Elysa Guerra is one of two Teacher Cadet 2 students who have been tutoring students at FMS this year. Last year, she took Teacher Cadet 1 just to try it out and now is set on becoming a teacher. Every week, she goes to FMS to help out in Mr. Harman’s math class.
Guerra plans to attend Minnesota State University Mankato where, thanks to the Teacher Cadet 1 class, she already has three credits toward an education degree.
“Last year I went in thinking I would want to teach preschool and after going through all the levels I think I want to teach middle school, probably eighth grade,” Guerra said. “I like working with students who are a little older so you can have conversations and build relationships.”
Emeralds open season with first-place finish
Coleman, Ouk present to Faribault's Future
Sage presents to rotary
"We want our Faribault community to realize the impact we can have in raising our children from Infants to young preschoolers getting ready for kindergarten... We want our community partners to be aware of all the resources we can offer parents and young children." -Olivia Sage
Alumni Update: Taviah Johnson
Student activities and awards: I was involved in Link Crew, and I was the first graduating class of being an AVID student. I worked multiple jobs and was on the Faribault Emeralds Dance Team. I earned my picture on the high school All-Star wall. Although, I didn’t continue my dance career in college, I play Summer and Fall Softball along with rodeoing with my horses. I was in 4-H which taught me a lot!
I have continued my busy lifestyle through college. I am part of the 2019 Faribault Futures Class and I am still very active within my community, hosting blood drives, volunteering and just simply helping others.
I am on the Dean's list at Minnesota State Mankato.
Additional education: When I graduated from high school I want to be a surgical RN, after completing two years of the program, I decided to change my career path. I decided on Marketing and would like to someday be high up in a company or own my own business. Therefore I proceeded to get my four year in Marketing. I will be doing my internship at KGP Co. in Faribault this coming year. Can’t wait what the future hold for me!
Work history: My first job was when I was 10 years old picking up dog poop. Everyday during the summer, 3 hours a day. Right then is where I learned hard work ethic. Throughout high school with my busy sports schedule, I worked at Menards as a cashier. In addition, I worked for a Lawyer, James Chatto, Attorney at Law. When I graduated high school I knew needed something that I could earn more doing, so I quit Menards and started working at The Signature Bar & Grill, where I am still currently employed. While attending MSU, I proceeded to get my Real Estate License. As growing up, my family had rental houses and was always fixing homes on the side so I knew it would be fun! I am currently licensed under Weichert Realtors-Heartland in Faribault. It’s a lot of fun and keeps me on my toes, not like my other lifestyle activities don’t .
Family: Nancy Johnson (mother) Paralegal. Employed at @Title in Faribault.
Scott Johnson (father) sheet metal worker. Employed at Himec (Harris) in Northfield.
Tyler Johnson (brother) police officer. Employment is in Dundas and Le Center.
Who were your favorite teachers? I have so many it’s hard to choose. Sarah Simon, my English teacher as she was always there for me preparing me for my future. Helping with my finishing touches on papers and applications. I knew she always wanted to best for me so I knew I could trust her. In addition, Holly (Kittleson) Mackay, my math teacher. She is such a kind hearted, most thoughtful teacher any student could wish for. She is always willing to help you with anything and she will go out of her way to help anyone. Not to mention, I may have asked her for my help while in college when my college professors don’t explain things very well.
What lessons you learned in school have stuck with you and helped you be successful?
“She believed she could so she did” is my favorite quote. I took every wrong answer and learned from it, I took every correct answer and cherished it. Working hard with dedication and being present is how I have been so successful. Without the help of learning to be so successful, I wouldn’t be graduating college debt FREE!
Thanksgiving acts of kindness
Choir performs carols at Our Saviors Lutheran Church
Faribault Booster Club
Have you noticed the new Falcon photo mural in the Faribault Ice Arena? Or checked out the renovated multi-purpose activity room at the Faribault Middle School? Or heard about motivational speaker Chris Sandy's visit to Faribault High School?
If so, you've gotten a glimpse of just some of the Faribault Booster Club's latest work. An independent nonprofit organization, the Booster Club supports a wide variety of projects and programs that directly benefit student athletes and promote school spirit at Faribault Public Schools.
So far this fall, the Booster Club has:
● Completed the installation of large, wall-to-wall murals at the Faribault Ice Arena that feature photos of Falcon hockey athletes over the years and motivational quotes. Work is also underway to expand the wall-to-wall photo murals at Faribault High School.
● Supported the renovation of the wrestling room at the Faribault Middle School into a multi-purpose space that can host year-round indoor activity for students interested in a wide range of athletic and experiential learning activities.
● Sponsored motivational speaker Chris Sandy, who spoke to Faribault High School students about making positive choices and learning to cope with difficult situations.
● Provided Falcon T-shirts for all 9th graders, 6th graders, and new staff members, as well as to the elementary schools to use as prizes.
● Funded The Nest, a student-run store at Faribault High School that provides free clothing, school supplies, and other essentials for students in need.
The Booster Club's work is 100 percent donor funded, and is made possible by the business owners, parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, community members, and out-of-town supporters who show their Falcon pride by supporting the Faribault Booster Club. Thank you to all Booster Club members and supporters. Anyone interested in supporting the Booster Club can send a donation to:
Faribault Booster Club
PO Box 3
Faribault, MN 55021
GO FALCONS!
DECA attends Central Region Leadership Conference
I'm thankful for...
“Teachers because they help us learn.” -Asia F.
“I’m thankful we get electives like Gateway where we can learn to make things.” -Jersey H.
“Friends because we always have fun messing around at lunch.” -Evelyn A.
“For all the teachers who have given me the chance to learn and grow and pushed me toward reaching my goals.” -Alaina N.
“A good education and teachers who give you their attention and do everything they can to help you.” -Lucas M.
“That we get to learn different things from every teacher.” -Hibo H.
“For the teachers because they work really hard to help us succeed.” -Nick H.
“For the school athletics because I’ve done a lot of them and gotten to make a lot of new friends.” -Alex B.
“For my education that has taught me a lot about life.” -Camryn B.
Roosevelt students go to The Farm
“I did The Farm when I went to Jefferson and (kindergarten teacher) Becki Keilen did it at Jefferson years before that,” Roosevelt physical education teacher John Scheil said.
The activities were set up in the gym last Thursday night. Every Roosevelt class K-5 gets to participate in The Farm three times during the three days it takes over the gym.
“It’s something the kids can relate to. It’s exercise disguised as play, which makes it a lot of fun,” Scheil said.
Falcon fall all-conference honorees
Preparations underway for FHS seven-period day
Our administration and high school staff are doing lots of work behind the scenes as they prepare to implement a seven-period schedule at FHS next fall. Here's an update:
Faribault Public Schools
Email: msteichen@faribault.k12.mn.us
Website: faribault.k12.mn.us
Location: 710 17th St. SW
Phone: 507-333-6000
Facebook: facebook.com/faribaultpublic/
Twitter: @District656