287 News

• NWTC Students Prepare for College Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  During the past two weeks, we have been featuring programs specific to the unique learners at the Northwest Tech Center (NWTC).

  Greta Palmberg is an instructor at NWTC. Because she knows the challenges of being “college ready” for her students, Greta has spent several years honing the process for this transitioning population.

  Using Minnesota’s e-folio as the tool, students are compiling their individual portfolios. This online program provides organizational tips and portfolio ideas. See NWTC class projects.

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• Math Initiative is at Northwest Tech Center Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  Kris Johnson is one of three district instructors pursuing math licensure through a special math initiative in the District.

  Kris is applying his new learning with math students in classes at Northwest Tech Center. Every student in class was engaged in the learning and enthusiasm for problem solving was evident using Smart Board activities. To visit their class, click here.

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• Welcome to Northwest Tech Center Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  During the next week, Northwest Tech Center (NWTC) will be featured in three stories. NWTC is a site that houses several specialized transition programs for students ages 18-21 including VECTOR-Basic, VECTOR-Low Incidence, and InVEST. Other programs include InVEST and VENTURE.  

  Scott Wright’s class on College Knowledge was the first stop.  Each student creates a college plan in a unique electronic format.  The students research a chosen field of study, search for best college matches, and explore other aspects of attending that school including costs and supports for students with disabilities. Students made presentations about their findings using the classroom Smart Board™.  See the impressive presentations.

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• Tom Shultz Receives IFMA Award Thursday, January 19, 2012

  Our District 287 Director of Facilities, Tom Shultz, has been named “Facility Practitioner of the Year” by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

  Prior to the Thursday evening award presentation, Tom was unaware of his nomination. (See event photo) Since then, many of our 800 staff have been congratulating Tom. This is a reflection of his excellent work across District 287.

  Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski has been leading our District as we build, combine and renovate the many facilities we have for our unique learners. During the past few years, Tom has been instrumental is preparing sites for students and staff, and building the new North Education Center (NEC).   (more)

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  This Fall, more than 400 students will attend classes at the new NEC.

  "The same year that we broke ground for the new NEC, Tom was relocating more than 65% of our students,” said Sandy when talking with the administrative team. “Under Tom’s leadership, the equipment was moving dirt at the NEC site while our staff and moving trucks were relocating classrooms, nurses’ offices and equipment throughout the district. Thanks to Tom, everyone was ready to start school in September," Sandy added. “By the way, the NEC is ahead of schedule and on budget.”

  Dr. Colleen Baumtrog is Executive Director for Administrative Services and works with Tom here at District 287. She has observed his outstanding project management techniques that includes people skills and budgeting.

  "Tom is simply the best and his award is so well deserved,” Colleen said this week. “Tom’s contributions are so important as our facilities are significantly upgraded and changed forever. This has been led by Tom as he defined the unique needs of our students and staff.”

  Behind the scenes, a video was prepared by the IFMA and was played during the awards ceremony. The video includes Tom's co-workers and industry peers applauding him for his many contributions. Click here to watch.

  Congratulations Tom Shultz, Director of Facilities!

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• CPI or PCM? Monday, January 9, 2012

  Keeping students and staff safe is a District 287 priority.  The district uses two programs to ensure the priority is met.  All staff in Area Learning Centers (ALC’s), Special Education and Care and Treatment programs receive training in one program while some staff receive training in both. There are similarities and differences between CPI and PCM.

  Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) trains staff in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention where restraint is used only as a last resort to ensure care, welfare, safety and security for all.  Professional Crisis Management (PCM) utilizes the least restrictive option, to ensure the safety and success of the student.  The model trains staff in crisis prevention, crisis de-escalation, crisis intervention, and post crisis strategies with core principles that are based on safety, dignity and effectiveness. Staff can read more about the similarities and differences on the 287 Staff page.

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• Coming Soon: Minnesota Common Course Catalog Submissions Wednesday, January 4, 2012

  Do you ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes in our District Service Center? One of the many things we are busy preparing for is the 2012 implementation of the Minnesota Department of Education’s – Minnesota Common Course Catalog (MCCC) initiative.

  What is MCCC about? The MCCC is a course classification system intended to provide uniform information about which courses are taught by Minnesota teachers and completed by Minnesota high school students. It will not limit or dictate local course offerings. MDE is implementing the MCCC to meet state and federal requirements. Minnesota public school districts must report courses and outcomes in a new format.

  Since spring of 2011, a District 287 leadership group has been meeting to make sure we are on-track to meet these requirements. The four part submission to MDE has the following requirements:
  1. Course information (due March 16, 2012) will include courses being taught at 287 and how they match the MN Common Course Catalog (MCCC);
  2. Course calendar information including days and time of day the courses are taught. (This data will be submitted to MDE during the next few months.); (read more)

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  3. Course instructors including MN state educators’ license area(s) and grade level information; and
  4. Courses taken and grades achieved by students.  

  Sandy Gaulke, Manager of Student Information Systems, says it’s a huge undertaking for every Minnesota public school district.

  “There are so many nuances of what is taught, when it’s taught, who is teaching it, who is taking it, and what they are achieving in it,” she said this week when talking about the submissions to MDE.  “Just knowing the uniqueness of 287, you can imagine what’s out there to try and capture. Once we have identified this for 2011 school year, we then will plan for 2012 and beyond.”

  Our student information system has been tracking much of the information for years.

  “Implementation for those programs meant adding a few more database categories,” Sandy said. “For other District 287 programs, this is a new process. We’ve been diligently working with our programs to develop the most efficient, user friendly process in order to meet the new state requirements.”

  To find out more about MCCC, click here to check out MDE’s website.

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• CRC begins 2nd year at Sandburg Thursday, December 22, 2011

  The District 287 Classroom Resource Center (CRC) continues to receive and distribute important supplies to our programs.

  The CRC began last year when programs were temporarily relocated from Hosterman Education Center to Sandburg Education Center. As staff packed up for the move, they found items they wanted to share with other staff and programs to better serve students.

  If you haven’t visited the CRC, you will see rows of shelves and tables. The tables are used when students sort items donated to the CRC. They also use the tables to pack and fill orders requested by our staff. Sheila Domstrand works in the CRC. (read more)

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  Also stocking the CRC are donations from outside the district. Earlier this year a parent donated a truck full of paper from a printing vendor.  A group that meets in our Conference Center, Executive Connections, donated a huge box of supplies such as markers, paper and folders. Family Networks, a partner in serving our students, donates supplies on a regular basis.

  As always, there are specific needs that would be used almost daily. Below is a list prepared by Sheila. If you have any of these items, please send them over to the CRC at Sandburg.

  Ideas for Donations
  Belts (all sizes)	Pocket Folders	Binders (1-2")	If you have any questions about donating, or a specific need for your program, please email the CRC at CRC@district287.org.
  Markers	WhiteOut®	Highlighters
  Toiletries (hotel sizes included)	Kleenex™	Clip Boards
  Art Supplies including: color pencils, stamps, stamp pads, paper

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• Public Service Announcement Produced by SECA Friday, December 16, 2011

  Earlier this year, Linda Oberg, Social Emotional Coordinator at South Education Center (SEC), met with the student council which has representatives from all programs at SEC. The student council decided to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA).

  A special video production class at South Education Center Alternative (SECA) produced a PSA entitled Kindness is Contagious, Pass It On.

  The PSA was recently completed when the music, an original piece by students, was added.  Take a look! 

  Derrick was the student director.  “It’s about…a bunch of people being generous and helping other people out, like a film about how everybody needs help once in a while," he said. "Everybody gets help and helps someone out throughout their day.”

  The class learned film and video vocabulary and worked with storyboards to tell a visual story.

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• TIES ANNOUNCES TECH LEADERSHIP TEAM 2011 AWARD Sunday, December 11, 2011

  On December 11th,  Betty Schweizer, TIES Executive Director, presented the TIES 2011 Technology Leadership Team Award to Intermediate District 287.

  The District 287 online learning team has always believed that the heart of a successful online learning environment in Minnesota lies in the abilities of students to have at their fingertips a wide range of stimulating and engaging online content created by Minnesota teachers. See the team.

  The team received a $330,000 Federal Ed Tech ARRA Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The goal of the project was ambitious. The team wanted to help teachers across Minnesota build Moodle online units that could be used either in their traditional classrooms as a hybrid option, or delivered online. See news release

  A group of 150 licensed Minnesota teachers and two educational organizations (The Wolf Center in Ely and The Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth) created READ MORE

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  more than 100 units for use in classrooms across the state. 

  Another goal of the project was that teachers and students across the state benefit from the units that the grant participants created. All units were created and posted on which allows any teacher in the world to examine and download the units free of charge. The team hopes that this will help jumpstart the creation of high quality online learning units in Minnesota.

  It should be noted that one of the winning team members, Jon Fila, was an original developer of MoodleShare. Jon is 287’s Online and Mobile Learning Facilitator and Innovation Coach for the District Service Center.

  Since the first Moodle unit went public, MoodleShare units receive more than 25,000 visitors a month from 193 countries with hundreds of thousands of views from places as far away as Thailand, India and New Zealand .

  Our Tech Leadership Team consists of:
  • Sandra Lewandowski, Superintendent
  • Dr. Jane Holmberg, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
  • Chad Maxa, Director of Technology
  • Dr. Jon Voss, Principal of Academic Services, including OnLine Learning
  • Mike Smart, Online Learning Facilitator
  • Jon Fila, Online/Mobile Learning Facilitator
  • Plus the support of the entire Technology Staff at District 287.

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• Jon Fila and Jayme Bennett to receive TIES Awards Thursday, December 8, 2011

  On Tuesday, District 287 will have two teachers honored for their many efforts in using technology to serve our students. Governor Mark Dayton will be on-hand to present the awards.

  Jon Fila has named TIES Exceptional Teacher for 2011. Jon has multiple roles in the district but his latest title is Mobile Learning Coordinator, Online Learning Facilitator and Innovation Coach. This also includes working with our growing Northern Star Online.

  In his new role as Mobile Learning Facilitator, Jon assists programs in the use and management of mobile devices for staff and students. Jon is working with IT and iPad leaders in the district on bulk purchasing and dissemination of apps; providing staff development on how to design content for mobile devices; and gathering/converting content for specific tablet uses.
  

  Also named TIES Exceptional Teacher for 2011 is Jayme Bennett, a Special Education teacher serving some of the most learning challenged students enrolled in programs at Sandburg Education Center. The students need substantial specialized services due to significant social-emotional, behavioral and cognitive disabilities. By writing unique computer programs and using the SMART Board and iPads as implementation tools, Jayme is able to engage students in reading activities. He also uses a variety of carefully matched interactive computer programs to keep students attending to academics throughout the day.

  Jayme has transformed a room of non-readers into a classroom that enjoys literacy. They seek reading activities because the teacher, Jayme, has designed curriculum that matches not only cognitive skill, but also each learners’ style.

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• Paul Bennett named District 287 Teacher of the year Friday, December 2, 2011

  Our District 287 Nominating Committee announced that Paul Bennett from the Prairie Center Academy has been named our Teacher of the Year (TOY).

  Paul was chosen as TOY because he is not only an engaging and versatile social studies department of one at Prairie Center Academy; he is the chief listener and top encourager, walking patiently beside students on their sometimes winding path to graduation.

  Paul uses tools of a master teacher to provide an array of differentiated learning options: from project based learning, to digital curriculum, to travel abroad, assuring a rigorous, relevant and personalized education for his very lucky students.

  While visiting Paul in his busy classroom, we asked him why he is so committed to teaching.

  “I like teaching because I love helping students navigate through high school and helping them prepare and plan for their future,” said Paul “I think when we, as educators, build positive relationships with our students, we can have a huge influence on their lives.”

  Paul also is the Innovation Coach for the Shady Oak building. He works with staff to develop new ideas for our district.

  Paul will compete in the Education Minnesota Teacher of the Year contest later this year. Congratulations Paul Bennett, District 287 Teacher of the year.

  Read more from our interview with Paul.

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  In my own words, by Paul Bennett, District 287 Teacher of the Year: 

  "I like teaching because I love helping students navigate through high school and helping them prepare and plan for their future.  

  I think when we, as educators, build positive relationships with our students, we can have a huge influence on their lives and this is what I find real meaning in when I show up daily at Prairie Center Academy. 

  I also find the world a very interesting place and I love the challenge of showing young people how fun the journey of learning can be. Nothing thrills me more than running into a graduate from a program I taught in and find out we made a positive difference in their lives when they needed it most.
  
  I'm thrilled and humbled by the nomination because I work in a district that has so many wonderful educators and wonderful people."

  12/1/2011

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• Student artwork Featured on County Mural Sunday, November 27, 2011

  District 287 is in a partnership with the Hennepin County Multi-Cultural Committee to create a mural with students at Epsilon for the Hennepin County Government Center and Juvenile Justice Center. The traveling Mural Project is called, "10,000 Things That I Love that You Might Love Too."  The project is being funded by the Multi-cutural Arts Committee and Forecast Public Art. The mural will be on display downtown at the Minneapolis Government Center and then moved to the Juvenile Justice Center during October-December 2011. See mural.   

  Epsilon Art Class students developed the mural which was unveiled in the atrium of the Hennepin County Government Center during a reception on November 2nd. The mural will soon be moved to the Juvenile Justice Center to be on display.

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• Welding Workshop held at two sites Thursday, November 17, 2011

  David Hanson, Career and Tech instructor at Edgewood Education Center, brought a unique, hands-on learning opportunity to his students. 

  While setting up the welding workshop in the parking lot, David talked about project.

  “I wanted to give the students a real life, career experience, to expose them to something that they could pursue and get a good paying job.” See students.

  The same opportunity was brought to students at City West Academy where Hanson also is an instructor.

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• Our Greener and Safer District Tuesday, November 15, 2011

  We continue our District 287  journey to being “greener!” and safer.

  Our Director of Facilities, Tom Shultz, compiled new District 287 Guidelines for Building Use. The guidelines were further developed by our administrative team. See guidelines.

  Following the new guidelines will result in safer and more cost effective building use, while being “greener.”

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• IT Department Celebrates Binary Day Monday, November 14, 2011

  In honor of 11/11/11, also known as “Binary Day”, our Information Technology Department celebrated throughout the district.

  At the District Service Center, IT hosted JAVA with treats and a costume contest. Chris Kenney was voted “Best Dressed,“ in the nerd category.

  Don't know what a Binary Day is? It's a date that consists of only 1's and 0's when written in mm/dd/yy format. Binary years have only 9 such dates, meaning there are only 36 binary days in a century. Our IT Department explains.

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• HMC is about the Mentor Experience Thursday, November 10, 2011

  As part of Gifted and Talented Youth Week in Minnesota, we recognize Honors Mentor Connection (HMC), a rigorous academic course.

  HMC is an opportunity for talented high school students to participate in advanced study in an area of interest. This work is done under the guidance of an eminent professional in the field. Students apply and register through their school districts.

  This year 50 students from seven metro districts are participating in the HMC. Most recently, Ryan McCartan received two national recognitions. He was named Best Actor by the National High School Musical Theater Awards, and then a U.S. Presidential Scholar.

  We also would like you to meet some other successful HMC students: Heather Anderson; and Gavin Osvek and Hari Ganti.

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• DI is Creative Problem Solving and Exciting Wednesday, November 9, 2011

  Destination ImagiNation is the state's largest non-athletic team activity. It is a program for all learners of all ages, kindergarden - college.

  District 287 sponsors statewide DI activities including team training and tournaments. During this past year, more than 1500 volunteers supported the activities for 504 membership teams. Teams compete during tournament “Challenges” by using creative problem solving among team members. Here are some photos from this past year.

  To find out more about the DI, or to start a team, go to www.mndi.org. This site has the latest DI information.

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• It’s gifted and talented youth week Monday, November 7, 2011

  It's official, Governor Mark Dayton proclaimed November 6-12, 2011 Gifted and Talented Youth Week in Minnesota.

  In addition to recognizing the unique potential of gifted and talented youth, it is also an excellent opportunity to laud the efforts of the parents, educators, counselors and psychologists who work with them each year. Their sustained efforts, coupled with the organized advocacy of the Minnesota Council for Gifted and Talented (MCGT) and the Minnesota Educators of Gifted and Talented (MEGT), help make our state one in which gifted learners are honored and valued.
  
  Intermediate District 287 provides an array of services to Gifted and Talented Youth. Staff is supervised by Dr. Jon Voss the programs include: Destination ImagiNation; Gifted Math Program; Accelerated Math for grades 4-7; Fermi Off-the-Wall Math League; Honors Mentor Connection; West Suburban Summer School (WSSS).

  This week we are featuring several programs and students. Today, we are sharing with you the story of our West Suburban Summer School, which just celebrated 33 program years. This year, we received 1132 registrations for 95 classes. As you will see by this video, these classes are very interesting.

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• ATTAIN Student Develops Apps for other Students Monday, October 31, 2011

  David is a student at the South Education Center who develops applications, including an APP to assist students with locating and playing their music.

  Thanks to the ATTAIN (Assistive Technology Training and Information Network) staff and our Information Technology Department, David has had many successes.  See David.

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• What's New? Thursday, October 27, 2011

  The new school year is underway.  And, so are new activities relating to our district’s goals.  In this video, our staff tell about what’s new for their programs with Innovation, Technology and Instruction. VIDEO

  Staff also can watch Superintendent Sandy’s Java Blog, a monthly video blog launched last week. It is an update of what’s new in the district that will be taped each month following the Board meeting. A link to the blogs is posted on the 287 Staff page.

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• AASA Names Superintendent as Finalist for Leadership award Monday, October 17, 2011

  Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski has been notified that she is one of two finalists for the 2012 Women in School Leadership Award.  

  The American Association of School Administrators (AASA), sponsors this contest as part of the Leadership Forum in San Diego, CA.  The two contestants will be announced, along with their accomplishments, on October 20. Sandy also will meet a panel of judges for a final interview at the Women in School Leadership Forum.

  This prestigious award in the "Superintendent" category is based on Leadership for Learning, Communication, Professionalism and Community Involvement.

  Sandy submitted an essay on each topic.  The application was supported by letters from Ann Bremer, Chair of the District 287 Board, and Don Draayer, Board Member.

  The winner will be announced at the National AASA Conference in February.

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• Follow 287 on Twitter Tuesday, October 11, 2011

  During our back to school events, Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski updated everyone on District plans for the new school year while at the same time, staff used Twitter to communicate as the events unfolded. Tweets called out colleagues seen in the videos on screen.  Since that week, several staff requested that we continue our Tweeting, 24/7. 

  You will find us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/District287. Or click on the Twitter button in the blue area of home page. AND, remember anyone with a Facebook account can post on the District 287 Facebook page at www.facebook.com/district287.  Post accomplishments about yourself, or colleagues.  We want to hear news from your site, classroom, program or any personal accomplishments. Start using Facebook as our staff news source.

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• Wellness: WALKS, RUNS, RIDES keep 287 staff well AND support good causes Monday, October 10, 2011

  Staff at District 287 is embracing wellness activities as they support good causes. Laura Keller-Gautsch, Executive Director of Special Education, participated in The Saddle Up for the Cure Ride on October 1. The event is a fund raiser for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
  
  On October 3, Erich Aardema, South Education Center Instructor, ran the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon to raise money for the Lung Association in honor of Leavale Hicks, South Education Center classroom assistant who died of an acute asthma attack last year.
  
  Rose Hobson, Supervisor of Career and Tech, and Lea Dahl, Supervisor for Alternative Learning Programs, teamed up to walk 60 Miles on August 19-21!!  The goal of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure was to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and ultimately, a cure. See Rose and Lea.
  
  Energize! Staying Well is Wise, our district wellness program, recently led the six-week Lean & Go Green Campaign. This program began in July and encouraged healthy eating while taking care of the environment around us. Thirty-five employees participated by submitting check lists of new choices for healthy eating and healthy habits. See check list.

  Lunch with Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski was the awarded to the top five participants. The "healthy choices luncheon" was held in her office.

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• Negotiations Updates Available online Tuesday, October 4, 2011

  Anne Becker, Chief Negotiator, Intermediate District 287, and Andrew Lake, Chief Negotiator, Education Minnesota Local 2209, announced that a new negotiating process has been chosen. It is called Interest Based Collective Bargaining (IBCB).

  Negotiations for the 2011-2013 Master Agreement between Intermediate District 287 and Education Minnesota Local 2209 union have begun. Periodically, a joint Labor-Management IBCB Newsletter will be posted on the District website Home Page as well as the Local 2209 website to explain how the IBCB negotiations process works and to keep you up-to-date on the progress being made at the negotiations table.

  A shortcut to a page listing all of the newsletters and other information, can be found at www.district287.org/IBCBNewsletter. Or click on the "Negotiations Update" button feature on the right side of this page.

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• Care & Treatment Programs Established and Growing Thursday, September 29, 2011

  At the request of our Member Districts, new Care & Treatment Programs are being provided by Intermediate District. Care & Treatment Programs describe the settings where children and adolescents receive treatment for mental illnesses, chemical dependency, and other conditions; or, are enrolled in other programs to which they have been court ordered.
  
  At the start of school, 179 students were enrolled in programs in six locations. Twenty-three teachers and fourteen educational assists provide the important education component to the students while they are in the programs. Some of the locations have been served by District 287 in the past, but all of the programs have added new services.
  
  Two of the new programs, PrairieCare of Maple Grove and Edina, have inpatient hospital programs. Both of these will be expanding their facilities in 2012 which will increase the program numbers from 53 to 94.
  
  Providing leadership to the Care & Treatment Programs is Dolly Lastine.  Dolly is our Assistant Special Education Director and has extensive experience working with our students.
  
  “The start up for the programs has been smooth,” said Dolly. “The new staff brings experience and expertise that will serve the students well.  Because the capacity for the programs is 279 students, all programs expect expansion.”

  Thank you District 287 staff, for your efforts in establishing the Care & Treatment Programs.

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