June 2017 Communicator by Wayzata Public Schools

Communicator JUNE 2017

Excellence. For Each and Every Student.

From the Superintendent By Superintendent CHACE B. ANDERSON

THE END OF the school year always brings both exciting and bittersweet feelings. This is especially true for me this year as my youngest graduated from Wayzata High School on June 2. Since I came to the district nine years ago, I have been so proud to say that I am both superintendent and a dad in the district with both my kids attending Wayzata Public Schools. From now on I will proudly say I have two alumni that were well prepared and positively impacted by countless teachers, staff and members of our community…it definitely takes a village. Congratulations to the Class of 2017 graduates and families as you begin a new, exciting, and yes probably a little bittersweet, chapter of your lives. I hope you enjoy this issue of the Communicator, full of examples of our students’ exceling and making our community a better place. See page 2 for more information about important funding needs currently under consideration by the Wayzata School Board. These funding needs are being driven by continued enrollment growth, facilities issues, inadequate state funding and classroom technology. The 2017 State Legislative Session ended on May 26 resulting in an education bill that contains a 2% per year increase to the basic education funding formula for the 2018-19 biennium. While we are grateful to our local legislators for supporting this funding increase, our district continues to face budget challenges due to the State’s basic funding formula not keeping pace with inflation for a number of years. The School Board will review final funding options in June and July, resulting in a decision about any requests for voter-approved funding to be placed on the November 7 general election ballot. Watch for more information coming in July. As always, I welcome your thoughts and questions at chace.anderson@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

Congratulations, Class of 2017! MORE THAN 87 percent of the 782 graduates in the following choices for their post-high school plans: the Wayzata High School Class of 2017 are making • Other education: 25 plans to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities. • Military: 10 The summary of post-high school plans for the • Work: 17 class of 2017 includes the following: • Other plans: 46 • University of Minnesota, all campuses: 174 The top 10 colleges chosen by 2017 Wayzata • Minnesota four-year state universities: 19 graduates are: • Minnesota four- year private colleges/ • University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (140) universities: 77 • University of Minnesota - Duluth (31) • Minnesota one- and two- year colleges: 38 • University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (30) • Out-of-state four-year public colleges/universities/ • St. Thomas University (29) academies: 225 • University of Wisconsin - Madison (22) • Out-of-state four-year private colleges/universities: 79 • Iowa State University (22) • Out-of-state one- and two-year colleges: 3 • Normandale Community College (21) • College bound, school undecided: 68 • University of Wisconsin - Stout (18) • College bound, non-U.S. colleges: 1 • North Dakota State University (16) • Total college bound students: 684 • St. Olaf College (14) The remaining Wayzata students have indicated • University of North Dakota (12)

2 School Board Reviews Comprehensive Funding Needs up with growing enrollment and provide students with the support services they need to succeed. • A district technology levy will soon expire, which provides $3.4 million per year to support personalized education and access to real-time educational resources for students.

WPS Budget Cut History ($16+ milllion cut in past 8 years) $$(500,000) $(1,000,000)

“Thanks to the hard work of our citizen’s committees and our staff, we have valuable data and recommendations about our district’s growth and funding needs,” said Wayzata School Board Chair Chris McCullough. “We will continue to be as prudent and planful as possible, using all the financial tools available to minimize homeowner tax impacts.” The School Board will review final funding options in June and July, resulting in a decision about any requests for voter-approved funding to be placed on the November 7 general election ballot.

$(3,000,000)

Actual Enrollment Future Projections Facility Capacity (12,400)

(locally approved funding per student, 2017-18)

$2,500

7 -1 16 20

15 20

-1

4 -1

12 20

11 20

-1

2 -1

-1

Inadequate state funding is putting increasing pressure on the district’s operating budget. Since 2009, state funding increased an average of just over one percent per year while costs increased by three percent – forcing the district to cut more than $16 million from its operating budget during that same period.

• Budget projections show increased operating funds are needed to maintain class sizes, keep

Operating Levy Comparison

$(3,500,000) -1

• Additional facilities needs include traffic safety issues at some schools, cafeteria space concerns at Central Middle School, outdated elementary and middle school media centers and performing arts space improvements needed at East and West Middle Schools.

$(2,500,000)

• The district should build a new elementary school to handle continued enrollment growth and maintain reasonable class sizes.

$(2,000,000)

Key findings:

$(1,500,000)

FUNDING NEEDS DRIVEN by continued enrollment growth, facilities issues, state funding that hasn’t kept pace with inflation and classroom technology use will soon be decided by the Wayzata School Board. For the past several months, community-based enrollment growth and finance advisory groups have been working with district staff to analyze what students, staff and the schools need to maintain an excellent educational experience.

WayzataK-12 K-12ENROLLMENT Enrollment WAYZATA 2015-2030: Actual and Projections

11,276

11,546

11,821

12,124

12,442

12,744

12,847

12,921

13,107

13,181

13,302

13,334

13,316

13,313

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

2025-26

2026-27

2027-28

2028-29

2029-30

13500 $2,000

10500

$1,500

9000

10,731

12000

7500

$1,000

6000 $500

3000 Pa rk

1500

St Lo u

pk Ho

Or on

se o Av er ag e Ed en Pr ai rie

et on k

ol ap

in n M

at a

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W ay z

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Wayzata – like almost all Minnesota school districts – relies heavily on voter-approved levies to provide additional funding for schools and programs. Wayzata’s operating levy is lower than most neighboring districts and $500 less per student than the amount allowed by state law. The last time the district asked residents to increase that levy was more than a decade ago.

2015-16

4500

Projections indicate approximately 1,000 new Wayzata students by 2019 – driven by robust housing construction in the north and steady growth in the south. While there are elementary level capacity issues, there should be adequate space at the middle schools and high school for several years due to the recent expansion of Wayzata High School and moving early childhood programs out of Central Middle School to make space for middle school students.

3 25th Annual Empty Bowls Event a Success MORE THAN 309 people joined together for Wayzata High School’s 25th annual Empty Bowls event on Thursday, May 18. Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to unite arts education and the prevention of hunger. Wayzata’s annual event raises money for Interfaith Outreach and its fight against hunger in the Twin Cities. For a suggested $10 donation, patrons selected from more than 320 handmade ceramic bowls, crafted by WHS advanced pottery students, alumni and staff. The bowl was filled with soup and bread and kept as a reminder of the evening. Thanks to the Wayzata community, sponsors, donors, students and staff, this year’s event raised $3,023 for Interfaith Outreach. When Wayzata High School held its first Empty Bowls event in 1992, it was the first in Minnesota. Since then, the annual event has raised over $100,000 for Interfaith Outreach and increased awareness of hunger in the community.

Wayzata Welcomes New Administrators WELCOME TO THE following new administrators who have recently joined Wayzata Public Schools. Stacie Vos is the new executive director of human resources, replacing Annie Doughty who is retiring after 15 years in the district. Annie will be staying on in a part-time capacity and will work in cooperation with Superintendent Anderson to provide leadership to the community education program. Stacie was previously the director of human resources in the Princeton School District. Prior to that position, she worked Stacie Vos Jody Remsing for the St. Cloud School District as both a teacher and administrator for 20 years. She has both elementary and secondary school experience. Jody Remsing has been hired as the new director of special services, replacing Lori Fildes who will be retiring in June after 17 years. Remsing comes to Wayzata from the Burnsville, Eagan, Savage School District, where she was special education supervisor. In addition to her background in special education, Jody also has her law degree from Hamline University School of Law. David Lutz Shanna Lecy David Lutz has been hired to become the new West Middle School principal, replacing Susan Sommerfeld in July after 11 years in the district. David was the principal at West High School in Mankato, Minnesota and brings both middle-level and Wayzata Public Schools’ experience to the appointment. He was previously employed as a teacher at Central Middle School for seven years. Shanna Lecy has been hired as the new special services supervisor at Wayzata High School. Shanna comes from the Rockford Public School District where she served as a special education coordinator for the Meeker Wright Special Education Cooperative. In addition to special education administration, Shanna has experience as a licensed school psychologist, practicing school psychology for the St. Croix River Education District.

Register for 2017 Fall Trojan Tots WE INVITE YOU to consider enrolling your child(ren) in the Fall 2017 Trojan Tots preschool program. This is a program for preschoolers offered through the Child Psychology II class at Wayzata High School. Preschoolers who will be 3- to 5-years-old and potty-trained in September are welcome to join us. Trojan Tots sessions run 8:30-11:15 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from September 19 to October 31. In an effort to make it fair and allow the high school students adequate time with their tot, tots are required to attend all three days per week. Preschoolers will participate in a variety of learning activities such as social skills, math, science, language development, art, music and movement developed and presented by the high school’s Child Psychology II students. A snack and recess will also be included each day. The cost is only $50 for the entire session. To register for Trojan Tots, go to www.wayzata schoolspayonline.com to pay the $50 registration fee; an email will follow with the registration form for you to complete. For additional information, please contact Stephanie Ebert at stephanie.ebert@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

WHS Students Named Policy Debate National Champions SHAWN LIANG AND Kevin Sun, freshmen at Wayzata High School, recently took first place at the 30th Annual First and Second Year National Debate Championships in College Park, GA. Shawn and Kevin competed against nearly 200 students from 47 schools and 18 states. For more information, visit https://sites.google. com/a/woodward.edu/debate/news.

4 WHS Senior Participated in International Science and Engineering Fair SENIOR GAURI BINOY represented Wayzata High School and Intermediate District 287 SciMent Science Research Program at the 2017 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) May 13-19 in Los Angeles, CA. Binoy’s project studied the relationship between genetics and neurodegenerative diseases. 1,778 students from 78 countries competing for over $4 million in scholarships. The SciMent Science Research program is sponsored by Intermediate District 287 as a hybrid of Online Learning and the Honors Mentor Connection. Students were selected to participate through regional and state science fairs and their work was reviewed and judged by doctoral level scientists. Judges evaluated work based on scientific thought, originality, scientific understanding and presentation ability. For more information about ISEF, visit https:// student.societyforsciene.org/intel-isef. For more information on SciMent Science Research, visit http://district287.org/sciment.

WHS Compass Program Seeking Business Partners COMPASS, AN EXPERIENTIAL professional career studies program at Wayzata High School, has completed its first year of matching students with local businesses and mentors for hands-on experience with business partners in the subject areas of graphic communications and business management. Compass is currently seeking professionals who are interested in working with high school students enrolled in either the Graphic Communications (Semester I), Business Management and Economics (Semester II) and/or Cyber Security (Semester II) courses during the 2017-2018 school year. For more information on becoming a mentor, guest instructor or business partner, visit www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/whs/compass.

WHS Students Named Minnesota Scholars of Distinction

Minnesota Scholars of Distinction pictured L to R: Abhi Kamboj, senior; Jason Weng, junior; Brandon Lai, junior; Reya Magan, junior; Abigail Li, senior; Firdows Mujir, junior; Akash Kaul, junior; Kush Maheshwari, junior; and David Hwang, senior. Honored students not pictured include: Gauri Binoy, senior; Shivang Charan, junior; Ruhi Doshi, junior; Priya George, senior; Cathylin Wang, junior; and Melissa Zhang, senior.

FIFTEEN STUDENTS FROM Wayzata High School were among the 57 students honored statewide as Minnesota Department of Education STEM Scholars of Distinction, Mathematics Scholars of Distinction, Social Studies Scholars of Distinction and Science Scholars of Distinction. The Minnesota Department of Education recognizes the distinguished achievements of students who have completed required work in the Minnesota Academic Standards, demonstrate mastery of complex subject matter and apply their knowledge to challenging projects. For more information, visit http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/about/news/press/MDE071075.

2017 WHS Distinguished Alumna Honored BERIT KYLLO FRANCIS, a 1979 graduate of Wayzata High School, was named the 2016-2017 Wayzata High School Distinguished Alumna. Kyllo Francis is the founder of the St. Jude Gala and also a national advocate against sexual violence and a former member of RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network). Kyllo Francis has aligned her anti-sexual assault efforts by supporting a documentary film entitled “BRAVE MISS WORLD,” a film Kyllo Francis said she wants to reach people of all ages, especially high school. Currently, Kyllo Francis serves on the advisory council for CaringBridge, a nonprofit organization established in 1997 whose mission is to “amplify the love, hope and compassion in the world, making each health journey easier.” Kyllo Francis was presented a plaque at a ceremony held at WHS on May 25, 2017. She was nominated by Connie Lewis, retired dean of students at Wayzata High School. Learn more about Kyllo Francis’ accomplishments on the Wayzata High School Trojan Tribune website at www.whstrojan.com.

5 Great Readers Help Students Achieve Literacy EVERY THURSDAY AFTERNOON at Interfaith Outreach, students from Gleason Lake Elementary spent time this year building their literacy skills at Great Readers, a program made up of volunteers led by Mary Coleman. The 21 students who participate in the program are from Interfaith Outreach’s Neighborhood Program. Mary, who retired in 2013 from Wayzata Public Schools as a language arts teacher at West Middle School, has been integral to the success of the program ever since. “Mary has gone above and beyond what was expected. She looks for books that the kids will enjoy. Mary is really fantastic at making reading fun,” said Martha Grave, Neighborhood Program manager at Interfaith Outreach. Great Readers started in 2015 as a pull-out program at Homework Club to help students achieve at-gradelevel reading and writing by third grade. Interfaith Outreach is one of just a few suburban districts who receive a portion of the $40 million available through United Way’s Helping Children Succeed grant funds. Mary is quick to acknowledge that the program’s success is a team effort. “Martha knows the kids and the families. When the occasion calls for it, she drives the bus to pick-up the kids. She has wonderful relationships with the parents and the community.” Mary Lou De Chantal, one of Great Readers weekly volunteers, says her greatest pleasure was being a mom, “and Great Readers leads right into nurturing these kids.” “There are people who think about doing and people who do. Mary does,” said Susan Strom, an achievement specialist at Gleason Lake Elementary School. “It’s as much about sharing love and literacy as it about learning to love literacy.” Interfaith Outreach’s Neighborhood Program serves individuals, families and children living at nine affordable apartment neighborhood communities. The goal of the Neighborhood Program is to support residents in building strong neighborhoods, while establishing networks within the broader community.

2017 School Climate Survey – What Parents Said LAST FALL, ALMOST 3,000 parents shared their opinions of Wayzata Public Schools, helping us better understand what we do well and how we can improve. The School Climate Survey for Parents invited feedback about academics, student support, school leadership, family involvement, school start times, communication and technology. “Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their opinions with us,” said Superintendent Chace Anderson. “Parent feedback is the best way to truly understand what is happening in our schools and how we should focus our improvement planning.” Here’s what parents told us: • 94% rated their child’s schools as excellent or good. • 89% said Wayzata schools have high standards for student learning. • 87% said their child’s school is safe. • Three-quarters of parents said the school starttime change had a neutral to positive impact on them and their families. • Email, school newsletters and school websites

were the most frequently used and useful sources of information about the district. • Skyward Family Access was the most frequently used source of information about student learning and technology, with 66% of parents using it weekly or monthly. For more information about the survey or the results, contact Stacey Lackner, director of research and evaluation at stacey.lackner@wayzata.k12. mn.us.

Synchronized Swimming Team Wins 11th Straight State Championship

THE WAYZATA SYNCHRONIZED swimming team won its 11th straight state championship Friday, May 26 at the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Center. The team scored 165 points and claimed eight out of 12 possible first place finishes. First Place in the Extended Division with a score of 68.097: Magdelena Leali, senior Brittney Torguson, senior Anna Van Orsow, senior Brooke Alexander, junior Jenna Hahn, junior Lauren Webert, junior Katlyn Ringquist, sophomore Riley Ruegemer, sophomore First Place in the Long Team Division with a score of 63.530: Alyssa Brolin, sophomore Alexis Friesen, sophomore Anastasia Friesen, sophomore Eleanna Meehan, sophomore Elizabeth Healy, freshman Marisa Perrine, freshman Sarah Cao, 8th grade First Place in the Short Team Division with a score of 60.436: Ketura Bremseth, sophomore Aarohi Shah, freshman Mikyla Dohm, 8th grade Lydia Gengler, 8th grade Willa Letscher, 8th grade Caitlyn Close, 7th grade Shreya Kakkad, 7th grade Campbell Weinand, 7th grade First Place in Short Division Trios with a score of 59.092: Ketura Bremseth, sophomore Aarohi Shah, freshman Campbell Weinand, 7th grade First Place in the Long Duet Division scoring 67.177: Sarah Cao, 8th grade Marisa Perrine, freshman Top Honors in the Short Duet Division with a score of 61.477: Caitlyn Close, 7th grade Mikyla Dohm, 8th grade In solo competitions, Sarah Cao (8) won the long division with a score of 67.469 and Caitlyn Close (7) won the short division with a score of 63.478.

6 Destination ImagiNation Teams Advance to Global Tournament

First Annual Culinary Express Chopped Challenge Winner WILLOW FIELDS, seventh grader at East Middle School, won Culinary Express’ First Annual Chopped Challenge with her pizza pasta salad. Seventh graders at EMS were encouraged to create pasta salad recipes that would advance to the final competition held February 10. Finalists included: Willow Fields, Anijah Kozdras, Nathan Lawsin and Erin Olson. The students presented their dishes to a panel of guest judges including Principal Paul Paetzel, School Counselor Deb Kimlinger and Director of Business and Finance Jim Westrum. Willow’s recipe was featured on the menu at East this spring.

MN State Chess Champion

Andrew Tang, a junior at Wayzata High School, was recently named Minnesota State Chess Champion. Tang is the youngest-ever overall state chess champion, the highest title awarded in the state of Minnesota for chess players of all ages.

FOUR OF WAYZATA Public Schools’ 38 Destination ImagiNation teams that competed at the state tournament in April advanced to the Global Finals tournament in May in Knoxville, Tenn. Destination ImagiNation is an international problem-solving competition for kindergarten through college students that teaches life skills and expands imaginations through team-based creative problem solving. Greenwood and Meadow Ridge Elementary Schools’ fifth grade team, The Da Cheese, won fourth place in the Scientific Challenge. Team members included: Alex Freeman, Jake Hoversten, Anuj Kakkad, Rushil Khadilkar, Arin Shrivastava, May Zeroni and Neev Zeroni with Jenny Zeroni and Ashish Shrivastava as team managers. Meadow Ridge Elementary School’s fourth grade team, The Fire Breathing Chili Peppers, earned 10th place in the Fine Arts challenge. Team members included: Jenna Britz, Nicole Britz, Cole Kinkead, Katie Moon, Nora Moon, Jack Rothaar and Sophie Schroff with Eric Moon as team manager. Wayzata High School’s ninth grade team, ImproGuys, won 26th place in the Improvisational Challenge. Team members included: Brendan Bloom, EJ Hanson, Mitch Hyman and Ian Zukor with Leondra Hanson and Sarah Waite as team managers. Greenwood and Kimberly Lane Elementary Schools’ fifth grade team, We Just DI’d It, placed 26th in the Engineering Challenge. Team members included: Aparna Akathoottuparambil, Addison Colbert, Veda Devulapalli, Anahita Kaur, Diya Menon, and Saiganesh Pothakamuri with Sreedhar Devulapalli and Cindy Colbert as team managers.

East Middle School’s People of Prominence Brings History to Life EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS at East Middle School celebrated the annual People of Prominence (POP) Day in February. POP Day is a living history museum with students researching a person of historical significance. Each student dresses as the person they researched and presents a speech from the point of view of their subject. A person of prominence is defined as a person who has made a positive impact on society. This year’s people included both historical and present-day figures from a number of cultures and industries. POP Day is also a fundraiser to support literacy programs at East. This year’s event raised over $1,750, almost 50 percent more than last year.

7 Contribute to Wayzata’s Community Scholarship Fund

Congratulations to the 2017 Wayzata Education Fund Grant Recipients THE WAYZATA EDUCATION FUND is pleased to announce the funding of 12 grants totaling over $36,000 for projects throughout the Wayzata Public Schools for the 2017-18 school year. These grants will fund: • Full-size fossil specimens for Wayzata High School’s new Evolution class and Biology classes thanks to Toni Leland, science teacher • Aeroponic tower garden for 2nd graders at Meadow Ridge Elementary School thanks to second grade teacher, Samantha Exsted • Recumbent bike for the Autism Spectrum Disorder Program at Wayzata High School thanks to special education teachers, Renee Heiland and Nicole Delorme • New books for the districtwide Volunteer Literacy Program thanks to Charlene Barghini and Colleen Weir, District Volunteer Office • 3D printer for Wayzata High School’s Art Department and 3D Design classes thanks to Dawn Duwenhoegger, art teacher • Google Expeditions virtual reality technology for 4th and 5th graders at Gleason Lake and Oakwood Elementary Schools thanks to Mary McKasy and Sarabeth deNeui, Gleason Lake and Oakwood Elementary School principals • Anatomical human skull collection to enhance the anthropology unit in Wayzata High School’s

Forensic Science class thanks to science teacher, Amy Campbell • Resources - including a drone - to augment student research capabilities in 7th grade Life Science Bioblitz/Outdoor Research at East Middle School thanks to Jessi Herrscher • Ukuleles for the 5th grade music program at Meadow Ridge and Kimberly Lane Elementary Schools thanks to Katie Baker, Meadow Ridge music teacher • Augmentative alternative communication devices to help give a “voice” to non-verbal and limited-verbal students throughout all Wayzata schools thanks to Olga Campbell, speech-language pathologist and Carole Ries, assistive technology and occupational therapist • Ozobots to provide early exposure to coding for students in the Vision 21/Young Scholars program in grades 1-5 at Sunset Hill, Kimberly Lane, Gleason Lake and Oakwood Elementary Schools thanks to Angela Henry, Vision 21 teacher at Oakwood • An East-meets-West collaborative workshop and curriculum for all high school and 8th grade orchestra students, featuring world-class Indian composer and performer Chitrvina N. Ravikiran thanks to Mark Gitch, orchestra teacher at Wayzata High School

A special thanks to our primary sponsors for making the “Excellent to Exceptional” grant program possible.

WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL recently awarded a variety of local scholarships to graduating seniors at their annual Senior Awards Program. These scholarships were sponsored by local businesses and individuals who generously support Wayzata High School’s Local Scholarship Program to assist students in their future academic endeavors. In an effort to award more scholarships to more students, Wayzata High School is launching a Wayzata Community Scholarship Fund Campaign to generate contributions from the community. Any individuals, families or businesses can donate any dollar amount towards this fund. For more information, contact Deb Musser, WHS College and Career Coordinator at deb.musser@wayzata.k12.mn.us or 763-745-6639.

Olivia Panning, junior

Club Y.E.S. Helps Plant Trees and Perennials Along Bushaway Road CLUB Y.E.S. STUDENTS took action on Earth Day helping to plant over 2,000 trees and perennials along Bushaway Road in Wayzata. This project, organized by Great River Greening and led by Layne Burdette who is a Club Y.E.S. Leadership Board member, aimed to beautify the recently re-opened roadway. Club Y.E.S. (Youth Extending Service) is a youth service program for students attending Wayzata High School.

Wayzata Public Schools 210 County Road 101 N. P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-0060

Communicator JUNE 2017

Excellence. For Each and Every Student.

WHS Students and Staff Make Dream Come True

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The Communicator is published for residents and staff of Wayzata Public Schools. Contact Amy Parnell, director of communications and community engagement, at 763-745-5068 or amy.parnell@wayzata.k12.mn.us with questions or comments.

ECRWSS

Esther Begam, a Holocaust survivor who lost her entire family, was presented with an honorary diploma at Wayzata High School in May. Candice Ledman, a communications teacher at WHS, had invited Begam into her classroom seven years ago to share her story. When a student asked what her biggest regret was, Begam answered that she’d never received a high school diploma. Asked by Ledman what the diploma would mean to her, Begam responded, “It’s going to feel good, that I finally made something out of me.”

William Drew Named 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL senior William Drew has been named a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Drew is one of 161 outstanding American high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community and will be honored for his accomplishments in Washington D.C., from June 18-20. “I congratulate this year’s class of Presidential Scholars for their devotion to academic excellence and their parents and teachers who have guided them along the way,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. “Today’s Presidential Scholars are tomorrow’s leaders, and I am confident they will continue to be shining examples as they enter the next phase of their academic careers.” Of the 3.5 million students expected to graduate from high school this year, more than 5,100 candidates qualified for the 2017 awards determined by outstanding performance on the College Board SAT and ACT exams, and through nominations made by Chief State School Officers, other partner recognition organizations or the National YoungArts Foundation’s nationwide YoungArts™ competition. Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored more than 7,000 of the nation’s topperforming students with the prestigious award given to honorees during the annual ceremony in Washington D.C. Each U.S. Presidential Scholar has been offered the opportunity to name his or her most influential teacher. Drew’s chosen teacher, Mark Johnston, English teacher at Wayzata High School, was also honored with a personal letter from the Secretary of Education.

CMS Students Raise $19,025 for Pennies for Patients CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL received the 2017 Partners Against Blood Cancers Award for 20 years of service from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. CMS teachers Matthew Eicheldinger and Casey Zilla also received a special recognition award for their commitment. CMS students raised $19,025 during February 2017. Pictured in yellow shirts are members of the CMS Student Council. The other kids are leukemia and lymphoma survivors from across the metro area.