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2005-06 News StoriesOak Hill Students Compete at International MeetOak Hill grade five students Andrew Eisenreich, Kelsi George, Zoe Novak, Brooke Swanhorst and alternate Caz Novak competed in the Future Problem Solving (FPS) International Conference June 1 through June 4 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Caz Novak's alternate team placed third in the junior division. An FPS meet is an academic activity that asks students to identify future challenges, select an underlying problem, produce solutions, create criteria to evaluate solutions, apply criteria to solutions and develop an action plan. 6.6.06 Thank You 2005-06 RetireesDistrict 742 salutes the women and men who retired during 2005-06. Thirty-six retirees, some of whom labored more than 30 years, leave our service, but not our hearts. We deeply appreciate their work on behalf of children. View our Retiree Wrap publication. 6.1.06 Top 10 Ceremony Honors StudentsThe Top Ten Reception, which honors the leading scholars at Apollo and Tech high schools, was May 30 at St. Cloud City Hall. Tech's ten best are Emily Allex, Anne Bautch, James Bologna, Alexander Corbett, Jessica Fark, Jacqueline Heath, Joy Heysse, Jean Huang, Lee Kersting and Dana Wallinga. The top ten students at Apollo are Corrie Barnowsky, Elizabeth Dolven-Kolle, Nathan Evenson, Gregory Hartung, Matthew Humbert, Greg Imholte, Samantha Kuhn, Stephen Nei, Kimberly Schmitt and Laura Wolfram. View Apollo's scholars. View Tech's scholars. View the reception program. 6.1.06 Clearview Artist Voted Best in ShowErin Stout's flower bowl was voted Best in Show for the May 2 through May 24 Children's Art Show at the Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud. Stout, a Clearview Elementary sixth-grader, received her award at a May 24 reception hosted by Visual Arts Minnesota, sponsor of the show. The juried, art show featured fifth- and sixth-grade art from eight area elementary schools, including five District 742 schools. Visual Arts Minnesota is a St. Cloud-based, non-profit organization that promotes the arts in Central Minnesota. Read the full story. 5.25.06 Kennedy's Moeller Honored as Distinguished PrincipalDiane Moeller, principal of Kennedy Elementary School, St. Joseph, is the 2006 Minnesota Distinguished Principal. Moeller was nominated by her staff and selected by principals in a statewide process managed by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association. "Diane is an incredible instructional leader and change agent," said Jean Clark, chair of the selection committee. "She listens to the needs of the community. She works to understand the culture of her building and always does what is right for the students." The U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals, in corporate partnership with AIG VALIC, jointly sponsor the National Distinguished Principal (NDP) program. The NDP award ceremonies take place in Washington, D.C. each fall. They include tours and activities as well as professional interaction among the honorees. The two-day celebration culminates in an awards banquet. AIG VALIC is a Houston-based financial services company. View the full story. 5.17.06 Stark-Haws Named a Teacher of the YearALC Wilson teacher Joel Stark-Haws was named the Teacher of the Year by the St. Cloud Sam's Club at a May 9 ceremony. Since 1995, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has honored more than 22,000 teachers nationwide and donated more than $15 million to local schools. Stark-Haws received a polo shirt and a $100 gift card from Sarah Leshuk, business manager of the St. Cloud Sam's Club, and Janna Stephanie, a former student who works at Sam's Club. ALC Wilson received $1,000. Read the full story. 5.9.06 Kunshier Named a Teacher of the YearBill Kunshier, a Discovery Elementary teacher, has been named a Teacher of the Year by the St. Cloud Wal-Mart. Since 1995, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has honored more than 22,000 teachers nationwide and donated more than $15 million to local schools. Kunshier, a first-grade teacher, received a $100 gift card. Discovery received $1,000. 5.9.06 Clearview Students Visit Earthway FarmThe sights! The sounds! The smells! Two Clearview Elementary kindergarten classes enjoyed a multisensory field trip to Earthway Farm north of Fairhaven May 5. Students learned about beekeeping, mingled with animals, sang songs, danced, made rope, met a Chinese Pug dog who can count and much more. 5.5.06 Eight Seniors Honored By Resource Training & SolutionsResource Training & Solutions honored eight District 742 students at a Students of Excellence ceremony May 3 at St. Cloud Civic Center. Apollo High School's honorees are Matthew Humbert, Gregory Imholte, Samantha Kuhn and Stephen Nei. Technical High School's honorees are Emily Alex, Anne Bautch, Jean Huang and Dane Wallinga. The 19th annual ceremony recognized 165 seniors from 43 Central Minnesota schools. The St. Cloud-based training provider targets areas such health and safety, P-12 education, professional development and computer software. View the photos: Apollo honorees | Tech honorees. 5.3.06 Students Recognized for Community Service ProjectsDistrict 742 students and activities were recognized for their community service at the United Way Youth as Resources Recognition Celebration May 3 at Riverside Park, St. Cloud. Youth as Resources gives young people a leadership role in responding to community needs. A local board of young people and adults funds youth-initiated projects that increase self-sufficiency, strengthen families, decrease racism and bias, encourage successful youth and promote healthy choices. Projects ranged from cultural education to environmental protection to mentoring younger students. View the full story and photo to learn more about the projects. 5.3.06 Apollo and Tech Students Place in Regional Business CompetitionAdam Austin, Kevin Fuchs, Nick Gasett, Alan Krueger, Anthony Lake and Eric Mareck of Apollo High School placed third in the regional Junior Achievement (JA) Titan Business Challenge May 2 in Eden Prairie. Tech High Schools Shawn Cruze, Aaron Fleck and Edgar Kirabira took first place in the consolation round. Titan Business Challenge, developed by Best Buy, is an interactive web business simulation that introduces students to the economic and management decisions necessary to run a manufacturing company. Junior Achievement educates young people about business, economics and free enterprise. View the press release. 5.2.06 NJHS Band Students Perform at FestivalThe North Junior High School band performed April 28 at the Minnesota Music Educators Association Middle Level Band Festival in Alexandria. The festival allowed students to hear and learn from other bands. A clinician worked with North's students to improve musicianship and performance skills. Michelle Sonmor is North's director of bands. 4.28.06 Quilt Project Yields Memory BlanketsStudents at ALC West polished skills in the areas of planning, problem solving, cooperation, basic and applied math, sequencing, direction-following and spatial creativity during their recent quilting activity. The 12 PACE students funded the project themselves and will keep the quilts as memory blankets. Teachers Mary Thomas and Dan Hugo supervised the students. One of the quilts will be presented to the PACE Student of the Year. PACE is an individualized instruction program in which student and teacher work together, one-on-one, on course work tailored to the student's needs and interests. 4.26.06 Clearview Student to Exhibit Art in D.C.Naomi Staples' art will be exhibited at Union Station, Washington D.C., June 5 to June 25. Staples, a 10-year-old at Clearview Elementary, Clear Lake, is one of 48 K-12 students nationwide whose work will be recognized by the exhibit sponsor, VSA arts. VSA arts, which is affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, promotes quality, accessible arts experiences for people with disabilities. Staples is one of 11 exhibitors who will attend a congressional reception June 8. View the press release. 4.25.06 Students Place at State Speech EventSix District 742 high school students placed at the April 21 Class AA State Speech Tournament in Bloomington. Tech's Casey Schmoll placed third in Serious Interpretation-Drama. School mate Scott Heins placed fourth in Discussion. Apollo's Kira Mestnik was sixth in Serious Interpretation-Prose. Linh Nguyen, Apollo, was seventh in Serious Interpretation-Poetry. Mackenzie Lahren and T.J. Staneart, Apollo, placed eighth in Duo Interpretation. The tournament featured the top three qualifiers from each of eight Class AA sections in 13 different speech categories. Tournament qualifiers represented 61 Class AA teams. View the full results. 4.21.06 Huang Excels at State Math MeetJean Huang finished fifth at the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League's state tournament April 17 in Spring Lake Park. Huang, a Tech High School senior, earned a spot in the Math Bowl, the prestigious, pressure-packed, entertainment-based portion of the tournament. She lost to Wayzata's David He in a sudden-death round. "It's the first time since I've been in my position (six years) that there has ever been a female student who has made it this far. She is truly a very remarkable young woman," said Cris Scarlett, Math League assistant director. Also competing in the tournament were Apollo's Stephen Nei and Tech's Dane Wallinga. Huang is a semi-finalist in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Students chosen as Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC in the summer, during which they meet with government officials, educators, authors, musicians, scientists and other accomplished people. 4.17.06 USAT Teams Succeed at State MeetDistrict 742 teams performed admirably at the U.S. Academic Triathlon (USAT) State Tournament April 8 at Minnetonka High School. Winning teams were:
Oak Hill FPS Team Advances to International MeetAn Oak Hill Elementary Future Problem Solving (FPS) team has earned a ticket to the FPS International Conference June 1 through June 4 in Fort Collins, Colorado. Brooke Swanhorst, Zoe Novak, Andrew Eisenreich, Kelsi George, and alternate Caz Novak won the junior division at the state FPS meet April 8 in Plymouth. Faye Bolin, a fifth-grade teacher, is the coach. Tech High School's team of Emily Allex, Rachel Vega, Danielle Vega, Anne Bautch, Jilleen Preusser and Josh Thelen placed third in the senior division. An FPS meet is an academic activity that asks students to identify future challenges, select an underlying problem, produce solutions, create criteria to evaluate solutions, apply criteria to solutions and develop an action plan. The international conference topic will be wealth redistribution. 4.8.06 Elementary Public Speakers Win MedalsTalented fifth- and sixth-grade public speakers discussed influential people April 4 and April 6 before a Little Theater crowds at North and South junior high schools. The 23rd St. Cloud Optimist Club Elementary Speak Up Program awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for speeches about people such as departed family members, civil rights leaders and pioneering aviators. The 114,000 members of Optimist International provide positive service projects to youth. Read the full story. 4.6.06 ALC West Student Wins Best in Show at Art ExhibitionEmma Ames, a sophomore at Area Learning Center (ALC) Wilson, won best of show at the 26th Annual High School Art Exhibition and Competition. Ames' found-object sculpture, Boggart's Nest, earned her $300 from Visual Arts Minnesota, the St. Cloud-based, non-profit art gallery that juried the competition. Ames' sculpture, and works from eight categories of visual art, are on exhibit at the Paramount Theatre, St. Cloud, through April 28. Apollo and Technical high school students have works on exhibit, as do students from 12 other area high schools and home schools. 4.3.06 Fiona Malone in National Spelling BeeFiona Malone, a Talahi Elementary sixth-grader, will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee May 31 and June 1 in Washington D.C. Malone won the Multi-Regional State Spelling Bee March 28 at the Holiday Inn, St. Cloud, beating 25 competitors from around the state. Three other regional Minnesota winners also advance to nationals. Among Malone's prizes are a first-place trophy, all-expenses paid trip for herself and an adult to the national bee, a $100 savings bond and a dictionary. ESPN2 has, in the past, broadcast championship rounds of the bee. Malone is the daughter of Cindy and David Malone, St. Cloud. 3.28.06 AHS Class Featured On WCCO TV NewsStudents in Joe Schulte's Apollo High School multimedia classes were featured on WCCO television's 10 p.m. newscast March 28. The story followed students as they created seat belt safety public service announcements (PSAs) targeted at teenagers. The PSAs will be submitted to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety's Buckle Up Teens! TV Commercial Contest. Public voting for the best PSA begins after the May 8 contest-entry deadline. View two Apollo PSAs: It Makes Sense | Why Not? (.wmv format). 3.28.06 Martin and Gohmann Place at State SkillsUSA EventTech High School's Chris Martin and Paul Gohmann placed second and third, respectively, at the SkillsUSA cabinet-making contest March 24-26 in Bloomington. Held at the Sheraton Hotel, the state-wide event tested student talents in areas ranging from culinary arts to welding. SkillsUSA serves more than a quarter students and instructors in 54 state and territorial associations. 3.27.06 Johnston Goes 2-2 at Wrestling NationalsAndy Johnston, Tech High School's Class AAA state runner-up in the 135-pound weight class, won two matches and lost two at the Senior Nationals High School Wrestling Championship in Pittsburgh March 23-26. Johnston, a senior, finishes with a 41-6 season mark and a 122-51 career record. He received a bye in the round of 128, then won a 4-3 decision over Florida's Osvaldo Friger in the round of 64. In the round of 32 Johnston lost 16-3 to New Jersey's Michael Eagen. In the consolation rounds he defeated New York's Andy Drake 6-2, then lost 9-2 to Tennessee's Corey Manson. The event was sponsored by the National High School Coaches Association and hosted at the University of Pittsburgh's Petersen Events Center. View the tournament results. 3.27.06 Slapshots' Season Ends at State TournamentThe St. Cloud Area Slapshots (9-4) finished their season March 17 with a 5-0 loss to Winona in the opening round of the Minnesota State High School League's CI Adapted Floor Hockey Tournament in Bloomington. Dakota United defeated Winona 6-1 in the March 18 championship. Competition was conducted in two divisions: one for athletes with physical or health impairments, commonly called PI, and the other for athletes with cognitive impairments or mental handicaps, known as CI. The Slapshots are a cooperative sponsorship between Apollo High School, Tech High School, Sartell-Saint Stephen High School and Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. The team is coached by Mike Bakken, an adaptive phy ed teacher who in February received the Special Teacher Award from the Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children. 3.17.06 Clearview Celebrates Excellence AwardSuperintendent Bruce Watkins, board members and citizens joined students and staff at Clearview Elementary March 2 to celebrate the school's School of Excellence (SOE) award. The Clear Lake P-6 school is one of five elementary schools named a 2005-06 Minnesota School of Excellence. The other schools are O.H. Anderson, Mahtomedi; Red Pine, Rosemount; Greenway, Greenway; and Ridgeview, Bloomington. The award recognizes schools that commit to system of self-study and school improvement. It is presented annually by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association. Clearview's principal is Paula Foley. The site council leader is Gary Gray. View a list of past SOE winners. 3.2.06 Tigers Miss State Gymnastics Title by a WhiskerTech High School's gymnastics team was the Class AA runner-up in the Minnesota State High School League State Gymnastics Meet Feb. 24-25 in St. Paul. Coach Dave Hoeller's athletes finished just .675 of a point behind Roseville and .225 of a point ahead of third-place Maple Grove in the team competition Friday. This was the first appearance in a state girls gymnastics meet for Tech. View Tech's team scores. View team results from eight schools. 2.25.06 Tech Gymnasts Bring Home Individual State HonorsTech High School's Alise Post finished first in vault, second in uneven bars and third in all-around during the individual competition of the Class AA Minnesota State High School League State Gymnastics Meet Feb. 25 in St. Paul. Brittany Fellman placed sixth in balance beam. Jillian Donabauer placed ninth in uneven bars. Tabi Peterson and Abbey Albers also competed. View the full results from the individual competition. 2.25.06 Fifth Graders Receive Sertoma AwardsMatt Danielson, a fifth-grader at Kennedy Elementary, and Brandon Blomberg, a fifth-grader at Discovery Elementary, placed first and second, respectively, in the St. Cloud Downtown Sertoma Club’s Freedom Week essay contest. The contest had more than 100 entries. Danielson and Blomberg read their essays and received cash awards at a Feb. 23 luncheon at the Radisson Suite Hotel, St. Cloud. View photos of the winners. Read the full story. 2.24.06 Tech Athletes Place at State Nordic Skiing MeetTech High School's Luke Busta finished fifth in the Pursuit at the Minnesota State High School League’s State Boys' Nordic Ski Racing Meet Feb. 21 in Biwabik. Busta, a junior, finished just 2:04.4 behind champion Ben Fick, a senior from the team champion Forest Lake squad. Busta and Jamie Scholer finished 10th and 13th, respectively, in the 5K Freestyle. Busta finished ninth in the 5K Classic. Learn more about the state meet. 2.21.06 High Schools Enjoy Success at State Dance ContestThe Tech High School jazz/funk dance team finished sixth in Class AAA at the Minnesota State High School League’s (MSHSL) State Girls’ Dance Team Tournament Feb. 17-18 in St. Paul. Two other District 742 teams, the Astronettes high kick/precision team and the Tigerettes high kick/precision team, competed but did not make the finals. View the results at the MSHSL web site. 2.18.06 Kennedy Kids Develop Olympic Web SiteHolly Nelson's third-grade class at Kennedy Elementary, St. Joseph, is engaged in a multi-disciplinary study of the XXth Olympic Winter Games at Turin, Italy. Among the activities is a 10-page web site that students -- working in groups of two or three -- developed with the help of Duane Hagen, media specialist, and Nelson. Key to the project was Macromedia Contribute, a collaborative, easy-to-use, web-development software students. Visit the web site. 2.15.06 Apollo and Tech Musicians Shine at Band ContestBand musicians from Apollo and Technical high schools excelled at the south section 8AA Solo and Ensemble Contest Feb. 15 in St. Cloud. Host Apollo earned six Superior ratings and three Excellent ratings. Tech tallied 16 Superior ratings and 11 Excellent ratings. Key performers included Apollo's Alicia Eisenstadt, who earned a Superior rating and Best in Site award for her trumpet solo and Tech's Megan Ehresmann, who earned perfect scores and Best in Site awards for her flute and piccolo solos. View more results. 2.15.06 Fernstrom Junior High Spelling Bee ChampErica Fernstrom is the junior high champion of the District 742 Spelling Bee. Fernstrom, an eighth-grader from South Junior High, spelled methanize and deteriorate to become the last student standing at the Feb. 7 bee in South's Little Theater. She will join Kyle Pundsack, second place, and Nick Grossman, third place, at the regional bee Feb. 28 at St. John's University. Pundsack is a seventh-grader at North Junior High. Grossman is a seventh-grader at South. Read the full story. 2.7.06 Malone Wins Elementary Spelling BeeFiona Malone spelled contentious and protectorate to win the elementary division of the District 742 Spelling Bee Feb. 7 at South Junior High. Malone, a Talahi Elementary sixth-grader, will join Nick Kroeger, second place, and John Brennan, third place, at the regional bee Feb. 28 at St. John's University. Kroeger is a Clearview Elementary sixth-grader. Brennan is a Westwood Elementary sixth-grader. Read the full story. 2.7.06 Student Videos Showcased at Tech High SchoolStudents, staff and family viewed videos from
Kristin Kobilka’s Communications Technology class Jan. 13
during a semester-ending showcase in the Tech High School auditorium. District 742 Wows Chamber ConnectionA standing-room only crowd of Chamber of Commerce members heard school officials and business leaders testify to the extensive and fruitful relationships between District 742 and local business and industry. St. Cloud Technical College, which hosted the Jan. 6 Chamber Connection networking session, echoed the praise for public schools, citing Discovery Academy and TechPrep as cost-effective programs that please parents and students. TechPrep allows Apollo and Tech high school students to take college credit classes, such as accounting, without leaving their respective schools. Jayne Greeney and Diane Ohmann of Career and Technical Education presented a slide show on Business Education Partnerships. Superintendent Bruce Watkins offered welcome remarks. 1.6.06 Hedman-Dennis Chairing Reorganized BoardSigrid Hedman-Dennis chaired the reorganized Board of Education Jan. 4 at the District Administration Office. The veteran member was elected unanimously by fellow board members Bruce Mohs, Deb Lalley, Jerry Von Korff, Les Green, Ron Seibring and Joanne Dorsher. Joining Hedman-Dennis as officers are Mohs, vice-chair; Lalley, clerk; and Von Korff, treasurer. Officers hold their positions one year. Board members are paid $8,040 a year. The chair earns $9,240 a year. View a photo of the new board. 1.4.06 ALC PACE Students Sew Hats for TotsStudents from ALC West applied math and communication skills by sewing colorful, polar-fleece hats for the United State Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Students from the school's PACE program logged more than 230 hours making 403 hats. Three students returning from last year -- Mandy Lashinski, Sierra Trepanier, and Lisa Veenstra -- served as teaching assistants. Participants included: Andrew Craig, Carissa Holt, Nick Larson, Cassie Luitjens, Doug Meisenheimer, Arielle Roth, Amanda Stenger, Liz Terwey, Tammy Urwin and Kayla Walker. View a photo. 12.19.05 Wilson Kids String Decorations, Entertain VetsTeenagers from Area Learning Center Wilson's Senior High Program painted windows, arranged holiday decorations, played bingo and passed out treats Dec. 15 at Veteran's Administration Medical Center (VAMC) St. Cloud. The service project brings holiday cheer to VAMC eight times each year, according to Kathy Lyerly, the teacher who has led the service project for a dozen years. Read the full story. 12.15.05 Kennedy Wins All-District Knowledge Bowl MeetA Kennedy Elementary team of Ivy Kuhn, Elizabeth Tiffany, Emiliana Cofell, Grant Dullinger, Marti Reisinger and Ashtin Joos captured first place at the Dec. 15 All-District 742 Knowledge Bowl meet. The event gathered 27 teams of fifth- and sixth-graders at Discovery Elementary for an afternoon and evening of academic competition. Oral and written questions required fact recall, problem solving and critical-thinking skills. Teams from Clearview, Lincoln, Westwood and Oak Hill schools finished second through fifth, respectively. View the full story. 12.15.05 Energy Conservation Efforts Top 10 PercentDistrict 742 avoided nearly $93,000 in energy expenditures during the period April 2005 through September 2005, according to Margaret Bishop, Bishop Energy Engineering, Northwood, Iowa. That figure represents a 14 percent change from baseline expenditures on natural gas, heating oil, electricity and water established by the Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE™) program three years ago. The SEE™ energy cost avoidance target is 10 percent. Our conservation efforts are a collaboration with Bishop Energy Engineering and Hallberg Engineering, White Bear Lake. 12.12.05 Kennedy Finishes 1-2 at Final K-Bowl MeetKennedy teams swept the top two spots at the elementary Knowledge Bowl meet Dec. 8 at Kennedy Elementary, St. Joseph. A Westwood team captured third place. Fourteen teams from four elementary schools participated in the final north-side meet of the season. Read the full story. 12.8.05 742 Leads Human Rights Day PanelDistrict 742 led by example at the Dec. 8 Human Rights Day forum in Council Chambers, St. Cloud City Hall. Dan Anderson, Madison Elementary principal; Bruce Watkins, superintendent; Amy Siebenbruner, Apollo High student; Reiko Koyama, Tech High student; and Bruce Mohs, board member, served on a panel during the event, part of a world-wide celebration of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Anderson is the St. Cloud Human Rights Commission chair. The vice-chair is Lynn Hanson, a service learning coordinator at Apollo High School. Siebenbrunner is a commission member. The commission director is Baba Odukale. The event included a showing of the video This is My Home: Minnesota Students Share Their Stories. View a photo. 12.8.05 Creative Thinkers Congregate for FPS BowlMore than 500 students hammered out solutions to a freedom of speech problem Dec. 6 at the District 742 Future Problem Solving Bowl (FPS). FPS participants in grades five through eight have been working for weeks in their classrooms. The district bowl, which was in St. Cloud State University's Atwood Memorial Center ballroom, allowed students to see how peers apply analytical-, critical- and creative-thinking skills to problems, according to Marilyn Stanley. Stanley, a Discovery Elementary teacher, coordinates district and regional meets. Between 40 and 50 students will advance to regional competition from the junior (grades five and six) and middle (grades seven and eight) divisions. Stanley helped coach the Apollo High School FPS team that qualified for international competition in 2004. View the action: photo 1 | photo 2 12.6.05 Foley, Clearview Elementary to Receive Excellence AwardPrincipal Paula Foley and the staff and students of Clearview Elementary will be recognized for excellence at the Feb. 9 Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA) awards banquet. The Clear Lake P-6 school is one of five elementary schools named a 2005-06 Minnesota School of Excellence. The other schools are O.H. Anderson, Mahtomedi; Red Pine, Rosemount; Greenway, Greenway; and Ridgeview, Bloomington. The award recognizes schools that commit to system of self-study and school improvement. View a list of past winners of the award, which dates back to 1986. 12.6.05 Oak Hill Teams Finish First, Third in South Side K-Bowl MeetTeams from Oak Hill Elementary finished first and third in a south side Knowledge Bowl meet at Lincoln Elementary Dec. 6. A Clearview Elementary team finished second. The meet, which drew 14 teams, was the final event of the Knowledge Bowl season for our four south side elementary schools. Read the full story. 12.6.05 Westwood Teams Capture Two Top Spots in Home K-Bowl MeetA Kennedy Elementary team topped the competition at the the Dec. 1 Knowledge Bowl meet at Westwood Elementary. Teams from Westwood finished second and third. The meet featured 13 teams from Discovery, Kennedy, Madison and Westwood elementary schools. Knowledge Bowl meets are interdisciplinary academic contests for fifth- and sixth-graders. Questions test recall, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Teams compete in written and oral rounds. District 742 Academic Achievement coordinates Knowledge Bowl meets at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. View the full results. 12.1.05 Clearview Captures South Side K-Bowl MeetA Clearview team captured first place in the Nov. 22 Knowledge Bowl meet at Talahi. The meet featured 15 teams from elementary schools on the south side of District 742. Teams from Lincoln and Oak Hill finished second and third, respectively. Knowledge Bowl meets are interdisciplinary academic contests for fifth- and sixth-graders. Questions test recall, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Teams compete in written and oral rounds. District 742 Academic Achievement coordinates Knowledge Bowl meets at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. View the full story. 11.22.05 Apollo Debuts New Web SiteApollo High School unveiled a new web site Nov. 21. The site offers news, calendars, schedules, menus, guidance information and more. 11.21.05 LEAF Recognizes Community Leaders and BusinessesDistrict 742 Local Education Activities Foundation (LEAF) presented annual awards at its Nov. 19 Appreciation Reception for Donors and Volunteers:
Online Parent Info Tool to Debut at NorthNorth Junior High School will test an online information tool for parents. Developed by Region 1, a Moorhead-based computer services provider, SMARTWebXP can display contact information, lunch data, report card scores, absences, assignments, schedules and more. Testing could begin as soon as second semester. Information available will vary from building to building as SMARTWebXP is introduced at other District 742 schools. View a picture of the parent login screen. 11.16.05 Kennedy Principal Cited for Achievement in EducationDiane Moeller, principal of Kennedy Elementary, St. Joseph, was honored Nov. 16 for her leadership skills, community involvement and partnerships. The St. Cloud Optimist Club annually bestows its Achievement in Education award to those who have made outstanding contributions to youth education. Past awards have gone to businesses, administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, secretaries and volunteers. Kennedy received $100 in conjunction with the award. 11.16.05 Oak Hill Parent Leader Receives AIE AwardJune Spanier, chair of the Oak Hill Elementary playground project, received the Achievement in Education award Nov. 16 from the St. Cloud Optimist Club. Spanier, a parent and Parent Teacher Student Association member, led the fundraising for and construction of a new playground south of the school. 11.16.05 Lincoln Pulls Off Come From Behind K-Bowl WinA surging Lincoln team came from behind to win the Nov. 15 elementary Knowledge Bowl meet at Clearview. Going into the final round of competition Lincoln Team 3 members Jordan Barthel, Amber Clouthier, Erin Ferrell, Caitlin Lieser, Eli Dinndorf and Mohamed Bah were in ninth place. A dazzling final oral round put them ahead of 14 teams from District 742’s south side elementary schools. Read the full story. 11.16.05 Tech Singers Record National AnthemTech High School vocal music students recorded three versions of the Star Spangled Banner Nov. 15. The annual recording session at District 742 Media Services produces the recordings played at Tiger events and activities. Kevin Kiffmeyer directs the vocal music program at the south side St. Cloud school. View a photo from the recording session. Listen to the MP3 recordings: Girls' Chorus | Boys' Chorus | Full Choir. 11.15.05 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness WeekThis week we pause to remember the hungry and the homeless among us. District 742 serves more than 225 students experiencing homelessness each school year. Nov. 13 through Nov. 19 is National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. View an Adobe Acrobat slide show by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. View links to web sites with statistics. For more information contact our Families in Transition staff: Sara Nelson and Linda Koltes. 11.14.05 Thunder Goes 1-2 at State Soccer TournamentSt. Cloud Area Thunder lost 11-4 to the Dakota United Hawks Nov. 11 at Stillwater High School in the opening round of the State Adapted Soccer Tournament. The team, which includes girls and boys from Apollo, Tech, Sartell-St. Stephen and Sauk Rapids-Rice high schools, rebounded with a 6-3 win Nov. 12 over Wayzata/Minnetonka. Later that day the Thunder fell 9-7 to Minneapolis Roosevelt in the consolation final. Read more about Coach Mike Bakken and the team. 11.14.05 Kennedy, Westwood Win North Side K-Bowl MeetKennedy teams won first and second places in the Nov. 10 elementary Knowledge Bowl meet at Discovery. A Westwood team captured third place. Thirteen teams, and two teams of alternates, participated. Knowledge Bowl meets are interdisciplinary academic contests for fifth- and sixth-graders. Questions test recall, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Teams compete in written and oral rounds. District 742 Academic Achievement coordinates Knowledge Bowl meets at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. View the full story. 11.11.05 N*W*C Rocks Apollo High SchoolA nationally known performance group mixed laughs with tough talk about identity, race and culture during a workship at Apollo High School Nov. 11. View the full story about N*W*C, a trio of California actors who urged students to "Create the world you want to make, that you want to see." N*W*C performed its hilarious and thought-provoking sketch show Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 at St. John's University, Collegeville. View a photo. 11.11.05 Seibring, Lalley, Dorsher and Green Gain School Board SeatsRon Seibring joins the Board of Education along with top vote-getters Deb Lalley, Les Green and Joanne Dorsher, based on official results from the Nov. 8 general election. A review of City of St. Cloud voting machine tapes Nov. 9 determined the unofficial, preliminary, vote totals posted on area web sites were incorrect. The correct results, as confirmed by the City of St. Cloud, were canvassed at the Nov. 9 board meeting. Lalley, Green, Dorsher and Seibring begin three-year terms in January. View the official results. 11.9.05 Kennedy, Westwood Place in K-Bowl MeetA Kennedy team captured first in the Nov. 3 elementary Knowledge Bowl meet at Madison. Teams from Westwood captured second and third, respectively. Thirteen teams from District 742’s north side schools competed. Knowledge Bowl meets are interdisciplinary academic contests for fifth- and sixth-graders. Questions test recall, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Teams compete in written and oral rounds. View the full story. 11.4.05 Clearview Wins K-Bowl Season OpenerA Clearview Elementary team took first in the Nov. 1 elementary Knowledge Bowl meet at Oak Hill. Teams from Oak Hill and Lincoln captured second and third, respectively. Knowledge Bowl meets are interdisciplinary academic contests for fifth- and sixth-graders. Questions test recall, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Teams compete in written and oral rounds. View the full story. 11.2.05 Q Comp Era Begins in District 742An unprecedented collaboration between teachers, school officials and the State of Minnesota is expected to improve teaching skills, reward superior teaching and raise student achievement in District 742 in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years. The first $2.5 million of an anticipated $5 million in Quality Compensation for Teachers (Q Comp) funding was announced by Gov. Tim Pawlenty Oct. 28 at a press conference at Apollo High School. Read the full story. View the photos: the check | Dr. Bernice Berns and Pawlenty. 10.28.05 Educators Receive LEEA AwardDonna Romstad, Kathy Gerdts-Senger, Jennifer Euteneuer, Joyce Hummel, Ron Peters, Ellen Kearns, Joyce Cheeley, Bruce Hentges, Toni MacLeod, Steven Rundquist, Charlie Eisenreich, Bill Garceau, Julia Frericks, Brenda Sprenger, Karen Hommerding, Colin Wolf, Shelby Erickson, Jodie Kragness and LaVonne Gitter-Skow were among 156 educators honored Oct. 26 at the Leaders in Educational Excellence Banquet and Awards Ceremony (LEEA) at St. Cloud Civic Center. LEEA is sponsored by Resource Training & Solutions, a St. Cloud-based professional development and training provider. View a photo. 10.27.05 Winter is Comin' -- Dress Like an Onion With District 742 thermostats set to 68°F, students and staff should wear layers of clothing, like skins on an onion. A 68°F thermostat setting can produce room temperature variations, especially near windows. Be prepared by dressing in layers. 10.26.05 Microsoft Settlement to Yield $654,500 District 742's $654,500 portion of the Minnesota Microsoft settlement vouchers can be redeemed for cash after the purchase of qualifying computer hardware and software. Qualifying items can be purchased between Jan. 27, 2006, and Jan. 27, 2012. 10.24.05 Apollo Health Career Students Visit Research LabDid you know that the U of M is one of the leading institutes for cardiac research in the U.S.? Did you also know that Earl Bakken from Fridley, MN, in collaboration with U of M cardiac surgeon, C. Walt Lillehei, developed the first battery powered pacemaker and first used it on a patient at the university hospital? Earl Bakken later went . . . View the full story. 10.12.05 Clara's House Marks First Anniversary Oct. 18Clara's House, a chemical dependency and mental health facility for children and adolescents, is marking its first anniversary with an open house 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 18. Joining in the celebration are District 742 staffers who teach at CentraCare's west St. Cloud facility: Ethelyn Gadway, Peg Beck and Harvey Maki. Maki's program has received two CentraCare awards for customer satisfaction in the last year. Clara's House, located at 1564 Stearns County Road 134, will offer tours, give away gift certificates and distribute a free informational DVD. 10.10.05 Board Authorizes Land Purchase for St. Joseph SchoolThe Board of Education has authorized administration to pursue the purchase of land south of St. Joseph with an eye toward building a school. Dec. 15 is the closing date for the purchase of 75 acres for $1.47 million. In the interval, administration will work with the seller and the City of St. Joseph to finalize details surrounding appraisal, annexation, zoning and other issues. While state regulations do not require 75 acres for a K-6 or K-8 school, a larger parcel will provide a buffer between school district property and residences, as well as provide for expansion in the future, according to Superintendent Bruce Watkins and Kevin Januszewski, executive business director. 10.13.05 Clearview Receives Honor for ExcellenceClearview Elementary, Clear Lake, has been named one of five Schools of Excellence (SOE) by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association (MESPA). SOE honors schools that demonstrate the desire to improve the quality of education by completing a recognized school improvement process of self-study, program planning and implementation. Clearview will enjoy Schools of Excellence status for seven years. Clearview's principal is Paul Foley. View a list of Minnesota Schools of Excellence, dating back to 1986. 10.6.05 K-12 Enrollment FiguresAs of Sept. 16, District 742’s K-12 enrollment was 9,495. That represents a drop of 193 students compared to the same period in 2004 and a difference of 1,433 fewer students from 1999’s 10,928 student total. View more enrollment figures. 9.17.05 Eight Candidates Seek Four Seats Nov. 8Debra Lalley, Joanne Dorsher, Les Green, Jerry Koshiol, Ron Seibring, Duane Schumacher, Jennifer Shorter and Mike Conway will face off during the Nov. 8 general election. They are competing for four, three-year Board of Education seats. View vote totals from our Sept. 13 primary election. 9.14.05 Apollo's Fill the Bus Campaign Ends Sept. 14Apollo High School's Fill the Bus! campaign for Hurricane Katrina relief ends today. Students and staff expect to collect a bus load of personal care items and fall clothing, including jackets, sweatshirts, pants, slightly used shoes, soap, combs, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Donations can be dropped off at the school's front entrance. Fill the Bus! is sponsored by TARGET, Apollo Student Union, LINK CREW and SADD, in cooperation with administration. 9.9.05 District Shows Improvement on MCA TestDistrict 742's scores on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments remained constant or showed gains in the percent of students that reached the proficiency level on all tests at all grade levels. Three district locations improved from not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2004 to making AYP in 2005. Read the full story. Visit the Minnesota Department of Education to view School Report Cards. 8.29.05 Facilities Report Outlines Future ScenariosSuperintendent Bruce Watkins and David Leapaldt, GLT architect, presented the Facilities Report at the Community Linkage meeting held Aug. 25. This flexible facilities plan will help guide the district in both short term and long term planning. View the Facilities Report. 8.26.05 New Leadership for Restorative Justice InitiativeKarl Anderson is the new head of the Restorative Justice portion of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative. Anderson succeeded Don Belmont July 20. Restorative Justice repairs relationships damaged by disruptive behavior. Restorative Justice is used in various forms throughout District 742. Read the press release. 7.17.05 District Conducts Open Enrollment SurveyAt the end of each school year, Minnesota school districts report the number of students open enrolled both in and out of their districts. District 742 open enrolled 247 (Average Daily Membership of students) into District 742 and 758.80 (Average Daily Membership of students) into other school districts during the 2003-04 school year. Data for 2004-05 will be available in late summer. A District 742 pilot survey was recently sent to 535 families who currently reside in District 742 and open enroll their children into other districts. Twenty-five percent (134) of the surveys were returned. Results indicate that smaller schools and/or classes (28 percent of respondents) and closer proximity to schools (14 percent of respondents) are top concerns of families who responded to the survey. This survey will be refined based on the pilot, and sent to open enrolled families during the 2005-06 school year. A parallel survey will be sent at the same time to families who open enroll students into District 742. 7.1.05 |
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