November 2019 Community Education Newsletter

Community Education News

Update on Executive Director Position

The Executive Director of Community Education position has been posted and applications are being accepted and reviewed.

To help select a new leader, the district engaged Bob Wittman, former community education director for Wayzata, Robbinsdale and Jordan school districts. Mr. Wittman was engaged to assess our current programs, structure and needs. We believe his findings will serve to advise district administration on the type of leader that will best serve Bloomington Public Schools.

This week, Mr. Wittman completed his assignment with an assessment report. Using this report, a team is being formed to conduct interviews within the next two weeks. We anticipate naming a new Community Education Executive Director by the first of December.

The Superintendent will serve as Interim Director until the new Community Education Executive Director is on board.

Save the Date for Bloomington Bookfest!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 29th as we Leap into Books with the 2nd Annual Bloomington Bookfest!

Bloomington Bookfest will be held at Oak Grove Middle School from 9am to Noon and will feature many of the same great activities as the original and more! Check out the new reading-themed rooms, fun reading activities, and hear from KARE 11 Meteorologist Belinda Jensen, author of Bel the Weather Girl.

Did You Know?

Bloomington Bookfest received a Project Award from the Minnesota Community Education Association! Project Awards are given for projects that best exemplify the concept of Community Education.

The award was presented to Community Education staff at the October 28th school board meeting. We are very proud to be honored by the MCEA!

Staff Spotlight

Meet Buddy Sapp! Buddy has worked as an Attendant and Assistant Coordinator at the Jefferson and Kennedy Activity Centers since 2012. He enjoys meeting the wide variety of people that come into the Activity Centers and helping them to learn about our programs. When asked how he’s doing, Buddy turns on the charm and says, “we’re just living the dream here at the Activity Center!"

Buddy retired after working for 30 years in public service at the Veteran’s Administration. When he’s not working, Buddy enjoys spending time with his family at their cabin on Lake Osakis. Buddy is the president of his homeowner’s association and loves NASCAR. Buddy and his friends have attended the race at Talladega each spring for the last 40 years.

New Metro South Staff

Here's your chance to meet the new staff at Metro South Adult Basic Education.

Jean Seabury is Metro South's Daytime Basic ESL teacher. Jean has been teaching adult learners for 5 years. Before that, she was an ESL teacher in K12 schools for 6 years. Jean is excited to be helping the Basic class meet their English goals.

Erica Lehner is Metro South's Daytime Level I ESL teacher. She has been teaching Adult ESL for 10 years and has previously worked and lived in China. Erica is excited to have the chance to use her Chinese language skills again with students.

Sonja Johnson (LCR) is the Monday/Wednesday Level 4 ESL teacher at Metro South. Sonja has been a teacher for 17 years. She enjoys working at Metro South for their friendly, motivated, resilient, and smart students.

Thomas Smith is a returning Monday/Wednesday ABE 2 teacher at Metro South. He has been teaching Adult ESL since 1994. He loves seeing his adult learners grow and enrich their lives through education.

Hannah Sundermeyer is Metro South's Saturday Level 2/3 ESL teacher. This is her 3rd year as a teacher. In addition to teaching Adult ESL students on Saturdays, Hannah teaches English to high school students during the week.

Shannon Drew is returning Support Staff to Metro South. Shannon has been in ABE for 15 years and is happy to be back in the Metro South classrooms with real, live students!

Did You Know?

The Kennedy Activity Center offers open Pickleball on one of its courts on Mondays and Thursdays for Activity Center members.

This is a great opportunity to try a popular sport if you have an Activity Center membership! ISD 271 employees receive membership discounts. For information on memberships visit: http://bit.ly/BACMembership

Kids' SAFARI Participates in Unity Day

Wednesday, October 23 was National Unity Day. Kids' SAFARI staff and students made it Orange to Unite Together against bullying. UNITED for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Wearing and sharing Orange to show the nation that society believes that no child should ever experience bullying.