St. Peter Highlights April 2013

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There is no short cut to achievement. Life requires thorough preparation - veneer isn’t worth anything.—George Washington Carver

Saint Peter Schools Receive “Seal of Approval”

By Jeffrey Olson, Superintendent of Schools

�e Saint Peter Public Schools received preliminary “district accreditation” status at a Wednesday, April 10, 2013, External Review Exit Report from a team of educators from AdvancED. AdvancED is a non-pro�t organization that accredits schools and districts throughout the country and the world. Accreditation means that our school district is a system that meets the standards of quality schools in three di�erent ways.

First, we have demonstrated that we operate in a continuous process of improvement based on data. As a part of this process, we completed an environmental scan that looked at demographic data, stakeholder surveys, student achievement data, and community data. �e “scan” helped us to review and revise the strategic plan for the district and to identify strategic initiatives to help us in doing an even better job of meeting the needs of all students.

Second, we have shown that we meet �ve standards of e�ective schools. �ese standards include:

• Governance and Leadership;• Purpose and Direction;• Teaching and Assessing for Learning;

• Using Results for Continuous Improvement; and • Resources and Support Systems

By meeting these standards, I believe that we are a school system committed to systematic and sustainable improvement focused on increasing student learning and improving e�ectiveness and e�ciency through our school district.

Finally, through self-assessment by our sta� and an external review by �ve educators from around the country, we know that we have e�ective practices in place. �ese practices include:

• Monitoring and adjusting curriculum and instruction based on analysis of data;• Effective management of resources to support long-range planning;• Having well managed and active learning environments; and• Having all sta� workingb collaboratively in support of student learning.

We also know that there is work to do in areas such as school safety and security, meeting the needs of students from di�erent backgrounds and cultures, and planning for future facility needs.

All in all, I liken the process we just completed to getting the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. We just call it the AdvancED Seal of Approval.

St. Peter Reads Book Festival Unites Authors & Readers

William Kent Krueger was the keynote speaker at the Author Brunch.

Authors Erin Hart, Peter Geye, and Thomas Maltman wee panelists who spoke about writing adult �ction.

St. Peter Reads hosted the 2nd Annual Book Festival on Saturday, April 6, at the St. Peter Community Center. The full day of programming brought authors and readers together for a chance to connect in a setting that encouraged and fostered easy access to both emerging authors as well as some returning favorites.

A sold out brunch featured a favorite Minnesota author, William Kent Krueger, of the up-north based Cork O’Connor mystery series. Krueger stepped away from that series this year, with an amazing stand-alone novel, Ordinary Grace, that was released on March 26th. Food was catered by the Gustavus Adolphus College Dining Service and each table was visited by three authors during the Moveable Feast, which occurred prior to Krueger’s keynote speech.

�e a�ernoon programming �lled the Community Center gym with over 50 authors and publishers, eager to visit about their work. Two author panels were held; one with novelists, Erin Hart, Thomas Maltman and Peter Geye; the other with writers for the middle grades, including Sheila O’Connor and Tim Kehoe, toy inventor. Crafts and family friendly story times with authors, Julie Gassmann,

Cori Doerrfeld, Barbara DaCosta, and Chris Harbo ran from 2-4 p.m. in the Senior Center. Approximately 350 people attended the a�ernoon events which were free and open to all.

�e St. Peter Reads team was excited to o�er this regional event and is grateful to the Legacy Fund, St. Peter Chamber, Friends of the St. Peter Public Library, St. Peter Public Library, the Nicollet County Historical Society, the Gustavus Book Mark, the City of St. Peter, and Saint Peter Community & Family Education for helping to make this event possible.

Over 50 Minnesota authors had booths at the St. Peter Reads Book Festival on April 6.

2 — Highlights, April 2013

If you see cars rolling up to the high school on Lincoln Drive at 5:30 in the morning, no worries. It is just the Insanity workout group meeting to shed some pounds led by O�cer Tom Winsell.

What is “Insanity”? It is an intense, 60-day workout that uses only your body. �ere are no weights or extra gadgets that have to be purchased. �e workouts vary in length from 38 minutes to 41 minutes for the �rst four weeks. �en there is a week of lower impact training, which is followed by four weeks of higher impact training that varies in length from 48 minutes to 59 minutes. �e workout is, to say the least, hard but the rewards are great.

O�cer Tom Winsell, better known as OT, was told about the workout by a high school sta� member and saw some of the workouts being done in the gym class. �ey looked tough but not too tough. OT then went online and researched the workout and ordered the videos. Winsell said, “I did the entire 60 workouts, in the morning, by myself, and saw great results. I lost approximately 20 pounds and started eating better. I am training for the Tough Mudder 12 mile obstacle course this coming summer and wanted to keep doing the Insanity workout. But it is not as much fun just coming in by myself, so I sent out an email to the entire sta� and opened it up for anyone to join

me.”

�e �rst group to work out with OT was approximately 12 people, with 6 of them coming nearly every day. He started the program over again and let the entire district know that a new round was starting and was now into the second week of the program. �ere are now approximately 13 people in the group but it varies from day to day. �ere is a consistent group of 10 that come for nearly every workout. �e Insanity group meets when there is school, Monday thru Friday at 5:30 a.m. in the high school Fitness Center.

Results? �e results have been great. Winsell states, “I started out at approximately 230 pounds and am down to 200 lbs. I feel much better about myself and the way that I look. �e others in the group have seen great results as well. I dropped about 10 pounds on the second round but have also increased in muscle mass. I have not yet reached the point of taking my shirt o� in the summer time but, hopefully, will reach that point by the end of the third round. It is a great workout and a great group of people to work out with.”

School District Nurse Mary Mogensen knows the importance of employee wellness. “Super! Awesome! How cool is it that this group is working out together and

there are members from across the district!?“

Participants have positive comments about the Insanity group, too. Colleen Bell, high school attendance, states, “�e best thing about this group is that we can all work at our own pace or level. We can skip out on parts of it and not feel bad

about it. I love it and feel and see results immediately.“ And Dr. Paul Peterson, who just joined the group recently says, “I like it because it is something di�erent than just using a treadmill, which is what I have been doing. �ere is always something di�erent and I know I don’t have to worry about doing every part of the workout.“

RISE AND SHINE

O�cer Tom Winsell is a leader in the Insanity group that meets to practice low impact training. He and other school district employees enjoy the bene�ts of this workout.

April 2013, Highlights — 3

By Lexy Smith (Grade 12)

� is year students at Saint Peter High School have adjusted to the new technology in school. Over the years, the tech committee has been developing the idea of changing up how we use technology in school. Over the last decade, Saint Peter High School has come a very long way with their use of the technology provided. � ere is now a school website, classes online, grades online, etc. � e tech committee decided that iPads would be the next step. � ey wanted to put new technology in the hands of the students and teachers when they needed it the most. � is is a convenient way for the work of students and teachers to be done. While many students and teachers have iPads, iPods, and iPhones, however, not all do. � e committee decided to level out the playing � eld. As wise consumers they wanted to have it where everyone has access to the new technology. With new technology comes new information. With the iPads comes a new format. � is means using higher order thinking

skills and moving away from the computer lab activity. It also may mean having to change word processing. Perhaps we will no longer use the keyboard; this could potentially lead to no need for keyboarding classes at the high school. It could open opportunities for other classes to be taken. � e tech committee meets on a bi-weekly basis discussing further plans for technology and how to improve it. John Lustig, a � rst year member of the school district, is solely in charge of technology throughout our district. He is in charge of making sure that it is properly up and running. � e feedback from the students and

sta� has been great! � ey say that this is really a step forward on how learning and teaching take place. � ere were a few bumps in the road that have been addressed and are currently being working on. � e biggest bump that we have faced is the connectivity of the wireless devices. It is hard for all of the devices to connect all at the same time. What usually happens is about half of them will connect right away while the other half may just end up trying to connect for a prolonged period of time. Media Center Specialist, Howard Strey, says “I think iPads are a great tool. � ey are not a panacea. � ey are not going to solve all of our problems. You have to know all of the information the device gives you and then create your own value judgment.” He says that it is so exciting knowing that the students got to use the new technology. Also that the students here at Saint Peter High School do a wonderful job embracing it, being only limited by the physical hardware around us. Every teacher has an iPad issued to them and can check out the iPad or Chrome carts just

like they would do so for checking out a book from the media center. Our school has two iPad carts for classrooms as well as two Chrome carts. � ese are in high demand and this demand will increase as the minor glitches are improved. Peggy Dimock, a senior English teacher, says that she is really excited about this technology. She doesn’t think that it is the most convenient way to type a paper. However, she said that it is opening new opportunities for the students to all be able to communicate at one place. She uses a site called edmodo.com where she puts all of the handouts and work. � e students can easily use the iPads to log on to the website and do their work. Nothing can be lost on these; they have applications that are user friendly and are easy to research information on. When the students are absent they can simply go online and see what they missed that day. � e thing she is excited about the most is working towards paperless quizzes.

By Lexy Smith (Grade 12) Up until the 2011-2012 school year, St. Peter Public educators were required to inform school o� cials regarding absences. It was then necessary for those o� cials to secure substitutes, which involved making numerous phone calls to � nd a substitute. � at process has since been

replaced with a system called Aesop (automated substitute placement program). It’s a computerized system that has reduced the once needed attention and leg work that was done by sta� . Teachers are responsible for submitting their own absences and can do so from either a phone or

computer 24 hours a day. � ey are required to answer a few questions about their reasons for being absent, when they will be gone, when they will be back, and any notes they may have for the substitute. � is system allows the teachers to leave lesson plans, seating charts, etc. on the website for the substitutes to have all in one place.

� is is convenient for teachers because they don’t have to put everything together and try to get it to the school before the day begins. Employee absence information that is submitted into the Aesop system is also used for payroll purposes. It records the absence and uploads it into the system, which

eliminates added data entry. It also tracks information for unemployment reporting purposes for substitutes. As with any new computer system there are glitches that need to be worked out. However, this new system has proven to be a time saver for school personnel and has also reduced paper consumption.

These are computer screen shots of the new automated substitute placement program. Teachers now use this system to request a substitute.

Aseop

iPads


North Intermediate students took the stage on March 14th and 15th to celebrate “Music In Our Schools” month. Fi�h and sixth grade band students, led by band director, Lauren Studt-Shoemaker, started the show with performances of “Furioso” by Robert W. Smith, “Boogie Blues” by John Schuberg and a variety

of other tuneful scores. Under the direction of music teacher, Becky Grabow, students in grades three through six shared their talent of song with renditions of “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” “�e Day the Music Teachers Run the Show,” “�e Kazoo Koncerto,” “Can’t Help Singing,” and additional music-themed

titles. �e musical performance wrapped up with a �nale song performed by ��h and sixth grade students titled “Music is My Life!” by Roger Emerson. �e concerts were a great celebration of music and a wonderful opportunity for the students to share their talents with family, friends, and community.

Music In Our Schools

Children’s Water Festival

Fifth grade students share their kazoo playing talents with the audience.

Fourth grade students learn the importance of watersheds in our community.

Members of the �fth grade band perform “Windsong,” by James Swearingen.

Did you know that it takes 743 gallons of water to make a single pizza? �is is one of the many facts about water that fourth grade students from North Intermediate learned about while attending the Children’s Water Festival at South Central Technical College in Mankato on March 13th. �e festival is a project of the Brown-Nicollet Community Health Board. Over 800 students from schools in Brown, Cottonwood and Nicollet counties spent the day attending sessions that focused on water and health, recreation, wildlife, weather and problems with water. Favorite sessions of the day included the Exhibit Hall where students could stand inside a bubble, identify types of �sh, and make �sh paintings and lures. Minnesota Glaciers,

where ice cream and candy were used to show how glaciers moved and formed our landscape was another hit of the day! A presentation titled, WATER! by the Science Museum of Minnesota rounded out the day for the students. Topics such as the amount of water available on Earth and how we use water in almost every part of our day from electricity to the clothes we wear and the food we eat, were the focus of the presentation. Other sessions attended by the fourth grade classes included “Water Pollution on Trial,” �e Incredible Journey,” “Underground Cave,” and “Freddie the Fish.” It was a great day for all who attended, and a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about water using a variety of di�erent hands-on activities!


Interview by fourth graders, Rahima Jamac and Khia Buesing Mr. Ste�enhagen enjoys reading books to relax and because he can visualize the characters. When he was a child his favorite books were Dr. Seuss books and A Light in the Attic, by Shel Silverstein because of the illustrations and poems. Another favorite book of his is one he made for art class when he was in twel�h grade. He shared the artwork and writing with elementary students. Shel Silverstein is his favorite author because he creates his own artwork and writes with art. In his free time, Mr. Ste�enhagen likes to read sports magazines and the newspaper to keep up on events. When asked what advice he would

give to students about reading he said, “Before you read, ask questions about the book, share your feelings, and research the book - do not pick a book based only on its cover.”

On Sunday, February 24th, an Oscar party was held at Patrick’s Bar and Restaurant in St. Peter as a fundraiser for the Creative Play Place. �roughout the evening awards were given out in a variety of di�erent categories. �e category for best school created video included the following nominees - Hoover Elementary in North Mankato, South Early Learning Center, and North Intermediate. �e Oscar went to the North

Intermediate sta� for their video, “Call Me, Maybe.” �e Oscar is proudly being displayed in the media center at North.

And the Oscar goes to…

Become a Minnesota Reading Corps Literacy Tutor

Mr. Ste�enhagen “Gets Caught Reading” at North!

Saint Peter Public Schools is proud to announce that this month we received word that we will continue our K-3 Minnesota Reading Corps programming. Our current tutors are an amazing group of talented, motivated, and hardworking people from all walks of life who have come together for one common goal; ensuring that our students are reading at grade level by third grade. It is with that that I invite you or someone you know to apply to become a Minnesota Reading Corp literacy tutor for the 2013-

2014 school year.

Whether you’re looking to explore a new career in education, reenter the workforce or simply want to work with kids, you may be ready for the next thing. Become a Minnesota Reading Corps literacy tutor for Saint Peter Public

Schools and start creating meaningful growth.

We are looking for people who are dedicated to our community. By joining Minnesota Reading Corps, you can be one of more than 1,000 trained literacy tutors placed in schools across the state. Tutors are parents, grandparents, recent college grads, and mid-career professionals. You will guide students toward becoming successful readers by third grade, see real results and make a lasting impact in our students’ lives, as well

as in your own career. You’ll not only tutor students who need extra support, you’ll also make a meaningful connection with the school and our community.

During your eleven months of service as a full time or part time Minnesota Reading Corps tutor, you’ll receive extensive training, support and professional development opportunities. In addition, you’ll receive a living stipend of about $500 biweekly (full-time) / $250 biweekly (part-time) and an education award of $5,550

(full-time) / $2,775 (part-time). All necessary training is provided and no licensure is necessary.

Pass the word on to a friend or family member! Positions for the 2013-2014 program year begin in August.

Saint Peter contact: Mollie Meyer, Internal Coach 934-2754 x2566

You may also learn more and apply at www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org or send questions to [email protected].


South Elementary Early Learning Center con-tinues to embrace technology and look for new ways to connect with students and families in meaningful ways. Our world is surrounded with social media and whether you use Twitter, Face-book, Instagram, Blogster, Flixster, or some other social media site, chances are you are connected in some way. We would like to extend the oppor-tunity for students and families to be directly con-nected to student learning through a safe, trusted educational networking site called Edmodo. All teachers and support sta� have been given the charge to create their own free Edmodo account and begin to use it with students and families. Currently all teachers are connected with each other through Edmodo and as we learn and be-come assimilated to this site we hope to have all families at South Elementary connected as well. Edmodo is a web-based tool that allows teach-ers to safely share ideas, �les, assignments, videos, projects, photos, and more with students, families and other teachers in real time. It is a safe and se-cure social learning site for classrooms. Edmodo does not require student email addresses and only the people who have the group code can see the students. If your child has not yet brought home a group code for his or her classroom, please ask your child’s teacher if he or she is currently using this site in the classroom.

Below are some samples of ways Edmodo is used in the classroom.

Pen Pals Make up work for when students are absent Video commentary – can post a video online and have students write comments about the video Peer editing

Book clubs Daily feedback Students can turn in assignments via Edmodo Enter comments on assignments, give positive feedback to students, give grades to students Writing vocabulary sentences and having conversations about them Weekly newsletters

�e possibilities seem endless. �ough this site

is new to our sta� and we are still exploring new ways to make it meaningful to you and your stu-dents, we encourage you to create your own ac-count and be sure to ask for your child’s access code. �e code will change from year to year and from teacher to teacher, so be sure to ask for ac-cess if you need it. If you have never used Edmo-do before, be sure to look it up on YouTube, there are some great instructional videos!

Edmodo- Where Classrooms and Social Media Meet!

“I use it as a communication tool with MSU students on upcoming events and to facilitate professional learning communities. I also use it to connect to new teachers in our district with materials that will connect them to the district.”

- Scott Lusk, District Mentor and TOSA

“I use edmodo as a means of communicating with families about classroom events. Right now, I am using it as an album for classroom photos and for posting news about what’s happening in our classroom. Some of my students have even signed up on Edmodo, so it’s fun for them to message me through the site.”

-Alex Noble, 2nd Grade Teacher

“Christine Priebe and I will be using Edmodo for teacher professional development. We are asking that teachers who are participating in our Reciprocal Teaching professional development opportunity to join in with group discussion and group re�ection using this site. We will also be recording our Reciprocal Teaching lessons with our students, posting them to Edmodo, and view the great things happening in other teachers’ classrooms.”

- Mollie Meyer, Reading Specialist

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For the past ten years, Women Celebrating Women has recognized local women for their leadership and service to others. At the March 19th event, Nicollet County Attorney, Michelle Zehnder Fischer was given the award for her leadership in the � eld of child advocacy and her volunteer commitments with the Lions Club, United Way, the Chamber, and her church. Based on the National Women’s History Month, the theme for 2013 was Women Inspiring Innovation � rough Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics. � e evening featured a series of displays dedicated to women inventors and a robotics demonstration led by Deb Johnson and the female members of the

Robotics Team. Also on hand was Dan Cheiss, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) teacher at North Intermediate, to talk about the program. � e keynote speaker was Rebecca Bergman, Vice President of Research and Technology for Cardiac Rhythm and Disease Management at Medtronic, Inc. Her inspiring presentation challenged audience members to encourage young girls interested in STEM to pursue their dreams. Saint Peter Community and Family Education, the Saint Peter Herald, Saint Peter Area Chamber of Commerce, Nicollet County Historical Society, and Mary’s Flowers were the sponsors of this year’s event.

Look for the Summer Community & Family Education Brochure in your mailbox on April 19!

How to register: • In person at the Community Center, Suite 207 • www.stpetercommunityedonline.com • By phone – 934-3048 ext. 0 • By Mail – 600 S. 5th St., Suite 207

Films on First Thursdays: BROTHER TOWNS

Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m. Treaty Site History Center FREE, no registration required

This is the story of two towns linked by immigration, family and work: Jacaltenango, a highland Maya town in Guatemala

and Jupiter, a coastal resort town in Florida.

Sponsored by the Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community & Family Education.

How did you start teaching with the Adult Area Learning Cooperative?I worked for 27 years at the Minnesota Security Hospital in the Education Department. When I retired, I started teaching classes part time through the Adult Area Learning Cooperative at the Community Center. I have been teaching here for over eight years. Other teachers at this site are Rita Curtin, Bill Hahn, Mary Margaret Johnson and Becky Smayling.

What classes are available?We o� er a variety of classes at all skills levels. � e classes we o� er are: English language, citizenship, GED preparation, high school diploma as well as instruction to increase basic skills. � ese classes are o� ered at no cost.

What are the bene� ts of taking classes?Learning the English language for persons new to the United States, helps them to increase their communication within the community and enhances job

opportunities. Earning a GED or high school diploma has become imperative to be hired in most jobs. Learning basic skills enhances necessary job skills to help maintain their job or to make them eligible for promotions.

If you are interested, come to Room 210 in the St. Peter Community Center to register. For more information call, 507-934-6210. We welcome volunteers who are interested in helping with these classes

INSTRUCTOR INSIGHT: Elsa Cornell, Adult Area Learning Cooperative

Promoting Lifelong Learning with Community Education

English Language Classes Tue. 9–11:30 a.m. Wed. 5–8 p.m. � u. 9–11:30 a.m. & 5–8 p.m. Fri. 9–11:30 a.m.

Sat. 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Elsa Cornell and two of the English language students: Juan Rodriguez and Maria Montoya

ABE / GED / DiplomaMon. 9–11:30 a.m. & 5–8 p.m.Tue. 5–8 p.m.Wed. 9–11:30 a.m.� u. 4–8 p.m.Sat. 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Women Celebrating Women Hosts its Tenth Event

Michelle Zehnder Fischer was the recipient of the 2013 Women Celebrating Women award.

8 — Highlights, April 2013 Saint Peter Community & Family Education

600 S. Fifth St., Suite 207 ● (507) 934-3048 www.stpetercommunityedonline.com

Calendar of District Events

April 29 7th Grade Orientation 6:00 pm HS Theatre

May 2/3/4 Spring Play: Jack the Ripper HS Theatre 7:30 pm 13 South Parent Council Mtg. 6:30 pm 13 HS Choir Concert 7:30 pm HS Theatre 15/16 South Music Program 9:00 am & 1:00 pm 20 Middle School Band and Choir Concert

7th Grade at 7 pm and 8th Grade at 8 pm, HS Theatre

*E refers to Early Childhood Programs

Adult Classes

Easy Stress Relief Mon. Apr. 22, 6:30 p.m., $5 iPad 101 Tue., Apr. 23, 7-8:30 p.m., $10

May Day Baskets Tue., Apr. 30, 6-7 p.m., $15

Films on First Thursdays: Brother Towns Thu., May 2, 7 p.m., Treaty Site History Center FREE, no registration required

Chi ldren & Youth C lasses

Fun with Books: Oops! Grades K-2: Mon., May 13 or Tue., May 14, 2:45-3:45 p.m., $3

Inviting all children and their families to

The ECFE Vehicle Fair (Early Childhood Family Education)

Thursday, May 16

5:30-7:00 p.m. First Lutheran Church Parking Lot

1114 West Traverse Road

A unique opportunity to view and explore a variety of vehicles.

FREE! Bring your whole family

Food will be available to purchase at the concession stand.

Music Lessons

Piano, Violin, Cello, Viola or Mandolin Private Lessons

Ages 4-18: $99 and Adults: $108

Wed., Apr. 24-May 29 30 min. lessons available between 2-6 p.m.

OR

Fri., Apr. 26-May 31 30 min. lessons available between 3-5:30 p.m.

Saint Peter Community & Family Education







Adult Classes








Thursday, May 16






Music Lessons




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Saint Peter Community & Family Education







Adult Classes








Thursday, May 16






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Documents

St. Peter Highlights April 2013