2020 Back To School

Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Ready to be back

Page 3

Navratil excited for in-person learning SARAH COLBURN | Staff Writer

ALBANY – A blue calendar pocket forlearning the days of the week and month, posters of coins showing their dollar value and colorful folders exclaiming math groups for the day line the star-edged bulletin boards in Sharon Navratil’s classroom.

She’s ready, so ready, to welcome back her second graders to what she anticipates will be a full-time, in-person classroom at Albany Elementary School.

“I just know they’re going to be so excited just to see each other, just to get back to some normalcy,” Navratil said. “They’ll be able to see some of the friends they haven’t gotten to see since March.”

When Navratil’s classroom was shut down with the rest of schools across the state of Minnesota in March to combat the spread of COVID-19, she said she was disheartened and worked hard to keep her students connected.

With this school year, more than any other, Navratil knows the kids will be excited, elementary-school-giddy and a little apprehensive and out of sorts as they return to the classroom.

“Our lives have been so disrupted, the normal everyday things they used to do as kids (will be fresh again), getting on the bus or getting dropped off, just the normal things,” she said.

She’s already planning for new ways to greet her students, knowing it will be hard to break away from the daily morning hugs that have become routine and automatic for her through the years, but opting instead this year, for hip bumps or elbow bumps.

“I went into education because I really like kids and want to make an impact on their lives,” she said.

She doesn’t want to downplay the seriousness of the pandemic but said she knows she’ll be a key person in helping them make social and emotional connections.

“They learn so much better when they’re connected to you,” she said. “They just have a better experience in school.”

As the leader in the classroom, Navratil said she’ll work diligently from the very first day to make connections with kids in case school rooms are closed again or kids need to be out of school for a few weeks due to exposure. To make those connections through the years she simply talks to kids, asks them about their life, remembering specifics about what’s important to them.

“I want them to feel like ‘Wow, she really listened to me and cared about what I said,’ I want them to know I’m in their corner and committed to doing the best I can for them,” Navratil said.

Though Navratil knows this year is likely to be different than many other years, she’s trying her best to make it seem as normal as possible for her students. She dreads the thought of the

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Her students will spend the entire day with She does plan to organize more activities to help kids get to know one another and break out her, they won’t leave the classroom for lunch or specialists. Instead, physical education and art of their isolation shells.

“We’re going to have to allow them to ex- teachers will come to her along with special edupress whatever feelings they’re having and let cation teachers or paraprofessionals.

Navratil is looking forward to the consistenthem have whatever time they need to get used to cy of being with the students all day. the classroom again,” she said.

Usually, in the first days she has kids who Navratil continued on page 4 are tentative until they feel out the situation. She spends time reading a lot of books about making friends and being nervous for the first day. As they grow more comfortable, she said, the classroom begins to fill with chatter.

Her classroom has been measured to allow for the correct number of children according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for back-toschool. She’s swapping out her traditional 6-foot tables and accompanying gray child-sized rocking chairs for individual yoga mats and lap desks for the children. White storage bins will hold Sharon Navratil’s classroom has been measured to allow for the all their personal school correct number of children according to the Centers for Disease supplies for the day so Control and Prevention guidelines for back-to-school.

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Page 4

Navratil continued from page 3

“I know it was a struggle for a lot of families last spring, almost impossible for some,” she said. “I’m connecting with them so if we do have to go to distance learning they know I care about them and I’ll help them however I can.”

She’ll also be on the lookout for kids who need a lot more emotional support going forward. She said that, combined with the likelihood that kids who are used to more technology time at home may be more inattentive, has her bringing her best to the classroom.

Navratil taught summer school in her classroom this year and has had a peek at how the school year will likely unfold. The students adapted fairly quickly to wearing masks, she said, and only need to be reminded occasionally to put them back on after snack time.

She has made some additional accommodations in the classroom; if she brings manipulatives out for her students, they go into a bag to be stored once they’re done using them and then they have to be stored away for some time. With books she plans to spread them out on the floor and the children can look but not touch, whatever one they touch they have to choose and then once they’re finished with it, they again have to be put away in plastic bags for some time before they return to the classroom.

Overall, Navratil said, she hopes to bring a sense of calm to the situation and provide a loving environment where her students can get back to just being kids.

“I want to see the kids and I want to be healthy,” she said. “I do believe the school has put many, many things in place and is following all the guidelines, I do feel good about it.”

Getting back to school!

By Diane Leukam The 2020-21 school year is almost here, and administration and staff at area schools have been hard at work with their plans to get the year started safely. Using information and guidance, including the learning parameters below from Gov. Walz’s Executive Order 20-82, “Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year,” each district has developed their own overall plans.

Melrose Area Schools: Grades Pre-K-5: In-person learning; Secondary (Grades 6-12) Hybrid Model of in-person and distance learning; Please note that plans can change quickly and this information will be conveyed as needed.

St. Mary’s Catholic School, Melrose: Grades Pre-K-6: In-person learning

Learning Model Parameters from the State of Minnesota Number of Cases per 10,000 over 14 days, by county of residence: Sacred Heart Catholic School, Freeport: Grades Pre-K-6: In-person learning 0-9 In-person learning for all students 10-19 In-person learning for elementary students; hybrid St. John’s/St. Andrew’s, Greenwald learning for secondary students Grades Pre-K-6: In-person learning 20-29 Hybrid learning for all students 30-49 Hybrid learning for elementary students; distance Albany Holy Family: learning for secondary students Grades Pre-K-6: In-person learning 50+ Distance learning for all students Albany Area Schools: The following is a short summary of each school district’s Grades Pre-K-5: In-person learning; Grades 6-12: A decision will be back-to-school plans. announced no later than Friday, Aug. 21, after this publication went This information is prior to this publication’s printing date to press. of Aug 19. School plans are subject to change based on updated numbers of COVID-19 cases within each county.

Avon Elementary: Grades Pre-K-5: In-person learning Sauk Centre Public Schools: Grades Pre-K-4: In-person learning; Grades 5-12: Hybrid Model of Holdingford Public Schools: in-person and distance learning A decision will be announced no later than the Aug. 19 School Board Meeting, after this publication went to press.

Holy Family Catholic School, Sauk Centre: Grades Pre-K-6: In-person learning Upsala Public Schools: As of Aug. 14, the case rate data indicates an in-person learning scenario for all students in grades PreK-12. We will be modifying master schedules in order to provide for social distancing practices, but all students will attend school in-person on a daily basis.

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Q&A’s

GETTING TO KNOW YOU!

New Year - New Faces For the 2020/2021 School Year

Get to know some of the new faces as the new school year begins.

Albany Area Schools Jacob Kempenich

Kaylie Waldvogel Family: My husband and I got married in early January of this year.

Brainerd, MN Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Bemidji State University Years of experience: Two What grade and subject will you teach? Middle school special education.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My mother has been in the education field for 27 years, and her love of teaching inspires me to become the best teacher that I can be.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? Meeting all the students at Albany Area Schools.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? At this time, I am not involved in any extracurricular activities.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Keep exploring.

There is much more to the world than the town you grew up in.

Family: Wife, Morgan Kempenich Detroit Lakes, MN St. John’s University Years of experience: two What grade and subject will you teach?

Choir for seventh through 12th.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My previous music teachers have always been the ones to challenge my musical abilities to become better. Because of them, I too want to teach people to find their own musical talents. Kathryn Knuttila, Marcia Knuttila, Kathy Larson, Susan Champa, Patricia Kent and Axel Theimer.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? Getting to know all of my students and to encourage them to be musically expressive.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? I will be the vocal instructor in the upcoming spring musical, “Beauty and the Beast.”

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is now.

Family: Parents and three siblings Roseau, MN Bemidji State University Years of experience: first year

Sam Jerome

Greta Noska

What grade and subject will you teach? High school physical education and health in Albany.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My parents.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year?

I am looking forward to my first-year teaching. It’ll be different, but I am super excited to get to know the students and the community of Albany.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? I will be coaching baseball in the spring.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Enjoy your friends in high school and the sports teams you’re on. It all goes way to quick, and it’s the best time of your life.

Family: Husband, Gabriel, and sons Ezra, 18, and Isaac, 16 Delano, MN Concordia College, Universidad Complutense Years of experience: 25

What grade and subject will you teach? Middle school and high school Spanish Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My parents both started careers in education and have always been a very important part of my life. One of my Spanish professors at Concordia, Dr. Mary Rice, was influential in my decision to become a Spanish teacher. At college and as a post-grad student, I was able to participate in great study-abroad programs in Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica. Also, throughout my teaching career, I have been able to travel and experience the cultures of Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Chile and Venezuela, which has helped me to continue to be a learner while being an educator.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? I am looking forward to getting to know all of my students.

Also, looking forward to trying out some new technologies in our unique class situation this year.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? Right now, I will be involved as a spectator for athletics and fine arts programming.

As a parent of two Huskies, I have already enjoyed being a spectator at Albany Area Schools activities.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? My content, or the what of what I am presenting, is not always as important as the communication of why we are doing something and being conscious of how the message is delivered.

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Holy Family School Albany Family: Having an Aug. 29 wedding date in the year of a pandemic brought about many challenges, but Andrew and I are looking forward to starting our lives together.

Albany, MN College of St. Benedict Years of experience: Seven

Q&A’s

GETTING TO KNOW YOU!

Holdingford Schools

Family: Husband, Tyler What grade and subject will you teach? I will be Hibbing, MN teaching fifth and sixth grade social and English.

St. Cloud State University Who or what has most influenced you to Years of experience: Three become an educator? Definitely my kindergarten teacher, Nancy Young. As a fairly shy child, Mrs. What grade and subject will you teach? High Young always made me feel welcomed, safe and school counselor. loved. One of the biggest lessons I learned from my Who or what has most influenced you to kindergarten experience was that school is a place become an educator? My mom is an early Mary to not only learn and explore but to love and value. childhood teacher so I grew up in a preschool Gondringer Then, in eighth grade, my English teacher, helping out with the daycare as well as the preschool classes. When I graduated high school, Angie Revier, recognized my strengths and solidified my draw toward the I vowed to never become an educator and rather teaching profession. Now as a teacher, I strive to emulate these two influential Hannah pursue a career in the medical field. After much women as well as other strong teachers I experienced in grade school and high self-exploration and many changes of my major, I school.

Carlson found that counseling was what What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year?

I truly enjoyed. I spent time working with the AVID program in the St. Cloud I am looking forward to teaching fifth and sixth grade students, getting to school district with middle school students and knew my purpose was to know my new students and parents, teaching down the hall from my two work with students on making sure they can be their most successful selves. adorable nieces and seeing their smiling faces every day, and taking on the What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? I new challenges the 2020-21 school year will present. am the most excited to be able to get to know the students in the school. I am Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? As the Albany also excited to learn about Holdingford as a community. marching band drumline instructor, I spend my summers teaching kids Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? I am hoping to be. how to drum. The 2020 summer season would have been my 15th year of If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? involvement, 10 of those as an instructor. I am crossing my fingers we'll be It's OK to be unsure about anything and everything. It is also OK to be sure of back on the streets for the summer 2021 season. things. The most important thing is to trust your gut to find yourself and who If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't be afraid to set high goals and work hard to achieve them. Never that is. Also, talk to your school counselor; they are pretty cool. stop achieving. Also, don't procrastinate.

“Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism.” David M. Burns

Family: Husband, George, and sons, Kevin, third grader, and Eli, kindergartener Avon, Minnesota Minnesota State University-Moorhead Years of experience: 15

“The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” Tom Bodett

Jennifer Schwalbe

What grade and subject will you teach? Preschool, 4 year olds Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? Growing up, many people told me I should work with small children, which sparked the idea of becoming a teacher.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? Getting to know my students and families.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? No. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Stay kind and keep smiling.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” Mark Twain “We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday’s burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it.” John Newton

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Melrose Area Schools

Q&A’s

GETTING TO KNOW YOU!

Page 7

Sacred Heart Schools, Freeport

Family: Parents, Scott and Beth, brother, Ryan Bolingbrook, Illinois St Mary’s University of Minnesota Years of experience: First year

Family: Wife, Alyssa and daughter, Laiken Graceville, MN St. Cloud State University, Minnesota State UniversityMoorhead Years of experience: one What grade and subject will you teach? Middle school health and physical Matt Taffe education, and high school physical education.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My brother-in-law, who was my P.E. teacher in high school, models a person and teacher I hope to emulate.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? Getting to know all the students and staff.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? Yes, coaching football.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Take advantage of all the resources and opportunities provided to you. There are many support systems helping you to become the best version of yourself.

What grade and subject will you teach? First grade Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My younger cousins. I loved being around younger kids and seeing them with a smile on their face excited for new experiences.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year?

I look forward to getting to know the community and getting to know my new students and parents. I also look forward to creating a positive learning environment where me and my students can become lifelong learners.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? I will be the Bantam A head coach for the Sauk Rapid Storm hockey team.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice what would it be?

I would tell myself not to stress about the little things and keep a positive mindset even if things are not going the best.

Jared Hippman

Family: Husband, Jeff Benson, and we have six adult children. Joey has a Ph.D. in physics and is a scientist at 3M. Johnny is a special education teacher and a high school coach. Tommy is in law school at the University of San Diego. Robbie is a senior at St. John’s University (biology/premed major). Kari is a junior at the College of St. Benedict (elementary education). Jimmy has just begun boot camp for the marines.

Collegeville, MN College of St. Benedict Years of experience: 14

Gina Benson

Wishing all students a great 2020/2021 school year!

What grade and subject will you teach? Fifth grade Who has most influenced you as an educator? My father, John Gagliardi, has a huge influence on me. He taught me to appreciate and find awe in everything, that learning should always be fun, and praise helps ordinary people accomplish great things.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year?

I’m so excited to be a part of Sacred Heart School that has an incredible reputation throughout the state.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Worry less and appreciate more.

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Finding their new normal together Taffes begin positions in Melrose school district

Matt and Alyssa Taffe are pictured with their daughter, Laiken. The Taffes will begin new positions at Melrose Area Schools, Matt as a health and physical education teacher, and Alyssa as a speech therapist. PHOTO SUBMITTED DIANE LEUKAM | Staff Writer

MELROSE – When Matt and Alyssa Taffe begin work at their new positions at Melrose Area Schools, they will be able to carpool. After a move from Glenwood to Sauk Centre, the young couple has been busy finding their new normal.

Alyssa, 29, will begin her sixth year as a speech therapist, but her first for the district, while Matt, 30, will be in his first year as a health and physical education teacher in the middle and high schools.

On Aug. 17, the Taffes talked about their evolving careers and excitement to begin the school year.

“It will be a lot of firsts for me,” Matt said. “It is my first year as a full-time teacher. It will be a year with a lot of variables and changes, and definitely a lot of uncertainty how the year will go out. It’s going to be interesting.”

Matt, 30, grew up in Graceville and attended the Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley school district, where he was one of 47 in his class. He attended Minnesota State University Moorhead to play football, unsure of what else he wanted to do. During those days, he got to know his strength and conditioning coach, and became interested in the field.

After graduation, he was offered a position as a graduate assistant working with the strength and

conditioning department.

He stayed in the graduate assistant position for two-and-a-half years, working with the athletes in the department. After gaining his masters degree, he worked at Sandford POWER in Fargo with a variety of athletes of all ages, youth to adult, and as a personal trainer.

After Matt and Alyssa met and married, Matt moved to Glenwood where Alyssa was working as a speech therapist for the Minnewaska Area School District. It became clear that one of their careers would have to give.

“One of us had to make the move and one position was better than the other,” Matt said. “I switched to the education role, and stayed in the field of health and wellness, [going back to] school at St. Cloud State to become a health and physical education teacher.”

He was inspired to enter the teaching realm by his brother-in-law, who was his physical education teacher in school.

“Between staying in the field of health and wellness and having someone like him that I respect so much, it was all part of my decision,” Matt said.

He is qualified for K-12 health and physical education, but is looking forward to teaching middleand high school-aged students.

“They are at a level where they have started to

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gain more control of the basics and you can combine more things together, and be more competitive with how things are done in the classroom,” Matt said. “They are right in that midline between the basics and mastery of the movement and skills; it’s a transition phase so that’s fun.”

Alyssa’s transition to Melrose will most likely carry fewer surprises than her husband’s, with five years’ experience in her field. She is a 2009 Sauk Centre graduate, followed by MSUM for her undergraduate and masters degrees in speech therapy.

Her work involves the speech sounds that people are familiar with, but also language work, following directions, pre-reading skills and comprehension services. She has had up to 60 students at a given time, with her lowest at about 40. Some are seen once a month and others up to three times a week.

In Melrose, she will be working with preschool and kindergarten children. She appreciates the work and the age group. Every day there is something different, versus a rigid structure, and she enjoys seeing the kids change and develop.

“You help younger kids find a voice and communicate, which is one of our basic human needs; it’s a lot of fun because you see a lot of change,” Alyssa said. “First they have a hard time using/understanding language, then you see them communicating spontaneously and advocating for themselves. Their confidence goes up, they are making friends and doing everything they do; that’s really rewarding.”

Success is subjective, but something Alyssa feels is achievable for each student.

“I just want to be successful with them and have them have successes,” she said. “That doesn’t look the same for everyone; therapy can be a marathon versus a quick sprint, and I want them to realize they are making progress.”

Matt has goals for his students as well.

“I hope they are able to enjoy and show interest in the material that is presented and the things we talk about in class,” he said.“I hope to create and build relationships with the students.”

In the meantime, the Taffes are busy settling into their new home in Alyssa’s hometown while caring for their active baby girl, Laiken, 9 months.

The weekends have been busy, too, with Matt being a member of the Clinton Cards, the amateur town baseball team he has played on since high school. The weekend of Aug. 15-16 was especially exciting, with the team securing a berth in the state tournament.

“We’ve been a good competitive team, but this will be the first year since I have been playing that we’ve made it to state,” Matt said. “It will be the fulfillment of one of my dreams.”

There has been very little time for their other hobbies like camping and volleyball leagues, or game nights playing Carbles. But, that’s OK with them.

“Laiken’s been our hobby,” Alyssa said.

They enjoy family time spent with her and their “other kids,” Golden retrievers Kona and Torii.

Getting back to school – together – will be a most welcome change.

“I am excited for being on the same schedule,” Alyssa said. “We haven’t had that. It’s been a lot of crazy for us, settling into what is going to be our new normal. Being on the same school calendar is going to be wonderful, and the gas mileage will be great!”

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Q&A’s

YOU! W O N K O T G IN T GET

Sauk Centre Public Schools

Family: Husband, Doug Lee. I have a 16-year-old daughter, Anna, and a 9-year-old son, Charlie.

Benson, MN University of North Dakota, Southwest Minnesota State University Years of experience: 16 What grade and subject will you teach?

Freshman through senior special education.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My aunt Marilyn was a fabulous influence and a great teacher in California.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? I am looking forward to working with families and students Lori Lee in Sauk Centre. It will be a challenge but very rewarding.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? I am looking forward to focusing on the teaching part of my job. I was a yearbook advisor for the last four years, and I have a high appreciation for those that work on a school yearbook.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Remember to listen to others. You will learn more from listening to others and then be better able to understand others' viewpoints.

What grade and subject will you teach?

Kindergarten.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My biggest influence on wanting to become an educator was my job as a Water Safety Instructor at Sauk Centre Public Schools.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? I'm looking Kaylee Hanson forward to meeting all of my students and watching them grow to their fullest potential.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? Not at the moment, but I'm open to the opportunity.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Never stop trying and always do your best. You can achieve anything as long as you set your mind to it.

Upsala Schools Family: My father is Michael Tiffany, and he is retired from the Army National Guard. My mother was Jill Tiffany, and she was a retired fourthgrade teacher at Creekside Elementary. I have one younger brother, Samuel Tiffany, who is in the Army and is stationed at Fort Carson.

Spearfish, South Dakota The University of Minnesota-Duluth Years of experience: First year What grade and subject will you teach? I will be seventh, eighth, 11th and 12th grade. I Hannah Tiffany teaching am an English teacher.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My freshman English teacher, Miss O’Dell, and the student teacher she had that year, Mr. Parish, are the people who influenced me the most to become an educator. Once I had them as my teachers, I knew teaching English was what I wanted to do.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year?

I am most looking forward to meeting my students, getting to know them and teaching them. I love the content I am teaching, but the students are what make teaching fun.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? As of right now, I am not involved in extracurricular activities, but I would like to be as I settle in more. I was in speech and debate in high school, so getting involved in that would be really fun to do.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Don’t stop working hard for the goals you set because all of that hard work will pay off. Keep persevering.

Family: I am a newlywed. My husband, Nick, and I got married this past December.

Sauk Centre, MN University of Minnesota-Duluth Years of experience: one

What grade and subject will you teach? I will be teaching elementary special education.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? I grew up in a family of educators which definitely sparked my initial interest in education. Throughout high school and Savanna college, I have had many experiences that have found a love for supporting students in developing Patrias and growing their skills to be independent learners.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year?

I am looking forward to meeting my students and helping them to see success.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Find joy in every day.

Dawson, MN Wartburg College Years of experience: First year

Holy Family School Sauk Centre Family: Parents, Rod and Sharon Hanson, and sister, Macy Hanson Sauk Centre, MN Minnesota State University-Moorhead Years of experience: First year

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Taylor Loose

What grade and subject will you teach?

Elementary SPED Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? My sixth grade teacher.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? Starting the career I’ve always dreamed about.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? None.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Be outgoing and follow your dreams.

Upsala Schools Family: Parents, Mike and Janelle Thell, brothers, Nick and Ben Thell St. Joseph, MN College of St. Benedict Years of experience: First year What grade and subject will you teach? Fifth grade.

Who or what has most influenced you to become an educator? All my past teachers have influenced me to become an educator. I looked up to them and wanted to be a role model for students.

What are you most looking forward to throughout the upcoming year? I am most looking forward to getting to know my students and helping them learn.

Will you be involved in any extracurricular activities? Not at the moment.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't take anything too seriously. Just enjoy life and choose to be happy every day.

Elizabeth Thell

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Back to School Special Edition | August 26/27, 2020

Page 10

From all of us here at Preferred Controls, we welcome you to the 2019/2020 School Year!

Prioritizing students' mental health

Sauk Centre social worker provides advice for parents, kids going into fall KAYLA ALBERS | Staff Writer

SAUK CENTRE – With all of the uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought about this upcoming school year, can come anxiety for parents, students and staff. The mental health of students remains increasingly important going into this unusual school year, and Sauk Centre Schools social worker, Jena Adams, has suggestions to help parents and children cope through these difficult times.

The state put out a plan for getting children back to school this fall, and this plan relies solely on data surrounding COVID-19, which means that parents and students will not know what back to school looks like for them until a week before school starts.

“We don’t really know what to expect,” Adams said. “We are kind of planning for all different scenarios, but that uncertainty is hard for kids.”

As the data stood on Aug. 14, Kindergarten-4 would be in-person and grades 5-12 would be on the hybrid schedule. However, the data is updated every Thursday and any of the three plans for the school year could be utilized; in-person, hybrid or distance learning.

Parents and students are supposed to plan for any of the three plans, and be prepared for the plans to change at any point throughout the year, but Adams discusses the challenges of these changes on children’s mental health.

“It is so important for parents to be thoughtful about the way they talk to their kids about the school year,” she said. “They should encourage their kids to go into the school year with a good attitude and to be flexible.”

The way parents discuss the upcoming school year is crucial. The way the school year is discussed could greatly affect the kids’ thoughts about going back. There is a trickle-down effect about how parents think, to how their kids think, according to Adams.

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“I think the best thing you can do for your kids is set them up with a good attitude and be grateful about the positives,” Adams said. “We need structure back in our lives. We want to start taking steps forward again.”

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Welcome

BACK TO SCHOOL!

There has been a concern for the mental health and socialization of students since the COVID-19 pandemic sent kids home for distance learning in the spring. The goal is to create a positive environment for students, whether they are in school or at home for this upcoming school year.

“The students’ positive interactions with others outside of their families were really limited last spring,” Adams said of the distance learning model used in the spring.

It is understood that there is anxiety for parents, students and faculty going into this uncertain school year. For that, Adams and her co-worker, Nicole Beach, are available to help. They want to provide advice and resources to set every family up in the best position possible for the fall.

Mental health continued on page 11

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