It is important to remove as much stress from students as possible to clear the way for education. One important stress students face is moving to a new, unfamiliar, building from a site they are comfortable with. At North Branch Area Public Schools, we do everything we can to alleviate that stress and allow transitioning students to return next fall without the anxiety associated with change.
Students starting at Sunrise River School next year will have the Jump Start Kindergarten program, offered through targeted services and made possible by the district’s ever-increasing access to data. Kindergarten orientation will be August 16, 17, and 18, and there will also be an open house. Early Childhood students have already had exposure to Sunrise through activities early this winter. Special education students have had transition meetings and families have been “handed off” to Sunrise.
Students starting at the middle school next year will receive a building tour on June 1 and 2, from 2:30 - 3:30, and Trinity Christian School students have been invited to take part in that event as well. It is a chance to hear about programs and be introduced to staff. A newsletter will be going out soon to middle school families that will also include information about Sneak-a-Peek day on Aug. 25, as well as open house on Aug. 31.
Middle school students starting high school next year have already received an activities orientation, and on Friday, May 27 eighth grade students toured the facility to gain familiarity. Open house will be Aug. 31 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Students completing their high school education and transitioning to STEP (Student Transition & Employability Program) have the opportunity for an extended school year and educational planning meetings have been held with staff and families.
It is hoped that these opportunities will allow students to return to school next fall without the fear of the unknown that comes with changing sites, giving them a chance to start the school year able to focus primarily on their studies.
(end)
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Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Another year coming to a close
School ends next week and it has been another remarkable year at North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS). I am always amazed at the enthusiasm of staff and families to make the school year as successful as possible.
This year brought unique challenges to the district in the form of a school closure and a new schedule, a four-day school week. In both areas I have seen great success in transition.
Closing Main Street School was made possible by a realignment that saw kindergarten and first grade students at Sunrise River for the first time and the return of fifth grade to North Branch Area Middle School, among other changes. There was much moving last summer and, of course, concern about how these changes would impact students. But these transitions were handled remarkably smoothly; a testament to the care staff put into making it successful and the partnership of families who want to see education thrive at NBAPS.
The four-day week was also a significant change, but no less successful. We continue to improve the schedule in ways that work for families, and it is again that partnership and the dedication of staff that are key to the successful transition.
I have spoken with many who enjoy the extra family time. We also know that some still face challenges adjusting and we want to help in any way we can. Make no mistake, the four-day week is here because our community demands that we find “outside the box” solutions to saving money and we will demonstrate this summer that it is accomplishing just that.
So, thank you to staff at NBAPS, and to all our families as well. You have made the 2010-11 school year one we can look back on with pride. Thank you also to the community that supports our district. We are proud to be your partner in creating a bright future for generations of students.
(end)
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This year brought unique challenges to the district in the form of a school closure and a new schedule, a four-day school week. In both areas I have seen great success in transition.
Closing Main Street School was made possible by a realignment that saw kindergarten and first grade students at Sunrise River for the first time and the return of fifth grade to North Branch Area Middle School, among other changes. There was much moving last summer and, of course, concern about how these changes would impact students. But these transitions were handled remarkably smoothly; a testament to the care staff put into making it successful and the partnership of families who want to see education thrive at NBAPS.
The four-day week was also a significant change, but no less successful. We continue to improve the schedule in ways that work for families, and it is again that partnership and the dedication of staff that are key to the successful transition.
I have spoken with many who enjoy the extra family time. We also know that some still face challenges adjusting and we want to help in any way we can. Make no mistake, the four-day week is here because our community demands that we find “outside the box” solutions to saving money and we will demonstrate this summer that it is accomplishing just that.
So, thank you to staff at NBAPS, and to all our families as well. You have made the 2010-11 school year one we can look back on with pride. Thank you also to the community that supports our district. We are proud to be your partner in creating a bright future for generations of students.
(end)
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Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Community Service Day continues tradition
Friday was North Branch Area Public Schools Community Service Day. This was the third year our students and staff have partnered with cities and civic groups to help get the area ship-shape for the upcoming summer.
Over those three years our students and staff have performed a number of wonderful duties in and around the district and I get a real sense of pride when I am driving around the district and see that work on display; the fresh coats of paint on the Lions park bathrooms in Stacy and the ball field bleachers in Sunrise, the beautiful flower gardens at the Villages of North Branch, and the squeaky clean windows at the local public library, to name a few.
There are far more service projects that aren’t as obvious but just as important. We have performed road clean-up in North Branch, groomed and tidied parks and other public areas in Harris, Stacy, and Sunrise Twsp. The partnerships that have been created across the district have been very beneficial for the community and, especially, for students.
It is very rewarding to hear from those partners after the fact. They tell how much they value the students and staff and how appreciative they are of the service projects we perform.
This year, Community Service Day included a musical concert for the lunch crowd at the Chisago County Senior Center, with songs performed by middle school music students. I hope it was a hit!
All of us hope you appreciate Community Service Day as much as we appreciate providing the service and, most importantly, the valuable lesson for students about taking care of the people and places in their community. That is a lesson worth learning over and over again in life.
(end)
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Over those three years our students and staff have performed a number of wonderful duties in and around the district and I get a real sense of pride when I am driving around the district and see that work on display; the fresh coats of paint on the Lions park bathrooms in Stacy and the ball field bleachers in Sunrise, the beautiful flower gardens at the Villages of North Branch, and the squeaky clean windows at the local public library, to name a few.
There are far more service projects that aren’t as obvious but just as important. We have performed road clean-up in North Branch, groomed and tidied parks and other public areas in Harris, Stacy, and Sunrise Twsp. The partnerships that have been created across the district have been very beneficial for the community and, especially, for students.
It is very rewarding to hear from those partners after the fact. They tell how much they value the students and staff and how appreciative they are of the service projects we perform.
This year, Community Service Day included a musical concert for the lunch crowd at the Chisago County Senior Center, with songs performed by middle school music students. I hope it was a hit!
All of us hope you appreciate Community Service Day as much as we appreciate providing the service and, most importantly, the valuable lesson for students about taking care of the people and places in their community. That is a lesson worth learning over and over again in life.
(end)
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Year one: Four-day week
At long last, spring is in the air, and with the belated seasonal change comes another round of four-day week surveys.
For those who may not be aware, the district committed to surveying staff, students, and parents about their experiences with the four-day week. These surveys are being conducted twice this school year; once last fall and again coming up toward the end of May.
Last fall the district surveyed over 3,000 people and the response was very positive. The district also learned some things that could be improved and have worked toward making the schedule better as a result. Anyone interested in those results can visit our home page (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) and click on “Four-day school week information” on the left side. On the research page under “monitoring” is a presentation and the complete survey report given to the school board in December.
We are excited that we have been able to make some improvements to the process, including the ability for all students to take the survey electronically, greatly reducing costs associated with printing and data collection.
Another change; if you are a parent, you will be receiving a postcard in the next two weeks with instructions on how to take the survey. Last fall, parent surveys were conducted at parent/teacher conferences.
As we near the end of the first year of implementation, the anecdotal evidence we have received has been very positive and we are so grateful for the partnerships that have made the schedule as successful as it has been. We will be analyzing savings as the end of the fiscal year draws near to make sure it is accomplishing what we hoped. Of course, as in all things, we will report those findings to you.
(end)
Read more!
For those who may not be aware, the district committed to surveying staff, students, and parents about their experiences with the four-day week. These surveys are being conducted twice this school year; once last fall and again coming up toward the end of May.
Last fall the district surveyed over 3,000 people and the response was very positive. The district also learned some things that could be improved and have worked toward making the schedule better as a result. Anyone interested in those results can visit our home page (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) and click on “Four-day school week information” on the left side. On the research page under “monitoring” is a presentation and the complete survey report given to the school board in December.
We are excited that we have been able to make some improvements to the process, including the ability for all students to take the survey electronically, greatly reducing costs associated with printing and data collection.
Another change; if you are a parent, you will be receiving a postcard in the next two weeks with instructions on how to take the survey. Last fall, parent surveys were conducted at parent/teacher conferences.
As we near the end of the first year of implementation, the anecdotal evidence we have received has been very positive and we are so grateful for the partnerships that have made the schedule as successful as it has been. We will be analyzing savings as the end of the fiscal year draws near to make sure it is accomplishing what we hoped. Of course, as in all things, we will report those findings to you.
(end)
Read more!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Four-day weeks catching on
With the financial challenges facing public school districts not just in Minnesota but across the country, the four-day week is getting a serious look from many points of the compass. The LA Times wrote an editorial on the subject this week and highlighted some of the benefits:
There appear to be educational benefits as well. Absenteeism among students and teachers in these schools has fallen appreciably, the report said. (As a result, schools also paid less money for substitute teachers.) Students reported feeling more positive about school. Dropout rates fell, students behaved better and participation in extracurricular activities rose. Parents of young children often objected to the change because of the need to find childcare, but once the programs were in place, the report said, they often found that it was easier to find care for one full day a week than for several partial days. Test scores didn't fall, and in many cases, they rose.
We have seen indications of some of these things over the course of this year, but not all. We will certainly know more after the school and fiscal year end and we are able to look more closely at our implementation.
(end)
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There appear to be educational benefits as well. Absenteeism among students and teachers in these schools has fallen appreciably, the report said. (As a result, schools also paid less money for substitute teachers.) Students reported feeling more positive about school. Dropout rates fell, students behaved better and participation in extracurricular activities rose. Parents of young children often objected to the change because of the need to find childcare, but once the programs were in place, the report said, they often found that it was easier to find care for one full day a week than for several partial days. Test scores didn't fall, and in many cases, they rose.
We have seen indications of some of these things over the course of this year, but not all. We will certainly know more after the school and fiscal year end and we are able to look more closely at our implementation.
(end)
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Money where our mouth is
I have repeated the phrase “everyone an ambassador” at school board meetings, in public, and this column on numerous occasions. These are not just words to us, we are on a quest to create ambassadors amongst our staff and our families, and have vowed to be ambassadors ourselves.
Next fall we will host a “Principal for a Day” event in which individuals will be invited to spend a full day getting an unvarnished look at what it takes to run a school district. We hope to invite key community members with a wide range of views. Space is limited and only a handful can be accommodated for the experience to be meaningful, but if you would like to be considered, please contact me.
Also next year, expect monthly “Patron Tours,” which will allow for larger groups to get a more general, half-day look at the day-to-day operations of a public school.
Do we want to create ambassadors with these events? You bet! We are confident when you see our hard-working staff, polite and dedicated students, and our successes despite great challenges, becoming an ambassador for the district will be an easy decision.
At the district level, many are participating in important discussions at the state and speaking to legislators, bringing our challenges to the forefront. In these efforts we are working hard to be ambassadors for the district and the community.
We are dedicated to doing a better job sharing the wonderful things happening here, the exciting innovation, and the daily success stories of students and staff.
It is common knowledge that a strong school system is important to a strong community. We intend to start showing off the wonderful experience we offer here, and we hope you will join us. Together we have much to accomplish and it is together that we will get there.
(end)
Read more!
Next fall we will host a “Principal for a Day” event in which individuals will be invited to spend a full day getting an unvarnished look at what it takes to run a school district. We hope to invite key community members with a wide range of views. Space is limited and only a handful can be accommodated for the experience to be meaningful, but if you would like to be considered, please contact me.
Also next year, expect monthly “Patron Tours,” which will allow for larger groups to get a more general, half-day look at the day-to-day operations of a public school.
Do we want to create ambassadors with these events? You bet! We are confident when you see our hard-working staff, polite and dedicated students, and our successes despite great challenges, becoming an ambassador for the district will be an easy decision.
At the district level, many are participating in important discussions at the state and speaking to legislators, bringing our challenges to the forefront. In these efforts we are working hard to be ambassadors for the district and the community.
We are dedicated to doing a better job sharing the wonderful things happening here, the exciting innovation, and the daily success stories of students and staff.
It is common knowledge that a strong school system is important to a strong community. We intend to start showing off the wonderful experience we offer here, and we hope you will join us. Together we have much to accomplish and it is together that we will get there.
(end)
Read more!
Friday, April 29, 2011
The future of middle school sports
When the school board approved the 2011-12 budget recommendation it approved the elimination of some middle school sports, including boys and girls soccer, baseball, and softball.
Those sports were chosen for a number of reasons. They cannot easily be combined into a 7-12 sport like wrestling or tennis, both of which were combined between middle school and high school for next year. Also, the capacity existed for local sports associations to put in place opportunities for students to play their chosen sport at either the recreational or traveling level.
When the planning process for the budget got underway in earnest, the district reached out to the North Branch Area Athletic Association (NBAAA) and the response was very positive.
We have had several meetings with representatives of different sports and the cooperation between the district and those associations has been wonderful. Everyone involved in the process has been driven by a common goal; do the very best we can to continue to offer kids the opportunities they need to be successful in school and in life.
For those parents who will be making use of the association provided athletic opportunities in soccer, baseball, or softball, I encourage you to keep an eye on the NBAAA Web site (http://www.northbranchsports.org/).
One thing that could be a significant change from participating in these sports at the middle school level is the sign-up process. It is likely that sign-up for NBAAA opportunities will take place well in advance of traditional middle school sports, which occurs just prior to each season. At the association level, sign-ups can take place months before the start of a season to give clubs a chance to make sure coaches are in place, uniforms ordered, fields scheduled, and equipment provided.
The cooperation between the district and the NBAAA is an inspiration, and demonstrates what can be accomplished when interests come together to provide opportunities and save money.
(end)
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Those sports were chosen for a number of reasons. They cannot easily be combined into a 7-12 sport like wrestling or tennis, both of which were combined between middle school and high school for next year. Also, the capacity existed for local sports associations to put in place opportunities for students to play their chosen sport at either the recreational or traveling level.
When the planning process for the budget got underway in earnest, the district reached out to the North Branch Area Athletic Association (NBAAA) and the response was very positive.
We have had several meetings with representatives of different sports and the cooperation between the district and those associations has been wonderful. Everyone involved in the process has been driven by a common goal; do the very best we can to continue to offer kids the opportunities they need to be successful in school and in life.
For those parents who will be making use of the association provided athletic opportunities in soccer, baseball, or softball, I encourage you to keep an eye on the NBAAA Web site (http://www.northbranchsports.org/).
One thing that could be a significant change from participating in these sports at the middle school level is the sign-up process. It is likely that sign-up for NBAAA opportunities will take place well in advance of traditional middle school sports, which occurs just prior to each season. At the association level, sign-ups can take place months before the start of a season to give clubs a chance to make sure coaches are in place, uniforms ordered, fields scheduled, and equipment provided.
The cooperation between the district and the NBAAA is an inspiration, and demonstrates what can be accomplished when interests come together to provide opportunities and save money.
(end)
Read more!
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