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Inspire 199 - April 2016
Published on Apr 29, 2016 13:23
School Board news
Here are highlights from the April 25, 2016 ISD 199 School Board meeting:
District continues making progress on equity
- District leaders have been working with the Minnesota State University, Mankato on development, advocacy and guidance on a myriad of diversity issues.
- District leaders and staff have participated in training from Pacific Educational Group (PEG) called Beyond Diversity. PEG is a resource center that organizes events that help participants better understand how to make their organizations free of oppression and to have productive conversations about race.
- 80 teachers have or are currently participating in staff development with coaches from the National Urban Alliance.
- Penny Baker, ISD 199’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and her team, have been analyzing the district’s equity data to get a better sense of where the district currently stands as well as what diversity trends are on the near-horizon.
- During the meeting, Baker told the board that when administrators began to look deeply into the district’s racial equity status, their first conclusion was the need for a district-wide understanding of what racial equity means and what the district must do to confront its achievement gap. Baker added she’s been pleased with the progress ISD 199 has made.
- “We’re on the right track,” Baker added.
- Added Superintendent Dave Bernhardson: “Equity is in everything we do.”
Progress continues on 2016-17 budget
Director of Business Services Brady Hoffman presented an update on the 2016-17 budget. Some of the highlights:
- Hoffman and his staff are continuing to meet with administrators and principals to gather insights and information that will help formulate the budget.
- During the coming weeks, Hoffman will meet with the district’s finance committee and the Board to provide budget updates and to gather input.
- At the June 13, 2016 School Board Work Session, Hoffman will present a formal 2016-17 budget for review.
- Within the current timeline, the Board is expected to vote on the proposed budget at its June 27, 2016 regular meeting.
Superintendent receives high marks
The School Board reviews the superintendent’s performance twice per year. Superintendent Dave Bernhardson’s first review of the year was recently completed and the Board shared their finding with the public at the April 25, 2016 meeting. Bernhardson was rated in three categories:
- Leadership and Culture. In this category, the Board gave Bernhardson an “accomplished/distinguished” rating for creating a positive culture. The Board specifically highlighted his work on the district’s new strategic plan.
- Organizational management. In this area, the Board gave Bernhardson an “accomplished” rating. The Board noted Bernhardson’s goal of implementing structures, practices and relationships to support the district office serving as a service center for the district’s schools.
- Professional Development — Communication. Bernhardson earned a “distinguished” rating from the Board in this category. The Board praised Bernhardson for his willingness to engage with students, staff, families, local leaders and the community at large to promote ISD 199.
Into the Woods
The meeting kicked off with four cast members from the recent Simley production of Into the Woods. After the mini-performance, Board members praised the production and noted how nice it was to see a high-level production in the new Performing Arts Center.
Simley pride
ISD
199 is celebrating thanks to the news that Simley High School has once
again made the Washington Post’s list of “Most Challenging High
Schools.” For Minnesota schools, Simley climbed to 13th place from 19th place. And on the national scene, Simley’s ranking jumped from 1,059 to 754.
The Post
bases the scores on the number of college-level tests given at a school
during the previous calendar year divided by the number of graduates
that year. Other factors include the number of students who qualify for
free and reduced meals and the percentage of graduates who passed at
least one college-level test while in high school.
“I’m
really inspired by the hard work and dedication of our students and
staff,” Simley High School Principal Jerry Sakala said. “This is a great
achievement and really speaks to how well Simley is preparing our
students for life after high school.”
Superintendent
Dave Bernhardson was also thrilled by the news. “My congratulations go
out to everyone at Simley and ISD 199. It’s a great school with
outstanding teachers and staff and truly engaged students. Simley’s
achievement is another example of all the exciting things happening
right now in our school district.”
More accolades for Simley
Simley’s
highly successful academic enhancement program was honored last week
with a bronze in the Minnesota Association of Secondary School
Principals Star of Innovation awards.
Simley
began the academic enhancement program in 2007 to improve student
academic performance and prepare underperforming students for college
success. Over the course of that first year, the program consisted of
90-minute after school sessions. That first year 12 students
participated.
The
program’s second year included a before school option and participation
jumped to 35 students. During that second year, the program’s standards
began to crystallize: students had to be committed to attendance, had to
have clear goals for improving their academic standing and had to also
be committed to pursuing a post-secondary option.
Simley Principal Jerry Sakala explained that with the start of each school year comes increased interest in the program.
“We see
referrals to the program from counselors and administrators and we also
get questions about the program from parents,” he said. “It’s clear the
program’s value is recognized in the community. “
Currently
there are nearly 50 students participating. About 90% of the students
who have participated in the program since its inception have gone on to
some form of post-secondary education.
Sakala praised teachers Susan Barnard and Michelle Niemi.
“They’re
the team that really runs the program,” Sakala said. “They do an
outstanding job and their commitment to their students and to the
program is really inspiring.”
Superintendent Dave Bernhardson was also pleased with the news.
“Simley
has long been a school willing to embrace new ideas and new ways of
delivering an outstanding education to it students,” he said. “When you
have committed teachers like Susan and Michelle, and district-wide
support, great achievements are always possible."
Leadership in action
Several Simley athletes participated in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Region 3AA Target Leadership Workshop on April 21.
The high-energy workshop provided an opportunity for student leaders involved in MSHSL athletics to receive additional leadership training with student leaders from other high schools.
A follow-up workshop is scheduled for this fall.
2016-17 school year taking shape
ISD
199’s 2016-17 academic calendar has been approved. The first day of
school is Tuesday, Sept. 6. and spring break is slated for March 27-31.
Check out the calendar to help you plan for another great school year!
Click here to download the Calendar.
Click here to download the Calendar explanations.
Excellence in the arts
On March 15,
Simley High School Bands hosted and participated in the MSHSL Region 3AA
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble. Six schools were represented: Thomas
Jefferson, Bloomington Kennedy, South St Paul, St Thomas, Henry Sibley
and Simley.
Simley had 80 students participating in 96 entries.
Each band student or ensemble prepared a musical selection and
presented it to a judge. They were scored in the following areas; tone
quality, intonation, rhythm, balance and blend, technique,
interpretation, articulation and execution.
Congratulations
to all the band students who participated in the MSHSL Region 3AA Solo
& Ensemble. 52 students were rated "superior"; 32 students were
rated "excellent"; 10 students were rated "good"; and two were rated
"fair!"
Abby
Guggisberg, bassoon and Brittany Raab, flute and the flute quartet of
Kissme Leenhiavu, Rachel Holtz, Brittany Raab and Abby Stein, were
selected "best of site" from the judges.
Pine Bend’s big heart
The Pine Bend Student Council recently volunteered at Feed My Starving Children. Way to go Pine Bend!
Seniors leave an impact
Three Simley seniors, Nathan Stone, Jake Myran and Billy Ross, donated $1,000 to Heat Soccer on March 13.
The boys, with a combined total of 28
years playing Heat soccer, raised the funds as part their National Honor
Society senior project. The boys sold Simley soccer scarves, solicited
business sponsorships per goal and per win, and held a free soccer camp
for middle school age players accepting free will donations for it.
Welcome to NHS!
Simley High School celebrated its newest crop
of National Honor Society members at a ceremony April 13 in the
Performing Arts Center. During the ceremony, the current group of NHS
members honored teachers, families and friends. During the school year,
NHS members have given thousands of hours in volunteer time and many of
those projects were highlighted during the ceremony.
Here are Simley’s new NHS members:
Thank you volunteers!
ISD 199 held its annual volunteer
appreciation program April 14 and dozens of students, teachers,
family members and community members came together to thank the many
volunteers who help make the school district a successful place.
Superintendent Dave Bernhardson told the
crowd that volunteers play a vital role everyday across the district.
Annie Platek, youth programs and resource development coordinator,
organized the event and noted it was a small gesture to remind
volunteers that their efforts matter.
The event also featured a scene from Simley’s
upcoming performance of Into the Woods as well as several speeches from
students about what volunteers have meant to them during their
educations.
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