School Board Candidate Profiles
The Courier 20th AN
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NIV E R S A R Y
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a division of Independent School District 15 Community Education | St. Francis, Minnesota
October 2013 | Volume 21, Issue 3
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Kids Connection Angie Hylen SFES Community Relations Coordinator
Not only are children present at St. Francis Elementary School (SFES) during the school day, but many kindergarten through fifth graders also attend the before and after school childcare program, Kids Connection. The popular program, which is offered by Independent School District 15 Community Education, is available from 6:30 a.m. until the start of the school day and after school until 6:00 p.m. Kids Connection is conveniently located in adjoining classrooms in the school building. Structured activities include homework and reading time, art, drama, technology, science discovery, sports, games, outdoor play and group action. Breakfast is offered in the school cafeteria in the morning and snacks are served during the afternoon session. Free time, of course, is the main attraction, with choices ranging from air hockey and foosball, iPads and computers, to a wide selection of toys and books. Kids Connection is offered at two locations in the district—St. Francis Elementary School and Cedar Creek Community School. The SFES location, led by instructors Kathy Gagner and Cathy Thunberg, is full with a waiting list of children for the morning session; the after school session still has openings.
Structured learning is underway for the 2013-14 school year in an atmosphere of positive expectations in Independent School District 15. As we carefully share the roads with buses transporting our students to and from school, remember we are all lifelong learners, sharing in learning opportunities anywhere, anytime. Have a great school year. edward saxton, superintendent of schools
St. Francis Elementary School begins new school year on two campuses Angie Hylen SFES Community Relations Coordinator
Students in kindergarten through grade 5 enjoy the variety of activities offered at Kids Connection, a quality childcare service offered before and after school. The program is part of ISD 15 Community Education. Cathy Thunberg, Kids Connection Instructor
Despite the warm weather, the month of September ushered in the end of summer and the beginning of the 2013-14 school year. Excited students streamed off a convoy of buses and into St. Francis Elementary School (SFES), eager to meet their teachers and reunite with their classmates. SFES has about 700 students enrolled this year on two different campuses. Kindergarten through third grade students attend school at the main SFES building, while fourth and fifth grade students are located at SFE North, which is a separate wing of St. Francis Middle School.
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The elementary has outgrown its current building and now houses the upper elementary students across the parking lot in the middle school building. This is the second year of this arrangement, and it has allowed students ample classroom space without resorting to the use of temporary buildings. The dual campuses have created some logistical challenges, such as busing, lunch, recess and specialist schedules. However, spreading out into two buildings has had some advantages in addition to increased space. The SFE North campus clusters fourth and fifth grade classes into centralized gradelevel core areas and provides a large science lab for use in the STEM program.
October What’s Inside Schools in Action..........................................2 School Board Highlights.........................10 Community Education............................12 The Courier 20th Anniversary...............15 Community & Business...........................16 Sports & Outdoors....................................27 Life..................................................................29 Classified.......................................................32