School Talk, Summer 2014 by Mounds View Public Schools

School Talk SUMMER 2014

Best� in 5 state

ALSO: YEAR IN REVIEW • PROGRAMS ON THE MOVE • COMMENCEMENT 2014

Talking about th Here’s another look at 10 of the most talked-about

#1 Voters approve levy renewal request

#2 Middle schools prepare to launch improvements

Residents also select School Board

Last school year, Chippewa, Edgewood and Highview collaborated to improve middle school student outcomes and operational efficiencies. Working together, the schools compared their current practices to best practices from similar districts around the country and created a list of high-impact opportunities aimed at student achievement. As a result of this review, students and families will experience several academic and support improvements next fall.

Review prompts opportunities for efficiencies

On Election Day last fall, voters approved an eightyear, $11.5 million levy renewal request by a margin of 72 percent in favor to 28 percent opposed — one of the largest margins of support seen at the metro polls. In total, 7,442 residents voted in favor of the renewal, while 2,899 voted to reject the request. The levy that was set to expire plays an important role in maintaining current class sizes and programs. The Board asked voters to renew it at no increase in the current tax levels. In addition, voters re-elected residents Greg Madsen, Marre Jo Sager and Jon Tynjala to seats on the School Board.

On the cover: In his final start as a Mustang, left-hander Sam Hentges pitched his second shutout of the state tournament, leading Mounds View to its second consecutive baseball championship. See pages 5 and 21 for more. Photo: Larry Carnahan.

Next year, middle school students will have increased exposure to math.

• Replicating the successful dean model of the high schools, middle schools will assign students to deans according to the alphabetical order of their last names, not to their grade levels. All deans will have experience navigating all of the grade-level challenges and can help students with the transitions to middle school and from middle school into high school.

Editors

Superintendent

Rachel Gutierrez Colin Sokolowski

Dan Hoverman

2014 School Board

Designer Susan Abbott

Photographers John Autey, Pioneer Press Larry Carnahan Rachel Gutierrez Greg Helgeson Star Tribune/Minneapolis-St. Paul

Bob Helgeson Amy Jones Greg Madsen Marre Jo Sager Jon Tynjala Jonathan Weinhagen Sandra Westerman

School Talk is published by Mounds View Public Schools, Independent School District 621. Send correspondence to School Talk editor, 350 Highway 96 West, Shoreview, MN 55126, e-mail rachel.gutierrez@moundsviewschools.org or call 651-621-6012. To learn more about District programs and events featured in this issue of School Talk in Spanish, Hmong or Somali, please call Isabel Morales-Lizano (Spanish) at 651-621-7117, Mee Yang (Hmong) at 651-621-6743 or Ayan Esse (Somali) at 651-621-7116. Like us:

Watch us:

Visit us:

www.moundsviewschools.org

• Students will have increased exposure to math. • For students who are struggling academically, schools are revising their approach to math and reading interventions. • All schools will provide music lessons during band and orchestra time, instead of requiring students to miss portions of other classes. For more information on the changes and more, visit the schools’ websites at www.moundsviewschools.org.

he year

#4 Mounds View begins Early College Irondale enters second year of implementation

stories from 2013-2014. #3 Extreme cold forces metro school cancellations Mounds View closed for six days With much of the U.S. experiencing the coldest temperatures in decades, school districts across the state experienced record-setting numbers of school cancellations last winter. Like most metro districts, Mounds View’s schools were cancelled for six days, prompting calendar readjustments to make up the time. Last spring, Mound View’s Dan Hoverman joined metro superintendent colleagues to continue discussions around the criteria for closing schools and determine what, if anything, needs adjustment for the future. “I’ve been with Mounds View Public Schools nearly 40 years, and I can only recall one time in the mid-1980s when schools around the metro, including Mounds View, cancelled school for several days because of unrelenting cold,” said Hoverman. “Cancelling school is a tremendously difficult and complicated decision for any school district to make. I know that this decision impacts thousands of families in very different ways. I sincerely thank everyone for their patience, understanding and flexibility during a very unpredictable winter season.”

High-achieving students have long had the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. Now, Mounds View Public Schools has targeted the majority in the academic middle with an award-winning program allowing all students a chance to earn a twoyear associate degree for free — while still enrolled in high school. Last fall, Mounds View High School introduced Early College with impressive results. Mounds View posted 200 student registrations in college-credit earning courses through the Early College collaboration with Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Next year, that number is expected to jump to 823 registrations. In its second year of Early College, Irondale High School saw 971 student registrations, with 1,218 registrations expected next year.

#5 All-day kindergarten planning continues Kindergarten centers will open for tours this summer Next fall, the District will offer all-day, every day kindergarten at no fee to families. To make room for this expansion, leaders have spent much of last school year preparing curriculum, transportation services and facilities. Students who live in the Island Lake and Turtle Lake Elementary School attendance areas will attend kindergarten centers at Snail Lake Education Center in Shoreview. Kindergartners from the attendance areas of Bel Air, Pinewood, Sunnyside and Valentine Hills Elementary School will attend kindergarten centers at Pike Lake Education Center in New Brighton. Enrollment projections fluctuate, but a total of about 750 resident students are expected to enter kindergarten next fall, with 18 classrooms at Pike Lake Education Center and 13 classrooms at Snail Lake Education Center. The District’s six elementary schools will now serve students in grades 1-5. The public is invited to tour kindergarten centers at their two locations: Pike Lake Education Center, 2101 14th St. NW, New Brighton Bel Air, Pinewood, Sunnyside and Valentine Hills: August 7 & 12, 10 a.m. – noon and 4 – 6 p.m. Snail Lake Education Center, 350 Hwy 96 West, Shoreview Turtle Lake: August 12, 10 a.m. – noon and 4 – 6 p.m. Island Lake: August 14, 10 a.m. – noon and 4 – 6 p.m.

SUMMER 2014

School Talk

#6 Clever videos go viral ‘This is a district that knows how to have fun’

“Let it Go”

Two four-minute videos made at Mounds View Public Schools went viral last spring, prompting local media attention and national exposure as well. A video made by Turtle Lake Elementary School fifth-grade teachers scored more than 150,000 views thanks to its timely parody of the film Frozen’s hit song “Let it Go,” redone to help reduce student stress that sometimes surrounds testing season. View the video at www.moundsviewschools.org View the video at www.moundsviewschools.org/turtlelake

Superintendent for a Day

A video made by the District’s Public Relations office for the 30th annual Chalkboard Capers talent show entertained audiences and attracted attention from local television news stations as well as the Star Tribune. The satire video answers the question, “What happens when Superintendent Dan Hoverman switches places for a day with a fourth-grade student?” The video features a cast of dozens from Mounds View Public Schools. As video viewers watched and shared both videos last spring, comments poured in from around the state and nation, including this observation: “This is a school district that knows how to have a little fun.”

#7 Top high schools

#8 New principals join the District

Irondale and Mounds View among best in nation/state

Pinewood and Irondale welcome new leaders

Once again, Irondale High School and Mounds View High School have been recognized among the top high schools in the nation. Last year, U.S. News & World Report named both schools among the best in the nation for exceeding expectations when it comes to student performance on reading and math tests, and for preparing students for college. The Washington Post named Irondale among the top 10 most challenging high schools in Minnesota. (See page 14 for more.) In addition, Mounds View High School ranked among the top 10 high schools in the state for the most National Merit Scholarship semifinalists (13).

School Talk

SUMMER 2014

Allie Storti

Eric Nelson

Two new principals have joined the District. At Pinewood Elementary School, Allie Storti is succeeding Bill Book who retired after 20 years with Mounds View Public Schools. Storti spent the last three years as the principal of Castle Elementary School in the North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale School District. She previously spent 12 years at Wayzata Public Schools, serving as a peer coach for elementary school teachers and teaching second and third grades. At Irondale High School, Eric Nelson is succeeding Scott Gengler, who announced last spring that he accepted an offer to join Wayzata High School where he will become a member of their leadership team and transition into the role of principal in the future. Nelson spent the past 12 years at Edina High School where he was assistant principal for 11 years and dean of students for one year. Prior to joining Edina, he served the West St. Paul School District as a high school social studies teacher and curriculum leader.

#9 Mustangs baseball: Champs again

#10 School Board appoints new member

First team to win back-to-back Class AAA titles For the second consecutive year, the Mounds View Mustangs tore through the Class AAA state baseball tournament, winning the state title. Powered by Cleveland Indians draftee pitcher Sam Hentges, the Mustangs defeated Eden Prairie in the title game 9-0. The Mustangs allowed only one run throughout the three-game tournament and became the first team to win back-to-back Class AAA titles. “Players win championships,” said head coach Mark Downey. “They make the plays, they make the pitches, they grind out quality at-bats and they are mentally able to overcome the adversity and obstacles required to win. The Mustangs have great players with equally important great character. Congratulations to the players!”

Jonathan Weinhagen to complete Lisa Sjobeck’s term In June, the School Board unanimously appointed Jonathan Weinhagen to replace Lisa Sjobeck, who announced her resignation in May after nearly Jonathan Weinhagen eight years of service. Weinhagen was among five residents who applied as candidates and were interviewed in June. A Shoreview resident and an alumnus of Mounds View High School, Weinhagen is regional director of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. He has served as a trustee of the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation. “I’m excited to have an opportunity to serve the District as a board member,” says Weinhagen. “Lisa left some big shoes to fill, and I look forward to the challenge.” Weinhagen will be sworn in at the regularly scheduled School Board meeting at 7 p.m. on August 19.

Junior Charlie Callahan topped a team celebration of the Mustang's state baseball title. Photo credit: STAR TRIBUNE/MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL 2014.

What’s ahead for Mounds View next year? Board approves operational plan Each year, the School Board approves a series of goals and related activities on which the Superintendent and Cabinet will focus their work. This is known as the District Operational Plan (DOP). Priority goals for 2014 – 15 include:

• Developing an annual accountability report focused on delivering the Equity Promise.

• Implementing the District’s Teacher Development Appraisal Process (TDAP).

• Developing a comprehensive District-level scholarship program supporting students in achieving post-secondary success.

• Implementing all-day, every day kindergarten.

To view the entire DOP, please visit www.moundsviewschools.org.

• Increasing teacher and student access to handheld technology devices.

SUMMER 2014

School Talk

A CLOSER LOOK

Making room Programs are moving as kindergarten centers prepare to open Nearly 10 years ago, the District downsized from eight elementary schools to six elementary schools, keeping Pike Lake and Snail Lake fully occupied with various programs. To make room for kindergarten expansion, the District is relocating programs currently located in Pike Lake and Snail Lake and partnering with local communities by occupying lease spaces in Mounds View and Shoreview. Here’s where all affected programs will be located effective August 2014.

Silver View Plaza 2574 County Road 10, Mounds View • Adult Education • Area Learning Center • Computer Learning Center

Pike Lake Education Center 2101 14th Street NW, New Brighton • Bel Air Kindergarten Center

2408 County Road 10, Mounds View

• Pinewood Kindergarten Center • Sunnyside Kindergarten Center

• BRIDGES

• Valentine Hills Kindergarten Center • Early Childhood Education programs • Community Education office • Mounds View Schools Education Foundation • Ralph Reeder Food Shelf

Snail Lake Education Center 350 Highway 96 West, Shoreview • Island Lake Kindergarten Center • Turtle Lake Kindergarten Center • District central administration

Northeast Youth & Family Services 3490 Lexington Ave N, Shoreview • NETS program • REACH Academy (Formerly named Oak Grove High School)

School Talk

SUMMER 2014

EDUCATION FOUNDATION New Trustee appointments Alicia Baraga Alicia and her husband are long time residents of Shoreview. They have four daughters, one of whom is a Mounds View High School graduate, while the other three are currently attending Mounds View Public Schools. Alicia is the owner of Wow Factor Exceptional Events, which specializes in working with nonprofit organizations. Alicia’s special event and marketing expertise is a welcome addition to the MVSEF.

The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation (MVSEF) works in partnership with Mounds View Public Schools leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance District priorities and innovations that reach students throughout the entire District. The Foundation has helped turn community support into more than $1 million in grants to teachers, classrooms, projects and educational initiatives for the District’s elementary, middle and high schools.

At the recent MVSEF meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the following initiatives for the 2014-15 school year, focusing on college readiness, literacy and science:

Joann Knuth Joann recently retired after a long and distinguished career in the education field. As the former Area Superintendent for St. Paul Public Schools and most recently the Executive Director of the Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals, Joann will bring a valuable perspective to the MVSEF. Joann has and continues to serve on a variety of nonprofit and civic boards. Joann and her husband Dan are long-time New Brighton residents and have two children who graduated from Irondale High School.

Equity Promise Scholarships: The Foundation will make a lead gift in support of the Equity Promise Scholarship program, a new comprehensive District-level scholarship program tied directly to the goal of providing all students with opportunities beyond high school. During the past few years, the Foundation has supported the ACT exam, which will now be funded by the state of Minnesota.

Kindergarten Literacy Centers: A one-time contribution will enhance the District’s commitment of books and materials for the new literacy centers at both Pike Lake and Snail Lake Education Centers — homes to the six kindergarten centers.

High School Physics & STEM Career Fairs:

Stephen Yoch

The Foundation continues its support of the Physics Fairs and STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Career Fairs at both high schools and will work to engage the local community in supporting these STEM-related activities.

Steve is an attorney with Felhaber Larson. He represents individuals and entities in complex business corporate and litigation matters. Steve has served on various nonprofit and professional boards. He brings a fresh perspective to the Board of Trustees and has high expectations for enhancing opportunities for students throughout the District. Steve and his wife Andrea reside in North Oaks and have two sons who attend Mounds View High School.

Laurentian Environmental Center: MVSEF’s grant expands opportunities for all District fifth- and seventhgraders to visit and study at Laurentian Environmental Center. We are excited to announce Mounds View alum G.B. Leighton will perform acoustically at the 3rd annual Rock the School House event Saturday, November 15, 2014, at the Vadnais Heights Commons. There are multiple opportunities to support this event: sponsorships, donating live and silent auction items, and volunteering. For more information or to donate auction items please contact mvsef@moundsviewschools.org. Tickets will go on sale in September.

Visit www.moundsviewschoolsef.org for more information and to consider making an investment in classroom enhancements for Mounds View Public Schools students through the Annual Giving Campaign.

SUMMER 2014

School Talk

AROUND THE DISTRICT nect with us n . Co

“Like” the District and the schools on their Facebook pages. Find news, photos and comments here. • www.facebook.com/ moundsviewschools

Follow the District and its high schools as they “tweet” the latest scoops here. • @MoundsViewK12 • @IrondaleHigh • @MoundsViewHigh • @GoIrondale

Subscribe to the Mounds View YouTube channel for entertaining and informative video news from the District and its schools. • www.youtube.com/ moundsviewschools

• @GoMVMustangs

Partnering with TCAAP

Summer projects and programs

Mounds View Public Schools is working with the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) to provide real-world delivery of the District’s standards-based curriculum. As the development project at TCAPP progresses, students are provided with hands-on experiences in the areas of environmental science, civil engineering, natural resources management, land use planning and economic development. The partnership is helping the District in developing its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) focus on interdisciplinary projects and standardsbased learning activities for students that integrate inquiry-based instruction, creative expression and problem solving, use of technology and engineering processes and an understanding of relevant societal realities.

Summer maintenance around the District includes remodeling and updating projects at all 13 District sites, including re-roofing of the Irondale High School auto shop, re-roofing and boiler replacement at Bel Air Elementary School, locker replacement at Chippewa Middle School and remodeling at Snail Lake Education and Pike Lake Education Center in preparation for the opening of kindergarten centers. The District’s K-12 summer programs for 2014 are welcoming hundreds of students into the schools. Programs include Fitness for Life, Health Education, ESL for students learning English, Orchestra, Band, Early Childhood Family Education classes, Community Education programs, credit make-up courses for high school students and Targeted Services Summer Programs designed to help students in grades K-8 maintain and strengthen skills. The North Suburban Summer Academy program is also an option for Mounds View students in grades 1 through high school.

(Play)groundbreaking ceremony In early June, Turtle Lake Elementary School broke ground on a new school playground. The school’s Parent Teacher Association, the school playground committee and the community have been instrumental in helping to raise more than $170,000 to install an inclusive play system and solid surfacing. Installation of the new system will begin in July. Pictured from left to right: Mayor Sandy Martin, Colleen McGough-Wood, Principal Darin Johnson, Superintendent Dan Hoverman, Jen Sprain, Heather Meyer, Daria Fallgatter along with student representatives of Turtle Lake Elementary.

School Talk

SUMMER 2014

Building STEAM in 2014 With help from a $25,000 grant from Ramsey County, the outdoor classroom at Edgewood Middle School is now under construction. This outdoor space will be used year-around by classes for multiple activities.

In the School Forest that surrounds the outdoor classroom, Jim Bias’s STEAM class tapped trees for sap, which they later made into syrup. Pictured: Sixth-grader Nick Nelson monitored the stages of the sap-to-syrup process through a series of taste tests.

In August, Edgewood staff will partner with approximately 50 volunteers from Boston Scientific to complete several projects. These projects will include the continuation of aesthetic changes to the building, hanging a life-size student-created replica of a dinosaur skeleton, installing a water system for the school garden, building a walkway to the outdoor classroom and painting murals.

Surprise reunion brings soldier to Sunnyside Sunnyside kindergarten student Judah Johnson and his classmates received a surprise visit on June 4. Judah was reunited with his father Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, a combat engineer who has been stationed in Afghanistan for the past 11 months. During the 2013-2014 school year, Judah's classmates wrote letters to Sgt. Johnson. Kelly Walseth's kindergarten class was excited to finally meet their soldier pen pal.

After surprising Judah (shown here) at Sunnyside, Sgt. Johnson went on to surprise his son Josiah at Edgewood Middle School. His five- year-old daughter Rebecca was also part of the surprise visits.

SUMMER 2014

School Talk

AROUND THE DISTRICT Sunnyside students ‘Play It Up’ for television Student involvement in Sunnyside health and wellness programs continues to grow with more than 500 students participating in some form of school wellness initiative this school year and hundreds of parents and community members showing support. The spotlight on Sunnyside’s wellness program also continues to grow with award and media coverage highlighting the school’s involvement in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program — a program founded by the National Dairy Council and the NFL focused on empowering kids to take control of their own health by being active for at least 60 minutes per day. This fall, fourth-graders at Sunnyside Elementary School starred in the very first episode of Vikings Huddle, a familyoriented show produced by the Minnesota Vikings and Children’s Hospital to promote proper nutrition. The show aired in October on The CW channel and also on Fox Sports North.

This spring, Sunnyside fifth-graders participated in another filming of the show when the Sunnyside gym played host to the Vikings Huddle set. After participating in obstacle course drills, students were given an opportunity to interview Vikings football players and experience a behind-the-scenes look at television production. To watch the show, which aired in April, please visit www.moundsviewschools.org/sunnyside.

‘Let’s Move in Schools’ Edgewood Middle School physical education teachers partnered with Anytime Fitness of Mounds View, CrossFit Rigor, Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department and the New Brighton Fire Department to host Let’s Move in Schools in May. The three-day event pushed students outdoors and on the move with a variety of activities and events.

Seventh-graders Alex Kowalzek, Tanner Lundquist and Aiden Price (Fire Department Challenge) were among the nearly 600 students who participated in fitness-based activities and challenges during Edgewood Middle School’s Let’s Move in Schools Week. This year’s activities included EW Challenge (run and swim), EW Strongest, EW Gauntlet, Power Walking, Zumba, Yoga, CrossFit, Acceleration MN and Fire Department Challenge.

School Talk

SUMMER 2014

Ben Schley participated in the Edgewood Challenge during Edgewood Middle School’s Let’s Move in Schools Week. The challenge included running and swimming.

Bel Air celebrates 9th annual Peace Day In celebration of working together and creating a peaceful school community, Bel Air Elementary School students hosted Peace Day on May 2. This year’s celebration included a performance from the Irondale Concert Choir and a fifth-grade hip-hop dance performance. Organized by Bel Air’s community liaison Mark Suggs, the event enforced the school’s commitment to being an International Peace Site. Bel Air has been recognized by World Citizen, a global nonprofit organization, as an International Peace Site. The school commits to upholding these five principles: seek peace within yourself and others; reach out in service; protect the environment; promote intercultural understanding and celebrate diversity; and be a responsible citizen of the world.

Filling the bus District schools worked together to deliver more than 8,000 pounds of food to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf this spring as part of a “Fill the Bus” food drive. Chippewa Middle School students (pictured loading the bus) contributed to a donation of 2,634 pounds of food and more than $870 in donations from the District’s three middle schools. Participating elementary schools raised 5,396 pounds of food and nearly $200.

Culture Crew Integration and Equity Liaison Mee Yang took Edgewood Middle School Culture Crew students and Irondale High School Asian Club students to the Festival of Nations in May. Highlights of the daylong trip to Minnesota’s largest multi-cultural event included exploration of ethnic foods, music, demonstrations, exhibits and dance.

Irondale students pictured: Kameiko Vue, Kou Hang, Yeng Vang, Mina Vang, Bee Xiong, Sidney Thao, Katherine Yang, Catalina Xiong, Savannah Vang, Hang Dinh, Pamela Vang, Jose Ocampo, Hao Huyhn, Adam Xiong, Johnny Xiong, Pachia Hang, Bruce Lee, Chimeng Xiong, Suchia Yang, Yupheng Vang, Mang Hang, Sam Vang, Ashley Lor, Hoseng Lor, Son Hoang and Dizquazay Solomon-Bey. Edgewood students (not pictured): Shilung Lor, Trinity Yang, GaoFang Hang, Glory Shanalingigwa, Shamira Walker, Dolalop Okanlawon, Ashanti Best, Isabella, Angwenyi-Ojeda, Rachel Taye, Kaylen Griesy, Loveness Shanalingigwa, Erica Mechah, Shianala Vang, Mariam Adewale, Jackie Chang, Rylie Whitledg and Ben Noack.

The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf provides emergency and supplemental food assistance to food insecure residents of the Mounds View Public School District and helps to connect them to other low-income resources. Last year, the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf served over 16,000 individuals from our community. Donations are needed throughout the year to support our programs. To make a donation or to learn more about the food shelf please visit the website under the Community Education tab at www.moundsviewschools.org. All donations are tax deductible. If you are in need of assistance with food or other basic needs, please call 651‑621‑7451 to set up an appointment.

District families travel to Mankato for college tour Spanish-speaking families who participate in the District’s Learning Together Program took a trip to Minnesota State University Mankato recently. Families learned about financial aid opportunities, toured the campus and dorms and had an opportunity to visit with a panel of Hispanic college students. More than 20 families made the trip to Mankato in April. The Learning Together Program provides resources, translation services and support to Hispanic and Spanish-speaking families within the District.

SUMMER 2014

School Talk

AROUND THE DISTRICT Choral Arts Club performs at Target Field Pinewood Elementary School’s Choral Arts Club performed at Target Field in April. Students performers were poised and on pitch for the performance which was led by directors Kellie Cleary and Angie Coldren, along with assistants Jen Parlin and Kristen Roemhildt.

Family Library Night Now in its third year at Pinewood Elementary School, Family Library Night continues to serve as a nurturing place where students and their families can build connections to the school and to each other. Designed to promote connectedness and student achievement, the program offers families access to school staff, the library, technology and hands-on activities that foster reading. After-school meeting hours provide more opportunity for participation as a family and community. Nearly 45 people participated in the program during the 2013-2014 school year.

Translation assistance To learn more about District programs and events featured in this issue of School Talk in Spanish, Hmong or Somali, please call Isabel Morales-Lizano (Spanish) at 651-621-7117, Mee Yang (Hmong) at 651-621-6743 or Ayan Esse (Somali) at 651-621-7116. Yog xa paub ntau tshaj nov txog peb lub District cov program thiab kev sib sau ua ke ntawm peb cov tsev kawm ntawv thiab niam txiv nrog rau me nyuam kawm ntawv uas muaj nyob rau hauv tsab ntawv School Talk no, thov hu rau Mee Yang ntawm 651-621-6743. Para aprender mas sobre los programas del Distrito Escolar y de los eventos en esta edicion de School Talk, llame a Isabel Morales-Lizano al 651-621-7117.

Fourth-grader Nariyah Washington received her very first library card this year during a Family Reading Night visit to the Ramsey County Library in Mounds View.

School Talk

SUMMER 2014

Haddii aad dooneysid faahfaahin dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan barnaamijyada lugu soo qoro School Talk, ee ka baxa Iskuulada Moundsview, fadlan la soo xiriis Ayan Esse: 651-621-7116.

Edgewood Polar Plunge This school year, Stephanie Hurtado’s Special Olympics STEAM class at Edgewood Middle School focused on tolerance, inclusion and making a change in the community. This spring, seventh-grader Mykaah Yankaway, sixth-graders Bryce Baker, Gary Woodward and Sydney McCollor, and teacher Chad Dignon participated in the Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics and making a change in the community. The team raised more than $1,700 for their cause and surpassed their fundraising goal by more than $250. Watch the students take the plunge by visiting the news page at www.moundsviewschools.org/edgewood.

Plan your stay at Laurentian Environmental Center Planning a family reunion or group event? Consider Laurentian Environmental Center (LEC) in Britt, Minn. The Center can accommodate small and large groups year-round with 160 beds, five large classroom buildings, a lodge and a dining facility that seats 175. LEC offers access to hundreds of acres of wilderness with trout streams and diverse wildlife habitat. The environmental center’s property includes access to a 100-acre pristine lake and hiking/ski trails that connect with the Big Aspen hiking and ski trails. LEC maintains a 12-station Challenge Course, a 32-foot outdoor climbing wall, a dogsled yard and trails, an archery range, canoes and rowboats, a sauna, an outdoor campfire theater and a large playing field. The on-site dining facility serves healthy, home-cooked meals from menus developed by a dietician. Call 1-888-749-1288 or visit www.laurentiancenter.org for more information.

Summer Camps YOUTH HUNTING CAMP Laurentian will host Forkhorn hunting camps this summer. Visit www.laurentiancenter.org for more information.

SENIOR CAMP Summer camp isn’t just for kids! Adults 50 and older are invited to participate in the “senior camp” experience at Laurentian Environmental Center September 2-7. A mix of indoor and outdoor activities include hiking, archery, canoeing, crafts, nature tours and more. Singles and couples are welcome. Call 1-888-749-1288 for details and early registration discounts.

Early Childhood Screening Rapid learning and growth takes place in the early years of your child’s life — from birth to the start of kindergarten. Early Childhood Screening is a free, quick and simple check of how your child is doing. It is best to have your child screened between ages 3.5 and 4. Screening identifies possible learning or health concerns so that your child can get the needed help before starting school. Early Childhood Screening is required for entrance into kindergarten and is offered throughout the year. Call 651-621-7420 to make your child’s early childhood screening appointment today.

SUMMER 2014

School Talk

WITH HONORS District high schools among best in the nation STEAM program earns Edgewood ‘School of Distinction’ Award As a result of its innovative STEAM program, Edgewood Middle School has been named a 2014 School of Distinction by the Magnet Schools of America (MSA). Edgewood Middle School was selected for the award for maintaining a commitment to high academic standards, implementing innovative curriculum in a diverse and integrated program and retaining specialized teaching staff that encourage student, parent and community engagement. For more information, please visit www.moundsviewschools.org.

Washington Post ranks District high school in top 10 The Washington Post’s Most Challenging High Schools report was released recently, naming Irondale High School among the top 10 most challenging high schools in Minnesota. America’s Most Challenging High Schools ranks schools through an index formula that’s a simple ratio: the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year, divided by the number of seniors who graduated that year. 14

School Talk

SUMMER 2014

Irondale High School and Mounds View High School were both named among the best high schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (Best High Schools rankings) for exceeding expectations when it comes to student performance on reading and math tests and for preparing students for college. The magazine analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 19,400 public high schools and then placed selected schools into gold, silver, bronze or honorable mention categories. Irondale and Mounds View were among the top 15 Minnesota high schools, and they ranked in the silver category.

Positive learning efforts earn elementary schools state-wide honors Four District elementary schools are among 30 Minnesota schools identified as state-wide leaders for creating positive learning environments for students. The Minnesota Department of Education recognized Bel Air Elementary School, Turtle Lake Elementary School, Sunnyside Elementary School and Valentine Hills Elementary School as Sustaining Exemplar Schools. Using a program called Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS), the four schools were identified as leaders in establishing a comprehensive set of practices to support positive behavior, improve school climate and increase student achievement. To establish a PBIS program, 80 percent of a school’s teachers and staff need to agree to implement a more positive approach to discipline. Data from participating schools show clear evidence of the program’s success, specifically in reduced number of behavioral incidents, fewer student suspensions and increased levels of student engagement.

District recognized for commitment to music education Mounds View Public Schools was honored for its outstanding commitment to music education recently when the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) recognized the District with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) designation. Mounds View Public Schools was one of only five school districts in Minnesota selected to receive the award for demonstrating exceptional efforts toward maintaining music education as part of the core curriculum. This is the second consecutive year that the District has been recognized with this award.

Chippewa students named best in the state for Science Olympiad

Inspirational Teacher Award

Chippewa Middle School’s Science Olympiad team was awarded first place at the state Science Olympiad Competition in February before going on to compete at the national tournament in Florida in May.

Mounds View High School teachers Dan Butler and Michael Huberty were among the 24 teachers nation-wide to receive the 2014 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Inspirational Teacher Award. Connor Duffy, a Mounds View high school 2013 graduate and current MIT student, nominated Butler and Huberty for inspiring him through dedicated and motivating teaching.

The team, known as the “Chippewa Whales,” includes Eric Palmer, Justin Duffy, Grace Su, Michelle Wang, Alex Li, Rebecca Li, Jeffrey Hu, Chinmay Ingalagavi, Aanandi Munshi, Nandini Avula, Thomas Neafus, Kaylin Ro, Sunny Lim, Shelley Wang and Akhil Chandra. Kevin Swanson is the team’s coach.

Highview Middle School wins University Math Contest Highview Middle School eighth-graders Joe Swensen, Nathan Chau and Nick Seel took first place in the middle school competition at the St. Cloud State University Math Contest where Highview student Nathan Chau won first place in the individual competition, besting 800 other eighth-grade students.

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WITH HONORS District high school students perform well on National Spanish Exam Hundreds of Mounds View Public Schools students who were enrolled in Spanish during the 2013-2014 school year took the National Spanish Exam, a competitive activity sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Students who scored in the top 5 percent and received gold certificates include Irondale High School’s Clair Kim and Mounds View High School’s Daniel Johnson, Grace Johnson, Andrew Kelly, Hassan Lubega, Maya Rao and Emma Tsai.

Irondale students who were awarded silver certificates for scoring in the top 6 to 15 percent include Munira Abdirahman, Kaitlyn Durheim, George Fink, Kathryn Grutkoski, Mary Heinks, Nick Kanning, Kathleen Landry, Ronald Nova, Shannon O’Rourke and Angela Vu.

For a complete list of National Spanish Exam certificate winners, visit the Newsmakers section at www.moundsviewschools.org.

Youth Ambassador Mounds View High School senior Carly Bandt was named a National Child Awareness Month Youth Ambassador for 2013-2014 and was selected from a nationwide pool to represent Minnesota as one of 51 ambassadors. As an ambassador, she received training in Washington, D.C. and attended the Youth Service Institute in Baltimore on behalf of local nonprofit HandsOn Twin Cities. Bandt brought her training and passion for volunteerism to Mounds View High School in April when she led Global Youth Service Day to organize service initiatives including a letterwriting campaign to empower young girls in Malawi. Bandt’s classmate Ruth Jiang helped coordinate Global Youth Service Day at Mounds View. The two students used Global Youth Service Day to kick-off a Week of Service in April to promote volunteerism. Within hours of launching the week-long event, more than 200 students volunteered to join the letter-writing campaign to girls in Malawi. 16

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Mounds View students who earned silver certificates were Nina Bertelsen, Devina Chatterjee, Willis Ehrler, Mary Fenning, Emerson Fernando, Joseph Floeder, Namrata Gadela, Lisa Huang, Reem Kahn, Adam Karel, Samuel Lee, Tiffany Li, Emily Ruan, Julie Sherman, Megan Tomhave, Ryan Yoch and Jackie Zamow. In addition, Mounds View’s Hassan Lubega won a medal for having the highest score in the state of Minnesota on the level three exam. Daniel Johnson had the third highest score on the level three exam and Grace Johnson had the third highest score on the level four exam.

Teacher of Excellence Nancy Krawetz, work based learning coordinator for the District’s Career and Life Transition Program (CLT), was honored with the 2014 Teacher of Excellence Award for her use of BestPrep’s programs to educate students about business, career, finance and literacy.

Andrea Hanson, vice president of educational programs for BestPrep, presented the award to Krawetz (pictured on the right) at BestPrep’s 38th Annual Luncheon in May.

Middle school students invited to perform at Orchestra Hall Chippewa Middle School’s eighth-grade orchestra performed at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis on March 31 in a Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association honors concert. Students were invited to perform at Orchestra Hall after they scored “superior plus” from both judges at a concert festival at the College of St. Benedict in February.

Island Lake WordMasters master the competition

Island Lake Elementary School’s WordMasters teams achieved Highest Honors in the recent WordMasters Challenge™ — a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 150,000 students annually. The fourth-grade team scored 195 points out of a possible 200 in the third and final meet of the year, placing first in the nation, in a three-way tie. Competing in the Gold Division of the WordMasters Challenge, fourth-graders Nadia Anderson, Elizabeth Gregory, Lydia Hahn, Tyler Routhe and Hannah Wicklund earned a perfect score of 20 on the challenge. Nationally, only 51 fourth-graders achieved this result. Other students from Island Lake who achieved individual outstanding results in the meet — with scores of 19 — include fourth-graders Quinn Cassidy, Morgan Dalton, Sidney Lee, Madison Osgood, Tyson Osgood, Connor Pederson, Sydney Rasmussen, Chandan Sankar and Sarah Solfest. Hannah Wicklund and Riley Stern had perfect scores in the second meet, while Cameron Dolbow, Sidney Lee, Katie Nelson, Griffin O’Connor and Erin O’Rourke showed outstanding results with scores of 19 out of 20 in earlier meets of the 2013-2014 season.

Year-end cumulative results put the fourth-grade team at third in the nation. The fourth-grade students were coached in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge by teachers Kathie Dahl and Sharon Rode. Third-graders Maya Wandrei and Ryan Moore had outstanding results in the third meet with scores of 19 each. Fifth-graders Lily Bronson, Christian Drake and Sam LeMay also had outstanding results with scores of 19

in the 2013-2014 season. Third- and fifth-graders were coached by teachers Mary Ann Bergantine and Mike Lundberg. The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships.

Top scorers from each grade level (left to right) are Maya Wandrei, grade 3; Cameron Dolbow and Hannah Wicklund, grade 4; and Lily Bronson, grade 5. All achieved High Honors with cumulative scores in the top 2 percent of competitors nationally.

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IRONDALE ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES ROUND-UP Irondale robotics team wins top spot

All State music ensembles Through recorded auditions, hundreds of students from across the state were considered for 2014-15 school year All State Music Ensembles. From a pool of hundreds of applicants, six Irondale High School students were selected for All State Music Ensembles and two students were selected as All State alternates. Pictured from left to right: Amani Christenson (symphonic band), Anna Matthes (women’s choir), Maria Donato (mixed choir), Rachel Torres (women’s choir), Gretta Lozada (band alternate), Moses Park (symphony orchestra), Nick Gohman (orchestra alternate) and Nick Elscott (symphonic band). All State is the premier musical performance opportunity for students in the state and is sponsored by the Minnesota Music Educators Association.

Irondale High School’s FIRST robotics team, 2052 KnightKrawler, won the Minnesota State High School League’s 3rd annual state championship in May after competing at the FIRST World Championships in St. Louis in April, taking 6th place in their 100-team division. Knightkrawler also took first place at the Lake Superior Regional in Duluth and the Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Regional at the University of Minnesota this past March. In the past two years, KnightKrawler has taken home four regional and two state championship banners. In addition, the team has also been recognized with Johnson & Johnson’s Gracious Professionalism Award for showing good sportsmanship and gracious professionalism during competitions. At 10,000 Lakes Regional, Team Captain Logan Mildenberger was awarded the FIRST Dean’s List Award, which recognizes student leaders who have led their teams and communities to increased awareness for FIRST and its mission, while achieving personal technical expertise and accomplishment.

Pictured: (in the back row from left to right) Mentor Mark Anderson, Ahmed Bihi, Ben Young, Adam Corpstein, Sam Polk, Jenna Nelson, Tyler Hybben, Adam Hassan, Alex Kubicki, Elyssa Edgeton, Kaya Parsons, Paige Bebus, Matt Sondrol, Madeline Lawrence, Connor Burrows, Mentor Pete Awker, Coach Troy Nelson, (middle row) Mentor Katie Bach, Dylon Lowinske, Thomas Matko, Bryant Wong, Kshitij Wavre, Alex Olds, Ben Mildenberger, Araceli Renteria, Lara Sykes, Kendra Nelson, Aaron Monn, Mohammed Raziuddin, Brent Williams, Jon Edlund, Andy Windels, Jenjoe Canezal, Melanie Ramsey, Mentor Nate Cmiel, (front row) Mentor Alane Matko, Alex Bjerke, Sean Lestina, Alfonzo Sainz, Mohammed Wajiuddin, Morgan Matlock, Ellen Matusovic, Beatrice Gulner, Logan Mildenberger and Zack Nelson.

Find the Irondale Knights on Twitter @GoIrondale 18

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North Suburban Conference Champions Irondale’s track teams took home championship titles at the North Suburban Conference track meet.

Pictured from left to right (front row): Taylor Barr, Chris Adelmann, Spenser Brown; (2nd row) Sam Vossler, Alex Kelner, Luke Bartles, Javier Renteria, Marcus Schultz, Mary Ellwood (Manager); (back row) Tim Hanks, Jacob Prange, Bryce Warrens, Derek Ness, Magnus Etuko, Sam Sprague, McEwan Rodefeld

North Suburban Conference Academic Champions The Irondale girls golf team won the Academic Champion title for the North Suburban Conference. Pictured from left to right are Jayden Traufler, Anabel Kapelke, Amy Jo Rice, Katie Landry, Anna Quanbeck and Kat Patten. The boys tennis team also won the Academic Champions title within the North Suburban conference.

Pictured from left to right (front row): Kayla Ortt, Michelle Meyer, Edwina Massaly, Samantha Waddell; (2nd row) Tessa Skubal, Liz Axberg, Mary Heinks, Gretta Nundahl, Chichi Ogbonnaya, Shelbie Ellwood; (3rd row) Lucia, Sarah Anderson, Lili Tapper, Renaeja Ross, Molly Hentges; (4th row) Ali Welch, Maddie Hormann, Emily Brandt, Sarah Skubal, Leah Damerow, Ally Willner and Julia Hayes

Top performer at the state track meet Julia Hayes  won fourth place in the state track meet and also set a school record in the 300-meter hurdles during the 2014 season for Irondale. Irondale’s Joe Kelner placed second in the Pole Vault at the 2014 Minnesota state track meet where he set a personal record of 14 feet — the highest state finish ever by an Irondale vaulter.

Girls lacrosse team takes second Irondale’s girls lacrosse team finished in second place in Section 5 playoff competition. Team captain and leading scorer for the season, Sam Donovan, was named to the All-State lacrosse team. During the 2014 season, Donovan was also named ASPIRE Athlete of the Week. Pictured from left to right (in the front row): Sam Donovan, Alexandra Welty, Harjas Gill, Abby Ward, (middle row) Breeana Phanouvong, Rachel Torrez, Madeline Hentges, Kaiya Ruff, Citlaly Escobar, Rebecca Przetycki, Ashley Pettipiece, Bianca Battaglia, Amanda Schoenwald, (back row) coach Wendy Frantz, Rebecca Sinn, Emily Best, Maya Hernandez, Alexandra Toupal, Danielle Franke, India Charles, Rachel McConnell, Kailey Elwell, Lindsey McConnell, coach Dara Gupton and coach John Ward.

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MOUNDS VIEW ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES ROUND-UP All-State Choir

Top Harvard Challenge competitors Mounds View High School economics students placed among the top schools at the Harvard PreCollegiate Economics Challenge in April. Teams from all over the world participated in the Harvard Challenge, which included a series of written and quiz bowl competitions. Mounds View High School students Carly Bandt, Chance Carnahan, Abraham Chen, Chris Collins, Jered Everson, Eric Martin, Emily Ruan and Sam Rush were tested on their knowledge of economics at the Advanced Placement Microeconomics and Macroeconomics levels, as well as knowledge of current economic and financial events, through a series of individual and team rounds. A total of 32 teams competed. Mounds View took second place in the written competition and was among four teams to make it to the quiz bowl semifinals.

Finalist for Company of the Year Mounds View students Carly Bandt, Jered Everson, June Park, Furqan Syed, Alistaur Tang and Jonathan Wang were selected to compete for the title of Junior Achievement (JA) Company of the Year after presenting their branding and merchandising company, GenerationYOU, at the JA regional competition in April. Mounds View's business team was selected for demonstrating business acumen and spirit of entrepreneurship and invited to compete with 14 other teams from throughout the nation at the JA National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., in June. In addition, GenerationYOU's CEO, Carly Bandt, was named the Otto Bremer Student Entrepreneur of the Year and awarded $1,000 in scholarship money. Bandt plans to use the money toward her economics and finance future at Duke University.

SEC and Section True Team Champions In addition to being named SEC Champions and Section True Team Champions Mounds View’s boys track team won second in State True Team. Matt Baker was state champion in the 110m hurdles. 20

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Under the direction of Sheryl Brame, director of the choral program at Mounds View High School, the Bel Canto Choir and Concert Choir earned the highest rating of superior from all three judges in their separate performances at Region 5AA State Large Group Choir Contest in April.

Mounds View High School students Anna Conrad, Olivia Nemitz, Maya Rao and Daniel Weinhagen have been selected to participate in the Minnesota Music Educator’s Association All-State Mixed Choir this summer at Concordia College Moorhead. They will also perform in February of 2015 at Orchestra Hall.

Best in the state

Mounds View’s math team finished the regular season in second place and went on to take third place at the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League state tournament. Team members include Brandon Duffy, Jared Everson, Jason Feng, Samuel Lee, Denis Li, Varun Mangalick, Vijay Narayanan, William Newhouse, Christian Oswood and Jonathan Wang. Mounds View’s 10th- and 11th-grade math teams finished first in their division at the St. Cloud State University Math Contest. Team members include Brandon Duffy, Jered Everson, Jason Feng, Alex Jiang, Denis Li, Varun Mangalick and William Newhouse. In addition to the first place math team win, junior Varun Mangalick won second place at the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League State Tournament (individual competition and overall) and second place in the nine-state region Physics Bowl. He is among a group of only four students nationwide selected by USA Biology Olympiad to compete in the international Biology Olympiad competition as part of Team USA. Mangalick spent two weeks at Purdue University training for the Biology Olympiad international competition and winning his spot on Team USA.

Find the Mounds View Mustangs on Twitter @GoMVMustangs

Girls golf Section Champions

Baseball team wins state championship

The girls golf team competed in the state tournament in early June after being named section champions in May. Kristen Cash was named SEC All-Conference, placing seventh in a very competitive conference. Felicia Kienitz and Kylie Monson were named SEC All-Conference Honorable Mention.

In June, the Mounds View Mustangs baseball team beat Eden Prairie 9-0 to win the Class AAA state championship. This is the second consecutive year that the Mustangs won the state championship title.

Boys tennis team wins Consolation Championship The boys tennis team was named SEC Champions and Section Champions for the 2014 season and were named Consolation Champions at the state tournament.

Girls track earns SEC and Section True Team titles

Minnesota Baseball Player of the Year Gatorade and USA Today announced senior Sam Hentges as the 201314 Gatorade Minnesota Baseball Player of the Year. The Gatorade Player of the Year Award honors top high school student athletes in 12 varsity sports for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character. Hentges was also named the Pioneer Press and Star Tribune Player of the year and was named a finalist for the Mr. Baseball award by the Minnesota Minute Men, in cooperation with the Minnesota Twins. Hentges, who signed to play baseball at the University of Arkansas, has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Indians.

In addition to being named SEC Champions and Section True Team Champions, Mounds View’s girls track team won third in State True Team. The following team members qualified for state. Mara Balzer (4×400m Relay), Annalee Blake (4×100m Relay, 4×200m Relay, 4×400m Relay), Rachel Boyer (4×100m Relay, 4×200m Relay), Kayla Day (pole vault), Olivia Fixsen (100m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, 4×400m Relay), Nicole Geist (4×100m Relay, 4×200m Relay, 4×400m Relay), Christine Hessini (4×800m Relay), Natalie Louderback (pole vault), Veronica Rasmussen (Discus), Cassidy Smestad (Shot Put), Anna Solfest (4×800m Relay), Mikayla Toninato (100m Dash, 4×200m Relay, 4×100m Relay) and Nicole Wah (4×800m Relay).

Mounds View High School’s Science Olympiad team took top honors at the 30th Annual Science Olympiad National Tournament at the University of Central Florida (UCF) on May 17. Mounds View students finished second in the nation, earning the highest place finish of any Minnesota team in the 30-year history of Science Olympiad. For details, visit the Star Students page at www.moundsviewschools.org.

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CLASS OF 2014 Irondale High School Class of 2014 This spring, seniors from Irondale High School in New Brighton and Mounds View High School in Arden Hills received scholarships acknowledging their achievements during high school and supporting their educational goals post-high school. Scholarship funds came from local businesses, fraternal and civic organizations, individuals and memorials, and were coordinated by the student services departments at both high schools. Mounds View Public Schools would like to thank the donors who make this program possible. Lifetouch National School Studios Joseph Kelner Lauren Kelner

Balliff Memorial Scholarship Michael Beethe Nicholas Hable Ryan Kantor Tenzin Palkyi Dillon Quest Andrew Sweeney

Tallman Math/Science Connor Hashemi

Marie Greenwald Memorial Scholarship Alexa Herman Jodi Maurer-Knudson Memorial Scholarship Jake Peltier MV Lions Waste-Witte Memorial Fund Abigail Evenson Alison Johns Mattie Watts Tom Mischke Memorial Scholarship Michael Beethe Kirk & Elizabeth Wheeler Fund Kalley Mankowski

New Brighton Lions Club, Adagio’s Noah Espeseth Vishnu Namboodiripad Sarah Tokos Samantha Waddell New Brighton/Mounds View Rotary Club Kara Huyett Olivia Kinney Evan Spehn Pratt Ordway Properties Jamaica Gayle Wallin Education Partners Awards Angela Bonilla Nicholas Hable Marissa Melius Daniel Okabue Christopher Rupp

Soup It Up, Inc. Tyiarah Thomas Eggert Family Dentistry Jeremy Varno

Vern & Erma Comstock Scholarship of the N Suburban St. Paul Golden K Kiwanis Club Anna Barton

Chalkboard Capers Alison Aabel Courtney Carr Trey Harsch Jack Hoeger Jack Pirner Olivia Young

Fridley American Legion Post #303 Nicholas Grahek Audrey Kristufek Kathleen Landry

Irondale National Honor Society Carly Cich Irondale Staff Be-Jou’n Lyles Katie Ouellette Irondale Student Council Emily Barnier Anna Burckhardt

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DLML Foundation Ryan Bockenhauer Katelyn Deutsch Obiora Obikwelu Emily Ruetz Alex Toupal

New Brighton Fraternal Order of Eagles, Auxiliary 3718 Anna Folska

Elwood F. Caldwell Scholarship of the N Suburban St. Paul Golden K Kiwanis Club Andrew Sweeney

916 Education Foundation Johnathan Sprung

American Red Cross (Blood Drive) Oscar Eclov-Reher Barrett Reif

Mounds View Community Theater Fine Arts Andrea Leonard

Kopp Family Foundation Michael Beeksma Anna Burckhardt Jacob Damerow Samantha Donovan Laura Jankowski Lake Region Hockey Association Katie Durheim

SUMMER 2014

Christopher W. Adermann was among the 370 Irondale High School students who graduated on June 3. He is among the 2 percent of the Irondale Class of 2014 who will join the military.

Class of 2014 post-secondary plans: Undecided 3% Employment 3% Military 2% 4-year College 57% 2-year College 35%

Senior class president Emily Carol Barnier (pictured) and co-president Anna Burckhardt addressed the graduating class during the commencement ceremony.

Class of 2014 Highest Honors Allison R. Aabel........................ University of Wisconsin, Madison

Kathleen M. Landry..................Northwestern University

Erin V. Barnier...........................Loyola University, Chicago

Kalley Mankowski.....................University of Minnesota, Duluth

Anna E. Barton.........................College of St. Benedict

Vishnu Namboodiripad.............University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Michael J. Beeksma..................University of Wisconsin, Madison

Tony Phung...............................Military

Ryan A. Bockenhauer................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Jack T. Pirner............................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Anna M. Burckhardt..................University of Wisconsin, Madison

Emily Vivian Ruetz....................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Jacob Damerow.......................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Naomi Kathryn Ruetz................University of Rochester

Katelyn Deutsch.......................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Katherine Anne Sondrol............University of Northwestern

Noah M. Espeseth....................Drake University

Andrew J. Sweeney...................Arizona State University

Anna C. Folska.........................University of St. Thomas

Lyndsay M. Tekautz...................Undecided

Connor Hashemi......................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Sarah L. S. Tokos.......................Northeastern University

Kara L. Huyett...........................University of St. Thomas

Alexandra Toupal......................Amherst College

Laura C. Jankowski...................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Mattie E. Watts.........................University of Vermont

Rebecca K. Johnson.................University of Northwestern

Eleanor Whitcomb....................Undecided

Anabel C. Kapelke....................St. Olaf College

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CLASS OF 2014 Mounds View High School Class of 2014 William E. and Rose A. Bailiff Memorial Rachel Berglund Grace Johnson Eric Martin Alexandra Severson Austin Teske Brandon Carlson Memorial Vincent Belsito James Kaiser Sherry Lou Engebretsen Memorial Hanwen Wong Jodi Maurer-Knudson Memorial Connor Rimell Shana Peterson-Pfelsticker Memorial Molly Hancuh Don Segner Memorial Sarah Hemstad Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary Community Service Minu Bhunia Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary Strive Suhaib Hammad Arden Hills-Shoreview Rotary Interact Melissa McCann

Ashbach Family Foundation Samantha Hallgren Fridley American Legion Minxuan Gu Kelsey Murphy Kopp Family Foundation Charlotte Helgeson Vijay Narayanan Janice Palmer Grace Pratt Elizabeth Sachse Leyla Soykan

Joseph F. Kunze Christian Oswood Lake Region Hockey Association Connor Rimell Mounds View Alumni Association Elin Enrooth

New Brighton Eagles Auxiliary James Zhang New Brighton Lions Club Andre Hessini Molly Jass Wesley Lin Madeline Sjobeck Tyler Stoehr-Good Joshua Yue

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SUMMER 2014

Mounds View Basketball Association Amanda Besser Chance Carnahan Eric Johnson Sola Olateju Mounds View Community Theater Joseph Morey

Philanthropic Educational Organization Carly Bandt Heather Stone Vadnais Heights Community Partners Alec Martini

Phoebe Ke received the Principal’s Award during the Class of 2014 commencement ceremony. The Principal’s Award honors the achievements and honor of the student who exemplifies the school’s highest educational goals and represents the finest qualities of the graduating class. Ke graduated with highest honors. She plans to attend St. John’s University in New York in the fall.

Chalkboard Capers Sarah Bujold Christopher Collins Laura Leavens Megan Nickel Casey Reimer

Mustang Club Ntsang Aloh Lucy Floeder Student Council Indhirakshi Damodar Daniel LeMay Thank You Rachel Berglund Kelly Catlin Comcast Leaders and Achievers Carly Bandt Eggert Family Dentistry Deborah Snyder Soup It Up for Kids Alyssa Cook Wallin Education Foundation/ Ameriprise Financial Eric Martin Wallin Education Foundation/Enterprise Rachel Berglund Wallin Education Foundation/Medtronic Tristan Aschittino

Class of 2014 Highest Honors Tristan Aschittino......................Grinnell College

Grace Pratt...............................St. Olaf College

Leila Awad...............................Carleton College

Elizabeth Sachse......................University of Rochester

Carly Bandt..............................Duke University

Alexander Safonov...................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Vincent Belsito.........................University of Wisconsin, Madison

Deborah Snyder.......................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Kyle Bresina.............................University of Wisconsin, Madison

Leyla Andromeda Soykan.........University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Chance Carnahan....................Macalester College

Nicholas Varberg......................Wheaton College

Colin Catlin..............................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Sarah Wigfield..........................University of Wisconsin, Madison

Kelly Catlin...............................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Daniel Chang...........................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Christopher Collins...................Stanford University Serena Fan..............................Wellesley College Michael Freking........................University of Notre Dame Minxuan Gu..............................Massachusetts Institute of Technology Braxton Haake.........................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Margaret Huemoeller................St. Olaf College Grace Johnson.........................Carleton College Phoebe Ke...............................St. John’s University, New York Elizabeth Krinkie.......................Purdue University Wesley Lin................................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Ashley Linn..............................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Eric Martin...............................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Alec Martini.............................University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Senior class officers Samantha Hallgren, Chance Carnahan and Christopher Collins were among the 387 Mounds View High School students who became alumni on June 2, 2014. The commencement ceremony took place at Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Joseph Morey...........................Grinnell College Kelsey Murphy..........................University of Wisconsin, Madison Vijay Narayanan.......................Brown University

Class of 2014 post-secondary plans:

Elise Northrop..........................Clarke University, Dubuque Janice Palmer...........................University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Colleen Patty............................University of Wisconsin, Madison

Undecided 6% Military 1% 2-year College 11%

4-year College 82%

More memories here Go online to see more from the Irondale and Mounds View classes of 2014: • Watch the ceremonies • Browse the photo albums • Read the commencement programs

www.moundsviewschools.org

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CLASS OF 2014 Adult Education graduates The Adult Education graduating class included 190 students who received a General Equivalency Degree (GED) and 19 students who received high school diplomas.

H I G H

S C H O O L

M o u n d s Vi e w P u b l i c S c h o o l s

Oak Grove On May 29, Oak Grove High School and Oak Grove Adult Transition announced the following students as graduates during a ceremony at the New Brighton Community Center.

Oak Grove High School Brendyn C. Abrizenski Matthew R. Gear Nicholas A. Haslach Tyler J. Kloos Kostas J. Rowe Zofia N. Wasienski

Oak Grove Adult Transition

Diana Gonzalez (top), Teresa Massicotte (above) and Arthur Teriong (right) were among the 31 students who participated in a graduation ceremony on June 5 at the New Brighton Community Center.

Area Learning Center The Area Learning Center’s class of 2014 included 49 graduates. Students who participated in the graduation ceremony at Bethel University on May 28 included (from left to right in the front row) Tori Coy, Haley Skillings, Carlos DeLeon, Jody Moen, Britney Mickelson, Yelizaveta Babashov, Aleesha Anderson, Laura Rauchwarter, Alex Brink, Megan Forcia; (middle row) Brian Jarosak, Mong Xiong, Mackenzie Noack, Jacqueline Venable, Andrew Posz, Alfonzso Mason, Jaison Thompson, Caleb HarcusCollins; (back row) Kaylyn Kirscht, Jesse Lilley, Jericho Young, Marco Aquilar, Joseph Slavik, Ivan Malone; (top row) Alexis LeClaire, Cleevon Brown, Andrew Boatman and Derrik Marshall.

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Brandon T. Bates David L. Harris Noelle R. Hoch Megan M. Krech Arzell J. Myles Cameron L. Running Delone M. Sartwell Brandon Skye Blue Valley Jacob D. Wall

2014-15 BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS KINDERGARTEN CENTERS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL meet the teacher/ parent information nights

Pike Lake Education Center

Bel Air

Tours of the new kindergarten centers at Pike Lake will be held from 10 a.m. – noon and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. on August 7 and August 12.

August 28 (45 minutes)

Open House August 21 Valentine Hills & Pinewood....................4 – 6 p.m. Bel Air & Sunnyside...................5:30 – 7 p.m. Kindergarten Parent Information Night August 27: Bel Air Kindergarten 11 a.m. – noon and 3 – 4 p.m. Sunnyside Kindergarten Noon – 1 p.m. and 4 – 5 p.m.

Chippewa Welcome Back Day August 21...... 2 – 7 p.m.

2nd grade..............10 a.m. or 4:15 p.m. 1st & 3rd grade......11 a.m. or 5:15 p.m. 4th & 5th grade......noon or 6:15 p.m. Laurentian Chaperones........ 7 p.m.

August 22...... 7 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Parent Information Nights (one hour) 5th grade........ Sept. 11..........5:30 p.m.

Island Lake Kindergarten September 8.............5:30 p.m. Turtle Lake Kindergarten September 18...........6 p.m.

Orientation/ Family Picnic/Open House August 25................. 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

4th grade........ Sept. 16..........6 p.m. 3rd grade........ Sept. 18..........6 p.m.

Highview

2nd grade........ Sept. 23..........6 p.m.

Hawk Pride Registration & Celebration Day

1st grade........ Sept. 25..........5:30 p.m.

August 20......... Noon – 7 p.m.

Pinewood

August 28

Kindergarten Parent Information Nights

Edgewood Orientation

Valentine Hills Kindergarten 2 – 3 p.m. and 6 – 7 p.m.

Open House August 20.......... 4 – 6 p.m.

August 28................. 8 – 11 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m.

Open House August 27............4:30 – 6 p.m.

August 27............4 – 7 p.m.

Tours of the new kindergarten centers at Snail Lake will be held from 10 a.m. – noon and 4 – 6 p.m. on August 12 (Turtle Lake) and August 14 (Island Lake).

Teachers in classroom to meet with parents

Island Lake

Pinewood Kindergarten 1 – 2 p.m. and 5 – 6 p.m.

Snail Lake Education Center

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Back-to-School Night September 18........ 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Sunnyside 3rd & 4th grades......... noon or 4 p.m. 1st & 2nd grades........ 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. 5th grade................... 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. (also includes Laurentian Meeting)

HIGH SCHOOLS Mounds View Schedule pickup/picture day

Turtle Lake

August 21......... 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

August 27

9th-Grade Parent Night

Last names A-M.......... 4 – 5 p.m.

August 26.............. 6 p.m.

Last names N-Z........... 5:15 – 6:15 p.m.

Irondale

Valentine Hills August 27 – Open house from 1 – 4 p.m. and 5 – 8 p.m. Presentations by grade:

Schedule pickup/picture day August 21......... 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 9th-grade Parent Night August 28.............. 6:30 p.m.

1st grade........ 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. 2nd grade........ 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. 3rd grade........ 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. 4th grade........ 2:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. 5th grade........ 3 p.m. or 7 p.m.

Area Learning Center Open House/Ice Cream Social Silver View Plaza August 26......... 5 – 7 p.m.

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Independent School District 621 350 Highway 96 West Shoreview, MN 55126-1951

Meals on Wheels is a service provided by the Mounds View Public Schools community education department. Volunteer drivers provide fresh, nutritious meals delivered directly to the homes of seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout the Mounds View Public Schools community.

Sign up to receive meal delivery Not only do Meals on Wheels clients receive highquality meals, they also receive a daily visit from friendly volunteers Monday through Friday from 11Â a.m. to noon. Order home-delivered meals for yourself or for someone you care for by calling 651-621-7431.

Make a donation Meals on Wheels could not exist without the help of donors. Monetary donations are used to pay for the Meals on Wheels delivery program. To make a donation, visit the Meals on Wheels page under the Community Education menu at www.moundsviewschools.org, or send a check (payable to Meals on Wheels) to: Meals on Wheels, Pike Lake Education Center, 2101 14th St NW, New Brighton, MN 55112

Volunteer Call 651-621-7431 to learn more about how you can help bring meals and a human connection to seniors and people with disabilities.

TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO 4112