Year-end inspiration

For the first time in 6 years, MPS made progress in narrowing of the achievement gap between students of color and white students.

We still have a long way to go, but it’s great to see progress. This is a reflection of the hard work of our teachers, students and administration.

U.S. News and World Report named Southwest the best public high school in the state of Minnesota.

The publication also ranked South as 24th and Henry was ranked the 28th best public high school in the state of Minnesota.

MPS contributed expertise and support in securing early education funding from Race to the Top, as well as multi-­‐million dollar Promise Neighborhood funding for the Northside Achievement Zone and $3 million from The McKnight Foundation to improve early literacy.

MPS staff raised more than $130,000 for organizations that support schools, students and the community in a record-­‐breaking, 10-­‐day workplace charitable giving campaign called We Give.

MPS and the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (MFT) reached an agreement on a new contract that adds four instructional days to the district-­‐wide calendar; giving teachers more time for planning, preparation and collaboration; and improving staffing stability in MPS’ most struggling schools.

In summer 2012, MPS will move its administrative service functions to the new John B. Davis Education and Service Center (The Davis Center) at 1250 West Broadway.

This site will be a community asset and a catalyst for growth, economic development and stability on West Broadway. The project more than doubled its diverse business partners goal.

MPS is replicating one of the highest performing schools in Minnesota, BEST/Harvest Prep, which was founded by Eric Mahmoud.

This partnership will lead to the opening of four Mastery Schools over the next 10 years.

The first school will open in the fall of 2012 in north Minneapolis as a high quality school option for Minneapolis students.

MPS congratulates teachers, parents and community members for building Minnesota’s first self-­‐governed school, Pierre Bottineau French Immersion, opening in fall 2012.

MPS partnered with the Institute for Student Achievement (ISA) to offer an arts and communications focus at North High School beginning in fall 2012.

ISA uses a research-­‐based educational framework that has been proven to turn around underperforming schools.

MPS partnered with Metro Transit to expand the Go-­‐To Student Pass ridership program, which will replace yellow buses for eligible MPS high school students beginning in the 2012-­‐2013 school year.

Approximately 2,500 high school students will be able to ride transit buses and light rail trains to and from school with their Go-­‐To Student Pass.

Enrollment is on the rise: Increased market share, retention of students and data from the 2010 U.S. census indicated a need to address the varying enrollment changes.

MPS is adding space to accommodate 2,000 more students in kindergarten through eighth grade anticipated to enroll in MPS over the next five years.

MPS, community partners and stakeholders provided support for the students and families affected by the May 2011 tornado who continue to rebuild their lives.

The vast majority of MPS students who were affected by the tornado continue to be enrolled at the school they attended before May 2011.

More than 7,500 parents, college students, retirees and community partners volunteer at MPS each year.

Target distributed more than 6,400 new books to all kindergarten students to help them stay on track over winter break.

Each student received two books, a book bag and a reading tip sheet for parents with suggestions to help strengthen their children’s reading skills outside of school.

The National Council of Jewish Women packed and donated school supplies for more than 13,500 students.

The General Mills Foundation brought the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) Challenge, a six-­‐week fitness program, to more than 13,000 MPS students.

Since 2000, MPS schools have received over $470,000 in grants and in-­‐kind support from this partnership.

The producers of Monster Jam conducted a back-­‐ to-­‐school supply drive in an effort to assist north Minneapolis students and families affected by the May 2011 tornado.

The Assistance League provided more than 2,700 students with free school uniforms.

Over 175 volunteers raised nearly $100,000 to cover the costs of the program.

The Kids in Need Foundation donated books to help students build home libraries.

Minneapolis Police Department’s Bike Cops for Kids project interacted with youth in challenged neighborhoods, providing students with free helmets and the chance to win a new bike.

Since its inception in 2009, the project has given away over 2,500 helmets and 150 bikes, making thousands of connections.

The Phillips Eye Institute EYE program provided vision screening and services.

Target redesigned the school library at Pillsbury Community School in fall 2011.

Construction on the school library at Marcy Open School began in spring 2012 and is scheduled to be unveiled to students, staff and the community in fall 2012.

MPS broke ground at Washburn High’s MacQuarrie Field to replace the natural field with synthetic turf thanks to support from the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL Youth Football Fund, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and Hennepin County Youth Sports.

KaBoom!, the Minnesota Vikings, Toro Company and the Greater Twin Cities YMCA built a new playground at Sheridan.

National music education magazine and website In Tune Monthly presented $30,000 in musical gear from 11 of its sponsors to Timothy Martin, music teacher at Washburn High School and winner of the magazine’s seventh annual “Ultimate Music Room Makeover” contest.

CBS EcoMedia Inc. and Boston Scientific unveiled a solar photovoltaic system on the gymnasium rooftop at Edison High School.

The system reduced the cost of electrical consumption and was the first environmental project to be funded as a result of Boston Scientific’s participation in EcoMedia’s ‘EcoAd’ program.

Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) school patrol officers instruct MPS student crossing patrols in rules and regulations of the safety patrol program and in reporting traffic violations to MPD.

Approximately 700 students from MPS and other schools in Minneapolis are involved in the program.

In partnership with “Mentos Rocks,” rising music star Andy Grammer surprised Patrick Henry High School music students with a performance of his hit song and a special donation of $5,000 worth of new music equipment.

MPS was awarded a $53,000 grant from the Hot Topic Foundation to support band programs across the school district. The grant purchased 70 different woodwind, brass and percussion instruments dispersed to 20 schools.

MPS and the Minneapolis Urban League (MUL) brought more than 600 students from around the city to North Community High School to meet civil rights activist Andrew Young, who encouraged them to pick up the torch of leadership and service.

Young, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, mayor of Atlanta and U.S. congressman, marched and served alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the height of the civil rights movement.

Soup with the Supe hosted over 600 parents and community members for dinner and conversation during seven separate evenings with Superintendent Johnson, three of which were hosted in the Hmong, Somali or Spanish languages.

100 Strong Who Care connected thousands of MPS students to business professionals.

MPS connected with the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Hennepin County Library and the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board to launch “Summer Strong,” a citywide effort to provide families with resources related to summer school, youth and adult activities, basic needs and safety.

MPS, the City of Minneapolis and the Youth Coordinating Board connected over 150 volunteers with adults and young people who had not graduated from high school in an effort to get them on track toward educational success through the second annual day of action for “We Want You Back.” Approximately 120 students came back to MPS.

MPS and AchieveMpls partnered to help high school seniors who wish to go to college but do not have a financial plan to do so learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Financial advisors were available to help families complete tax forms and the FAFSA at a February event at MCTC. Additional FAFSA information and help sessions were held at each AchieveMpls Career and College Center.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan hosted a town hall session focusing on higher education and college affordability at South High School.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken joined Duncan as he spoke with 12th grade students and their parents.

One Minneapolis, One Read brought people in the city together and sparked conversations about race, family and neighborhood history by encouraging everyone to read the same book, “The Grace of Silence,” written by Minneapolis native and National Public Radio host Michele Norris.

This memoir describes the Norris family’s experience as the first black family on the block in a south Minneapolis neighborhood.

MPS, AchieveMpls, the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA), and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) sponsored the first MPS STEM Expo, giving students and their families the opportunity to explore careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and learn more about programs to help them prepare for high school and beyond.

KBEM Radio – Jazz 88.5 FM conducted its annual fall membership drive, "Road to 10,000 (Members),” seeking to double KBEM's member support base over the next year.

MPS designed and placed five electronic kiosks at community locations across Minneapolis in an effort to regularly connect with English-­‐, Hmong-­‐, Somali-­‐ and Spanish-­‐speaking families and stakeholders by providing relevant educational information in high-­‐traffic areas.

AchieveMpls helped organize Principal Partner Day, which allowed 39 community leaders and partners to shadow school administrators.

Community Education hosted the Community Academic Series, a variety of targeted training sessions to help families, volunteers and community members better support the academic growth of students.

The sessions, presented by MPS lead curriculum staff, provided participants with training aligned with the school district’s instructional goals and classroom lessons.

The MPS Office of Equity and Diversity, in partnership with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) and the Midwest Minority Supplier Development Council, hosted a three-­‐day community engagement series that included a workshop on how to do business with MPS.

The series was designed to increase minority-­‐owned and women-­‐owned business partners and contract opportunities.

The Office of Communications established partnerships with local radio stations to better communicate with MPS families. MPS spokespeople were on-­‐air at KBEM Jazz 88, KMOJ 89.9 FM and La Invasora radio each week.

Frank Catchings, Jr. from Burroughs was named MN National Outstanding Assistant Principal

Joan Franks from Armatage was named Minnesota 2011 National Distinguished Principal

Meredith Davis from Sanford was an English Learner Advocate Award nominee

Wangyal Ritzekura from the Multilingual Department was named an English Learner Advocate Award nominee

Abdulrahman Adem from the Office of Communications was named an English Learner Advocate Award nominee

Colleen Callahan-­‐Russell from Southwest High School was named 2011-­‐12 National Dance Educator of the Year

Elizabeth Zeno from Pillsbury was named 2011 Minnesota School Nurse of the Year

Hayley Forrest from Anwatin was named Junior Achievement Middle School Teacher of the Year

Derek Emery of Student Activities was named Regional winner of the Earl Reum Award

Martha Rosen of Psychological Services received the Ysseldyke Best Practices Award

Mitch Trockman of Facilities received a University of Minnesota Distinguished Alumni Award

Angie Powell of Special Education received the MN AHPERD 2011 George Hanson Award

Jolene Brugler of Sheridan received the BestPrep Teacher of Excellence Award

Dowling Urban Environmental School was named a 2011-­‐2012 MESPA School of Excellence

Julie Young-­‐Burns of Student Support Services received the Champion of Youth Award

Dr. Bernadeia H. Johnson, Superintendent of Schools received the MinnSPRA District Leadership for Excellence in Communications Award and the University of St. Thomas Distinguished Alumnus/ Alumna Award

Keith Liuzzi of Southwest High School was named Jazz Educator of the Year

Hayley Forrest, Robyn Eliason and Elizabeth Dwight of Anwatin received National History Day Teacher of Merit Awards

Jennifer Monroe of Edison received a National History Day Travel Scholarship

Terry Mazig of Field was named 2012 ESP of the Year

Matthew Hustad of Minneapolis Kids earned a $1,000 grant award from Education Minnesota to provide staff CPR and first aid training

Over 320 students participated in the 23rd annual Young Inventors Fair at Sullivan after spending months creating original inventions using a project-­‐based curriculum that emphasized the creative process, scientific inquiry skills and problem solving.

Eduardo Sanchez from Roosevelt was recognized as a Beat the Odds Scholar

Forty-­‐one seniors received scholarships from the Wallin Education Partners.

For the fourth consecutive year, South students represented MPS in the policy debate category at the 111th annual State Debate Tournament.

Over 100 high school students participated in the FIRST Minnesota North Star Regional and the FIRST Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional, building robots that were approximately five feet tall and weighed up to 120 pounds and programming them to play basketball.

The Washburn robotics team participated in the first-­‐ever state tournament for Minnesota FIRST Robotics competition. Teams were rewarded for excellence in design, team spirit, gracious professionalism and maturity and the ability to overcome obstacles.

Students from South, Patrick Henry and Washburn were among 115 Twin Cities students exploring future law careers as part of the Legal Awareness Education Program (LEAP), hosted at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

Forty MPS students joined more than 200 youth throughout the Twin Cities at the seventh annual Q-­‐Quest Youth Fest, an annual event that supports exploring and celebrating the voices of Minnesota LGBTQ and Allied Youth.

The MPS Out4Good program is a member of the coalition.

Five students placed in the top 10 percent at the National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair.

Ten students were named semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Abigail K. Norling-­‐Ruggles of South won a National Merit $2,500 Scholarship.

Keira A. Jacobs of Southwest won a National Merit University of Wisconsin -­‐ Madison Scholarship.

Elijah M. Fortson of Southwest was among approximately 800 outstanding Black American high school seniors nationwide to win a National Achievement Scholarship.

DJ Hooker from South placed first in the National Chess Federation Tournament and Tracy Shaffer from Northeast placed first in the unrated division at the 2012 National Chess Tournament.

Teams from Nellie Stone Johnson and Seward competed in the national chess tournament.

Sheridan students took top honors in the Stock Market Game.

Lake Nokomis – Wenonah students designed and dedicated a Little Free Library containing donated books.

Community members were invited to “leave a book, take a book.” The school community also sent a Little Free Library to Haiti, with books in Creole made by students.

Schools came together to support the “I am a STAR” campaign for famine relief.

MPS celebrated the 18th annual Viva City arts festival featuring student achievement in visual and performing arts from across the school district. An exhibition gallery was hosted at the Minneapolis Central Library and students performed at three intimate venues throughout Minneapolis.

The choral performance brought more than 600 middle and high school students from 10 schools across Minneapolis together to perform en masse for the first time ever.

Over 400 students from seven schools participated in the fourth annual Mde Maka Ska Canoe Nations gathering at Lake Calhoun.

Southwest senior Morgan Wilcock’s short film “This Gay and Age” was selected as best documentary in the 2011 Project VoiceScape Award competition.

The film was chosen along with two other winning films from a pool of 15 finalists narrowed from 240 submissions from around the nation.

Roosevelt High School and the Hiawatha YMCA assembled and delivered more than 300 holiday dinner baskets before winter break in an annual tradition called Operation Holiday Basket.

Since 1969, over 14,000 holiday baskets have been assembled and delivered to families across Minneapolis.

More than 500 students in grades 6-­‐12 participated in MPS’ Regional History Day, which is organized in partnership with the Minnesota History Center.

Top projects from Anwatin Middle School, Lake Harriet Community School, Seward Montessori School and South High School went on to compete at the state and national levels in 2012.

Georgia Pharris of Lake Harriet took fourth place and Jared Voight of Olson took 13th place at the MN Seven County Metro Area Regional Spelling Bee.

The MN State Student Council/National Honor Society recognized South and Roosevelt as Outstanding Student Councils of the Year.

Allison Batt from South, president of MPS Citywide Student Government, was recognized as Student Council Officer of the Year.