Education Edition Volume 14, Issue 1
Independent School District No. 761
August 26, 2015
A welcome from the superintendent Dear parents and students of ISD 761,
I would like to welcome our students, parents and staff to the 2015-16 school year. Each school year brings the anticipation of new opportunities for our students and teachers. A great deal of time and effort was spent during the summer months with teachers working on curriculum and establishing common assessments for grade levels or subject content areas. These efforts will provide better instructional practices for our teachers and better ways to measure our students’ performances in the classroom. This coming school year begins with an exciting opportunity to address facility needs and the solutions presented to the School Board by the Task Force Committee. I hope you all have had a chance to follow along as the committee provided recommendations to the Board for consideration to be brought to the voters of the District. On the District’s website is a “task force” tab that you can review all the meetings and information the committee looked over and worked on. The recommendation the Board approved addresses school building
Peter Grant
many new faces working in our classrooms and buildings. Each year it is difficult to have people retire or move on and then replace them. We feel very fortunate to have hired some great new talent for our classrooms or to provide support for our teachers. We look forward to having these new employees bring their experiences to our schools and to help us improve. School will begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2015. We anticipate a student enrollment of 4,900 entering our schools. As you start to prepare your students for another school year, remember that the first week can be quite hectic. You will be getting your family schedules re-aligned and we will be doing everything we can to help make that first week be successful. Look for bus schedules coming to your home if your child will be riding a school bus. Be sure your child knows the safest walkway to their school. Being safe at crosswalks to and from school is critical. Please work with us to help provide the best education we can for your children. We cannot do it alone as we need your help for this to be a successful year.
security and safety improvements; improving capacity issues with buildings; changing Willow Creek to a kindergarten through fifth grade school and moving grade six to OJHS; and working on many deferred maintenance issues that have accrued over several years. The grand total of the recommendation is $77.9 million which will be brought to the voters for a November 3, 2015 election. There will be public forums provided for the community to gather information to help you understand the recommendations and answer any questions you may have. Those dates and times will be published soon. Submitted by Peter Grant, SuperinThis new school year brings about tendent
School
Immunizations
ARE YOUR CHILD’S SHOTS UP TO DATE?
To go to school in Minnesota, students must show they’ve received immunization against a number of diseases or file a legal exemption with the school. Documentation of immunization or exemption must be submitted to the school before school begins on September 8th. Required Immunizations: Kindergarten-Age 6: 5 doses of DTaP, 4 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine) Age 7-6th Grade: At least 3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus, 3 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine) 7th-8th Grade: At least 3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus (including 1 Tdap), 3 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B, 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine) and 1
Meningococcal 9th-12th Grade: At least 3 doses of diphtheria and tetanus (including 1 Td/Tdap), 3 Polio, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 2 Varicella (chickenpox vaccine)
PAGE 2
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
School Hours
Education Edition August 2015
All Elementary Schools: 8:00-2:30 Willow Creek: 8:10-2:40 Owatonna Junior High School: 8:15-3:00 Owatonna High School: 8:00-2:30 Owatonna Alternative Learning Center: 8:00-2:30
District Harassment Policy The Owatonna School District is committed to having a positive learning and working environment for students and employees and prohibits harassment or violence by or against students or employees on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation or disability. The school district encourages students, parents and employees to work together to prevent acts of harassment of any kind as well. Any person who believes he or she has been the victim of harassment or violence or any person with knowledge or belief of conduct which may constitute harassment or violence should report the alleged acts immediately to the building principal or to the school district’s human rights officer(s).
Director of Human Resources Director of Special Services 515 W. Bridge St. Owatonna, MN 55060 hr@owatonna.k12.mn.us The school district takes such matters very seriously and will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of reports of harassment. Students or employees who engage in harassment in violation of the school district’s policies will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion/exclusion or termination of employment. A complete copy of school district Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence) may be found on the district website: www. owatonna.k12.mn.us or may be obtained at the District Office.
A special project of the Owatonna People’s Press 135 W. Pearl St., Owatonna, MN 55060 www.owatonna.com Publisher Ron Ensley Advertising Director Debbie Ensley Managing Editor Jeffrey Jackson Page Design Tony Borreson
Media Consultants Alisha Davidson, Per Kvalsten, Jay Petsche, Jennifer Sorensen, Lori Wagner Advertising Design Lauren Barber, Nikkie Gilmore, Keeley Krebsbach, Jenine Kubista, Kelly Kubista
Education Edition 2015 is distributed to the subscribers and readers of the Owatonna People’s Press at no additional charge. All rights reserved. ©2015
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAGE 3
Across the District
Owatonna Public Schools 2015-2016 Calendar t
s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
SEPTEMBER s m t w th f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
OCTOBER s m t w th f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
NOVEMBER s m t w th f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
DECEMBER s m t w th f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
JANUARY t w th
FEBRUARY s m t w th f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
MARCH s m t w th f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
APRIL t w th
5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28
s
m
th 2 9 16 23 30
f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
s m t 1 2 3 8 9 10 15 16 17 22 23 24 29 30 31
MAY w 4 11 18 25
th f s 5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28
s
s
m
AUGUST t w th
f s 3 4 10 11 17 18 24 25 31
s
m
JULY w 1 8 15 22 29
f s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 s
m
f
m
t
5 6 7 12 13 14 19 20 21 26 27 28
JUNE w 1 8 15 22 29
th f s 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 24 25 30
August24-27 24-27 .......................... ment February 23 August NewDay Teacher Workshop New Teacher Workshop November 26-27 ALC Conferences August Teacher Work Days August31-September 31-September 3 3 ................. Thanksgiving Break/District Closed March 4 September ...........................December Home/Child/School Day Teacher Work3 Days 3 End of Second Trimester September 37 ............. Labor Day/School End of First Trimester March 7 September District Closed Home/Child/School Day December 4 No School K-8/Teacher Work Day September 8 .............. First Day of School, Grades 1-12 September 7 No School K-8/Teacher Work Day March 24 October 5 .......................................... OHS Conferences Labor Day/School District Closed December 7 End of Third Quarter October 6 ........................................... ALC Conferences September 8 OHS Conferences March 25-April 1 October OJHS First Day8of......................................... School, Grades 1-12 December 8 Conferences Spring Break/No School October 512-14 .........................ALC Conferences April 4 October Grades K-6 Conferences OHS Conferences December 24-January 1 No School 9-12/Teacher Work Day October 13 ....................................... OJHS Conferences October 6 Winter Break/No School April 14 October 15-16 .............. Ed. MN Conference/No School ALC Conferences January 18 OJHS Conferences November First Quarter at OHS October 8 6 .......................EndNoofSchool/MLK Day/Staff Devel- May 2 Nov. No School K-12/Teacher Work/Staff Dev. Day OJHS9 .... Conferences opment OHS Conferences October 12-14 January May 3 November 25 ......................................22No School K-12/ Grades K-6 Conferences End of Second Quarter at OHS ALC Conferences .......................................... PLC Staff Development Day October 13 January 25 May 30 Nov. 26 & 27 .......... Thanksgiving Break/District Closed OJHS Conferences No School 9-12/Teacher Work Day Memorial Day/School District December 3 ................................ End of2, First Trimester October 15-16 February 4 Closed December 4 .............School No SchoolGrades K-8/Teacher Work Day K-6 Conferences June 8 Ed. MN Conference/No FebruaryOHS 5 Conferences Last Student Day November 67 ...................................... December No School, Grades K-6, ConferJune 9 End of First Quarter at OHS December 8 ....................................... ALC Conferences ences Teacher Work Day November 9 Dec.24-Jan.1 .......................... School No School K-12/Teacher Work/ Winter FebruaryBreak/No 11 June 10 Jan. ............ Day/Staff Development Staff18 Dev. Day No School/MLKOJHS Conferences PLC Staff Development Day November June 12 January 2225 ..................... End ofFebruary Second22Quarter at OHS No School Staff Conferences Work Day Graduation January 25K-12/PLC .............. NoDevelopSchool OHS 9-12/Teacher February 2, 4 ........................... Grades K-6 Conferences February 5 ............No School, Grades K-6, Conferences February 11 ...................................... OJHS Conferences February 22 ....................................... OHS Conferences February 23 ........................................ ALC Conferences Steele County Health Nursing Service March 4 .................................. End Public of Second Trimester March 7 .................... No Schoolperformance K-8/Teacher Workon Day the court and For optimal March 24 ...................................... End of Third Quarter in school, make sure to: March 25-April 1 ..................... Spring Break/No School Give your children regular Child and Teen April 4..................... No School 9-12/Teacher Work Day Checkups at your clinic and dentist. April 14............................................. OJHS Conferences May 2 ................................................ OHS Conferences May 3 ................................................. ALC Conferences Child and Teen Checkups are available to May 30 ............... Memorial Day/School District Closed children from birth through age 20 who are June 8 ................................................. Last Student Day covered by Minnesota state health plans June 9 ............................................... Teacher Work Day such as: June 10 .............................. PLC Staff Development Day • Medical Assistance June 12 ........................................................ Graduation• Minnesota Care
Child & Teen Checkups Program
• South Country Health Alliance • Blue Plus
Call your clinic to schedule an appointment
School Not in Session
IFSchool YOUNotHAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP in Session K-6
with transportation, interpreters or making an School Not in Session K-8 appointment for dentist or doctors visit call Christine Need shots? You can also call Steele County Public Health
School Not in Session 9-12
STEELE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH
507-444-7650
PAGE 4
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Across the District Student transportation Transportation is provided by the Owatonna Bus Company. All students eligible for transportation and those who have arranged for transportation with a private contract will receive a letter in the mail the week before school starts. Any parent with daycare information, even if the daycare has stayed the same from the previous year, needs to contact the bus company immediately. The times for pickup and drop-off of students in the letter is approximate. Please be patient and flexible for the first couple of weeks until everything settles down into a routine. We look forward to transporting the students of Owatonna to and from school this coming school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us at the Owatonna Bus Company. The phone number is 451-5262.
RULES OF THE ROAD Safety Procedures: 1. Student will be at bus stop on time. 2. Student will wait for bus off roadway. 3. Student will cross road only in front of bus. 4. Student will never use the emergency door except in case of physical emergency or when directed by the driver. Student Rules: 1. Student will obey the bus driver at all times. 2. Student will sit where directed by the driver. 3. Student is expected to be at the bus stop on time and display proper conduct at the bus stop. 4. Student will keep head and arms inside bus at all times.
5. Student will not use profane or vulgar language. 6. Student will not throw things. 7. Student will not litter bus. 8. Student will not shout out of the bus or in the bus. 9. Student will not mark with any pen, pencil or marking device on the bus interior or exterior. 10. Student will be held financially responsible for any damage done deliberately or through rowdiness. 11. Student will report any damage at once to the driver. 12. Student not following these rules is subject to suspension from the bus.
Numbers to know
Owatonna High School 444-8800 Mark Randall, Principal Cheryl Summer, Principal’s Secretary Jeff Miller, Assistant Principal Nicole Adams, Assistant Principal Ryan Swanson, Activities Director 444-8989 Rene Olson, Activities Secretary 444-8988 Owatonna Alternative Learning Center 444-8000 Melodee Hoffner, Assistant Principal Kim Gaalswyk, Secretary Lincoln Elementary School 444-8100 Mary Hawkins, Principal Sara Klecker, Principal’s Secretary McKinley Elementary School 444-8200 Justin Kiel, Principal Lorri Harrison, Principal’s Secretary Washington Elementary School 444-8300 Beth Svenby, Principal Tricia Fisher, Principal’s Secretary Wilson Elementary School 444-8400 Julie Sullivan, Principal Nancy Benson, Principal’s Secretary
Owatonna Jr. High School 444-8700 Jason Hunt, Principal Wendy Cirksena, Assistant Principal Pam Krenke, Principal’s Secretary Roosevelt Community School 444-7900 Deb McDermott-Johnson, Director 444-7901 Deb Karaus, Adult & Family Enrichment 444-7921 Betsy Wilker, CE Program Specialist 444-7922 Sean Hughes, Youth Programs Coordinator 444-7923 Renee Compton, EC Team Leader 444-7926 Kids First Activity Line 444-7905 Kim Reyant, Adult Learning Center 444-7925 District Office 444-8600 Peter Grant, Superintendent 444-8601 Amy LaDue, Director of Teaching & Learning 444-8603 Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources 444-8612 Tom Sager, Director of Operations & Finance 444-8615 Mark Krug, Director of Special Services 444-8614 Shari Mensink, Special Services Coordinator 444-7801 Sarah McGuire, Special Services Coordinator 444-8800 Mike Halverson, Director of Information Tech. 444-8609 Rachel Valesano, Director of Food Services 444-8607 Bob Olson, Director of Facilities & Infrastructure 444-8606 Nancy Brandel, Health Services Coordinator 444-8804
Willow Creek School 444-8500 Jim Kiefer, Principal Susan Peterson, Principal’s Secretary
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAGE 5
Across the District Owatonna public schools special services
The Owatonna Public School’s Special Services has three programs for students that have challenges to learning: Special Education, Title, and English Language Learners. Special Education services are provided to over 600 students, birth to the age of 21. Students qualify for special education in one or more of 14 different educational disabilities. Students qualifying for special education receive specialized instruction that will allow them to make progress in the general curriculum. This support is provided by a special education teacher or a related services specialist such as Speech/Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist or Physical Therapist. In addition to licensed staff, Paraprofessionals support the learner by providing behavioral and academic support to students in the general education and special education classrooms. Special Education is a partnership and decisions about the student’s program are made by the parents, school professionals, and other providers working together. Students need to qualify for Special Education and must go through an evaluation to determine eligibility. The District has been working to implement a Multiple Tiered System of Supports to provide academic and behavioral support to students within the general education classroom prior to making a referral for evaluation. This tiered system of support focuses on differentiating instruction based on student need, taking frequent informal measures of the ef-
fectiveness of the intervention and having a team of teachers reviewing student performance data to make informed decisions on student programming. If a student continues to not make progress within the general curriculum despite the interventions, then a referral for evaluation may be made. In addition to the services for our Kindergarten through grade 12 students, Special Education Services are provided for children birth through 5 years old (also known as “Early Childhood Special Education” or “ECSE”) and for students 18 to 21 years old (also known as “Transition Plus”). Early Childhood Special Education services are divided into two age groups: Birth through two years old and three to five years old. The emphasis for birth to two is on assisting parents and care providers with tips and tools to address early developmental needs. Special Education Teachers and Related Services Support staff typically go to the child’s home and work with parents on how to use daily routines and toys in the home to promote the language, motor, and cognitive development of their child. The services for students aged three through five years old are provided in a variety of settings: home, day care (private and home-based), and school. Whereas the emphasis in the birth to two services was working with parents, for three to five, the teachers work directly with the child to address areas of concern and need. Much time and energy is directed toward getting the child school ready and working on both pre-academic skills and
social skills that are necessary for success in school. At the other end of the specialized instruction services spectrum is programming for students ages 18 to 21 who continue to have special education needs. While many of our students graduate at 18 (or the end of 12th grade) a small percentage of our students continue to have needs that require specialized instruction and support. These students are in are served in the community, at OHS (in the Ag Building) or at supported adult work centers. We are excited to add a transitional skills assessment lab to our programming at the high school. This additional resource will assist our teachers in better identifying and supporting the job skills and needed training for our students. Title services are provided to learners who are struggling within the general education classroom and are in need of additional intensive support, usually for a short period of time. These students do not necessarily qualify for specialized instruction but are in need of more intensive instructional support. Students usually receive their Title services in a small group setting that might be within the classroom or in another room. Students’ eligibility for title services is based upon a variety of sources such as performance on standardized tests, teacher observations, and parental consent. Title services are available to students in schools with Free and Reduced populations greater than the district average (currently 41 percent of our students, district-wide, qualify for free or reduced
lunch). English Language Learners are students whose first language might not be English or whose exposure to English has been limited. Student eligibility is determined by multiple measures, including performance on a standardized assessment of the English language, classroom observation, teacher judgment, parental input and other developmentally appropriate assessments. The emphasis of instruction is on learning “academic English” or the words that assist students in the classroom. Students are eligible for services until they are able to demonstrate proficiency on a nationally normed
assessment. All three programs have parent advisory groups. For special education, there is a district-wide Special Education Advisory committee comprised of parents, special ed and regular ed teachers, and interested community members. This committee meets two times per year with the Special Education District Administration to provide input on programming and issues facing the department. Title I parental involvement is primarily at the local school, though there is a district-wide committee that meets twice per year to provide consultation and feedback to school
and district administration. Parents of EL students have regular meetings at the neighborhood school. Topics include how to support homework, how to access community resources, and how to best support their child’s learning. There is a district-wide committee that meets twice per year to advise district administration on policy and programming concerns. Parents having questions about the supportive services available to their child or to become involved with the advisory groups should contact their child’s building principal or the District’s Special Services office at 507-444-8614.
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PAGE 6
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Across the District
Parents encouraged to update contact information Infinite Campus is the Owatonna Public School student management system as well as a tool for parents and students to access timely individual student information. We encourage parents to use this program as one way to stay current on their child’s school information. The system is for students in grades kindergarten–12, however, the type of information will vary depending on your child’s grade level. Information for students in kindergarten–third grade includes attendance, immunizations, school calendar, and contact information. In upper grades, this information also include grades, report cards, transcripts and assignments. If you have already registered for Infinite Campus Parent Portal, you do not need to register each school year. It is important, however, for parents to log-in annually to verify contact information such as phone numbers and emergency contacts to ensure they are up to date. The phone numbers listed in Infinite Campus are the ones that are used for the district messenger system, which is used to call parents when there are school closings, emergency situations, or other important reminders. Follow the steps in the parent portal to update your information. Once completed you will receive a notice confirming your changes. If you have not registered for an account or are new to our district, you can go to your child’s school office to set up your account. To set up an account, parents need to provide a photo identification. There is an Infinite Campus app that parents with accounts can download for iPhones or android phones. Directions are available through the District website, www.owatonna. k12.mn.us. Once at the website select the info and links tab, infinite campus portal and follow the directions on the front page.
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Pursuant to applicable law, Independent School District No. 761 gives notice to parents of students currently in attendance in the school district, and eligible students currently in attendance in the school district, of their rights regarding “directory information.” “Directory information” includes the following information relating to a student: the student’s name; address; telephone number; date and place of birth; grade level; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; degrees, and honors and awards received. “Directory information” also includes the name, address and telephone number of the student’s parent(s). “Directory information” does not include identifying information on a student’s religion, race, color, social position or nationality. (Student photographs are not directory information, but are published annually in the school year book.) The information listed above shall be public information which the school district may disclose from the education records of a student or information regarding a parent. Should the parent of a student or the student so desire, any or all of the listed information will not be disclosed without the parent’s or eligible student’s prior written consent except to school officials as provided under federal law. In order to make any or all of the directory information listed above “private” (i.e. subject to consent prior to disclosure), the parent or eligible student must make a written request to the building principal within thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice. This written request must include the following information: Name of student and parent, as appropriate. Home address. School presently attended by student. Parent’s legal relationship to student, if applicable. Specific category or categories of directory information which is not to be made public without the parent’s or eligible student’s prior written consent.
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Thursday, August 27, 2015
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAGE 7
Across the District Owatonna public schools food and nutrition services kicks off another great school year Students will be returning to school soon and the Food & Nutrition Services Department is ready to serve them healthy and nutritious meals to help them be at their best in the classroom! We plan to continue our focus of serving up lots of fruits and vegetables to our students along with more scratch cooking in our kitchens. Food & Nutrition Services wishes the best to all of our students as the new school year begins. Our sole purpose is to keep our customers happy and healthy, and we want students’ bodies and minds
to have the energy needed to feel and All free and reduced-pay students perform their best. receive breakfast and lunch meals at noApplication for meal benefits charge. Elementary, Willow Creek and OJHS New this school year: you can now fill full pay breakfast price is $1.25 and OHS out your Free & Reduced Meal Applicais $1.40. tion online at www.owatonna.k12.mn.us/ Elementary full pay lunch price is page/2463. This process is safe, secure, $2.40, Willow Creek and OJHS are $2.45 and available at any time of the day! For and OHS is $2.55. more information or to request a paper
forms you will need to have filled out and returned to the Food & Nutrition Services Department. New forms need to be completed each school year and returned prior to the start of school. If you need forms mailed to you, or you have questions about special diets, please call Ali at 507-444-8629.
Managing meal accounts
Do you ever wonder what your child’s meal account balance is or what Student meal prices items they are purchasing on any given Please check out our website at www. day? Be sure to register on mypayAll kindergarten students receive breakfast at no-charge. owatonna.k12.mn.us for the necessary mentsplus.com to see account history, form, please call 507-444-8616.
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make payments and manage email notifications that can alert you when your child’s meal account balance is getting low. For more information on this or if you have any other questions about Food & Nutrition Services, please call 507-444-8616. Be sure to check out our Food & Nutrition Services area on the district website at www.owatonna.k12.mn.us for a wealth of information on our program at your fingertips. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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PAGE 8
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Owatonna Community Education
Owatonna Community Education activities get back in full swing
Adult Learning Center Opens for Registration on Aug. 24th
from classroom service this past summer. Jessica Monson will assume a new role as an ABE teacher, working mostly closely The Adult Learning Center with the adult English language is for adults to receive personal learners. Patricia Wieseler has acand confidential attention to cepted a new position as the ABE their educational needs. Instruc- Program Specialist. Among her tion is offered in the subject areas many duties, she will provide navof reading, writing, vocabulary, igation services for adult students English, spelling, math, ESL, ca- looking for assistance in meeting reer and college readiness, on- their educational and work-tranline learning and preparation for sition goals. She will provide for work and a transitioning into a students an interagency network job search. The Adult Learning and help work closely with them Center is located in the Roosevelt to access services important to Community School. Adults can their future. Pat can be reached by choose between traditional class calling the Adult Learning Center formats, group, individual at 444-7925. Visitsmall Our New Website tutoring or learning in our stateThe Adult Learning Center Mobile-Friendly • Enhanced Home Banking & Bill Pay • Mobile App of-the-art computer lab. A variety has acquired two new grants to of web-based software is available provide improved and broader for community use both in the adult learning services. High InCenter and at home. termediate and Advanced EngMany classes this fall will be lish language learners will benefit new or reformatted in our class from a new Transition to Career schedule. New class schedules will and College curriculum, custombe mailed to all current and for- ized to individual learners. Last mer students. New students are year the Center piloted a ParaPro welcome to stop into the Adult program for individuals interLearning Center at Roosevelt ested in working as classroom Community School to pick-up a assistants and paraprofessionals class schedule, or call Kim at 444- in area schools and children’s cen7925 to have a schedule mailed. ters. The program was awarded a Advance registration for Adult state Pathways to Progress grant Learning Center classes is recom- recently, allowing the program to mended to ensure a seat. be replicated in Austin, Albert Lea The Adult Learning Center and again in Owatonna. Adults will welcome new staff this year. interested in learning more about ABE Teacher Cathy Quam retired this program can network with
Kim in the Adult Learning Center, 444-7925. Adult Learning Center services are free of charge. Anyone interested in growing their basic academic skills for career advancement, transitioning to work or a college program will find value in Adult Learning Center services. Classes begin on Sept. 14. GED Preparation and Testing Services Available in the Adult Learning Center Adults needing to complete their GED can prepare and test at Roosevelt Community School. Call 444-7925 to receive a copy of the fall class and testing schedule.
evenings, with one Saturday morning a month available for appointments. Screenings take approximately an hour to complete.
Families new to Owatonna screening completed. Appointwith a kindergarten student who ments fill quickly, so call today! has not previously been screened, can call Community Education right now to get their child’s Continued ON 9
Early Childhood Screening Available
Appointments are now being accepted for families with children ages three-five. Early Childhood screening is mandated by the State of Minnesota prior to public school kindergarten entry. The purpose is to confirm for families that their child is developing normally and ready for the school experience. Families with children between the ages of three-five will alphabetically receive a post card notice to schedule an appointment. Families may also call 444-7900 to schedule an appointment at any time. Screenings are held Thursday afternoons and
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Owatonna Community Education From Page 8
Fall Community Education brochures to mail Sept. 1
Fall Community Education brochures will be placed in the US Mail Service on Sept. 1 and will be delivered to every household within the Owatonna school district. On-line registration for adults and youth programs will begin on Sept. 2 at 6 a.m. Online registration at www.owatonnacommunityed.org is a fast and efficient way to get registered for the classes you want. Many classes begin the week of Sept.21 with several others, including trips and workshops scheduled throughout the months of October, November and December. Most offerings have a limited number of slots available, so register early! Registration is on-going until all class seats are filled. As soon as a brochure copy is ready for viewing, it will be posted to the community education website listed above. Check back often for a preview of special programs and events planned with you and your family in mind! Families not receiving a fall program publication are encouraged to call Community Education at 444-7900 to have a copy sent. Copies are also available at Roosevelt Community School, Owatonna Public Schools District Office, and the Owatonna Public Library for pick-up.
Call 444-7900 with questions or assistance in completing registration for all Community Education learning opportunities. We are happy to help in any way we can!
Preschool learning for children up to age five
The Early Childhood brochure featuring parent and child together learning opportunities will be direct mailed to families with children up to five years of age. Brochures will mail the week of Aug. 17. Registration begins on Aug. 26. The on-line registration feature is now available for ECFE Registrations and will go live on Aug. 26 at 8 a.m. Families are also welcome to call 444-7900 beginning at 8 a.m. on Aug. 26, or stop by Roosevelt Community School with your registration requests. Registration for early childhood programs remains open until class slots are filled. Families are encouraged to select the waiting list option if preferred classes are full. New class offerings will be built for those classes with full waiting lists as space and instructors are available. Fall parent/child and child-only classes begin Sept. 14.
Kids First/OJHS athletics
Owatonna Community Education is pleased to announce their continuing support for OJHS KIDS FIRST Athletics. The Fall Sports Parent/Athlete Meeting is scheduled for Aug. 24 at
7 p.m. at OJHS. Practice for seventh and eighth grade Football begins on Aug. 24. All other sports will begin practice on Aug. 31. For more information on the Kids First Athletic Program, contact Sean Hughes, Youth Coordinator with Owatonna Community Education. Phone 444-7923. Coaches are still needed. Please check the school district website for employment opportunities, or contact Sean Hughes at 444-7923. A reminder to families, Kids First will no longer be a part of the district activities fee cap. A scholarship program is available to any family requesting assistance with the activity fee. Information will be available at all of this year’s Parent/Athlete meetings about the scholarship opportunities, or check our website for updates. The following web links will provide families with valuable updates on Kids First Athletic programs: www.owatonnacommunityed.org click on Kids First/ OJHS Athletics tab or www.owatonna.k12.mn.us click on OJHS link. Fall game schedules can be downloaded at www.big9.org Enrollment for fall sport participation is available on line at http:// owatonna.feepay.com. To register for fall sports, parents will need their student’s ID number and a current MSHSL physical. The system will alert families if the current physical on file for a student needs updating.
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Alternative Learning Center Alternative Learning Center offers education in different setting By MELODEE HOFFNER
I hope this article finds you enjoying your summer. Along with our staff, I would like to welcome you to the Owatonna Alternative Learning Center (OALC). The OALC is a program for students who are in need of a different learning option rather than the traditional high school setting. If you feel your student needs a smaller environment, more individualized help, or access to digital curriculum to recover credits, the OALC may be a program that will meet your student’s needs. Our students graduate with an Owatonna High School Diploma and are required to pass the same testing requirements as the students in the traditional high school setting. We are excited to share some new building initiatives. The first is the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework. This is an approach for helping schools select and organize evidence-based behavioral interventions to improve academic and social behavior outcomes for all students. We applied and were selected to participate in a two year training through the Minnesota Department of Education and successfully completed our first training session this month. Additionally, in an effort to improve access, rigor and academic support, our staff will be introducing a Blending Learning Format over the next two years. This educational design will provide both face-to-face learning and digital instruction. Students who attend the OALC have the opportunity and are encouraged to participate in high school activities and sports. The OALC and Owatonna High School (OHS) work closely together to provide the best educational supports and, when possible, partial OHS and OALC schedules are also available for students. In addition, the OALC
has student leadership opportunities with our MAAP STARS (Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs) organization led by Don Hettinga, our Social Studies teacher. We are excited to have additional onsite support with our new Professional School Counselor, Marshall Kading. We also have a full time Licensed Social Worker, Chely Flores, available as a valuable resource for parents and students. We offer core courses, a variety of specialized classes such as Physical Education and digital curriculum through Odysseyware. Odysseyware has multiple learning levels, ranging from foundational to honors classes and provides several credit recovery options. We have an intervention period, Check and Connect, where we focus on providing support in students’ Career, Academic and Personal/Social skills. The OALC continues to build on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to guide behavior and decision making for both students and staff. The Owatonna Alternative Learning Center may be the option you’re looking for and we welcome the opportunity to visit with you and your student. Please join us for our Open House, Tuesday Sept. 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at 130 E. Vine St., 6 p.m. Blended Learning Orientation Meeting, Owatonna for more information. Refreshments and snacks will be served. If you are an Owatonna High School student, you may attend the Open House to fill out OALC paperwork. Please attend the Open House if you are currently an OALC student to complete your 2015-16 paperwork and to receive your class schedule. For all other enrollment questions, contact the Owatonna Schools Enrollment Office at 507-444-7900. The entire Owatonna Alternative Learning Center staff are committed to building relationships, facilitating student commu-
nity service, creating an environment based on respect and trust and focusing on student growth. We strongly feel that all students have value and can succeed. We look forward to partnering with the community, parents and students for the 2015-16 school year!
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Thursday, August 27, 2015
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Elementary
Owatonna elementary schools prepare for upcoming year Registration
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
If you recently moved to the community, students in all grades register at Roosevelt Community School located at 122 E McKinley Street. Appointments can be made by calling (507)444-7900. Due to high enrollment at some schools in certain grade levels, we will not be able to honor all enrollments in boundarydefined schools. The main office line for each school is listed below. If your family has moved within the community, please notify the district office at the same contact information listed above. If you move to a different attendance area during the school year, please contact your school principal.
Lincoln School 444-8100 Attendance Line 444-8105 McKinley School 444-8200 Attendance Line 444-8205 Washington School 444-8300 Attendance Line 444-8305 Wilson School 444-8400 Attendance Line 444-8405 Willow Creek School 444-8500 Attendance Line 444-8505
Attendance
Elementary Home/Child/ School Day
This very important event will be held Sept. 3, 2015, at all of the elementary schools for students in grades one through five. This is an opportunity for parents and children to meet their new teachers and set the stage for a successful year of learning. This day does count as your child’s first day of school and attendance will be taken. If your family did not receive a mailing with information regarding Home/Child/ School Day, please call your neighborhood elementary school. Due to allday kindergarten, the Home/Child/ School Day for kindergarten students will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the first day of school for one-12 students. Kindergarten students will start Sept. 9 with half of the students reporting on the ninth and the other half reporting
on Sept. 10. All kindergarten students in the Q-Z range 11 a.m. — noon Students with the last will report on Friday, Sept. 11. You will receive a letter from your respective name in the H-P range 1:30-2:30 p.m. Students with the last school indicating which day your child attends for his/her first day of kinder- name in the A-G range The orientation will begin promptly, garten. at the times listed above, in the gymnaWillow Creek Orientation sium. An overview will be covered. AfWillow Creek will have its Orienta- terwards, students and parents will visit tion on Thursday, Sept. 3. We are sug- with staff members at tables that are set gesting that families attend during time- up for student activities. Parents may also frames below: stop at the food services table to set up Thursday, Sept. 3 a lunch account for the student. Activ9-10 a.m. Students with the last name ity tickets will be available for purchase.
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Also, the nurse will be present for any parent needing to drop off medications for their student. PTSO will also collect PTSO classroom dues. Students will take their school pictures during this time as well. After visiting tables, students will have an opportunity to drop off their school supplies, meet informally with their teacher, and tour the school. Parents should find lists of school supplies at Wal-Mart, Office Max, and other stores in the area.
School attendance is important for students in order to ensure a consistent, quality education. Regular school attendance directly impacts success in academic work, benefits students socially, provides opportunities for important communications between teachers and students and establishes regular habits of dependability important to the future of all students. Please be sure to call your child’s school office to report if your child will be late or absent and include why your child will not be in school. This information is particularly important in tracking childhood illnesses. Our schools are working closely with the District Attorney’s Office and Steele County Human Services to stay on top of student attendance and give assistance if needed to families who are struggling with getting their children to school regularly and on time.
Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer your time and help tutor a child in the Owatonna Schools? Only requirement needed is a heart to help a child. To help, call 507-213-9569 or email sonjagfe@gmail.com
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Junior High School Owatonna Junior High School gets ready for new year We hope that you’ve been having a wonderful summer, but our hallways have been empty for too long and we are greatly anticipating the return of our students. If you are an incoming seventh grader – welcome! We really enjoyed bringing you over for tours at the end of the school year and had wonderful conversations with your teachers about the great things that you’ve been doing. We have heard that you are an amazing class and look very forward to meeting you in a few weeks. Incoming eighth graders – we welcome you back! Look forward to a wonderful year, full of all sorts of learning, challenges and activities. We hope that both grades are ready for a year of pushing your limits. We hope to take learning to a whole new level and to challenge you in ways that you’ve not been challenged before. We’ve worked really hard on our curriculum (things we’d like all students to know) this last year and have developed a number of ways to provide feedback to you about your progress and support to help you master and push past our standards. This year we begin the third year of our school’s direction, which focuses on literacy, learning and leadership. We’ve also been spending quite a bit of time thinking about our mission and vision and what we are willing to
• Student schedules are complimented with a full array of courses including technology engineering education, art, family and consumer science, Spanish, health, orchestra, band, and choir. • We offer a wide array of cocurricular and extracurricular activities, including but not limited to student council, Leaders for Life, YSHOC, drama, yearbook, Jazz Band, WE club, newspaper, and all the major sports. • To stay up to date, please visit our school’s website or “like” us at www.facebook.com/owatonnajuniorhighschool. • If you’d like to visit our school, please enter through the main entrance on 15th St. NE and sign in at the security desk.
Orientation for students and parents
commit to in order for our students to learn. Furthermore, we’ve spent some time restructuring our school culture and how we can make this the best place possible for our students. So, when you get information on something different at OJHS, don’t be surprised – we are just continuing our own growth and learning in our own practice just as we expect our stu-
dents to. Information about orientation and the school is listed below. We fully acknowledge that attending orientation may not perfectly align with your family’s schedule, but we strongly encourage you to attend. There you’ll be able to receive a lot of information regarding your student, his/her schedule, expectations, the school culture and so on.
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Again, with great anticipation we • Office Hours: 7:30 a.m.4:00 p.m. await Sept. 8. • The building is ran by about Fast facts about OJHS 75 total staff members, including • About 700 seventh and 43 teachers, a Spanish and Soeighth grade students will attend mali liaison, a full time resource OJHS next year officer, a full time community • The student day begins at service officer, an assistant prin8:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. cipal, a social worker, a couple • The building opens for stu- of counselors and other support personnel. dents at 8:07 a.m. each day.
All seventh and eighth graders will attend orientation sessions on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at the Owatonna Junior High School. We invite and encourage parents to attend with their child. As a parent, if you cannot attend, your child can still successfully complete the orientation program, so please ensure that they find a way to attend.
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Junior High School From Page 12 The doors will open for all seventh grade parents and students at 8:20 a.m. Students and parents will be directed to their locations. The day will start with a welcome and introductions and students and parents will then be given a specific plan for the day’s activities. The seventh grade orientation runs from 8:30-10:30 a.m. The doors will open at 12:05 p.m. for our eighth grade parents and students. Students and parents will be directed to their locations. The day will start with a welcome and introductions and students and parents will then be given a specific plan for the day’s activities. The eighth grade orientation runs from 12:15-2:15 p.m.
Orientation Day is also Picture Day. All students will have their picture taken by Life Touch Studios for their student ID cards and the OJHS yearbook. In order to avoid long lines during orientation, students may have their pictures taken prior to their orientations from 7:30–8:25 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.– 12:10 p.m. Please enter through the athletic entrance on the north side of the building. The academic end of the building will not be accessible during these times. Students may also have their pictures taken during the orientations between 9:2511:30 a.m. and 1:10–3:10 p.m. In addition to pictures, students and parents will have time to go through class schedules and meet their teachers following the Home Base meetings. An
OJHS UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS August 24 — Kids First Fall Sports meeting 7 p.m. — Old Gym 24 — Kids First Football practice begins 31 — Kids First Boys Cross Country and Girls Volleyball practices begin September 2 — OJHS Student/Parent Orientation 8:30am-10:30am 7th Grade 12:15pm -2:15pm 8th Grade Student picture day 7 — Labor Day/no school 8 — First day of school 15 — First day of RE (Religious Ed release time) 18 — OJHS Teen Night, 7-9 p.m.
information fair will be set up in the cafeteria where students will receive information regarding OJHS student support services
and co-curricular activities. Students may purchase activity stickers that activate the student I.D. card. There will also be an
opportunity for students to make payments on their lunch accounts based on the Food and Nutrition Services information given to them in their Home Base classes. The Owatonna Bus Company will send you bus transportation information. The Bus Company will be at orientation to answer your questions and to hand out the student bus passes. If you have any questions regarding transportation, please call the bus company at 451-5262.
Health information updates
Please provide all information regarding immunizations, as well as athletic physical information to Health Services at orientation or send to the
school prior to the beginning of the school year. The clinics do not provide that information. It must be provided by parents to the school. Health Services will have a table set up outside the OJHS media center to answer any questions on orientation day. Your child will be required to have a current athletic physical on file with the school prior to participating in any Kids First Athletic Programs. In addition, all students participating in the Kids First Sport Program must provide a waiver of insurance coverage. A family may choose to use their current medical family coverage, or they may choose to purchase a Student Accident Insurance Policy. These forms are available outside the OJHS office.
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Owatonna High School Keep your eyes on the prize What you need to know at Owatonna High School
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. This will continue to be our theme for the upcoming school year as Owatonna Senior High School prepares students to be college and career ready. Our core values of high student achievement, college and career readiness, and safe and engaging environment continues to guide our work. Our menu of course options allows students to explore possible careers and interests, while at the same time, apply their learning to real world experiences. Many of our students participate in career mentorship and internship courses that allows students and our school to partner with area businesses. This type of “hands on” learning allows our students to prepare for life after high school. Academically, we hold our students to high standards. Our breadth and depth of course offerings allows us to prepare students for college and careers:
College preparatory classes
College in the Schools (25 sections offered in math, language arts, and social studies) Advanced Placement (46 sections offered in math, language arts, social studies, and world language)
Career preparatory courses (work experience programs)
Nine course offerings with over 500 students accessing courses Over 100 partnerships with area businesses 80-100 students participate in mentorship, on-site work experience programs Courses offered for college credit at OHS (2014-2015): 26 sections in the areas of math, language arts and social studies
College credit opportunities at OHS
College in the Schools cours-
es (Southwest State, Minnesota State, Mankato, Riverland, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Rasmussen) AP Test (open to all 1,500 students) CLEP (College Level Examination Program) Test (open to all 1,500 students) Rasmussen on-line courses
By the numbers
573 high school credits were taken by students in CIS courses for 2014-2015 school year 1,155 high school credits were taken by students in AP courses for 2014-2015 school year For the 2013-2014 school year, the value of college credit earned by OHS students participating in on-site college courses was over $600,000. This does not include those who earned college credit by taking the AP and/or CLEP tests and our partnership with Rasmussen Community College. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE. Owatonna High School will provide students with a variety of educational opportunities for all students, while at the same time, our staff will continue to place an emphasis on personalizing the learning of students to ensure all students learn at high levels and are prepared to advance their learning after high school. Owatonna Senior High School wants to thank our parents and community for their continued support and partnerships with our staff and students. We look forward to the 2015-2016 school year and working to ensure our students.
Pictures
We require that all students in grades nine through 11 have their picture taken. A picture must be taken in order to get an ID card; there is no charge for this photo. You may elect to purchase a photo package, however it is not required. Pictures will be taken on Aug. 26 and 27 between 8 a.m. and 3p.m. Also at that time, you will be able to pick up your schedule, locker assignment, and identification card, purchase your activity ticket, and order your yearbook. It is very important that you make arrangements to be here one of those days. Please go to C-200 to pick up your information packet and have your picture taken.
Student and parent orientations
There will be two 9th grade orientation sessions; one for parents and one for students. The parent session will be held Monday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. in the OHS Auditorium. It is very important that a parent or guardian attend to receive information to help you have a successful year. Students are encouraged to attend this session with parents.
New students
A meeting for students who are new to the high school will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2, in the Career Center at Owatonna High School. This meeting is for all students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade who have never attended OHS. The meeting will
run from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. A variety of topics will be discussed to help you feel more at ease as you approach your new surroundings. The student session — what we call our “Link Crew Orientation” — will be held in the OHS gymnasium on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. This session will be for students only! During orientation, freshmen will be given a guided tour of the building and lunch will be served at noon. There will be an invitation mailed to you in the next week regarding this freshmen orientation.
first day of school. Students have been assigned to their counselors according to the first letter of their last name: Ms. Tami Langlois A-E Ms. Brynn McConnell F-K Ms. Vicki Berdan L-R Ms. Margo McKay S-Z Schedule change policy: All schedule changes must be done prior to the beginning of each quarter. All non-substantive requests for schedule changes such as: changing hours, “I prefer to take it next year,” “I want to have a class with my friend,” etc., will not be considered. We are aware that, ocClass schedules casionally, circumstances change Your class schedule is very between the time of registration important, so please review it and the beginning of class that carefully. If there is a question necessitate changing a schedule. regarding your schedule, please call 444-8815 for an appointment Senior yearbook pictures with your counselor. CounselSeniors are reminded that their ors will be available Aug. 26-28, yearbook pictures must be turned and Aug.31–Sept. 3. All schedule in to the high school office no latchanges must be done before the er than Monday, Nov. 16. Digital
Photos are preferred and should be emailed to dleer@owatonna. k12.mn.us or if on a cd, dropped off for Mr. Leer in the high school office. If you have questions, please contact our yearbook adviser, Mr. Leer at 444-8849.
Student parking
All student parking lots are “pay lots.” In addition, all spaces will be identified by a number and assigned to the student on a first come, first serve basis beginning with seniors. Seniors may purchase parking passes beginning Monday, Aug. 24 at 8 a.m. Underclassmen may purchase passes beginning Tuesday, Aug. 25, starting at 8 a.m. Students may purchase a parking permit in the main office through Ms. Bergwall. Limited space is available.
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Thursday, August 27, 2015
OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAGE 15
Across the District Owatonna school board meeting schedule
The District 761 Board of Education generally meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the District Office at 515 W. Bridge Street. dExceptions are noted by an asterisk (). Additional sessions may be scheduled as needed. Check the website for up-to-date information (www.owatonna.k12.mn.us).
September Monday, Sept. 14, 2015 (work session) Monday, Sept. 28, 2015 (regular meeting) October e Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 (work session) s Monday, Oct. 26, 2015 (regular meeting) tNovember gMonday, Nov. 9, 2015 (work session) eMonday, Nov. 23, 2015 (regular meeting) ,December Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 (regular meeting) gJanuary Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 (organizational meeting) hMonday, Jan. 11, 2016 (work session) sMonday, Jan. 25, 2016 (regular meeting) February
Monday, Feb. 8, 2016 (work session) Monday, Feb. 22, 2016 (regular meeting) March Monday, March 7, 2016 (work session) Monday, March 21, 2016 (regular meeting) April Monday, April 11, 2016 (work session) Monday, April 25, 2016 (regular meeting) May Monday, May 9, 2016 (work session) Monday, May 23, 2016 (regular meeting) June Monday, June 13, 2016 (work session) Monday, June 27, 2016 (regular meeting) July Monday, July 11, 2016 (regular meeting)
Referendum to address facilities improvements After a year of study, a comprehensive analysis by a 36-member Community Task Force on Facilities, a professional community survey and other community input, the Owatonna School Board unanimously decided to adopt Task Force recommendations and ask Owatonna voters whether to fund these facilities improvements: Address high priority deferred maintenance needs at all elementary and junior high schools. Upgrade school safety and security systems at all schools. Reduce elementary crowding by building additions on four schools, converting Willow Creek Intermediate to an elementary school and moving sixth graders to the Junior High School. Fast facts: The last major facilities improve-
ments were done nearly 20 years ago. Most of our schools were designed more than 50 years ago; school security concerns have changed dramatically since then. Our elementary schools are full; some learning groups are held in closets and hallways. The addition of all-day kindergarten reduced available elementary school space. The recommended change in grade configuration to kindergarten-fifth, sixth-eighth and nineth-12 aligns with state standards and eliminates one building change for students. If voters approve the school district’s bond request on Nov. 3, the average homeowner ($150,000 value home) would see a monthly tax increase of approximately $15. More information is available at www.owatonna.k12.mn.us or by at-
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tending a public information session (Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. at Owatonna High School and Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m. at Owatonna High School).
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OWATONNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Thursday, August 27, 2015
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