Progress 2021 Arts & Education

Progress Arts & Education

Albert Lea Tribune

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Success coach Johanna Reyes works on math and identifying numbers in English with a Spanish-speaking student through the computer in December while all Albert Lea Area Schools students were on distance learning. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

School district success coaches give students

A BIG BOOST With students on distance learning for most of the year, the role of success coaches has been even more critical

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

Tribune Albert Lea

Success coach Johanna Reyes speaks with a student through Zoom in December.

W

hen Albert Lean Jo- into much more. In some cases, she hanna Reyes was 8 has helped teach English to students years old, her family who have come into the school district moved from Colombia only knowing Spanish, and she often to the United States. becomes a resource for the families of the students, helpLiving in Miami at ing them around the the time, she said she clock if they have didn’t know English at other questions. first.

“I love that they “It was terrifying,” can count on me like she said. “Having that, and I can help someone to help them,” she said. “It’s you makes a big a way of me paying difference.” back for what they Reyes, who moved when my family to Albert Lea in 2014, — Success coach did and I came to this now works as a sucJohanna Reyes country.” cess coach through Reyes said there the Albert Lea school district to help other students who are six Spanish-speaking success coaches in the district; each school were once in her shoes.

She said though her primary focus also has a Karen-speaking coach, and as a success coach is to help students there is one Nuer-speaking coach who are below grade level for reading or math, the role often develops See COACHES, Page 2

“I love that they can count on me like that, and I can help them.”

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Lifelong learning for all ages Albert Lea Community Education adapts for the padnemic. Page 3

An ongoing battle Area schools work to pass operating levy referendums for educating students. Page 4

Empowering through art Art Walk Albert Lea prepares for big year of public art installations. Page 6

Page 2 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2021 | arts and education | saturday, February 27, 2021

THINK

LOCALLY ACT

GLOBALLY

Our students enjoy the benefits of small, friendly classes which are supplemented by on-line education from around the state, the nation, and the world.

“Through our collective efforts we are committed to teaching & learning for all.”

Lake Mills Community School 102 South 4th Ave. East Lake Mills, IA 50450-1628

641-592-0881

Success coach Johanna Reyes helps a Spanish-speaking student count in English in December from Halverson Elementary School. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Coaches Continued from Front Page

who travels around to the different schools.

In the last year with the COVID-19 pandemic, their roles have become even more critical as they are often the bridge between teachers, students and their families, and oftentimes become vital information resources for other things happening in the community.

“I just love making connections with the families,” she said. “I feel like us as success coaches, we’re their voice, not only in the school setting but in the community.”

In December, Reyes worked with a student who had just moved to Albert Lea from Mexico and lived with his aunt.

She said he had started school about three weeks prior as the district was in the middle of distance learning because of the pandemic. When he first got there, she said he started crying because he couldn’t understand the technology.

After he came in and was taught more about it, the student then asked if he would ever learn English. She said they partnered him with another student who didn’t know English either three years ago but in the time since has learned the language.

“To see his face light up when he realized he could do it, too — another teacher and I almost cried,” Reyes said.

During distance learning, she has connected with the student on Google

“To see his face light up when he realized he could do it, too — another teacher and I almost cried.”

— Success coach Johanna Reyes Meets, and as his teacher talks with the class, she is able to explain things as they go. They also connect back after the class on the the classwork, as well.

In addition, as of December she had worked oneon-one with the student on the basics of English, including the alphabet and sounds of English words and numbers.

Reyes said another part of her job is translating phone calls or documents for parents and translating when teachers have conferences or otherwise need to connect with parents.

They also do some home visits, though those have been limited during the pandemic.

Though she said her role has been more challenging in some ways during distance learning, she also thinks staff and the community have gotten closer together.

“They’re relying on us more,” she said. “I feel like our families are part of the school community because they know they can come and find someone.

“It’s been challenging but not impossible — a new opportunity to grow and learn new things.”

‘They are relying on us a lot’

Knyaw Say Paw is a

Karen-speaking success coach at Sibley Elementary School, who started this school year in the position.

She said using technology for distance learning has been a challenge for the Karen families she has worked with, many of which have never used Chromebooks or iPads before.

“Imagine talking to a person who has never used technology,” Paw said.

Though it was difficult at first explaining things without being in-person, she said things got better over time.

She said she works with 49 students from 30 families and tries to meet with them all two times a week — there are some she talks with every day.

“Right now they are relying on us a lot,” she said, though she noted she tries to help families be as independent as possible, too.

All were looking forward to returning to school in January.

She said she is grateful to be a success coach, especially during the pandemic, and has felt honored to help the students and families she has worked with.

“I learn so much,” Paw said. “I become a teacher. I become a student. I become an expert of technology.”

Reyes helps a student with math work in December. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

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saturday, February 27, 2021 | arts and education | Progress 2021 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Page 3

Kim Ehrich, left, and Kim Herfindahl organize the general enrichment catalog that goes out to households in the district through Albert Lea Community Education. The Community Ed office is in the new fieldhouse at Hammer Complex. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

Lifelong learning for every age A.L. community education adapts for the pandemic

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

COVID-19 has left its impact on every aspect of life, and Albert Lea’s Community Education is no different. Though much of the programming has had to shift or go online, employees are working to expand options and bring people together in different ways to continue learning.

Community Education Director Chris Chalmers said last March when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shift of K-12 education to distance learning, the Albert Lea school district’s early learning and adult learning programs shifted, too.

The district works with roughly about 200 children on a daily basis through its pre-K options, and staff for these children began reaching out online and sending home kits, he said. Though numbers were down a little this year for Adult Basic Education, staff continued GED testing and even did some house visits to check in on students.

“Teachers did an amazing job to provide the best we could last spring,” Chalmers said.

The new Tiger Cub Daycare, which opened right before the shutdown, has been running nonstop throughout the pandemic.

Chalmers said the day care has the capability of housing 44 children, and there are still spots available for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years. The daycare is open to both staff in the district and others from the public.

Aside from these teaching opportunities, Albert Lea Community Education’s general enrichment opportunities have evolved, too.

While at first during the pandemic many of the classes were canceled when people were not meeting inperson, there were a few in-person classes in the fall following social distancing guidelines and other health precautions. Now, for the winter, Chalmers said many of the classes have shifted to being digital, with expanded course offerings.

“Community Ed is really evolving and changing as this pandemic goes on,” Chalmers said. “I’m a big believer of bringing

“I’m a big believer of bringing people together, but I’ve learned through this we can still build community even though we’re not in the same room.”

— Chris Chalmers, director of Albert Lea Community Education

experiential learning took a major hit this summer, Chalmers said he was hopeful The Boathouse would be able to offer more programming this summer. The district recently received a grant to purchase more canoes and kayaks and will be able to accommodate larger groups.

He hoped Community Ed would be able to offer snowshoe checkout this winter.

Chalmers thanked the about 50 people who make up the Community Ed

staff for being flexible over the past year and for putting their passion first.

“The staff — they really care about what they’re doing and sharing their talents,” he said. “We’re very fortunate for our community to provide programming for all ages. It really is lifelong learning for every age.”

Albert Lea Community Education is based out of the new fieldhouse at Hammer Complex. Chalmers said he hopes by next fall, they will be able to start having classes there.

The winter Albert Lea Community Education catalog includes many new classes online. Provided

• Clean, Dry & Secure warehousing Community Education is offering several new STEM kits through Science Explorers out of Golden Valley.

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people together, but I’ve learned through this we can still build community, even though we’re not in the same room.”

Kim Ehrich and Kim Herfindahl, who help organize the general enrichment classes, said they reached out to St. Louis Park Community Education about cooking classes and were directed to a group of metro community ed instructors that are teaching online classes. They have incorporated some of those classes into the winter catalog, along with several local instructors as well.

This winter’s course offerings have included everything from cooking classes you can take online from your own kitchens to professional development opportunities and self-care courses. There are business and In addition to STEM kits, there are several painting an other crafts kits available for people to purchase.

finance courses, classes for learning how to use technology and classes via Zoom with Daisy Blue Naturals in Albert Lea. There are also fitness and wellness courses and some youth options, among others.

In addition, Community Ed is offering take-home kits and STEM kits for children, where people can get the materials for a project and then work on it at home.

Ehrich estimated there were probably around 100 courses for everything from general enrichment to youth classes.

She said the pandemic was unforeseen, but it has helped open their eyes to opportunities available for the community and has made it so that the community has more options than previously available to choose from.

“We’ve been working hard to give everyone some options,” she said. “We always need to keep doing this if possible.”

Ehrich and Herfindahl encouraged people to look at the options available and to reach out if they have ideas for more.

They also reminded that people don’t have to be a certified teacher to teach a community ed course — they simply need to have a passion for the topic.

Though Community Ed’s

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Page 4 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2021 | arts and education | saturday, February 27, 2021

United South Central school district passed a vote to renew its existing operating levy for another 10 years. The levy provides about $900,000 of revenue, equating to $1,180 per student. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

The ongoing battle for funding for educating students in area schools Leader of usc district grateful voters approved referendum

By Tyler Julson

tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com

Three schools in the coverage area had operating levy referendums on the ballot in this past November’s election. Of Albert Lea, United South Central and NRHEG, United South Central was the only school to get by with a passing vote.

While Albert Lea and NRHEG were both requesting increases to their operating levies, United South Central requested to have their existing referendum renewed.

“This levy provides additional revenue for just general operating purposes in the district,” said USC Superintendent Keith Fleming. “We rely on that for budgeting purposes and to provide smaller class sizes, and additional programming and services for students.

The levy provides about $900,000 of additional revenue, which equates to $1,180.49 per pupil. The referendum will be levied in 2020 for taxes payable in 2021 and will be in place for another 10 years. It is subject to increase with the annual rate of inflation. The previous referendum was passed in 2010.

The measure narrowly passed on the ballot with 1,609, or 54.6% voting for the levy, while 1,362, or 45.84% voted against.

Fleming said the district was able to operate with a balanced budget, which is the main reason why the district asked for a renewal instead of trying to push for more money.

The renewal has minimal impact on property taxes within the school district.

Fleming estimated that for a home valued at $100,000, the tax increase would

This chart shows operating levues for other schools in the Big NIne Conference before the November 2020 election cycle. Albert Lea’s operating levy currently sits at $574 per pupil after the increase was voted down. Provided amount to about $4. It also has no impact on agricultural property, only taking into effect the house and one acre of land for farms.

Fleming said it was difficult to say what exactly the funds would be used for because the money goes into the general operating funds. However, he said the funds have gone to providing one-to-one devices for all the students, as well as a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout the school.

The smaller class sizes at United South Central are also thanks in large part to the referendum funds.

Fleming said there are a number of services the school would not be able to provide at all without the help of the operating levy.

“We offer some elective classes that we wouldn’t be

“We offer some elective classes that we wouldn’t be able to offer without those funds. We offer student support services that we wouldn’t be able to offer without those funds, as well as some additional activities for students.”

— United South Central Superintendent Keith Fleming able to offer without those funds,” Fleming said. “We offer student support services that we wouldn’t be able to offer without those funds, as well as some additional activities for students.”

Fleming said without the levy, the district’s budget

would take a significant hit and would result in the loss of programming and services for students, as well as some staff positions within the school.

“I really want to communicate how appreciative we are that we have the support

from our communities,” Fleming said. “Passing this operating levy is just another example of that.”

In Albert Lea, the proposed levy would have increased the operating levy by $140.93 per pupil, from $573.74 to $714.67. The measure was voted down by a fairly wide margin, 7,151, or 63.64% voting against, compared to 4,086, or 36.36% voting against.

The referendum would have equated to a $3 monthly increase in taxes to a home valued at $100,000.

“I am disappointed to see the regional trend against supporting school districts in this pandemic environment,” said Albert Lea Area Schools Superintendent Mike Funk in a November interview. “Albert Lea Area Schools will be coming back to the voters in 2021 to gain support for our district to

avoid 3.5 million dollars in cuts that our district will face after our referendum expires in 2022.”

At NRHEG, the referendum would have increased the general operating revenue by $560 per pupil and would have been in place for 10 years. The measure was voted down with 1,850, or 66.05% voting against, and 951, or 33.95% voting in favor.

The measure would have increased monthly taxes on a $100,000 home by $9, or $107.96 annually.

Currently, the NRHEG school district does not have any additional operating funding approved by voters. In a study released by the school in 2019, NRHEG ranked 276th out of 332 Minnesota school districts in revenue received.

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saturday, February 27, 2021 | arts and education | Progress 2021 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Page 5

A fundraiser has recently started to raise money to have a mural painted in Ellendale.

Around $14,000 is needed for the project. The new mural will be painted by Chandler Anderson, an Albert Lea graduate, and will replace this old mural. Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune

Fundraising started for new mural in the heart of Ellendale new Art to honor the city’s history

By Tyler Julson

tyler.julson@albertleatribune.com

ELLENDALE — A large mural painted on the side of a cafe in Ellendale has long been a fixture in the community. Due to the paint on the old mural fading and washing away, Ellendale resident Gwen Reiss is leading an effort to raise funds to have the mural repainted with a new design.

The mural, on the side of the Ellendale Cafe on the corner of 5th Avenue and 2nd Street, has lost most of its color and the outlines of many of the figures have started to fade.

Reiss, owner of Two Doves Boutique across the street from the mural, said it’s time for the mural to be repainted.

“It’s going to be totally new,” Reiss said. “It will be honoring the history and the background of the city and its highlights, honoring who developed and who was the main core group that

started the city.”

So far, just under $1,000 has been raised for the mural. According to Reiss, the total cost of the new mural will be about $14,000.

A large bulk of the funds is expected to be raised at the town’s Fall Harvest Festival and through donations.

Ellendale’s Fall Harvest Festival, scheduled for the first Saturday of October, will draw in many vendors from around the area to come and sell their goods.

Located all on Ellendale’s main street, the vendors pay a fee to have their stands on the road. Reiss said the funds collected from the vendors will go towards funding the mural.

Reiss said some private donations have already been made by some businesses and individuals from in and out of the community.

“There’s a fund set up at the bank, and if they do want to donate, donate to the ‘Mural in Ellendale,’” Riess said. “It goes into the city’s account, so we didn’t have to open up a new account, but it’s designated for this mural. If they want a receipt, it’s a great tax write-off.”

The new mural is set to be painted by local artist Chandler Anderson, who is currently working on possible renditions of the mural. When the renderings are complete, they will be presented to the Ellendale City Council to be approved.

Once approved by the council, the drawings will be put on display for the community to see and then vote on the one they wish to be used for the mural.

“The highest vote-getter wins, and that’s what’s going to be painted,” Reiss said. “That way, no one person gets to decide. The majority rules. No one person will decide. The city and the surrounding area will decide.”

Reiss said there is no definite timeline for when the mural will be finished, it will depend on how fast they can get the money raised and when they can get the renderings in front of the council.

“It just needs to be refreshed,” Reiss said. “It needs to be redone, honoring Ellendale’s history and background. I think Ellendale is up and coming, and it’s just a pretty city.”

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Page 6 | AlbertLeaTribune.com | Progress 2021 | arts and education | saturday, February 27, 2021

Empowering the community through art Art Walk Albert Lea prepares for big year of public art installations

By Sarah Stultz

sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com

In its first year of existence, Art Walk Albert Lea has already started to brighten the community.

The initiative started from a group of five area residents who attended a Blandin Leadership program and were asked to come up with a project they could work on in the community. Though initially the project was only intended to be one they could work on in theory, they decided to move forward and make it a reality.

The group has set forth a goal to have 10 public arts projects by 2022.

“Good public art draws the community in — and makes people understand we care about this place enough to make it beautiful,” said Shane Koepke, one of the group members.

Another member, Holly Karsjens, who is also the executive director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau and Main Street Albert Lea program, said they have considered different types of public art and have visited other communities to see what is being done there, learning from their mistakes and successes.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic slowed them down a bit, the group has completed a community mural project at the Lakeview Park warming house and has another solo artist mural project slated for the spring at Academy Park.

Rich Finley, with the Industrial Maintenance and Machine Repair Department at Riverland Community College, helped organize a project of metal snowflake sculptures for the downtown flower pots that were installed in December, and in the spring they also plan to install a large metal picture frame near the mermaid at New Denmark Park, where people can take their pictures inside the frame with the popular landmark in the background. Other art installations are planned around Fountain Lake between the fountains near New Denmark Park and Fountain Lake Park.

As a downtown building owner, Karsjens said she

Holly Karsjens and Shane Koepke and a group of three others have helped a new initiative in Albert Lea called Art Walk Albert Lea, which aims to bring in more public art to the community. Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune

“Good public art draws the community in —and makes people understand we care about this place enough to make it beautiful.”

— Shane Koepke, one of the organizers of Art Walk Albert Lea has always wanted to have a mural on the side of her building, and she is hoping once she completes the process, she can be a facilitator through her own experience for others who might want to have a mural or other form of public art in the community.

“It’s really about empowering the community,” she said.

They are also considering murals in the alley between The Nasty Habit and Aragon bars, as Koepke said this would not only beautify that area but potentially contribute to reducing the amount of graffiti there. He said research shows graffiti is reduced in areas with public art.

Koepke and Karsjens said they hope the projects not only beautify the community but also help showcase the diversity in Albert Lea and help others feel included.

The projects in the historic downtown have to get approved through the Historic Preservation Commission, and others on city property have had to go through the Parks Board. Thus far, they have received funding through grants with Thrivent Financial and have also had private donations, as well as donations through Sherwin Williams and Doug’s Painting and Sandblasting in Albert Lea, who helped prepare the Lakeview Park warming house before the mural there was painted and then helped seal it once it was complete.

Karsjens said Art Walk Albert Lea is under the umbrella of the Main Street program, so if people want to donate to it, they can do so under that program.

Karsjens and Koepke said they don’t intend to

take away from any of the arts groups already in town but instead hope to just add to them.

“The more successful art awareness we have in the community, the better,” Karsjens said.

She said while art not only is a benefit for residents of the Albert Lea community, it can also be a reason to bring people into the community.

“It’s becoming a reason people travel to areas,” she said.

People can follow progress of Art Walk Albert Lea on Facebook or at www.ArtWalkAlbertLea.com/.

If people want to get involved, they can call 3732316 or email holly@explorealbertlea.com.

The metal snowflakes installed in the large flowerpots in downtown Albert Lea were part of an Art Walk Albert Lea project that was made possible with help from Riverland Community College.

A partner for progress serving the city of Albert Lea and surrounding communities since 1940.

The design Ava Cunningham has created for the Academy Park warming house includes lots of color and a whimsical design. Provided

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