by Jim Boyle
Editor
Students and staff at Parker Elementary School continue to bask in the glory of the U.S. Department of Education announcement last week that it was awarded a prestigious Blue Ribbon.
The national honor is given to the highest performing schools for their efforts in closing the achievement gap. The annual award is based on state test scores and research-based indicators of school quality.
The requirements for being considered are lengthy.

“It is an honor for Parker Elementary to be recognized as a National Blue Ribbon school,” Parker Elementary School Principal Scott Lempka said. “Our staff and students have worked extremely hard and are very deserving.”
The U.S. Department of Education honors a select number of high-performing schools with the Blue Ribbon Schools Award. Parker is one of 329 schools nationwide who will receive this honor this year.
Eight schools in the state were nominated and five got the award. Seven Minnesota schools received recognition last year for their work.
The other Minnesota schools who made the cut this year are Friendship Academy of Fine Arts, Birchview Elementary School in the Wayzata Public School District, DaVinci Academy of Arts and Science, and St. Anthony Village Senior High in the St. Anthony-New Brighton School District.
“We’re so proud of the Minnesota schools receiving recognition on a national stage,” Brenda Cassellius, Minnesota Department of Education commissioner, said in a statement. “Minnesotans across our state should celebrate the incredible work going on in our schools by our students and teachers.”
Lempka said a group of seven teachers will represent the Parker staff at the award ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 7-8, when more than 270 public and 50 private schools will be recognized at the two-day event.
In explaining why Lempka thinks Parker won, he said the teachers have set high learning targets for their students and, with the support of their families, the students have risen to the challenge.
“Staff at Parker have invested themselves in creating a positive environment where collaboration thrives,” he said. “Teachers meet often in collaborative teams (called Professional Learning Communities or PLCs) to look at student data and plan instruction that addresses specific student needs.”
At those meetings, interventions are created and plans are made for enrichment opportunities.
“It is very much a team effort,” Lempka said.
Bruce Watkins, the interim superintendent of District 728 schools, said the administration is pleased that one of the district’s schools has achieved this national recognition.
“This award symbolizes the excellence in education that every school across the country strives for,” Watkins said. “Our students and staff deserve this recognition because of their hard work and diligence. Our community deserves this award because of their support for our students and the emphasis they place on quality education.”
Lempka noted that he often hears people use the words “family” and “community” when describing Parker.
“I can’t say enough about the importance of having a positive team that puts students first. … Positive staff and student culture has been a foundation for the work necessary to have academic success,” Lempka said. “Success doesn’t happen overnight. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award validates many years of hard work on the part of our staff and students.”

Eligibility requirements for Blue Ribbon award at a glance:
Eligibility for Public Schools: The Department invites Chief State School Officers (CSSOs) for all states and the District of Columbia, the territories, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and the Department of Defense Education Activity to nominate schools for recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools. In submitting nominated schools, the CSSO of each state and these entities must certify that the nominated schools meet the minimum requirements established by the Department for nomination. As described below, states and nominating entities must rely on their accountability and assessment systems to identify schools for submission to the Secretary. Each state’s nomination criteria must pertain equally to all schools nominated by the state.
Performance Award Criteria for Public Schools: Public schools nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Schools award must meet one of two eligibility criteria:
1.Exemplary High Performing Schools: “High performing” is defined by the CSSO of each state, but at a minimum means:
a.The school must be in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state when schools are ranked on
i.the performance of all students who participated in the most recently administered state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics, or
ii.a composite index that includes these assessment results and may also include assessment results in other subject areas and/or other student performance measures, such as attendance or graduation rates.
b.For each of the school’s subgroups, the school must be in the top 40 percent of all schools in the state when schools are ranked on
i. the performance of all students in the subgroup who participated in the most recently administered state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics, or
ii. a composite index that includes these assessment results and may also include assessment results in other subject areas and/or other student performance measures, such as attendance or graduation rates for high schools.
2. Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: “Achievement gap closing” is defined by the CSSO of each state, but at a minimum means:
a.For each of the school’s subgroups, the school must be in the top 15 percent of all schools in the state when schools are ranked on the school’s progress in closing the gap between the performance of the school’s subgroup and the state’s all-students group over the past five years, comparing the most recent year to the earliest of the five years, on
i.the state assessments in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics, or
ii.a composite index that includes these assessment results and may also include assessment results in other subject areas and/or other student performance measures, such as attendance or graduation rates.
…

One-third of the public schools nominated by each state must have enrollments that include at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, all nominated public schools must meet their state’s accountability requirements for the all students group and all subgroups, including having participation rates of at least 95 percent and meeting performance targets in reading (or English language arts) and mathematics and other academic indicators (i.e., attendance rate and graduation rate), using the most recent accountability results available for the year prior to nomination (2014-2015). Finally, all nominated public schools must also meet their state’s accountability requirements based on the most recent accountability results available for the year in which they are nominated (2015-2016).
For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Education website.

The Rogers Royals’ wildcat mascot could be changing in the coming years.

Interim superintendent Bruce Watkins made note during the school board meeting on Monday, Oct. 10, that the logo may have already been copyrighted elsewhere.

“We’re now working out of the central office on responding to a notice from a college licensing agency in regards to the Rogers logo, or the Wildcat mascot image,” Watkins said. “The contact that we’ve had infers that this image was trademarked, or copyrighted, years ago by Penn State.”

Watkins continued on to say that he is disappointed to learn that a number of logos across the nation are being investigated because they might have been copyrighted elsewhere. Also, that the central office is currently getting legal advice on how to proceed in their efforts to try and retain use of the image.

Rogers activities director Daniel Ohlgren is not yet sure how this whole process is going to play out, but he is sure they will have plans to move forward whether the outcome is good or bad.

by Aaron Brom
ECM Publishers
There are fewer of them than there are U.S. Senators. There are fewer of them than there are past U.S. Presidents.

In fact there are only 77 living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, so when two of them came to Rogers Middle School Thursday, Oct. 6, for its annual Respect Rally, the whole school was abuzz with excitement.
Staff Sgt. Ty Carter and Sgt. Sammy Davis were treated like they were celebrities, and by all accounts, the uniqueness of their heroic actions have made them celebrities.
Davis served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded his medal by former President Lyndon Johnson. Davis is nicknamed “The real Forrest Gump,” after footage of his Medal of Honor award ceremony was used in the film Forrest Gump, with actor Tom Hanks’ head superimposed over that of Davis. He left active duty in 1984 due to his injuries.

Carter, an Army and Marine veteran, was awarded the U.S.’s highest military honor for his actions at the 2009 Battle of Kamdesh in Afghanistan. President Obama presented the medal to Carter in 2013. He left active duty in September 2014.
Carter and Davis are so especially unique that they didn’t just arrive at the school, they were escorted by a motorcade and then entered the school flanked by tunnel of students who applauded their every step.

The veterans then presented moving speeches to the students about their service and heroic actions. Carter told the students that they, too, can be heroes someday. He stressed not to forget that brave men and women in the military are still actively engaged in war today.
Davis shared a story about how he was hesitant to write to his mother about the war, so he instead wrote about mundane details such as the bugs he discovered. Thinking he was bored, his mother shipped him a harmonica to Vietnam, which he would learn to play — especially the song “Oh, Shenandoah,” which had such meaning to him that he played it at the White House in memory of the men he served with in Vietnam.
In a moving moment, Davis played “Oh, Shenandoah” for the students.

Each year Rogers Middle School hosts the rally to get students excited about respect, proper behavior and pride in the school and community.
Davis and Carter’s message centered on the Medal of Honor core values — courage, commitment, citizenship, sacrifice, integrity and patriotism.
Davis and Carter also took questions from the students, even sharing some details about their combat.
“Remember, whatever you face in life, you don’t lose until you quit trying,” Davis concluded.

To assist students in preparing and applying for financial aid, Spectrum High School will host a Minnesota College Goal workshop event on Nov. 10 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
As part of this initiative, Spectrum High School will provide free professional assistance with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Minnesota College Goal is a statewide volunteer program that provides free assistance to students and families applying for financial aid for postsecondary education. This event is open to the public.
For more information about this event, contact KellyAnn Lockrem at klockrem@spectrumhighschool.org or 763-450-9807.

Graduations:
Rochester Community and Technical College
Zimmerman
Alyssa Maschler, A.A.S., horticulture technology

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Rogers
Eric Besse, B.S., exercise and sport science major: sport management

Elk River area schools are marking Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11, with patriotic ceremonies.

Twin Lakes Elementary
Twin Lakes Elementary, 10051 191st Ave., Elk River will honor veterans and those currently serving the country with a program.
At 8:30 a.m. there will be a reception in the cafeteria, followed by a flag-raising ceremony at 9:30 a.m. An assembly in the gym at 9:45 a.m. will include introductions of veterans and active service members in attendance, students sharing their Veterans Day essays and patriotic songs sung by the students.

Lincoln Elementary
Lincoln Elementary School, 600 School St., Elk River, will mark Veterans Day with coffee in the media center from 8:30-9:15 a.m., a flag-raising ceremony at 9:25 a.m. and a program in the school gym beginning at 9:45 a.m.

Parker Elementary
Parker Elementary School, 500 School St., Elk River, will continue its tradition of honoring veterans on Veterans Day. Students are able to invite relatives and friends who have served in the armed forces. A guest reception begins at 8:30 a.m. in the school cafeteria. A flag ceremony and program will follow at the main entrance of Parker beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Meadowvale Elementary
Meadowvale Elementary School, 12701 Elk Lake Road, Elk River, will have a Veterans Day program beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium/cafeteria. The Sherburne County Color Guard will post the colors, students will sing patriotic songs, veterans and their students will parade through the school and refreshments will be served in the cafeteria.

by Eric Oslund
Reporter

The Elk River Area School Board has approved a new energy policy, but it’s only part of a puzzle swirling around in Greg Hein’s head.

The executive director of business services for the Elk River Area School District has always had a passion for energy conservation, and set his mind to making changes upon his arrival 3 1/2 years ago. The policy includes a variety of changes that went into effect across the district upon its Oct. 10 approval. Hein views the document as just the cornerstone of a much broader plan.

The school district has an annual energy bill of about $2.8 million and Hein is hopeful that they can get that number down by 20 percent. That would create savings of over half a million dollars and the plan would then be to reinvest that into the classrooms and education for the kids.

The new policy is what is going to lead the way for this reduced energy cost, Hein said, because it focuses on the responsibilities of everyone when it comes to energy.

“We tried to make it more clear who’s responsible for what and what roles individuals play and different positions play in the management of energy,” Hein said. “It’s kind of a cornerstone of a much broader energy strategy that we’re taking, that we’re hitting on multiple fronts.”

The hope is to get kids, parents and teachers personally invested in saving energy, to help show them where energy might be wasted from personal habits and things they can do differently to help out – things as simple as turning off lights and equipment.

There is also an operational side to this new policy where they are working with the building operators to fine-tune the systems and schedules that are already in place. That way they can utilize the lighting systems they have, as well as the heating and cooling systems.

But not all systems that are in place are running at 100 percent. There are also some that could be replaced to help the district in the long run. So there was a mechanical study put in place to help out with identifying the different problems.

“We also have had the district energy study completed that identifies areas that we could make mechanical improvements, or capital investments that will repair systems that may not be functioning at 100 percent,” Hein said. “Get them tuned up, basically, make sure they’re functioning properly. All of that new construction that we’ve got going on, as required by law, you have to commission those facilities and test all of the systems to make sure they’re functioning as designed. But we’re also recommissioning all the existing buildings we’re adding on to, so that the whole systems are all properly operating and operating as most efficient and effectively as they can.”

Now, the 20 percent savings goal is not something they are going to reach overnight; rather it’s a process. Hein is hopeful that all the initiatives will be completed by the 2018-19 school year and he’s hoping to see continued improvement up to that point.

There has already been a gradual improvement since they started keeping track, and that is an encouraging sign, he said.

“We used a baseline of calendar 2015, and through 2016 — through August, which is the last month we have a complete set of utility bills — we have achieved a level of about 5 percent,” he explained.

“It’s gradual because there’s a lot of work and a lot of different things that have to happen to move the ball forward on a lot of these initiatives. But it’s well underway, it’s working and we hope it’ll continue to progress from our current level of 5 percent up to the total goal of 20 over the next year and a half.”

Things are not going to stop the moment they reach that 20 percent mark, though. The school district is going to continue to look for ways to help improve, and new ways will keep becoming possible as technology continues to advance. One example Hein gave was lighting. Everything used to be incandescent bulbs, but now it’s all switching to LED bulbs, which are more efficient.

“That’s relatively new technology,” he said. “So things like that continue to evolve and we’re constantly monitoring what’s going on in the energy market to try and take advantage of those.”

With nearly 80 percent of precincts reporting in the Elk River Area School District after polls had closed on Election Day evening, incumbent candidate Holly Thompson held a commanding lead over all challengers in the race for three seats on the School Board.

Her total of 10,845 votes at that point in the night put her about 2,700 votes ahead of challenger Christi Tullbane, of Rogers. Tullbane entered the race with experience on the district’s Community Education board of directors and also the Legislative Action Team which represents the district in contacts with the area’s state legislators at work in St. Paul.

Thompson was the only incumbent running for election, as her board colleagues Sue Farber and Dan Hunt chose not to file for re-election to the seats where their terms are expiring in December.

Thompson served as chairperson for the board through part of 2016, but she stepped down from that role sometime after last spring’s election filing period (with Shane Steinbrecher moving up as board chair) and Thompson has cited personal reasons for missing some board meetings through the summer and fall.

She declined to respond to questions from the Star News for inclusion in a voters’ guide before Election Day, and Thompson was also unavailable for comment Tuesday night in regard to her lead in the race. Tullbane, too, could not be reached Tuesday to comment on what seemed to be certain election to one of the open seats.

Leading the remaining four challengers for the third available seat was Joel Nelson, executive pastor at Gateway Church in Elk River. While within 200 votes of Tullbane’s second-place total with about 80 percent of precincts reporting, Nelson was ahead of the fourth-place challenger Kristian Mortenson by nearly 500 votes.

“(The results are) kind of overwhelming for me,” Nelson told the Star News by phone on Tuesday night. He noted that he did not pay to print one sign nor did he spend any other money on the campaign. “There’s a lot more people who have voted for me than I know in Elk River or the school district.”

A native of northern Minnesota, Nelson says he is known for conservative beliefs and that he has lived in this district for more than 20 years. His wife, JoDee, is a graduate of Elk River High School.

Nelson pledged in the Star News voters’ guide to be a fiscally responsible board member while advocating for students’ best interests.

“I want to make sure our kids get a great education. That’s a number-one priority as a school board member,” Nelson said Tuesday night. “But I want to seek creative ways for reaching solutions without always throwing extra money at it.”

by Paul Rignell

Contributing Writer

Polls closed on election night to show that incumbent School Board candidate Holly Thompson placed well ahead of all other challengers for three available board seats.

Her total of 13,708 votes put her about 3,500 votes ahead of challenger Christi Tullbane, of Rogers. Joel Nelson, of Elk River, took the third seat in a field of six candidates.

Tullbane entered the race with experience on the district’s Community Education board of directors and also the Legislative Action Team which represents the district in contacts with the area’s state legislators at work in St. Paul.

Thompson was the only incumbent running for election, as her current board colleagues Sue Farber and Dan Hunt chose not to file for re-election to the seats where their terms are expiring in December.

Thompson served as chairperson for the board through part of 2016, but she stepped down from that role sometime after last spring’s election filing period (with Shane Steinbrecher moving up as board chair) and Thompson has cited personal reasons for missing some board meetings through the summer and fall.

She declined to respond to questions from the Star News for inclusion in a voters’ guide before Election Day, and Thompson was also unavailable for comment after election results were final.

Tullbane was the only other candidate in Tuesday’s race to receive more than 10,000 votes from the district residents in Rogers, Otsego, Elk River and Zimmerman.

“I am grateful for all of the support I’ve received and appreciate the voters’ confidence in me,” Tullbane told the Star News. “I am excited to get started in January. … I look forward to working with the other board members and all parties within the district to continue to provide leading educational opportunities for our students.”

Even before being sworn in to office, the district’s incoming board members will be involved in the search for hiring a new superintendent of schools. The district’s former superintendent Mark Bezek left Elk River at the end of last July to accept the school superintendent’s position in Somerset, Wisconsin.

“We have a number of key decisions to make this year,” Tullbane said, “and I look forward to the open dialogue to ensure we are making the best decisions possible.”

Trailing the vote total of 10,203 for Tullbane, candidate Joel Nelson received 9,902 votes to lead all remaining challengers and win the third seat.

“(The results are) kind of overwhelming for me,” said Nelson, who is known by many from the community in his role as executive pastor at Gateway Church in Elk River. He noted that he did not pay to print one sign nor did he spend any other money on the campaign. “There’s a lot more people who have voted for me than I know in Elk River or the school district.”

A native of northern Minnesota, Nelson says he is known for conservative beliefs and that he has lived in this district for more than 20 years. His wife, JoDee, is a graduate of Elk River High School.

Nelson pledged in the Star News voters’ guide to be a fiscally responsible board member while advocating for students’ best interests.

“I want to make sure our kids get a great education. That’s a number-one priority as a school board member,” Nelson said on election night. “But I want to seek creative ways for reaching solutions without always throwing extra money at it.”

The remaining candidates in the race included Kristian Mortenson, John Parker and Gary Kowalkowski, all of Elk River. Mortenson received 9,487 votes in the polling, ahead of 9,426 for Parker and 8,589 for Kowalkowski.

Among those three, only Parker had submitted responses for the voters’ guide. He described himself as a “regular guy” with no formal higher education but he is an Air Force veteran who repaired aircraft during his service before enjoying a career in auto repair and the printing industry.

Parker’s family with young children lives in the Twin Lakes Elementary School zone, and the student population there has grown more rapidly than in some other district buildings. Parker says he was spurred to file for candidacy after hearing of options to redraw the school attendance boundary lines in order to redistribute some of the district’s students.

He had no district committee experience before filing for election, but he says that he is eager to pursue other opportunities for aiding the schools.

“I still have an interest in doing something, but I’m not quite sure what yet,” Parker said. “I congratulate those who won (this week). They have a lot of work cut out for them. We’re continuing to have a good board.”

Even with another wave of beautiful fall weather  on Nov. 5, the annual Elk Pride Craft Bazaar was a big success.

“A steady stream of shoppers made for a great day for our 90-plus vendors,” event organizers Barb Ramsdell and Julie Peterson stated in a press release.

ProStart students sold over 950 cookies, with proceeds going towards their ProStart activities and competitions.

One group of students sold their items for the Elk Buddies Program. Crafts for a Cause is organized and run buy the Elk River DECA students to help fundraise money for the club’s Elk Buddies program by selling crafts at the Elk River Craft Bazaar.

DECA Students made candle mason jars, plants in mason jars, wooden pallet signs, tic tac toe bags, and they also sold cards that the special education students made.

The ten students who have organized the crafts for kids include Kaytlin Krivich, Danielle Lachmiller. Maria Brown, Casey Schlitz, Shae Mclean, Halle Doro. Caden Gatlin, Nate Faust, Zach HoVda, and Joey Halverson.

Elk  Buddies is an organization where regular education students and special education students meet after school to hangout, make crafts, and to play games.  The goal is to build new friendships and create special bonds with the special education students that will last a lifetime.

“As much as we would like to say we are changing the lives of special education students, it would be an understatement to say that they have not impacted our lives as well,” one student stated in a press release

The special needs students challenge typical  students to think differently and accept adversity, the release said.

The financial goal of the unifying effort is to be able to raise enough money to buy new art supplies to make better crafts and take students on a field trip.

Being that special education busses are more expensive, the hope behind the fundraising will be to lift the financial burden off of the parents.

A HONOR ROLL

Grade 6

Morgan Alders, Cody Amiot, Cody Anderson, Julina Anderson, Grace Bauer, Grace Beck, Isaac Bengtson, Katelyn Coons, Megan Davey, Domanic Dick, Isabella Dols, Alaina Dorval, Jaxon Fagerberg, Reece Fish, Zoe Freeby, Jackson Gillen, Daniel Greenberg, Jonathan Greig, Emily Hattling, Gibson Irwin, Finley Jackson, Vanessa Jasso-Hernandez, Ruth Johnson, Gabrielle Kappes, Grace Knapp, Evan Kopp, Katarina Kotek, Ethan Kotrba, Elizabeth Larson, Jake Larson, Alexis Lemcke, Skylar MacLennan, Grady Magruder, Isabella Marts, Samuel Matthews, Noah Miller, Nolan Miller, Caroline Miltich, Samantha Neiss, Molly Novotny, Preston Pinz, MacKenzie Scholer, Warren Schwieger, Zakya Siegler, Emma Staupe, Maya Vojta, Adeline Wells, Hagan Westermeyer, William White, Brionna Wuollet, Teia Wuollet

Grade 7

Elianna Aberra, Emma Bengtson, Madison Bentley, Brianna Bergren, Kristen Borchert, Keira Christoffer, Kaylee Drew, Timothy Duthler, Carli Elrod, Madelyn Fern, Gavin Gould, Kyle Haben, Noelle Hensel, Phoebe Holmes, Matthew Johnson, Katelyn Kolyer, Brooke Larsen, Gabriella McDonald, Emma Medina, Grace Negus, Elizabeth Norberg, Ella Opay, Gabrielle Orth, Brendan Perkins, Holly Ponto, Ethan Raivala, Gabrielle Rinowski, Jordyn Risse, McKenna Ritter, Alexander Russell, Sophia Schomaker, Sophia Shamp, Titus Skistad, Brooke Swaja, Audrey Tice, Gavin Tuckey, Aaron Van Wyhe, Gracie Vinlove, Jessica White, Harvey Widder, Emily Wilder, Alexa Zuniga

Grade 8

Lisa Algaard, Gavin Anderson, Brady Beltrand, Anastasia Benassi, Benjamin Bergley, Dominic Bitzan, Shelby Bray, Sidney Brenteson, Bailey Brown, Erica Brueckner, Ella Burfeind, Leah Burney, Kalie Clark, Thomas DeBoer, Jacob DeMond, Emily Dopp, Ginger Downey, Cassandra Duthler, Adrienne Foell, Phoebe Glenn, Katelyn Gramstad, Xavier Groth, Anita Hanchar, Abram Harvey, Ellaine Henry, Andrew Hipsag, Alia Hitchcock, Brady Jakubiec, Rachel Johnson, Zachary Knapp, Klara Kondrak, Peter Larson, Madeleine Loewenstein, Isabelle Martin, Kayla Niedzielski, Morgan Novotny, Katherine Olson, Jonah Palm, Lauren Peckham, Reinier Radtke, Kieran Riley, Judah Rogers, Logan Schumacher, Brenna Seagren, Olivia Selley, Adam Trampel, Jasmine Ward, Addison Westermeyer, Callie Wuollet, Aaron Ziebarth

Grade 9

McKenzie Alders, Madeline Anderson, Sierra Anderson, Martha Bergley, Elizabeth Berry, Kaylee Betzler, Kelly Blancett, Zachary Bowers, Ryan Brown, Christopher Buck, Tristan Christiaansen, Rebecca Davis, Andrew DeBoer, Megan Denker, Isabella Dorval, Isaiah Drew, Natalie Duerr, Julia Fahrner, Emily Fearing, Collin Gassler, Jonathan Gertz, Nolan Gillen, Rachel Greeler, Gavin Haag, Lynnda Haben, Abigail Hansen, Carter Hansen, Andrew Hattling, Margaret Heino, Mallory Henry, Bethanie Hinkley, Kaylee Johnson, William Koch, Audrey Kotek, Maxwell Lawrence, Veronica Lee, Katherine Lemcke, Hailey May, Ernest Miller, Noah Ritter, Kirstin Robbins, Rachel Roberts, Caleb Rogers, Nicole Sagstetter, Noah Schaber, Shayla Schaible, Noah Schlueter, Carter Smith, Grayden Snyder, Usa Stiller, Cameron Sundstrom, Jacob Swaja, Zachary Szakatits, Tate Thein, Abigail Thompson, Alexis Wallace, Lauren White, Camille Wilder

Grade 10

Carter Allard, Annamarie Andreasen, Ethan Aune, Matthew Behrens, Branden Bergren, Sophie Brenna, Kayla Brown, Parker Brown, Elizabeth Chaffin, Samuel Cooper, Toben DeHaan, Adam Devine, Aidan Eck, Donovan Eidem, Brea Fahrner, Zachary Foell, Emma Galligher, Adam Giddings, Tara Gleason, Marlene Henry, Hailey Johnson, Kyla Johnson, Noura Kassem, Anthony Kath, Gretchen Larson, Glen Lee, Fisher Marberg, Victoria McCoy, Alicia Moening, Huy Nguyen, Maria Novotny, Camden Sharp, Alexander Staricka, Josie Sumner, Evelynn Szakatits, Devin Trampel, Gabriel Uecker, Miranda Wenndt

Grade 11

Addisen Betzler, Erin Bozich, Emily Brueckner, Jefferey Buck, Bailey Christoffer, Elizabeth Davis, Olivia Foell, Max Gleason, Caitlin Hackbarth, Elizabeth Hackbarth, Noah Hansen, Benjamin Harvey, Jena Jakubiec, Hannah Johnson, Rebecca Lambert, Payton Loewenstein, Catherine Mahanna, Anna McGlone, Makayla Morrell, Alexis Reese, Elizabeth Rogers, Morgan Schelske, Madyson Waknitz, Haily Wallace, Samuel White

Grade 12

Kayla Averbeck, Hayley Balmanno, Travis Bondy, Kendra Christiansen, Zachary Clark, Alison Cornelius, Elijah Ehr, Peyton Foster, Dylan Gregersen, Sidney Henry, Clay Jackson, Davey Jackson, Alisa Johnson, Annika Koch, Benjamin Kopp, Nicole Larson, Eastan Lieberg, Kira Lorensen, Victoria Luna, Kelly Mitchell, Holly Mohlencamp, Clarissa Olson, Micah Pachl, Olivia Rice, Aidan Riley, D’Lorah Roberts, Jordan Schlueter, Hannah Skistad, Abigail Sorensen, Kelton Sundstrom, Joel Zimmerman

B HONOR ROLL

Grade 6

Ethan Ariza, Darioh Balisidya, Sage Behnken, Grace Beltrand, Tyler Bergsten, Breanna Bernardson, Nicholas Bobb, Tyler Bottema, Cullen Brown, Tyler Bye, Emma Clark, Riley Cunningham, Conner Englund, Liliana Fearing, James Freeby, Drew Garrison, Kade Gassler, Gabriel Groth, Jackson Harris, Ethan Hogan, Alexander Hubbard, Elle Johnson, Jack Kisch, Shaelyn Knox Werk, Asher Koch, Raymond Koch, Rohry LaCasse, Grace Landberg, Anthony Liubimov, Sydney Mackenthun, Lillian Marberg, Micah Matthews, Olivia Miller, Peyton Mitzel, Andrew Montik, Robert Morse, Austin Nordgren, Avery O’Leary, Delaney Olson, Sharon Pan, Shirley Pan, Dawson Pixley, Noah Raivala, Aric Randolph, Joseph Rathman, Blaine Robbins, Harley Ross, Arona Shaw, Jairus Sorensen, Sophia Steinle, Grace Talbot, Carter Thein, Wyatt Thompson, Caiden Tuckey, Tyler Wessel, Evan Whiting

Grade 7

Blake Becker, Noah Benassi, Emma Borgerding, Evan Brenna, Michael Brown, Avae Burfeind, Abby Castle, Matthew Castle, Daria Church, Nathan Church, Keely Duell, Isabella Ebner, Timothy Erickson, Ethan Evans, Carter Femrite, Ilyssa Gutierrez, Mikita Hanchar, Makayla Harmer, Elijah Hoehn, Riley Johnson, Martin Le, Samuel Lemcke, Samuel Martinson, Mark Matthews, Ashley Meyer, Grace Mielke, Samantha Morrison, Ella Peterson, Gina Ponto, Lauren Sandberg, Zoie Schaefer, Jenna Schaible, Rachel Schlueter, Leah Sharp, Liliana Stolte, Marlo Sumner, Grace Sykes, Greta Topel, Wyatt Ward

Grade 8

Elias Aberra, Jacob Aune, Joshua Behrens, Carly Benge, Brenden Conroy, Frances Dahl, Caleb Gangl, Gavin Gowdy, Noyemin Gradinar, Amara Greenberg, Olivia Guse, Alexander Hansen, Jack Kaluza, Cole Killeen, Ella Kring, Lucas Landberg, Olivia Larson, Gabriel Leistico, Nichita Liubimov, Kieran Mahanna, Molly Majeres, Ellie Matthews, Elizabeth McCoy, Nicolle Meeks, Lukas Meyer, Liam Morgan, Jacob Olson, Noah Peterson, Daniel Reed, Zachary Reese, Faith Roley, Dylan Smith, Samantha Stromstad, Bailey Stull, Jaxson Waknitz, Tyler Walz, Allyson Weldon, Ari Wilson

Grade 9

Braydon Ashfeld, Trinity Bettinger, Bryce Bozich, Kelsey Christiansen, Abigail Cooper, Alyxandra Forpahl, Earl Foster, Lindsey Garrison, Victoria Goepferd, Savannah Henning, Jonah Hertaus, Ross Hoehn, Marissa Hoffarth, MaKenna Langley, Veaceslav Liubimov, Anthony Medina, Anna Meehl, Tori Mercer, Abigail Montgomery, Steven Morse, Connor Opay, Thomas Rathman, Nicholas Schomaker, Brendan Schroeder, Anita Staupe, Anna Suiter, Andrew Yarke

Grade 10

Paul Andreasen, Kristina Audet, Charles Averill, Callie Bernardson, Paige Buley, Carsten Cross, Hannah Dertinger, Cole Elrod, Benjamen Erickson, Emily Fonder, Parker Gangl, Chandler Gapinski, Marcus Grund, Emily Halverson, Preston Holmes, Blake Jarvis, Logan Johnson, Landon Keller, Jacob Kettelhodt, Megan Kjendle, Zachary Kopp, Samuel Koppendrayer, Matthew Kruse, Kayli Luna, Solvej Lund, Meghan McClay, Kaitlyn Morrison, Emily O’Connell, Callison Olson, Kirsten Olson, Zachary Olson, Desmond Orton, Connor Reed, Chloe Roley, Rhea Schumacher, Cole Schwinghammer, Blake Smith, Caleb Sorensen, Aaron Stoddard, Lydia Suiter, Cody Thein, Karsten Williams, Keagan Wilson, Sophia Zimmerman

Grade 11

Zackary Anderson, Joshua Ely, Jennifer Gilbertson, Lauren Gillquist, Alex Glenn, Jessica Hansen, Lauren Kappes, Katya Loehlein, Gabriel Neiss, Jonathan Pachl, Brady Ponting, Clayton Posch, Brittani Robbins, Nevin Sagstetter, Conner Sharp, Parker Stockwell, Dillon Swenson, Arejanna Tenold, Austin Wolden

Grade 12

Collin Blasing, Victor Diekman, Taylor Duell, Treyton Harmer, Devin Jarvis, Ashley Krutzig, Zachary Kurilla, Spencer Maas, Joshua Martin, Kayla Muller, Jasmine Nelson, Michael Reed, Dana Ritari, Brenden Scheuble, Cole Thorson, Brendan VanAlstyne

by Joni Astrup

Associate Editor

In a patriotic and song-filled program, Meadowvale Elementary School students and guests gathered on Veterans Day to pay tribute to those who have served.

The event began on a reverent note, as students stood silently, hands over hearts, to watch the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard march into the school’s gymnasium and cafeteria with the flags.

The children then sang patriotic songs and listened to one student read his essay about Veterans Day.

Fourth-grader Brayden Hilyar told about his great-grandmother, Evelyn Tindell, who served in World War II.

“One of the things great about Evelyn Tindell was she was one of the first 83 women to join the Army,” Brayden told the Veterans Day gathering. Her job was to intercept enemy calls, which meant she listened to the enemies’ plans.

She also was part of the secret service and went to England. While on duty she contracted tuberculous. Tindell later spent two years in a hospital.

“Since she had tuberculosis, she could only see her son through a glass window for two years,” he said.

She also had a lung removed, he said

After returning to a normal life, Tindell had to go to a hospital every year to make sure she didn’t have tuberculous again, he said.

Tindell is Brayden’s great-grandmother on his dad’s side.

His great-grandfather on his mom’s side also was in the military and served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

He had with him his great-grandfather’s Army helmet.

Brayden wrapped up his speech by thanking veterans for their service.

A parade through the school capped the event. The honor guard led the parade, followed by musicians and veterans with the students who had invited them. Students lined the hallways, waving American flags.

Principal Karen Maschler said the event is designed to honor veterans and thank them for their service to the country and their efforts to protect Americans’ freedoms.

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
The Elk River Area School Board has received results from surveys and focus groups with hopes the responses will help steer the hiring process of a new superintendent.
The board requested School Exec Connect, a national search and consulting firm, to gather information from community members regarding the district’s strengths and challenges and traits desired of the new superintendent.
Bruce Watkins, a former St. Cloud Public Schools superintendent and district administrator with Duluth Public Schools, has served as interim superintendent for District 728 since early August. Watkins replaced Mark Bezek, who was discovered by School Exec Connect and left the post after 10 years in July to take a job in Somerset, Wisconsin.
The results of the survey are not scientific, but merely opinions, said Ken Dragseth, president of School Exec Connect, during a School Board meeting Nov. 14 when he presented the survey results to the board.
“What you’re getting is the people who are there, online,” he said of the survey results. “It may reflect the majority of the district, but it may not, too.”
Additionally, to gather information, nine focus groups were held with district administrators, high school students, community representatives, parent leader representatives, staff and the interim superintendent, among other groups.

A rundown of survey results
Of the 485 respondents who completed the online survey, 140 identified themselves as teachers or licensed staff, 296 were parents of current or past students, 48 were support staff, 40 were community or business members, 17 identified as administrators and 13 were students. Eleven of the respondents identified as “other.”
“When we asked ‘What are the greatest educational strengths?’ the top two were dedicated and competent staff and teacher quality,” Dragseth said. Strong community pride in the schools and a high level of student achievement were other identified strengths.
Educational challenges of the district as identified in the survey included class size, effective board governance, state financial support and sound fiscal management.
Survey respondents also answered questions about the district’s goals over the next three years. Focusing on 21st century curriculum was the top response, with 165 respondents, or about 34.5 percent, choosing it.
“What you’re seeing is that people want to learn how to be successful,” Dragseth said. “That was really refreshing. You don’t see that in every district.”
Other goals included maintaining programs for all student achievement levels, managing fiscal levels prudently, strengthening the academic program and curriculum and assuring students’ well-being.
“We’ve heard this from students a lot, too,” Dragseth said about respondents noting that the well-being of students is a goal. “People are very concerned at the middle and high school level about ensuring the safety of students and buildings.”

Skills for the next superintendent
As for traits that would comprise the ideal superintendent candidate, survey respondents believed someone who builds a great team and brings out the best in others is a worthy characteristic. Another skill believed to be important was hiring someone who has a deep understanding of curriculum, instruction and how students learn.
Understanding school finance and the business side of the district, someone who is a consensus builder and able to work with all constituents and has warm people skills were other identified skills and characteristics.
“What are the next steps?” asked School Board Director Jamie Plantenberg-Selbitschka following Dragseth’s presentation to the board.
The report is expected to be posted on the district’s website, isd728.org, so that community members and those interested in applying for the position can gain a clear understanding of the superintendent role. Further, the consultants will use the report as the foundation for screening and interviewing candidates.
Interviews with applicants will be completed in February and the new superintendent will assume duties in July.

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
What to do about a heavily used church parking lot near Zimmerman schools promises to be a point of discussion among Elk River Area School District officials in the coming weeks.
A parking lot situated between Zimmerman Elementary School and Zimmerman Middle-High School along Fourth Street West belongs to Christ Our Light Catholic Parish and often serves overflow parking needs when there’s an influx of vehicles from people attending school events.
“Overflow parking ends up in that church parking lot and happens regularly and routinely,” said interim Superintendent Bruce Watkins during a School Board work session meeting Nov. 14. “Sometimes when it’s not even a special event, we end up in that parking lot.”
Kevin Anderson, a pastor at the church, said parking is a notorious problem in Zimmerman and one, he feels, that has been neglected by the district.
“The parking in Zimmerman has always been terrible,” he said. “Whenever there’s an event, like at the elementary school, Grandparents Day, they always use our parking lot. “
The church is “definitely” for sale, said Anderson. The approximate 7-acre property includes the church building, wooded area, the parking lot and a parish house. Anderson said there have been a few parties interested in purchasing the property but said the church “would really like to work with the school district.”
Anderson would not disclose the church’s listing price.

Reason for the sale
The church in Zimmerman merged with a second parish in Princeton about six years ago and became formally known as Christ Our Light Catholic Parish. Ever since the merger, the church has alternated between buildings for worship services but is now looking for a permanent property. The church plans to construct a new building between the two cities along County Road 9, Anderson said.
Watkins said the church has been “gracious” in allowing the school system to utilize its parking lot. But there are some concerns about what would happen to the district’s access to the parking lot if it were sold to another party.
“If it’s sold to another entity, it could mean a cease and desist for overflow parking,” Watkins said.
While no formal decision was made during the work session, district officials have chosen to explore all possibilities with the property, including the idea of acquiring or renting solely the parking lot.
Anderson said the church is willing to work with the school district to make the sale, whatever it takes.
“We are so open,” he said. “We have no time restraints.”

The Elk River High School Nordic ski team has plans to travel to northeast Wisconsin and Michigan in December for a winter training trip.
The annual trip marks a 30-year tradition, according to a letter sent to the School Board by Margaret Litchy, the Nordic skiing head coach. The board approved the trip Nov. 14.
“It is a season highlight for the Nordic ski team, especially given the lack of snow early in the winter around the Twin Cities,” the letter said. The trip also allows athletes to explore a variety of new and challenging terrains, the letter said.
Reservations have been made at the Minocqua Winter Park ski area in northeastern Wisconsin and the ABR ski trails in Ironwood, Michigan. Dates of the trip are Dec. 27-30.
The cost for the trip, per student, is $195. Between 40 and 60 students, accompanied by nine to 11 chaperones, are expected to attend.

The Elk River Area School Board heard a second reading for proposed changes to its policy for the collection of school lunch money.
Under the proposed policy changes, students would be notified in line each day their account is at $10 or less and would be reminded to bring money for their account. Currently, students are notified when their accounts drop to $5. Lunch account balances would be allowed to drop to -$15 under the proposed policy change. Balances are currently allowed to drop to -$10 before students receive an alternative meal.
On the first day that a student is allowed to charge a meal, a call would be made to the parent or guardian, informing them they need to put money in their student’s account or send a bag lunch from home. The parent and guardian would also be informed of the changing policy.
Students with a negative balance greater than $15 would be offered a sandwich, vegetable, fruit and milk. After three consecutive days of the alternative meal, the school’s principal would contact the parent or guardian and inform them of their responsibility to provide meals for their student.

Area high school students recently partnered with the city, the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce and the Elk River Area School District to create a video that highlights career advancement opportunities in the manufacturing sector.
The mayor and the Elk River City Council recently proclaimed Oct. 2-8 Minnesota Manufacturing Week. Alongside elected officials, the students visited 10 manufacturing businesses during the week for meetings and site tours.
In an effort to recruit, attract and educate local high school students and their parents about the manufacturing industry, the city partnered with the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce and the school district to create a “student-to-career manufacturing” video.
The partners worked with an industrial technology teacher at Elk River High School to create the video, which has aired on the city, chamber and school district websites. The video is also used during advisory periods within the school district.

8^TH GRADE 1^ST QUARTER “A” HONOR ROLL 

Derek Aasheim, Matthew Aho, Claire Anderson, Gunnar Anderson, Nolan Anderson, Isabella Anderson-Cufre, Sophia Anderson-Cufre, Josie Babcock, Ellyson Bahr, Dylan Ball, Emily Baumer, Colin Bedbury, Michael Belair, Harvey Bergstrom, Madison Blomberg, Blake Boedigheimer, Chase Brandenburg, Alexis Burstad, Davin Byman, Devyn Cain, Greta Carlson, Mary Charboneau, Abigail Charleson, Alexa Cloutier, Daniel Cockcroft, Micah Collins, Shelby Conrad, Cora Coz, Rachel Crawford, Natalie Dahlheimer, Kyle Damke, Parker Davies, Ainsley Davis, Abigail Debes, Damon Diamond, Coleton Diekow, Emily Ditter, Ellis Donat, Samantha Eagle, Sydney Eidem, Austin Eirich, Madison Erickson, Jack Farrar, Sarah Fausch, Faith Fausone, Allison Fischer, Ava Friese, Damon Garrison, Mason Gates, Matthew Gearou, Kate Goenner, Khaliana Gray, Olivia Gregory, Cole Groebner, Audrianna Gunderson, Joseph Gustafson, Aleigha Hallas, Gregory Hanegraaf, Macy Hanson, Morgan Heinen, Brady Heuer, Quinten Hidde, Morgan Horton, Amy Hoskins, Jordan Hund, Zachary Jacobs, Zachary James, Isabella Jeanetta, Neiko Jeanetta, Tanner Jenni, Ameliyah Jensen, Benjamin Johnson, Cordelia Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Mackenzie Johnson, Rachael Johnston, Bennett Jordan, Nicholas Jung, Samantha Jung, Thomas Katter, Jordan Keith, Marni Keith, Alexandra Klocker, Jenna Korinek, Lyndsey Korst, Hannah Kotila, Karina Kpahn, Kylie Kruse, Phyllis LaClare, Annabelle Langton, Ryleigh LaPlante, Nicholas Larson, Shaun Lee, Sophia Lee, Lucy Leither, Abbie Lohn, Ashley Lupien, Alexander Lutz, Elaina Maass, Megan Madsen, Samuel Maves, Kaie McCune, Alexander Meehl, Gavin Melcher, Taylor Meneley, Emmett Miller, Lexi Milless, Jadyn Mossengren, Brent Netland, Zachary Nordquist, Graham Norton, Brianna Olson, Emma Olson, Heather Olson, Charlotte Oudekerk, Elijah Pangborn, Callie Patraw, Noah Paulsen, Grant Paulson, Alfreda Payne, Karl Pederson, Samuel Polston, Kathryn Porter, Hanna Rissman, Aidan Robeck, Amelia Ruby, Andrew Saxon, Thomas Schirmers, Emily Schrader, Addisyn Schuster, Avery Schuster, Kailey Sherratt, Treyton Smith, Ethan Spanier, Connor Springer, Connor St. Aubin, Mason Starr, Ella Stephan, Blake Storbakken, Demitri Stotler, Colton Strain, Lindsay Strecker, Diana Strelchuk, Josephine Stubbs, Alyssa Suchy, Madilyn Thorkildson, Peter Trace, Tyler Trembath, Regan VanAvery, Annabelle Volkers, Brennan Wallace, Amanda Weber, Kyle Wicht, Mackenzi Widman, Mallory Williams, Elizabeth Witter, Sydney Wojcieszak, Sabrina Xiong, William Xiong, Julianna Yang, MacKenzie Zachman

8^TH GRADE 1^ST QUARTER “B” HONOR ROLL 

Pablo Aleksandrowicz, Wyatt Arbogast, Anthony Black, MacKenzie Bloom, Allison Bourgeois, Eric Boysen, Talen Carlson, Caleb Chute, Vladislav Cirlan, Gage Clem, Brooklyn Dolan, Cooper Donat, Paige Eigenheer, Ellen Fritze, Darian Frost, Dylan Garrison, Nickolas Gesino, Megan Hadjez, George Hale, Dylan Hopkins, Isaac Houle, James Hovanetz, Logan Huewe, Delaney Johns, Mason Jones, Brayden Kempel, Meadow Kissel, Madelin Kleven, Justin Klous, Alex Larson, Mason Lee, Marcos Maldonado, Luke McCurdy, Brynn McDaniel, Aidan McLane, Jessica Medenwaldt, Patrick Moos, Ellie Norton, Abbey Onuma, Carter Otto, Cooper Oudekerk, Cody Peterman, Sydney Peters, Nicole Psomas, Haley Rosenberg, Dylan Seitz, Bjorn Sheils, Landon Straus, Anna Walentiny, Hailey Walz, Cierra Woodroffe, Trinity Yarke-Blood

7^TH GRADE 1^ST QUARTER “A” HONOR ROLL 

Oluwademilade Adebayo, Ella Anderson, Makenna Anderson, Marcus Ayumba, Autumn Barthel, John Belair, Abigail Berg, Grace Boswell, Ruby Bowen, Derek Brittan, Danielle Bruemmer, Kaylee Buck, Nathaniel Buhl, Dru Bunn, Garrett Carlson, Nathan Carter, Bonita Chokdee, Cooper Christian, Madelyn Christian, Caitlin Cramer, Paige Crawford, Emma Czech, Iain Davis, Levi Donat, Alexis Duke, Gunnar Ecklund, Haelyn Eggert, Emily Ekman, Ty Erickson, Claire Flahaven, Jack Flahaven, Alicia Ford, Brayden Frank, Anders Freborg, Morgan Fritch, Haley Gallup, Emma Gangl, Caleb Gillquist, Kolby Givens, Elizabeth Glemming, Kayden Grassel, Elizabeth Haag, Macy Hageman, Morgan Hagen, Lindsey Hanson, Garrett Harris, Sonja Hassing, Ashley Hess, Katelyn Hilary, Aidan Hillebregt, Faith Hurley, Daniel Ijadimbola, Maxwell James, Blake Johnson, Caleb Johnson, Courtney Johnson, Preston Jordan, Caden Kanenwisher, Hope Kanenwisher, Lauren Keckeisen, Jaedon Kerr, Isaac Kraft, Margaret Krueger, Lilly Lassek, Cameron Lehmann, Samuel Lillestrand, Emma Loretz, Leah Lundeen, Brooke Marks, Parker Mathewson, Haddyn Mayer, Elijah Montague, Jailyn Moody, Elizabeth Moretto, Olivia Mujica, Jade Murray, Kayleigh Nelson, Keegan Nelson, Ashton O’Leary, Carter Oestreich, Mason Olofson, David Otunuga, Ella Ovall, Yvette Oyagi, Emily Peterman, Abby Peterson, Joshua Porter, Amanda Purcell, Alan Quaid, Shane Rademacher, Jaime Radke, Austin Ramert, Brandon Ramert, Zoe Rammer, Abigail Rekstad, Trinity Richards, Anna Riewe, Kayla Ring, Connor Rolfes, Emily Rossmeisl, Taylor Rossmeisl, Savannah Roux, Luke Rumreich, Ayodamola Samuel, Kaelyn Sauter, Felicia Schall, Kaitlyn Schlink, Brock Schmertman, Dylan Schuster, Jackson Skyberg, Addy Soukup, MaKenzy Straughn, Adelynn Taylor, Fridley Thao, Connor Theisen, Victoria Tobias, Linnea Trost, Madison Tveit, Elaina Varney, Kolbi Vasseur, April Volkers, Ryan Weatherly, Mackenzie Weber, Emma Weisgram, Zoey Wirz, Annika Wozney, Maxwell Yantes

7^TH GRADE 1^ST QUARTER “B” HONOR ROLL

Darlene Abeln, Rowan Agosto, Rachel Agyei, Matthew Alexander, Allison Arndt, Lucy Beecher, Corey Bengtson, Kerigan Brooks, Catherine Bunker, Jacob Dukatz, Jordan Emerson, Matthew Ferry, Jonah Fossum, Marcus Fritel, Drew Girtz, Ryan Graham, Summer Hackenmueller, Zander Hall, Julia Hanson, Anton Harlander, Kayden Harris, Carter Hasbrook, Brett Haugland, Julien Hendershott, Shaughnessy Henry, Samuel Hughes, Qamra Ireri, Nevaeh Kirk, Kelly Kla-Diihbah, Benjamin Kubi, Bryan Kubicka, Averey LaBarre, Rory LeBlanc, Rhea Main, Caleb Martin, Jack Matter, Madeline Mitchell, Eli Nelson, Bernie Nnadi, Quenten O’Leary, Anders Olsen, Trent Olson, Aiden Paynter, Desiree Peterson, Zachary Peterson, Calvin Phung, Jackson Plucinak, Emma Powell-Muntean, Cheyanne Rudolph, Annabelle Scharber, Sara Schoen, Shane Staeheli, Karina Strelchuk, Ekin Vang, Jackson Vorderbruggen, Jacob Williams

6TH GRADE 1^ST QUARTER “A” HONOR ROLL

Anuoluwapo Adekunle, Adeoluwatoni Adeogun, Emma Adkisson, Amy Arita, Davis Artisensi-Skime, Alexander Artmann, Tristan Backlin, Dorcas Bakare, Karen Balabon, Jared Balluff, George Barmon, Ethan Bassett, Jack Battig, Mackenzie Beck, Thaniel Bentz, Brian Berg, Owen Bergman, Zachary Berns, Maya Bixby, Elena Bohlsen, Lara Bolduc, Tristan Borum, Ivy Brandenburg, Lylah Branscom, Nels Byman, Cayden Casey, Logan Chouinard, Mandy Christy, Carissa Chute, Stuart Cleaveland, Madeline Collins, Grady Dahl, Tyler Dahlstrom, Lucas Daleiden, Carter Davis, Carissa Edman, Olivia Ek, Jessica Emerson, Carley Fischer, Jace Flansburg, Hannah Frazer, Sigrid Freborg, Lilian Fritze, Madalyn Froehlich-Sand, Haley Gilbert, Carson Haack, Peyton Hagen, Madelyn Hegge, Linnea Hesse, Tristan Hill, Zoe Hoard, Andi Huselid, Hunter Jasper, Kaylynn Jess, Sarah Jide, Benjamin Johnson, Oluwatoyosi Johnson, Dominic Kos, Jane Kotila, Emerson Kowalkowski, Matthew Krueger, Alfred Larson, Mayci Larson, Mylin Lemke, Charlotte Lempka, Alex Lietha, Rachel Lin, Joshua Magnuson, Savannah Mancheski-Williams, Olivia Marquez, Emma McCauley, Alexa Melcher, Sarah Minke, Avery Mortenson, Nikita Muhonen, Natalie Murphy, Toby Narr, Aaliyah Nelson, Alexandra Neuenfeldt, Dakota Nix, Zoe Olson, Carter Osgood, Cade Osterman, Cody Paulsen, Caleb Pederson, Anesha Rahman, Shiva Rajesh, Samuel Ranallo, Hailey Rath, Garrett Reighard, Taylor Reimann, Megan Rice, Blake Rinehart, Colin Ritter, Rayford Ritter, Devan Roland, Brady Rusch, Jack Rutz, Rachel Ryan, Kaelyn Sacre, Mia Sarkinen, Autumn Schaaf, Averi Schirmers, Chloe Schneider, McKenna Schwake, Joel Seethaler, Amelia Smith, Jaelyn Sorenson, Brynn Spanier, Jack Stenerson, Ami Stewart, Grant Stoltman, Benjamin Stout, Julia Sutherland, Isabella Ternus, Joseph Tessman, Ali-Yaaj Thor, Erika Tietz, Ava Trombley, Kayla Vang, Lindsey Varney, Jacob Vogel, Luke Voigt, Allie Voit, Taylor Voit, Jesse Wadsen, Carlee Weicht, Madison Williams, Elias Yoder, Elsay Yoder, Calvin Yonak, Nora Zak, Regan Zak, Sage Zuchowski

6^TH GRADE 1^ST QUARTER “B” HONOR ROLL 

Trevor Albu, Makayla Anderson, Kaitlyn Bahneman, Brandon Barthel, John Baumgarten, Matthew Beaudry, Jayda Belisle, Emily Beyer, Madelyn Black, Aubrey Bolduc, Daisy Brendel, Leah Brown, Jason Bruemmer, Ava Burstad, Genevieve Charboneau, Alina Cirlan, Carter Cotch, Ethan Danielson, Camden DeRuyter, Emma Diamond, Kaelyn Diehl, Mitchell Dreyer, Isabella Eng, Ashlynn Erickson, James Faircloth, Abigail Gates, Chet Gleason, Myles Gordon, Lauren Gregory, Carter Gustafson, Chase Hamilton, Danika Hanson, Samantha Hawk, Ryder Heath, Trey Houghton, Torii Irwin, Kyla Jackson, Abhinav Kaila, Connor Kavanagh, Jacob King, Kaylee Kotzer, Christian Kucera, Jacob Kunkel, Anthony LaCock, Lola Le, Alvin Lieu, Liza McCurdy, Hogan Mercer, Parker Mielke, Grace Moos, Dominick Mord, Benjamin Nelson, Jack Nelson, Emma Ness, Micah Newlin, Alex Palmer, Samantha Peterson, Alexis Roppe, Gavin Rossmeisl, Dustin Schulte, Rocco Serrano, Jacob Tentis, Nicholas Tentis, Tate Thole, Addeson Thomforde, Ella Thomsen, Cole Trembath, Faith Vanderbilt, Lauren Waters, Drew Weiler, Victoria Woodroffe, Jacob Yang, Faith Yothers, Mikenzee Zins

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
The council chambers at Elk River City Hall were more lively than usual for the Nov. 28 regular meeting of the Elk River Area School Board.
What was scheduled to be a performance in the lobby area as community members filed in for the meeting turned into a full-fledged performance at the front of the meeting room. Members of the Rogers High School Chamber Choir, led by choral instructor Sam Eckberg, performed an Indian pop song for those in attendance.
The vocal performance, which included soloists, choreography and freestyle dancing, served as a precursor for the presentation of a national award to the Elk River Area School District. The district was named one of the 2016 Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants.

In its 17th year, the award recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum.
Susan Potvin, a curriculum specialist with the district, presented certificates to music education staff and members of the School Board that evening.
Potvin said District 728 was one of six districts in Minnesota and 476 across the nation to receive the honor. She added the recognition arrived in March and came after the district completed a questionnaire about funding, instructional time and support for music funding, among other requirements.
She said the district’s music educators don’t view the award as the program as arrived and continuous improvement has ended, but rather a sign that advocacy efforts by past and present staff, students and community along with support of the District 728 administration has made a difference.
Seven music teachers were presented with awards Nov. 28 for their efforts toward the recognition. Representatives from Schmitt Music were on hand to distribute the certificates.
“We heard a lot, rightly so, about the Elk River football team, but thank you for doing this,” said Director Gregg Peppin, referencing the football team’s winning of a state title.
“This is like, really big, because it’s nationwide,” he said of the music education award.
Director Sue Farber, an Elk River native who participated in the music program during her own upbringing, said the district’s music education program has remained strong over the years despite its “ebbs and flows.”
“You guys have taken a program and done phenomenal things with it,” she said to the music teachers in attendance.

About the NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants is a nonprofit association that promotes the pleasures and benefits of making music and aims to strengthen the global music products industry, according to its website, namm.org. The association serves as a hub for those seeking the newest innovations in musical products, recording technology, sound and lighting.
Other Minnesota districts that received the 2016 award included Anoka-Hennepin Independent School District 11, Fergus Falls Public Schools, Independent School District 279 in Maple Grove, Minnetonka Independent School District 276 and Mounds View Public Schools.

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
The District 728 Facilities Usage Committee proposed three options to resolve overcapacity issues for the central area:
•Option A: This choice would move 63 students from Parker to Lincoln and move 92 students from Twin Lakes to Parker at the elementary level. At the middle school level, this option would move 32 students from Salk to VandenBerge. This option stresses the importance of keeping neighborhoods together and limits the impact to free and reduced lunch concentrations.
•Option B: This option would move 63 students from Parker to Lincoln and move 91 from Twin Lakes to Parker at the elementary level. Thirty-two students would move from Salk to VandenBerge at the middle school level. This choice would result in greater socioeconomic equity between impacted schools while also limiting impact to free and reduced lunch concentrations.
•Option C: A combination of options A and B, this choice would provide the most capacity to Twin Lakes, which is an area predicted to have the highest growth. This option would move 183 students out of Twin Lakes and 63 out of Parker. It would move 91 new students into Parker and 155 into Lincoln. Seventy-nine students would move from Salk to VandenBerge at the middle school level. This option was the committee’s preference and appears to be stable over time, even with growth in the district’s central area.