MDE released the MMR results for schools across the state yesterday, and ours were great! Click this link to read how your school did.
Many thanks to our staff, students, families, and community members. This is what Viking pride is all about!
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Help us build on our sucess!
North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) is coming to the end of its five-year strategic plan and wants your input on the next generation.
The existing plan "Mapping Our Future" resulted in sweeping changes to curriculum, security, community engagement, and educational offerings over the five years it successfully guided NBAPS. Now, NBAPS wants community input again to help guide the next five years of district growth with "Building on Success - NBAPS Strategic Focus 2013-2018."
There will be two public input sessions; May 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sunrise River School cafeteria, and May 23, at 11:30 a.m. in room 126 of the North Branch Area Education Center. Both meetings will include a free meal and free child care.
If you are unable to attend either of these meetings but would like to provide input, click here to access the strategic plan feedback form.
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The existing plan "Mapping Our Future" resulted in sweeping changes to curriculum, security, community engagement, and educational offerings over the five years it successfully guided NBAPS. Now, NBAPS wants community input again to help guide the next five years of district growth with "Building on Success - NBAPS Strategic Focus 2013-2018."
There will be two public input sessions; May 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Sunrise River School cafeteria, and May 23, at 11:30 a.m. in room 126 of the North Branch Area Education Center. Both meetings will include a free meal and free child care.
If you are unable to attend either of these meetings but would like to provide input, click here to access the strategic plan feedback form.
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FREE all-day everyday K coming soon!
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Parents seeing the benefits of technology in the classroom
Here is a very interesting study on how parents of school-age children view digital devices, including this fact:
Among parents whose children are required to use portable or mobile devices at school, 93 percent said they completely or somewhat agreed that the devices could make learning more fun, as compared to 83 percent of other parents who responded. The two groups overlapped less for all other learning benefits and showed the greatest divergence when asked if they agreed that mobile or portable devices could help their children "excel or perform better in school," when they responded positively at a rate of 77 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
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Among parents whose children are required to use portable or mobile devices at school, 93 percent said they completely or somewhat agreed that the devices could make learning more fun, as compared to 83 percent of other parents who responded. The two groups overlapped less for all other learning benefits and showed the greatest divergence when asked if they agreed that mobile or portable devices could help their children "excel or perform better in school," when they responded positively at a rate of 77 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Great enrollment news
I sent the following message to Key Communicators and district employees yesterday:
I am writing you personally today to share with you some great news and ask for your help.
Last Thursday, the school board received a very positive report on our 2012-13 enrollment. I am very pleased to share with you that, as of Oct. 11, enrollment here at North Branch Area Public Schools is down only two students from last year! That is a testament to the hard work of staff to provide an NBAPS quality education, and district efforts to keep our kids where they belong - right here!
You may be wondering why a drop of two students would be considered good news. For years now enrollment at North Branch Area Public Schools has been dropping due to a variety of factors. Those enrollment drops account for a large part of the annual budget cuts we have been making since 2003-04.
With enrollment staying roughly flat from last year to this year, it means the school district will receive more funding from the state than originally projected, and mitigate to some degree the necessity for cuts for next year.
It also gives us reason to hope that the trend of dropping enrollment may be flattening out. Of course, only time will tell if that is the case.
We know our community is concerned with enrollments, and I hope you will join me in sharing this exciting news with your friends, family, and neighbors.
Speaking of sharing good news, have you considered participating in Spread the Red? We want to spread the word about all of the great things happening in North Branch Area Public Schools and we think you are the best person to talk about what is great at NBAPS! And, it's easy! Make a short video of yourself talking about you like about NBAPS and follow the submission instructions at the link above. There will even be prizes for finalists.
We are so very pleased to share this good news with you today, and it is my distinct hope you will consider joining our Spread the Red campaign and help us build on this momentum!
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Read more!
I am writing you personally today to share with you some great news and ask for your help.
Last Thursday, the school board received a very positive report on our 2012-13 enrollment. I am very pleased to share with you that, as of Oct. 11, enrollment here at North Branch Area Public Schools is down only two students from last year! That is a testament to the hard work of staff to provide an NBAPS quality education, and district efforts to keep our kids where they belong - right here!
You may be wondering why a drop of two students would be considered good news. For years now enrollment at North Branch Area Public Schools has been dropping due to a variety of factors. Those enrollment drops account for a large part of the annual budget cuts we have been making since 2003-04.
With enrollment staying roughly flat from last year to this year, it means the school district will receive more funding from the state than originally projected, and mitigate to some degree the necessity for cuts for next year.
It also gives us reason to hope that the trend of dropping enrollment may be flattening out. Of course, only time will tell if that is the case.
We know our community is concerned with enrollments, and I hope you will join me in sharing this exciting news with your friends, family, and neighbors.
Speaking of sharing good news, have you considered participating in Spread the Red? We want to spread the word about all of the great things happening in North Branch Area Public Schools and we think you are the best person to talk about what is great at NBAPS! And, it's easy! Make a short video of yourself talking about you like about NBAPS and follow the submission instructions at the link above. There will even be prizes for finalists.
We are so very pleased to share this good news with you today, and it is my distinct hope you will consider joining our Spread the Red campaign and help us build on this momentum!
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Read more!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
School News 9-26-12
A loss for us all
Last week I was informed that MaryHelen Swanson will no longer be your editor at the Post Review.
I’ve known MaryHelen for just a few short years but more than long enough to have an idea who she is and what a loss her departure will be for this community. The life of a superintendent and the life of a newspaper editor are very similar I should think. The hours are incredibly long for a newspaper editor...I know this because I see MaryHelen at most of the same events and meetings that I attend.
Being a newspaper editor is a high-pressure position that is subject to a great deal of scrutiny. When there are errors or complaints, they go to the editor. And, much like a superintendent, whatever decisions are made, a newspaper editor is sure to leave some people unhappy, even while others are made to feel satisfied.
What separates MaryHelen in my mind is the degree to which she cares about the communities she covers, and the individuals whose reputations and futures are placed in her hands. Not, as some may assume, just those she agrees with, or gets along with; but all of the people who put themselves in the public realm by holding office or job title. She is careful to always remember that the people she covers are human beings, not just news subjects.
In an age where editors and columnists are almost constantly rushing to give us their spin, its almost a curiosity that I have no idea where MaryHelen falls in her own beliefs. While some wear opinions on their sleeve, MaryHelen holds her own close to the vest so that all receive fair treatment. That is a rare quality these days and, with her departure, even more so.
The next editor of the Post Review will have large, and well-worn, shoes to fill indeed. Caring about the people who make news, as MaryHelen does, would be a great start.
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Read more!
Last week I was informed that MaryHelen Swanson will no longer be your editor at the Post Review.
I’ve known MaryHelen for just a few short years but more than long enough to have an idea who she is and what a loss her departure will be for this community. The life of a superintendent and the life of a newspaper editor are very similar I should think. The hours are incredibly long for a newspaper editor...I know this because I see MaryHelen at most of the same events and meetings that I attend.
Being a newspaper editor is a high-pressure position that is subject to a great deal of scrutiny. When there are errors or complaints, they go to the editor. And, much like a superintendent, whatever decisions are made, a newspaper editor is sure to leave some people unhappy, even while others are made to feel satisfied.
What separates MaryHelen in my mind is the degree to which she cares about the communities she covers, and the individuals whose reputations and futures are placed in her hands. Not, as some may assume, just those she agrees with, or gets along with; but all of the people who put themselves in the public realm by holding office or job title. She is careful to always remember that the people she covers are human beings, not just news subjects.
In an age where editors and columnists are almost constantly rushing to give us their spin, its almost a curiosity that I have no idea where MaryHelen falls in her own beliefs. While some wear opinions on their sleeve, MaryHelen holds her own close to the vest so that all receive fair treatment. That is a rare quality these days and, with her departure, even more so.
The next editor of the Post Review will have large, and well-worn, shoes to fill indeed. Caring about the people who make news, as MaryHelen does, would be a great start.
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Read more!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
School News 9-19-12
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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Read more!
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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Read more!
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