287 News

• HMC Student Wins National Theater Competition Tuesday, June 28, 2011

  Ryan McCartan, Minnetonka High School graduate and a Honors Mentor Connection (HMC) student, has been named Best Actor during the National High School Musical Theater Awards.  Ryan received the award this week during the “Jimmy Awards” competition in New York City.  Read news paper article. See TV story.

  Ryan also is our 2011 Minnetonka SpotLight Student. See video of his one-man cabaret that he developed to benefit Juvenile Diabetes.

  Congratulations Ryan!

  Collapse this story

• District 287 awarded state eWorkplace recognition Friday, June 24, 2011

  eWorkplace, a ground-breaking, state-sponsored telework program, has partnered with a number of Twin Cities employers to provide incentives, education and support to implement telecommuting in their workplaces. Intermediate District 287 has been a participating employer since 2009. In recognition of that participation, District 287 received an eWorkPlace Award for Exceeding Expectations!  The eWorkPlace Award was presented to our Human Resources Director Anne Becker on behalf of District 287 this week during a celebration at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
  
  eWorkPlace grew out of the money the State of Minnesota received as part of the Urban Partnership Agreement (UPA) to reduce congestion through technology, transit and telework. Based on a program evaluation of eWorkplace conducted by the University of Minnesota, eWorkPlace participants benefit from savings in travel time and vehicle costs that amount to over $6.3 million annually. Over 5 years, eWorkplace is estimated to yield a 9 to 1 return-on-investment (ROI), not including productivity, environmental or quality of life gains. READ MORE

  +

  “District 287 employees and supervisors alike have been very pleased with the telework program that has been in place for two years now,” said Anne following the award presentation.  “The participating administrators and itinerant staff report greater productivity and job satisfaction as a result of telecommuting. This is in addition to the benefits of avoiding the time and stress of a commute, lower gas costs, a decrease in CO2 emissions, and less wear and tear on their vehicles.” Collapse this story

• SECA Porcupine Sliders Team goes on to the “Recipes for Healthy Kids” Finals Wednesday, June 15, 2011

  The U.S.D.A. announced today the SECA Porcupine Sliders Team placed 1st in the grains category. The other categories for the First Lady Michelle Obama Healthy Recipes for Kids Contest are vegetable and legumes. First place in each category will go on to the cook-off this summer in Grapevine, Texas at the American Culinary Federation National Convention on July 25, 2011. Read news release.

  In May, a judging team from the United States Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A.) spent most of a day with the South Education Alternative (SECA) students judging their recipe prep and presentation. The session was rounded off with a program presented by students for the judges, school board members and administrators. NEW - See video of the judges' visit.

  The SECA student team has been featured in the media stories during the past two months. Recently Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius invited the young chefs to be interviewed on her cable show Education Conversations which will air later this month.

  To read more about the contest go to www.recipesforkidschallenge.com. Would you like to see photos of the team, click HERE.

  Collapse this story

• Eden Prairie Spotlight students attended programs at SEC Monday, June 13, 2011

  Patrick was a member of the South Education Center's VECTOR Program weekly book club. His interest in reading has grown since he joined.  Visit the VECTOR book club.

  At the South Education Center’s ATTAIN Program, Fatima “Googled” the internet for images that can be used to illustrate original stories that were written by the teaching staff. Meet Fatima.

  Collapse this story

• Orono School District Spotlight Story features Chinese classes Friday, June 10, 2011

  District 287 provides teachers in less commonly taught languages such as Chinese. 

  At Orono High School, learning Chinese takes on many different forms. 

  As a Chinese vocabulary exercise, students learn to tell time and practice common Chinese phrases. Watch Chinese class.

  Collapse this story

• Cranes were flying all over SEC Wednesday, June 8, 2011

  South Education Center students and staff constructed more than 1000 paper cranes in honor of the March 11 Japan earthquake victims. Paper cranes are symbols of hope.

  The Benzos Family Foundation developed the “Paper Cranes for Japan” initiative to inspire young people worldwide to support their Japanese peers. For each crane sent to the Benzo Foundation, $2 will be donated to support reconstruction efforts. Our SEC students and staff who made the 1000 cranes and therefore $2,000 will be donated toward the total of just over $400,000 raised worldwide by this initiative.

  According to Social Emotional Coordinator - Linda Oberg, SEC staff took this opportunity to model for students the art of giving.

  “By doing good, we feel good. When we feel good, we learn better,” said Linda as she counted the orange, blue, red and white cranes. See cranes.

  The Benzos Foundation is preparing a traveling art display that will include cranes from more than 30 countries.

  Collapse this story

• Meet Perry, Our Wayzata Spotlight Student Monday, June 6, 2011

  Perry Windt is very creative. He writes songs and science fiction novels.

  In Perry's current novel, the characters find themselves in danger and trapped in a world they’ve never seen before.

  Perry has Asperger's Syndrome. Hear one of Perry's songs.

  Collapse this story

• Minnesota DI Teams bring home the gold, AGAIN! Friday, June 3, 2011

  Results from the Globals DestiNation Imagination tournament include seven trophy-winning Minnesota DI teams who finished first through third.

  Eighteen MN DI teams finished in the top 10 places out 50 plus teams in their challenge and grade level. Thirty teams finished in the top 20 places.  See team results.

  We are so proud of the 41 Minnesota DI teams that competed last week!  See team photos from the Knoxville, TN event.

  Collapse this story

• South Education Center Dances the Night Away Thursday, June 2, 2011

  The South Education Center held their first annual prom in May.
  
  Thank you volunteers for making this event happen. The students and their dates enjoyed an evening of photos, dancing and refreshments. Some students brought their toddlers as their dates.

  See the fantastic photos! Please note, it is a large document and will take some extra time to open.

  Collapse this story

• Meet Osseo Spotlight Student, Odell Tuesday, May 31, 2011

  While in foster care and with the help of his foster Dad, Odell’s attitude towards his education took a dramatic turn.

  During one month, Odell read more than six books using his new Read 180 skills.The sketch featured in this story was made by Odell when he finished reading To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee.

  Click HERE to meet Odell. 

  Collapse this story

• Meet Our Spotlight Student from Brooklyn Center School District Wednesday, May 18, 2011

  Throughout the next few weeks, we will continue to feature our Spotlight Students.

  Hawa Bah is an eighth grade student at Brooklyn Center High School. She came to the United States from Sierra Leone and immediately began her long struggle to learn English. Meet Hawa.

  Collapse this story

• HMC Student Named U.S. Presidential Scholar Friday, May 13, 2011

  Ryan McCartan, Minnetonka High School Senior, participated in Honors Mentor Connection this year.  He was named a YoungArts Finalist in the category of Theater for 2011.  Ryan was the featured Minnetonka student for District 287’s Spotlight this year. When Ryan was taped for the Spotlight, he was rehearsing for his one man cabaret, a benefit for Juvenile Diabetes.  Click here to hear an interview with Ryan and his cabaret rehearsal.

  Each year, 20 YoungArts Finalists are named U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts (PSA). At the request of The Commission on Presidential Scholars, which is appointed by the President of the United States,  (read more)

  +

  National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, through its YoungArts program serves as the exclusive nominating agency for U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts. Participants in the YoungArts program are the only students eligible to receive the designation of Presidential Scholars in the Arts (PSA), based on their artistic and academic achievements.

  Being named a Presidential Scholar is the highest scholastic honor available to graduating high school seniors. Each year, a group of 60 PSA nominees are selected from the 150 YoungArts Finalists. From these students, 20 winners are chosen by the Commission on Presidential Scholars and named U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, alongside 120 academic scholars at a White House ceremony. In addition to this once in a lifetime honor, the visual artists, photographers and writers present their work in an exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the performing artists perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; truly a life changing experience for any young artist.

  This years Presidential Scholars in the Arts will be on June 19 & 20, 2011 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.

  Collapse this story

• U.S.D.A. Judging Team flies in for Porcupine Sliders Thursday, May 12, 2011

  Three judges, each from different areas of the country, were at the South Education Center today for the official presentation of Porcupine Sliders. Porcupine Sliders is a recipe that has been chosen as one of 15 recipes to be judged by the national panel as part of First Lady Obama’s Healthy Recipe Contest.

  Click HERE to see video.         (read more)

  +

  The South Education Alternative (SECA) team of four students first prepared the slider recipe while answering questions about nutrition, portion sizes, and food safety. Following the tasting and student lunch service, the student chefs met with the judges to answer questions about what they have learned through
  this national experience in culinary arts. They observed that:

  • “Working as a team and knowing how others on the team want to do things, I have grown at being able to work around others.” - Dominic
  • “I learned more about food handling or food safety. My Latino community doesn’t practice the same food safety for handling meat, produce and cleanup. This is now important to my family.” - Adilene
  • “I am now ready to step up to be leader. I know how I can be a leader, that it is important to step up.” - Dolores
  • “Communication is key to working the kitchen. I know that if I have a knife or someone needs to move around me, I need to be aware.” - Chris

  The next step in the competition will be the announcement of the final three recipes, which the judges said would be around June 1. The final three will be invited to a live cook-off this summer.

  Congratulations, Porcupine Sliders Team! See KARE 11 Story Collapse this story

• Congratulations Retirees Wednesday, May 11, 2011

  

   

  The annual District 287 Retirement Celebration was held on Tuesday. The event hosted by our District School Board and Administration included 90 guests who marked the retirement of 16 employees. Best wishes to all of you in your retirement. See photos

  Collapse this story

• Thank you teachers! It is National Teacher Appreciation week. Monday, May 2, 2011

  Thank you teachers for all you do to support learning for students, their families and one another. During the school year, your many roles include mentor, guide and model for so many in and around your classroom.
  
  At District 287, our teachers specialize in many non-traditional classroom roles while working with our unique learners. Here are a few examples:
  • More than 110 students, around the state, are learning Chinese via internet connections and ITV interaction.
  • Students in the ATTAIN Labs (Assistive Technology Training And Information Network) train in software applications that can be used for vocational purposes. Many of the students use assistive technology specifically designed for their work environment. (read more)

  +

  • Students with EBD (emotional behavioral disorders) work with classroom and itinerant licensed staff to define and achieve weekly, monthly and yearly goals.
  • Each summer more than 40 teachers lead 1,100 students through West Suburban Summer School in diverse classroom settings that range from swimming pools to roller coasters to sound labs.
  • Teachers in our Vocational Education Training (VET) Program coordinate work-based learning for students, ages 14-21, with cognitive, emotional, behavioral, sensory or neurological disabilities.
  • Teachers at the South Education Alternative and North VISTA support pregnant and parenting teens, recent immigrants with limited formal schooling and those who need practical, credit-based make up and work experience programs.
  
  Our teachers work with more than 5,000 students every year. We appreciate you and all of your efforts! Collapse this story

• U.S.D.A. Judging Team will be at SEC for “Recipes for Healthy Kids” National Finals Monday, April 25, 2011

  The three-person judging team from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be meeting with South Education Alternative (SECA) students and judging their Porcupine Sliders Recipe. The new Porcupine Sliders Recipe has moved on to the final 15 (of 350) in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Recipes for Healthy Kids Contest. The May 9 visit will determine if the SECA recipe will be one of the final three winners who participate in a cook-off this summer.
  
  While at the South Education Center, the judges will observe SECA students making Porcupine Sliders, and the building’s students eating the “kid friendly” creation. Judges also will taste the Porcupine sliders. Minnesota Governor - Mark Dayton and Minnesota Education Commissioner - Brenda Cassellius also have been invited to attend the judging.
  
  In the meantime, you can support the SECA students with a vote in the Recipes for Healthy Kids Popular Choice Award. To vote, visit the Recipes for Healthy Kids website at www.recipesforkidschallenge.com.  Anyone can vote and we are encouraging everyone to take a minute to vote. The top ten recipes in each category, including five additional selections, will be published in a Recipe for Healthy Kids Cookbook to share with schools, students and families. Voting ends on May 31, 2011.

  Collapse this story

• Thank You - Administrative Professionals! Sunday, April 24, 2011

  This is Administrative Professionals Week. We set aside this time to recognize and celebrate the clerical and other administrative professionals for their growing and diverse contributions to the workplace.

  Here at District 287, more than 50 administrative professionals support the 120 programs and services that we offer our member districts and their students. This year, our Administrative Team salutes all of your work in helping our teams meet their goals and objectives.
  ♦ “The skills and passion of our clerical support staff allow District 287 to meet the needs of our students, their families and our member districts. They provide a critical component of our success and we are grateful for their contributions!”  –Sandra Lewandowski, Superintendent
  ♦ “Our special education secretaries are routinely asked to juggle multiple tasks including constant interaction with students and staff. They are one of the pillars of our programs and we greatly appreciate their skills and support.” –Laura Keller Gautsch, Ex. Director: Special Education
  ♦ “An important part of our culture is innovation and change. Our administrative assistants are on the front lines of change, always implementing new procedures and processes while adapting to new technology. This requires very sophisticated knowledge AND a great sense of humor. Fortunately our group has both!” –Dr. Jane Holmberg, Ex. Director: Teaching & Learning
  ♦ “I am so grateful to our clerical staff for their conscientious attention to the many details in our procedures in Administrative Services. They are real day makers!” –Dr. Colleen Baumtrog, Ex. Director: Administrative Services
  ♦ “Our clerical staff are so important because they interact with hundreds of people including representatives from Hennepin County, community and private agencies, foundations, consultants, programs within 287 and our member districts. I frequently hear comments about our friendly and helpful staff.” –Dr. Charlene Myklebust, Director: Mental Health and Partnerships

  Collapse this story

• Edina's SpotLight Student Attends NEC Wednesday, April 13, 2011

  Aiden is a talkative and engaging second grader at North Education Center. Meet Aiden and his teacher - Chelsea.
  
  
  Collapse this story

• Spotlight Videos Feature Member Districts Monday, April 11, 2011

  Member Districts Spotlight features are completed. Each District’s video has overall reports from District 287 and students’ stories. During the Orono School District Spotlight video, we feature Chinese classes.

  District 287 provides teachers in less commonly taught languages such as Chinese.  At Orono High School, learning Chinese takes on many different forms. As a Chinese vocabulary exercise, students learn to tell time and practice common Chinese phrases.  See video.

  Collapse this story

• Click n’ Talk App is Talking Across the District Monday, April 4, 2011

  The Click n’ Talk App is a new innovation developed by District 287 Augmentative Communication Specialists with the support of District 287 Information Technology. The talking photo album is for individuals with communication challenges and can be used for sharing information, increasing vocabulary, improving literacy skills, enhancing cognitive functions.

  As with most Apps, the Click n’ Talk customization features allow the user to import personal photos or web images, create novel text presentation and record a verbal message.

  The target population includes individuals of all ages who may display one or more of the following:
  • Developmental Cognitive Delays
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • English Language Learners
  • Neurological Disorders
  • Pre-School (Early Language Learners)
  • Limited Vocabulary
  • Poor speech production/no speech

  See Click n' Talk App in use!      (MORE)

  +

  Seventy-five years is the combined experience three Augmentative Communications Specialists who are on the Click n’ Talk development team. Their careers have included working with districts across the state to support special education teams as they assess and provide service to students who require augmentative communication services.
  
  Supporting the need identified for the Click n’ Talk App is District 287’s Technology Services Department. They have created an app that can be used with the iPod and iPad. The app compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. (Requires iOS 3.2 or later.) The cost is $2.99.  Go to Click n' Talk product page.
  
  This is the 2nd innovation launched by this hands-on team. One year ago they launched The Essential Skills Inventory Kit. It is a simple assessment tool that allows speech clinicians, teachers, families and care providers to take a comprehensive look at an individual's functional communication skills. Collapse this story

• Special Ed Director from Uzbekistan Visits SEC Thursday, March 31, 2011

  Nargis Ziyavatdinova spent time with staff and students at the South Education Center. She is here from Uzbekistan as a guest of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) on the official exchange known as the “Gold Tour”.

  Nargis has developed a special education program in Uzbekistan that includes students who live in dorms, or as we would know them, group homes. Other students, who live at home, attend special education programs only 2 to 3 days per week because of transportation challenges. (more)

  +

  While visiting the South Education Center, Nargis toured special education transition programs and the Vocational Education and Training (VET) facilities in the building. During the stops, District 287 staff and students talked with Nargis about their schedules, classes and work assignments. Through an interpreter, Nargis told SEC Principal Paul Eastwold that she is looking for information on work partnerships with companies, and how to structure the work day and responsibilities for students with special needs.

  “I am glad to know that some of our programs are going in the right direction,” Nargis said. “Now we might be ready to build a work program since we have been approached by a silk factory owner who is concerned about the futures of students with disabilities.”

  Some of the tools Nargis discovered included word walls, student schedules built with pictures and sketches, and the apartment at SEC where Transition students develop life skills.

  “We have not thought of students living in an apartment on their own,” said Nargis. “Independence, such as apartment living and jobs, is a new part of our special education.”

  Eighteen representatives from 15 countries each toured programs in their area of study in at least three cities. Their individual tours began with a luncheon hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the White House. Some of the other areas of study include community health, cancer research, agricultural practices and economic developments.

  Collapse this story

• Students are Successful in First Responder Course Friday, March 18, 2011

  Recently ten students successfully completed First Responder, one of the new course offerings of the C-Train Program at the South Education Center. The First Responder Course has been designated as an approved program by the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board in Minnesota.

  According to C-Train Program Facilitator, Anne Runck, this rigorous course requires 72-hours of online training and hands-on classroom instruction. Topics covered include such topics as human anatomy and physiology, patient assessment for the professional rescuer, and injury and shock management. (read more)

  +

  Among the ten students completing the course, nine will receive three certification cards-CPR/AED, First Aid and Pediatric. Eight students also passed the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board-First Responder two-year license with an opportunity to advance to EMT (emergency medical technician) classes.

  C-Train is growing each semester. Currently high school students can earn several industry recognized certificates while earning high school credit. Students are now transitioning to post-secondary education with this jumpstart on their careers.

  Collapse this story

• Porcupine Sliders Recipe Included in “Recipes for Healthy Kids” National Finals Wednesday, March 16, 2011

  Students and staff at the South Education Center Alternative Program (SECA) were notified that their new Porcupine Sliders Recipe has moved on to the final 15 (of 350) in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Recipes for Healthy Kids Contest.

  First Lady Obama and the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) launched the recipe competition in September. The contest rules and guidelines were very strict but also challenged school district teams to develop creative, nutritious, and kid-approved recipes that schools can easily incorporate into National School Lunch Program menus. The National School Lunch Programs are administered by the USDA.

  According to Superintendent Sandra Lewandowski, students contacted some of their favorite restaurants in search of a chef to work with as a mentor.  Local Corporate (read more)

  +

  Chef-Todd Bolton (Parásole Group of Restaurants) volunteered to work with the team of four SECA students, Family and Consumer Science Education teacher-Terry Guthrie, School Lunch Supervisor-Wanda Nickolai and the Nurse-Mary Lair.

  “Prior to submitting the nutritious recipe, the Porcupine Sliders recipe was revised several times, removing fat by baking the meat instead of frying. Next, the students prepared Porcupine Sliders for the school,” said Lewandowski. “This experience provided a lifelong lesson in healthy eating, persistence, team work and a math lesson in preparing food for the large group.” 

  Minnesota Commissioner of Education, Dr. Brenda Cassellius was notified by the USDA the Porcupine Sliders recipe has moved into the final judging. She says this news is very exciting for the SECA Program.

   “Not only are these students learning about making healthy food choices at school, they’re using strategic thinking and collaboration to apply what they learn in a creative way,” said Commissioner Cassellius. “My compliments to the students, their coach, mentor chef for their award winning and delicious Porcupine Sliders!” See Minnesota Depart. of Education announcement.

  The recipes will be posted on the Recipes for Healthy Kids website for voting for the Popular Choice award, which will close May 15. For a complete list and to vote on your favorite recipe, visit the Recipes for Healthy Kids website at www.recipesforkidschallenge.com.  Anyone can vote and we are encouraging everyone to take a minute to vote

  Schools that entered the top five recipes in each category will also be visited by a judging team that will include a USDA official, an American Culinary Federation chef, and a school nutrition professional. The judging team will determine the three finalists (one from each category) that will participate in a national cook-off event this summer.

  The top ten recipes in each category, including five additional selections, will be published in a Recipe for Healthy Kids Cookbook to share with schools, students and families.

  To see the recipe, click here.

  Collapse this story

• Literacy at Bren Road Education Center: Part 3 Monday, March 7, 2011

  The Literacy Program at Bren Road Education Center is using Read 180 to incorporate poetry, vocabulary and oral reading into student curriculum. Students are enjoying the activities and the new books they have discovered. 

  See Bren Road students.
  
  To commemorate our week of celebrating our literacy program successes, we have posted the official Read Across America student poem. Click here to read.

  Collapse this story

• National Read Across America Week: Part 2 SEC Literacy Lab is a Success Thursday, March 3, 2011

  The South Education Center Literacy Lab continues to grow with new materials and resources for our students.
  
  Using Read 180 in conjunction with the many multi-media resources of the Literacy Lab, the goal for staff and students is to close the gap on student achievement.

  Check out the SEC Literacy Lab.

  Collapse this story