It snowed this past weekend. Are you serious?
Minnesota's Promise released the final draft of its work to bring substantive change to Minnesota schools. The coalition of education professionals and associations that make up the group is a "who's who" of Minnesota education. Let's hope the message is heard and acted on as schools continue to meet the needs of today's students and society.
Check out their website: www.minnesotaspromise.org
It's an understatement to say that it is a busy time in the life of the high school. With a five-week stretch until the end of the year, here are some info. items that might be of interest!
Have a good Arbor Day (April 25).
See the attached invite about the "Say Yes to No" campaign! Download no_parent_book_read.doc
Wow, it has been WAY too long since a blog entry. I wonder if Mr. Nicklay is still enjoying the fall hunting season? Here are some "good news" items:
Not sure if the link is going to work, so if not, check out the UND Women's Hockey page. SPHS graduate Casie Hanson has made quite the name for herself!
http://www.fightingsioux.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=13500&SPID=6403&SPSID=58668
It's always invigorating to visit another school. This past week I served on an accreditation team for the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists (www.spcpa.org). The charter school is located at the Landmark Center in downtown Saint Paul, and provides students with pre-professional training in a selected arts field (dance, theatre, music). Academic teachers handle core subjects areas (social, science, mathematics and English), and arts teachers come from the Ordway, MN Opera, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, etc. to provide students with intensive training in their area. Our visit focused on seven standards of effective schools (i.e., vision, leadership, teaching/learning, etc.).
What struck me about the school is that students (and families) have a great opportunity to hone their skills and follow their passions, but the school also strives to make clear to kids and their parents that these choices have trade-offs. For example, the school does not have a co-curricular program, students have little if any time for part-time jobs, and elective offerings outside their arts field are limited to a world language or two.
Like I said, always fun to see something different!
From the school district nurse Mary Mogensen:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please be aware that we have had cases of medically diagnosed Influenza reported at the Middle School and at North Intermediate.
Influenza symptoms include a sudden onset of high fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and body aches. Influenza symptoms are similar to a common cold only much more severe. Be sure to contact your physician if your child has a prolonged fever or respiratory illness. Influenza can cause pneumonia which requires medical care and follow-up.
The most important steps in preventing influenza are to have the influenza vaccine, careful and frequent hand washing, cover your cough, and keep your children home if they are ill. If a child is running a temperature in the morning they need to stay home from school. Influenza is most contagious during the time a child is running a fever. If a child receives Tylenol or ibuprofen in the morning it does not reduce the contagiousness of the illness. Students who are ill should stay home for their own health as well as for the health of others.
If you have questions please call Mary Mogensen, R.N. at 934-4210, ext 410
This letter was mailed home to parents this morning.
February 4, 2008
Dear Students and Families of Saint Peter Middle/High School,
On Friday, February 1, one of our high school students was subjected to an incident that was not only insensitive and hurtful, but also unlawful.
All students and staff at Saint Peter Middle/High School are protected by not only the policies and rules established by Saint Peter Public Schools, but also the state of Minnesota. Comments and/or actions that target a person’s specific religious, racial or sexual orientation are explicitly prohibited at both the school and state level. This specific incident involved comments about a student’s sexual orientation written on a locker.
The school will continue to do whatever necessary to ensure that all students and staff are provided a safe place to learn and work. A major component of that is to continue our work in building a culture of tolerance and understanding for all. We can’t do it alone, however, and ask you to speak with your student about the importance of stepping up and speaking out when they observe behavior or hear comments that do not reflect the standards we have as a school and community.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter, and for everything you do to make our school community a better place for our students.
Jeff Rossow and Elizabeth Toutain, both SPHS seniors, have been named the 2008 "Triple A" award winners. The AAA, which stands for Academic, Arts and Athletics, is a program sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League recognizing outstanding achievement in all three areas. Jeff and Elizabeth will represent Saint Peter at the region level.
Elizabeth is the daughter of Bev and Hank Toutain. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, USAA, and the Principal's Leadership Team. She has also served on school curriculum review committees. Along with these activities, she is also in the concert choir, concert band, chamber singers, and has been a state participant and winner in speech. Outside of school, Elizabeth is an active member of the Church of St. Peter.
Athletically, she is a four-year letter winner in swimming, and served as captain during her senior year. She also has participated in basketball.
Jeff is the son of Ken and Patsy Rossow. He, too, is a member of the National Honor Society, and is currently serving as the treasurer of the Student Council. Jeff is involved with the Principal's Leadership Team, USAA, and has earned superior ratings through his involvement in the concert band and jazz band. He is also a member of the Saint Peter Chamber of Commerce Business/Education committee.
In the area of athletics, Jeff has been involved in football, basketball and baseball. During his senior year, he served as captain of the football team and was voted the South Central Conference special teams player of the year. In the community, he is an active member of his church, and has participated in a community assessment which provided information and analysis about the future of Saint Peter.
What great representatives of Saint Peter High School! Congratulations Jeff and Liz!
It's been almost one year since the principal blogging project started and Mr. Nicklay and I hopped on board. It is difficult to say for sure whether or not a blog like this is useful. People will comment from time to time, both in person and on the blog about something they have read, so that is probably a good sign.
Plans are coming together for the 2nd annual Snow Week Bake Sale at Saint Peter Middle/High School. The event will be held on Friday, February 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the gym lobby. This is a joint effort of all student organizations at the school and our staff. All proceeds from the bake sale go to the Saint Peter United Way. In last year's inaugural event, students and staff raised $500...this year's goal is to top it!
The event is open to the public, so if you are looking for some tasty treats on the 15th, come on up to the school!
