Your Schools Your Community

Fall 2013VOLUME 6, NUMBER 1

Some of the most creative and thought-provoking minds in education were at Burnsville High School as part of TEDxBurnsvilleED in September. The event featured short talks by 20 educators around the theme “Education Without Boundaries.” With breaks throughout the day so attendees – both in person and those watching the broadcast live online – could discuss the ideas and examples they just heard, the goal of the event was to inspire action at the classroom, administrative and policy-making levels of school systems.

Speakers included District 191 media specialist Nancy Myer and second-grade teacher Ty Sassaman, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Megan Olivia Hall, Promethean CEO Jim Marshall, National Youth Leadership Council Founder Jim Kielsmeier, Parkland (Alberta, Canada) School Division Principal of Innovative Teaching and Learning George Couros and many others.

To see the presentations and learn more about TEDxBurnsvilleED, go online to tedxburnsvilleed.com.

‘Education Without Boundaries’

Schools show gains on state achievement measures

Minnesota Teacher of the Year for 2013 Megan Olivia Hall presents at TEDxBurnsvilleED.

TEDx event ignites conversations on future of education

Nine of the 15 schools in Burnsville-Eagan-Sav-age School District 191 increased their ratings on the state’s new measurement of school performance called Multiple Measurements Rating (MMR), according to a state report released recently.

Schools that improved their MMR scores for the 2012-13 school year were: Burnsville High School, Metcalf Junior High, Eagle Ridge Junior High, Nicollet Junior High, Gideon Pond Elementary, Edward Neill Elementary, Sky Oaks Elementary, Hidden Valley El-ementary and Harriet Bishop Elementary.

In addition to the MMR rating, schools also received

a rating on their progress in closing the achievement gap between white and minority students. Ten District 191 schools – those listed in the second paragraph plus Sioux Trail Elementary – showed progress on that mea-sure.

“Closing the achievement gap is an absolute priority for us,” said Assistant Superintendent Cindy Amoroso. “We are dedicated to ensuring all of our students suc-ceed, so this result was especially encouraging.”

Sky Oaks Elementary in Burnsville – the district’s most diverse school – made the most progress toward closing the achievement gap, rising from the 48th per-

centile to the 75th of the state’s public schools. Minnesota schools are no longer rated based only

on the percentage of students who score as proficient on state standardized tests. Instead, the state’s public schools now receive an MMR score based on: • proficiency of students based on scores from the Min-

nesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) tests;• academic growth for individual students from year

to year based on MCA results; • achievement gap reduction between racial and eco-

nomic student groupings, and • graduation rate (for high schools only).

Sounds of music now include string instruments at Rahn Elementary

There are new sounds of music at Rahn Elementary School of Arts & Technology in Eagan this fall. They were a bit scratchy at first but are becoming more pleasing to the ears as the weeks go by.

Students are learning to play violins, violas, cellos and basses through a new string instrument program that began at the school this fall. It is based on successful programs already in place at Harriet Bishop Elementary School and Eagle Ridge Junior High, both in Savage.

Beginners in grades two through four can use a school instrument their first year. “They are so jazzed to be the first ones to use the new instruments,” said Emily Anderson, strings teacher.

Students in 5th and 6th grades can participate if they provide their own instruments.

Students at Rahn Elementary School are learning to play string instruments this year.

District earns top rating from financial auditor

The comprehensive annual financial report for the 2012-2013 school year in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 has received a “clean, unmodified” stamp of approval from the firm that did the independent audit. That’s the best rating a school district can receive from an auditor, according to Dennis Hoogeveen of CliftonLarsonAllen in his report to the Board of Education recently.

Total revenue in the General Fund, which supports district operations, was higher than expected by about 2.4 percent while expenditures were slightly lower than budgeted by 1.3 percent. He said the district has been able to re-establish financial strength through cost cutting measures and through community support for the operating referendum.

The district’s current unassigned General Fund balance of about $17 million is in line with what he is seeing in other districts that protect their programming by saving for rainy days due to unpredictable and inadequate state funding.

Of note, he said, is a significant turnaround in the Community Education budget which went from red to black in recent years by providing quality programming that their customers wanted.

For the past 24 consecutive years, District 191 has received an award for financial reporting from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International. Hoogeveen said there is likely to be a 25th award for the district based on the quality report put together by the business office headed up by Brady Hoffman, director of accounting, and Lisa Rider, executive director of business services. “This is an indication to your community that you hold to higher standards to provide a comprehensive, meaningful and insightful financial report each year. It’s very commendable,” he added.

The entire report is available on the district’s website at www.isd191.org.

Instrument donations wanted: If you have an unused band or string instrument, please consider donating it for students to use in District 191. Instruments can be dropped of at any school, or at Community Education at Diamondhead Education Cen-ter. If you wish to receive a donation letter for tax purposes, please include your name, address and phone number inside the instrument case. All donations are appreciated.

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Back row, from left: Molly Calhoon, Jenna Bruesehoff and Maggie Kaplan; front row, from left: Maxwell Johnson, Taylor Ewing and Bonssa Teizazu.

Students top state, nation in ACT scoresMinnesota students are first in the nation on

the ACT college admissions test and students in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 scored above the state average.

With an average composite score of 23.2, BHS students topped the state average of 23. The national average was 20.9. A perfect score is 36.

A total of 425 Burnsville High School students took the test last year and scored above the state average in math, reading and science. Scores were 0.1 percent below the state average on the English portion.

The ACT Research Department says it is the rigor of the high school coursework that has the greatest impact on ACT performance and college readiness.

Students who take more advanced courses substantially increase their scores on the test.

Rigorous college-level courses are offered at Burnsville High School through Advanced Placement (AP) and the University of Minnesota’s College in the Schools (CIS) program, in which BHS ranks first in the state for participation and credits earned — topping 135 high schools.

In the most recently reported year, BHS students earned 2,669 credits through CIS, which translated into $1.2 million in tuition savings for students and their families, according to a report from the University of Minnesota. Credits apply to the University of Minnesota but also transfer to other colleges and universities across the country.

TEACHERS ACHIEVE Sharon Shelerud, a social studies teacher at Met-calf Junior High in Burnsville, was selected to present at the National Council for Social Studies Conference recently in St. Louis, Mo. She shared information about the Global Bridges program she created with a teacher in Maryland to connect their students with students in Argentina.

Kathy Bunkers, a special education teacher at Burns-ville High School, was selected as an Excellent Educa-tor by WCCO TV Channel 4 recently. Jamie Yuccas, an anchor person with the WCCO Morning Show, surprised Bunkers with the news in her classroom while she was teaching. The show honors educators in the metro area who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in this lives of their students. Bunkers was nominated for the recognition by a parent of one of her students.

Melanie Bryant and Jeff Hammer have been named TIES 2013 Excep-tional Teachers and will be honored during the TIES Education Technol-ogy Conference in December. They are among teachers selected for modeling best practices in using technology in their classrooms to engage students in learning. School districts participating in the TIES Exceptional Teachers award program are members of TIES, an education technology consortium of 48 Minnesota school districts. Bryant, who teaches 4th grade at Sky Oaks Elementary School in Burnsville, uses technology to engage students and learning

and also to connect with parents. Hammer, a 7th grade science teacher, is a technology leader at Eagle Ridge Junior High School in Savage who shares his expertise with colleagues.

BHS seniors earn national academic recognitionSix seniors at Burnsville High School (BHS) are among the most academically-talented scholars in

the country based upon their performance in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship program. The students have been named as Commended Students, a designation that goes to fewer than 3.5

percent of those who took the test. They are Jenna Bruesehoff, Molly Calhoon, Taylor Ewing, Maxwell Johnson, Maggie Kaplan and Bonssa Teizazu.

Approximately 1.5 million students across the country took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), and 50,000 are now being recognized for their out stand-ing scores. “These students have earned significant academic recognition — the type that is noticed by admission offices at colleges and universities,” said Ashley Welke, a counselor at Burnsville High School. “They can take great pride in this accomplishment.”

Girls gain confidence by runningTeacher Cindy Crawford

was looking for a way to help students, especially girls, reach their full potential despite roadblocks such as negative peer pressure and a lack of support systems outside of school. What she found was Girls on the Run.

“I have done a lot of reading and learning about the strong connection between exercise and increased learning, self-esteem and emotional health,” explains Crawford, who teaches at Vista View Elementary School. “I’ve experienced that myself and I want

to share that with students.”Girls on the Run is a national non-profit

that provides a 12-week curriculum that uses running as a medium for teaching life skills and core values that encourage a physically active and emotionally healthy lifestyle. As Crawford learned more about the program, she knew it would be a good fit for Vista View and the school’s emphasis on building community and developing leaders. Thanks to a grant from Foundation 191 and support from fellow teacher-head coaches Janaya Anderson and Courteney Ivory, she was able to launch the

team and make it affordable for any interested student.

Achievement: We are focused on learning and we get results

Finn honored as community builderFay Finn, who recently retired from Burnsville-Eagan-Savage

School District 191, was among six recipients of the 2013 Community Builder Award presented by the Burnsville City Council in October. Each year, the award is presented to individuals, community groups and businesses that — through their volunteer or work life — do their best to “build a brighter future for Burnsville.”

Finn, a long-time Burnsville resident who is passionate about com munity build ing,

goes above and beyond in many ways to unite people and build a stronger Burnsville. As the Youth Service Specialist with District 191 Community Education since 2001, she has involved hun-dreds of Burnsville High School students in volunteer service in schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, churches, and more. In the past school year, Burnsville High School students recorded 9,256 volunteer hours at 151 different locations.

Blazewear is sold at school storeBlazewear of all kinds is for sale in the school store at Burns-

ville High School, which re-opened this fall after a two-year absence.

“I’ve been asking students what they’d like to see in the store,” said Kristin Swenson, store manager. “Their opinions are a big factor in deciding what we’ll be offering.”

While shoppers see familiar favorites like sweatshirts, t-shirts, pajamas and hats there are also new items including a line of Nike Blazewear. Letter jackets are also being sold.

Regular school store hours are 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tues-days and Thursdays. The online store will only be open during special times of the year. For more information, contact the store at (952) 707-2195.

Swenson hopes parents, grandparents, alumni and commu-nity members will also shop at the store. Merchandise sizes will run from toddler up to adult.

“The School Store is an excellent place for students and fami-lies to purchase Blaze spirit wear to show their pride and loyalty in Burnsville,” said Jeff Marshall, activities/athletics director.

Fay Finn, left, and Mayor Elizabeth Kautz

Melanie Bryant

Jeff Hammer

Health administrator is No. 1 in stateDawn Willson, the director

of health services in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191, has been named the 2013 School Nurse Administrator of the Year by the School Nurse Organization of Minnesota.

This award is presented to a school nurse administrator each year who exemplifies excellence in school nursing

administration based on scope and standards of practice published by the National Association of School Nurses.

She supervises the operations of 19 school health offices in District 191 along with one non-public

school. She is responsible for the district’s health services policies and procedures.

“Dawn sees the link between the health and wellness of our students and their academic performance,” said Joe Gothard, superintendent of schools. “She goes above and beyond to do everything possible for our students and their learning.”

Willson collaborates with departments in District 191 and also with external organizations to establish partnerships that benefit students and their families. She played a key role in seeing that medical, dental and mental health services are available for students. This year, she will begin an exciting new partnership with the University of Minnesota focused on preventing childhood obesity.

Dawn Willson

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Community Connections: Together everyone achieves more

20th annual BHS Career Fair is January 27

Over 100 area adults will be available to discuss career pathways at the 20th annual Burnsville High School Career Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, in the cafeteria of the school at 600 E. Highway 13. The event is free and open to the public.

Architects, engineers, business owners, teachers, mechanics, musicians and many other professionals will share information about career choices with students and their parents. This is an opportunity to explore a large number of career opportunities; ask questions about education, training, salary and more.

“Students, families, and the public will hear the straight scoop from professionals throughout our community,” said Margo Swanson, the planner for this year’s fair. “Determine what you must learn today to market yourself tomorrow.”

Promote your local business and encourage the future workforce by having a booth at the fair at no charge. For more information, contact Swanson at mswanson@burnsville.k12.mn.us or (612) 308-9038.

SCHOOL DISTRICT 191BOARD OF EDUCATIONSANDRA SWEEP, Chair.............................(952) 250-7097 ssweep@burnsville.k12.mn.us

JIM SCHMID, Vice Chair ...........................(952) 882-1651 jschmid@burnsville.k12.mn.us

BOB VANDENBOOM, Clerk ...................(651) 454-9516 bvandenboom@burnsville.k12.mn.us

DAN LUTH, Treasurer ..............................(952) 440-1290 dluth@burnsville.k12.mn.us

ABIGAIL ALT, Director ..............................(952) 898-0243 aalt@burnsville.k12.mn.us

DEEDEE CURRIER, Director ....................(952) 882-7746 dcurrier@burnsville.k12.mn.us

RON HILL, Director ...................................(952) 440-1016 rhill@burnsville.k12.mn.us

SANGEETHA SHREEDARAN, Student Advisor

Joe Gothard, Superintendent ..............(952) 707-2001 jgothard@burnsville.k12.mn.us

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

A B O U T T H I S N E W S L E T T E R

This newsletter is sent periodically to all residents in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 to provide information about schools, which are a cornerstone of the community. If you have comments, send them to Ruth Dunn, district communications director, at rdunn@burnsville.k12.mn.us or call 952-707-2020.

C O N N E C T W I T H U S

Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 strives to keep residents informed and involved in their public schools.

To get news, pictures, events and more delivered to you where you want them, “Like” us on Facebook, or/and follow us on Twitter.

www.facebook.com/isd191 www.twitter.com/isd191

Residents may also sign up for the District 191 e-Newsletter.

D I S T R I C T C O N TA C T I N F O

Phone: 952-707-2000 Web: www.isd191.org E-mail: info@burnsville.k12.mn.us Welcome Center (Enrollment): 952-707-4180

Foundation’s event will benefit studentsFoundation 191 has planned a new event called “Grapes and Grains for Grants” as a fund-raiser to enhance, enrich and expand educational opportunities in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191. The event will feature wine and craft beer tasting, food by the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe and a silent auction. It will take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 27, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets are available at www.foundation191.org. Over the past four years, the foundation has awarded 37 grants totaling over $37,000 for learning activities in the schools. Foundation 191 is a not for profit 501(c)(3) corporation qualified to accept tax-deductible donations.

Are you new to the district? Enrollment for all new students takes place at the district’s Welcome Center, lower level, of Diamondhead Education Center, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway. For more information, call the Welcome Center at (952) 707-4180 or email at welcomecenter@burnsville.k12.mn.us.

Annual Report now available onlineThe district’s Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruc-tion and Student Achievement is now available on the district’s website at www.isd191.org. Annual reports are under the “About 191” tab.

Dan Luth

Luth leads tech groupDan Luth, a member

of the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 Board of Education, has been elected as chairperson of the TIES Executive Committee.

TIES is an education tech nology cooperative with 48 member school districts in Minnesota.

Luth, currently treasurer of the District 191 Board of Education, is director of technology portfolio management and delivery at UnitedHealth Group.

“Having been on our executive committee for seven years and now as chairperson, Dan Luth will continue to provide TIES with great leadership,” said Betty Schweizer, TIES executive director. “His private-sector technology background provides helpful insight into our business.”

A group gathers with yarn and needles at the Burnsville Senior Center all year long to knit hats, mittens and scarves to keep students warm in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191.

“These are hand-knitted items, created with love and care,” said Tom Umhoefer, director of Community Education. “They are beautiful, well-made and warm.”

When Umhoefer offers the items to schools each fall, they are quickly snapped up by principals for their students in need.

The knitters appreciate donations of yarn dropped off at the Senior Center, lower level, Diamondhead Education Center, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway.

Doris Beason and other knitters produce hats, scarves and mittens for students.

New members of the Hall of Fame are, from left, Katie Bolling, Laura Slominski, Alyse Stofer, Lions Club President Mark Moen, Mike Luckraft, Greg Orson.

New members inducted into Hall of FameThe six new members of Burnsville High School’s Hall of Fame were inducted during a ceremony on Sept.

12, in the school’s Mraz Center and were also recognized during half-time at the football game that night. They are Katie Snyder Bolling, the Burnsville Lions Club, Mike Luckraft, Greg Orson, Laura Slominski

and Alyse R. Solberg Stofer. They joined 54 previously inducted honorees.The BHS Hall of Fame

was established in 2006 as part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebration. It is a way to recognize those who have made exceptional achievements in their field, significant contributions to Burnsville High School and unique contributions to their community on a local, state, na-tional or in-ternational level.

Exploring high-tech manufacturing jobs During the first “Real-World Ready” career day at Burnsville High School recently, students gathered informa-tion from representatives of local high-tech STHEM (science, technology, healthcare, engineering and math) businesses. The event was sponsored by the City of Burnsville, the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191.

Senior knitters help keep students warm

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TWIN CITIES MNPERMIT NO 32254

100 River Ridge Ct. Burnsville, MN 55337

In this issue: Schools make gains on state tests . . . . . .1

Orchestra program expands . . . . . . . . . . .1

Six seniors are Commended Students. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Blazewear sold at BHS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

New members of HOF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Students explore manufacturing careers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Seniors knit for children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Your Schools Your Community

Will your child start kindergarten in the fall of 2014? Full-day kindergarten is available in Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 for all students at no cost to parents. Learn how

your child will benefit by attending kindergarten orientations at our 10 elementary schools beginning in January. See the schedule at www.isd191.org or call (952) 707-4180.

Kindergarten orientations

scheduled at schools

Twitter for learning ... for realz

Joe Gothard

The food I’m eating right now. Selfies. Ashton Kutcher. How annoyed I am by that kid who said the thing about the place that one time.

Maybe this is what you think is waiting for you on Twitter, that it’s a wasteland filled with minute-by-minute accounts of people’s days, personal griev-ances and celebrity sightings.

Well … that’s mostly true. But only mostly, and you don’t have to look too hard to find real substance, personal interactions and community building.

I started Tweeting in 2009. Like many educators, I wasn’t sure how it would be useful. But very quickly, I connected with colleagues throughout the state and throughout the country. As professionals, we are all facing the same challenges in schools — from creat-ing a positive environment to motivating a talented but bored student — and it was clear that this new network could be an amazing resource for me and my school.

Twitter also allows me to be a resource to our com-munity and to connect residents more closely to our schools. Most people drive past schools every day

but don’t get the chance to see what’s happening on the inside. As superinten-dent, I am privileged to see the work that our students and staff members are doing, and if you follow me @JoeGothard, you get to see some of that, too.

And the great thing is that I’m not alone. Many, many of our teachers are tweeting to stay connected with parents of their students (and students, too) and to share with colleagues across the district and across the world.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a video of a cat stuck in a vase as much as the next 3 million viewers. But what I really care about is ensuring our schools deliver on their mission. If you care about that, too, I encourage you to follow me @joegothard, our school district @isd191, and search for “#one91” to see how we’re building community around our students.

You may be surprised by what you’ll find, and all in verbal bursts of just 140 characters or less.

Superintendent’s Column

Rahn Elementary (@RahnArtsTech): Stay updated on what’s happening in the school,

plus get connected to the many teachers who use Twitter to highlight classroom activities.

Jeff Schwenn (@mrschwenn): The fourth-grade teacher at Hidden Valley

Elementary will let you know what his students are doing (Hint: A lot!) and show you the fun side

of being a teacher.

Lisa Christen (@TheHomeworkDog): A second-grade teacher at M.W. Savage

Elementary, Mrs. Christen regularly shares teaching ideas and best practices from and

with colleagues around the world.

District 191 (@isd191): All things Burnsville-Eagan-Savage.

* For Twitter novices, when you see the @ sign followed by a username, that’s a Twitter user’s

“handle” and it means you’ll find my account at www.twitter.com/JoeGothard.

Who’s tweeting?