The Courier April 2016 | Volume 23, Issue 7
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a division of Independent School District 15 Community Education | St. Francis, Minnesota Serving the communities of Andover, Athens Township, Bethel, East Bethel, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford Township
www.the-courier.org | news@isd15.org
Community Education creates opportunities for learners of all ages Heidi Anderson
Staff Writer
Participating in Community Education programming has been a tradition for families in Minnesota for many years. According to the Minnesota Community Education Association, over three million Minnesotans of all ages have participated in a Community Ed program in the last 45 years. Independent School District 15 (ISD 15) is no different. Generations of families within the district have taken advantage of the wide range of offerings from Community Ed. Programming offered for all ages correlates directly with one of ISD 15’s
core values, “We believe that lifelong learning enriches individuals and creates opportunities.” ISD 15 resident Jami Larkin has participated in Community Ed classes since she was young and has continued to take classes as an adult, such as yoga. Larkin is not the only one in her family who takes advantage of Community Ed programs. Larkin’s children and her mother, Candy Hansmeyer, are also active members of Community Ed. “[My son] Drew just finished basketball,” Larkin said. “He also attended preschool the past two years and we have our daughter Lexi registered for preschool next year. Drew has done T-Ball and participated
in summer preschool.” Larkin not only enjoys the knowledge she gets from attending classes but the new relationships that are formed as a result of engaging with other members of the community. “My favorite part of Community Ed in St. Francis is that you get to know others and connect with them based on similar situations and interests,” Larkin said. For her, creating connections is important at any age, especially for her kids as they continue to build friendships inside and outside of their school buildings. “Community Ed has really created the opportunity for Drew and our
family to meet and make new friends in the area,” Larkin said. “This has been especially helpful as he entered kindergarten this year and was able to recognize and reconnect with several familiar faces and friends.” Hansmeyer has enjoyed seeing her daughter and grandkids take advantage of Community Ed offerings. She often watches her grandson play basketball or T-Ball. Sometimes she will take her grandson to the library at Sandhill Center. Hansmeyer herself has long been a participant of Community Ed at ISD 15. In the past she volunteered with Adult Basic Education and continues to volunteer in the district. “The main program for me is SilverSneakers Yoga at the Sandhill Center,” Hansmeyer said. “It is just what I need to get my week started.” Like Larkin, Hansmeyer enjoys engaging with her fellow community members. “It’s an easy way to connect with others in our community,” Hansmeyer said. “I feel lucky to have this readily available and so reasonably priced. On occasion, friends and I ride together to attend class. It seems people at class are friendly and chat a little, or a lot, when coming together. I think that is a good thing.” Those who work in Community Ed at ISD 15 also like how programs and events connect family members of all ages. Community Education Coordinator Nancy Wallace has experienced this in her own family. “My granddaughter is participating in early childhood programming and I will be working with that program, too,” Wallace said. Wallace says offering such diverse educational opportunities for community members of any age is important. Continued Page 22
What’s Inside A Targeted Services class covering various aspects of science is being offered to any St. Francis Middle School student. Science teacher Julie Stitt leads the group as they explore light and sound waves, bridges, paper airplanes, gardening, bubbles, flying objects, animals and more. In February, sixth-grade students Kaitlin Thompson, Abby Babcock and Mara Turner made glowin-the-dark slime. When asked why they joined the class, they said, “It sounded fun! We like experiments.” Jessica Rowles, SFMS Community Relations Coordinator
Schools in Action.................................................. 2 School Board Highlights.................................. 8 Community Education....................................10 Community & Business...................................13 Sports & Outdoors.............................................25 Meetings, Events & Benefits.........................27 Life...............................................................................28