Talk to us!
We here at North Branch Area Public Schools take pride in being one of the most transparent school districts you are likely to find in the state of Minnesota. The level of access to information that you can find using our various tools is astounding!
One of the things we are most proud to offer, thanks to technology, is the opportunity for anyone with an internet connection to listen to our school board meetings via podcast. Go to our district homepage (www.northbranch.k12.mn.us) and click on the playbar to listen to the most recent meeting. You can keep up with school district business from the comfort of your own home.
Other ways we communicate include our website, Facebook page, Twitter feed, my blog, our student information system (SchoolView) and mass communication system (Parentlink).
The school district also publishes The Voice, which can be found in Community Education’s seasonal catalogue, distributed to each household in the school district.
Need to reach someone in the school district? Our website includes a searchable staff directory with e-mail addresses, making it easy. Employees are encouraged to use e-mail.
Of course you can always call us too! Phone numbers for sites are conveniently located at our webpage, and they will be happy to direct your call to the appropriate individual.
If you need to speak to me, my office phone number is (651) 674-1012, my cell phone number is (651) 249-8893, and my e-mail address is dhenton@northbranch.k12.mn.us. My door is always open to you.
We pride ourselves on being responsive to our community; we are here to serve you.
If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me. I can direct you to the appropriate individual or address your concerns personally, depending on the situation.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Welcome back everyone!
After a hiatus for the summer, here is the first School News column of the 2012-13 school year:
Come on a Patron Tour
Another school year is upon us and, judging by open houses, we are more than ready! Staff were brimming with enthusiasm, buildings were gleaming, and students were excited about the future.
You may be wondering what there is to be so excited about. Well, why not come and find out?
Last year we implemented Patron Tours and they were a huge success. A success not just for those who took four hours out of their busy lives to see what it is we do here at North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS), but for the staff and students who are so proud of the education here at NBAPS as well.
The tours start with a chance to talk with me about anything (and I mean anything) before we embark on a tour of our facilities. You will get a first-hand look at education at NBAPS from early childhood through high school. Included are classroom visits, a chance to talk with students and principals, and a wonderful lunch provided by Taher.
You might think that these tours are a chance for school district supporters and employees to get together and agree on everything, but I think the tours have been most successful with those a bit skeptical of our mission and performance.
I believe a large part of the criticism we sometimes face is from those who don’t have a true understanding of what we do and how we do it. I have heard more than once the phrase, “I had no idea...” from tour attendees who realized for the first time the scale of what we are expected to do, and the impressive way we meet challenges.
This year’s Patron Tours are scheduled for Oct. 12, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, April 26, and May 31. All are Friday tours. I strongly encourage you to consider joining us for one. If you would like to attend, call Community Relations Coordinator Patrick Tepoorten at 651-674-1018.
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Come on a Patron Tour
Another school year is upon us and, judging by open houses, we are more than ready! Staff were brimming with enthusiasm, buildings were gleaming, and students were excited about the future.
You may be wondering what there is to be so excited about. Well, why not come and find out?
Last year we implemented Patron Tours and they were a huge success. A success not just for those who took four hours out of their busy lives to see what it is we do here at North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS), but for the staff and students who are so proud of the education here at NBAPS as well.
The tours start with a chance to talk with me about anything (and I mean anything) before we embark on a tour of our facilities. You will get a first-hand look at education at NBAPS from early childhood through high school. Included are classroom visits, a chance to talk with students and principals, and a wonderful lunch provided by Taher.
You might think that these tours are a chance for school district supporters and employees to get together and agree on everything, but I think the tours have been most successful with those a bit skeptical of our mission and performance.
I believe a large part of the criticism we sometimes face is from those who don’t have a true understanding of what we do and how we do it. I have heard more than once the phrase, “I had no idea...” from tour attendees who realized for the first time the scale of what we are expected to do, and the impressive way we meet challenges.
This year’s Patron Tours are scheduled for Oct. 12, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, April 26, and May 31. All are Friday tours. I strongly encourage you to consider joining us for one. If you would like to attend, call Community Relations Coordinator Patrick Tepoorten at 651-674-1018.
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Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Community Service Day 2012
Community Service Day was last Friday, and we have a photo album posted at the school district Facebook page. Check it out!
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Friday, May 11, 2012
NBAHS is award winning school!
US News and World Report has listed the best high schools in America and NBAPS is proud to report that North Branch Area High School is among them.
NBAHS was one of only 96 high schools in the state to receive a bronze medal. In all, 423 secondary schools in the state were evaluated. Of those that received bronze medals, NBAHS had the highest teacher/student ratio (24:1), proving NBAPS can do more with less.
None of the school districts that surround us received this award. While the high school receives the honor, it would not be possible without the great education provided kids starting in Early Childhood and continuing through the elementary and middle school years. This recognition belongs to all. Congratulations to high school staff, and all the staff who have made this honor possible.
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NBAHS was one of only 96 high schools in the state to receive a bronze medal. In all, 423 secondary schools in the state were evaluated. Of those that received bronze medals, NBAHS had the highest teacher/student ratio (24:1), proving NBAPS can do more with less.
None of the school districts that surround us received this award. While the high school receives the honor, it would not be possible without the great education provided kids starting in Early Childhood and continuing through the elementary and middle school years. This recognition belongs to all. Congratulations to high school staff, and all the staff who have made this honor possible.
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Read more!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
School News 5-9-12
Jeanne Leland’s gift
Spring is generally a time of renewal for families and for our area; trees are in bloom, plants are emerging from the ground, and families are throwing open the windows, eager to renew a relationship with the great outdoors.
For North Branch Area Public Schools, spring can also be a time of sadness. It seems every year we lose a dedicated leader who has spent a lifetime in service to this great community, and this year is certainly no exception.
At the end of this school year the school district will bid adieu to Jeanne Leland, Community Education Director (CED).
Jeanne arrived at North Branch Area Public Schools in 1979. In her time here she has served as a teacher, a coach, and an administrator. Putting it so simply though does not do her contributions to the school district and the community as a whole justice.
Jeanne is a tireless advocate of education, both for children and adults. As CED she is deeply passionate about providing the community access to the tools they need to be successful as people, parents, and citizens.
Jeanne is also one of the finest I’ve seen at seeing problems and issues from a variety of perspectives. She understands life from many points of view and works hard to be empathetic to all. Her wisdom and approach to problem solving has been invaluable to this school district over her 32 years here.
I know that you wish her the very best in her future, as we do. I hope you will take a moment, the next time you see Jeanne around town, to tell her “thank you” for her invaluable service. She retires not just as a director, but as one of the most dedicated advocates for the community you are likely to find. I have no doubt she will continue to be so even in retirement.
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Spring is generally a time of renewal for families and for our area; trees are in bloom, plants are emerging from the ground, and families are throwing open the windows, eager to renew a relationship with the great outdoors.
For North Branch Area Public Schools, spring can also be a time of sadness. It seems every year we lose a dedicated leader who has spent a lifetime in service to this great community, and this year is certainly no exception.
At the end of this school year the school district will bid adieu to Jeanne Leland, Community Education Director (CED).
Jeanne arrived at North Branch Area Public Schools in 1979. In her time here she has served as a teacher, a coach, and an administrator. Putting it so simply though does not do her contributions to the school district and the community as a whole justice.
Jeanne is a tireless advocate of education, both for children and adults. As CED she is deeply passionate about providing the community access to the tools they need to be successful as people, parents, and citizens.
Jeanne is also one of the finest I’ve seen at seeing problems and issues from a variety of perspectives. She understands life from many points of view and works hard to be empathetic to all. Her wisdom and approach to problem solving has been invaluable to this school district over her 32 years here.
I know that you wish her the very best in her future, as we do. I hope you will take a moment, the next time you see Jeanne around town, to tell her “thank you” for her invaluable service. She retires not just as a director, but as one of the most dedicated advocates for the community you are likely to find. I have no doubt she will continue to be so even in retirement.
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Read more!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Energy efficiency program helping protect education
School News 4-11-12
At North Branch Area Public Schools we are challenged daily to do more with less; a challenge we meet head on. Three years ago we embraced a solution to funding inequities that has proven to be highly successful: our partnership with Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE).
When we build budgets we have to look not just at what affect a decision will have for that budget year, but what affect it will have over many years. Our decision to partner with SEE to reduce energy use in the school district has paid big dividends for the school district and the community that supports it through tax dollars.
We have been told that we have been a model district for the results we have achieved in such a short time. We are now at the end of the third year of the partnership and the school district has avoided energy costs totaling $369,385 in that time. Of that, $128,304 were realized just in the last year. By the end of next year we will have avoided roughly a half-million dollars in energy savings in four years!
The savings figures for this year represent a 17 percent reduction in energy usage in our school district. That is a testament to every staff member and student, who have embraced this program and made it work. Many, many people - sometimes even at a sacrifice to themselves - keep a watchful eye on energy usage here.
For instance around this office people know to turn off their lights when they leave their office, even for a short time, or watchdog Deb will turn it off for them.
Of course, the money saved relieves the budgetary burdens we face each year and that is a good thing for education and for the community.
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Read more!
At North Branch Area Public Schools we are challenged daily to do more with less; a challenge we meet head on. Three years ago we embraced a solution to funding inequities that has proven to be highly successful: our partnership with Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE).
When we build budgets we have to look not just at what affect a decision will have for that budget year, but what affect it will have over many years. Our decision to partner with SEE to reduce energy use in the school district has paid big dividends for the school district and the community that supports it through tax dollars.
We have been told that we have been a model district for the results we have achieved in such a short time. We are now at the end of the third year of the partnership and the school district has avoided energy costs totaling $369,385 in that time. Of that, $128,304 were realized just in the last year. By the end of next year we will have avoided roughly a half-million dollars in energy savings in four years!
The savings figures for this year represent a 17 percent reduction in energy usage in our school district. That is a testament to every staff member and student, who have embraced this program and made it work. Many, many people - sometimes even at a sacrifice to themselves - keep a watchful eye on energy usage here.
For instance around this office people know to turn off their lights when they leave their office, even for a short time, or watchdog Deb will turn it off for them.
Of course, the money saved relieves the budgetary burdens we face each year and that is a good thing for education and for the community.
(end)
Read more!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thanks to letter writer
School News 3-21-12
First, I would like to thank the author of last week’s letter “Financial stress doesn’t hold back students.” We do have great kids, great parents/guardians, and great staff, and there are many wonderful things happening in our schools despite the implications that come with budget cuts.
It is my sincerest hope that the vast majority of you out there who believe your kids are in great schools, and benefit from being surrounded by great staff, will share that message far and wide.
We are often asked what we can do to attract more students. The simplest answer to that question is also the most effective: Spread the word. We live and work in a school district that is the unfortunate victim of political decisions made by others, decisions that create a high state of emotion for both families we serve and taxpayers at large.
Taxes and educational opportunities are issues that strike to the very heart of a community. It is easy to assume the issues we face start with the district. The more difficult thing to do is to work with us to be a part of solutions that make the best of the situation we find ourselves in.
We are your school district. Most of our employees live in the district, and those who don’t live and pay taxes in others. Everyone here, from school-keeper to superintendent, believes in our kids and is proud of the hard work they do supporting their education.
I can’t say it enough: Please be our ambassadors. Not for me or for the school district itself. Be an ambassador because it is the right thing for the community. Good schools attract growth more than many other factors. We have great schools, we just have to willing to spread that message.
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Read more!
First, I would like to thank the author of last week’s letter “Financial stress doesn’t hold back students.” We do have great kids, great parents/guardians, and great staff, and there are many wonderful things happening in our schools despite the implications that come with budget cuts.
It is my sincerest hope that the vast majority of you out there who believe your kids are in great schools, and benefit from being surrounded by great staff, will share that message far and wide.
We are often asked what we can do to attract more students. The simplest answer to that question is also the most effective: Spread the word. We live and work in a school district that is the unfortunate victim of political decisions made by others, decisions that create a high state of emotion for both families we serve and taxpayers at large.
Taxes and educational opportunities are issues that strike to the very heart of a community. It is easy to assume the issues we face start with the district. The more difficult thing to do is to work with us to be a part of solutions that make the best of the situation we find ourselves in.
We are your school district. Most of our employees live in the district, and those who don’t live and pay taxes in others. Everyone here, from school-keeper to superintendent, believes in our kids and is proud of the hard work they do supporting their education.
I can’t say it enough: Please be our ambassadors. Not for me or for the school district itself. Be an ambassador because it is the right thing for the community. Good schools attract growth more than many other factors. We have great schools, we just have to willing to spread that message.
(end)
Read more!
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