Back in issue 1 of the Austin Packer Bulletin, I shared that this will be a big year for us, not just because of the critical November referendum. This year, our strategic plan became a reality by assigning responsibilities, creating timelines, communicating often, inspecting and assessing our progress, celebrating success, and continually adjusting and adapting to what comes before us. I am happy to say we are making great strides to inspire, empower, and accelerate this work.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

The Minnesota Department of Education's flexible learning year provides optional scheduling approaches for students and educators for a school year by building or program. Sumner Elementary School has utilized a 45/15 schedule for several years in the Austin Public Schools. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, Sumner Elementary School will return to the same calendar as the other elementary schools in the District.

This means that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, all Austin Public Schools will be on a traditional calendar when all students begin in the fall, have traditional breaks throughout the year, and have most of the summer off. This transition in schedule also means that all elementary students in the Austin Public Schools will eventually begin the process of adhering to attending their neighborhood elementary school. The elementary boundaries have not changed. This transition will involve several changes throughout the District, and we would like to share as much as possible with you here.

Another phase of the elementary transition will be presented to the School Board on May 8. The recommendation will be to return kindergarten students to the neighborhood elementary schools and permanently locate our early childhood programming at Woodson starting in the 2024-2025 school year.

Congratulations to APS Communications Coordinator Ryan Mayers on his recent election to the Minnesota School Public Relations Association (MinnSPRA) board. MinnSPRA is an award-winning, nationally recognized organization of public relations professionals, superintendents, and school district personnel dedicated to strategic communications in education. He will begin working with the board in July.

The Minnesota State FFA Convention took place at the end of April and Austin FFA was well represented!

During the convention, Austin FFA member Haylie Meyer performed with the State FFA Band.

FFA members Abby, Blake, and Katie VanPelt received the prestigious FFA State Degree.

And, finally, the AHS FFA chapter was awarded a National Superior Chapter Award. This award recognizes excellence within an FFA chapter. To qualify, chapters must meet criteria related to programming, community engagement and service, and leadership development for its chapter members.

Austin Public Schools is pleased to announce the appointment of Katie Baskin as the new Executive Director of Academics and Administrative Services. With over 20 years of experience in education, Ms. Baskin is a proven leader in academic administration and management.

Ms. Baskin will oversee Austin Public Schools' academic programs and administrative services in her new role. This includes managing curriculum development, ensuring academic excellence, and developing and implementing policies and procedures that support the mission and vision of the District.

"We are thrilled to have Ms. Baskin continue her work with academics and expand her leadership role in Austin Public Schools," said Austin Superintendent Joey Page. "Her expertise in academic administration and dedication to providing exceptional educational experiences for students make her the perfect fit for this role. I am confident that under her leadership, the District will continue to grow and provide outstanding educational opportunities for our students and supports to our employees."

Baskin stated, "I am honored to take on this role and serve within a system that has been incredible for my development and the education of my own children. I believe in Austin Public Schools, our mission, and the amazing staff striving to provide our students the best each day."

Before joining the APS Cabinet as Executive Director of Teaching Learning, Ms. Baskin has served at all levels of K-12 education, first as a middle school Math teacher, high school assistant principal, high school principal, and elementary principal. Additionally, Ms. Baskin facilitates Principal professional learning with the University of Minnesota Principals Academy as she believes school leaders are responsible for shaping the educational system. Ms. Baskin is a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development at the University of Minnesota and will complete this work in December 2023.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023, is National School Nurse Day! We honor all #schoolnurses who are making a difference in the lives of children every day! Protecting and promoting student health, facilitating optimal development, and advancing academic success. #SND2023

The Representative Assembly delegates will vote on two proposed amendments at the Representative Annual Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 9, 2023, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest. During this meeting, the Assembly will abide by the MSHSL Constitution, review League activities and finances, review proposals in caucuses, and act on proposed bylaw amendments. Read more here.

The Impact Austin 2023 Speaker Series is a virtual community learning resource as strategic planning gets underway to address future growth, housing, economic development, immigrant support, food access and equity, parks and open space, connectivity and transportation, education, arts and culture, brand/story and tourism, city infrastructure, and public policy and planning.

May 8: Housing Solutions for Everyone: Strategies for a Comprehensive Approach to Housing Challenges – Register here

May 10: Designing Public Places That Welcome and Engage an Entire Community – Register here.

Registration for the annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium is now open!

Educators, administrators, psychologists, school board members, parents, and counselors may choose from a wide variety of in-depth sessions on evidence-based practices for addressing the instructional and social-emotional needs of gifted learners, including students who are twice-exceptional, culturally, and linguistically diverse. Join us in person, June 13-15, in Austin.

Thanks to the generous support of the Hormel Foundation, the Symposium is free for Austin residents and APS staff!

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are woven throughout all sessions. For more information, visit the symposium website

• Policy 408 - Subpoena of a School District Employee

• Policy 419 - Tobacco-Free Environment; Possession and Use of Tobacco

• Policy 420 - Students and Employees with Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases

• Policy 422 - Policies Incorporated by Reference

• Policy 507 - Corporal Punishment

• Policy 508 - Extended School Year for Certain Students with IEPs

• Policy 509 - Enrollment of Nonresident Students

• Policy 514 - Bullying Prohibition Policy

• Policy 519 - Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies

• Policy 520 - Student Surveys

• Policy 521 - Student Disability Nondiscrimination

• Policy 522 - Title IX Nondiscrimination Policy

• Policy 523 - Policies Incorporated by Reference

Please check this site periodically to be sure you have the most current version of any given policy.

NOTE: The deleted policies from 422 and 523 are found in Series 100-300 and 600-800. The original purpose of Policies 422 and 523 was to ensure that there was no question that some policies apply to both staff and students. Because all policies apply across the school district, referring to them in this policy was superfluous.

Just because school is out, that doesn't mean things aren't happening at Austin Public Schools!

AOA = Austin Online Academy

BOT = Boys of Tomorrow

EC = Early Childhood

ECSE = Early Childhood Special Education

EL = English Language

ESY = Extended School Year (Special Education)

KK = Kids Korner

PIT = Packers in Training

SS = Summer School

TS = Targeted Services

Life can be stressful, and often you cannot control the obstacles you encounter. Both stress and anxiety can affect your mind and body, so learning coping techniques to help manage reactions and responses can reduce your anxiety when you feel overwhelmed.

In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumna Jill Rollie.

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 the quick questionnaire at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/district-resources/alumni-spotlight 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 Oakland Education Center principal Amy Schulz.

"Amy goes above and beyond for our school. She wears many hats, is always ready to help in any way she can, and she fosters an amazing culture. She is also a student as well going for her doctorate - such an inspiration."

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!

• · CTE internships offer constructive pathways for local industry, schools alike
• · Unpacking Trauma-Informed Teaching
• · Walz, state lawmakers look to transform how Minnesota kids are taught to read
• · Anti-overdose drug naloxone could soon be standard in Minnesota schools

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.