School Talk, Spring 2019

School Talk SPRING 2019

Sparking interests

New opportunities for high-demand, high-wage careers

ALSO INSIDE: CONSTRUCTION UPDATES • THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Preparing a highly Life after high school today looks more different than ever. And in Mounds View Public Schools, students are more prepared than ever too.

“The truth is, post-secondary success doesn’t mean the same thing for every student. And it shouldn’t,” says Jeff Business Ridlehoover, assistant superintendent. “It looks different for everybody. College looks different for everybody.

With 97 percent of our high school students enrolled in courses that offer post-secondary credit, we want Construction/ to make sure that all students have the opportunity Solar to work toward a post-secondary plan that they feel passionate about.”

PATHWAYS TO With that in mind, the District’s high schools POSSIBILITIES have added Pathways to Possibilities to its program line-up. Several years in the making, the Pathways program is in response to the current demand by employers for a highly skilled workforce in the trades Welding and other job fields.

“The goal is to help students determine the best pathway to success — whether that is a four-year degree or industry and occupational training,” says Michael Werner, Engineering/ post-secondary planning coordinator.

Manufacturing

Automotive

AA Degree

Six pathways To meet current and future employment needs, the District chose to focus on six pathways that are likely to lead to high-wage, high-demand jobs. In addition to the Early College associate of arts degree program in which students can graduate with a two-year degree, five additional paths are now available. Pathways in automotive, business, construction/solar, welding and engineering/manufacturing offer opportunities for experience, exposure and college credits in technical and career training programs.

On the cover:

High school senior Jenna Pearson was among the first group of students to participate in the welding course at Irondale High School. Welding was added in 2018-19 as part of the Pathways to Possibilities program.

Editors

Superintendent

Rachel Gutierrez Colin Sokolowski

Designer Susan Abbott

Photographers Rachel Gutierrez Greg Helgeson Lifetouch

Chris Lennox

2019 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.

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Students at both high schools have the opportunity to explore a variety of careers through specific coursework aligned to industry pathways. Exploration continues with exposure to industry experiences that allow students to follow their interests and prepare for further post-secondary study, training or work opportunities.

Working directly with their deans, students create a four-year plan which provides a roadmap of courses that is revisited throughout high school.

Students can enroll in one or more recommended Pathway core courses depending on interest areas. Pathways are flexible, not fixed, allowing students to take courses in any area of interest with no restrictions. Many courses offer the opportunity to earn free college credit.

skilled workforce Beyond the classroom

In addition to in-class opportunities, the District's community partnerships offer hands-on experience and exposure. Internships available to students through the Pathways program include engineering, marketing and human resources opportunities at a variety of local companies. Local businesses also participate in career fairs annually at both high schools.

As students explore their interests and work with high school deans to translate that interest into a potential career path, community partners are seeing opportunities to help develop the future workforce. “We are excited to see students showing interest in careers in engineering, manufacturing, IT, marketing and business analytics,” saysWissam Balshe, Systems & Controls Segment Director at Cummins.

“Partnering with Mounds View Public Schools has provided us opportunities to invite those students into Cummins to learn more about the day-to-day operations and help them see how their interest can translate to a career.”

Growing interest As the need for industry professionals grows, the Pathways program is also seeing growth. More than 600 District high school students have enrolled in Pathways courses in 20182019, and hundreds more have already enrolled for 2019-20.

The list of community partners is also growing with nearly 30 community organizations and local businesses helping to shape the Pathways program and bringing real-world work experience to students.

BY THE NUMBERS High school students have access to career and tech education courses that are transferable to a

total of colleges.

20

97 percent

of high school students enroll in courses that offer college credit.

600

More than students

have enrolled in Pathways classes in 2018 -19 and hundreds more have already enrolled

for 2019 -20.

Learn more or join Learn more about the Pathways program by watching the video posted at www.moundsviewschools.org/careerpathways.

To join the growing list of local business partners, contact Mindy Handberg, director of community partnerships, at 651-621-6094.

Nearly

250

More than students enrolled in automotive and welding classes in 2018 -19.

175

students enrolled in construction and engineering Pathways classes in 2018 -19. community organizations are helping to shape the Pathways program and bring real-world work experience to students.

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DIFFERENT STUDENTS...

Michaela Jones Mounds View senior

Irene Deng Mounds View senior

Braeden Woldt Irondale senior

Automotive Senior Michaela Jones is on track to earn an associate’s degree when she graduates from Mounds View High School this June.

Mounds View senior Irene Deng completed intro to engineering and design, a Pathways course designed to provide exposure to, and experience in, engineering. She plans to attend the University of Minnesota –Twin Cities to pursue mechanical engineering.

More than 90 percent of each graduating class earns college credits while in high school and, on average, nearly 70 percent of students earn one semester or more of college credits.

Kato Semakula Irondale freshman

As a freshman at Irondale High School, Kato Semakula also completed intro to engineering design.

He plans to continue to explore the engineering Pathway by enrolling in other engineering classes offered through the program.

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Irondale senior Braeden Woldt says he likes the Pathways classes because “they offer real-life experience.” He took the District's automotive class to explore his postsecondary options. While he isn't planning to become a mechanic after he graduates in June, he says that the class made him think about what he wants to do for his future.

DIFFERENT PATHS Luis Velasco Irondale senior

Chihiro Gustafson Mounds View senior

Rachel Jester Irondale senior

Chihiro Gustafson plans to major in entrepreneurship and marketing at the University of St. Thomas after he graduates from Mounds View High School this June. He participated in DECA for two years, and his business and marketing course line-up includes intro to marketing, advanced marketing, business management, interactive media and wealth building. He received a business and marketing certificate for his participation in business pathways at Mounds View. Chihiro was recently awarded the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship Innovation Scholarship.

Luis Velasco enrolled in Irondale High School’s new welding lab course in 2018-19. He is now considering welding as a postsecondary career that could potentially help him pay for college expenses or prepare him for wherever life takes him.

Through the Pathways program, Rachel Jester participated in Minnesota Trades Academy, a paid summer internship program where she was exposed to opportunities within the trades, including electrical, pipefitting and carpentry. “I walked on steel beams at the boilermakers, made a tubing system at the plumbers’ union and cut steel with the iron workers,” she said. She is now considering a career as an electrician.

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KEEPING PACE WITH SPACE

The excitement Thanks to support from voters, more than half of the District’s schools are breaking ground this spring to add much-needed space to better serve students.

Pike Lake Education Center

The new classrooms will feature collaborative spaces designed for flexibility and to foster staff and student engagement.

Island Lake Elementary School

The office expansion and renovation provides staff with increased visibility and a larger space for welcoming visitors.

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To view more images for all of the construction projects, visit www.moundsviewschools.org/facilities.

Bel Air Elementary School

The new front entry will provide a single secure entry point to the building, along with views to the exterior from the expanded cafeteria.

EPT CONC T NO

Edgewood Middle School

The community lobby provides a gathering space, and features views to the exterior, gym, pool and cafeteria expansion.

is building.

Irondale High School The new 650-seat auditorium will provide a contemporary facility for many student and community groups.

The new exterior will utilize a variety of materials to provide an updated face to the building.

S IMAGE FINAL

Mounds View High School The renovated commons will provide an updated gathering space as well as increased access to Kauls Court and the Auditorium.

The gymnasium addition will feature a four-station gym with windows that provide natural light into the space and frame views from the second-story walking track.

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A CLOSER LOOK Secondary schools examine ‘The student experience’ What’s the student experience really like in Mounds View’s secondary schools? Thanks to an independent and monthslong review, District leaders have a better idea.

After concluding an earlier review of Mounds View High School last spring, the District took a closer look at Irondale High School, Chippewa Middle School, Edgewood Middle School and Highview Middle School. With the help of consultants last fall, the District hosted a series of listening sessions at the four schools with nearly 600 students, staff and parents, and launched surveys that drew more than 4,000 respondents.

What did the schools learn?

Across all these schools, the District’s strong academic reputation continues to be a draw for families, and the majority of students say they feel supported by teachers or staff. At the same time, students are coming to school with a variety of social and emotional challenges, and many are unclear on how to access mental health support if needed.

“ When we talk about mental health, I think it will be a very slow change.”

and providing professional development to clarify staff expectations and processes around student mental health.

“Very few school districts reflect this thoughtfully and comprehensively,” says Dennis Cheesebrow, CEO of TeamWorks International. “Remember that the culture of schools develops over a long time, and changes don’t happen overnight.”

Students at Mounds View High School agree.

“When we talk about the topic of mental health, I think it will be a very slow change,” says senior Cadyn Jones. “Before there was a stigma. Now students are more open to talking about it. Personally I’ve felt a change.”

Today at Mounds View, deans are providing more information to students around mental health support, and they’ve launched a mental health speaking series for students and parents. Positive mental health messages greet students in the hallways with large floor decals, and a Be Kind to Your Mind video series has started some important conversations.

“The more that we release, the posters on the floor...the videos...That’s how open we’re making the forum for talking about mental health,” says Cadyn. “I think that’s a huge step forward.”

Videos start conversations

— Cadyn Jones, Mounds View senior Irondale’s results showed a strong sense of a welcoming community, pride in diversity and appreciation for a supportive staff. Other themes included a perception of receiving less support than Mounds View High School, an acceptance of disruptive behavior and favoritism for the more socially connected students.

In the middle schools, students and parents noted smooth transitions from elementary schools and an appreciation for strong academics and the variety of activities and opportunities available. Respondents also want to see a stronger culture of kindness, inclusion and tolerance for diversity – along with more clarity on mental health support and on homework and grading policies.

In response to the feedback, secondary schools are working with District staff to establish school-specific action plans and next steps. Plans include clarifying available supports

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Students helped the District create a series of videos for students addressing topics like balance, competition and success at Mounds View High School. Another student-written video shows parents why their words matter. Watch at www.moundsviewschools.org/bekindtoyourmind.

SCHOOL BOARD 2019 School Board

Enrollment update The Board reviewed an update of the District’s enrollment for first semester 2018-2019. Enrollment totals at the end of first semester were 11,422 as compared to 11,417 on October 1, 2018. Notably, enrollments for Irondale and Mounds View High School are nearly identical with Irondale enrolling 1,787 students and Mounds View enrolling 1,788 students. To view the entire enrollment report, visit the March 12 Board summary at www.moundsviewschools.org.

Legislative priorities

Front Row: Marre Jo Sager, Jonathan Weinhagen and Diane Glasheen. Back Row: Bob Helgeson, Sandra Westerman, Amy Jones and Shauna Bock.

Officers elected Every year at its first meeting in January, the School Board holds an organizational meeting to elect officers, make committee and school liaison assignments and settle other routine business. This year, the Board elected Jonathan Weinhagen as chair, Diane Glasheen as vice chair, Sandra Westerman as clerk and Bob Helgeson as treasurer.

At a January work session, School Board members discussed legislative priorities for the 2019 session with the District’s local legislators. These priorities were adopted at the January 8 Board meeting.

1. Allow locally-elected school boards to renew an existing operating levy referendum.

2. Increase the basic formula allowance by at least 2.5% per year, and align with inflation in the future.

3. Increase special education funding to lower the cross-subsidy.

To view more details on the legislative priorities for 2019, visit www.moundsviewschools.org/legislation.

Audit report praised In November, a representative from the audit firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A. reviewed the 2017-2018 audited financial statements and supplemental reports. During the presentation to the Board, the representative 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 In December, the Board approved a resolution to certify the 2019 property tax levy. The final certification will be forwarded to Ramsey County for processing of the final property tax statement. The tax statements are being sent out in March 2019. The property tax revenue will be available to the District for the 2019-2020 school year. The total levy amount is $50,387,865 which is 1.16 percent greater than the 2018 tax levy.

Superintendent Chris Lennox testifies in the House Education Policy Committee on a bill that would authorize school districts to renew expiring referendums. Copyright Minnesota House of Representatives. Photo by Paul Battaglia.

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EDUCATION FOUNDATION The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation works in collaboration with Mounds View Public Schools leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance opportunities for students throughout the District.

For more information on the Foundation visit www.mvsef.org.

New instruments for District students In January, Schmitt Music brightened the day of Mounds View Public Schools students with a delivery of 16 new instruments as part of the Schmitt Music Challenge. This challenge was set in place last fall during Rock the School House, the annual fundraising event for the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation (MVSEF).

Mark Bobnick and Allie Blake of Schmitt Music presented the instruments to band and orchestra students from Chippewa Middle School and Highview Middle School. Pictured from left to right (front row): Brita DePhillips, Abigail Casey, Brody Stefanik, Jordan Williams, (middle row) Schmitt Music’s Allie Blake, Gigi Goligowski, MVSEF Board member Ann Claridge, Isaiah Vazquez-Matze, Highview band instructor Andy Schmidt, Lydia Nau, (back row), Schmitt Music’s Mark Bobnick, Chippewa Middle School band instructor Paul Gronert, Graham Hutchcroft and Superintendent Chris Lennox.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Blois Olson Blois Olson, a well-known media commentator and a 1990 graduate of Mounds View High School, will be the keynote speaker for MVSEF’s eighth annual Partnering for Education Luncheon on April 30.

Schools. He speaks with great fondness of the opportunities that were available to him during those years and the teachers at every level who had an impact on him. He is particularly grateful to teachers who, during times when he was experiencing challenges outside of school, helped him discover “how to get the best out of myself.”

After working with several political campaigns after college, Olson started his first company at age 26 and has continued to work in public relations, communication and media. He is currently the founder and CEO of Fluence Media, a media design and consulting company. He is a regular political commentator on WCCO radio as well as other local and national media and news organizations. He was named one of the Top Marketers in 2012 by Minnesota Business magazine and one of “200 Minnesotans You Should Know” by Twin Cities Business magazine in 2011.

While a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, in his first political science class, Olson shared thoughts and insights on various models of government around the world.

When asked by the professor where he had learned about comparative government, the answer was obvious — Mounds View High School. Olson knew then that he had been betterprepared for university study than many of his classmates.

Olson grew up in Shoreview and takes great pride in having spent his public education years in Mounds View Public

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Olson speaks positively of the many relationships that he still has with former teachers and classmates. He has continued to believe in and demonstrate the value of “getting the best out of one’s self” as he has grown professionally and personally. Olson is making a difference by modeling the art of listening and effective communication, serving the public’s need to be informed.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION Youth programming gets a boost

Stay connected

This fall, nearly 650 community members participated in a survey about Community Education programs. This feedback from parents and community members, combined with recommendations developed by a Community Education Task Force in 2017-2018, have helped to fuel Youth Activities programming development.

Through the fall Community Education survey, community members indicated that the biggest barrier to participation was lack of information.

In response to this feedback, a monthly Community Education e-newsletter was introduced to keep families updated on the latest news and events. Parents of students enrolled in Mounds View Public Schools are auto-subscribed to these newsletters. Community members can sign-up for e-news updates by visiting www.moundsviewschools.org/SubscribeCommunityEd.

New programming In 2018, Community Education announced additional before- and after-school offerings for students in grades K-8.

Non-school-day field trips and family movie nights were also added to the program line-up.

In response to the more than 70 percent of survey respondents interested in summer youth programming, new half-day and all-day camp offerings were advertised in the summer youth activities catalog mailed to all families in February. Registration for summer programs opened March 1. In fall of 2019, Community Education plans to reintroduce adult enrichment courses.

New look A new Community Education logo and website launched this fall. Visit the website at www.moundsviewschools.org/CommunityEducation to learn more about adult and youth activities offerings, Early Childhood programs, Adult Education opportunities, community events and concerts, food resources and more.

Community Education catalogs will be delivered to residents’ mailboxes. Summer catalogs hit mailboxes around February.

Fall catalogs will arrive by August.

Find the catalogs online at www.moundsviewschools.org/PublicationsCommunityEd. Like Community Education on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MoundsViewCommunityEducation Follow Community Education on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MVCommunityEd

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Mill City String Quartet to perform

5880 RICE CREEK PKWY SHOREVIEW

The Mill City String Quartet will perform on Friday, March 29, at 7 p.m. in the Mounds View High School

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 AT 9 A.M.

The Mill City String Quartet is the Twin Cities’ most vibrant and innovative string quartet.

Tickets are on a pay-what-youcan basis in advance (suggested $10 for adults, $5 for students/ seniors). Tickets will also be available at the door.

This concert is supported by a generous grant from Minnesota Public Radio.

Music at

Mounds View

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Auditorium located at 1900 Lake Valentine Road in Arden Hills.

& WALK FOR YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

Join Mounds View Public Schools families and friends for a Family Fun Run & Walk to benefit Community Education youth scholarships.

The event will feature a 5K run/walk and a 1K kids run. www.moundsviewschools.org/RegisterCommunityEd

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AROUND THE DISTRICT

Seasonal Celebrations Costume parties

Kindergarten students paraded in the Snail Lake Education Center gymnasium in October to show off Halloween costumes ranging from policemen and pirates to doughnuts and puppies.

Students weren’t the only ones enjoying costume parties in October. Teachers and staff joined in the fun.

Natasha Johnson’s classroom at Pike Lake Education Center was filled with characters on Halloween including a unicorn, superheroes and more.

Snail Lake principal Kristi Abbott participated in the Halloween parade and posed for pictures with students like Benjamin Gutierrez.

The front office at Turtle Lake Elementary School got into character to greet students on Halloween.

Highview Middle School teachers dressed in construction gear to celebrate the recent facilities updates.

Spreading holiday cheer

Turtle Lake Elementary School’s student council stuffed 60 pairs of wool socks with hats, lip balm, hand warmers, snacks and other much-needed items for their Holiday Stocking Project in December. The socks were donated to the Hope Street homeless shelter in Minneapolis.

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A walk around the solar system

Entrepreneur returns to Irondale Justin Davis, a 2017 Irondale High School graduate, was among a group of young professionals who visited members of Irondale’s STRIPES (Students Together Respecting the Importance and Purpose of Education in Schools) group in December to speak about careers in fashion, photography and entrepreneurship. As an Irondale student, Justin started designing clothing and eventually launched a brand inspired by the city with a vision to bring youth together.

His company, 4TheCityClothing (www.4thecity.co), gave students T-shirts, gift cards and raffled off a pair of shoes. The STRIPES program at Irondale includes 78 young men learning and understanding the importance of leadership and post-secondary success on a daily basis. Justin is a former member of STRIPES.

Every year, on the Wednesday before MEA weekend, specialists at Island Lake Elementary School bring all classes together for a fall walk to a nearby park, Lake Judy. This year, the walk included a scale model of the solar system to view along the way.

Author visit promotes inclusion Author and speaker Jonathan Friesen visited Edgewood Middle School in February. He spoke about growing up with Tourette syndrome and epilepsy. Friesen encouraged all students to say hello to someone they normally don’t talk to and stressed the importance of making everyone visible.

The walk started at school with the sun and ended more than 700 meters away at Neptune (Lake Judy). Pictured: fourth-graders Ayana D’Souza, Molly Kulzer, Tyler Arndt and Kayla Kearin.

Gamelan moves to Pinewood Elementary School At elementary schools throughout the District, students in grades three, four and five were introduced to the Indonesian Gamelan this fall. A partnership with artist in residence Joko Sutrisno, the artistic director of Sumunar Gamelan and Dance Ensemble, has given students at Island Lake Elementary School, Sunnyside Elementary School and Bel Air Elementary School an opportunity to play the non-western ensemble percussion instrument.

The residency program continued to reach students District-wide as it traveled to Pinewood Elementary School this winter and continues to Valentine Hills Elementary School and Turtle Lake Elementary School this school year. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Watch a video of Pinewood Elementary School students playing the Gamelan at www.moundsviewschools.org/pinewoodgamelan.

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AROUND THE DISTRICT

Laurentian welcomes all ages 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.

Nearly 25 adults, ages 50 and over, participated in Laurentian’s second annual winter edition of Young at Heart. Indoor and outdoor activities kept the group busy during their four-day stay.

Karma Khando, Sophia Bradway and Amelia Garbe were among 119 Bel Air students who participated in the school’s fifth-grade trip in September.

Turtle Lake fifth-graders like Jayden Bitz participated in winter activities including ice fishing and cross-country skiing during a class trip in December.

Valentine Hills fifth-graders Isaiah Petschel, Jamez Petterson and Jaeden Nguyen went geocaching at Laurentian in February.

Book your own program 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.

Early Childhood Screening 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.

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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 Denise.Bolander@moundsviewschools.org.

Operation Joy yields 3,000 gifts The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf collected and distributed more than 3,000 gifts during its annual Operation Joy Toy Shop that benefits Mounds View Public Schools families.

Thanks to 70 community volunteers and donations from area churches, schools, businesses, clubs, individuals and Toys for Tots, 865 children (ages birth to grade 12) 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. During the holiday season, District schools and staff helped to raise 11,000 pounds of food, more than $12,000 and assorted toys and gifts for the food shelf.

Thank you to all who support this important program!

Stay connected in 2019 Stay connected to the District and its schools by downloading the free Mounds View Public Schools app. Find the app in the App Store or on Google Play to receive the latest news and updates. Search Mounds View Public Schools to download the app.

Donate before April 8 Minnesota FoodShare is a statewide media campaign that raises hunger awareness and promotes donations to local food shelves. A portion of all pounds of food and dollars donated to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf between February 25 and April 8 will be matched by Minnesota FoodShare. The District’s goal is to bring in 95,000 pounds of food and dollars (combined) to directly benefit families in the Mounds View Public Schools community via the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf.

Escape Room Challenge Edgewood Middle School students demonstrated their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) Thinker’s Mindsets in December when they hosted an Escape Room Challenge for the community. Showcasing their creativity, Edgewood sixth-graders presented challenging puzzles for Escape Room Challenge participants to solve. The event welcomed Edgewood and Irondale students and their families, along with school and District employees.

Ways you can help: 1. Drop off food or hygiene donations at any participating school throughout the District or at the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf (2544 Mounds View Blvd., Mounds View, 55112) Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Visit www.ralphreederfoodshelf.org for a list of mostneeded items.

2. Make a cash or online donation. For every dollar donated, the Food Shelf can purchase up to $8 worth of food. Checks can be made out to the Ralph Reeder Food Shelf and mailed to 2544 Mounds View Blvd.

Mounds View, MN, 55112. Questions?

Call 651-621-6280.

Edgewood sixth-graders Eden Rios, Ruth Mechah and Jada Grant with Superintendent Chris Lennox and Angie Peschel, director of curriculum and instruction.

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AROUND THE DISTRICT Coding curriculum introduced at elementary schools Mounds View Public Schools students are among the first in the state to start learning computational thinking skills as early as kindergarten. The District’s comprehensive K-12 coding program introduces coding and computational strategies in elementary school and continues to build on those skills through middle and high school. In high school, students have opportunities to earn AP credits in computer science principles.

Sunnyside Elementary School staff participated in code.org training this fall to bring the coding experience to elementary school students.

Community gathers for IZI More than 80 people gathered at Valentine Hills Elementary School in October for the school’s Intentional Social Interaction event. Also known as an IZI or Izzy, the Intentional Social Interaction event model was created with inclusion in mind. Families are invited to share a meal and discuss relevant and timely topics in an environment designed to make everyone feel comfortable and included in the school community. Fore more information, visit www.moundsviewschools.org/izi.

Student leaders who helped to host second- and fifth-grade families at the fall event include (back row left to right) Geoverny Mogaka, Chloae Tinerella, June Wise, Jaelie MIller, Lyric RIchardson-Smith, Jefferson Chi-Awah, (front) Maryam Alatbee, Lydia Vanderbilt, Broder Nelson and Jontaye Anderson.

CLIMB Theatre visits Pinewood Pinewood Elementary School partnered with CLIMB Theater recently to bring interactive lessons about accountability to every classroom.

Students in grades one through five were encouraged to find confidence and success by holding themselves and others accountable.

Actors engaged students in role-play exercises and presentations that focused on how accountability promotes awareness that we all make mistakes and that we all deserve credit for our successes. Students learned that accountability offers opportunities to acknowledge failures and adjust behavior accordingly.

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WITH HONORS Teacher of the Year

Mounds View students win World Series of Innovation Challenge

Mounds View Public Schools teacher Diane Shaw was named the 2018 Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Minnesota Society of Health and Physical Educators (MNSHAPE). The award honors Shaw, who teaches adapted physical education at Irondale and Mounds View High School, for her outstanding services and contributions in adapted physical education.

She was recognized at the 2018 MNSHAPE Conference in Minneapolis in early November.

Mounds View High School students Hufsa Ahmed, Michael Cao, Vicky Li and Diana Zhu were awarded the top spot at the World Series of Innovation challenge, a global online competition that challenges small teams to imagine creative solutions for meeting the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More than 2,000 people ages 13-24 from around the world participated in the fall 2018 challenges. Mounds View High School’s team was named the Moody’s Responsible Consumption Challenge Winner for their team development of Solupal Bags, a water-soluble and eco-friendly alternative shopping bag that eliminates the need to use — and the waste caused by — plastic shopping bags.

Service to Youth Awards Penny Howard, Edgewood Middle School principal, and District students Mariana Chavez (Irondale) and Sanjana Dutt (Mounds

Hufsa Ahmed

Michael Cao

Vicky Li

View) were recognized in February as 2019 NYFS Service to Youth Award winners.

Diana Zhu

Mounds View students to compete at State DECA Conference A record number of Mounds View High School DECA participants qualified for the State Career Development Conference this spring after taking some of the top spots in their events. Of the 47 Mounds View student competitors, 29 made it to State.

DECA enterprise wins Gold Level status Mounds View High School’s schoolbased enterprise DECA store was one of only 18 school stores in Minnesota, and fewer than 500 nationwide, to receive Gold Level status for 2019.

Mounds View’s DECA chapter will be recognized at DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Orlando in April.

Irondale speech team wins top spots Irondale High School’s speech team won first place at the Andover tournament and a second place at the Champlin Park tournament recently. Anna Lau was awarded first place in the Extemporaneous Reading category in all but one of her tournaments this season.

Mounds View students Lily WillierO’Connor and Josiah Wiest worked on the recertification that earned the group Gold Level status.

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WITH HONORS SkillsUSA

Spotlight awards

Mounds View High School senior Vidhya Mallikarjunan and freshman Jacqueline Pennington were elected to serve as 2019 state

The Spotlight Education Program, sponsored by The Hennepin Theater Trust, awarded Irondale High School drama students top honors for their presentation of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” recently. Under the direction of Janet Paone, the group will perform at the State Theater in June. Students who received individual awarded recognition are Bex Williams and Emily Hensley for outstanding actress in a leading role. Honorable mention awards went to Abigail Moredock, Caden Pichotta and Joe Sorenson. Technical theater award winners are John Krejchick for lighting design, Anjolie Lo for stage management and Madeleine Nelson for choreography. Evaluator shout outs to Alan Gonzalez, Sophia Haugen and Grace Whiting.

officers for SkillsUSA Minnesota.

Vidhya Mallikarjunan was elected SkillsUSA Minnesota vice president.

Jacqueline Pennington was SkillsUSA Minnesota elected treasurer.

Shoreview Human Rights Commission Awards Island Lake fourth-grader Kavya Patel was awarded second place in the Shoreview Human Rights Commission’s fourth-grade Community of Many Colors poster contest. Ethan Berge took sixth place. Posters will be displayed at the Shoreview Community Center.

State Honor Jazz Band Chippewa Middle School student Jace Blood (pictured with Chippewa band director Paul Gronert) was selected to perform as a member of the 2019 MBDA State Honor Jazz Band at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Midwinter Clinic.

Jace plays the baritone saxophone.

Brain Bee winner Mounds View High School junior Kimberly Shen placed first at the Minnesota Brain Bee State Competition and will compete at the National Competition in Maryland in April. MVHS junior Aunika Zheng took second place at the State Competition.

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Robotics teams win at State Cogset, a Mounds View High School FTC robotics team, competed at the State Tournament in February. The team won awards for their robot design and also for their use of 3D printing in the robot. Cogset finished in the top 5 percent of teams in the state (out of 199 teams) and won a spot at the FIRST Worlds Robotics Championships in April.

BERZERK, a LEGO League robotics team from Chippewa Middle School, competed at the State Tournament in late February. They were awarded second place in the creative presentation and robot performance categories, and placed second in the head-to-head competition. The team was ranked third place overall (out of 663 teams statewide) and will be competing at the World Championships in April.

Pictured from left to right (front row) Claire O’Quinn, Anisha D’Souza, Anuva Borgaonkar, (back row) Soren Miller, Cody Whalen and Max Kingsbury.

Mounds View High School seniors Grant Altenhofen, Ashir Gupta, Akash D’Souza and Saurav Ghosh will compete against other FIRST Tech Challenge robotics teams from around the world.

Quiz Bowl champions Mounds View High School’s Quiz Bowl A Team became the Minnesota High School Quiz Bowl League Champions. The team lost only one game the entire season, finishing with the best record of all the teams in Minnesota.

Sophomore Shardul Rao also won an award for being the highest scoring player in the Championships.

Edgewood Middle School’s Quiz Bowl A Team placed fourth out of 40 teams at a recent meet at Burnsville High School, earning them a spot at Shardul Rao Nationals in Chicago in May. McCullen Willmert placed first individually out of 183 competitors.

The A Team pictured from left to right: (back row) Isaac Boldt, teacher Daniel Perucco, McCullen Willmert, Carolyn Waterhouse, Leo Walther, Alex Stevenson, Ross Baumgard, (middle row): Gannon Willmert, Puna Ekka, Cy Treuenfels, Alla Killins, JJ Fleischer, teacher Zoe Kourajian, (kneeling) Ella Johnson, Lily Thai, Sarah Gunderson, Cailin Donahue and (front) Liam Parlin.

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WITH HONORS

All-Conference student musicians District students participated in the SEC (Mounds View) and NWSC (Irondale) Music Festivals in February. The festivals strive to provide students with 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 performs at an all-day festival in front of other student musicians and a guest clinician who gives critical and supportive feedback to each group.

All-Conference ensembles for band, choir and orchestra are made up of select students from each school that rehearse together on Sunday afternoons in January and February in preparation for a Grand Finale Concert at the end of the festival.

The following select students participated in the SEC and NWSC All-Conference Music Festival ensembles.

NWSC All-Conference band

SEC All-Conference band

NWSC All-Conference orchestra

Mounds View High School students Melina Canas (bass clarinet), Charlotte Hamilton (flute), Bennett Johnson (euphonium BC), Emmanuel Mongare (trombone), David Nara (baritone saxophone), Caleb Newberg (tuba), Sierra Weirens (French horn) and Mitchell Zaic (euphonium BC) were named.

Irondale students Elizabeth Hicok (flute), Jack Nugent (trombone), Jason Spencer-Lima (euphonium), Emily Cho (trumpet), Tallis King (flute), Grace Pearson (euphonium), (front row) Caitlyn Tinerella (bassoon), Mattison Glaser (horn), Ryan Seel (bassoon), Hannah Stoehr (flute), Callie Kivi (clarinet) and (not pictured) Theo Koefod (string bass).

SEC All-Conference orchestra Mounds View High School students Emily Bank (cello), Luke Hermanson (French horn), Owen Hiskey (violin 1), Amina Knapp (violin 1), Daniel Knapp (cello), Cameron Kolodjski (bass), Antonio Marino (violin 2), Sydney Menne (viola), Medha Nayak (violin 2), Kevin Nelson (violin 2), Leah Orman (French horn), Amelia Podolny (cello), Maya Strike (violin 2), Abigail Swanson (bass) and Aunika Zheng (violin 1) were named All-Conference for orchestra.

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Irondale students Amanda Hertzel (violin), Alicia Joswiak (violin), Lorne Mildenberger (viola), Murah Hsiung (viola), Annabelle Hosmer (cello) and Leah Morris (violin).

All-Conference choirs

NWSC choir: Irondale students DJ Jones (alto), Mina McKinney (soprano), Lauren Ocel (alto), Alicia VanDale (alto), (front row) Emily Ryan (soprano) and Maani Ekka (soprano).

SEC choir: Mounds View High School students named All-Conference for choir are Marie Akins (alto 2), Billy Booth (tenor 2), Sylvia Elias (soprano 2), Katie Hahn (alto 2), Ryan Imm (tenor 1), Matthew Kolasa (tenor 2), Merrick McFarling (bass), Jedidiah Pratt (baritone), Alaina Sandau (soprano 1), Mia Spieler (alto 2) and Andrew Springhorn (bass).

Irondale choir honors

Translation assistance

On February 16, Irondale seniors Emily Hensley and Gabriella Quintanilla (pictured with the conductor, Jennaya Robison) participated in the Minnesota All-State SSAA Choir at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

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.

Irondale sophomores Anders Holst, Eddie Renshaw, Natasha Vigoren and Stella Collins were selected to

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.

perform for the 2018-19 ninth- and tenth-grade State Honors Choir.

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.

Eddie Renshaw, Natasha Vigoren and Stella Collins (pictured left) after the performance at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on February 14.

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.

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS UPDATE

IRONDALE Signings The following students signed Letters of Intent:

Wrestling The wrestling team ended the season with 22 wins which was a new Irondale record.

Charlie Dojan and Nik Strasser received All-Conference honors. Notable season records for wrestling include John Bendix (28-17), Charlie Dojan (39-7), Michael Buffington (26-13), Nik Strasser (35-5), John LaBelle (15-3), Marvin Lamin (26-14) and Ashton Singer (19-17). Wrestling to 15 wins or more were Antonio Jensen, Chris Curtis and Jacob McClellen.

Triple A award ​Analise Scamehorn and Zikora Izuora were named the Region 5AA Triple A award winners for excellence in Academics, Arts and Athletics.

Kaley Waldemar (track and field at South Dakota State), McKenna Clouse (basketball at Waldorf University) and Jeff Sandkuhler (cross country at University of Sioux Falls).

Aden Price committed to Saint John’s University (MN) and became the seventh boys’ basketball player in Irondale history to join the 1,000 point club. He did it in a thrilling 75-72 victory over Spring Lake Park on February 5, scoring 32 points in the game.

Gymnastics Parker Frieberg committed to Bellarmine University for lacrosse, a division 1 school for lacrosse in Louisville, Ky.

Irondale hosted the 5AA Section meet in February where Irondale/Spring Lake Park took fifth of seven teams. Freshman Amber Pietruszewski qualified for State on both beam and bars.

Josh Apperson (football at Evangel University), Tyler Martin (football at Concordia St. Paul), Kahlan Jester (basketball at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) and Analise Scamehorn (softball at Concordia St. Paul).

Track co-curricular activities on your mobile devices.

Search MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS in the app store.

Irondale Knights on Twitter @GoIrondale facebook.com/ IrondaleHighSchool

For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at www.moundsviewschools.org/irondale.

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Nordic Skiing In December, both boys’ and girls’ Nordic ski teams had many top team finishes in Conference competitions including Nathan Gahr, Declan Rodefeld, Carlos Momsen, Jeff Sandkuhler, Simon Alexander, Tommy Davis, Chris Gottwaldt, Elizabeth VanLoon, Zella Fruzyna, Katherine Gottwaldt, Dasha Fruzyna, Kari McKay, Iva Hammitt and Kaisa Stolen.

MOUNDS VIEW Swimming

Skiing

Viewettes

Girls’ swimming took second place at the Section tournament and took seven swimmers to State. Overall, the team placed 34 in the State meet. Senior Sofie Sjogren, and juniors Megan West, Annie Moen and Zoe Rylander broke a school record for the 200 freestyle relay.

Alpine skier Kaarl Damberg took first place at the State Tournament in February. His season includes a first place win at Sections, first place in the Wild Mountain Invitational and runner-up in the Buck Hill Invitational. He was also named the Suburban East Conference winner this season, placing first in all four meets.

In February, the Viewettes dance team competed at the state tournament where they performed in the jazz competition.

Wrestling Senior Rowan Morgan made his 100th pin at the February 5 wrestling match.

Rowan Morgan

Triple A award Michael Cao was named the Region 5AA Triple A award winner for excellence in Academics, Arts and Athletics.

State preliminary swimmers are Serena Chan (200 medley relay), Alli Misialek (200 medley relay, 100 back and fly), Elly Lynch (200 medley relay) and Annie Moen (200 freestyle).

Michael Cao

Signings On February 6, the following students signed Letters of Intent:

Gymnastics

Petro Alex (tennis at the University of North Dakota), Nate Farm (football at Michigan Tech University), Austin Streit (track & cross country at the University of Minnesota) and Xavier Zengue (soccer at the University of Dayton).

The girls’ gymnastics team took fourth place at the 4AA Section Finish. Taylor Siebenaler (all-around) and Anelise Stamper (beam) qualified for the State Gymnastics Meet Individual Competition.

Find the Mounds View Mustangs on Twitter @GoMVMustangs Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/MoundsViewHighSchool For the most up-to-date news, visit the Activities and Athletics website at www.moundsviewschools.org/moundsview.

Track co-curricular activities on your mobile devices.

Search MOUNDS VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS in the app store.

Mounds View High School’s Section team of Taylor Siebenaler, Becca Laursen, team captain Abi Corbo, team captain Anelise Stamper and Carly Bazille.

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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 ANNUAL VARIETY SHOW

35th Chalkboard Capers 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 2019 Chalkboard Capers show is slated for April 3-6.

Performances Wednesday, April 3, 5:15 p.m. (dress rehearsal) Thursday, April 4, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 5, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 6, 1 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.