The Spring Grove Public School board met Monday, September 20 in the school’s Learning Resource Center, from 7-7:45 p.m.
Board members in attendance were Vice-Chairman Stephanie Jaster and Directors Kelly Rohland, Rhan Flatin, Jenny Stender, and Aric Elton. Absent was Chairman Aaron Solum.
Vice-Chairman Jaster called the meeting to order. The board unanimously approved the consent and meeting agendas with the exception of adding, under personnel, the recommendation to hire a temporary part-time COVID-19 coordinator. The board also approved minutes from the August 16 regular board meeting, treasurer’s report and bills, and designated Superintendent Rachel Udstuen as an external user for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Recertification System.
There were no public comments.
Reports
Most of the staff attended a recently held Youth Mental Health First Aid training workshop. Principal Luke Kjelland received “very positive feedback from the staff.” He described one of the exercises that attendees participated in as eye-opening. The purpose of the Mental Health Word Challenge was to identify positive and negative words that are used discussing mental health issues. Kjelland shared the list of positive and negative words with the board explaining, “The challenge is to take the negative words out of our vocabulary when working with students and with one another.” Positive words that students will hear more of from staff are attention, behavior, changes, eager, energy, energetic, goofy, gladness, gender ID, goals, habits, kindness, mood, optimistic, quiet quiz, resilience, tired, tenuous, Vix, well-being, yearning, and zealous.
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) results are in. The school’s summary proficiency scores for math and reading are higher then the state’s scores. The school is a few percentage points below the state’s score in science.
The image on the top of Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz’s report is a reminder that Spring Grove Public School is a community-based school. The characteristics of a community-based school are: equity and wellness; real world learning opportunities; project based learning; flexible learning spaces; and competency based.
According to Meinertz, “Students and teachers have started this time with a focus on relationship building and wellness.” The school’s advisory schedule will roll out on Monday, September 20.
Seventh grade students have visited the Nettle Valley Farm twice as part of the school’s grant funded farm partnership program.
Transformational coaching starts on the first day of school with Meinert explaining, “The beginning of the year is such an exciting time for coaching. I have been mapping out programming, guiding standards-based and competency-based reporting, storylining, and helping to ensure all staff have the resources they need.”
Superintendent Udstuen updated the board on the Safe Learning Plan. Currently, she is not comfortable making any changes to the mandatory mask requirement or allowing visitors in the building.
New Business
Superintendent Udstuen played the MSHSL Why We Play video before the board unanimously approved by roll call, as required, in the MSHSL membership resolution.
The board unanimously approved Superintendent Udstuen’s recommendation to hire a temporary part-time COVID-19 coordinator. The person hired will be on an as-needed basis. The position will be announced on the school’s Facebook page.
The Board unanimously approved the 1st Reading of MSBA/MASA Model Policy Revisions from the 2021 Legislative Session.
Next meeting
The next regular meeting of the Spring Grove Public School Board of Directors is scheduled for Monday, October 18, at 7 p.m., in the school’s Learning Resource Center. The school will continue to offer the board meetings on Google Meet for anyone who would like to attend virtually. For assistance monitoring the meeting, contact the district office at (507) 498-3221 or email rachel.udstuen@springgrove.k12.mn.us.
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