From December 2022-March 2023, a sub-committee from the District Grading and Reporting committee was assembled to review the Weighting of Practice Work and Assessments for the 5-12 system. This sub-committee followed a Guiding Change process of discussion, obtaining feedback, and ultimately making recommendations to change practices within the 5-12 system.

The sub-committee did an excellent job of seeking stakeholder feedback and illuminated multiple layers of learning work our system stakeholders need to engage in. Along with the recommendations to change grade weights, the committee clearly articulated the need for the district to engage in learning work on practice work, formative assessment, grading practices, implementation of the current grading policies, and transition supports for 4th to 5th grade in grading and reporting.

The Decision-Making Team, comprised of the Superintendent's Cabinet, reviewed the subcommittee's work and recommendations. The Decision-Making Team agreed with this learning work and would like the District Grading and Reporting Committee to review the recommendations, engage in the learning work identified by the sub-committee, and design a learning work plan for APS. Given the learning work needs, consideration of research, and best practices in equitable grading and reporting, the Decision-Making team will not be moving forward with the recommendations to change grade weights. Buildings will begin the 23-24 school year, reviewing grading and reporting practices. At the same time, the District Grading and Reporting Committee will reconvene and start the learning, planning, and next steps in this work. Please get in touch with the Executive Director Academics and Administrative Services, Katie Baskin, with any questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

Join us on Friday, June 2, at 7:00 PM for the Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony live from AHS Knowlton Auditorium!

Click here to watch the ceremony live.

Last week, the Class of 2023 Graduates of High Distinction were honored at the Hormel Historic Home. Students earn High Distinction honors by maintaining a 3.9 GPA throughout their high school career. At the recognition, students honor a teacher who had a special impact on their education. Congratulations, all!

2023 Graduates of High Distinction & Their Honored Teachers:

• Lydia Baron (Stephanie McCarthy)
• Maggie Benson (Stephen Zaffke)
• Max Bissen (Carlene Pline)
• Jasmine Christianson (Maria Mickelson)
• Vida Curtis (Jesse Smith)
• Katherine Diaz (Gene Schott)
• Mary Eich (Jodi Eich)
• Rachel Engelstad (Emily Hovland)
• Joe Ewing (Dennis Schwab)
• Molly Forsythe (Christoph Dundas)
• Xuefa Gbaguidi (Karen Huff)
• Emma Haugen (Lisa Sanders)
• Jacob Herrick (Jer Osgood)
• Madison Herick (Kalle Akkerman)
• Thomas Herrick (Tony Einertson)
• Maddison Hoesing (Tracey Reynen)
• Andrew Keenan (Dennis Schwab)
• Meryl Kolimedje (Karen Huff)
• Rayna Krebsbach (Sarah Shultz)
• Ruby Kvam (Jordan Pline)
• Jack Lang (Jens Levisen)
• Andrea Ortiz (Robin Garcia)
• Zoey Opsahl (Julie Hale)
• Kaitlyn Riskedahl (Bryce Hoffa)
• Cassidy Shute (Tracey Reynen)
• Isaac Stromlund (Teresa van Proosdy)
• Nora Tweeten (Tammy Watkins)
• David Vu (Tisha Pischke)
• Sarah Wangen (Kendra Maxfield)
• Rebecca Wicks (Christoph Dundas)

Nominations are now open for the 2024 APS Teacher of the Year!

Teachers must:

• Teach in a public or nonpublic Pre-K through 12th-grade school or ECFE or Adult Basic Education program, working at least 50 percent of the time directly with students.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree and a Minnesota teaching license.
• Have completed five years of teaching by the nomination deadline.
• Intend to teach for the full following school year after being named.
• Teachers may be nominated by colleagues, administration, parents, students, or community members.

To nominate a teacher, please fill out the Nomination Form at https://forms.office.com/r/RgkXRFzWBh and submit it by May 26, 2023.

If you or your student need an updated sports physical, Mayo Clinic will again offer free sports screenings for athletes ages 12-19. Screenings will be held in Austin on July 27 from 3-6 PM. Click here https://bit.ly/44EyIVh for more information.

A study of Packer Dome is underway to assess various aspects, such as reliable labor for the set-up and takedown process, financial viability, market demand, new technological requirements, and long-term structural considerations. Our goal is to gather and share valuable insights that will help inform the Board and guide the future of Packer Dome at the June 12 Regular School Board meeting.

We are happy to share that beginning in 2023-2024 will be working with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education to offer Direct Admissions to several Minnesota high education institutions.

What is it?
This program will notify graduating high school seniors high schools that multiple partner colleges and universities are eager to admit them based on their academic records and projected graduation date.

How does it work?
Early in the school year, seniors at participating high schools who are on track to graduate will receive personalized communication, co-signed by their high school and the Office of Higher Education, that lists all participating Minnesota colleges and universities they are proactively admitted to.

Why Direct Admissions?
Significant educational attainment disparities exist for Minnesota's Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. These disparities occur throughout the education pathway. Direct Admissions aims to reduce self-selection bias and equity gaps in college enrollment using four strategies:

• Promoting a college-going culture,
• Connecting students, families, and schools with colleges and universities earlier, giving families time to consider their options and plan,
• Easing the transition from high school to college, and
• Showing students access to a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree if they choose to further their education.

Learn more here.

Become a Math Tutor at IJ Holton Intermediate School for the 2023-2024 school year.

Our tutors work with students to help them build essential math skills. As a math tutor, you will:

• Serve in a school setting (full- and part0time options are available.
• Work with groups of 2-3 students who need targeted skills practice.
• Receive a paycheck every two weeks plus benefits like extra money for college or student loans, health insurance, and more!
• Receive excellent training and support - no teaching experience necessary.

Learn how to become a tutor at join.readingandmath.org or contact email or call Megan Mezera at 612-206-2051.

Hormel Foods is proud to be opening a near-site childcare facility in Austin for children of team members and the community. The $5 million, 13,000-square-foot facility will serve up to 130 children and is anticipated to open in spring 2024. Learn more here.

SSC just published our latest Connections newsletter. It is full of pertinent information. For questions and comments regarding the newsletter, please contact Connections editor Nicole LaChapelle-Strumski.

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), 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 grants or state grants. THFAAS has a potential savings of over $12,000 for college education costs! Learn more here.

We have launched an informational website that aims to provide everyone with quick and easy access to information related to a potential kindergarten transition. The District plans to have kindergarten students return to neighborhood schools starting in the 2024-2025 school year. We understand families/caregivers/staff may have specific questions regarding the transition. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions covering various topics to simplify things.

We are celebrating 25 years of the Packer Classic this year in a big way! Join us for an evening gala event the night before the tournament. Register here for this great event!

• Coping with ambiguous grief
• Posture: More than standing up straight
• Connected care: Sometimes a person just needs a little help

In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumna Karla Boe.

Are you an alumnus of Austin Public Schools? If so, we'd love to hear from you!

We're excited to hear about your accomplishments and are eager to share your successes and advice with our current students, families, and the Austin community. Please take a few minutes to complete our quick questionnaire regarding your current position and your career trajectory.

Thanks, and we look forward to hearing all your wonderful stories!

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 Neveln Elementary School paraprofessional Bryah Moore.

"Bryah goes above and beyond the call of duty as a general education paraprofessional, working hard to make every student feel supported and valued."

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/staff-spotlight. It only takes a minute and can truly make someone’s day. Thanks!

• Education Department: Colleges should place more Federal Work-Study students in K-12 support roles

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.

Austin Public Schools is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values the diversity of its employees and does not discriminate against any employee or candidate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status or membership or activity in a local commission. The school district strongly encourages anyone interested to apply to join our teams. Reasonable accommodations to access job openings or to apply for a job are available. Click here to learn more.

You can review previous issues here.