Your Schools, Your Community

YOUR SCHOOLS YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 10, NUMBER 1 • Summer 2017

School funding requests will be on ballot

District finds ways to save money The district continually reviews finances to look for places to save money or reduce costs. Recent examples:

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ased on months of analyzing budgets, years of inadequate state funding and extensive discussion about an operating levy that is set to expire, the Burnsville the Burnsville-EaganSavage School District 191 Board of Education unanimously approved asking voters to consider two school funding requests on the ballot for Election Day, Nov. 7. Requests are: Question 1: Renew an existing operating levy, which is due to expire. If not renewed, the district would lose more than $7 million in annual funding that currently supports day-to-day school and district operating expenses, including retaining quality staff, transportation costs, utilities, classroom supplies and other supports to student learning.

Question 2: Increase the operating levy to provide $3.9 million in additional annual resources to minimize future budget cuts, help maintain class sizes and protect student support and educational programs.

Question 2 is contingent on Question 1, so Question

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• Three times last year, the Board of Education refinanced debt to lower interest rates to save taxpayers through reduced debt payments. Altogether, refinancing this year will save taxpayers a grand total of $4 million in future debt payments.

ELECTION DAY TUES, NOV. 7 2 can only pass if voters approve Question 1.

“Our goal is to ensure each student is future ready, so that all doors are open to them to realize their dreams,” said Superintendent Cindy Amoroso.

“Educating and supporting our students requires resources; resources that are in increasingly short supply due to inadequate state funding, increasing educational costs and inflation.”

If voters approve both questions, the net tax impact on the average district home (value $250,000) will be $10 per month. Learn more at www.isd191.org/referendum.

• While other businesses are seeing double-digit increases in the cost of health insurance for employees, District 191 made a wise decision several years ago to self-finance health and dental insurance and since then costs have stayed below 5% which is a major savings to taxpayers (and employees).

• Energy efficiencies that were part of Vision One91 construction at Burnsville High School resulted in a $145,000 rebate check to District 191 recently.

• Also as part of Vision One91, the district was able to move programs into district buildings and give up leased spaces.

They’re off to bright futures

Savings could top $2 million with solar panels The 605 students in the Burnsville High School Class of 2017 received diplomas in a commencement ceremony at Pates Stadium in June. This was the 61st graduating class but the first to graduate from a 9-12 Burnsville High School. This senior class was also the first to receive Chromebooks as personal learning devices and the first to benefit from the new Pathways model to better plan and prepare for college and career success.

Congratulations to valedictorians Blake Andert, Jack Bardwell, Kyra Bowar, Emma Hakanson, Abigail Herzog, Krista Holmstrom, Katelynn Larson, Marissa Marsolek, Abigail Rhode, Trang Truong, Erin Williams and Jaylin Wong. Salutatorians were Ian Johnson, Kara Odom and Paige Schultz.

Amoroso named interim superintendent

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indy Amoroso will serve as interim superintendent for the next two years following unanimous approval of her new contract by the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 Board of Education in May. Amoroso was hired by former Superintendent Joe Gothard and began as assistant superintendent on July 1, 2013. She began in her new role on July 1 and will continue until June 30, 2019.

Board Chair Abigail Alt praised Amoroso’s leadership in several areas especially school improvement and student supports. Amoroso’s familiarity with District 191 was an important factor in selecting her.

“The Board is committed to Vision One91, the work to redesign Cindy Amoroso the district to meet the needs of today’s learners, and we want the momentum for it to continue,” said Alt. “Cindy has been involved with all aspects of Vision One91 and will be the leader who can continue to move the district forward.”

Extraordinary volunteers receive Coskran Award

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ix extraordinary volunteers were honored with the 2017 John Coskran Volunteer Awards in a ceremony in Burnsville-EaganSavage School District 191 in May. This is the 16th year of the awards which are named in honor of John Coskran, a long-time advocate for volunteerism and a former member of the Board of Education.

Recipients of the 2017 John Coskran Volunteer Award are: Students: Shrey Pothini, a student at Eagle Ridge

Six school buildings in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 will gain solar panels on their roofs this fall. Not only will energy and money be saved, but the project will have an educational component. It will be connected to school programs, including college and career Pathways, as a way for students to learn about alternative energies.

The district has no upfront costs for the solar arrays valued at $1.2 million. Instead for the first 12 years, the district receives 25% of the energy that’s generated while the other 75% goes to pay for the arrays. After 12 years when the arrays are paid in full, the district will receive 100% of the energy that’s generated.

It’s estimated that the district will realize over $1 million of electrical savings during the 25 years of the warranty. Another $1 million or more could be saved after the warranty expires since the solar arrays are expected to last beyond that period.

To qualify, schools must receive power from Xcel Energy (some of the district’s schools receive power from other companies) and be structurally able to handle the weight of the panels. Solar arrays will be installed at: Pates Stadium at Burnsville High School, Marion W. Savage Elementary, Burnsville Alternative High School, Sioux Trail Elementary, Vista View Elementary and River Ridge Education Center (formerly the Administrative Services Center).

KEEP UP WITH VISION ONE91 PROGRESS:

Middle School, and Derik Piña Flores, a senior at Burnsville High School.

Parents: Seema Pothini, a parent at Harriet Bishop Elementary and Eagle Ridge Middle School, and Brian Strayer, a parent at Harriet Bishop Elementary and Eagle Ridge Middle School.

Community: Craig Huber who volunteers in the robotics program at Burnsville High School and the district’s three middle schools.

• On the website, view videos and more at www.isd191.org/vision191.

Employee: Kelly Knott, the art teacher at Marion W. Savage and Edward Neill Elementary Schools.

• Subscribe to the district’s e-newsletter at www.isd191.org/enews

/ FUTURE READY / STUDENTS SUCCEED

Students qualify for state, national competitions Thirty-one Burnsville High School students competed at the 2017 Minnesota DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) in March. Fourteen students qualified for finals (top 12-15), five groups ranked in the top eight and three students took the podium and ranked first through fourth place. Additionally, six students qualified for Nationals (ICDC) in Anaheim, Calif.

Selena Thach, a fifth grade student at Harriet Bishop Elementary School in Savage, qualified to compete at the state level of the National Geographic Bee. The for second consecutive year, the Burnsville High School Baseball team tied for the South Suburban Conference Champions and qualified for the state tournament.

Megan Osterhaus, left, and Elizabeth McCormick are looking for job shadow opportunities for their classmates at Burnsville High School.

Students seek businesses for job shadows

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lizabeth McCormick participated in a job shadow at General Mills back when she was a seventhgrade student at Metcalf Middle School. “I was inspired by being in the workplace,” she said, “and it helped me realize that I want a career in business.”

Elizabeth, who will be a senior at Burnsville High School, wants all students to have the same opportunity to go on a job shadow as part of their career exploration. So she and classmate Megan Osterhaus started a Job Shadow Club last year.

Job shadowing involves spending a few hours at

a workplace with a person who shares information about his/her job. “It’s an opportunity to pick the brains of professional people and gain a feeling for what they do at their work,” said Megan.

Elizabeth and Megan have contacted many area businesses and have been pleased at the willingness to host students. “Our community is eager to work with us on this,” said Elizabeth. The students are seeking more area businesses that could provide job shadow opportunities for students.

Interested people should contact Elizabeth at mccoe1@isd191.org or Megan at ostem1@ isd191.org. The Job Shadow Program website is at http://bhsjobshadowingprogram.webs.com/

Q&A

CODING > Students from kindergarten through grade 12 are coding, so Rachel Gorton, the district’s coordinator of instructional technology, answered some questions about it.

Rachel Gorton

Q: What is coding? A: Coding is when you tell a computer exactly what to do by giving it step-by-step directions. It’s also known as computer programming. Our district’s curriculum is based on standards of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

Q: Which students are coding? A: All of our students learn to code, which makes us unique since most other districts only offer coding as part of enrichment or an after-school option. Our elementary students learn coding from digital learning specialists who teach vital tech skills.

In our middle schools, all sixth and seventh graders code in an exploratory class, and there are opportunities that students in grades 8-12 can choose to continue learning and even earn certifications that will help them find careers and continue their education.

Q: Why are District 191 students learning to code? A: Many reasons. The power of coding comes from the thinking that students need to do to solve a puzzle or write code for a specific purpose. It involves creativity, problem solving or “debugging” and reviewing their work and persistence. The skills learned in coding are applied across all subjects. For example, students working on math problems apply the same logical troubleshooting to check their understanding of the concept. Coding prepares all students with knowledge and skills they will need for their next step and students who continue in coding have promising career paths available. It’s also fun and engaging.

Q: How will students use coding in the future? A: Students who code will find themselves in high demand. Right now, computing jobs are the No. 1 source of new wages in the United States, and there are 500,000 current job openings in a wide variety of industries and all across the country. Plus, there are high-paying careers with new opportunities emerging every day.

BHS principal receives regional recognition Burnsville High School Principal Dave Helke is the Hennepin Division High School Principal of the Year, an area that includes all the high schools in Hennepin and Scott counties, as well as parts of Anoka and Dakota Counties. The award recognizes school leaders who use research and innovative practices to improve their schools. Helke is now eligible for the MASSP statewide Principal of the Year Award, which is determined at the end of the calendar year.

Helke has led Burnsville High School through major transformations as part of Vision One91, which is Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191’s work to redesign the district to meet the needs of today’s learners.

Along with teachers and fellow administrators, Helke has helped develop Burnsville High School’s new “Pathways” model, which helps students Dave Helke prepare for college/career success.

In nominating Helke, Nicollet Middle School Principal Renee Brandner cited “his instructional vision for a 21st Century school, his ability to lead change, his communication skills, and the way he models how we should work with students.”

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The Burnsville Olympic Weightlifting Varsity team secured its fourth consecutive varsity state title in March while the junior varsity team won its first state title. Burnsville is the first team since 2004 to win both divisions in the same year.

Two BHS grads drafted into the big leagues Chase Roullier (Class of 2012) and Sam Carlson (Class of 2017) each realized a dream this spring when they were drafted by teams in their respective professional sports.

Carlson, a hard-throwing right handed pitcher, was drafted in the second round of this year’s Major League Baseball draft by the Seattle Mariners. He garnered all kinds of honors during his senior season with the Blaze, including Mr. Baseball Minnesota and East Metro Player of the Year, while helping the team earn a spot in the state tournament.

Roullier, a 6-foot-4 center, was picked in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Washington football team after a phenomenal four-year career at the University of Wyoming.

He was a three-year starter at Burnsville High School and a member of the AP All-State first team before heading to college. At Wyoming, he earned All-Mountain West Conference honors three times.

BHS chess players earn national trophy Chess players from Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 came back from the national scholastic chess championships with several trophies, among them a first-place title for the Burnsville High School U1200 team. The team of Chance Persons, Samantha Stadick, Mark Huttman and Nikolas Slemp won BHS’s first national chess championship, competing in the U1200 rating category. Chance, a ninth-grader, finished 9th individually, while senior Nikolas took 16th.

The Metcalf Middle School U750 team placed 2nd in the nation. Team members were 6th grader William Moe (7th place), 8th grader David Wilkens (24th place), and 7th graders Max Fox and Zachary Friedmann. Ninth-grader Lyla Lichliter turned in the top individual performance, placing 6th in the U800 rating category.

Other standout results included sophomores Zander Gorton and Jack Reichert, who placed 21st in the U1900 team ranks, despite having just half a team. In the U1200 category, Metcalf 7th grader Ava Piccolino placed 9th and 8th grader Sam Kielas placed 10th.

The Burnsville High School team is coached by Craig Heirigs while Metcalf teams are coached by Brian Ribnick.

BHS students qualify for international science competitions Once again, Burnsville High School students were selected to attend both the International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering, Environment Project Olympiad (ISWEEEP) and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) after presenting their research at the Twin Cities Regional Science Fair.

Sophomore Hanna Holmstrom went to ISWEEEP in Houston in May with her project is “A Comparison of Alternative Protein Sources and their Impact on the Environment.” Along with presenting her work and competing with top science students from around the world, Hanna also talked with top scientists in the fields of energy, engineering and the environment.

Junior Claire Wentzlaff went to Los Angeles for ISEF in May with her project is “The Effects of Bacillus Bacteria on the Invasive Species Lemna minor (Duckweed).” Alternates to the conference were seniors Connor Van Dorpe and Braxton Kukulka. ISEF, the world’s largest international pre-college science competition, brings together more than 1,600 high school students from around the world to showcase their research. This is the 23rd time since 1992 that Burnsville High School students have been selected to attend — a remarkable record.

/ COMMUNITY STRONG / Foundation 191 golf tournament

Greta Warren, left, and Kevin Warren, right, gave a big boost to four District 191 students as they head off to college. Scholarship recipients are, from left, Dhavena Tejpaul, Nia Blanks, Tommy Bui and Manuel Andrade.

Vikings executive and spouse set up ongoing scholarship

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our District 191 students received a big boost as they head off to college. Manuel Andrade, Nia Blanks, Tommy Bui and Dhavena Tejpaul were selected to receive scholarships of $5,000 each year for four years to cover tuition and other costs to earn an undergraduate degree at a college or university.

The scholarships were provided by Greta and Kevin Warren, who is an attorney and the chief operating officer of the Minnesota Vikings. “Greta and I want to ensure we do what we can to give local high school students a critical secondary education opportunity,” said Warren. “We both have a passion for education and have been blessed in our careers, so we view it as our fiduciary responsibility to pay it forward to

students within our community.”

Students were evaluated on leadership, community participation, volunteer service and participation in sports or the arts. They had to meet a certain grade point average, be members of underserved or underrepresented groups on college campuses, and show desire and determination to succeed.

The Warrens plan to continue awarding four scholarships annually until a total of 16 students are in the program on a rolling basis. In addition to financial backing, Warren has already connected students with possible networking and mentoring opportunities to further launch them into careers and opportunities.

Foundation 191 awarded 20 grants, worth a total of $9,800, for learning activities during the 2017-18 school year in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191.

The not-for-profit foundation’s mission is to enhance, enrich and expand educational opportunities within District 191. Donations are tax deductible.

One of the group’s important fundraisers is the annual golf tournament, which will take place on Friday, Sept. 15, at Crystal Lake Golf Course. Registration begins at noon. For more information visit www.foundation191.org

NEWS BRIEFS

New playground for all

Local groups honor seniors bound for military

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urnsville Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) recognized Burnsville High School seniors who have made military commitments during a Burnsville City Council meeting in June and at a reception at the Dan Patch American Legion in Savage.

Students entering the U.S. Marines include Jason Chappell, Burnsville; William Hajduch, Savage; Jeckson Hernandez Diaz, Burnsville; and Dawson Skavnak, Burnsville. Individuals entering the Minnesota Army National Guard include Alexander Garlington, Burnsville; Shane Kerwin, Savage; Jackson Grey, Savage; Kiera Wilson, Burnsville; Jared Shearer, Savage; Jean Lain, Burnsville; Malacai Bailey, Savage; Corey McGovern, Burnsville, and Fabrizio Cuartas, Eagan.

ALL children will be able to enjoy a new playground at Gideon Pond Elementary School in Burnsville beginning this fall. The truly inclusive and barrier-free playground will be the first of its kind in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 and the City of Burnsville.

It will include pieces that are easily accessible and safe for students of all ability levels.

New members of BHS Hall of Fame

Practice fields named in honor of Ted Seidel

District needs food service subs

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ary Bettin has a lot of energy and couldn’t see herself as a couch potato. So when she retired 12 years ago, she began working as a food service substitute and has subbed at every school in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 since then. “I love serving the kids,” said Bettin, who works a 2 1/2 or 4-hour shift when it fits her schedule.

“Substitutes are needed and greatly appreciated – especially during lunch time,” said Julie Kronabetter, director of the district’s Food & Nutrition Services department. “It’s very flexible work with good pay for the food service industry and it’s rewarding.”

Subbing is ideal for parents with school-age children, college students, and also retirees. Apply online at www.isd191.org.

Two sports practice fields to the east of the Bob Pates Stadium at Ted Seidel Burnsville High School will be renamed “Ted Seidel Practice Fields” in honor and memory of Ted Seidel, the head boys’ soccer coach at Burnsville High School for 28 years.

“By naming these fields in his honor and memory, Coach Seidel’s legacy will live on with the BHS soccer and athletic programs,” said Jeff Marshall, the district’s activities/athletics director. A dedication will take place this fall and a sign will be added to the scoreboard on the practice fields.

Seidel started the boys’ soccer program in 1970, retiring from the position in 1998. His teams finished with a combined 333-140-55 record.

Under his tutelage, BHS teams finished as section champs and six-time state qualifiers and were section runners-up nine times. His teams also won eight conference titles and finished as state champs in 1980, 1982, 1990 and 1993.

About This Newsletter This newsletter is sent periodically to all residents in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 to provide information about schools, which are a cornerstone of the community. If you have comments, send them to Ruth Dunn, district communications director, at rdunn@isd191.org or call 952-707-2020.

Connect With Us Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 strives to keep residents informed and involved in their public schools. To get news, pictures, events and more delivered to you where you want them, “Like” us on Facebook, or/and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

District Contact Info Phone: 952-707-2000 • Web: www.isd191.org E-mail: info@isd191.org Welcome Center (Enrollment): 952-707-4180

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facebook.com/isd191 twitter.com/isd191 instagram.com/isd191

Residents may also sign up for the District 191 e-Newsletter at www.isd191.org/enews.

Joe Bueltel (Class of 1979), Jennifer Hall (Class of 1986), Greg Holker (Class of 1996), Kerry Kraemer (Class of 2007), Renata (Heupel) Mayrhofer (Class of 1977), Douglas Wendland (Class of 1969) and the 2002 BHS Chess Team have been selected as the 2017 inductees for the Burnsville High School Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will take place at the school’s Mraz Center on Friday, Oct. 13, beginning with a reception at 4:30 p.m. and a formal ceremony at 5:30 p.m.

Free ‘Digital Parenting’ classes offered in September Free classes on “Parenting in the Digital Age” will be offered for parents through BurnsvilleEagan-Savage School District 191 Community Education. This interactive workshop will help parents learn strategies for keeping their children safe and responsible online. The same class will be offered on three dates: Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.; Thursday, Sept.

21 from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. All sessions will take place at Diamondhead Education Center (upper level), 200 W. Burnsville Parkway. For more information, contact (952) 707-4150.

School District 191 Board Of Education Abigail Alt (952) 898-0243 DeeDee Currier (952) 882-7746 Dan Luth (952) 440-1290 Eric Miller (612) 239-3348 Darcy Schatz (651) 955-8301 Jim Schmid (952) 882-1651 Bob VandenBoom (651) 454-9516 Luke Haddorff, Student Representative Cindy Amoroso, Superintendent (952) 707-2001

aalt@isd191.org dcurrier@isd191.org dluth@isd191.org ecmiller@isd191.org dschatz@isd191.org jschmid@isd191.org bvandenboom@isd191.org superintendent191@isd191.org

School District 191 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status or veteran status.

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SUPERINTENDENT’S COLUMN

We’re on the right track with Vision One91 and will maintain the momentum

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’m proud to have been part of this school district for the past four years as assistant superintendent.

Now I’m excited to lead the district as superintendent as we continue the momentum of Vision One91, our work to Cindy Amoroso redesign our district to meet the needs of today’s learners.

This past year, we accomplished so much. Ninth graders are now at Burnsville High as we created a comprehensive four-year high school with grades 9-12.

To strengthen college and career readiness, Pathways were put in place to help students plan and prepare

VISION

UPDATE

Scan this QR code for a video update on Vision One91.

Northfield. In addition, Google and Best Buy for future success. We provided Chromebooks to all selected Burnsville High School as a showcase for high school students as personal learning devices. technology innovation in an event that was attended Our three middle schools now have STEA3M with Science, Technology, Engineering, Advanced by regional educators in December.

Learning, the Arts, AVID college prep, and Math.

Our goal is to ensure each student is future ready, This year, middle school so that all doors are open to We’ve expanded opportunities students will all receive them to realize their dreams. Oh, for our students in many ways.

Chromebooks, too. do they have dreams! We asked We’ve become the district At our 10 elementary some elementary students what that’s leading the way, and schools, digital learning careers they’re thinking about and other schools come to see specialists are now teaching they quickly responded: Journee what we’re doing. vital tech skills to students wants to be a doctor while Yelena in grades K-5. Makerspaces plans to be an art teacher and are in place to encourage collaboration and creativity.

Mark wants to be a zookeeper. Sophia wants to be a We are a different district now. We’ve expanded veterinarian, while Stepan wants to be a fireman and opportunities for our students in many ways.

Sebastian wants to be a rock star. Of course, they’re all We’ve become the district that’s leading the “rock stars” to us! We’re always looking for partners way, and other schools come to see what we’re to join us in providing learning opportunities for our doing. Recent tours have been given to educators students. For more information, please contact Kathy from these school districts and others: St. Cloud, Funston, our director of strategic partnerships and Hutchinson, Anoka-Hennepin, North St. Paul and pathways, at kfunston@isd191.org or (952) 707-6276.

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 32254 Independent School District 191 200 W Burnsville Pkwy Burnsville, MN 55337 CONNECT / isd191

ARE YOU NEW TO THE DISTRICT? Welcome to Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191! If you have school-age children, you can enroll them online at www.isd191.org/enroll or at the district’s Welcome Center, upper level, Diamondhead Education Center, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway. For more information, call the Welcome Center at (952) 707-4180 or email at welcomecenter@isd191.org. We look forward to providing a high-quality education for your children!

IN THIS ISSUE Amoroso is new superintendent . .

Funding requests will go to voters .

Solar panels will save energy, time .

Q&A on coding for students . . . . .

Students seek job shadows . . . . . . .

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WELCOME BACK! School starts soon for students in District 191.

Here’s some things to know as summer winds down and the 2017-18 school year begins.

Monday, Aug. 14 Fall Athletics at Burnsville High School begin Tuesday, Sept. 5 First Day of school for students in grades 1-12 Thursday, Sept. 7 First Day of School for Kindergarten students

Supply Lists Get your elementary school supply list at www.isd191.org/supplies Open Houses Meet your teachers, visit classrooms and just get settled in a bit before the school year begins.

Go to www.isd191.org/ openhouse2017 for a complete list