Studies

Charter school prepares tomorrow’s global citizens

BY NOELLE OLSON

STAFF WRITER

THE DETAILS

Nearly 20 years ago, a small group of parents from the Forest Lake area wanted to create an elementary school that would contribute to the world community by offering bilingual graduates worthy of the International Baccalaureate (IB) credentials. They formed a board of directors and founded Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) as a public charter school in Forest Lake.

LILA opened its doors in 2004 when it offered kindergarten to fourth grade with an enrollment of 177 students. It continued to grow throughout the years. LILA added a preschool with a languageinfused curriculum for ages 3 and 4, and when the school decided to add grades 7-12, more space was needed.

According to Executive Director Shannon Peterson, in 2015 LILA opened the upper school, which included grades 7 and 8. Grades 9-12 followed the next school year. In 2018, the school received IB accreditation for the Middle Years Programme (grades 6-10) and, later, an IB authorization for the prestigious Diploma Programme for grades 11 and 12.

On Feb. 20, 2020, LILA held a grand opening to celebrate its new space at the upper school. The COVID-19 pandemic then forced the school to close its doors for open learning and LILA began to implement the distance learning model for its students.

Peterson said distance learning will not be offered at LILA for the 2021-22 school year and enrollment continues to grow.

“Since we have an increase in enrollment, we had to open up a fi rst grade class,” Peterson said. “We had so many kids on the waiting list for kindergarten this year, so we added an additional Spanish class there, too.” Peterson said.

Today, LILA operates two campuses — the Main Campus, which houses lower school grades 1-5, features a full-size gymnasium and stage, and has a library and computer lab, both paid for with grant monies. The Kinder Center for kindergarten prep preschool and kindergarten classes is across the street. The Headwaters Campus houses upper school grades 6-12 and features fl exible performance and study spaces as well as upgraded WiFi.

Full immersion begins in kindergarten for students. They experience a classroom environment for learning Spanish or Mandarin Chinese, where teachers speak to them and deliver lessons in either of those two languages all day, every day. Peterson said homework is is often provided in English and the target language because few parents speak Spanish or Chinese.

When LILA students reach middle school, they have more than 7,000 hours of second language instruction, conversation, reading and writing.

Peterson said new students at LILA are not required to know a second language to enroll. However, all LILA students must study a second language every year.

LILA offers a variety of activities and sports for students at both campuses.

Upper school sports include swimming, dance, basketball, soccer, cross-country, baseball, softball, golf, track and fi eld, clay targets and archery.

“We were state champs in archery this year and went to Nationals,” said Kathy Bystrom, advancement director.

“We also have a family ski club that starts in kindergarten,” Peterson added.

Activities and clubs are popular among the students, including summer camps, musical productions and Destination Imagination.

“Some of the Clubs are student-driven depending on student interests,” Bystrom noted. “We have a very robust theater arts program here as well. COVID threw a monkey wrench in some of our activities this year, but we will regroup and they'll be back.” Bystrom said this was the fi rst year where LILA had its fi rst group of IB Diploma Programme (DP) students in which 11 graduates received their IB diploma for what she describes as collegiate level coursework. “We had 15 IB Diploma candidates, 11 of whom were successful in earning the full IB Diploma, and we also had 14 additional students, known as DP Course candidates, who each took anywhere from 1 to 5 DP courses. All of these students engaged in the rigor of the Diploma Programme in ways that challenged them and helped them develop academically and personally, preparing them well for postsecondary education,” Sarah Ray LILA DP coordinator said. The curriculum is comprised of the DP core and six subject groups made up of the three required components to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

The three core elements are:

• Theory of knowledge, where students refl ect on the nature of knowledge and on how we know what we claim to know. • The extended essay, which is an independent, selfdirected piece of research that is completed with a 4,000-word paper. • Creativity, activity and service, where students complete a project related to those three concepts.

The six subject groups are studies in language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts.

“There's just really cool stuff happening here with them that is very unique, compared to a traditional district with that IB curriculum,” Bystrom said. “These students worked very hard and are open-minded risk-takers, which are two of the 10 attributes — and we're really proud of them.”

Bystrom also said IB graduates are highly sought after by universities, the military and the work force.

“We knew we had a really bright group here, and when I think about this during a pandemic year, it makes it a bigger deal,” she said. “They've got aspirations of going to some major college somewhere, and if you graduate with an IB diploma, it's recognized all over the world as being one of the best.”

For more information on Lakes International Academy, go to mylila.org.

SUBMITTED

LILA held it’s fi rst musical “Matilda” in the brand new Lee Auditorium at the Headwaters Campus. ‘We have a very robust theater arts program here as well. COVID threw a monkey wrench in some of our activities this year, but we will regroup and they’ll be back.’

Kathy Bystrom

Advancement Director

LILA International Baccalaureate curriculum’s 10 learner attributes:

Inquirers: Students develop their natural curiosity with research skills and independent learning. They’re engaged in the learning process. Knowledgeable: Students explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global signifi cance, developing their understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines. Thinkers: Students think critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

They’re willing contributors to discussions, seeking to discover “why.” Communicators: Students express themselves confi dently and creatively in more than one language and through various communication channels. Principled: Students act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect. They take responsibility for their own actions. Open-minded: Students understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories. They are willing to consider other perspectives, values and traditions. Caring: Students show empathy, compassion and respect. They have a personal commitment to service, often taking action to make a positive diff erence in the world. Risk-takers: Students approach unfamiliar situations or academic subjects with confi dence and resilience, bravely exploring and experiencing challenges and opportunities. Balanced: Students give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations.

From Lakes International Language Academy

The Dance Unit will double its space this fall

BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR

The owners of The Dance Unit in Hugo have plans to nearly double their space this fall so they can expand their class offerings.

Joint ownership of a dance studio has always been in the plans for Lauren and Kyle Gross. They both grew up in dance and met each other in college while performing for a dance company in Minneapolis. The two eventually started teaching together at a dance studio, then began dating. They will celebrate their third wedding anniversary in August.

“Both of us were really invested in the culture of our students and how important that was growing up. Being a part of a studio really shaped us,” Lauren said. Kyle added, “I think both of us have really entrepreneurial spirits. When Lauren was in a teacher role, she naturally just wanted to take on more.”

This year will mark Lauren’s ninth season of teaching and Kyle’s 10th season. Both attended the University of Minnesota; Lauren majored in dance studies and holistic health, while Kyle majored in marketing and supply chain operations management. Lauren committed to teaching full-time right after graduation, whereas Kyle held a full-time job at Target while teaching.

The two have always been used to teaching side by side, but Lauren left the dance studio where they taught for an opportunity at Lake Area Dance Center in White Bear Lake. Her hope was to eventually take over

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Lauren Gross observes a ballet class. The Dance Unit teaches students ages 2-18. Students can participate in recreational classes or on competitive teams. Recreational class offerings continue to expand.

ownership, but the studio closed its doors in September 2020. With permission of the owner, Lauren reached out to Lake Area Dance Center’s client base to see if they would want to stick around if Lauren was able to fi nd a new space to start her own studio. Forty-fi ve students said they would like to continue, and so the plan sprung into motion despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The space on Mercantile Drive North in Hugo in the Victor Gardens Neighborhood seemed like a perfect fi t. The space was formerly occupied by Lorenz Dance & Tumbling Studio, which now is situated in Lino Lakes. On Oct. 1, 2020, The couple got the keys to the space and had 10 days to move out of the Lakes Area Dance Center Space and build out the new studio in Hugo. At the same time, they were also moving into their home in Stillwater.

“I can't believe we got it done. We had so much help from parents that just wanted to make it happen for their kid,” Lauren said. “Many dancers from Lake Area Dance Center had already auditioned for other places and decided to stick with The Dance Unit so they could stay with their friends and dance family. Everyone pulled together to make it happen.”

The two were excited to work side by side again. The studio was open for a month and a half before they had to shift everything online due to the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions. Choreography, practice and costume alterations all had to be done via Zoom. In January, they were able to resume in-person classes. “Everything about the year was absolutely insane,” Lauren recalled.

The Dance Unit teaches students ages 2-18. Students can participate in recreational classes or on competitive teams. Recreational class offerings continue to expand. The fi rst season, there were only two classes; this summer, there are six; and this fall there will be eight. For additional classes, The Dance Unit will lease more space a few doors down (Suite 105). The business currently has fi ve instructors.

Kyle said they feel very strongly about creating a community/family at the studio. “It’s training the whole individual, not just about teaching the steps. It’s the community that we make with each of our teams, it’s not just

The dance unit is gearing up for 2nd season.

SHANNON GRANHOLM | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

about the moves,” he said.

Lauren added, “We have so much experience under our belts, it was our turn to give back to the dance community.”

Lauren also stays busy with her second business as a seamstress. In August 2019, she started LTG Costumes. In addition to sewing the costumes for The Dance Unit, she also makes costumes for several other dance studios they compete against. For more information about The Dance Unit, visit thedanceunit. com.

Lead Editor Shannon Granholm can be reached at 651-407-1227 or citizennews@ presspubs.com.

WIC celebrates world breastfeeding week

The Washington County WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program is celebrating Minnesota Breastfeeding Awareness Month throughout August. The theme for World Breastfeeding Week, Aug. 1-7, is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility.” With the world still in the midst of a global pandemic, it is a good time to recognize and remind how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health, and well-being of all.

The beginning of 2021 brought a vaccine to protect and decrease the spread of COVID-19 which is safe for the adult population. While leading scientists continue to race to develop a vaccine safe for young children, humans have their own, natural way of protecting the youngest generation. Moms, through breast milk, pass on helpful antibodies that fi ght germs and viruses, such as COVID-19.

As the pandemic continues, research continues to show that the benefi ts of breastfeeding simply outweigh the potential risk when it comes to spreading the virus to the baby. In addition, researchers have not found the infectious virus in breastmilk. Even when a mother has COVID-19, she is advised to still breastfeed while doing hand hygiene and wearing a mask when with baby.

The global pandemic has taught communities to come together to take care of one another. Although support at the individual level is very important, much like surviving a global pandemic, breastfeeding must be considered a public health issues that requires investment at all levels. Now more than ever, it is necessary to create a chain of support for breastfeeding that includes health systems, workplaces, and communities at all levels of society. This chain of support will help build a supportive, enabling environment for breastfeeding to continue, thus protecting mothers and infants.

Given all that 2021 brought, the Washington County WIC team is proud to be able to serve participants and continue to provide breastfeeding support. WIC has seen an increase in participation and retention rates since the start of the pandemic. By providing remote services, WIC is able to connect with families sooner, at more convenient times, and without causing the stress of fi nding transportation.

“The pandemic has stressed the many ways that health is interconnected,” said Samantha O’Dell, WIC breastfeeding coordinator. “Let’s not forget to promote breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is one pathway to health, right at the start of life, with far reaching benefi ts for families, communities, and the planet.”

For more information, contact Washington County WIC at 651-430-6658.

Forest Lake High School Class of 1976 hosts reunion

Forty-fi ve years ago, during the year of the USA Bicentennial Celebration, Forest Lake High School graduates sported red, white and blue as they completed the walk to receive their diploma. The Forest Lake High School Class of 1976 will gather for a Class Reunion on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 7-10 p.m. at Vannelli’s By The Lake, 55 Lake S. South in Forest Lake.

Classmates can connect early with fellow Rangers during a variety of optional afternoon events, then gather for a casual social at Vannelli’s By the Lake and enjoy cash bar, appetizers and pizza in the lower level event area. Cost is $15 per person. For more information, contact forestlake76reunion@ gmail.com. For complete information and updates, see the Facebook page Forest Lake HS Class of 1976: https:// www.facebook.com/FLHS1976.

Waiting Child

Bridget,16, is an active, likable teen who can be very outgoing once she feels comfortable around you. She enjoys both playing and watching basketball especially the Golden State Warriors. She also likes watching football and is a fan of the Chicago Bears. Bridget’s favorite genre of music is rap. She is a huge fan of the rapper, Lil Baby. Bridget has an artistic side as well. She not only listens to rap, but she also writes her own rap lyrics. Some of Bridget’s favorite foods are Orange Chicken from Panda Express and crab legs. Bridget loves animals and would like to have a dog. Bridget would prefer to live in the city versus a rural area. Bridget would do best with a two-parent family with no other children or only older children in the home. She would thrive in a small family setting that is structured and consistent.