Reaching EVERYbody!
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Newsleader Sartell-St. Stephen
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 33 Est. 1995
Town Crier Design contest looking for artists
Sprout, the organization which coordinates Farm-toSchool for six Central Minnesota school districts, is looking for folks within 100 miles of Little Falls to help design four new T-shirts. All ages are encouraged to enter the contest. The T-shirt designs are meant to intrigue interest in local food, local art, cultural diversity and placemaking. Designs will be printed on Sprout-wear to help spread the word about Sprout’s mission and attract guests to the food and art facility in Little Falls. Preference will be given to designs which embody the variety of cultures in our region, specifically Amish, Latino, Somali, Tribal, Growers and Youth, which could also include the use of multi-languages. The winning designs and the four new T-shirts will be unveiled this fall, for sale to the public at the first autumn market on Oct. 28. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Aug. 25 Criers.
VA seeks escorts
St. Cloud VA needs volunteers to assist veterans who are confined to wheelchairs as they move across the campus to their appointments. Flexible shifts available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Volunteers are also needed to assist veterans with navigating to and from their PT or OT appointments. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Aug. 25 Criers.
Sartell girl finishes two reading marathons by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
At the tender age of 6, Amaa Wijetunga of Sartell has read more books – way more books – than almost any adult on the planet. Two-thousand books, to be exact. Yes, that’s correct: 2,000 books. The first thousand or so were read to her by her mother, but the other thousand books she read mostly all by herself. Amaa (pronounced Amah) is one of three daughters of Gayathri and Mevan Wijetunga. Mevan is a cardiologist with CentraCare, and Gayathri is a stay-at-home mom. The other daughters are Avanthi, 13; and Nivanthi, 11. All three daughters have always loved to read, but especially Amaa. Mevan and Gayathri hail from Sri Lanka, the island country just off the southern tip of India. They came to the United States in 1999, first to Maryland and then to Sar-
tell in 2006. Gayathri, an extremely avid and active library supporter, is a member of the Sartell Friends of the Library, an organization that has long advocated for a branch library in the City of Sartell. Growing up in Sri Lanka, Gayathri was painfully aware of the lack of libraries and the difficulty in gaining access to the ones that did exist. In America, she was determined her children would be able to make visits to a library, even if that meant driving to the St. Cloud Library where they could partake in Story Time and other fun-and-educational activities. Sometimes it was very difficult because she had to be sure to try to schedule her trips so there would be something for each of the daughters to do in their respective age groups on the same library-visitation day. It was at the St. Cloud Public Library that Gayathri and Amaa, Reading • back page
contributed photo
Bundled up in a cozy blanket, Amaa Wijetunga immerses herself in yet another exciting storybook. Her mother read to her 1,000 books. The second 1,000 books Amaa read all by herself.
School board moves forward in filling vacancy by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
The key item on the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board agenda on Aug. 21 was to move forward with the next step in filling the board seat vacated when Michelle Meyer moved out of the district. In order to accomplish that, the board adjourned to a different room and held a separate special meeting to select the candidates. The Sartell-St. Stephen School
District School Board nominated three candidates to be interviewed for its open seat. Amanda Byrd, Taryn Gentile and Jeremy Snoberger are the three candidates who will be interviewed. Once the interview process is completed, the board will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 29 to determine which candidate will fill the open seat. The selected candidate will begin service 30 days after the appointment and will fulfill Meyer’s term
through November 2018.
Other issues
The board heard reports on the remodeling and construction process. Pine Meadow remodeling is nearly finished with a few small things to complete. The bird metal at Pine Meadow is being installed and should be finished by week’s end. The bird metal is to prevent the barn swallows from building nests and soiling the school. Air conditioning
should be ready for the opening of the school year. Bids were taken on high school construction on Aug. 17. That project is moving along at a steady pace and things are progressing despite the rains. School District Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert invited board members to take a tour to view the construction site for the new high school and the improvements to the site at Pine Meadow. Vacancy • page 4
Volleyball, life skills taught here
Volunteers sought at sexual assault center
Volunteers at the Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center will assist in a variety of day-to-day tasks necessary to continue its commitment to providing free, victim-centered and non-judgmental services to victims of sexual assault as well as to their families and friends. Volunteers also assist staff in fulfilling CMSAC’s commitment to providing quality professional training and community education/outreach regarding the topic of sexual violence. This would include tabling at events, fairs, speaking engagements and more. For more information, visit thenewsleaders. com and click on Aug. 25 Criers.
Postal Patron
by Dave DeMars news@thenewsleaders.com
Bump! Set! Dink! Bump! Set! Slam! Kill!
photo by Dave DeMars
Coach Sarah Hornseth looks on as senior Bailey Dumonceaux spots the ball just in time to make a bump and pass to the setter.
If those words aren’t familiar to you, or if they cause a bit of alarm because of their aggressive sounds – not to worry. That and a whole lot more are all part of the lexicon of volleyball. Ask any of the girls on the Sartell volleyball team and they will tell you what each one means, and then they will probably volunteer to show you how each movement is performed. It’s late summer now, and this past week was the first week of practice for the Sartell volleyball team. Some of the girls have
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been playing all summer in different leagues or in pick-up games. Some are coming back and have to sharpen the skills learned in past years. But all of them have desire, energy and a passion to play the game. On the second day of practice, coach Sarah Hornseth, in her fourth year coaching varsity volleyball, is high on this year’s team. “You can tell today there is just a lot of energy in the gym. Kids are excited to be here and that is what we want,” Hornseth said. “We want them to be here because they love to be here.” And they do love it. Practice is over and a half dozen girls are still on the floor. Some are Skills • page 5
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Blotter
If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301, or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for a crime. This information is
submitted by the Sartell Police Department. July 25 10:43 a.m. Traffic stop. 300 block of Riverside Avenue S. While parked and running stationary radar, an officer observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The officer clocked the vehicle in at 49 mph. The officer initiated a traffic stop
on the vehicle and the vehicle finally stopped in the 100 block of Second Street S. The officer identified the driver and advised her of the reason for the stop. The driver admitted to speeding and was cited for the violation. 5:43 p.m. Traffic stop. 207 CR 120. While sitting stationary in the Walmart parking lot, an officer observed a vehicle
Jaeger Johnson of Sartell was among the Granite City Gearheads Robotics Team, which competed July 2021 in the 2017 Gitchi Gummi Get Together in Duluth, and came home with the first-place trophy. Twenty-two FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics teams (20 from Minnesota and two from Michigan) competed in rotating alliances of three teams each. The alliances were randomly generated, and changed for every match during the qualification rounds. For the elimination phase of the competition, the top four teams in ranking chose their alliance partners. The Gearheads were ranked #3 and chose team
2846 (the Firebears from Roseville,), and team 2512 (the host team, from East High School in Duluth). The Gearhead alliance won the competition. The Gearhead team is composed of high school students, from the St. Cloud area, and their adult mentors. The Gearheads have been a part of FIRST Robotics since the 2010 season. This was the Gearhead’s first time to be an “alliance captain” and our second time as part of a winning alliance at a FIRST competition.. FIRST Robotics is an international robotics program created by inventor Dean Kamen for the purpose of fostering interest STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), and developing STEM skills among students.
This years game theme was FIRST Streamworks. Teams built robots that load plastic gears onto an assembly to turn rotors, shoot wiffle balls into a “boiler,” and climb ropes. The robots are operated autonomously for the first 15 seconds of the match, then human drivers take control. For more about the Granite City Gearheads, go to their website www.granitecitygearheads. com or contact them at granitecitygearheads@gmail.com. For more about FIRST Robotics, go to their website www. firstinspires.org.
People
Rebecca Sylte of St. Stephen recently received her bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation and human services from the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
exit the parking lot and make a right-hand turn onto CR 120. The officer observed the vehicle’s license plate tabs were expired. The officer ran the vehicle’s plate through NCIC and discovered the registered owner also had a revoked license. The officer stopped the vehicle as it pulled into Sam’s Club parking lot. The officer identified the driver and advised him of the reason for the stop. The driver admitted to knowing his tabs were expired. The officer asked the driver for proof of insurance and the driver stated he had no insurance on the vehicle. The driver was cited for driving after revocation, no insurance and gross misdemeanor tax evasion. The officer advised the driver he would need to phone a ride and the vehicle would have to be parked until it had current tabs and insurance. July 26 7:56 p.m. Welfare check. 10th Avenue N. Officers were dispatched to check on a female party who was experiencing a mental-health issue. Upon arrival, an officer contacted the complainant by phone to gather more information. The officer learned the female party had a history of mental-health issues. Officers made contact with the female party. The female was having problems breathing and was at the point of passing out. Officers administered oxygen and attempted to calm the woman in order to slow her breathing.
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 Officers requested Gold Cross Ambulance but were advised no units were available. Officers transported the female to the St. Cloud Hospital once her breathing was slowed. The female was left in the care of medical staff. 11:13 p.m. Assist agency. River Oaks Lane. An officer was in the area of River Oaks Lane when he heard Stearns County dispatching an overdose. The officer advised he would assist on the call and arrived on scene first. The officer located a male party lying on the floor. The patient had a faint pulse and was not breathing. The officer was advised the male had injected heroin. The officer administered Narcan in an attempt to counteract the drugs. The officer didn’t observe any response and administered a second dose of Narcan after approximately 30 seconds. A Stearns County Deputy arrived on scene and assisted the patient with breathing using a bag valve mask. The patient regained consciousness soon afterward. Gold Cross arrived on scene and officers assisted with loading the patient for transport to the St. Cloud Hospital. July 27 10:30 a.m. Ordinance violation. First Street N. An officer was dispatched for a report of junk items sitting on a property for more than a month. The officer drove by the residence and observed a pile of items including animal cages, tube TVs and a car seat. The officer made contact
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Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 with the homeowner by phone. The homeowner apologized and stated the items were left there in hopes someone would pick them up. The homeowner stated the items would be taken care of and removed from the property. 9:53 p.m. Welfare check. Third Street S. Officers were dispatched to conduct a welfare check on an elderly male with COPD. Officers arrived on scene
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com and made contact with the male party. The male was intoxicated but was able to care for himself. Officer made contact with the complainant and advised her of their findings. July 28 10:18 a.m. Unwanted person. 1733 Pinecone Road S. An officer was dispatched to the Sprint Store for a report of an unwanted
male party. A store employee stated the male came into the store and was upset about his bill. The employee stated the male was yelling at her and customers. Officers made contact with the male party in the parking lot. He stated he was upset because of his bill but denied yelling at employees and customers. The male was escorted from the store and officers advised employees
to call back if he returned. 6:04 p.m. Medical. Third Street S. Officers were dispatched for a report of an elderly male who took pills with alcohol and was now passing out. Officers arrived on scene and located the patient seated in his chair. An officer spoke the male’s name loudly and the male opened his eyes, appearing confused. The male appeared intoxicated and
3 became verbal with officers. Paramedics arrived on scene and took over the assessment. The male patient was able to answer questions but continued with a pattern of aggression. Paramedics decided the male was unable to care for himself. The male agreed to be transported to the hospital. Officers assisted paramedics with loading the patient for transport.
LEGAL NOTICE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS JULY 17, 2017 DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER BOARD ROOM The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 5 p.m. by Chair Michelle Meyer. Members present: Meyer; Jason Nies, vice chair; Pamela Raden, clerk; Patrick Marushin, treasurer; Lesa Kramer, director; and Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent. Member absent: Mary McCabe, director.
planning in regards to Pinecone Road and 27th Street N. along with the success of the first multicultural group meeting.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE THE AGENDA. All in favor. Motion carried.
Special Education Report by Benton-Stearns Education District: • Executive Director of the Benton-Stearns Education District Alicia Jepsen and Special Education Coordinator Jill Murphy of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District provided an update on Special Education.
A motion was made by Kramer and seconded by Nies to APPROVE CONSENT ITEMS A-D AS PRESENTED BELOW. All in favor. Motion carried. a. Minutes of the regular school board meeting held on June 19, 2017 Minutes of the special school board meeting held on June 27, 2017 b. Checks in the amount of $2,276,388.52 as presented: General Fund 1,805,209.83 Food Service Fund 26,496.38 Transportation Fund 90,277.22 Community Service Fund 28,077.09 Capital Expenditure Fund 290,020.52 Debt Service Fund 2,385.00 Scholarship Trust 20,500.00 Summer Rec Agency Fund 13,422.48 Check numbers 168294 - 168586 Receipts in the amount of $4,546,032.68 as presented: General Fund 2,432,757.00 Food Service Fund 94,851.37 Transportation Fund 1,750.56 Community Service Fund 126,116.35 Capital Expenditure Fund 2,423.32 Building Fund 76,616.11 Debt Service Fund 1,786,940.97 Scholarship Trust 3,900.00 Summer Rec Agency Fund 20,677.00 Receipts 43505 - 43600 Wire transfers in the amount of $2,616,975.55 as presented: General Fund 32,266.24 Food Service Fund 258.28 Community Service Fund (126.02) Debt Service Fund 2,584,345.00 Summer Rec Agency Fund 32.05 Wire transfers 201600093-201700008 Building Fund Checks in the amount of $1,585,512.44 as presented: Building Fund 1,585,512.44 Check numbers 600064 to 600076 c. Accept the following donations: Liberty Bank, Sartell High School, $5,000, supplies; Sabres All Sport Booster Club, Sartell High School, $15,983.75, final payment for score board; Oak Ridge Elementary PTC, ISD #748, $3,899, sound field systems at Oak Ridge Elementary; Oak Ridge Elementary PTC,mISD #748, $836.40, staff lounge chairs at Oak Ridge Elementary; Oak Ridge Elementary PTC, ISD #748, $65, ORE track and field shirts; Lovona Bengston, Oak Ridge Elementary School, $900, piano. d. Accept the resignation of Kendyll Barten, SMS, sixth-grade teacher, 6/23/17. Student Representative Report: Nicholas Juntunen and Tristen Nies, student representatives • No report. Architect Report on Building Process: • Senior Project Manager Robbie Schultz and Architect Dave Leapaldt reported projects at Oak Ridge, Pine Meadow, Sartell Middle School and the new high school are going well and progressing as planned. Preparations for bid package three are continuing. Superintendent Report: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent • Superintendent Schwiebert gave an update on the City of Sartell’s
A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Nies to APPROVE RESOURCE TRAINING AND SOLUTIONS MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Kramer to APPROVE SUPERINTENDENT SCHWIEBERT TO NEGOTIATE WITH CITY OF SARTELL FOR $15,000 DURING AN EIGHT-YEAR PERIOD FOR THE CHAMPION FIELD STADIUM UPGRADES. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Nies to APPROVE PINE MEADOW ELEMENTARY, OAK RIDGE ELEMENTARY, SARTELL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND SARTELL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK CHANGES. All in favor. Motion carried.
School Board Committee Report: • No reports.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY OFF-CAMPUS COMMUNITY SERVICES AGREEMENT. All in favor. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE #1-9:
A motion was made by Kramer and seconded by Raden to APPROVE REVISIONS TO THE SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN ISD 748 ENGLISH LEARNER PLAN OF SERVICE. All in favor. Motion carried.
New Employees/Changes: Victoria Blomme, PME, SPED teacher, $40,294, BA, S5, new position, 8/23/2017; Kelsey Box, SHS, language arts teacher, $36,559, BA, S1, replacing Taylor Hamilton, 8/23/2017; Matt Horning, SHS, ninth-grade boys’ soccer (JV2), $3,053 (8.35 percent), BS 1 ($36,559), replacing Tucker Lorentzen/Ben Streitz), 8/14/2017; Sarah Kleppe, DSC, communications specialist, $30/hour, .38 FTE, 200 days/ year, replacing Amy Trombley, 7/17/2017; Aaron Romportl, SMS, sixth-grade teacher, $36,559, BA, S1, replacing Kendyll Barten, 8/23/2017; Jacob Sailor, SHS, health and physical education teacher, $38,426, BA, S3, replacing Sascha Hansen, 8/23/2017; Jacob Smith, SMS, junior high football, $2,265 (6.35 percent), BA 1 ($36,559), replacing Ken Brady, 8/23/2017; Erin Wurzberger, PME, kindergarten teacher, $36,559, BA, S1, replacing Amy Moe, 8/23/2017; Kathryn (Gasser) Young, SHS, ninth-grade girls’ volleyball, $3,053 (8.35 percent), BS 1 ($36,559), replacing Karlye Rude, 8/14/2017. Leaves of Absence: None. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE MSBA MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Kramer and seconded by Raden to APPROVE SCHOOLS FOR EQUITY IN EDUCATION MEMBERSHIP FOR THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR. All in favor. Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Raden to APPROVE THE RENEWAL OF KEMPS DAIRY MILK FOR MILK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS AND PAN-O-GOLD BAKERY FOR BREAD PRODUCTS FOR THE 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Kramer to APPROVE CALL FOR BIDS FOR SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN ISD 748 NEW HIGH SCHOOL BID PACKAGE THREE. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Nies to APPROVE RESOLUTION APPROVING USING PFM FOR LONG-TERM INVESTMENT OF BOND FUNDS. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE THE REVISED SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN ISD NO. 748 EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK AS PRESENTED. All in favor. Motion carried. Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings: • Future Board Meeting – Monday, Aug. 21 at the District Service Center – 5 p.m. • School Board Appointment Process • Applications due Monday, Aug. 14 at the District Service Center – 4:30 p.m. • Nominations – Monday, Aug. 21 at the District Service Center – 5 p.m. • Interviews – Tuesday. Aug. 29 at the District Service Center – 6:30 p.m. Committee assignments were reviewed School Board Committees 2017: a) Policy: Marushin, McCabe and Kramer b) Finance and Operations: Marushin, McCabe and Nies c) Negotiations: Meyer (Marushin) d) Facilities: Kramer, Marushin, McCabe, Meyer, Nies and Raden e) Communications: Meyer and Raden f) Technology: Nies and Raden g) Community Outreach: Meyer and Raden h) Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment: Marushin and Meyer i) Benton-Stearns Education District: Meyer j) Legislative Network and SEE: Raden k) Stearns County Collaborative: Meyer l) Special Education Advisory: Marushin m) Sartell Senior Connection: Meyer n) Drug Free Coalition: Kramer o) Community Education Advisory: Kramer A motion to ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 6:18 p.m. was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin. All in favor. Motion carried. s/ Pamela Raden, clerk
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017
Students excel once again on MCAs Vacancy by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Once again, Sartell-St. Stephen students excelled well beyond their statewide peers in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments test, averaging about 15 points above those peers in three categories tested. The MCA tests measure the proficiencies of students in grades 3 through 8 and among high-school students across the state. The tested categories are math, reading and science. Math and reading tests are given to all students in grades 3 through 8. The science por-
tion of the test is mandatory for students in grades 5 and 8 and for all high-school students. The Sartell-St. Stephen students outperformed their peers in each grade level. “We have a tradition of excellence in our school district and the fact our students continue to perform above state averages is a point of pride,” said School District Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert. “These results provide a snapshot of our student achievement and an opportunity for us to review our instructional practices to ensure we are aligned to our Minnesota State Standards.”
Kay Nelson, assistant superintendent of Learning Services, also hailed the test results. “Our exceptional staff works tirelessly to ensure best practices are embedded into instruction so our learners have the optimal experience and opportunity for growth,” Nelson stated in a press release. “The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments are rigorous measures of student achievement.” The following are the scores of Sartell-St. Stephen students in each grade, followed by the state averages: Reading: Grade 3: 74.9, state 56.5; Grade 4: 72.8, state 56.8;
Grade 5: 83.4, state 67.5; Grade 6: 71.3, state 57.5; Grade 8: 72.8, state 58.7; High School: 75.8, state 60.3; and District average: 75.0, state 60.1. Math: Grade 3: 80.5, state 68.1; Grade 4: 79.1, state 66.7; Grade 5: 71.5, state 57.1; Grade 6: 73.8, state 55.2; Grade 7: 76.7, state 54.9; Grade 8: 78.7, state 58.0; High School, 69.4, state 48.3; and District average: 75.6, state 58.6. Science: Grade 5: 74.6, state 59.9; Grade 8: 66.6, state 45.7; High School: 72.9, state 56.1; and District average: 71.5, state 53.9.
‘National Night Out’ a huge success by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
The National Night Out the evening of Aug. 1 in Sartell was a “huge success,” said Ryan Fitzthum, a member of the Sartell City Council and a Sartell firefighter. At the Aug. 21 Sartell City Council meeting, both Fitzthum and Sartell Police Chief
praised Sartell residents for the good turnouts all throughout the city. There were 26 neighborhood National Night Out events in Sartell. Fitzthum said he and other fire-department personnel were busy until about 10 p.m. visiting the many events to meet with residents. They had time to attend all but two of the 26 gatherings.
“Everyone involved had a great time,” he told his fellow council members. Sartell police officers also attended the events to visit with people, and Hughes also had praise for the widespread residents’ involvement in the gatherings. National Night Out is an annual event nationwide during which neighbors orga-
nize yard parties to get to know one another, to share safety and security concerns and to meet with public servants, such as police officers and firefighters. The goal is to help neighborhoods become safer places and for residents to learn how to become more vigilant and connected through a mutual-help network.
from front page Schwiebert informed the board of the bidding process that took place Aug. 17. He said bids came in very good and were quite competitive. However, the board does not need to act on the bids immediately. Schwiebert said there was control work that would need to be done at the current high school and at the other three district buildings. In talking to a state market technician regarding the bids, Schwiebert said he learned there are many new construction projects in the offing that will begin in the new year. One of the concerns is whether there will be enough workers to get the work completed. The fact Sartell has gotten its bid process partially completed makes for a more advantageous position when it comes to completing the building on budget. Schwiebert announced to the board that in the coming week the school staff will be returning and they have three new online programs that will provide required training on blood-borne pathogens, ALICE Training (Alert-Lockdown-Inform-Counter-Evacuate), a kind of training for teachers in the event of an intruder, as well as all their benefit-package information. Training in that way saves time and is more efficient. Negotiations are ongoing to get agreement for use of Champion Field. It should be worked out in the near future. School will be starting in about two weeks.
Action items
The board took the following actions: Approved a personnel omnibus resolution relating to various employment slots in the district; approved Superintendent Schwiebert’s annual appraisal; approved the 10-year-long Term-Facility-Maintenance Projections required by the state; approved the Truth in Taxation hearing for Monday, Dec. 18 at Sartell High School; and rescheduled the Monday, Sept. 18 board meeting to 7 p.m. due to conflicts.
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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photos by Dave DeMars
At far left: Senior Addy DeMaine (on the right in background) screams as junior Miah Gessell shows how to knock down a kill. Above left: Junior Kendra Bokelman does a hand bump. Open hand slap will be called and the point awarded to the other team. A closed hand bump needs a little finesse to maintain control of the ball. Above middle: Freshman Elizabeth Dille is one of those young prospects coach Sarah Hornseth expects to contribute to this team. “She has great physical ability and she is a leaper,” Hornseth said. Above right: Sophomore Gretta Mahowald picks up the floor burn as she dives for the ball. Senior Morgan Grasswick in the background looks on. Floor burns are the price of winning. “See the ball – go and get it. No ball is a dead ball,” is coach Hornseth’s motto.
Skills from front page working on serves. Others work on digs, bumps and passing. And nearly every girl tries her hand at playing above the net and slamming that ball down on the other side for a kill. “We have a core group of a couple of seniors and a junior back,” she said. “We are young and we will have a lot of new faces on our team, but we have a lot of potential.” What she likes best is the way the team seems to be coming together. A lot of the seniors and older girls are stepping into the leadership roles and setting the positive examples for younger players, Hornseth said. Younger players are bringing the enthusiasm and energy necessary to
shore up the holes in the lineup due to graduating seniors last year. There will be mistakes because of inexperience, but the girls are smart and they will catch on quickly. Asked about the competition the team will face this year, Hornseth was a little tentative but respectful in her comments about opponents. “Rocori is typically very good,” she said. “Alexandria has always been a battle for us. Sauk Rapids has been a good battle, Tech has been a good battle – you go into every Central Lakes Conference match and you know it’s going to be a battle back and forth. There is never a guaranteed win.” That sense of respect carries over into the preparation for the year. She and her coaches tell the girls every game starts even up and if they work hard and stick to the game plan, Sartell will
turn some heads and win some games. “You have to have that effort and that passion and drive there,” Hornseth said. “The innate passion of our players is what makes it so promising.” She chuckles when the term “leapers” is mentioned, and she watches as one girl slams the ball over the net into the opposing side. “Oh yeah,” Hornseth said as she begins to review her players. “We do. Mya Gessell is just a natural athlete. She can really lay the ball down. Lexi Winter is a great all around player. Maddy Schnettler is a senior captain who is very versatile and can play pretty much any position, and she is willing to play any position. If we are looking at younger kids we have Elizabeth Dille who is going to be a ninth grader this year and can really do some damage.”
Just then Dille rose up high over the net, swatted the ball and drove it down hard on the other side as if to reaffirm her coach’s comment. Because of the loss of a lot of powerful swingers from last year, Hornseth said defense is going to be key this year. “Defense is going to win us games,” she said. We need to be scrappy and we need to be selfless. There’s just no room for being selfish.” That means the girls are going to have to spend a lot of time on the floor. Lots of floor burns. Lots of bumps and bruises. And lots of excitement as they dive for balls that might otherwise be let go. “See the ball – go and get it. No ball is a dead ball,” Hornseth said. That kind of play can easily result in injury, but so far everyone is healthy. One girl is out from the
summer with a torn meniscus, and another girl coming back after six months of rehab and recuperation from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury. Hornseth returned to an earlier theme. “You can see the energy they bring – the passion they bring,” she said. “They are willing to do whatever it takes to benefit the team. That is where you see a real team start to form.” It isn’t just on the court they come together as a team; they are a team off the court as well. Every year the team sponsors a food-bank drive. During the past four years, they have been able to collect and donate more than a ton of food to Catholic Charities, Hornseth said. “They are not learning just volleyball skills here – it’s life skills,” she said.
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6
Our View Minnesota ranks near top of bike-friendly states There are many people who, when they think Minnesota, they think bicycles. That is because Minnesota is ranked as the second most bicyclefriendly state in the nation, according to the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, also known as BikeMN. Washington, incidentally, is the most bikefriendly state. Delaware is third. Not only is Minnesota crisscrossed with a series of excellent scenic biking-hiking trails, such as this area’s Wobegon Trail and its extensions, but also the state is home – at last count – to 86 “Bicycle Friendly Businesses.” Just recently, the League of American Bicyclists recognized five new companies as BFBs. They are U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis), Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union (Fergus Falls), the Minnesota Department of Transportation (District 6, Rochester), the Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA and SNR Consulting Group (Plymouth). In addition, Dero Bike Racks (Fridley), a previously named BFB, was upgraded from gold to platinum, making it one of the top-rated BFBs in the state. Two businesses received Honorable Mention: Otter Tail County governmental offices in Fergus Falls and the Windom Area Hospital. BFBs are ranked at the levels of bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Those who received bronze in the latest round of recognition are Bank Stadium, SRF Consulting and Fergus Falls’ YMCA. The Minnesota Department of Transportation and Affinity Plus earned silver. The businesses are honored for recognizing and encouraging the option of bicycling for their employees, customers and for their cities in general. The BFB program is just one way BikeMN promotes and supports bicycling in the state. It partners with local and national groups on a variety of issues pertaining to bicycling, including education, safety, bike-trail developments, bicycle rodeos for children, Safe Routes to School promotions, state funding for bicycling, lobbying at the legislature, working with street departments and networking with the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, People for Bikes, Fresh Energy and Transit for Livable Communities, to name just three. BikeMN is very much a grassroots effort, and that is the key to its success. Its many volunteers concentrate on developing all aspects of bicyclefriendly cities and rural areas based on the natural assets and the needs of those areas. It also helps promote many fun, bike-related events, such as the well-known annual Tour of Saints bicycle course in the St. John’s University/St. Joseph area. It might seem odd Minnesota, so snow-covered half of the year, should be the second most bikefriendly state in the country, but the snowy cold is one of the reasons, no doubt. After being cooped up by winter, the state’s residents are champing at the bit, come spring, to get outdoors, and so many love to hop on their bicycles and take leisurely, relaxing rides. Bicycling is good for bikers; it’s good for the environment; it’s good for the soul. A good way to promote bicycling and having lots of fun in the process is to volunteer for BikeMN. To find out the many ways to help out, visit its website at www.bikemn.org/volunteer.
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017
Opinion Pay attention; express outrage peacefully An equestrian statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee became the excuse for the awful confrontation in Charlottesville, Va. two weeks ago. Some people with Southern ancestry view confederate statues as embodying the old ante-bellum notions of gallant gentlemen, lovely ladies fanning themselves on verandas, moonlight and magnolia, happy blacks playing banjos, courage in battle, the humiliations and sorrows of Civil War defeat. To others, such confederate symbols are deeply painful reminders of the slave labor that caused the South’s plantation system to flourish; of the selling of black slaves (“property”) on auction blocks; of the heartbreaking splitting up of black families; of the willful torture/murders of African-Americans; of the denial of human rights to blacks for so long. Yes, some of those statues and artifacts are part of American history – from a long shameful chapter of it. As such, they belong in museums, not in public squares. As for Gen. Lee, the following is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his wife in 1856: “In this enlightened age, there are few I believe but will acknowledge that slavery as an institution is a moral and political evil in any country . . . I think it, however, a greater evil to the white man than to the black man, and while my feelings are strongly enlisted in behalf of the latter, my sympathies are more strong for the former. The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in Africa, morally, socially, and physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing is necessary for their instruction as a race, and I hope (it) will prepare and lead them to better things. How long their subjugation
Dennis Dalman Editor may be necessary is known and ordered by a wise Merciful Providence.” What verbal convolutions! “Painful discipline” (that is, forced slavery) is needed to “instruct” them so they will be ready when God decides to free them. But, meantime, get back to work! Lee’s word salad reeks of cruel conclusions disguised as lofty paternalism. He relies upon “Merciful Providence” to whitewash the systemic crimes against black people. Lee wasn’t alone. Those same kinds of tortuous reasonings and twisted rationales were common as clay during the two centuries of slavery before the Civil War and after the Civil War. There was even a widespread rationalization that slaves were susceptible to some kind of disease that would disorder their minds and cause them to want to run away from plantations. Self-deluded medical doctors even concocted technical-sounding names for the “disease.” The notion that God intended blacks to be slaves was rampant, and it was the most despicable rationale of them all. Lest we forget, some of our most revered Americans, such as Washington and Jefferson, were slaveholders, as Trump said in his Aug. 15 temper-tantrum in Tower lobby. They were not, however, traitors like Gen. Lee. Trump’s “moral” equivocations regarding Lee and Founding Fathers were a real stretch. And his
contorted exertions to minimize the violent threats and behavior of whiteseparatist thugs are no better than Gen Lee’s bogus “moral” reckonings on slavery. Trump claims he watched the Charlottesville videos closer than we did. Watch them again. You will see a mob of angry whites, bearing torches, wearing boots and helmets, clutching shields, sporting Nazi flags and silly alt-right symbols. All of them, their faces contorted with smug anger, are shouting insults aimed at Jews and Afro-Americans. Some on the other side were angry and out-of-control, too, but who can blame them when confronted with such neo-Nazi/KKKstyle thugs whipping up such nastiness? The real question raised by those videos is this: How in the world can those wannabe Nazis actually think this country belongs to them and them only? All people of good will must denounce white-supremacist groups. They must be denounced constantly in the U.S. Congress, in the legislatures, in the courts and everywhere else they indulge in hate-mongering. What they are is walking ingrown toenails. In 1974, I witnessed the sorry spectacle of Klansman David Duke spewing his deranged nonsense at St. Cloud State University. We booed him. His vile notions were as repugnant then as now. Heather Heyer, 32, was killed in Charlottesville by a neo-Nazi goon using his car as a weapon. In a Facebook posting, Heather had shared this: “If you are not outraged, you are not paying attention.” It is a national disgrace the current president of the United States – he who should be most outraged of all – is not paying attention.
Letters to the editor
Human rights chair says hate will not be tolerated Eunice Adjei, SCRHRC chair The St Cloud Area Regional Human Rights Commission provides outreach and education about the Minnesota Human Rights Act and collaborates with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The SCRHRC works to uphold the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which protects people from discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public-assistant status, age, sexual orientation and familial status. With that said, in response to the Charlottesville march, the St. Cloud Area Regional Human Rights Commission stands against hate. White nationalist/supremacist, anti-Semitic and other hate groups exist throughout the country, including Minnesota. Additionally, some hate groups have posted flyers at colleges and universities in our state and region. The St. Cloud Area Regional Human Rights Commission, in conjunction with the City of St. Cloud, and in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, will continue to work toward the elimina-
tion of any type of discrimination. At SCSU’s Convocation Week, St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis emphatically stated hate will not be tolerated in the City of St Cloud, and he asked the au-
dience to join hands together as one. We stand with our mayor in his zerotolerance policy against hate groups. For more information, call 320-3102246.
Funds raised for resource center echo Jacob’s 11 in numerous ways Jerry Wetterling, St. Joseph This year to raise funds for the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, for the first time we shifted our Wilderness Backpacking Trek from backpacking to car camping complemented by a series of day hikes. We camped at the De Weese Reservoir County Park near Westcliffe, Colo. Wearing a walking boot, I was somewhat limited in my participation (chief cook and bottle washer), though as the week went on I did more and more hiking. On July 20, we challenged Mount Democrat near FairPlay, Colo. for our 14,000foot peak climb. I thought it was quite appropriate 11 of us took part in the climb, with the 11 for Jacob movement fresh in everyone’s consciousness.
I am so excited and grateful to announce that with your help, we trekkers raised more than $15,000 for JWRC’s child-safety education and victims’ family-assistance programs. I found it particularly meaningful that your generous donations on my behalf totaled $11,110 (notice the 11s). Thank you so very much in all you do helping make our world safer for all our children. Jerry and Patty Wetterling To everyone at the Newsleaders, thank you so much for your continued support of JWRC and your sensitive reporting of events regarding Jacob all these years — and especially this past year.
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com. Friday, Aug. 25 American Red Cross Blood Drive, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Cloud Hospital, 1406 Sixth Ave. N. redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767. Brat sale, sponsored by the Y2K Lions 9 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Proceeds to benefit Chad’s Wing at Place of Hope. Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. AUTOMOBILES/MOTORCYCLES WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1979. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 (MCN) ADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (Void in IL & IN) (MCN) AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855752-6680 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-283-0205 (MCN) CABLE/INTERNET Spectrum Triple Play: TV, Internet & Voice for $29.99 ea. 60 MB per second speed. No contract or commitment. We buy your existing contract up to $500! 1-800919-3588 (MCN) Exede satellite internet. Affordable, high speed broadband satellite internet anywhere in the U.S. Order now and save $100. Plans start at $39.99/month. Call 1-800-712-9365 (MCN) Cut the Cable! CALL DIRECTV. Bundle & Save! Over 145 Channels PLUS Genie HD-DVR. $50/month for 2 Years (with AT&T Wireless.) Call for Other Great Offers! Call 1-800-203-4378 (MCN) SWITCH TO DIRECTV. From $50/ Month, includes FREE Genie HD/DVR # 3 months HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ. Get a $50 Gift Card. Call 877-8945275 (MCN) Change the way you watch TV- Get rid of cable and get DIRECTV! You may also qualify to receive $100 VISA gift card when you sign up today Limited time Only. CALL NOW! 844-359-1203 (MCN) Stop paying too much for cable,and get DISH today. Call 855-589-1962 to learn more about our special offers! (MCN) SAVE on internet and TV bundles!Order the best exclusive cable and satellite deals in your area! If eligible, get up to $300 in Visa Gift Cards. CALL NOW! 1-800-925-0146 (MCN) DISH NETWORK. TV for Less, Not Less TV! FREE DVR. FREE Install (up to 6 rooms.) $49.99/mo. PLUS Hi-Speed Internet - $14.95/mo (where available.). Call 1-855-434-0020 (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED TRUCK DRIVER NEEDED for growing company. Good pay and benefits. Driver friendly. Great equipment. No touch freight. Experience with Class A license required. North Central Regional. Call 800-533-0564 ext.205 www.MCFGTL.com (MCN) Local Courtesy Callers Needed in your area. Up to $100.00+ per HOUR. Contact
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
7
Community Calendar
St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. “Granite City Rocks” showcases the work of the St. Cloud Heritage Quilters now through Sept. 30, Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. 320-253-8424. stearns-museum.org. Saturday, Aug. 26 Brat sale, sponsored by the Y2K Lions, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Proceeds to benefit Chad’s Wing at Place of Hope.
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Monday, Aug. 28 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Lunch and cards, sponsored by Helping Hands Outreach and The Rusty Nail, noon-2 p.m., Trobec’s Bar & Grill, 1 Central Ave S, St. Stephen. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. Sartell City Council, 6 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. 320-253-2171. Tuesday, Aug. 29 Central Minnesota Market,
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3-5:30 p.m., VA Hospital, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-251-2498. Wednesday, Aug. 30 Tending for a Cause, benefiting the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), 4-7 p.m., Beaver Island Brewing Co., 216 Sixth Ave. S. St. Cloud. 320-650-0383. Free Trolley Night, 5-9:25 p.m., Metro Bus Transit Center, 510 First St. S., St. Cloud, and Lake George, St. Cloud. ridemetrobus.com and summertimebygeorge.com. Rock climbing (adults only), 5-7 p.m., Quarry Park 1802 CR 137, Waite Park. Advanced registration required with Stearns County Park, 320-255-6172 or co.stearns.mn.us/ recreation. Thursday, Aug. 31 American Red Cross Blood Drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Cloud Veterans Hospital, 4801 Veterans Drive, redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-7332767. Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Urban Hope Farmers’ Market, sponsored by Place of Hope Ministries, 2-6 p.m., 511 Ninth Ave. N., St. Cloud. http://placeofhopeministries. org/events/urban-hope-farmers-market-2017/. Family Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., River East parking lot, Cen-
traCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. 320-252-2422. Market Thursday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 4-6:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 2163 Mayhew Lake Road NE, Sauk Rapids. Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. 320-241-9229. Friday, Sept. 1 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. “Granite City Rocks” showcases the work of the St. Cloud Heritage Quilters now through Sept. 30, Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. 320-253-8424. stearns-museum.org. Saturday. Sept. 2 Families on the Homefront Tour, Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 10-4 p.m. mnhs.org/event/2401.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON A PROPOSAL FOR THE ISSUANCE OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS (COUNTRY MANOR CAMPUS LLC PROJECT), SERIES 2017 Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Sartell, Minnesota (the “City”), will meet in the City Council Chambers at the Sartell City Hall, in the City at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 11, 2017, to consider the proposal of Country Manor Campus LLC, the sole member of which is The Foundation for Health Care Continuums (the “Borrower”) that the City finance and refinance the Project hereinafter described, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 to 469.165, by the issuance of revenue obligations. Description of the Project: The project consists of (i) refunding the City’s outstanding Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds (Country Manor Campus LLC Project) Series 2010A, the proceeds of which were used to finance the (A) acquisition, construction and equipping of an approximately 60-bed addition to the existing nursing home facility located at 520 First St. NE in the City (the “Nursing Home Facility”) to serve short-term rehabilitation care residents; (B) the acquisition, construction and equipping of an approximately 40,000 square-foot physical therapy room and pool within the addition; and (C) the renovation of the Nursing Home Facility to convert approximately 60 semi-private rooms to single rooms (collectively, the “Original Project”); and (ii) financing the acquisition of certain medical, information technology and dietary equipment for, and the construction of physical plant improvements to, the Nursing Home Facility (the “2017 Project” and
together with the Original Project, the “Project”). The Project will be owned and operated by the Borrower. The maximum aggregate estimated principal amount of bonds or other obligations to be issued to finance and refinance the Project will be $12,000,000. After the public hearing, the City may issue revenue refunding bonds to finance and refinance the Project. Said bonds or other obligations, as and when issued, will not constitute a charge, lien or encumbrance upon any property of the City, except the Project, and such obligations will not be a charge against the general credit or taxing powers of the City but will be payable from sums to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to a revenue agreement. A draft copy of the proposed application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for approval of the Project, together with all attachments and exhibits thereto, is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the City Hall. At the time and place fixed for the public hearing, the City Council of the City will give all persons who appear at the hearing an opportunity to express their views with respect to the proposal for revenue bonds. Written comments will be considered if submitted at the above City office on or before the date of the hearing. Publish: Aug. 25, 2017
8
Reading from front page who was 4 at the time, learned about a Books for Kids reading-challenge program for which children could be honored for reading (or listening to others read to them) 1,000 books. Amaa was thrilled at the prospect. She immediately began to pick and choose among the thousands of storybooks available for children. She would gleefully gather up armloads of books at a time, which her mother would check out for her. Back home, mother and daughter would hunker down cozily in a big armchair, and Gayathri would begin to read with Amaa sitting beside her or on her lap, following each word as her mother pointed to the words she was reading. Amaa was completely enchanted by the stories her mother read and delighted by the illustrations in the storybooks. Every day, they would have their reading sessions, sometimes going through dozens of books every day.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com Amaa said quite a few times, “Mommy, my brain is tired now, but I just have to listen to more stories.” It took 106 days to go through 1,000 books. She finished her reading marathon April 30, 2016. Her favorite stories involved nature or animals, and her favorite book, which made her laugh again and again, was Skeleton Hiccups, about a skeleton trying to drink water, among other goofy foibles. After all of the watching of her mother reading, following each word, phrase and sentence as her mother pointed to the text, Amaa began to understand letters, letter combinations and the sounds they signified, to the point that she could read pretty much on her own. That is when the second challenge began – another 1,000 books. Amaa reads up a storm, then grabs a snack or some lunch, then she launches into another happy reading marathon, reading to her heart’s content. As of Aug. 21, she had read 999 books, with just one more to go. The one she was read-
ing Aug. 21 was entitled Where Do I Wear Water Wings?, an entertaining book that has fun with homophones – words that sound alike but have different meanings. Amaa missed the age cutoff day for kindergarten only by a few days, a real disappointment. However, her mother decided to enroll her in a Montessori school where she was treated as a bona-fide kindergartner. In a couple of weeks, she will be a firstgrader at Oak Ridge Elementary School. “She is so ready for school,” her mother said. “She is begging for more knowledge.” What impressed Gaya – what still impresses her – is how Amaa’s intensive reading has instilled so many good emotions and behaviors in her. “It’s not just knowledge,” Gaya said. “It’s how to be nice to others. It’s how to share with others. Amaa has become so compassionate. One book she read was about a poor boy in India, and I would explain to her how so many people suffer in India, and she was so moved by that story. She cares so much about other things, too, like the environ-
ment.” The Wijetungas are very proud of all of their reading daughters. “They would come home from school, drop their backpacks and start reading,” Gaya said. “They are like their grandfather in Sri Lanka. He
Friday, Aug. 25, 2017 has passed on, but when we would visit here, he loved to read to the other children (before Amaa was born).” Gaya is convinced the love of reading will continue well into the girls’ adult lives and then to the next generation and the next.