Spring/Summer 2020 Graduation List •Bemidji State University: Kimberly Morrow, Harmony, BS • Ripon College: Hannah Boyum, Peterson, Politics and Government, Anthropology minor •Rochester Community and Technical College: McKenzie Meeker, Chatfield, Diploma, Practical Nursing; Olivia Haug, Lanesboro, AA, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Diploma, Practical Nursing; Lea Jensson, AA, … [Read more...]
October 19-23, Homecoming week at Spring Grove Public School
The Spring Grove Public School Student Council planned a week of memorable and safe activities for the school’s 2020 Homecoming. The week started with Monochromatic Day on October 19 and culminates on Friday night, the 23rd, with the varsity football game against Lanesboro. The school board met in person on Monday night, October 19, 2020, in the media center while adhering … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton discusses learning models due to COVID surge
The Mabel-Canton School Board held a regular meeting on October 20. One area of significant discussion was the ongoing increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the county and school district. As decided at the board’s September meeting, the Incident Command Team (ICT) has been given the authority to make decisions regarding which of the various learning models (in-person … [Read more...]
Kingsland Knights welcomes new teachers
“Hey, Hey, we’re here to say hello and good luck! We’re here to cheer for the Knights new teachers. The black and silver! We welcome you to Kingsland. And wish you the best!” New hires at Kingsland Public Schools include 5th grade teacher, Theodore Haddad and choir/music teacher Jonathan Miller. Haddad graduated from Caledonia High School and earned is undergraduate … [Read more...]
Sports and activities attendance decisions for Houston Schools
By Wanda Hanson The Houston School Board wrestled with how to balance safety and the desire of students and parents for a sense of normalcy during COVID as they met October 15, 2020. The Southeast Conference decided that schools will be allowing visitors at volleyball games based on 25% of their gym capacity. For Houston High School this maximum capacity will be 116 … [Read more...]
Lanesboro facility project moving along
At the October 12 Lanesboro School Board meeting, the board reviewed two change orders for the facilities project. The first change order was in the amount of $1,011 for paint, kitchen, electrical, and sprinkler expenses and the second, in the amount of $6,301, was for the kitchen layout and equipment. Superintendent Matt Schultz informed the board that there will probably be … [Read more...]
Welcoming Houston’s new teachers
By Wanda Hanson Gary Shields comes to Houston High School with 20 years of teaching experience, including teaching physics at Winona State University. Shields, a resident of Winona, Minn., has a wife, Melissa, and two sons who are in tenth and seventh grade. His family enjoys Caribbean cruises in the winter and camping road trips in the summer. They particularly enjoy national … [Read more...]
Mabel-Canton alumni hired to teach at their alma mater
The start of a new school year means new students, new classes, new classrooms, and new teachers. This year Mabel-Canton Public School (M-C) hired two new teachers, both M-C graduates, Laura Horihan, class of 2002, and Carlena Gallagher, class of 2004. M-C hired Laura Horihan to teach 9th, 11th, and 12th grade English and K-3 Special Education this year. Last year Horihan … [Read more...]
Kingsland football ticket plan explained
The Kingsland School Board held a “work session” meeting on October 5. Board members in attendance included Jackie Horsman, Noella Lund, Natasha Howard, Maranda Emig, and Kyle Rader, as well as Superintendent Jim Hecimovich, Principal Scott Klavetter, Athletic Director Mark Fitzpatrick, and Business Manager Amber Herbrand. Tiffany Mundfrom was absent. During these “work … [Read more...]
Houston Elementary awarded National Blue Ribbon School Award
By Wanda Hanson On October 1, 2020, The Houston School Board heard from a humble principal Rick Bartz that Houston Elementary had been notified that it had been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. Only eight schools were selected for the award in Minnesota. The award is for “exemplary work in closing achievement gaps.” Normally the award would include a trip to … [Read more...]
Nikita Albrecht, the new vocal teacher at Grand Meadow Public School
Grand Meadow Public School welcomes Nikita Albrecht, the new K-12 vocal music teacher, and her family to Grand Meadow. “After hearing many positives about the Grand Meadow School and community, I did a lot of ‘research’ into what the job and the community might be like and decided it just felt like a very good fit for my family and me. It is closer to where my husband and I … [Read more...]
Spring Grove School takes classes outdoors
The start of the 2020-21 school year presented public schools with difficult challenges due to COVID-19. School administrators and staff worked together throughout the summer to address each challenge that arose. A tactic implemented by Spring Public School to address the needs of the Title 1 Essential Workers is the use of outdoor classrooms. Spring Grove Superintendent … [Read more...]
Rushford-Peterson welcomes new teachers
By Wanda Hanson Rushford-Peterson School is welcoming two new teachers this year, Jacob Kramer and Alex Smothers. Mr. Kramer actually student taught biology last spring with the teacher he now has replaced; as a result, although he is a first year teacher, he knows many of the students already. He enjoys the great community of teachers, staff, and students, noting that R-P has … [Read more...]
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation seeking applications for Early Care and Education Wrap Around Grants
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), is currently accepting applications for its Early Care and Education Wrap Around Grant program. This special grant program will help fund early care and education wrap around services for children birth to age eight from underserved populations impacted by the … [Read more...]
Eight Minnesota schools receive National Blue Ribbon School Honors
September 24, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized eight Minnesota schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2020. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. “Congratulations to this year’s National Blue Ribbon School awardees,” said Secretary DeVos. “It’s a … [Read more...]