PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
Merry as!
m t s i r h C “Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 36
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Controlling a robot
MHES students learn coding
December 22, 2016
Education foundation awards grants
by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Technology is a prominent part of today’s society and in the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District many students have their own iPad or computer to use. The third graders at Mississippi Heights Elementary School (MHES) used their iPads for a different activity Dec. 16 – coding. “Once they learn how to do it, the kids absolutely love coding,” said Audrey Thornborrow, the technology integration coach at MHES. Code.org sponsors an Hour of Code during computer science week Dec. 5-11. All grade levels at MHES got to experience coding in its simplest form – getting the robot to his sunÁower dinner. “It’s fun to watch them learn, and we don’t limit it to just one week, which allows the kids more time to try it out,” Thornborrow said. “We are working to get as many kids exposed to coding as we can.”
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation (SRREF) members – (left) Christine Midthun and Wendy Pikus – awarded seventh grade science teacher Irene Wilcox with a $500 grant Dec. 16 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. Principal Nathan Rudolph and Dr. Dan Bittman (right), superintendent, joined in recognizing Wilcox.
Nine Sauk Rapids-Rice staff receive gifts by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Audrey Thornborrow shows Mississippi Heights Elementary third grader Ryan Lundebrek SAUK RAPIDS — how to code during an Hour of Code session at the school Dec. 16. Teachers across the Sauk
While the kids learned to code, many of them stood up and walked around to get the robot’s perspective. Many groups worked together, passing each level in the most logical Audrey Thornborrow
way, within the “blocks” allowed for the level. “It is really fun to see the kids who struggle in school, maybe with things like math and reading, become the experts in cod-
ing,” Thornborrow said. “Once they get it, they get excited and want to help their classmates.” Thornborrow said coding provides not only a game for the kids to play, but it gives math, logic and trou-
Coding continued on pg. 2
Rice levy increases 5 percent by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE — The Rice City Council approved a 5 percent increase to the general budget Dec. 19 after holding a work session to discuss numbers. The increase, which equates to exactly $20,000, is 1 percent less than the original 6 percent discussed during preliminary budget-
ing in September. The three main expenses in determining the increase were the furnace repairs/replacements in Old Village Hall, a founding membership to the Benton Economic Partnership and a $10,000 addition to the comprehensive park plan which will allow for additional grant funding. The minimal increase was a cause of concern as the council members reviewed
the revenues and expenditures during the meeting. “Right now, we are maintaining without a hiccup. If we have a hiccup, I’m almost positive we will overspend,” said mayor Dale Rogholt. Rogholt added that in the future the council should consider whether they are levying enough to maintain regular operating budget increases. The council would not make any commitments of
what new improvements would be made during the 2017 year. Those items will be decided upon as resolutions at the January meetings. In other council news: • A resolution regarding mandatory use of the city’s direct deposit payroll system was voted down due to inac-
Rice City Council continued on pg. 3
Rapids-Rice District received extra gifts this holiday season as the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation (SRREF) awarded nearly $4,000 in grants Dec. 16. Nine educators from all levels of education were surprised on site with recognition from the SRREF. Superintendent Dr. Dan Bittman, along with school principals and staff, joined the organization while presenting the grant recipients with a certificate and thanking them for their continued dedication to the district’s students. Founded in 2012, the SRREF, a permanent fund of the Initiative Foundation, has donated approximately $40,000 in grants to the Sauk Rapids-Rice District. All teachers are encouraged to apply for classroom grants through the foundation which allow educators to
provide additional opportunities and tools beyond their existing operating budget. This season, the SRREF adjusted grant amounts in order to award each applicant all or a portion of their suggested donation. All monies align with the SRREF mission to create unforgettable classroom experiences, unite the community, remove Ànancial barriers and invest in the youngest children. Grant recipients were as follows: • Pleasantview Elementary music teacher Ariel Wiebe received $500 for the purchase of additional ukuleles to enhance her classroom experience. • Mississippi Heights Elementary Àfth grade teacher Melanie Halter received $500 towards Áexible seating for her language arts classes. • District gifted learning coach Deb Scherber was awarded $275 for extending
Grants continued on pg. 2