Rochester School Board's blog

Announcements and Communications
Carefest Update
Art Pavlish, Coordinator of Facilities and Grounds, and Rev. Larry Orth, Carefest organizer, presented information about work done during the recent Carefest held on June 10. More than 800 volunteers contributed their time to help with many maintenance projects in school buildings.

High Student Achievement
2005-06 Improvement Plan – Area Learning Centers (ALC): Information
Judy Bell, Coordinator of Alternative Education, and ALC teachers Beth Rojas, Jani Mahle, and John Walbruch presented the ALC improvement plan.

2005-06 Community Curriculum and Instruction Advisory Council Recommendations – K-12 Media Services: Information

Announcements and Communications

Rochester Area Foundation and Rochester Public School Foundation Collaboration
Debra Seelinger, Rochester Public School Foundation President, and Steve Thornton, Rochester Area Foundation Executive Director, spoke on the collaboration between the two organizations. They also recognized Norm and Char Hepper who have made a permanent endowment to benefit 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Riverside Central Elementary.

2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
John Adams Principal Richard Jones presented John Adams science teacher Deb Las, who was one of only 100 teachers in the nation to win this award. She also was the only Minnesota teacher to win.

Announcements and Communications
BST MCA Grade 10 Writing Test
Paul Gustafson, Coordinator of Research & Assessment, presented information about 10th grade scores.

Graduation 2006
Sandra Soltis, Interim Director of Elementary & Secondary Education, presented information about this year’s graduation ceremonies.

2005 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics & Science
The Board recognized John Adams teacher Deb Las for receiving this award. She is one of 100 teachers in the nation and the only MN teacher to receive the award.

High Student Achievement
2005-06 Improvement Plan – Gage Elementary: Information

Announcements and Communications

John Adams Survivor Program
JA staff members Jim Sonju, Mickey Curtis, and Amy Carstensen and JA parent Melissa Pelfrey presented information about the JA Survivor program that is helping students to attend school regularly and to improve their grades.

Upcoming School Board Meeting Information

School Board Special Meeting – April 25, 2006 – 4:00 p.m.
School Board Study Session – April 25, 2006 – 4:15 p.m.
School Board Closed Session – April 26, 2006 – 7:00 a.m.
May, June, and July School Board Meetings will be held at Educational Services Center, 334 16th Street SE

Announcements and Communications
Southeastern Minnesota Senior High School Principal of the Year
The School Board recognized Century Principal Dr. Chuck Briscoe for his selection as Southeaster MN High School Principal of the Year.

High Student Achievement
2005-06 Improvement Plan – Kellogg Middle School: Information
Principal Dwight Jennings and teachers Carol Hubbard and Colette Osterberg presented the Kellogg Improvement Plan.

Smaller Learning Communities (SLC): Information
Pamela Haack, SLC Project Director, and building-level SLC facilitators Jeff Apse, Jean Marvin, and Steve Willman reported on progress of the Smaller Learning Communities grant.

Announcements and Communications
Impact of AP Exams
Randy Nelson, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented a facsimile check representing potential tuition savings of about $196,141 for students who take AP exams.

National Merit Finalists and National Achievement Finalists
The School Board recognized 19 National Merit finalists and 2 National Achievement finalists from our three high schools.

Study Session – March 28, 2006
There will be a study session to discuss budget issues at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, in Room 137 at the Edison Building,

Listening Posts Report

March 20th Listening Posts Schedule:

7 - 8 a.m. Hy-Vee North
Mechelle Severson
Kim Norton
Fred Daly

7 - 8 a.m. Hy-Vee Barlow Plaza
Cris Fischer
Ann Lynch
Breanna Bly

12 - 1 p.m. Rochester Public Library
Jim Pittenger
Breanna Bly
Cris Fischer

7 - 8 p.m. Northrop Education Center
Mechelle Severson
Jim Pittenger
Fred Daly