School Talk
SPRING 2018
The
t a e b es gon o Music programs thrive with help from instrument donations
ALSO INSIDE: VOTERS APPROVE BOND REQUEST • FACILITY DESIGNS BEGIN
‘Best Communities for E
very year, in every school, dozens of Mounds View Public Schools students who participate in band and orchestra cannot afford to rent or buy their instrument. As enrollment continues to grow across the District, the number of students participating in music programs also grows. And access to instruments remains the number one barrier to participating in music programs. “When we couple financial need with other factors, nearly 40 percent of the District’s band and orchestra students are playing school-loaned instruments this year,” says Mounds View’s music curriculum coordinator Andy Schmidt. “As interest in the program and overall enrollment continues to grow, the need for more instruments grows as well. Thankfully, we are part of a caring and generous community that sees the value in music education and has helped to fill that need.” In spring 2017, Schmidt called on the community to donate used instruments to the District’s music program. Since April, more than 80 instruments have been collected. A partnership with a local music retailer has allowed the District to trade unusable or worn instrument donations for credit toward new instruments. This partnership offers schools the opportunity to give deserving band and orchestra students brand new instruments to play while they are enrolled in District music programs. “I will never forget the reaction that one student had when I gave her a new flute,” says Schmidt. “When I told her it was hers to take home, she looked at me in disbelief. She said she had never been given anything new. It made me realize the true success of the donation program. It is really changing lives.” On the cover:
Irondale junior Jaclyn Hawkins performs with the Marching Knights for Edgewood and Highview 8th graders at Irondale’s Bandapalooza.
Editors Rachel Gutierrez Colin Sokolowski
Designer Susan Abbott
Photographers Rachel Gutierrez Greg Helgeson Lifetouch Ron Rasmussen
Not only have these donations helped outfit the program with necessary brass, woodwinds and string instruments, they have also helped the District to free up resources for larger music program initiatives.
Beyond the classroom While the instrument donation program continues to outfit classrooms with necessary equipment, it is also putting Nearly 500 Mounds View High instruments into School students, including students’ hands for sophomore cellist Daniel Knapp, participate in school music co-curricular activities. programs. Music opportunities like jazz band and orchestra ensembles give students a chance to connect outside of the classroom. They also give staff an opportunity to showcase talented student groups while offering the community opportunities to see live performances. In addition to school performances, the District hosts Music at Mounds View, an annual music series for area residents that brings professional musicians to perform locally at Mounds View High School. These concerts often present opportunities for Superintendent student musicians to perform alongside Chris Lennox the professionals who participate in the concert series. 2018 School Board Shauna Bock Diane Glasheen Bob Helgeson Amy Jones Marre Jo Sager Jonathan Weinhagen Sandra Westerman
School Talk is published by Mounds View Public Schools, Independent School District 621. Send correspondence to School Talk editor, 4570 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, MN 55126, e-mail rachel.gutierrez@moundsviewschools.org or call 651-621-6012. Para asistencia en traducciones ó ayuda como intérprete, por favor comuníquese con Angel Toro al 651-724-2854. Yog xa tau kev pab thiab hais ua lus Hmoob thov hu rau Mee Yang ntawm 651-724-0396. Haddi aad ubaahantahay faahfaahin dheerad ah ama turjumaad, fadlan kala soo xiriir, taleefanka 651-724-7482. Like us:
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www.moundsviewschools.org
A lasting impact Mounds View’s music program clearly makes a lasting impact on its students. Irondale High School alumnus Nick Gohman says his high school provided him with an opportunity to find his talents and express them. He says “the music programs were the most inspiring to me,” and he is convinced his involvement in orchestra and music
Music’
Instrument donations support the District’s awardwinning music programs Award winning
In November, District choir students performed with nationally recognized singer and songwriter Kat Perkins at Mounds View High School for the first 2017 concert in the District’s annual Music at Mounds View series. In January, orchestra students performed with musicians from a professional instrumental trio, Clocks and Clouds.
Students and staff are not the only ones recognizing the impact of the music programs throughout the District. In 2017, for the fifth consecutive year, Mounds View Public Schools was named among the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education. Awarded by the National Association of Music Merchants, the Best Communities for Music designation recognized fewer than 4 percent of schools across the country in 2017. The award honors school districts that show an exceptionally high commitment to music education and ensure access to music for all students. “Music education is such an important piece of the puzzle that helps us prepare students for life,” says Schmidt. “I am grateful for a community that helps us sustain a program where all students have access to music programs. I look forward to growing the donation program so that stories like our alumni’s continue to be heard for years to come. ” With the ongoing support from the community, Mounds View Public Schools hopes to put more instruments in more students’ hands. To learn more about the instrument donation program, call 651-621-6787 or email andy.schmidt@moundsviewschools.org.
helped prepare him for the rigors of college at the University of Minnesota. Mounds View High School alumna Jessica Sorenson credits choir for teaching her that it is okay to be unique. Both students cite music teachers and programs at Mounds View Public Schools when asked how their schools prepared them for post-secondary success. “At Mounds View, we are proud of a music program that draws the interest of nearly half of fourth- to 12th-grade students,” says Schmidt. More than 3,500 students in these grades participate in – Andy Schmidt, Mounds View music curriculum coordinator music programs District-wide annually.
“ Nearly 40 percent of band and
orchestra students are playing school-loaned instruments this year.”
Representatives from Schmitt Music congratulated Mounds View Public Schools music teachers for maintaining their commitment to music and earning the Best Communities for Music Education distinction.
SPRING 2018
School Talk
3
KEEPING PACE WITH SPACE
Voters approve bond by nearly 3-1 margin After years of rising resident enrollment and stressed building capacities, relief for students, staff and schools is on the way. On Election Day 2017, voters in Mounds View Public Schools approved a $165 million facilities bond request by a margin of 73 percent in favor to 27 percent opposed. 10,129 residents voted in favor of the proposal, while 3,689 voted to reject the request. As a result of the vote, schools have begun a multi-year phased approach to adding space at all schools throughout the District. “We asked our residents to help us tackle this ongoing challenge, and they clearly said ‘yes.’ Now the work begins,” said Jonathan Weinhagen, chair of the School Board.
nd’s success Thank you for the bo ools, I want to thank our
Phase 1 Design: December 2017 Pike Lake Education Center Island Lake Elementary School Edgewood Middle School Highview Middle School
Phase 2 Design: Spring 2018 Bel Air Elementary School
Pinewood Elementary School
Turtle Lake Elementary School
Sunnyside Elementary School
Irondale High School
Valentine Hills Elementary School
Mounds View High School
Chippewa Middle School
Public Sch On behalf of Mounds View staff and its support of our students, community for demonstrating request. ool Board’s facilities bond schools by approving the Sch effort tells us several things. I think the success of this space at ds the need for additional • This community understan munity ’re pleased to see the com all of our aging schools. We and ent ollm enr sing non-resident recognized our efforts at clo resident enrollment. focusing on the increasing e its schools. Given that som • This community supports ools, it sch our in not have students 80 percent of residents do ghbors nei d view our schools as goo took residents of all ages to l. for the bond to be successfu worthy of support in order ent sur vey to invest in its schools. A rec • This community is willing eive a rec y t residents believe the shows 95 percent of Distric Election ment in our schools. I think good value from their invest timent. Day’s vote reaffirms that sen ’s support are to have our community Please know how grateful we to better ded District-wide expansion as we embark on a much-nee nity. our students and our commu ser ve the growing needs of Thank you!
nt Chris Lennox, Superintende s Mounds View Public School
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Phase 3 Design: Fall 2018 - Spring 2019
Design phase When the design phase begins for a school, stakeholder teams at each building will collaborate with the architects to develop the best design for each school. The teams will seek feedback from the community, and the architects will welcome ideas and input from anyone who’d like to contribute. The school principal for each building will be the main point of communication for stakeholders. Anyone interested in providing input should work with their school principal.
Construction phase The construction phase for all projects will take approximately three years to complete. Work will begin in summer 2018, but most schools will see construction start during the 2018-2019 school year and into summer 2019. The larger projects will take multiple years to complete.
2018
2019
2020
2021
Track the progress How is your school planning to add space in the coming years? Track the progress of facility planning efforts by visiting www.moundsviewschools.org/facilities. Each school shares a link offering ongoing updates, the schedules for their design committee work, the construction timeline and the estimated project completion date.
PHASE 1
Design Late 2017 – Summer 2018
Construction Summer 2018 – Summer 2019
Completion Summer 2019
Island Lake Elementary School
• Two-classroom addition for capacity • Renovate and expand Special Education classrooms • Renovate and improve classrooms in and around the learning media center • Expand front secured lobby and entry
Design Late 2017 – Summer 2018
Construction Fall 2018 – Summer 2019
Completion Late 2019
Edgewood Middle School
• Four-classroom addition for capacity • Renovate science classrooms • Expand cafeteria and kitchen • Additional gym/multi-purpose space • Improve performance space • Replace pool and provide diving space (shared with Irondale) • Separate parent drop-off and bus loop
Design Late 2017 – Summer 2018
Construction Fall 2018 – Summer 2020 With additional construction in 2021
Completion Fall 2021
Highview Middle School
• Renovate orchestra space • Create a secured front entry into the main office • Improve parent drop-off and bus loop
Design Late 2017 – Spring 2018
Construction Summer 2018
Completion Late 2018
Bel Air Elementary School
• Two-classroom addition for capacity • Expand cafeteria and kitchen • Improve band/orchestra space • Improve parent drop-off and bus loop
Design Spring – Fall 2018
Construction Fall 2018 – Summer 2019
Completion Late 2019
Turtle Lake Elementary School
• Eight-classroom addition for capacity • Expand cafeteria and kitchen • Improve parent drop-off
Design Spring – Fall 2018
Construction Late 2018 – Summer 2019
Completion Late 2019
Irondale High School
• Six-classroom addition for capacity • Renovate to address hallway congestion • Expand cafeteria and kitchen • Replace auditorium and expand its capacity • Improve fitness/wellness space • Additional capacity for program storage – Arts, Activities, Robotics • Renovate Media Center space/classrooms • Repurpose pool and provide access to new pool at Edgewood
Design Spring – Late 2018
Construction Early Spring 2019 – Early Fall 2020 With additional construction in Summer 2021
Completion Fall 2021
Mounds View High School
• Seven-classroom addition for capacity • Renovate undersized classrooms • Expand cafeteria and kitchen • Additional gym space • Improve fitness/wellness space • Additional parking • Improve parent drop-off
Design Spring – Late 2018
Construction Early Spring 2019 – Early Fall 2020 With additional construction in Summer 2021
Completion Fall 2021
Pinewood Elementary School
• Two-classroom addition for capacity • Separate buses and parent drop-off
Design Spring – Fall 2019
Construction Late 2019 – Summer 2020
Completion Late 2020
Sunnyside Elementary School
• Five-classroom addition for capacity • Improve band/orchestra space • Expand cafeteria and kitchen
Design Spring – Fall 2019
Construction Late 2019 – Summer 2020
Completion Late 2020
Valentine Hills Elementary School
• Five-classroom addition for capacity • Expand cafeteria and kitchen
Design Spring – Fall 2019
Construction Late 2019 – Summer 2020
Completion Late 2020
Chippewa Middle School
• Create a secured front entry into the main office • Renovate student lockers/commons area
Design Fall 2018 – Summer 2019
Construction Summer 2019 – Summer 2020
Completion Fall 2020
PHASE 3
PHASE 2
• Two-classroom addition for capacity Pike Lake Education Center
SPRING 2018
School Talk
5
SCHOOL BOARD 2018 School Board
Audit report praised In November, representatives from the audit firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A. reviewed the 2016-2017 audited financial statements and supplemental reports. During the presentation to the Board, representatives commended the District for its excellence in financial reporting and issued the highest level of audit reporting an auditor can give an organization. The audit report is available on the Budgets & Finance page at www.moundsviewschools.org.
Property taxes certified Front Row: Marre Jo Sager, Jonathan Weinhagen and Diane Glasheen. Back Row: Bob Helgeson, Sandra Westerman, Amy Jones and Shauna Bock
Voters select School Board On Election Day last fall, voters in Mounds View Public Schools selected residents Shauna Bock, Diane Glasheen and Marre Jo Sager for seats on the School Board. The three took the oath of office in January and will serve four-year terms. Election results for all candidates are below: Shauna Bock
4,727 votes
17.99%
Jennifer Daniels
3,749 votes
14.27%
Diane Glasheen
5,227 votes
19.89%
Sheila Lee
1,880 votes
7.16%
Brendan O’Meara
4,327 votes
16.47%
Marre Jo Sager
6,026 votes
22.93%
Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State
New non-resident enrollment closed through 2019-20 As a result of rising enrollment and the future outlook for building capacities, the School Board approved the District administration’s recommendation to close new open enrollment options throughout Mounds View Public Schools through the 2019-20 school year. The Board had previously closed new open enrollment through 2018-2019. 6
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In December, the Board approved a resolution to certify the 2018 property tax levy. The final certification will be forwarded to Ramsey County for processing of the final property tax statement. The tax statements will be sent out in March 2018. The property tax revenue will be available to the District for the 2018-2019 school year. The total levy amount is $49,811,523 which is 11.2 percent greater than the 2017 tax levy. The main area of increase is for debt service as a result of the voter-approved bond levy at the general election. For more information, please visit the Budgets & Finance page at www.moundsviewschools.org.
Sale of bonds In February, the Board approved a resolution to accept the lowest bid for the issuance and sale of general obligation school building bonds. The funds will be used to finance the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities within the District, related to the voter-approved referendum held on November 7, 2017. Mounds View had a very competitive bond sale, and the overall financing for the bond projects came in lower than projected. At bond development time, the interest rate was projected at 4 percent with $164.8 million of bonds. Because the bonds sold at a premium in the market, the final sale resulted in an interest rate of 3.44 percent on the sale of $156.5 million of bonds. That is an $18 million savings over the projected financing, based on the 25-year financing schedule.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation works in collaboration with Mounds View Schools District leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance opportunities for students throughout the Mounds View District. For more information on the Foundation visit www.mvsef.org.
Rock the School House event draws record-breaking support In November, the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation hosted its sixth annual Rock the School House fundraising event to support Mounds View Public Schools students. It was a record-breaking evening with more than 300 attendees and nearly $65,000 raised to support a broad range of programs for students throughout the District. Guests were entertained by chamber ensembles from both Irondale and
Mounds View High Schools as well as combined select singers from the Irondale and Mounds View High School choir programs. In addition, middle school students from Chippewa, Edgewood and Highview showcased the STEAM mindset of learning at innovation stations demonstrating 3D printers, robots and catapults. To learn
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Erin McGillivray, a 1998 graduate of Mounds View High School, will be the keynote speaker for the seventh annual Partnering for Education Luncheon on April 19. McGillivray has spent the majority of her career working with mission-based service organizations, including 13 years with the U.S. Peace Corps where she has served as a field-based and regional recruiter, campus representative, trainer and now in a national position as senior placement officer. She initiated a satellite Peace Corps Center at the University of Minnesota and piloted in-field training programs, including the education of host country national staff in Africa. She has achieved the award for Sustained Superior Performance three times. In addition to work with the Peace Corps, McGillivray has worked as campaign manager for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, she has served as a volunteer engagement specialist for Global Citizens Network and has been on a non-profit board advocating for orphaned girls in Africa. McGillivray attributes much of the readiness and passion for her work to her years in Mounds View Public Schools where she served on student council in elementary school
more about the STEAM mindset, visit www.mvsef.org/rtsh.
and at Mounds View High School. In addition to being co-president of Mounds View’s student council, she also served as junior class president and was awarded the Principal’s Award. McGillivray believes that many of the leadership and volunteer experiences she participated in during her school years led to the development of qualities that have guided her adult life. These include a pioneering spirit, curiosity about cultures, community-mindedness and mission-driven values. Her experience with student council also involved design and implementation of entrepreneurial initiatives which contributed to her seeing the need for and developing innovative programs for the Peace Corps. McGillivray was influenced by numerous teachers and cites two who provided especially valuable support and encouragement: Mike Coty, a language arts teacher and advisor for the student council and Mike Cartwright, a physics teacher from whom she learned to pursue challenges. In McGillivray’s own words: “All of the positive relationships with teachers, advisors, coaches and others, woven together throughout my years as a student, helped me to gain confidence, stretch beyond my comfort zone and not be paralyzed by the potential of failure.” This is what she believes led her to make life choices and to forge her own path — a path that has resulted in a career of benevolence and visionary service.
SPRING 2018
School Talk
7
A CLOSER LOOK
Safe and secure schools are team effort In the wake of the Florida school shooting tragedy, many families wondered about safety and security at Mounds View Public Schools. Through e-mail messages, personal meetings and phone calls, principals have been reassuring families and offering listening ears. “The safety of our students and staff is our top priority,” says Irondale High School principal Amy Janecek. “After the Florida tragedy, we’ve spent considerable time reminding families of the safety and security measures that we have in place.”
Partnering with law enforcement
Officials from Mounds View Public Schools discuss school safety regularly with
All schools in the District benefit from ongoing representatives of the School Safety Center from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety — including law enforcement from Ramsey County, New Brighton partnerships with law enforcement agencies which Public Safety and Mounds View Police Department. make their resources available to every school. In addition, District officials meet annually with law enforcement from Ramsey County, New Brighton Security systems Public Safety and Mounds View Police Department to review A security assessment firm has conducted a comprehensive schools’ emergency procedures. School officials also meet safety audit of every school. The professionals were regularly with representatives of the School Safety Center encouraged and pleased by the District’s security systems from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. and procedures. Even so, the District continues to make These conversations — and the safety experts’ ongoing improvements and upgrades as necessary. Some of recommendations — have resulted in a set of guidelines staff the ongoing upgrades include buzzer security systems, picture members are trained to follow to keep students safe in the identification systems and entrance redesigns at select sites event of a threat in any part of a school building. All schools where more secure visitor entries are necessary. have comprehensive crisis plans in place which includes these procedures. In addition to these plans, every school assigns Personal connections support staff members as a part of their crisis response team, Knowing students personally and building relationships which meets regularly. Every school also completes five with them is another effective way to provide a safe school practice lockdowns a year, and local law enforcement environment. provides ongoing lockdown training at each school building. “Each school works with students to provide meaningful opportunities to feel connected every day,” says Superintendent Chris Lennox. “It’s our ongoing goal to Safety and school design provide safe and secure schools and also nurture a culture of As design teams begin to create the school respect and connectedness within our schools.” expansion projects approved by voters last Recent surveys show the vast majority of surveyed students fall, safety continues to be a primary concern. feel respected by other students, and surveyed parents Many of the designs will incorporate greater internal visibility overwhelmingly believe the District provides a safe and of educational spaces. Visibility fosters collaboration welcoming environment. and allows increased supervision of spaces to support “It’s encouraging to hear our students say they feel safety and security on a daily basis. Every design will also respected, connected and safe,” says Lennox. “But when it comes to school safety, we know our work is never done.” incorporate planning for lockdowns and evacuation as required by the District’s emergency management plans.
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AROUND THE DISTRICT Human Rights Commission project Island Lake Elementary School fourth-graders Sidharth Sharma (pictured) won third place in the Shoreview Human Rights Commission’s One Community of Many Colors poster contest. More than 280 posters were submitted and judged based on artistry, grammar and how closely the poster reflected the theme. Island Lake student Ben Lawrence took ninth place. Ruhi Malgi, Delaney O’Toole, Allison Wing and Layla Jackson were awarded honorable mentions.
Irondale students participate in theatre masterclass Six Irondale students were among more than 70 students from 22 Minnesota high schools that attended the Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Education masterclass in October.
Irondale students Grace Whiting and Emily Hensley with Broadway star Laura Osnes and Irondale students Joe Sorenson, Caden Pichotta, Madi Nelson and Bex Williams.
Not just for kids More than 25 adults, ages 50 and over, participated in Laurentian’s first-ever winter edition of Young at Heart. Indoor and outdoor activities kept the group busy during their four-day stay. Laurentian Environmental Center played host to visitors of all ages this winter. Hundreds of Mounds View Public Schools students enjoyed winter activities including snowshoeing and ice fishing while attending multi-day retreats to the District-owned environmental center this winter.
Bel Air fifth-graders Xander Whelen and Bronko Votruba were among hundreds of students who participated in winter activities like ice fishing during multi-day school visits to Laurentian.
Book your own program at Laurentian:
Indoor and outdoor activities kept the Young at Heart group busy during their four-day stay.
While Laurentian is widely known for hosting student and school groups, the facility is also available for weekend groups, business retreats and specialty camps. Book your next group meeting, family reunion or group function at Laurentian by calling 1-888-749-1288. For more information, visit www.laurentiancenter.org.
SPRING 2018
School Talk
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AROUND THE DISTRICT
Seasonal celebratıons
Operation Joy yields 3,000 gifts
Costume Fun Jenny Heyer’s Island Lake kindergarten class paraded the Snail Lake Education Center hallways in October to show off Halloween costumes ranging from policemen and construction workers to bumblebees and superheroes.
Snail Lake kindergarten students weren’t the only ones enjoying costume parties in October. Teachers and staff joined in the fun.
Spreading Holiday Cheer Seventh-grade orchestra students from Chippewa Middle School performed at the state Capitol in December.
Holiday Surprise
With their father on a military deployment overseas, Lilly and Eva Cunningham didn’t expect to see him at this year’s sing-along at Valentine Hills Elementary School. But their mother, Michelle, had other plans. The fifth-grader and firstgrader, along with their kindergarten brother Eli, got a wonderful surprise when Capt. Shaun Cunningham surprised all three at the all-school event on December 20. Later in the day, Cunningham visited Mounds View High School to surprise his oldest daughter Kiely, a sophomore. Cunningham is serving as the commander in the 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade at Camp Carroll, South Korea. He returned in early January to continue joint training exercises with the South Korean Army.
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The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf collected and distributed more than 3,000 gifts and 12,000 pounds of food during its annual Operation Joy Toy Shop that benefits Mounds View Public Schools families. Thanks to 65 community volunteers and donations from area churches, schools, businesses, clubs, individuals and Toys for Tots, 960 children (ages birth to 12thgrade) received gifts this year. Qualifying families who registered with the Food Shelf were invited to the Operation Joy Toy Shop in December to pick out gifts for each of their children as well as food for the holidays. During the holiday season, District schools helped to raise 4,000 pounds of food, nearly $7,500 and assorted toys and gifts for the food shelf.
Watch the reunion on video at www.moundsviewschools.org.
High school students visit local colleges Integration and Equity Liaisons Ali Ali, Angel Toro and Mee Yang accompanied student groups to Century College, St. Olaf University and the University of Minnesota this winter. Nearly 100 Asian, Hispanic and Somali students participated in college visits to tour campuses, learn more about how to enroll and get information about financial aid, housing options and more.
Students from Irondale and Mounds View attended the University of Minnesota’s Asian American Day event in January.
Students learned about various career paths and Century College program options.
Mounted Patrol visits Turtle Lake
Student EXPO aims to educate and engage public An EXPO Night at Highview Middle School in November featured the work of eighthgraders who researched human rights issues and collaborated with group members to identify possible solutions. The EXPO served as an opportunity to build awareness around key human rights issues and invite the public to contribute to positive change.
The Ramsey County Sheriff Mounted Patrol officers and their horses visited the Turtle Lake Elementary School student council students in January. Students enjoyed hearing about how the Mounted Patrol horses are used for community outreach, parades and special events throughout the county.
Some students sold bracelets and other giftables to raise money for reputable charities around local and global issues like hunger. In addition to the EXPO, students sent research papers to influential community and state representatives to shed light on researched issues and potentially help contribute to behavioral or political changes.
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AROUND THE DISTRICT
Winter Olympics inspires elementary school students At Sunnyside Elementary School this winter, students were excited to receive a personal message from a member of the Nigerian bobsled team. Sunnyside alumna Akouma Omega sent students a six-minute video message detailing her journey to the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Visit www.moundsviewschools.org/sunnyside to watch the video greeting.
The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics was celebrated by Turtle Lake Elementary School students during an all-school assembly on February 9. The school’s gymnasium was filled with students and staff carrying flags and dressed to represent various countries. Turtle Lake alumnus Jason Hedstrand spoke to students about his participation in the 2002 Winter Olympics as a speed skater and led elementary schoolers in reciting the Olympic athlete pledge.
A bobsled race between two fifth-grade teams and a scooter race involving principal Darin Johnson and associate principal Renee Carlson entertained students. The games continued for two weeks after the opening ceremony with various indoor and outdoor Olympic-themed activities planned by physical education teachers Jeanne Lukens and Ben Gort. 12
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Fifth-grader Rahee Kim and first-grader Seoin (Kate) Kim, Turtle Lake students with family ties to South Korea, held the flag while Arirang (the Korean folk song regarded as the unofficial national anthem of Korea) played throughout the gymnasium.
Grant to support Science and Engineering at Turtle Lake
Mounds Views video series Find out what is new and cool in our schools by watching Mounds Views, a video series that highlights programs throughout the District.
Turtle Lake Elementary School was presented with a $500 ExxonMobil Educational Grant check by Exxon of Shoreview. The money will be used to support the Family Science and Engineering Night Program.
The latest videos are available at www.moundsviewschools.org/videos and include:
School Forest Middle school students are taking ownership of maintaining the School Forest at Edgewood Middle School.
STRIPES Students at Sunnyside Elementary School are benefiting from a new STRIPES program that was first introduced at the District’s high schools.
Funded by the ExxonMobil Corporation, the Educational Alliance program is designed to provide Exxon retailers with an opportunity to invest in the future of their community through educational grants to neighborhood schools. Presenting the check to Turtle Lake principal Darin Johnson is program coordinator Leah Zustiaki and Exxon of Shoreview’s Tony Rammer.
Superintendent plays role in Irondale High School musical The Irondale Drama Club’s performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee included guest performances from Irondale teachers and staff.
Students celebrate reading In celebration of I Love to Read Month in March, Turtle Lake Elementary School hosted an all school read-in. Fifth-graders like Bria Mills dressed as book characters to read to firstgraders.
Superintendent Chris Lennox also took to the stage with Irondale students in November as a Spelling Bee participant.
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AROUND THE DISTRICT
Staying connected in 2018 Websites aim to help users easily find information about the District and its schools, at any time, from any device. Websites are mobile responsive to allow viewers to search District sites from desktop and laptop computers, tablets and smartphones. Find the District at www.moundsviewschools.org.
Electronic newsletters District families are automatically subscribed to school and District e-newsletters. Community members who want to receive email updates can subscribe to the newsletters of their choice by visiting www.moundsviewschools.org/enews. All school newsletters now include links to school, District and community e-flyers detailing enrichment opportunities and community event information. Every school in the District has a Twitter and Facebook page to connect with the community. “Like” and follow Mounds View Public Schools and specific school pages on Facebook and Twitter for timely news.
Visit www.moundsviewschools.org/videos to watch District videos and browse school news stories. As always, the District and each school website also offers a video feed highlighting school activities and programs.
Smartphone updates and notifications
Other resources that parents and community members can tap for information include electronic newsletters, the District app, school and District social media feeds and more.
Social media
Video
Smartphone and tablet users can subscribe to school calendars and news notifications by downloading the free District app. Available in the App Store and on Google Play, the Mounds View Public Schools app offers easy access to school contacts and calendars, lunch menus and more. School and District contacts Attendance lines
Calendars
Lunch menus
Teacher websites
ParentVUE
Call Mounds View Public Schools Looking for a specific school or department contact? Visit www.moundsviewschools.org/staffdirectory for a list of school and department directories.
Bus status
Translation assistance To learn more about District programs and events featured in this issue of School Talk in Spanish, Hmong or Somali, please call Angel Toro (Spanish) at 651-724-0396, Mee Yang (Hmong) at 651-724-0396 or Ali Ali (Somali) at 651-724-7482. Haddii aad dooneysid faahfaahin dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan barnaamijyada lugu soo qoro School Talk, ee ka baxa Iskuulada Moundsview, fadlan la soo xiriis Ali Ali: 651-724-7482.
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Para aprender mas sobre los programas del Distrito Escolar y de los eventos en esta edicion de School Talk, llame a Angel Toro al 651-724-0396. 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 651-724-0396.
Annual concert draws crowd of more than 300 guests
More than 300 audience members gathered for Irondale High School’s annual Disney Pajama Orchestra concert in October. Orchestra students in grades 10 – 12 performed music from Disney movies while two students provided a sign-language narration of the music.
STEAM lesson turns to ice Kindergarten students used STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) skills to build an indoor ice castle this winter.
Vicki Johnson’s Turtle Lake kindergarten students proudly posed with the ice castle model they worked together to create using marshmallows, toothpicks and cardboard.
Students rally to support advisor and her cause Mounds View High School SkillsUSA members selected the National Kidney Foundation as their Community Service Project for the SkillsUSA State Championships this school year. Students chose the organization in support of their advisor Lynn Nelson who was waiting for a kidney transplant. In October, students formed a team to participate in the 2017 Twin Cities Kidney Walk. In advance of the event, Mounds View SkillsUSA students organized school events and sales in an effort to meet a fundraising goal of $500. Several events and activities helped the team exceed their fundraising goal to contribute $6,000 and become the top fundraising team for the 2017 Twin Cities Kidney Walk. In addition to raising money for the National Kidney Students who participated in the Twin Cities Kidney Walk on October 14 included Foundation, students raised awareness with Rachel Deno, Emma Hoyhtya, Vidya Mallikarjunan, Luke Pejic, Josie Walfroot, Connor Flaherty (former student and now an employee of the District) Meghan McFarling, all-school events and Kidney Facts displayed Hannah Mastenbrook, Gretchen Treise and Cooper Welch. Just a few weeks after the throughout the school. walk, Lynn Nelson received a call about a kidney donor. She underwent transplant surgery in December and returned to work in February.
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AROUND THE DISTRICT Haitian music ensemble visits Bel Air Minnesota Public Radio and guest artist Afoutayi visited Bel Air Elementary School music classes in October. Afoutayi, a Haitian ensemble that celebrates its heritage using song, dance and storytelling, engaged students in song and dance and taught them about various instruments.
Early Childhood Education Mounds View Schools Early Childhood Education provides high quality educational opportunities for every child birth to five years at the Early Childhood Education Center and Pike Lake Education Center in New Brighton, as well as at Snail Lake Education Center in Shoreview. Currently, more than 900 children and 400 parents participate in Early Childhood programs throughout the District. Learn more: Watch a video at www.moundsviewschools.org/ earlychildhoodvideo Visit the website at www.moundsviewschools.org/ earlychildhood
Music at
Mounds View
Early Childhood Screening Join us for the last concert of our fourth season!
Performances take place in the Mounds View High School Auditorium. Located at 1900 Lake Valentine Road, Arden Hills.
Sunday, April 15, 2018 • 2 p.m.
OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS Tickets are available at the door or online at www.moundsviewschools.org/musicatmoundsview
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Early Childhood Screening is required for entrance into kindergarten and is offered throughout the year at no charge. It is best to have your child screened between ages 3½ and 4. Screening identifies possible learning or health concerns so that your child can get the needed help before starting school. Call 651‑621‑7421 to make your child’s early childhood screening appointment today.
New to Mounds View Public Schools? If you have recently moved into the District and have preschool students who may one day enroll in Mounds View Public Schools, it’s important that you contact the Early Childhood staff to have your family information entered into the District’s data system. Please contact susan.stoner@moundsviewschools.org.
WITH HONORS Teacher of the Year Mounds View Public Schools educators Kari Eloranta (Area Learning Center English/language arts teacher), Claudia Powers (Irondale High School special education teacher) and Bill Sucha (Irondale High School band director) were named as semifinalists for Education Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year Award. They are among 43 semifinalists selected from a pool of 167 candidates. The 54th Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced on May 6 at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.
Kari Eloranta
Claudie Powers
Bill Sucha
Quiz Bowl team heads to Nationals Edgewood Middle School’s A Team placed first at the State Quiz Bowl meet in January. They won all the competitions by more than 100 points to take the top spot out of 30 teams.
Published authors Mounds View High School social studies teacher Martha Rush published an instructional strategies book for teachers. Beat Boredom offers strategies to teachers of all subject areas for active engagement, moving beyond traditional passive memorization of information. Valentine Hills technology specialist Joan Wolf received the Virginia Library Association’s Jefferson Cup Honor for historical fiction for her new book Runs with Courage. Wolf also authored the book Someone Named Eva.
Middle school artist’s drawing selected for publication Highview Middle School seventhgrader Aeron Echano’s drawing was accepted as cover art for the quarterly Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association Journal, which is sent to school and studio string teachers throughout the Upper Midwest. Inspired by the part of a violin bow, Aeron’s “frog on a frog” illustration was chosen from multiple entries from around the state.
Molly Schuh, Xander Pichner, Graham Kyhl and McCullen Willmert will go on to represent Edgewood at Nationals in Chicago in May.
Find out more about staff and student honors at www.moundsviewschools.org/newsmakers
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WITH HONORS
Irondale students represent Minnesota DECA selected Irondale High School sophomore Charlie Schumer as the state’s social media intern to work behind the scenes during the 2018 State DECA Career Development Conference. As an intern, Charlie will be a key player in ensuring that all creative and interactive elements of the conference are executed by using blog writing, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Premiere Pro to edit and create conference marketing materials and media.
At the annual DECA Fall Leadership Conference, Julia Glaeser was elected to serve on the Minnesota DECA State Officer Team. She will represent more than 3,000 students as a DECA State Vice President of Chapter Development.This marks the sixth consecutive year that Irondale DECA has been represented with a state DECA officer. Julia is a senior and second-year Irondale DECA member and chapter co-president. She plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business where she will major in finance.
International Conference to highlight the work of DECA students Irondale and Mounds View High School were two of only 15 schools in Minnesota to be recognized by DECA with gold level status in 2018 for their school-based enterprises. Across the nation, 316 school-based enterprises achieved Gold Level Certification in 2018. A school-based enterprise is an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods and services to meet the needs of the market. At Irondale and Mounds View, the school
store is managed and operated by DECA students under the direction of DECA advisors Rebecca Allard (Mounds View) and Diane Waite (Irondale). Both stores offers realistic and practical learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction and help prepare students for college and careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. DECA, Inc., is a student organization.
Irondale students Sydney Muhlvill, Charlie Schumer (pictured above) and Addie Harsch will represent Irondale at DECA’s International Career Development Conference where they will receive recognition for their work on Irondale’s school store.
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Mounds View High School DECA students Hufsa Ahmed, Justin Reiling and Alisa Samadani will be recognized for their work with the school store during the DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Ga., in April.
Mounds View takes top spots at Science Olympiad tournament Mounds View High School’s varsity Science Olympiad team won first place in 12 of the 14 events at the regional tournament in February. The school’s junior varsity Science Olympiad team took the first, second, third and seventh-place spots at the tournament.
The varsity team pictured from left to right: Mason Huberty, Zane Meyer, Abhi Vijayakumar, Michelle Sung, Aarthi Vijayakumar, Rebecca Li, Nathan Chau, Madeline Pape, Michelle Wang, Dianna Zhu, Kimberly Chen, Grace Su and Lucy Chen. Team members Eric Heffelfinger and Vijay Shah are not pictured.
Honors Orchestra
EPIC Award highlights STEM work of Mounds View students
Irondale High School ninth-grader and bassist Camille Tinerella was accepted into the Minnesota String & Orchestra Teachers Association’s Middle Level Honors Orchestra. She performed in February at the Minneapolis Convention Center during the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Clinic.
In October, five Mounds View High School students were among only 25 young women from across the Twin Cities to be honored with Target’s EPIC Award. The EPIC Award recognized students for engaging with their communities and offered them an opportunity to correspond with a mentor currently working in the STEM field at Target.
Brain Bee students rank among the top in the state Mounds View High School advanced to the 2018 Minnesota State Brain Bee neuroscience competition at the University of Minnesota recently. For the second year in a row, Mounds View had the highest number of state qualifiers including Lucy Chen, Olivia Chen, Rebecca Li, Michael Pak, Kimberly Shen, Maha Syed, Chloe Wick, Ruizhi (Sandy) Zhang, and Aunika Zheng. In the MnDRIVE Neuromodulation Video Challenge, the group ranked in the top three and earned an award of $100 to be used for education purposes.
Shreya Prabhu, Sabriyah Taher, Grace Su, Aarthi Vijayakumar and Yoo-Jin Hwang were acknowledged for exhibiting exemplary work, passion and curiosity in STEM fields.
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS & ACTIVITIES UPDATE
IRONDALE Hockey players ‘Stick it to Cancer’
Signings Irondale High School seniors Ronnie Trass and Ty Cobb signed Letters of Intent for football.
This year marked the third annual “Stick it to Cancer” game for the Irondale High School girls’ hockey team. The game between Irondale/ St. Anthony and Totino Grace helped raise awareness and more than $2,000 by selling “Stick it to Cancer” T-shirts. Senior Captain Mary Herstel explained, “Doing what you can to help is what is important to the team. Many of our teammates have family or friends that have battled cancer, and we wanted to do our part.”
Four Season Skating Clinic Pictured with Irondale football coach Ben Fuller, Ronnie Trass will attend St. Cloud State and Ty Cobb will attend Bemidji State. Julia Hayes signed with the University of Minnesota to participate in track and field. Julia specializes in the hurdle events and has participated in state since eighth grade. She also anchored Irondale’s 2016 4×400 team which won state.
The Irondale/St. Anthony girls’ hockey team hosted their 18th annual youth skating clinic in December in which 82 second- and fourth-grade girls received skating lessons and participated in other fun service activities.
Together the Knights and the Four Seasons girls created 45 blankets to donate to the Children’s Hospital. The high school girls also brought their favorite childhood books and read them to the younger girls, then donated more than 100 books to the elementary school’s library. To commemorate the experience, the Knights gave their younger hockey buddies an Irondale hockey sweatshirt.
Triple A award
Swimming
Julia Hayes and Brendan White were named the Region 5AA Triple A award winners for excellence in Academics, Arts and Athletics.
Boys’ swimming finished fourth of eight teams in the Section 5AA Championship. Daniel Larson finished second and advanced to the State Meet.
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Top performers for drumline and color guard Irondale High School’s winter color guard and winter drumline co-curricular programs ranked second in Minnesota’s very competitive Scholastic A circuits. The winter drumline is an eight-time state champion and winter color guard is a 21-time state champion. Both activities are four-time national finalists.
Music Festivals feature All-Conference performers Irondale musicians participated in the Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) Music Festival hosted by Elk River High School in February. The Festival offered students the opportunity to pursue excellence in music performance, listen to music with understanding and celebrate the artistic achievements of other student musicians. Each school’s highest level ensemble performed at an all-day festival in front of other student musicians and a guest clinician who offered critical and supportive feedback to each group. The Festival’s grand finale concert was performed by All-Conference ensembles. All-Conference ensembles for band, choir and orchestra are select ensembles that are formed in October to rehearse together in January and February in preparation for the grand finale concert at the end of the Festival.
All-Conference Choir Pictured from left to right: (back row) Riley Wenisch, Kyle Doherty, Caden Pichotta, Williams Ebubeogu, (front row) Hannah Wiste, Maani Ekka, Nicole Clare, Megan Ruther, Lydia Sinn and Madi Nelson.
All-Conference Band All-Conference Orchestra From left to right: Maddy Marchiafava (cello), Ping Ping He (violin), Ryan Nguyen (violin), Whitney Onyancha (violin), Cecilia Alexander (viola) and Conner Brackeen (cello). Track co-curricular activities on your mobile devices. Search MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS in the app store.
Pictured from left to right: (back row) Kevin Ihnen (string bass), Julia Hayes (bass clarinet), Nick Seel (trumpet), Jason Spencer-Lima (trombone), Maria Heuring (percussion), Amanda Landwehr (trumpet), Grace Pearson (baritone), (front row) Elizabeth Hicok (flute), Amelia Aplikowski (flute), Ryan Seel (bassoon) and Victoria Tholkes (oboe).
Irondale Knights on Twitter @GoIrondale
For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at www.moundsviewschools.org/irondale.
facebook.com/ IrondaleHighSchool
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS & ACTIVITIES UPDATE
MOUNDS VIEW
Basketball Senior Sara Wendt scored her 1,000th point at the December 30 basketball game vs. Holy Angels.
Signings Skiing Alpine Skiers, Mounds View High School junior Kaarl Damberg and sophomore Amiina Ingah participated in the State Meet at Giants Ridge on Feb 14. Kaarl finished 19th. Amiina finished in 81st place.
On November 7, Jake Swallen (Wake Forest University), Elle Conlin (Boston University), Clare Schooley (University of Northern Iowa), Emma Bangert (University of North Dakota) and Sara Wendt (Bemidji State University) signed letters of intent for soccer..
Triple A award Grette Schmidt was named the Region 5AA Triple A award winner for excellence in Academics, Arts and Athletics.
Swimming
On November 8, Hannah Aitkin (University of South Dakota for swimming), Chelsea Allie (East Stroudsburg University for swimming), Josh Bonde (Grand View University for baseball), Michael Fahim (University of Minnesota for track & field, discus), Jade Fullerton (University of North Florida for volleyball) and Carly St. George (Murray State University for softball) signed letters of intent. Max Janes (right) signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Minnesota.
For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at www.moundsviewschools.org/moundsview.
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Mounds View High School swimmers Hannah Aitkin (12), Chella LaMere (12), Kaja Holtz (9) and Zoe Rylander (10) competed in the 200 Free Relay at the State Meet on November 17. Alli Misialek (10) competed at State in the backstroke.
Viewettes The Viewettes competed at the state tournament in February.
Football team donates to teens at the Quincy House Through the generosity of the Mounds View High School Football team, more than 15 teen boys at the Quincy House received gifts for Christmas. Boys who all come from single parent families where budgets are tight and there are not many extras, received new tennis shoes, socks, athletic wear, backpacks and much more thanks to donations from Mounds View High School football players and their families.
All-Conference musicians High school athletes mentor elementary-aged athletes Mounds View High School hosted baseball clinics for elementary school students. The free clinics offered young athletes a chance to work on their baseball technique and skills with varsity coaches and players. In the fall, the Mounds View High School football team hosted students in grades six to 12 who have participated in adaptive athletics or adaptive physical education for We Are One Football Camp. The peer-mentoring event offered students an opportunity to work together on football skills and drills. Supported by the Special Education Parent Professional Advisory Council (SEPPAC), the event was created to foster relationships and promote continued friendships among students.
Mounds View High School students participated in the Suburban East Conference (SEC) Music Festival in January at Stillwater High School.
All-Conference Mounds View High School choir students (pictured with fellow choir students) are sophomores Billy Booth, Bethany Kinney, Sylvia Elias, Mia Spieler, Andrew Springhorn, Rachael Wasson and seniors Jordan Bergstrom, Matthew Colbert, Jack O’Brien and Eliana Scheett.
All-Conference Band Thoger Boyum (alto sax), Akhil Chandra (trumpet), Garion Hall (trombone), Luke Hermanson (French horn), James Hong (trumpet), Cody Lachinsky (flute), Aaron Norlinger (French horn) and Bryan Park (trumpet).
All-Conference Orchestra Track co-curricular activities on your mobile devices. Search MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS in the app store. Find the Mounds View Mustangs on Twitter @GoMVMustangs Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/MoundsViewHighSchool
Liam Adams (viola), Callie Atwood (viola), Abigail Canero (bassoon), Collin Frink (violin), Daniel Frink (violin), Owen Hiskey (violin), Daniel Hong (cello), Yoo Jin Hwang (piccolo), Emily Imm (cello), Cameron Kolodjski (bass), Sunny Lim (violin), Andrew Seong (cello), Abby Swanson (bass) and Emma Wermager (French horn).
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The 34th Annual Mounds View EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Mounds View PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Independent School District 621 4570 Victoria St. N Shoreview, MN 55126
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO 4112
Chalkboard
CAPERS LOGO
ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW
Chalkboard Capers is a variety show presented annually by the Mounds View Education Association. District teachers and staff host the show to raise money for student scholarships for graduating seniors from Irondale High School, Mounds View High School, REACH Academy, Area Learning Center and Adult Basic Education. Each scholarship is for $621. The number of scholarships awarded depends on the financial success of the show.
The 2018 Chalkboard Capers show is slated for April 4 -7. Wednesday, April 4
5:15 p.m. (dress rehearsal)
Thursday, April 5
6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 6
6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 7
1:00 p.m. (kids’ show with prizes) and 6:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit www.moundsviewschools.org/chalkboardcapers or email chalkboardcapers@moundsviewschools.org.
Unable to attend the show? Other ways to contribute: • Send a monetary donation. • Donate new items or gift cards for the children’s or adult raffles. • Purchase a business card advertisement in the program for as little as $50. • Donate online by following this link: www.moundsviewschools.org/chalkboardcapersdonations. • Mail a check payable to the Chalkboard Capers Scholarship Program to the attention of Kelli Hofmeister at Turtle Lake Elementary School, 1141 Lepak Court, Shoreview, MN, 55126. For a receipt of donation and in-person contributions, visit the Mounds View Education Association office at 900 Long Lake Road, Suite 110, New Brighton, MN, 55112.