Communicator JANUARY 2016
Excellence. For Each and Every Student.
Two Wayzata School Board Members Honored for Service From passing referendums, to construction and renovation of schools, to hiring superintendents, to working to form the district’s strategic plan, Carter Peterson and Jay Hesby have made countless contributions as members of the board. The Wayzata School Board honored Peterson and Hesby at its December 14 meeting. Carter Peterson
Jay Hesby
Carter Peterson is stepping down from the Wayzata School Board after 14 years of service. Peterson served as board treasurer most recently and also served as chair, vice chair and clerk. Peterson decided to run for school board at the suggestion of her friend Brenda Heim after serving as PTO/PTA president at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Because Peterson wanted to focus on her role as Wayzata High School PTO President, she waited until the last day to file to run for a board seat. That day happened to be Sept. 11, 2001. Peterson thought carefully about whether to file or not and decided to move forward. “I wasn’t going to let them stop me!” she said. Fourteen years later, she’s glad she made that decision. Before coming to Minnesota, Peterson worked in California as a buyer for Macy’s department store, so making decisions for the future within set budget guidelines comes naturally to her. Using those skills, Peterson became a champion of maintaining the board’s strong track record of responsible financial decision-
Jay Hesby, after eight years of service on the Wayzata School Board, is stepping down. Hesby most recently served as vice chair, as well as chair and treasurer. Hesby first got involved with Wayzata Public Schools by participating on the district’s Citizens Financial Advisory Council (CFAC). After years on CFAC, Hesby, who is vice president of corporate development for Wells Fargo, was encouraged to run for school board. “I chose to pursue a seat on the board, believing my business and finance experience would provide a good foundation from which to successfully serve and lead,” he shared. Eight years later, Hesby said that he is proud of the board’s prudent financial management, which among its many benefits, has enabled the district to modernize its learning environment through improved facilities, increased utilization of technology and thoughtful evolution of teaching and learning practices. While Hesby’s board colleagues have counted on his financial acumen, they’ve also appreciated his enthusiasm. “Jay has outstanding Trojan pride,” board member Andrea Cuene recently said. “He’s a strong advocate for our schools, and you can see by the way he shakes students’ hands at graduation, he has tremendous pride in our students and our schools.” Board Chair Linda Cohen said that she will miss Hesby’s “calm, sensible feedback,” which always provided balance among the board members. “Jay has been an outstanding board member, and his leadership, knowledge and enthusiasm will be missed,” Cohen shared. Hesby, who has appreciated the way his colleagues’ different perspectives have shaped the decision-making process, said recently,
making. “Watching the money and keeping a balanced budget gives the district the flexibility required to look toward the horizon and make the best choices for our students and families,” Peterson explained. One financial accomplishment Peterson is particularly proud of is the establishment of a trust, called OPEB, for the purpose of funding post-employment benefits for employees. Over her tenure, the trust has become fully funded to cover these obligations and has allowed the district to avoid using general fund dollars for this purpose. This translates into additional dollars available for student learning and instructional purposes. Carter Peterson (continues on page 2)
Jay Hesby (continues on page 2)
“Through sharing our points of view, we generally would come together and reach what we believed to be the best solution for each and every student.”
2 A Snapshot of Excellence: Best-Selling Photojournalist Judy Olausen Named WHS Distinguished Alum JUDY OLAUSEN (’62) received the Wayzata High School Distinguished Alumni Award for 2015. The award, selected by the WHS Student Council, recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to their community, profession and/or the nation. Olausen, a world-renowned and New York Times best-selling photojournalist, entered the University of Minnesota planning to study architecture. When a class she planned to take was full, she substituted a course in photojournalism, which changed the course of her career and her life. Judy started her career as a photojournalist for the Minneapolis Tribune and traveled the world taking photos during her vacation time. In 1981, the Hasselblad Foundation named Olausen one of the 10 best photographers in the world – a title she shares with household names like Ansel Adams. Olausen shared her message of finding and pursuing your passion with WHS students at her recognition ceremony in early December. “Pay attention to what you like to do,” she advised. “The old saying is true: Choose a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
WHS Student Kevin Qian Recognized in Regional STEM Competition
WHS Student Lauren Swenson Earned Perfect ACT Score CONGRATULATIONS TO Wayzata High School senior Lauren Swenson for earning a perfect score on the ACT college entrance exam. She took the exam in May 2015. Swenson said she took several practice tests to prepare for the ACT exam, and her normal class schedule also prepared her for the test. Outside of school she is a VP of DECA and a member of the marching band and the alpine team. She also enjoys reading, which she says contributed to her perfect score. While Swenson hasn’t decided where she’ll attend college next fall, she is interested in majoring in engineering.
WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL student Kevin Qian was named a Regional Semifinalist in the 2015 Siemens Foundation STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Competition. Qian and his project partner David Herman, a high school student from Lawrence, New York, created a project that focuses on eliminating the use of fossil fuels by helping increase the efficiency and viability of environmentally friendly technology.
School Board Members Honored for Service (con’t from page 1) Carter Peterson
Jay Hesby
Board Chair Linda Cohen has appreciated Peterson’s financial savvy, saying recently, “Carter has been a tremendous asset to the board. She is financially astute and is always looking ahead. She has made an excellent sounding board, and her experience and expertise will be missed.” While Peterson says she will enjoy the extra time to travel to New York City to see her family, including two new grandchildren, she will also miss being part of the decision-making process and being “one of the seven,” as she fondly referred to her board colleagues.
When asked his favorite experience while serving on the school board, Hesby couldn’t name just one. “First, I enjoyed seeing the development of our superintendent and his leadership team who all continue to do great work,” he said. “Second, I am proud of the strong community support received in passing the February 2014 referendum that enables us to dramatically improve our facilities and capacity for the future. And finally, I truly appreciated getting to know and work with the extraordinary group of citizens I called board colleagues.”
Interesting facts about Carter Peterson: • One of her hobbies is collecting vintage jewelry. • Her first year on the board was the same year her son graduated from Wayzata High School, and she was the one to sign his diploma. “He was shocked,” she said. • While technology changed rapidly during her board tenure, one rule she had for herself was “always have a pen.”
Interesting Facts About Jay Hesby: • He has a strong family connection to Wayzata Public Schools. His three children all graduated from Wayzata High School, both parents taught in the district (his father for more than three decades), and he and his sister attended Wayzata Public Schools. • Jogging outdoors is one of his hobbies – outside when Minnesota weather permits, otherwise inside. • He plans to channel the extra time he’ll gain from no longer being on the board toward the next steps in his career.
3 Meet the New Wayzata School Board Members TWO NEWLY ELECTED Wayzata School Board members will begin their terms in January. Erik Brown and Bonita Lucky were elected in November to four-year terms replacing retiring board members Carter Peterson and Jay Hesby. Incumbents Linda Cohen, current board chair, and Cheryl Polzin, current board secretary, were also re-elected to their seats.
Birchview and Greenwood Elementary Schools’ Mobile MakerSpaces Project Wins Statewide Award for Innovation THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota has selected Birchview and Greenwood Elementary Schools to receive a 2015 Local Government Innovation Award for its Collaborative Cross-Site Mobile MakerSpaces. The Mobile MakerSpaces project is among 24 diverse projects recognized for showing creativity and innovation. “The Mobile MakerSpace concept is really quite simple,” says Brad Gustafson, principal at Greenwood Elementary School. “The Mobile MakerSpace carts that line the hallway are capable of transporting new opportunities and tools to virtually any space in the school. Whether it’s high-tech 3D printing and modular robotics or low-tech knitting and plastic construction blocks, the carts contain tools that elicit collaboration and unleash student creativity.” “Every year, we see more and more creative ways that governments are figuring out how Greenwood Elementary to save money but still deliver the same high was also recognized with quality of services,” says Jay Kiedrowski, a Digital Innovation in senior fellow at the Humphrey School’s Public Learning Award in the and Nonprofit Leadership Center. “I think Savvy Spaces category that these awards are helping to raise the bar for the school’s Mobile for delivering excellent government services, MakerSpaces. and that’s very exciting.” A panel of judges considered nearly 80 submissions for their creativity, sustainability and collaboration across four categories: cities, counties, schools and townships.
Erik Brown - Brown has been a resident of the Wayzata school district since 2008. He has a threeyear-old daughter and a six-year-old son. Brown is the chief financial officer at Aaron Carlson Corporation and has served for six years on the Wayzata Public Schools Citizens Financial Advisory Council and served as treasurer of the Wayzata Public Schools Education Foundation. Bonita Lucky - Lucky has been a resident of the Wayzata school district for two years. She has a daughter in 8th grade at East Middle School and a son in 4th grade at Plymouth Creek Elementary. She holds a master’s degree in human resources and is manager for Cargill, Incorporated.
Linda Cohen - Cohen has lived in the school district for more than 40 years and has three adult children who attended Wayzata Public Schools. She is in her 16th year on the Wayzata School Board. She also serves on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.
Cheryl Polzin - Polzin has lived in the district since 1988 and has one child who has gone K-12 through Wayzata Public Schools and two kids attending Wayzata High School as a sophomore and a senior. She has served on the Wayzata School Board since 2012.
Wayzata Public Schools Maintains “Aaa” Bond Rating WAYZATA PUBLIC SCHOOLS recently had its “Aaa” bond rating confirmed by Moody’s Investors Service in New York, making it one of only three districts in the state with a “Aaa” rating. The following strengths were cited as reasons for the continued positive rating: • Large and affluent residential tax base favorably located in the Twin Cities metro area • Strong and sophisticated management team • Positive enrollment trends
• Consistent voter support for operating levies • Strengths reflected in the state’s general obligation rating Wayzata first received its “Aaa” bond rating in September 2008 as evidence of the district’s strong financial health. According to Jim Westrum, executive director of finance and business, there are many advantages with having a “Aaa” bond rating, including access to lower interest rates and borrowing costs and greater stability to deal with the unpredictability of school funding from the state.
4 Home Base Students Sleep Out to Raise Money for IOCP MORE THAN 40 Home Base students from Gleason Lake and Kimberly Lane Elementary Schools spent the night of November 6 sleeping outside as part of the 20th annual Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) Sleep Out, which raises money for IOCP and creates awareness about poverty, homelessness and the need for affordable housing in the northwestern suburbs. Students raised money by going door-to-door before the sleepout. Over its 20-year history, the sleepout at Gleason Lake has contributed more than $125,000 to IOCP, which makes a big difference in helping the organization meet the needs of local families. The evening of the sleepout began with the students constructing their “houses” for the night – structures assembled together with cardboard boxes and tape. Although the students had access to the school all night, the process of building cardboard homes encouraged students to think about problems faced by those without adequate shelter like staying warm and dry and access to proper restroom facilities. Later in the evening, students played games, ate dinner and listed to a guest speaker from IOCP talk about issues families face right here in our community.
Hello, Hola, Bonjour, Sawadee, Davs, Namaste, Oi, Nagadef, Akam, An-nyung, Asalaamalikum, Nihao, Privet! MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the 2016 International Festival at Wayzata High School on Friday, April 15 from 6-9 p.m. This annual event showcases the many cultures that make WHS such a special place, and this year we are looking for even more community members to help expand the cultures represented. Would you like to help others learn about your family’s culture? We are looking for: Cultural Booths – Represent your culture at an informational booth. Share information, pictures, objects and artifacts, and help our festival attendees learn more about your country and culture. Cultural Vendors – Do you make food or merchandise that represents your culture? If so, we’d like to invite you to participate in our festival. Cultural Performances – Entertain our festival attendees with music, dance or other performances that are a part of your culture.
If you would like to be a festival participant or have questions about participating, please contact Alison Gillespie, WHS associate principal at alison.gilespie@wayzata.k12.mn.us
5 2016 Parenting with Vision Schedule LEARN ABOUT the remaining workshops through the “Parenting with Vision” program. All programs are free; registration is required only for the “Parents as Partners” series. “Demystifying” Series
While we can’t promise to demystify everything about being a parent, this series offers a combination of presentations, panel discussions and workshops designed to provide parents with tools to support their children through important milestones in their lives. • Tuesday, January 12 - Demystifying High School 6 p.m. school tour 7-8:30 p.m., WHS Auditorium • Tuesday, January 26 - Demystifying Middle School 6:30-7 p.m., Meet School Reps. 7-8:30 p.m., Presentation CMS Auditorium “Parents as Partners” Series
In this series, you will learn the hands-on skills you need to better support your child in their academic life. Technology is the last remaining topic this year. Register online at www.ceregistration.wayzata.k12.mn.us.
Uncover the Truth
• Wednesday, January 13 - Parents as Technology Partners 6-8:30 p.m., Kimberly Lane Computer Lab
WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL students will see this poster and ones like it around school this year, thanks to Partners in Prevention (PIP), a community coalition working to prevent and reduce youth substance use. One of their many evidence-based strategies is a campaign called Uncover the Truth, a series of messages designed to generate conversation to correct misperceptions around the use and acceptance of alcohol and marijuana among high school students.
Eva Pettersen Receives Character Award Eva Petterson was recognized at a Youth Frontiers luncheon on Dec. 17. Pictured left to right: Gifted & Talented Coordinator Sue Iveson; WHS Student Body President Eva Petterson, WHS Principal Scott Gengler; Wayzata Public Schools Superintendent Chace Anderson.
WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL Student Body President Eva Pettersen has been named the 2015 Character Award winner by Youth Frontiers. Youth Frontiers is a nonprofit organization that partners with schools to build positive communities where students thrive socially, emotionally and academically. Each year at Youth Frontiers’ Ethical Leadership Luncheon, the organization presents a Character Award to a student who stands out as an exceptional leader and lives out the values of kindness, courage and respect. The recipient will also receive an iPad donated from Apple. Congratulations, Eva!
• Wednesday, April 27 - Parents as Technology Partners 6-8:30 p.m., Kimberly Lane Computer Lab Visit www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/parentingwithvision for more information. For questions, contact Charlene Barghini at charlene. barghini@wayzata.k12.mn.us or 763-745-5045.
We’re hiring!
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www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/employment If you are looking for a school district that inspires students to excel and teachers to create motivational learning opportunities, Wayzata Public Schools is where you want to work. We are currently hiring flexible, part-time food service, before-and-after-school childcare and paraprofessional roles. Visit www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/ employment to learn more.
6 WHS Music Students Participate In Rare Opportunity at Orchestra Hall WAYZATA HIGH SCHOOL music students received a rare honor! Two hundred student musicians and faculty from band, choir and orchestra were guests of the Minnesota Orchestra at its performance on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Orchestra Hall. In a private reception following the performance, artists from the Minnesota Orchestra engaged students in a question and answer session held in the new Target Atrium. Wayzata High School was the only school to be invited to this collaborative event.
New Identity Celebrates the Importance of Early Learning Programs Wayzata Early Learning School Open February 25 IN FEBRUARY, Wayzata Public Schools will open the Wayzata Early Learning School at the intersection of County Roads 101 and 6. This is both exciting and significant. It marks the first time that all of our programs and services for our youngest learners (birth to kindergarten) and their families will be together in one building. This will make it more convenient for families to learn about and access the full spectrum of early learning opportunities and better facilitate staff collaboration. In addition, it will be home to Wayzata’s Welcome Center, where new families enroll their children and get to know our school district. This is where school begins. Note: Wayzata Early Learning School refers to the building where the early learning programs are housed. Wayzata Early Learning or Early Learning will be used when referring to the group of programs that serves our district’s early learners. The name Wayzata Family Learning Center will no longer be used. The Wayzata Early Learning School will be home to these programs and services. • Wayzata Public Schools Welcome Center • Wayzata Early Childhood Screening • Wayzata Early Childhood Family Education • Wayzata Early Childhood Special Education • Wayzata Early Learning Preschool Options - Wayzata Peppermint Fence Preschool - Wayzata Home Base – Bright Start Child Care
Wayzata Early Learning School OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, Feb. 24 3 – 7 p.m. Bring your children and preview our new space! 1461 County Road 101 North Plymouth 55447 Name and Logo story The name: Participation in early learning programs and services provides a critical foundation for student success in the K-12 years. Referring to the site where Wayzata’s Early
Learning programs and services are offered as a school, demonstrates that the district values the learning that occurs during this segment of time (birth up to kindergarten), just as it values the learning that occurs in our elementary, middle and high schools. The sprout: The imagery of a sprout symbolizes young new growth and represents the infants, toddlers and preschoolers. When wellnourished, sprouts, like children, grow, develop and thrive. This simple, whimsical, storybook style image appears eager, as if it is about to burst with new growth. The arc of the sprout mimics the arc of the district logo’s embracing laurel wreath, symbolic of growth, inclusivity and achievement. The color green: Green is used not only to emphasize the growth and vitality associated with the sprout, but also to emphasize the word “early,” which is so important when thinking about a child’s education. It helps communicate the importance of early screening, early diagnosis, early intervention, early treatment and early education. It’s all about getting started early! The fonts: “Wayzata” and “School” are in the district’s typeface and blue color, clearly signaling that this new school is part of Wayzata Public Schools, sharing its standards of innovation and academic excellence. “Early Learning” is in a rounded san serif lower case font, evoking friendly, simple, childlike letter forms.
7 WHS Chess Team Takes Home Another Victory CONGRATULATIONS TO THE Wayzata High School Chess Team for a first place finish at the inaugural Minnesota Youth and Collegiate Chess Championship held in early December. More than a hundred players from K-12 schools, colleges and chess clubs throughout Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota competed in this event. Individually Andrew Tang took first place, Aniketh Naidu took fourth place and Jacob Ritter took sixth place. Slava Campbell was named top sophomore, Jacob Ritter was named top junior and Max Sigal was named top senior.
Front row: Nathan Ritter, junior; Jacob Ritter, junior; Middle row: Pil Joo Jeon, sophomore; Trevor Nguyen, senior; Max Sigal, senior; Back row: Slava Campbell, sophomore; Andrew Tang, sophomore; Max Garvis, senior; Aniketh Naidu, freshman; Not pictured: Alec O’Connell
Additional Attendance Area Modifications to Take Effect in 2016-2017 School Year BECAUSE OF CURRENT crowding issues and projected growth, elementary and middle school students in the following neighborhoods have been reassigned to new schools starting with the 2016-2017 school year. These modifications are in addition to the attendance area changes approved by the Wayzata School Board in June 2015. Families of the approximately 250 students who will be affected by these attendance area adjustments received notification in December. Neighborhoods in the geographical location west of Vicksburg, north of Old Rockford Road and south of the Canadian Pacific Railway currently at Plymouth Creek and East Middle School will be reassigned to the next closest elementary school, Kimberly Lane and to
Central Middle School. Neighborhoods in the geographical location east of Vicksburg and north of County Road 47 currently at Kimberly Lane will be reassigned to the next closest elementary school, Meadow Ridge. These neighborhoods will remain at Central Middle School. Neighborhoods under construction south of County Road 47, west of Dunkirk Lane and east of the new Lawndale/Peony Lane, originally proposed to go to Meadow Ridge, will be reassigned to Kimberly Lane Elementary School. These neighborhoods will remain assigned to Central Middle School. These changes are part of a larger plan to address the crowding issues at Plymouth Creek
Elementary School and to stabilize enrollment at the district’s three northernmost elementary schools for the next five years. The district is committed to maintaining class sizes consistent with its established staffing guidelines. In addition, using specialist classrooms such as computer labs and music rooms for their intended purposes and not for grade-level classrooms is also a high priority. Classroom utilization goals at Plymouth Creek can’t be accomplished next year or in the foreseeable future without making these adjustments that were recommended to the board at its December 21 work session. For more information, email Kristin Tollison, director of administrative services at kristin. tollison@wayzata.k12.mn.us.
Excellence. For Each and Every Student.
Nonprofit Org. US Postage Wayzata, MN Permit 43
More than 360 Oakwood Elementary students and families came together on Tuesday, Dec. 8 for the annual Oakwood Family Service Night. Together, they worked on projects to help those in need across our community. Projects included filling more than 100 grocery bags full of food for a local food shelf, creating more than 100 “Comfort Kits” for kids in domestic violence shelters, making 85 “Chemo Kits” with lip balm, treats, books and fuzzy socks for kids going through treatment at Children’s Hospital, making 567 sandwiches for the Marie Sandvik Center, creating 200 fleece toys for the Adopt-a-Pet rescue – and many more!
Wayzata Public Schools 210 County Road 101 N. P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-0060
Communicator JANUARY 2016
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.
New School Start Times Approved THE WAYZATA SCHOOL with constituents, questioned, BOARD unanimously approved listened and deliberated Approved School Start Times new school start times effective throughout the process,” for the upcoming 2016-2017 shared Board Chair Linda for 2016 – 2017 School Year school year at the regular Cohen. December 14 board meeting. Board members agreed Start Dismissal Superintendent Chace Anderson that the new start times will TIER 1: presented his recommendation, meet the learning needs of Greenwood, Kimberly Lane, Meadow Ridge, 7:45 2:25 originally shared with the Board all students and positively Oakwood, Plymouth Creek at the December 7 work session, contribute to their health prior to the Board taking action. and well being. “Looking TIER 2: “From an educational forward I know that all of our High School 8:20 3:10 perspective, I believe this students have the potential Birchview, Gleason Lake, Sunset Hill 8:30 3:10 recommendation to be an to be successful next year and TIER 3 excellent set of start times that beyond,” said Board Member East MS, Central MS, West MS 9:10 4:00 are responsive to and prioritize Sarah Johansen. “I hope that students’ developmental our community will come learning needs,” emphasized together as we have done for Anderson. “There will be some decades to ensure the success of leadership and staff will work hard to ensure a implementation challenges and the changes each and every student in our district.” successful transition and implementation. will require adjustments from students, staff, For more information about the new school “Each Board member read close to 2,000 families and the community.” Superintendent start times, visit www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/ website responses, hundreds of emails, met Anderson assured the Board that district starttimes