Progress and Promise: Reflecting on the School Year So Far

Reflecting on the first months of the school year, I am amazed by how fast the year seems to be moving and how much work we are getting done. From the District's initiative to get back to neighborhood schools to implementing the strategic plan, it has been a season of growth, collaboration, and success. Let me share a few highlights with you.

Transitioning Back to Neighborhood Schools

To manage resources more efficiently while easing transitions for our youngest learners, the District embraced the decision to place kindergarten back into neighborhood elementary schools to manage resources more efficiently while easing transitions for our youngest learners. As a result, students attending their resident-assigned neighborhood schools increased from 66.4% to 80.3% in 2023. I appreciate the District's staff, parents/caregivers, and community members who provided feedback throughout this decision-making process and continue to support our schools during the transition.

Sustaining Excellence in Education

In 2022, district voters approved an operating levy to support classroom education within our District. The District has already benefited from this funding in various ways, from the planned preservation of electives for students to the maintenance of extracurricular programs. In addition, the District announced the hiring of a new Executive Director of Finance and Operations, Todd Lechtenberg. Strong resource management is pivotal in our District's long-term strategic priorities, and Todd's experience will be critical in meeting these goals.

Implementing Our Strategic Plan

Our District's strategic plan is a roadmap for fulfilling our mission: to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate. It also is shaping the way all staff approach their everyday responsibilities. I'm proud to see this happening in many different ways. Our teachers and staff support students of all backgrounds, create meaningful learning experiences that lead to future careers, and innovate to address challenges and new opportunities. To learn more about the District's strategic priorities, please visit AccelerateAustin.org.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As we look forward to 2024, students throughout Austin Public Schools will continue to shine as we cheer them on every step of the way. Thank you to the District's teachers, staff, parents/caregivers, students, and community members for your continued commitment to our schools as we move into an exciting new year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

The WBWF was established by Minnesota law to provide parents and community members with involvement and input regarding school programs and curricular offerings. The committee comprises parents, community members, staff, teachers, administrators, and school board members. Click here to review the annual report.

Congratulations to Sumner Elementary School PE teacher Derek Picha on being named the 2024 SHAPE America Central District Elementary School PE Teacher of the Year!

Derek is one of four finalists for the SHAPE America National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year award, which will be announced at the national SHAPE America conference in March.

SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) serves as the voice for 200,000+ health and physical education professionals across the United States. Their mission is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, dance, and sports.

APS policies are routinely reviewed and/or revised. These policies provide the governance structure and guidance in school district matters and decisions. Please check this site periodically to be sure you have the most current version of any given policy.

Recent Updates

• 413 - Harassment and Violence
• 416 - Drug, Alcohol, and Cannabis Testing
• 506 - Student Discipline
• 506 Form - Complaint Procedure
• 507 - Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint
• 515 Form - Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records
• 613 - Graduation Requirements

The Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools program promotes social inclusion through intentionally planned and implemented activities affecting systems-wide change. With sports as the foundation, the three-component model offers a unique combination of effective activities that equip young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom, and school climates of acceptance. These are school climates where students with disabilities feel welcome and are routinely included in and feel a part of all activities, opportunities, and functions. IJ Holton Intermediate is also a Unified Champion School.

In this Edutopia article, Youki Terada and Stephen Merrill list what they consider the ten most important K-12 research findings of the year:

1. Artificial intelligence
2. Assessments
3. Teacher Tone
4. Brain Synchronicity
5. Math Picture Books
6. Student Writing
7. Teen Mental Health
8. Direct Instruction vs. Inquiry Learning
9. Social-Emotional Learning
10. Reading Comprehension

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In this week's Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with alumna Kathy Sanders.

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.

All you need to do is take a minute to answer a few quick questions at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/alumni-spotlight.

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 CTE (Woods) teacher Eric Vaughn.

"Mr. Vaughn's teaching doesn't stop in the classroom. He is more than willing to share guidance or help teach a new skill to be able to serve students better."

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!

• Esports program expanding to middle schools across Minnesota
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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.

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