SAINTSÂ SENTINEL SAINT CHARLES PUBLIC SCHOOLS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF I.S.D. 858 NOVEMBER 2019
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ST. CHARLES HIGH SCHOOL PROUDLY PRESENTS
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DANA MCCONNELL MUSIC DIRECTOR FRED SCAIFE
A MUSICAL ABOUT US
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY NEIL BARTRAM | BOOK BY BRIAN HILL Originally Produced by Goodspeed Musicals, East Haddam, CT
NOVEMBER 7, 8, 9 | 7:30 PM St. Charles Elementary Auditorium
ADULTS $8 STUDENTS $6 FOR TICKETS CALL 932-4420
NOVEMBER DECEMBER NOV 1 - LAST DAY OF QUARTER NOV 4 - NO SCHOOL TEACHER INSERVICE NOV 5 - REFERENDUM VOTING NOV 12 & 14 - HIGH SCHOOL CONFERENCES NOV 28 - DEC 1 - NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING BREAK
DEC 20 - EARLY DISMISSAL DEC 23 - JAN 1 - NO SCHOOL WINTER BREAK
High School News November Issue 2019
2019-2020 Peer Helper Program The Peer Helpers program is a program in which a variety of interpersonal helping skills and behaviors are taught and assumed by a student who chooses to develop a helping role with others. The group’s (composed of sophomores, juniors and seniors chosen by their peers) aim is to be available for those students who are in need of counsel and may feel more comfortable talking with a Peer Helper. Peer Helpers can be used to help a student day to day life at SCES/SCHS; mediate tension or conflict between students, assist a student who is having difficulties at home and/or listen and talk to a student who may just need a trustworthy ear. They provide help with tutoring, mentoring, and mediation. They are trained to understand confidentiality, mediate conflict, listen effectively and know their limits…and refer students to the school counselor or the school social worker when necessary. Our Peer Helper team recently completed a very successful weekend “affective” training retreat at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro. They will continue to meet regularly throughout the year for support, training and problem resolution. This year’s team consists of Seniors: Mitchell Apse, Caleb Bahr, Hannah Bunke, Korrigan Diercks, Allison Hansen and Annika O’Hara. Juniors: Anna Daood, Jacob Harris, Leah Mundt, Lindsay Root, Ethan Warmkagathje & Dustin Zillmer and Sophomores: Emily Christopherson, Abbie Disbrow, Nora Fritcher, Carter Mathison and Andrew O’Hara. Please say hello & thank these wonderful students for their time and efforts when you see them!
Mike Smith and Theresa Nunemacher - Advisors
Food Service Introduces A La Carte in the Lunch Room Hello from the food service staff! We want to update you on our new A la Carte menu, cost and payment options. We have expanded the variety of foods that are available. We will continue to try new items as they become available. Here is a current list with prices: Extra main entree......$1.00 Whole grain pretzel......$1.00 add cheese sauce......50 cents Fruit Smoothie......$2.00 Smucker's whole grain PB&J......$1.00 Whole grain donuts......$1.00 Baked chips.......50 cents Sliced whole grain banana or pumpkin bread.......50 cents Whole grain muffin.......50 cents Whole grain Pop tart......50 cents Rice Krispies bar.......50 cents 100% Juice Izze (various flavors)......$1.00 Bottled water......50 cents Students are able to charge items to their lunch accounts, however they must have a positive lunch balance. Students who qualify for free or reduced can bring in cash and have it deposited into their account to cover the cost of any items they wish to charge. If you have any questions I'd be happy to help. Contact Kris Young, Food Service Director, St.Charles Public Schools 932-4420 or by email at kyoung@schs.k12.mn.us.
Kris Young - Food Service Director
7th Grade Fruit Sales
Selling Dates: Nov. 18 - Dec. 1 Pick Up Date: December 16 and 17 9th Grade Washington DC Dates for 2020 The 9th grade class trip to Washington, D.C. and surrounding areas is scheduled from June 7-13, 2020. The first planning meeting and student sign-up for for the trip will be held on October 27, 2019. The second parent meeting will take place on April 19, 2020. Parents/guardians who would like to accompany us on the trip are encouraged to indicate interest via email to either Jill Backes at: jbackes@schs.k12.mn.us or Gretchen Hoffman at: ghoffman@schs.k12.mn.us by October 31, 2019. A down payment of $400 per adult traveler will be required by November 15, 2019 to reserve your spot. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mrs. Backes or Mrs. Hoffman.
National College Fair in Minneapolis 32 students from St. Charles High School attended the National College Fair in Minneapolis on October 2, 2019. Students had the opportunity to engage with over 300 different colleges and universities. This free event included workshops on financial aid, writing application essays, and comparing college options. It was a great day learning about colleges and exploring downtown Minneapolis!
INVOLVE CHALLENGE ACHIEVE St. Charles Public Schools Nondiscrimination Statement The St. Charles Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex/gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex, disability, receipt of public assistance, or marital status and age in its programs and activities.
High School News November Issue 2019
Boys Basketball - Season begins November 18, 2019 1- St.Charles was invited to play in the South Metro Hoop Fest again this year. The date will be 1/25/20 @ Burnsville High School in Burnsville. St. Charles played Cristo Rey Jesuit Academy last year, and Mpls Roosevelt the year before in this event, and will face off against Mayer Lutheran this year. Game times will be announced as the date draws closer. Mayer Lutheran will be a very good team. Game is 4:50pm. They were 18-10 last year and 29-4 the year before. They return much of their team from last season, and will be highly ranked in Class A. 2- We will again be playing in the HVL/TRC Showdown to be held at the Mayo Civic Center on Dec.14th. This event is in its 4th year and follows the format used by many colleges where teams from rival conferences square off against each other at neutral tourney sites. St.Charles drew Rochester Lourdes in a prime time game, in the Arena. New last year at this event was halftime games featuring 6th grade teams from each school facing off against each other. And, the varsity game potentially will be played with a 35-second shot clock on an experimental basis. Follow us on twitter @HVL_TRCshowdown 3 - new this year is a River Valley Challenge 1 day invitational game also being played at Mayo Civic. As of this date we are scheduled to play Brooklyn Center, another top metro team. Times and final pairings for that event are still being completed. 4 -We have several, highly touted Class AA, AAA, non-conference teams scheduled this season in Minneapolis Patrick Henry, St.Paul Johnson, as well as locally strong nonleague games with Stewartville, Lake City and others. Our schedule certainly appears on paper to be again one of our toughest ever. Those 4 teams feature a handful of D1 players that will be fun for fans to watch.5 - Our 2019 Holiday tournament is also looking very competitive. This is the 36th annual tourney. The dates are Dec.27-28 with all games in St.Charles as usual. Games start at 6:15 each night. New to the tourney this year is Randolph, a Section 1A finalist last year who returns the bulk of their team this year. 5 - Players are asked to please submit all MSHSL forms, and if needed, take care of physicals prior to the start of the season. Last, look for order forms for clothing, shoes, and Saints gear from your son if you wish to buy any of those items. If interested right now, check this site. https://www.scschools.net/page/3315 Other clothing options will follow as the season gets closer.
Terry Knothe
Cheeleading Camp at University of Minnesota The University of Minnesota recently hosted a High School halftime showcase for area cheer and dance teams, as well as marching bands. Over 30 area schools met on the field at half time of the Gopher game on Saturday, September 14th. The SC Cheer team enjoyed learning and performing 4 routines including students with the U of M Spirit Squad.
Winter Sports Start Ups October 21 - Dance begins November 11 - Girls Basketball begins November 18 - Wrestling and Boys Basketball begins
Math League Schedule Three Rivers Host Sites (4:10 pm start) October 28, 2019 -- St. Charles November 18, 2019 -- La Crescent December 9, 2019 -- Chatfield January 13, 2020 -- Wabasha-Kellogg February 10, 2020 -- PEM March 9, 2020 -- State Tournament
High School Musical Dates "The Theory of Relativity" November 7, 8, 9, 2019 at 7:30pm Elementary School Auditorium
Dance Team 2019-2020 Schedule November 30 -- Rushford December 7 -- Zumbrota-Mazeppa December 21 -- BOLD January 4 -- Winona January 11 -- Lewiston- Altura FRIDAY January 17 -- Conference @ St. Charles January 25 -- Dover-Eyota February 8 -- Sections @ Lake City February 14 & 15 -- State Tournament
STRONG SCHOOLS STRONG COMMUNITIES
OTE November 5 2019 High School Winter Concerts
Choral December 9, 2019 7:30pm Elementary Auditorium
Band December 12, 2019 7:30pm High School Gym
Counselor Corner - Mrs. Olson October is College Knowledge Month Most Minnesota colleges/universities (excluding the U of M system) are FREE the month of October. A list is available on Mrs. Olson's website on page: https://www.scschools.net/page/4513. More College Knowledge information is available here: https://www.minnstate.edu/collegeknowledge/.
The FAFSA is now open Seniors attending two or four year colleges and their parents should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at fafsa.ed.gov. Getting these in by January 1st will give students the best chance to qualify for federal and state loans, grants, and work study programs.
Juniors & Seniors set up COLLEGE VISITS this fall/winter Mrs. Olson will have a announcements for groups that she will be taking, but Juniors and Seniors can also visit by setting up an appointment at any campus. They should see the individual campus websites for visit dates and times, and to register. Have a parent call the office to pre-excuse you for college visits.
ACT Testing and Cost Juniors can take the ACT in December, February, April, June, and July. Seniors can take it once more this December. All Juniors can take it in school on March 24th this year. Otherwise, register online at actstudent.org. The cost is $52 or $68 with writing. It is recommended you take it twice – once with writing at St. Charles high school, and once more (with or without writing) on a national test date. Students with free/reduced lunch should come and get a fee waiver from Mrs. Olson before registering!
ACT Test Schedule Test Date Registration Date December 14th November 8th February 8th January 10th April 4th February 28th July 13th May 8th
St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence In memory of... Individual Gifts David and Barbara Heim
In Honor of Retirement from St. Charles Public Schools Mary Kenitz Joe and Donna Speltz Teri Mitties Joe and Donna Speltz Jerry Schweitzer Joe and Donna Speltz Roger Smith Joe and Donna Speltz Cathy Wall Joe and Donna Speltz
Memorial Gifts Ramona Bamlet Gary and Kathryn Feine John and Sherry Slavin Robyn Barclay Tom and Jackie Blahnik Jared and Jill Butson Orv and Janell Dahl Trista and Jhad Fetting John Gregoire Lisa Owens Matt and Justine Reinhardt Roger and Sandy Smith Neil and Gina Wimmer Jeremiah Glen Burgdorf John and Sherry Slavin Sarah Carlson John and Lois Smoltz John and Wendy Steffel Dan Craft Stan and Carol Braun Gerald Dailey Patricia Tollin Peggy Jorgensen Embrey Patricia Burke SCHS Class of 1963 Robert Fabian Gary and Shirley Neumann John and Lois Smoltz Peter and Barbara Snyder Patricia Tollin Robert Gill Irving Smith JoAnn Hanson Tom and Barb Ames Nate and Johanna Carlson Glen and Peggy Dabelstein Orv and Janell Dahl David Hanson Karen and David Hanson Marie Knoll Bev Ludwig Gary and Shirley Neumann Charles Nicklay Cheryl Nintemann SCHS Class of 1983 John and Sherry Slavin Joe and Donna Speltz Terry and Janel Stevens Gene and Nancy Steward Britta Whitacre
Memorial Gifts...continued Steve Hanson SCHS Class of 1974
November Issue 2019
Academic Excellence Banquet 2019
Kay Jilk Maurice and Judy Ploetz Lloyd Larson Stan and Carol Braun Joan Lehnertz Jim and Gala Afseth Orv and Janell Dahl Bill and Margaret Heim Gene and Judy Kruempel Gary and Shirley Neumann Carlos and Helen Pierce John and Sherry Slavin John and Lois Smoltz Joe and Donna Speltz Bernadine and Patrick Stevens Shirley C. Lutz John and Sherry Slavin David Martin Orv and Janell Dahl Carlos and Helen Pierce Adeline Mauer SCHS Class of 1974 Tom and Olivia Heim John and Wendy Steffel Ann K. Mickow Frances Goodrich Cleo Miller Marjorie Hewitt Glen and Renee Majerus LaVonne Majerus John and Sherry Slavin John and Wendy Steffel Roger and Betty Thesing Logan Pagel Tom and Barb Ames Stan and Carol Braun Kenneth Feine Tom and Olivia Heim David and Gay Kieffer Donna Kieffer Marvin Kieffer Rich and Lana Lange John Mueller Gary and Shirley Neumann Bev Norvet Carlos and Helen Pierce John and Sherry Slavin John and Lois Smoltz Terry and Janel Stevens Tom and Pam Vega Darlene Patzner Cheryl Nintemann SCHS Class of 1983 Kenny and Ruth Ploetz Sharon and Neil Jonas Phyllis Potter SCHS Class of 1974 Timothy Rollie John and Sherry Slavin Barry Schlund John and Sherry Slavin Lois Smith Ron and Carol Swiggum Doris Sweningson Bev Norvet Donna Ties Orv and Janell Dahl Joe and Donna Speltz
Photo credit: Jill Veerkamp/The St. Charles Press
New Community Outreach class makes connections Among the new classes offered at the High School, the Community Outreach class not only engages with the community but makes lasting connections. Students offer their creative cutting skills for Kindergartner classes at the Elementary School and offer up a listening ear with local nursing home residents in which the residents really enjoy! During Homecoming week the class also delivered Saints posters to local businesses. Leaf raking and snow shoveling are just some of the support the Community Outreach class has yet to offer!
Elementary School News November Issue 2019
PTO NEWS Ways YOU can Help Support PTO so we can keep supporting teachers and students!
Choose "Saint Charles PTO" when you order at smile.amazon.com Save your Box Tops and Milk Moola caps. Go to givemn.org and "Give to the Max" for Saint Charles PTO on November 15th. Volunteer your time and energy with us! Next meeting: Monday, November 19th at 6:30pm in the Elementary Library
Youth Wrestling - It's not too late to join us! The St. Charles Wrestling Booster club is excited to offer a wrestling youth program again this winter. This wrestling opportunity is for students in grades Pre-K - 6th grade. Practice start date will be the week of October 28th. It's not too late to join us! Practices will take place in the high school wrestling room. If students would like to be part of the wrestling youth program please contact Nate Carlson-Club President for more information. Email: stcharlesyouthwrestling@gmail.com
Music Department Embarks on a New Curriculum New this school year!! Kindergarten and grades 1, 2, & 5 will have their time to shine on stage in November & December while all other grades will perform in 2020. Also, new this year is the change from a 5 & 6 grade Musical to 6th graders only musical. Thank you for understanding while we transition to a new schedule for your young and thriving performers!
ELEMENTARY PERFORMANCES Kindergarten: Friday, December 13, 1:00pm Grade 1: Friday, December 13, 2:00 pm (only afternoon) Grade 2: Tuesday, November 26, 6:30pm Grade 5: Tuesday, November 26, 7:30pm NEW! Grade 6 Musical Thursday, February 27, 1:30pm and 7:00pm Grade 3: Thursday, April 23, 6:30pm Grade 4: Thursday, April 23, 7:30pm
4th grade physical education with Mr. Kobs & Mrs. Puetz: invasion game Yoshi & introduction to archery
Crayfish learning in 4th grade
Bus Safety with Principal Ihrke
6th graders pose for a photo on the new gym floors
ABC6 WEATHER LAB Wows Elementary Kids In early October, St. Charles Elementary welcomed an interactive weather experience from ABC6 Weather Lab. Second, Third and Fourth graders got hands-on experience on what it takes to be a weather expert and learn how weather works. The Weather Lab aired their visit on October 9 on ABC6 KAAL TV.
Owl pellet learning in 4th grade
St. Charles Schools November Issue 2019 3rd Annual Elementary Run Welcomes Runners On September 26th the Cross Country Team hosted young runners on the St. Charles Golf Course before their home meet. On a beautiful day over 50 elementary runners participated in a 1000 meter run around the course. The St. Charles Cross Country athletes welcomed runners with high fives, ribbons and encouragement as the runners crossed the finish line. Cross Country Head Coach, Laura Edlund points out the course
Crayola ColorCycle Program Continues Thank you for bringing in all your spent markers. Once again this year will we accept ALL spent markers, dry erase markers of ANY brand. Please send with your child or stop in and drop off at either the Elementary School or High School. Open to the community!
American Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, November 13, 2019 8:00 am -2:00 pm High School Gymnasium can sign up online or call Ms. Schaber (507) 932-4420 ext. 1156 to make appointment
Art in the High School Offices Art Students Gain Experience working with "clients" In an ongoing effort for High School art students to gain experience in the real world they commission their work in the High School offices working with "clients". The artists experience begins with contacting office clients, discussing with their client about what type of artwork they desire, and eventually is followed up with the delivery of the commissioned work. Artists are gaining valuable skills that will carry them into real world settings as future commissioned artists.
Littlefield turns a favorite photo into art Using acrylic paint on canvas, Sophomore, Sophia Littlefield, creates unique art for Mrs. Zittel’s office. Inspired by a favorite family vacation photo that Mrs. Zittel displayed on her desktop monitor, Littlefield took her paint brushes to canvas using the color, paynes grey, throughout bringing the contrasting colors into harmony. Littlefield has always loved art and enjoys viewing art as it inspires her to perfect her own technique. Reflecting on her Art 1 class vs Art 2 class Littlefield saw huge improvements and states “keep going and you will get better, everyone has to start somewhere and practice.” Her future plans with art are to keep painting because she enjoys it.
Daily paints with a "fresh start" in mind Junior, Kaitlyn Daily, uses acrylic paints on canvas to create a sunrise for Mrs. Nunemacher's office. Ever since 9th grade when Daily worked with impressionism she was hooked. As she commissioned her talent for Mrs. Nunemacher her inspiration stemed from an open, welcoming, and relaxing sunrise representing a “new day” and “fresh start” concept. Daily has always enjoyed creating art as a way of relaxing and taking her mind off other things. She would like to inspire others to do something like it as they can influence their own feelings with a fresh start through art. Her advice to others that shy away from art is to take things step by step beginning with the basics and eventually the final product will come together. Her future plans include continuing art throughout high school and someday decorate her home with her pieces she has worked on.
Kaitlyn Dailey, Junior
Schossow is inspired by nature Sophia Littlefield , Sophomore
Anna Daood finds relaxation with art Junior, Anna Daood, received her first sketch book when she was seven years and she’s been creating ever since. With the use of acrylic paints, Daood creates a peaceful sunrise for Mrs. Reisdorf’s office. The accents on the golden wheat field and the way the sunrise shines through the clouds are Daoods favorite feature of the painting. This type of art has kept Daood busy for the last three years and hopes others can be personally inspired and feel joyful when they view it. If someone would ever question their own artistic talent, Daood says, “everyone has their own style of art whether they know it or not.” Daoods future plan is the hope of learning more about art and use it in a way that has helped her therapeutically.
Anna Daood, Junior
Senior, Mackenzie Schossow, as been painting since the 7th grade. Painting the bold word “dream” is nature inspired using acrylic paints on canvas for Mrs. Reisdorf's office. While drawing an emotion or a feeling, Schossow’s favorite feature of her commissioned piece is nature and outdoors. Schossow has always loved art as it’s a way she expresses herself while creating calming and inspirational things. Schossow’s favorite art project entailed bringing a dream to life through the use of acrylic paints and watercolor. She inspires others with her art with hopes that it “can make someone else’s day better and forget about all their worries.” Her advice to a skeptical artist is to remember that “in a way you’re always doing art as a way of expressing yourself even from writing your own name”. Her future plans are to keep painting for Assisted Living.
Makenzie Schossow, Senior
November Issue 2019
STRONG SCHOOLS STRONG COMMUNITIES
Referendum 2019 | St. Charles Public Schools A Letter from your School Board September 23, 2019 Dear Community Members, After two failed referenda attempts in 2016, the School District has spent a significant amount of time looking into our facility issues and considering the concerns shared by community members during those elections. When those referenda did not pass, our facility issues did not go away. Our District was also left without a plan to address our facility issues. The 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years were spent studying our issues, and exploring solutions for addressing them. The School Board recognized the importance of creating a facility plan that the District could use as a road map to help us address our issues. We also recognized the importance of involving the community in the development of that plan. In September, 2018, a twenty-seven-member community task force was formed to assist the District in developing our facility plan. At that time, we also directed District administration to hold community input sessions to allow stakeholders (students, staff, parents, booster clubs, farmers, business owners, and civic organizations) an opportunity to receive an update on our planning progress and to share their input. By May, 2019, the task force’s work was complete. The facility plan that was created maps out more than 100 facility issues and solutions. The plan also includes rough cost estimates and funding strategies for each solution. In June, 2019, the task force presented their recommendations to the School Board. They recommended that the Board adopt the facility plan that was created, and to also ask our community’s tax payers to consider supporting a bond referendum of $18.5 million to help fund 11 of the high priority solutions built into the plan. The Board officially called the special election for November 5th during their regular August meeting. We feel we have a good road map that the District can use to guide future facility related decisions. Some of the 100+ solutions built into the plan can and will be addressed without a referendum, but there are some that we can’t address without the support from District tax payers. You can find information about the referendum on the District’s website at https://www.scschools.net/referendum. The District will host a final public information meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Elementary Auditorium on October 28. We invite you to prepare for making an informed vote on November 5th by taking time to learn the facts about our facility issues, and the proposed solutions. Sincerely, Brian Davidson, School Board Chairperson Roger Leistikow, Vice Chairperson Amy Berends, Clerk Travis Gransee, Treasurer Todd Cage, Director Karen Hanson, Director Peter Snyder, Director
November 5, 2019 8am-8pm
Where do I vote?
St. Charles City Hall, 830 Whitewater Ave.
Pilot Mound Township City of St. Charles St. Charles Township Dover Township Elmira Township Utica School Building, 200 S Center St.
City of Utica Utica Township Saratoga Township Fremont Township
Elba Community Center, 125 Hill St.
City of Elba Elba Township Whitewater Township Quincy Township Informational Meeting at Elementary Auditorium
October 28 at 7pm www.scschools.net/referendum
Early & Absentee Voting: District Office / 600 E 6th St Every Wednesday in October: 7:00am - 7:00pm
(M-F) October - November 1: 7:30am - 3:30pm Monday, November 4: 7:30am - 5:00pm
Positive Review and Comment from the Minnesota Department of Education
Referendum 2019 PROPOSED PLANS
November Issue 2019
St. Charles Middle/High School
PROPOSED PLANS
St. Charles Elementary School
School Readiness (Preschool) and the Referendum How will the Referendum Help the Preschool Program? 2019-2020 marks the fifth year for our public preschool program. When our program started in 2015-2016 we served 31 total students. 86 students are enrolled in our preschool program this year. Since that first year, our program’s enrollment has grown by close to 180%. We are off to a great start this year. Our preschool students have been busy this first month learning about letters, counting, calendar, sharing, the season of fall, apples, how to write their names and how to be a good friend to others. Our preschoolers enjoyed our Apple Orchard field trip in early October. Preschoolers are special students. They are always excited to see you and share about themselves, and can bring a smile to everyone. Our preschool program prepares children to enter kindergarten. Our staff is focused on working with the children in our program to help them prepare to be kindergarten ready. Our program focuses on developing a base academic foundation, while also focusing on helping our students grow both socially and emotionally. Our preschool program is one of many Community Education programs that our school district offers, and it is tuition based. The State of Minnesota offers a Parent Aware Program. This program allows parents to have information about the best childcare and early education programs in their area. Our preschool has been awarded with the highest rating possible from the Minnesota Department of Education. We are a 4-Star Parent Aware program. While our program is tuition based, the State of Minnesota does offer scholarship opportunities to help families pay for preschool. If you have questions about the scholarship programs, please contact me at: jsiebenaler@schs.k12.mn.us. The demand for quality preschool programming is real in our community. Without services to meet that demand, St. Charles families would need to look elsewhere. While we have worked to help cater to the demand in our community, we are in need of addressing issues with the facility where our programs operate. Our current classrooms for our preschool program are in the basement of our Elementary School, and are about half the size that the Minnesota Department of Education recommends for this programming. The location and size of our classrooms has resulted in safety and security concerns for the District. The November 5th referendum proposal, if it passes, will help address those concerns, by allowing us to make facility improvements that will allow us to move these programs out of the basement into classrooms that meet Department of Education guidelines. The referendum has the potential to help address the issues we face today, while also preparing us to cater to the early learning needs of our community for years to come. Julie Siebenaler, School Readiness Coordinator