Earlier this fall I asked school board members to provide topics for future school board work sessions. One topic mentioned was the arrangement of grades at Liberty and Independence elementary schools. On more than one occasion, I've had either board members or patrons of the community question whether having two K-5 buildings is better than one K-2 and one 3-5 facility. The topic was placed on the November board work session and, after some discussion by board members, I was given the directive to research this topic. Read more.
Local businesses, schools partner to help fill skills gap
Youth Apprenticeship program is bridging skilled workers gap
News that Minnesota, along with the entire nation, is facing a skilled workers gap that will only continue to increase isn't new information. However, what is new is how school districts and businesses are partnering together to help fill the gap.
Students at Big Lake High School have the opportunity to enroll in a class through the Wright Technical Center called Youth Apprenticeship. These students get matched with local businesses participating in the program that want to mentor future workers.
Not only do students participating in the program get high school credit, many get paid and gain experience that no traditional classroom can provide. To get an apprenticeship, students have to apply, interview and get accepted as an employee at the participating company.
Read more.
Award-winning children's author visits schools
Mary Bleckwehl visits with Liberty and Independence elementary students
Thanks to Big Lake elementary students, MaKayla Bruns and Madalyn Chan, for winning a contest last year, all Big Lake elementary students were treated to a visit by award-winning children's author, Mary Bleckwehl this week.
Bleckwehl, author of "Henry! you're late AGAIN!" and "Henry! you're hungry AGAIN?" shared with students her unexpected journey to becoming an author and about the transformation process a book takes.
"I had always wanted to become a teacher," Bleckwehl said. "And I taught for many years until an unexpected thing happened to me."
Read more.
Big Lake teachers take home award at annual event
School technology leaders get recognized as exceptional teachers
Megan Chopard-Boge and Jeff Vogel were recognized as TIES Exceptional Teachers at the 2015 TIES Education Technology Conference this year.
Chopard-Boge and Vogel received the Exceptional Teachers award for modeling best practices in their classrooms by engaging students in learning through technology.
Read more.
Important upcoming dates
View event dates and see all upcoming events on our
website calendar
1/8: Middle School Activity Night
1/11: PTO Meeting, Liberty, 6 PM
1/11: High School Band Ensembles Concert at 7:30
1/14: School Board Organizational Meeting and Work Session at 6 PM
1/18-19: No School
1/18: Honor Choir and Band Concert at 6:30 PM
1/28: School Board Meeting at 6:30 PM
2/1: No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
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Our mission is to assure individual student success in partnership with, and service to, our community where education, relationships and family matter.
