By Kaitlin Longhauser
Caledonia School Board members met in the Caledonia Elementary School’s music room #162 on Monday, November 21, from 6-6:52 p.m. Board members present included Matt Blocker, Erin Hammell, Leigh King, Melissa Marschall, Wendy Woyczik, and Spencer Yohe. Daniel Small was absent.
The board approved the consent agenda, minutes from the October 17 regular board meeting, minutes from the November 14 special school board meeting, and the treasurer’s report/approval of bills.
The board approved the inclusion of Art Club as an extracurricular activity offered at Caledonia Middle/High School. A number of students showed great interest in Art Club. Principal Nathan Boler stated Art Club will be “a huge benefit to students” and expressed “it is neat to see kids getting involved in activities after school.” Board member Yohe acknowledged Art Club “sounds like a good program!” One hiccup remains with the inclusion of Art Club, the club is in need of an advisor.
Rich Larson, Caledonia Middle/High School Agriscience Instructor and FFA Advisor, spoke briefly in regards to funding for the Summer Agriscience Program. High school FFA students who partake in the program and successfully complete such are eligible to receive their Agriscience credit during the summer. Superintendent Craig Ihrke recommended Larson put together a budget and the Summer Agriscience Program to be included on the agenda for the December board meeting.
Principal Sue Link shared new opportunities students have had over the course of November. Friday, November 11, the 5th grade class put on a wonderful Veterans Day Program assisted by Rushford’s previous band teacher, Burt Svendsen and the elementary school’s music teacher, Heidi Myhre. The program received a good turn out with attendance from parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and community members. Students in grades 2-5 received an invitation to attend the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” dress rehearsal. Students got the opportunity to learn about a musical’s production. Link stated the elementary school’s Afterschool Academy is off to a good start. The Afterschool Academy offers individualized instruction after school. Down the road, the Afterschool Academy will include a social skills component. The school’s “Warrior Way” philosophy now includes Warrior WOW (Word of the Week), with a focus on one new word per week. Examples of previous Warrior WOW words include responsibility, respect, teamwork, generosity, etc. with this week’s special word being gratitude.
Wednesday, November 2, principal Link attended a MESPA (Minnesota Elementary School Principal’s Association) meeting in La Crescent, Minn. MESPA meetings consist of principals from the southeastern Minnesota area gathering together to share ideas and discuss various topics. The topic of discussion for the November 2 meeting included the ongoing shortage of substitutes and school safety.
Principal Boler reported the busy month Caledonia Middle/High School has had. First term of the school year is now completed. On November 1, the school implemented Beyond the Bell. Beyond the Bell is an opportunity for middle/high school students to receive additional homework help after school. Beyond the Bell also offers enrichment activities for students to participate in activities such as board games and bake cookies. November 3, a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) assembly took place at the middle school where students in grades 6-8 attended. The assembly reinforced expectations with the addition of Warrior Way tickets. Warrior Way tickets are reward tickets students earn through modeling the Warrior Way when it comes to interaction with others, behavior in class, behavior at lunch, etc. On November 9, Chief Zehnder and Schmitz Bus Service spoke to students in grades 9-12 in regards to motor vehicle safety. Motor vehicle safety is of importance, especially this time of year when the weather turns inclement. Friday, November 11, the middle/high school held a Veterans Day Program. Boler noted “a special thank you to Teri Larson for her efforts to put this program together.”
On November 9, Boler attended the Bluff Country Collaborative meeting in Rushford. The BBC offers opportunities for students to learn additional information about CTE (Career Technical Education) related fields. BCC also provides tours and hands-on learning opportunities for students to utilize. One of BCC’s goals is to offer something different each month for students. Boler states this is a “great supplement to what we’re already doing in Caledonia.” Boler mentioned “students know what the job is, but want to know what the job itself entails.”
Boler acknowledges the middle/high school is currently fully staffed with the exception of the available night time custodian position. Apart from nearly all positions occupied, the middle/high school is concerned with the ongoing shortage of substitutes. Planning for the 2023-2024 school year has already begun.
Gretchen Juan, Director of Community Education, shared her report on Hand in Hand Preschool ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education). Thursday, November 10 and Friday, November 11, early childhood screening took place in which 21 children received screening. ECFE is seeking an ECFE teacher.
Juan reported on Community Education. Monday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 15, a driving course took place in which 25 participants attended.
In addition, Juan reported on CAPS (Caledonia Area Public School) Care. November 7, CAPS Care received their first DHS licensing visit with a couple of citations. CAPS Care is in need of a toddler teacher.
The board approved the hiring of Rogich Brothers Concrete, LLC for snow removal.
The next regular board meeting of the Caledonia Public School board is scheduled for Monday, December 19. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Caledonia Elementary, in music room #162.
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