School Talk, spring 2016

SPRING 2016

What’s up?

Enrollment.

10 reasons why enrollment is growing and how the District is responding

ALSO INSIDE: BOARD CALLS FOR FACILITIES REVIEW • EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OUTREACH

What’s up?

L

Enrollment.

ike many metro school districts, for years Mounds View Public Schools experienced a steady enrollment decline. In that time, the District downsized from eight elementary schools to six, and non-residents were welcomed to apply for enrollment in all grades.

Not anymore.

“Your schools have been right-sized for a decade,” says former state demographer Hazel Reinhardt. “Now, Mounds View is entering a new phase of resident enrollment growth.

And that should continue for some time.”

Last fall, the District partnered with Reinhardt to provide a complete housing and enrollment study. The report confirmed enrollment is increasing, with no signs of slowing down soon.

• The District currently enrolls nearly 11,000 students – the highest level of enrollment in 14 years. Only 1,280 students (nine percent) are non-resident students.

“ Your schools have been right-sized for a decade.”

– Hazel Reinhardt, former state demographer

#1 Births are up.

Resident births in the District are higher. With more than 800 newborns in 2015, resident births are at their highest point in 15 years.

#2 Schools have “built-in” growth momentum.

Resident enrollment growth is primarily concentrated in elementary grades, where over the past five years elementary grades have grown by 800 students. As this “bubble” moves through middle school and high school, total enrollment will increase even if kindergarten enrollments stay near their current sizes.

• Over the past five years, resident enrollment has increased by 728 students (8.2 percent).

• Resident enrollment is projected to continue to increase 18 – 29 percent in the next 10 years, with a large share of the projected increase occurring in the second five years.

Average resident grade size

• In less than 10 years, resident enrollment alone (not including non-residents) is projected to reach from 11,400 – 12,400 students.

Elementary schools............ 762 MIddle schools................... 715

What’s behind the enrollment growth for Mounds View?

Here are 10 reasons why enrollment is growing – and expected to continue.

On the cover:

Bel Air third-grader Abby Nelson is among the growing number of students choosing Mounds View Public Schools.

Editors Rachel Gutierrez Colin Sokolowski

Designer Susan Abbott

Photographers Rachel Gutierrez Greg Helgeson Lifetouch

High schools...................... 721

Superintendent Dan Hoverman

2016 School Board Bob Helgeson Amy Jones Greg Madsen Marre Jo Sager Jon Tynjala Jonathan Weinhagen Sandra Westerman

School Talk is published by Mounds View Public Schools, Independent School District 621.

Send correspondence to School Talk editor, 350 Highway 96 West, Shoreview, MN 55126, e-mail rachel.gutierrez@moundsviewschools.org or call 651-621-6012.

Para asistencia en traducciones ó ayuda como intérprete, por favor comuníquese con Angel Toro al 651-724-2854. Yog xa tau kev pab thiab hais ua lus Hmoob thov hu rau Mee Yang ntawm 651-724-0396. Haddi aad ubaahantahay faahfaahin dheerad ah ama turjumaad, fadlan kala soo xiriir, taleefanka 651-724-7482.

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#3 Kindergarten is larger than 12th grade.

For a dozen consecutive years, 12th grade was larger than kindergarten enrollment. But in the past three years, resident kindergarten enrollment has been larger than the previous year’s resident 12th grade.

Resident enrollment 2015-16 Kindergarten................ 779 12th grade................... 684

Student enrollment is increasing, with no signs of slowing down soon.

#4 More students are enrolling than leaving.

The number of resident students moving into District schools is larger than the number of resident students moving out of District schools. The District has netted a gain of 745 resident students over the past five years.

#5 More pre-school children are moving into the District.

By the time they enroll in kindergarten, the District is serving a greater number of students than the number of students born in the District five to six years ago.

#6 More residents are choosing Mounds View.

For years, the District consistently enrolled 80 percent of all possible resident students. Today, the District’s capture rate is at 84 percent – an all-time high. This market share is higher than a typical Twin Cities suburban school district.

84%

of

all possible resident students attend District schools — an all-time high.

#7 Existing single-family houses are yielding more students.

On average, single-family houses would yield 0.36 students each before they were sold. Today, these homes are yielding 0.54 students each when they are sold.

#8 New single-family homes = one student.

On average, every new home when sold yields nearly one student (0.93). This is considered a very high yield rate.

SPRING 2016

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#9 New housing developments will produce more students.

Several new housing developments in the District will ultimately produce more Mounds View students.

These include: – The Enclave, New Brighton (Schools = Bel Air Elementary School, Highview Middle School, Irondale High School) – Charley Lake Preserve, North Oaks (Schools = Turtle Lake Elementary School, Chippewa Middle School, Mounds View High School) – Rapp Farms, North Oaks (Schools = Turtle Lake Elementary School, Chippewa Middle School, Mounds View High School)

#10 Housing turnover will likely increase in the next five years.

The District has many single-family houses (2,400+) with at least one person 75 years of age or older.

Historically, this eventually produces “turnover” to younger families with school-age children.

– Autumn Meadows, Shoreview (Schools = Turtle Lake Elementary School, Chippewa Middle School, Mounds View High School) – Rice Creek Commons, Arden Hills* (Schools = Pinewood Elementary School, Sunnyside Elementary School, Edgewood Middle School, Irondale High School) * The Rice Creek Commons development remains difficult to predict. Depending on the number of housing units, the housing mix and the pace of development, this development could add 600 additional students to Mounds View Public Schools. Rapid development could result in 475 more elementary students.

What’s next for Mounds View Public Schools? For the foreseeable future, the District will remain closed to new nonresident enrollment, and the Board has asked administration for a comprehensive facilities review to determine building capacities to accommodate growth.

“I work with a lot of districts, and I can’t name another that has managed its enrollment as effectively as you have,” says Reinhardt. “You’ve managed decline, and now you must manage growth. You enjoy a popularity here, and in the past five years, the enrollment changes are dramatic. All the indicators strongly point to continued growth.”

K-12 enrollment

including residents and non-residents

A 20-year history of enrollment (including non-residents)

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12,000

11,799

Only minimum number of open enrollment applications approved at all schools, except Pike Lake and Turtle Lake where capacity is not as limited.

Demographer conducts enrollment and housing study.

District downsizes from eight elementary schools to six and uses the two buildings for other programs.

11,000

Legislation requires all schools to accept open enrollment applications.

Schools must accept a minimum number.

10,000 9,000 1997

1998

1999

2000

9,968 2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Enrollment and housing study updated.

School Talk

SPRING 2016

Managing growth The District has taken a series of steps in response to increasing enrollment.

Board asks for facilities study

Open enrollment closed

At the January 26 School Board meeting, former state demographer Hazel Reinhardt provided a report on a comprehensive housing and enrollment study she conducted.

“After being right-sized for a decade, the District is now entering a new phase in its resident enrollment,” she said. “Resident enrollment is projected to continue to increase 18 – 29 percent in the next 10 years.”

After considering the results of this enrollment study, on February 9 the School Board directed the administration to conduct a comprehensive facilities study to determine the current state of facilities and their capacity to serve future enrollment growth.

“We’re going to start to feel the intensity of growth in the next few years,” said Board chair Amy Jones. “The next logical step is to take a look at our facilities.”

The study will consider a variety of issues including the age, condition and capacities of each building. The administration will provide a series of ongoing facilities reports at School Board meetings beginning this spring. “In less than 10 years, we’re going to be adding about 1,500 students,” said Jones. “Many of these students will join us in the elementary schools and then move through the system. What is our current capacity? What amount of increased capacity do we need?

How can our schools provide the required space to accommodate this increase? We need to answer these questions very soon.”

“ The next logical step is to take a look at our facilities.” – Amy Jones, School Board Chair

As a result of this enrollment trend, the School Board approved the District administration’s recommendation to close new open enrollment options throughout Mounds View Public Schools for the 2016-17 school year. In addition, it is highly likely that the District will be closed to open enrollment for the foreseeable future, although this decision will be made on an annual basis.

Siblings of students currently attending a District school will continue to be approved to attend.

In-district transfers closed As with open enrollment, new in-district transfer options will also be closed for the 2016-17 school year, with the exception of siblings of students currently attending a school outside of their attendance area, families with verifiable daycare in the requested school area or students with a documented and compelling educational need.

Movers must move The District is discontinuing its practice of offering currently attending families the option to have their students stay enrolled through open enrollment should they choose to move out of the District. There are two exceptions. Families with students currently in 11th or 12th grade are offered the option to stay through graduation. If a family move occurs on or after April 1, the students will be allowed to continue through a temporary non-resident agreement until the end of the school year.

The two repurposed elementary schools now house all-day kindergarten centers.

Enrollment and housing study updated.

No new non-residents allowed: Bel Air, Island Lake, Turtle Lake, Valentine Hills.

11,052* 11,203*

9,623 2007

2008

No new non-residents allowed: Bel Air, Island Lake, Turtle Lake, Valentine Hills, Chippewa, Highview, Mounds View.

10,880 2009

Enrollment and housing study updated.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

No new non-residents allowed: Bel Air, Island Lake, Turtle Lake, Valentine Hills.

2015

Enrollment and housing study updated.

SPRING 2016

*estimated

2016

2017

No new non-residents allowed: All schools closed to open enrollment.

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A CLOSER LOOK

Early Childhood extending services Changes in enrollment and demographics prompt outreach.

The earlier, the better.

That’s the clear message behind research showing that children who have exposure to early childhood education programs are more likely to find success in school and beyond than those without access. It’s also the motivation behind Mounds View’s new outreach efforts to enroll students in its Early Childhood Education (ECE) program.

“ Students who don’t have access to these programs are less likely to succeed in school.”

— Sue Stoner, coordinator of ECE programs “We’re fortunate that our community has many quality preschool options,” says Sue Stoner, coordinator of ECE programs.

“Our Mounds View programs offer something for everyone, but research tells us that students who don’t have access to these programs are less likely to succeed in school. That’s the group we’re working hard to enroll. It’s a more diverse segment of children and families who are often underrepresented.”

As the District’s enrollment increases (see page 2), so does the number of families with children who are English language learners or who qualify for free and fee-subsidized ECE programming.

Risk indicators for educational success include a developmental or communication disability, eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, English 6

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SPRING 2016

language learning needs and failure to between four-year-old and kindergarten pass early developmental screening. programming. Likewise, Pike Lake Studies show children with these Education Center in New Brighton risk factors can find success if given will also devote additional space to opportunities.

ECE programming, as Community Currently, about 800 four-year-olds Education and other programs move reside in the District. About 280 have a from Pike Lake to the Shoreview library type of risk factor. Looking to the future, building or to the Early Childhood Mounds View expects to serve about Education Center in New Brighton. half of all four-year-olds in the District, Many funding sources exist to through one of its ECE programs. support this extension service, and In response, the District will be launching outreach efforts to identify and enroll additional children who meet the risk-indicator criteria. These are children and families who often do not have access to a highquality, early childhood education program.

Students who are enrolled will join classes Snail Lake Education Center will welcome four-year-olds in of 18-20 children, taught 2017, when Early Childhood Education programs join the by licensed teachers building’s kindergarten centers. using developmentally appropriate practices and families will pay for classes on a sliding modifications. At the same time, other scale basis. Depending on potential ECE programs will continue to be legislative support this session, the available for students who do not meet District’s budget would not exceed risk-indicator eligibility criteria. $200,000 — less than one percent of the Making ECE programming more District’s operating budget — to extend available requires additional classroom these services to identified families. space. That’s why in 2017 the District’s “This outreach effort is another way central administration services will we’re honoring The Equity Promise,” move from its current location at Snail says Superintendent Dan Hoverman.

Lake Education Center in Shoreview “We want to offer all of our students into the current Ramsey County library opportunities to succeed, including our building in Shoreview. This frees space youngest students. It’s our job to ensure to make Snail Lake a site serving early that race, class and disability will not childhood and kindergarten students predict their success.” exclusively, with improved alignment

It’s time for more time High schools adjust schedules for in-school support time.

Finding time to get extra academic help is getting easier for high school students. That’s because Irondale High School and Mounds View High School are launching new models giving students better access to teachers during the school day.

At Irondale, the program is called Knight Time — a 54-minute window of time between 2nd- and 3rd-hour classes. At Mounds View, a similar 50-minute approach is called Re-F.L.E.C.T. (Re-focus, learn, examine, connect, teach). Both models give students the opportunity to receive academic support, participate in relearning, make up missed labs or tests

“ Our students have very full days.

We think this opportunity will help them reduce some stress.”

– Jeff Ridlehoover, Mounds View principal and quizzes, study quietly, experiment with technologies, collaborate on group projects with classmates and participate in a number of other options supporting academic success. Each school is introducing this schedule two days this spring, before expanding it to 10 or 11 times each semester beginning with the 2016-17 academic year.

“Our students have very full days, in school and out of school,” says Mounds

Mounds View students will have more in-school time to complete assignments or get extra help next year, thanks to the new model Re-F.L.E.C.T. (Re-focus, learn, examine, connect, teach). Irondale High School is launching a similar opportunity called Knight Time.

View principal Jeff Ridlehoover.

“Most have after-school activities, and they’d appreciate the time in school to complete their homework or get extra help. We think this opportunity in the middle of the week will help them catch their breath, dig into their school work and even help them reduce some stress.”

Working together, administrators and teachers at Irondale and Mounds View spent considerable time last fall exploring how to offer more in-school time for students to gain academic support. After conducting interviews, making metro-school site visits and coordinating planning sessions the high school teams created this new educational experience. Knight Time and Re-F.L.E.C.T. were designed by

combining the best elements of similar schools’ support structures.

“I’m excited to see how it goes,” says Mounds View senior Joe Caughey. “It sounds like a great idea, especially for the underclassmen who don’t have the free hours or time in their schedules.

Also they can’t drive themselves home.

It could be very nice for students.”

“ I’m excited to see how it goes.

It could be very nice for students.”

– Joe Caughey, Mounds View senior

SPRING 2016

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SCHOOL BOARD Voters select School Board

2016 School Board

Last fall, voters in Mounds View Public Schools selected residents Bob Helgeson, Amy Jones, Jonathan Weinhagen and Sandra Westerman for seats on the School Board. The four took the oath of office in January, and will serve four-year terms.

Election results for all candidates are below: John Hakes

1,615 votes

12%

Bob Helgeson

2,712 votes

20%

Amy Jones

2,988 votes

22%

Jonathan Weinhagen

2,904 votes

22%

Sandra Westerman

3,160 votes

24%

Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State

Front row: Amy Jones, Jon Tynjala, Marre Jo Sager. Back row: Jonathan Weinhagen, Greg Madsen, Sandra Westerman, Bob Helgeson.

Rising enrollment prompts facilities study

Ramsey County Library lease/purchase

After considering the results of the latest enrollment study, in February the School Board directed the administration to conduct a comprehensive facilities study to determine the current state of facilities and their capacity to serve future enrollment growth. The study will consider a variety of issues including the age, condition and capacities of each building. The administration will provide a series of ongoing facilities reports at School Board meetings beginning this spring.

(For details, see page 5.)

Last fall, the Board approved a lease purchase agreement with Ramsey County for the library building in Shoreview. This agreement will make the property available to the District after January 2017. Moving the administrative offices to the facility will open up instructional space at Snail Lake Education Center and will allow for program expansion for pre-school aged students across the District.

Fiscal year audit report In November, representatives from the audit firm Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich & Co., P.A. reviewed the 2014-2015 audited financial statements and supplemental reports. During the presentation to the Board, representatives commended the District for its excellence in financial reporting and issued the highest level of audit reporting an auditor can give an organization. The audit report is available on the Budgets & Finance page at www.moundsviewschools.org.

Planning ahead: two years of school calendars Families have the next two years of school calendars available to review and plan around, after the Board approved the 2017-2018 school-year calendar in February. The calendar was developed with input from teachers, parents and District administrators and was presented to the Mounds View Education Association (MVEA) leadership team for discussion through Joint Policy. The calendar contains no significant changes to traditional breaks including MEA break, Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break. All calendars are available to review at www.moundsviewschools.org.

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EDUCATION FOUNDATION The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation works in partnership with Mounds View Public Schools leadership to identify programs that require funding to advance District priorities and innovations that can reach students throughout the entire District.

The Schools Brothers

You’ve seen The Blues Brothers. But have you heard of The Schools Brothers?

They helped the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation “Rock the School House” in October. Supported by a band of District staff musicians, The Schools Brothers featured Island Lake principal Todd Durand (left) and Sunnyside principal Nathan Flansburg (right). Thanks to more than 300 attendees, the event raised more than $48,000.

Funding priorities The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation (MVSEF) hosted the 5th annual Partnering for Education Lunch in February. More than 175 community and business members attended the event where they heard from Superintendent Dan Hoverman, keynote speaker Justice Alan Page, Foundation president Jonathan Weinhagen and District students.

Justice Alan Page discussed how his interest in education started with his parents who encouraged their children to “be the best you can be” whether it’s in the classroom or on the football field. He acknowledged the work that Mounds View Public Schools has done to ensure all students have equal opportunity for achievement.

Jonathan Weinhagen announced the Students Charlie Etuko and River Thompson Foundation’s four areas of focus which talked about how their experiences at were created in alignment with the Mounds View High School have prepared District’s strategic plan. MVSEF will them for their futures following high school continue its support of the Laurentian graduation.

Environmental Center and the Equity Promise Scholarship Program. In addition, MVSEF will fund an innovative software program enabling the high school deans to better facilitate college and career readiness for all students. Finally, the Foundation’s contributions will include funding to middle and elementary schools in support of Makerspace STEAM resources. Appreciation is given to this year’s event sponsors American Student, Bremer Bank and Northeast Bank.

New Board members The Mounds View Schools Education Foundation is pleased to welcome two new members to the Board of Trustees.

John Peck’s connection to Mounds View Public Schools includes both his own experience and that of his family.

John and his three siblings are all graduates of the District, and he has four children who graduated from Mounds View Schools. John served as booster president for the Irondale High School marching band program while his son Sam was a member. Sam is now in the Marine Corps Band while stationed in San Diego. As a local real estate agent, John recognizes that a strong public school system is critical to strengthening communities.

John looks forward to serving as a Foundation Trustee and contributing to our work supporting the children in our district. John and his wife Nancy reside in Arden Hills.

Erik Rasmussen is senior vice president responsible for employee benefits underwriting for Voya Financial.

Erik graduated from Mounds View High School in 1983 where he was the editor of the school newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society, and a member of the hockey, tennis and soccer teams. He holds a B.A. from the University of Minnesota in mathematics with an economics minor. He and his wife Janelle have two children — a Mounds View High School senior and a 2012 Mounds View graduate.

For more more information on the Foundation, please visit www.moundsviewschoolsef.org

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AROUND THE DISTRICT

Animal artifacts Lessons in reading, math and art

Donation adds new element to science lessons

As a member of the Science House, Mounds View Public Schools has access to a library of artifacts via the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Longtime Shoreview resident and taxidermist Joe Stepka donated more than a dozen animal mounts to Mounds View Public Schools in January. Stepka, whose wife worked as a teacher at Sunnyside Elementary School for many years, requested that they be used in District classrooms.

Sunnyside teacher Kristen Stanoch tapped the program to provide eight animal skulls to incorporate in the third-grade animal classification unit this fall. During homeroom reading time, students researched different animals by reading various books and articles.

In math, Sunnyside students Jackson Conrad and Lucas Fixell used animal skulls for multiple measurement and data lessons.

Edgewood students in Nathan Johnson’s eighth-grade earth science and sixthgrade physical science classes benefit from Stepka’s donation. Pictured: Narindwa Semakula.

Stay connected in 2016 Website improvements District and school websites have been updated to a responsive design — making navigating the web on a mobile device easier. Visit www.moundsviewschools.org for details.

District app Staying in touch with the District and its schools has never been easier. Download and customize the free mobile app to add specific calendar events to your device, follow high school sports, subscribe to notifications, check lunch

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menus, contact schools and more. Search “Mounds View Public Schools” at the Apple or Android app store.

Social media You can also follow the District and its schools on ,

and

.

All schools throughout the District have a playlist on the District’s YouTube Channel. Links are available in the footer at www.moundsviewschools.org. Find school-specific social media links and feeds by visiting school websites.

Seasonal celebrations Costume fun

Students at the kindergarten centers celebrated fall in costume.

Turtle Lake students including Niko Gutierrez paraded the hallways in costume, and Valentine Hills students Leah Fatzinger and Jasper Caccamo enjoyed a fall celebration.

Shop with a Cop Valentine Hills school resource officer Dan Picha organized a Shop with a Cop event that benefited District students in December.

Families in need met outside the Arden Hills patrol station in December and traveled in a long line of flashing-light squad cars to Target in Shoreview. Officers gave 30 kids a $100 gift card to shop for their family. Picha also serves as a school resource officer at Island Lake and Turtle Lake.

Deputy Mary Bergstrom with Carmena Hurd.

Thanksgiving at the ALC In an effort to give all students at the Area Learning Center (ALC) an opportunity to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal, ALC staff served a home-cooked meal in the school’s cafeteria. More than 45 students attended the Thanksgiving feast where they dined on tables dressed for the holiday and filled with food and conversation.

Operation Joy yields 3,000+ gifts The Ralph Reeder Food Shelf collected more than 3,000 gifts this holiday season during its annual Operation Joy Campaign that benefits Mounds View Public Schools families. Thanks to more than 80 community volunteers and donations from area churches, schools, businesses, clubs, individuals and Toys for Tots, 944 children (ages birth to 12th grade) received gifts this year. Qualifying families who registered with the Food Shelf were invited to the Operation Joy Toy Shop in December to pick out gifts for each of their children as well as food for the holidays. Participation was up 11 percent from last year.

Students at Snail Lake Education Center donated more than 550 pounds of food to Ralph Reeder Food Shelf over the holidays. In total, during November and December, 6,025 pounds of food was received by District programs.

Pictured: Turtle Lake kindergartners Tiffany Qureshi and Mia Lisius.

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AROUND THE DISTRICT Community spirit Irondale High School partnered with the elementary and middle schools to help promote community spirit recently.

The Irondale drumline and colorguard performed for elementary school students at Sunnyside and talked to them about the 12 Habits of Mind, teamwork, accuracy, perseverance and post-secondary success. Irondale students also served as judges for the Sunnyside Science Fair.

Bullying prevention Bridges students participated in a “Viktor’s Quest to S.T.O.P. Bullying” assembly in January focused on bully prevention. The interactive assembly featured Viktor the Viking’s mascot and call-in guests including Vikings football players and cheerleaders.

Reading Buddies

The Reading Buddy program brings student mentors and volunteers from the community to schools throughout the District during lunch and recess to read with kids and play math games.

County recognizes District community gardens

Edgewood seventh-grader Anthony Hernandez served as a mentor to second grade Pinewood student Aleatheus Curwick. Edgewood mentors help Pinewood students with reading and math throughout the year.

Mounds View Public Schools will be presented with the Ramsey County Public Health Award at the County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 5. The award will recognize the District for improving the public health of individuals, families and communities in Ramsey County through the successful implementation and sustainability of Everybody’s Garden. This District-wide organic garden project supports the local community in the area of food insecurity.

Chance Robinson, a third-grader at Valentine Hills, enjoys a weekly lunch with his Reading Buddy, Matthew Herlofsky.

Boston Scientific employees like Herlofsky have been volunteering as Reading and Math Buddies at Valentine Hills for 15 years. He is among 44 adult mentors who volunteer for the Reading Buddies program this school year.

Fifth-grader Jordan Schlemmer and Land O’Lakes volunteer mentor Terri Meister read together once a week as part of the Reading Buddies program at Turtle Lake.

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Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) Food Justice episode featured the District's community garden project and highlighted how schools, the Food Shelf, students and community are using the school gardens to reach Mounds View Public Schools families. Visit www.moundsviewschools.org to watch the November 15, 2015, episode and learn more about how District schools are working together to ensure all families have access to fresh food.

Solar schools save money

Construction started in March on six rooftop solar projects throughout Mounds View Public Schools which are anticipated to save the District nearly $1 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years. The systems will not only save energy dollars but also provide science learning opportunities for students and help to meet the District's sustainability goals.

Island Lake Elementary School, Pike Lake Education Center, Pinewood Elementary School, Irondale High School, Mounds View High School and Chippewa Middle School will host the systems, expecting to offset nearly 500,000 pounds of CO2 emissions annually.

The panels are manufactured in Bloomington by TenKsolar, and are being installed by local solar contractor Innovative Power Systems. The District will have no upfront costs to install the projects and will pay lower electricity rates over the next 15-20 years.

Robotics ready to compete In February, for the third year in a row, Irondale’s FIRST® Robotics Team 2052 (Knightkrawler) co-hosted a “Week Zero” event with Team 2472 (Centurions) at Centennial High School. FIRST® Robotics teams throughout the metro, and as far as Alexandria, participated in the event where they tested their newly built robots and competed with other teams. This offered teams an opportunity to get a feel for this year’s challenge, FIRST® Stronghold, and make any changes necessary to their robots before the build season cut-off date. Upcoming events for Knightkrawler include the 10,000 Lakes Regional at the U of M Williams Arena April 7-9 (free to the public) and ComedySportz Improv Fundraiser at Irondale on April 15. For more information on any of these upcoming events, please go to the team’s website at www.team2052.com.

Visit www.moundsviewschools.org to see FOX 9 news coverage detailing the initiative.

College visits District equity liaisons arranged a college visit to Minnesota State University – Mankato in November to expose Edgewood Middle School and Highview Middle School students to a college campus experience. More than 20 Latino students participated in the visit where they heard about careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Also in November, more than 30 Hmong, Latino and Somali students participated in a trip to Metropolitan State University to learn more about post-secondary options.

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AROUND THE DISTRICT Chalkboard Capers

Chalkboard Capers is a variety show presented annually by the staff of the Mounds View Education Association. The goal is to raise money for student scholarships given to graduating seniors from Irondale High School, Mounds View High School, REACH Academy, Area Learning Center and Adult Basic Education. Each scholarship is for $621. The number of scholarships awarded depends on the financial success of the show. Visit www.moundsviewschools.org/chalkboardcapers for more information and to order tickets.

The 2016 show is slated for April 6-9.

Wednesday, April 6, 5:15 p.m.

Thursday, April 7, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 9, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Music at Mounds View Music at Mounds View is a professional concert series that brings high-caliber, nationally recognized artists into our community for public performances at Mounds View High School. Join us for the last concert in this season’s series on April 17 at 2 p.m. — The Loring String Quartet.

With players from the U.S. and Ireland, the Loring String Quartet is an international ensemble of the highest quality, serving the musical needs of the greater Twin Cities area.

Music at

Mounds View 14

School Talk

Translation assistance To learn more about District programs and events featured in this issue of School Talk in Spanish, Hmong or Somali, please call Angel Toro (Spanish) at 651-724-0396, Mee Yang (Hmong) at 651-724-0396 or Ali Ali (Somali) at 651-724-7482.

Yog xa paub ntau tshaj nov txog peb lub District cov program thiab kev sib sau ua ke ntawm peb cov tsev kawm ntawv thiab niam txiv nrog rau me nyuam kawm ntawv uas muaj nyob rau hauv tsab ntawv School Talk no, thov hu rau Mee Yang ntawm 651-724-0396.

Para aprender mas sobre los programas del Distrito Escolar y de los eventos en esta edicion de School Talk, llame a Angel Toro al 651-724-0396.

Haddii aad dooneysid faahfaahin dheeraad ah oo ku saabsan barnaamijyada lugu soo qoro School Talk, ee ka baxa Iskuulada Moundsview, fadlan la soo xiriis Ali Ali: 651-724-7482.

Superstar video Minnesota has a lot of star school districts. So what makes Mounds View Public Schools a Superstar district? Visit www.moundsviewschools.org to take an animation-guided journey through our schools to discover why our students shine so brightly.

New IT training program The District’s Adult Basic Education program introduced a new computer training program this fall.

To learn more about the new IT Career Certification and training courses, call 651-621-6230 or email: linda.bankston@moundsviewschools.org.

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Land of Oz Elementary school students will perform The Wizard of Oz: Young Performer’s Edition at Pinewood Elementary School April 21 – April 23 6:30 p.m. nightly with a matinee performance on April 23 at 2:30 p.m. Seats are first-come, first-served. At-will donations appreciated. Call the school at 651-621-7500 for more information.

Grad gives back John Le, a senior at Mounds View High School, is one of many students in PREP special education who has looked forward to visits from Mounds View High School alumnus Seth Rosin for the past two years.

Rosin graduated from Mounds View High School and went on to play Major League Baseball. In the off-season, he spends 12 hours a week volunteering in the classroom with students like John Le. He provides individual academic and social support. Students enjoy working with him in the classroom and following his career on the baseball field.

Students bring cardboard to life Joelle Imholte’s 3-D art students worked as a unified team to create “The Mother of the Sea.” The Mounds View High School students used only humble cardboard and hot glue to create the large sculpture creation.

The Music Man Irondale High School’s drama department invited Highview students to be part of the school’s fall musical, The Music Man. This gave middle school students an opportunity to perform on the Irondale stage. High school students served as mentors to the younger students and gave them an opportunity to experience The Music Man, which was also Highview’s spring musical this year.

MacPhail Center helps teach rhythm to Highview students David Birrow of the MacPhail percussion faculty visited Highview Middle School in November to work with seventh-grade orchestra students. He used buckets and household items to teach rhythm and ensemble.

AJ URUYX

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AROUND THE DISTRICT Chippewa students seeking ‘Fame’ Eighth-graders Ameera Arshad and Jack Hentges portray students at New York City's High School for the Performing Arts in the musical Fame JR. — set in the early 1980s.

The Chippewa Middle School musical featured a cast of more than 50 students, with Lea Hoyhtya directing the spring show.

Native Pride Dancers visit Island Lake An all-school assembly in December brought students in grades one through five together to celebrate the mission of the Native Pride Dancers — to motivate and empower diverse communities to bridge cultural gaps through Indigenous traditions.

Donations benefit school libraries Turtle Lake fifth-graders Annabel Grindheim, Abigail Casey, Anna Wilson, Julia Berens, Audrey Quackenbush, Audrey Coverstone and Leigha Wood hosted a book drive as part of a Girl Scout initiative this winter bringing 6,700 books to schools throughout the District.

The Native Pride Dancers brought Island Lake staff and students to their feet. Principal Todd Durand, his staff and students participated in a dance lesson.

Kid Power

Sunnyside Elementary School received a grant this school year that outfitted all students in grade three to five with a fitness band to be used in conjunction with UNICEF’s Kid Power program. Students who chose to participate in the Kid Power program received their bands in February and are already earning points that unlock therapeutic food packets for severely malnourished children around the world.

The program works by counting students’ steps and awarding points based on the steps taken. The more kids move, the more points they earn. The more points they earn, the more food is donated and the more lives they save.

Valentine Hills Elementary School received 500 books courtesy of St. Paul Pi BEta Phi Fraternity Alum Club recently. The school was nominated to receive the free books by retired teacher Jackie Salvato.

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Highview Exploration Day Highview Middle School hosted Exploration Day in January to give students an opportunity to experience up to three elective classes based on their personal interests.

Students chose from 35 classes including intuitive art, master chef, journaling, video editing, computer coding, ice fishing (pictured), snorkeling, engineering challenges, puzzle/escape room and more.

Exchange program brings Irondale senior to Japan Ethan Riley, a senior at Irondale High School, spent six months in Japan as an exchange student. He returned earlier this year with stories and real-life experiences of Japan to share with his classmates.

Hour of Code

Sunnyside Elementary School students participated in the Hour of Code in December. The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching students in 180 countries. The one-hour introduction to computer science is designed to demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics of computer coding.

Making paper After reading books by Denise Fleming, an author who uses paper pulp screens to illustrate her books, Turtle Lake kindergartners enjoyed a class lesson in paper-making.

Ruby Waffensmith, Ted Coyle and Noah Johnson enjoyed seeing the connection between the author’s illustration process and making their own paper. Specialist Lisa Murray (pictured) invited 3M engineers to visit classes. Bob Follensbee of 3M visited several Island Lake and Turtle Lake classes throughout the school year to lead the paper-making lesson.

Ethan Riley says farewell to his host family in Gunma Prefecture, Japan.

LEGO League goes to State Island Lake’s LEGO League Team ATHENA (All That High Energy Nerd Action) organized an electronics recycling drive in January that collected 162 pounds of electronics. The team also advanced to the State Tournament, where they placed second for mechanical design and were among the top seven teams overall.

Team members pictured are Aubree Klein, Ella Nyholm, Caitlynne Springhorn, Claire O’Quinn, Anisha D’Souza and Ginny Gatto.

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WITH HONORS LifeTouch recognizes Turtle Lake in yearbook contest The yearbook staff at Turtle Lake Elementary School received Honorable Mention in the 2015 Yearbook Showcase Contest.

Yearbooks were evaluated on theme, theme development, design continuity, photography, writing, creativity and content coverage.

Teacher of the Year nominee Pinewood Elementary School’s student services assistant, David Wicklund, was nominated for Education Minnesota’s 2016 Teacher of the Year award. Named among 114 candidates across the state, Wicklund was identified as “someone who motivates and inspires students for a lifetime.”

Service to Youth

Turtle Lake principal Darin Johnson and yearbook editor Alyson Whalen received the award in February.

Several members of the Mounds View Public Schools community received a 2016 Service to Youth Award in February. The awards were given by the Northeast Youth & Family Services and the Arden Hills/Shoreview Rotary.

Highview chess champion Shane Weber, a seventh-grader at Highview Middle School became the top chess player at the SCA Grade Level Tournament in February. In addition, the seventh grade Highview chess team of Alan Bergland and Shane Weber finished in third place out of nine chess teams overall.

Irondale takes top spots at Speech competition Irondale’s Speech students won awards at the Cannon Falls Tournament in February.

Pictured in the front row (from left to right) are Irondale school resource officer Thomas Griffin and Mounds View High School senior Kevin Ameyaw. In the back row: Superintendent Dan Hoverman, former Board member Dave Stimpson and parent volunteer Jennifer Sprain (Paul Harris Award winner).

National School of Excellence Katie Robertson won first place in the informative category; Huda Yusuf won sixth place for poetry; Clarissa VanDale place fifth for creative expression; Louis Demonakos won first place for novice humor; Emily Hensley and Madi Nelson took first for novice duo; Lee Waddell won second for novice poetry; Julene Hawkins took fourth place for novice original oratory; and Cassie Rogers was awarded sixth place for novice informative.

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Edgewood Middle School has been named a National Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America, the national association for magnet and theme-based schools.

DECA State qualifiers

State Honor Band

Irondale DECA students qualified DECA student for the state conference March 6-8 Brooke Volkert in Minneapolis. Irondale’s team of was recently elected to 32 DECA students joined more than represent the state 1,500 students statewide to compete of Minnesota as in marketing and business-related the vice president events. DECA Members are Angela of business and Abel, Emma Beckman, Andrea industry for the Beethe, Samantha Bickford, Nicole Minnesota DECA Burckhardt, Nelson Espinoza, Bailey State Officer Team.

Flynn, Jake Fuhr, Brittany Harren, Thomas Hill, Akhil Jahed, Lucas Janecek, Paul Jidefor, Alexandra Jones, Tanner LaMotte, Matthew LaPorte, Alexandra Lilley, Hannah Martin, Louie Meysembourg, Noah Mruz, Secret Moua, Ryan Olson, Katherine Patten, Madison Quest, Jack Sazma, Teresa Skubal, Bridget Sweeney, Anshuman Thakral, Victor Tran, Steven Troung, Brooke Volkert, Morgan Welsh and Bryant Wong.

Chippewa eighth-grader Charlotte Hamilton (flute), seventh-grader Leah Orman (french horn), sixth-grader Johnny Yue (bassoon) and seventh-grader Raeann Vogel (tuba) were accepted into the Minnesota Band Directors Association State Honor Band. They were selected from hundreds of students that auditioned from around the state to be a part of this group. They will rehearse and perform in April at Duluth East High School.

The School-Based Enterprise at Irondale High School was among 316 stores in the United States and 15 in the state of Minnesota to achieve Gold Level Certification.

The Irondale chapter will be recognized at DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Nashville in April for their work with the Spirit Warehouse. The students who completed certification were store manager Bailey Flynn and copresident Jack Sazama, with the assistance of their advisor Diane Waite.

Mounds View participated in the state DECA conference with 41 students representing the school.

In April, Jackson Gray, John Reim, Emily Heuring, Christina Ogard, Grant Mohlenhoff, Tim Pease, Riley Flanagan, Samuel Lerdahl, Amy Helgeson and Ben Bodin will travel to Nashville with their advisor Rebecca Allard to compete with 16,000 top students from around the world at the International Career Development Conference — the pinnacle of DECA competition.

The School-Based Enterprise at Mounds View High School was also among 316 school-based enterprises in the United States achieving Gold Level Certification this year and will be recognized at DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, for their work with the Mustang Locker Room store.

Quiz Bowl In January, the Edgewood Quiz Bowl “A” Team played against a pool of 23 teams from schools around the metro area, and emerged as one of the top three qualifying teams. This win earned them an invitation to the National Quiz Bowl in Atlanta.

Team members are (pictured left to right): teacher Dan Perucco, Lindsey Preston, Sam Parlin, Jill Ordonez, Ricco Venterea, Xander Pichner and teacher Ally Briercliffe.

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WITH HONORS

ALL STATE

ALL STATE

Band

Choir

The Minnesota Band Director Association (MBDA) named Mounds View High School musicians (pictured from left to right) Rebecca Li, Grace Su, Andrew Peterson and Frankie Wang to the 2016 MBDA State Honor Concert Band.

Additionally, Andrew Peterson was also named to the State Jazz Band.

Irondale High School student Rachel Torres was named to the All State Choir.

ALL CONFERENCE Orchestra The following Irondale musicians were named to the All Conference Orchestra: Noah Bergman (cello), Matthew Dehnbostel (viola), Matthew Gunderson (violin), Stewart Hofer (bass), Betony Langenfeld (flute), Skip Nelson (cello), Samantha Ryan (bass), Rachel Skunes (viola), Jimmy Sorenson (violin), Courtney Swanson (violin) and Angela Vu (violin).

Kevin Shen, Travis Walbon, Kaylee Nielson, Alex Jiang and Rikke Sponheim were named to Minnesota’s All State Band.

ALL CONFERENCE

Choir

Band

Choir

Mounds View students who participated in the All Conference Band include Amy Felegy (clarinet), Lyndon Hills (percussion), Olivia Holstine (flute), Jason Lou (clarinet), June Park (french horn), Brian Paulsen (trumpet), Josh Peterson (trombone), Kevin Shen (bassoon), Howard Simms (trombone), John Snyder (alto saxophone), Rikke Spinheim (flute), Bethany Wagenknecht (french horn), Travis Walbon (bass clarinet) and Emma Wermager (french horn).

Mounds View students who participated in the All Conference Choir include Kira Bunkholt, Christopher Jenkins, Reem Khan, Sarah Springhorn, Daniel Weinhagen and Sophia Wright.

Irondale choir students who were selected for the All Conference Choir include Brett Burbank, Emily Dobbins, Nick Matuska, Sean Doherty, Rebecca Donley, Holly Peterson, Riley Wenisch and Mark Frahm.

Orchestra

Band

Mounds View students who participated in the All Conference Orchestra include Laura Berglund (violin), Kalei Cartwrig, Mathew Cooper (cello), Lydia Grimes (violin), Maxwell Gulli (bass), Sarah Ingraham (violin), Jiyn Kim (violin), Joanna Liu (violin), Tiffany Tran (violin), Michelle Wang (cello), Peter Yong (violin) and Daniel Yong (viola).

Irondale band students named All Conference were Aleksandra Bajer (flute), Kathryn Grutkoski (horn), Nick Hustings (trumpet), Madeline Lawrence (baritone), Ryan Miller (alto saxophone), Tyler Ollanketo (bassoon), Jacob Sinn (baritone) and Hannah Sprague (clarinet).

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Perfect ACT Irondale student Angela Vu achieved a score of 36 on the ACT test, the highest score that can be achieved.

Mounds View teacher wins Lifetime Achievement Award Betty Lotterman, who taught Spanish at Mounds View High School for 27 years, was awarded the Emma Birkmaier Award by the Minnesota Council on the Teaching of Languages and Cultures recently. She was selected for the award based on her dedication to the teaching profession, her outstanding success in teaching languages in the classroom and the promotion of language learning over a lifetime of service.

Congressional App Challenge Mounds View High School students Maha Syed, Furqan Syed, Omar Qureshi and Shihab Ahmed won first place in the 2015 Congressional App Challenge for Minnesota’s Sixth District. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual challenge hosted by the House of Representatives that is intended to encourage high school students to develop important science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills by learning how to code. Mounds View students were recognized for creating the “Learning Spanish” app.

Irondale drama students compete at State The cast and crew of Irondale drama department performed The Importance of Being Earnest at the State Competition. Drama participants included: (front row from left to right) Becca Donley, Shane Morgan, Mara Franzen; (back row left to right) Sarah Wika, Jake Richards, Tyler Krohn, Bridget Sweeney, Tessa Pichotta, Orion Callahan, Betony Langenfeld, Ben Lawonn, Conner Shimonek, Leah Danielson and Eli Nelson. Not pictured: Sarah Bodin.

National Geographic State Bee Highview Middle School student Bill Ketola qualified to compete at the National Geographic State Bee in April based on his qualifying test score. He is the second Highview student in history to make it to the National Geographic Bee.

TIES Exceptional Teachers Turtle Lake Elementary School's fifth-grade PLC team and the eALC teacher team won TIES Exceptional Teachers recognition at the TIES 2015 Education Technology Conference at the Minneapolis Hyatt Regency on December 15, 2015.The award recognizes teachers who model the best practices in their classroom and engage students in learning with technology.

Award-winners are Nancy Boyer-Kellermann, Jamalee Desmond, Simone Haugen, Melissa Lang, Michelle Morse, Naomi Wright (Turtle Lake) and John Duffy, Kari Eloranta, Jon Erickson, Anna Farrow, Amy Gaspard, Sally Gibson, Laura Mens, Kim Palmer, Paul Richter and Chris Thompson (eALC).

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS UPDATE

IRONDALE Dance The Knightline Dance Team had a strong performance this season at Sections, finishing fifth out of 13 teams in the high kick competition.

Hockey The Knights girls’ hockey program gave back to the community by making and donating 65 blankets to the Children’s Hospital.

Swimming Greg Pehl and Ed Olivares qualified for the Minnesota State High School League Boys’ State Swim Tournament. Greg broke the Irondale record in the 100 Fly at sections and will compete in this event at State while Ed will be going to State in the 50 Free.

Triple A winners

Alpine skiing

Danielle Franke and Brett Burbank were named Triple A award winners. This Minnesota State High School League award recognizes students who have excelled in academics, arts and athletics. Danielle has been involved in chamber orchestra, cross country (state participant) and lacrosse. Brett’s interests include choir, football, swimming and baseball.

The boys’ alpine ski team finished in second place in the Northwest Suburban Conference.

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Basketball The Irondale boys' basketball team competed in the Hastings Holiday Classic and were tournament champions. Uwana Etuk-Akpan completed his Irondale High School Basketball career with 1,045 points, which makes him the fifth person in the history of the school to score over 1,000 points.

Uwana Etuk-Akpan

MOUNDS VIEW Dance

Basketball

The Viewettes won the Suburban East Conference Championship and also won their Section Championship in jazz. They competed in jazz at the State Tournament.

The boys’ basketball team won the championship game in the holiday tournament at Bethel University. Nate Albers scored his 1,000th point of his career and was named to the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press All-Metro Teams.

Nate Albers

Soccer Girls’ soccer finished fourth at the State Tournament with an impressive conference record of 8-0-0 and overall record of 19-1-2. Emily Boyer and Rachel Boyer were both named to the MN State Girls Soccer All Tournament Team. The adapted soccer team qualified for State. Grant Drew was named to the Adapted Soccer All Tournament Team.

Athletes commit to colleges

Emily Boyer

Sydney Brodt signed her National Letter of Intent to play womens’ hockey at the University of MN-Duluth. She finished her high school hockey career as a Ms. Hockey finalist. Sydney also played for the IIHf Women’s U18 National Team that captured the gold medal. Rachel Boyer and Emily Boyer signed to play soccer at North Dakota State University. Mariah Northrop signed with Drake University for soccer. Tyler Fredlund signed with Century Community College for baseball.

Ean Deno committed to Moorhead State University for football. Bo and Nick Lovdahl signed with Iowa Lakes Community College for baseball.

Rachel Boyer

Grant Drew

Gymnastics

Wrestling

Nordic skiing

Sarah Voytilla won first place beam and fifth place on bars at the MGGOA Invite in Division II. Sarah also qualified for State. The girls’ gymnastics team took first place at the MGGOA Invite.

Mustang wrestlers won the Suburban East Conference.

Daniel Van Oort, Benji Keilor, Rowan Morgan, Tanner Day and Nick Dunaga qualified for State.

Jack Christianson finished fourth at State followed by Mark Ousdigian in seventh place.

Swimming The boys' swim team qualified for State in the 200 and 400 Free Relays and True Team Meet. Girls’ swimmers named State qualifiers included McLaren Curphy, Sophie LaMere, Serena Chan and Hannah Aitkin for 200 Medley Relay; Jackie Gaworski for 1 Meter Spring Board; Zoe Rylander, Megan Carver, Libby Fleming and Hannah Aitkin for 200 Freestyle Relay; Libby Fleming, Zoe Rylander, McLaren Curphy and Hannah Aitkin for 400 Freestyle Relay.

Triple A award winners Carter Rholl and Becky Volkert were named Triple A winners by the Minnesota State High School League for excelling in academics, arts and athletics.

Boys’ cross country finished ninth in the state. Girls’ cross country runner Morgan Dahl qualified for individual competition.

Alpine skiing Juliana Damberg, Emily Nash and Kaarl Damberg qualified as State participants. Juliana finished fourth in State.

Cross country

Carter Rholl

Becky Volkert

Ali Kopiecki won the conference as an individual. Ali was also a state qualifier in tennis.

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Mounds View PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Independent School District 621 350 Highway 96 West Shoreview, MN 55126-1951

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO 4112

Support the Irondale Knights or the Mounds View Mustangs... by placing a maroon knight or green MV on your asphalt or concrete driveway.

• Logos are approximately 4 feet tall × 5 feet wide.

• Homeowners can choose a temporary or semi-permanent option.

• Logos will be applied this spring through early June.

Visit moundsviewschools.org/irondale moundsviewschools.org/moundsview for ordering details.