by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
Prairie View Elementary and Middle School – the upcoming E-8 building set to open for the 2017-2018 year in Otsego – has official school colors.

Royal blue and white were the colors selected by a building steering committee, Prairie View Principal Kari Sampson said in email to students’ parents and guardians April 5.
The colors were chosen because they align with other Rogers High School feeder schools, Sampson said.

“They see the Royals as their high school,” Sampson said. “We decided we would stick with the royal blue and white. We will accent it with the green color.”

Green also appears throughout the school, including the front of the building, in the gymnasium and in some tiling and will be incorporated into the mascot, which is expected to be finalized April 18.

There are two finalists for the mascot: hawks or coyotes. The choices were narrowed down following input from students, staff and community members, Sampson said. Those involved in the selection process wanted to choose a mascot that made sense – it had to be an animal that was native to the area and the name had to flow with Prairie View Elementary and Middle School, she said.

Students, parents and staff members are invited to vote for the mascot of their choice by April 17; after that, mascots and designs will be forwarded on to architects so the design can be incorporated throughout the school.

A district communication specialist is working on mock-ups for each mascot, Sampson said.

The name for the school, located near the intersection of MacIver Avenue Northeast and 80th Street Northeast in Otsego, was developed by a committee of parents and school officials. More than 30 people initially volunteered for the committee, but the group was whittled down to 12 parents, ensuring that each grade level was represented.

The Elk River Area School Board approved the Prairie View name during a special meeting March 27.

Unlike selecting the school colors, choosing a name required following School Board policy, Sampson said.

The principal, who noted she attends weekly construction meetings, said the new school is starting to take shape.

“We have hired almost all of our teachers and we’ve started to hire more of our support staff,” she said, adding ordering furniture and organizing curriculum have also filled her days.

“Everything is falling into place,” she said.

by Peg Craig
Contributing Writer
The St. Michael–Albertville School Board approved a pilot program to provide busing for open enrollment students.

The board also awarded the sale of bonds approved from the recent referendum.

This school year 527 open enrollment students came into the district from the Elk River School district.

Most of these students live in the Elk River School District portion of Albertville north of County Rd. 37, as the city and school district boundaries do not coincide.

Currently they arrive in privately driven cars and this creates traffic congestion around the schools at the beginning and end of the school day. A new K-8 school will be opening in Otsego next fall and this may attract some of these students, but many families have said that they want to stay in STMA.

Some of these parents attended the school board meeting, as well as a recent Albertville City Council meeting, to ask for busing for their students.

The school board voted to implement a two year pilot program to serve them in the next school year. The fee for a single child for the year will be $300 with a maximum of $500 for a family. A first payment will be due in May to allow the bus company to plan routes and provide the required buses and drivers. Final payments will be collected on August 1.
Some bus routes will also pick up students already living in the district for more efficient transportation service.

Superintendent Ann-Marie Foucault also reported that she has been continuing to explore possible land swaps with the Elk River School District to bring some of the Albertville neighborhoods into STMA. Parents in these neighborhoods have been active in pursuing these possibilities as well. Nothing is expected to be considered until District 728’s newly hired superintendent starts.

The Elk River district wants to see how many students choose to attend the new school in Otsego and will discuss the issue again after their new superintendent is hired in the fall.

In other developments, Joel Sutter from Ehlers Inc. reported that the bonds approved by the voters were sold by auction March 20.

Nine bids were received from various financial institutions and the one offering the lowest interest rate is Baird of Milwaukee representing a group of smaller firms who will share in the purchase. Bonds will mature between 2024 and 2032.

STMA will receive the money for these bonds immediately and the firms will recover their cost by selling the bonds on the market. Interest earned on the funds on deposit must be spent on the building projects.

Sutter said that the district has a good bond rating because it “has a stable tax base, a positive operating history with healthy reserve levels, and a strong and conservative management team”.

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
As Elk River Area School Board Vice Chair Jamie Plantenberg-Selbitschka put it, feedback is a gift.
The board will soon be looking for more of such offerings; by Tuesday, April 18 community members and district staff will be invited to complete a survey that evaluates the board in several topics that will, in turn, help the board set goals of its own.
“It will be a 360-degree reflection,” Plantenberg-Selbitschka said of the survey.
The survey will be available to the public on the school district’s website and via district social media accounts.
A private consultant has been hired to help develop questions for the survey, which will be available to the public. The data from the survey will help give the board a good idea about what it’s doing well and what it needs to improve on, Plantenberg-Selbitschka said.
She added the district has a record of “good” communication with the community, like when the Elk River Area School Board approved boundary changes in December to allot for growing student bodies and a need for more space. Aside from public work sessions and meetings, the district approved the formation of a 35-member facilities usage committee composed of community members to help steer the board in the right direction. Survey responses from the public were a large part of the process, too.
The district also communicated well in its search to hire to a new superintendent, Plantenberg-Selbitschka said. Interviews with finalists were public and the community was invited to open sessions where they could ask questions of the candidates and provide feedback to the board.
Community members involved with district decisions – including the boundary changes – have been amazed to learn of all the different services offered through the schools, said Director of Community Engagement and Community Education Cory Franson.
“To really, truly understand how a district succeeds, it takes peeling back layers of the onion,” Franson said. “I would absolutely agree that we are a top performing school district, our test scores show that. We’re as lean and efficient as the top 25 schools in the state. We are a high-performing district, and how we share that message is something that we’re trying to do.”
There are other tools in place that help the district with communication and keep staff accountable, Plantenberg-Selbitschka said. She identified Let’s Talk as one of them. The application, featured on the district’s main website, enables users to select a talking point from a list of broad topics such as transportation, community education and health. There are trending topics to weigh in on, too, including weather delays, crisis and lockdown procedures, and kindergarten registration.
Let’s Talk users can submit a question, comment, compliment, concern or suggestion through the app.
“As they submit their questions, it automatically sends those requests to people we’ve identified as key stakeholders in that area,” Franson said.
The evaluation survey is expected to be open for two weeks and Plantenberg-Selbitschka said responses will be reviewed within the next four to six weeks.

Two Elk River students were recognized during St. Cloud State University’s 50th annual Mathematic Contest, a one-day statewide competition held April 6 on the St. Cloud State campus.
Tucker Brady and Lindse Redepenning, both of VandenBerge Middle School in Elk River, were third place individual winners in the Grade 7 category, based on a written math test.
More than 1,700 7th-12th grade students from across Minnesota participated the competition.

8^TH GRADE 3^RD QUARTER “A” HONOR ROLL – SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Derek Aasheim, Matthew Aho, Claire Anderson, Gunnar Anderson, Isabella Anderson-Cufre, Sophia Anderson-Cufre, Josie Babcock, Ellyson Bahr, Dylan Ball, Emily Baumer, Colin Bedbury, Michael Belair, Harvey Bergstrom, Blake Boedigheimer, Alexis Burstad, Davin Byman, Devyn Cain, Mary Charboneau, Abigail Charleson, Alexa Cloutier, Micah Collins, Shelby Conrad, Rachel Crawford, Natalie Dahlheimer, Kyle Damke, Abigail Debes, Coleton Diekow, Emily Ditter, Cooper Donat, Ellis Donat, Samantha Eagle, Sydney Eidem, Madison Erickson, Jack Farrar, Sarah Fausch, Faith Fausone, Allison Fischer, Ava Friese, Mason Gates, Matthew Gearou, Kate Goenner, Olivia Gregory, Cole Groebner, Aleigha Hallas, Macy Hanson, Morgan Heinen, Brady Heuer, Morgan Horton, Amy Hoskins, Isaac Houle, Jordan Hund, Zachary Jacobs, Zachary James, Isabella Jeanetta, Tanner Jenni, Ameliyah Jensen, Benjamin Johnson, Cordelia Johnson, Elizabeth Johnson, Mackenzie Johnson, Rachael Johnston, Bennett Jordan, Samantha Jung, Thomas Katter, Jordan Keith, Marni Keith, Brayden Kempel, Alexandra Klocker, Lyndsey Korst, Hannah Kotila, Karina Kpahn, Kylie Kruse, Phyllis LaClare, Annabelle Langton, Ryleigh LaPlante, Sophia Lee, Shaun Lee, Lucy Leither, Abbie Lohn, Ashley Lupien, Alexander Lutz, Elaina Maass, Megan Madsen, Samuel Maves, Jessica Medenwaldt, Taylor Meneley, Emmett Miller, Lexi Milless, Jadyn Mossengren, Zachary Nordquist, Graham Norton, Ellie Norton, Brianna Olson, Emma Olson, Heather Olson, Charlotte Oudekerk, Callie Patraw, Noah Paulsen, Grant Paulson, Alfreda Payne, Karl Pederson, Samuel Polston, Kathryn Porter, Hanna Rissman, Aidan Robeck, Amelia Ruby, Andrew Saxon, Thomas Schirmers, Addisyn Schuster, Avery Schuster, Kailey Sherratt, Ethan Spanier, Connor Springer, Connor St. Aubin, Ella Stephan, Blake Storbakken, Demitri Stotler, Lindsay Strecker, Josephine Stubbs, Madilyn Thorkildson, Peter Trace, Tyler Trembath, Regan VanAvery, Annabelle Volkers, Rikayla West, Mackenzi Widman, Mallory Williams, Sydney Wojcieszak, William Xiong, Julianna Yang, MacKenzie Zachman

8^TH GRADE 3^RD QUARTER “B” HONOR ROLL – SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Zachary Albert, Pablo Aleksandrowicz, Nolan Anderson, Wyatt Arbogast, Tyler Bjella, Madison Blomberg, MacKenzie Bloom, Chase Brandenburg, Talen Carlson, Greta Carlson, Gage Clem, Daniel Cockcroft, Parker Davies, Ainsley Davis, Jillian Dettling, Brooklyn Dolan, Paige Eigenheer, Ellen Fritze, Darian Frost, Damon Garrison, Khaliana Gray, Audrianna Gunderson, Joseph Gustafson, Megan Hadjez, Gregory Hanegraaf, Quinten Hidde, Dylan Hopkins, Logan Huewe, Neiko Jeanetta, Mason Jones, Nicholas Jung, Jenna Korinek, Alex Larson, Kaie McCune, Luke McCurdy, Brynn McDaniel, Alexander Meehl, Gavin Melcher, Patrick Moos, Brent Netland, Carter Otto, Elijah Pangborn, Cody Peterman, Sydney Peters, Nicole Psomas, Emily Schrader, Dylan Seitz, Mason Starr, Colton Strain, Landon Straus, Diana Strelchuk, Alyssa Suchy, Anna Walentiny, Brennan Wallace, Hailey Walz, Amanda Weber, Kyle Wicht, Sabrina Xiong, Trinity Yarke-Blood

7^TH GRADE 3^RD QUARTER “A” HONOR ROLL – SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Oluwademilade Adebayo, Rachel Agyei, Makenna Anderson, Autumn Barthel, John Belair, Abigail Berg, Grace Boswell, Ruby Bowen, Kerigan Brooks, Danielle Bruemmer, Kaylee Buck, Nathaniel Buhl, Dru Bunn, Garrett Carlson, Nathan Carter, Madelyn Christian, Caitlin Cramer, Paige Crawford, Iain Davis, Levi Donat, Alexis Duke, Gunnar Ecklund, Haelyn Eggert, Jordan Emerson, 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, Macy Hageman, Morgan Hagen, Lindsey Hanson, Garrett Harris, Sonja Hassing, Brett Haugland, Ashley Hess, Katelyn Hilary, Aidan Hillebregt, Faith Hurley, Daniel Ijadimbola, 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, Parker Mathewson, Haddyn Mayer, Elijah Montague, Jailyn Moody, Elizabeth Moretto, Olivia Mujica, Jade Murray, Kayleigh Nelson, Mason Olofson, Ella Ovall, Yvette Oyagi, Emily Peterman, Abby Peterson, Desiree 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, Emily Rossmeisl, Taylor Rossmeisl, Savannah Roux, Cheyanne Rudolph, Luke Rumreich, Kaelyn Sauter, Felicia Schall, Kaitlyn Schlink, Brock Schmertman, Dylan Schuster, Jackson Skyberg, Addy Soukup, MaKenzy Straughn, Adelynn Taylor, Bryce Thompson, Madison Tveit, Elaina Varney, Kolbi Vasseur, April Volkers, Jackson Vorderbruggen, Ryan Weatherly, Mackenzie Weber, Emma Weisgram, Zoey Wirz, Annika Wozney, Maxwell Yantes

7^TH GRADE 3^RD QUARTER “B” HONOR ROLL – SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Darlene Abeln, Rowan Agosto, Matthew Alexander, Ella Anderson, Kody Anderson, Allison Arndt, Marcus Ayumba, Isabelle Bantz, Lucy Beecher, Cadence Bever, Derek Brittan, Catherine Bunker, Bonita Chokdee, Cooper Christian, Emma Czech, Kai DoBrava, Jacob Dukatz, Emily Ekman, Matthew Ferry, Zachary Finch, Jonah Fossum, Marcus Fritel, Drew Girtz, Elizabeth Haag, Summer Hackenmueller, Anton Harlander, Carter Hasbrook, Julien Hendershott, Samuel Hughes, Qamra Ireri, Jacob Johns, Kelly Kla-Diihbah, Bryan Kubicka, Jossalyn Lindenfelser, Hope Lockrem, Rhea Main, Ashanti Maksimenko, Brooke Marks, Jack Matter, Dylan Matykiewicz, Madeline Mitchell, Keegan Nelson, Eli Nelson, Alexia Novack, Carter Oestreich, Ashton O’Leary, William Oliveira, Trent Olson, Aiden Paynter, Zachary Peterson, Emma Powell-Muntean, Connor Rolfes, Rose Sailor, Ayodamola Samuel, Jackson Schaffer, Myranda Schlaman, Shane Staeheli, Karina Strelchuk, Liahnue Tarpeh, Fridley Thao, Connor Theisen, Linnea Trost, Jacob Williams, Brooke Zehnder

6^TH GRADE 3^RD QUARTER “A” HONOR ROLL – SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Adeoluwatoni Adeogun, Emma Adkisson, Amy Arita, Davis Artisensi-Skime, Karen Balabon, Ethan Bassett, Jack Battig, John Baumgarten, Mackenzie Beck, Brian Berg, Owen Bergman, Zachary Berns, Emily Beyer, Maya Bixby, Elena Bohlsen, Tristan Borum, Ivy Brandenburg, Lylah Branscom, Leah Brown, Ava Burstad, Nels Byman, Cayden Casey, Genevieve Charboneau, Logan Chouinard, Mandy Christy, Carissa Chute, Alina Cirlan, Stuart Cleaveland, Madeline Collins, Grady Dahl, Tyler Dahlstrom, Lucas Daleiden, Camden DeRuyter, Carissa Edman, Jessica Emerson, Ashlynn Erickson, Carley Fischer, Jace Flansburg, Hannah Frazer, Lilian Fritze, Abigail Gates, Haley Gilbert, Carson Haack, Peyton Hagen, Madelyn Hegge, Linnea Hesse, Tristan Hill, Zoe Hoard, Trey Houghton, Andi Huselid, Kaylynn Jess, Sarah Jide,  Benjamin Johnson, Oluwatoyosi Johnson, Abhinav Kaila, Dominic Kos, Jane Kotila, Emerson Kowalkowski, Matthew Krueger, Mayci Larson, Alfred Larson, Mylin Lemke, Charlotte Lempka, Alex Lietha, Rachel Lin, Savannah Mancheski-Williams, Emma McCauley, Alexa Melcher, Sarah Minke, Avery Mortenson, Nikita Muhonen, Natalie Murphy, Toby Narr, Aaliyah Nelson, Alexandra Neuenfeldt, Micah Newlin, Dakota Nix, Zoe Olson, Cade Osterman, Cody Paulsen, Caleb Pederson, Anesha Rahman, Shiva Rajesh, Megan Rice, Blake Rinehart, Hailey Rinehart, Colin Ritter, Rayford Ritter, Devan Roland, Alexis Roppe, 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, Isabella Ternus, Joseph Tessman, Tate Thole, Ali-Yaaj Thor, Erika Tietz, Ava Trombley, Kayla Vang, Lindsey Varney, Luke Voigt, Taylor Voit, Allie Voit, William Walters, Carlee Weicht, Madison Williams, Elias Yoder, Elsay Yoder, Calvin Yonak, Regan Zak, Nora Zak, Sage Zuchowski

6^TH GRADE 3^RD QUARTER “B” HONOR ROLL – SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL

Trevor Albu, Colton Anderson, Makayla Anderson, Alexander Artmann, Tristan Backlin, Kaitlyn Bahneman, Dorcas Bakare, Jared Balluff, George Barmon, Brandon Barthel, Matthew Beaudry, Jayda Belisle, Thaniel Bentz, Madelyn Black, Lara Bolduc, Aubrey Bolduc, Daisy Brendel, Jason Bruemmer, Emma Diamond, Kaelyn Diehl, Olivia Ek, Isabella Eng, James Faircloth, Sigrid Freborg, Chet Gleason, Hannah Gregersen, Lauren Gregory, Carter Gustafson, Cory Hartje, Samantha Hawk, Torii Irwin, Hunter Jasper, Kaylee Kotzer, Christian Kucera, Jacob Kunkel, Anthony LaCock, Olivia Marquez, Liza McCurdy, Grace Moos, Dominick Mord, Jack Nelson, Emma Ness, Carter Osgood, Alex Palmer, Logan Peterson, Samuel Ranallo, Hailey Rath, Garrett Reighard, Gavin Rossmeisl, Rocco Serrano, Samuel Skoog, Julia Sutherland, Addeson Thomforde, Ella Thomsen, Cole Trembath, Faith Vanderbilt, Jacob Vogel, Jordan Wagenfeld, Drew Weiler, Victoria Woodroffe, Samara Worlobah, Jacob Yang, Faith Yothers, Brady Zimmerman, Mikenzee Zins

The E-8 school set to open for the 2017-2018 school year in Otsego has officially chosen a mascot, Principal Kari Sampson told parents and guardians April 19.

“We are now the Prairie View Hawks! Stay tuned for our school logo!” Sampson wrote in an email.

Earlier this month, Sampson announced the official colors of the school would be royal blue and white, with green incorporated into the school’s logo and mascot design.

The school will hold its first parent involvement meeting 6:45-8 p.m. May 2 at Prairie Center in Otsego. School leaders hope the group will provide valuable input for the school in the coming months and begin fundraising efforts, Sampson said. All parents are welcome to attend.

Further, kindergarten parents are invited to attend an informational meeting 6:30-7:20 p.m. May 16 at Rogers Elementary School. — Rachel Minske, Contributing Writer

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
Spectrum High School, a public charter school, received permission April 17 from the city to expand to a third location at the Elk River Business Park.

The expansion, unanimously approved by the Elk River City Council, would expand educational opportunities and relocate the seventh and eighth grades, according to city documents.

The growth would also increase the student cap for all of Spectrum’s facilities in the business park to 1,000 students, add gym space and reserve space for a future auditorium and athletic facility. Spectrum will purchase the property where WS Packaging previously operated. The space includes a large open area on the south half of the lot.

“I think it’s a good compromise,” said Mayor John Dietz. “The city and Spectrum worked hard to find a solution.”

Communication between the two entities about the school’s expansion needs have been in the works for some time. According to a letter sent to City Administrator Cal Portner in February by Spectrum officials, active discussions with the city date back to August 2016.

The city held many work sessions to discuss potential land uses within the business park and numerous alternative sites were considered, but nothing seemed to work out.

During a work session Dec. 19, city officials were unable to reach a consensus about the school’s future – including whether to relocate the school or allow its expansion.

“Spectrum is grateful for the work of the staff and Council in seeking solutions for Spectrum’s expansion needs,” the letter said. “We are also thankful for the recognition by City staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the City Council of Spectrum as a high quality public school option in the City of Elk River. We look forward to continuing our work with the City.”

Schools within the zoned business park area are listed as a conditional use. Following this approval, no more institutional uses will be allowed at the business park, Dietz said.

“They’ve been responsible people and a responsible tenant,” he said, adding one neighbor in the business park that was upset about the institutional use now offering a scholarship.

The approved site is developed and includes 66 parking spaces and 15 classrooms, according to city documents.

School history
Spectrum High School is a public charter high school that enrolls more than 600 students in grades six through 12.

The school opened in 2006, when it served 66 students at the Boys and Girls Club on Sixth Street. In 2007, Spectrum moved to modular classroom units on 181st Avenue. The school continued to grow, according to city documents, and in 2011, it served 390 students at its current high school location.

In 2011, the high school received a conditional use permit to operate a school at 17796 Industrial Circle with an enrollment cap of 525 students. In 2014, the Elk River City Council approved a conditional use permit that allowed the school to open a separate sixth-grade education center at 11044 Industrial Circle, across the street from the existing school building where grades seven through 12 are currently housed. Both buildings are located south of Home Depot at the Elk River Business Park.

The school currently employs 140 people and plans to add 20 to 50 more employees with the expansion.

Spectrum High School anticipates acquiring the land by September at the latest, at which point a construction timeline will be created.

A survey that evaluates the Elk River Area School Board is now open to the public.

The survey, housed on the district’s website, isd728.org, will help give the board an idea about future goals and what it needs to improve on, school officials have said.

A private consultant was hired to help develop questions for the survey, which is expected to be available for about two weeks.

It’s anticipated the board will evaluate responses within the next four to six weeks.

6^TH GRADE TERM 3 A HONOR ROLL

Jacob Adams, Breanna Ahrens, Tyler Bachmeier, Alexa Backmann, Owen Bednar, Leah Biniam, Megan Brenning, Rori Browning, Parker Brummer, Hannah Bruskiewicz, Isaac Bruskiewicz, Kaylee Carriker, Nicole Chandler, Kendall Coppersmith, Katelynn Cornwell, Kylynn Corrigan, Andrew Coskey, Payton Daun, Alyssa Davis, Alexander Deavel, Emma Dedrick, Aidan Deslauriers, Thomas Dickerson, Dean Eich, Oden Eliason, Emma Ellingson, Evan Engstrom, Alivia Fenstra, Michael Fischer, Cody Floodman, Jenna Fodstad, Nathan Garding, Mallory Geerdes, Johanna Geist, Madeline Gerberding, Gavin Gierman, Clara Glad, Noah Gordon, Jasmine Grams, Olivia Gries, Alexa Habermann, Gabriella Haddad, Samuel Hamilton, Mitchell Hansen, Khiana Harju, Sophie Harmon, Makenna Harstad, Mason Hatcher, Izabella Heath, Domenic Hegman, Devin Helling, Mikaela Hetchler, Bella Hoffarth, Bryn Hoffarth, Lily Holland, Cali Huber, Kendall Hurley, Adriana Hutchins, Luke Huttner, Dawson Jenson, Ava Johansson, Brady Johner, Stella Johnson, April Jonason, Ema Jones, Kenzie Jones, Cole Jordan, Brody Kain, Samantha Kalmbach, Noah Kangas, Austin Kantor, Logan Kiel, Dustin Kisch, Madison Klein, Taylor Knox, Emily Koch, Joseph Koch, Marlee Kogut, Annabella Kottke, Darla Lee, Ava LeFevre, Jasmine Leon, Greta Lien, Tyler Luckeroth, Madelyn Luke, Ryan Mahaffey, Samuel Mammen, Sarah Manz, Montana Martinson, Ella Mattson, Leah Meseck, Madeline Meyer, Alex Midthun, Alexis Moberg, Tanner Moen, Stacey Neba, Noah Nelson, Wesley Nielsen-Tschritter, Kaitlyn Northuis, Katelyn Oertle, Lucy Ollanketo, Joy Olowo, Aiden Olson, Nathan Orwoll, McKenzie Osowski, Thomas Pelant, Paige Pepin, Makenna Phenow, Natalie Rachel, Carly Rieland, Alyssa Ringdahl, Caden Risbrudt, Rachel Rivers, Alexis Roehrich, Olivia Rohlik, Dia Sanchez, Ruth Sather, Wyatt Sawdey, Zachary Schaupp, Joanna Scherber, Ashley Schommer, Aaliyah Schultz, Abigail Schutz, Madison Sherven, Olivia Smith, Gillian Soppeland, William Spence, Andrew Splett, Paige Stanfield, Elizabeth Stickler, Riley Stimac, David Stradtman, Ned Strand, Haley Swanson, Samantha Sylvester, Alexis Tapiz, Faith Tembreull, Joseph Teshome, Sidney Thomas, Wyatt Thompson, Allie Timpe, Brooklyn Timperley, Norah Tomasouw, Kaela Traugott, Makenna Trierweiler, Ezekiel Vestal, Haydyn Vigesaa, Brianna Villanti, Courtney Voge, Ella Wade, Ava Webb, Oscar White, Isaac Wirth, McKenna Woolsey, Ashley Worts, Elizabeth Zyskowski

6^TH GRADE TERM 3 B HONOR ROLL

Lauren Acheson, Joseph Amundson, Christian Barry, Abigail Berry, Sophia Bleess, Lucy Brecht, Damon Broszko, Kayla Buschkowsky, Gavin Carver, Lauren Carver, Ty Cassidy, Madelyn Castanon, Cade Chapman, Alayna Conrad, Taylor Dedrick, Chloe DeMond, Gabrielle Einberger, Emma Erickson, Ava Evenson, Olivia Friendshuh, Anthony Gandsey, Stephanie Garcia Villagomez, Emily Glass, Dylan Good, Chloe Griffiths, Abigail Gutierrez, Sofia Halvorson, Emily Hamilton, Sarah Handshaw, Abigail Hanson, Andrew Heidorn, Ashley Hernandez-Victoria, Jack Hinnenkamp, Sophia Hromadko, Cayden Huettl, MaKayla Jarmuzek, Ashley Johnson, Aspen Josewski, Rachel Kalevik, Zachary Kane, William Karst, Andrea Kellar, Wyatt Keogh, Boston Klitzke, Tanner Kuklock, Wyatt LeFevre, Amelia Leitch, Jenna Livingston, Kasey Lofgren, Landon Lougheed, Justin Lundberg, Carter Lutzke, Sydney Maller, Paige Manz, Jordan McCarthy, Ashlynne McClurg, Carson Melquist, Mark Mikityuk, Morgan Mittelstaedt, Ross Monson, Gabrielle Niblo, Aaron O’Connor, Austin Ohlgren, Kelly Omann, Madden Palmer, Dominick Palumbo, Mason Park, Andrew Partyka, Samantha Patin, Trenton Peluf, August Peterson, Bo Peterson, Dominic Phillips, Anthony Powell, Emma Puttin, Tyler Quam, Maxsen Ranweiler, Jacob Reimann, Julia Reiter, Adan Renteria Garcia, Nadia Reyes-Arrivillaga, Ashley Rice, Amber Robinson, Claire Ruuska, Rachel Saen, Alexandra Schatzke, Julia Schock, Louis Schoeller, Alexander Selbitschka, Kristina Shaptala, Virapanh Sirattanatray, Mitchell Sissala, Zoe Smith, Jack Stefansky, Kora Steinhauser, Gage Swanson, Zachary Terhaar, Blake Thomas, William Tilstra, Carson Udee, Benjamin Umphrey, Joshua Upshaw, Haley VanDenBoom, Nicholas Vecchio, Kira Wachsmuth, Camilla Weah, Thomas Wilkinson, Kamea Williams, Isabelle Wodkowski, Elvina Yarpah, Andie Zachman, Daniel Zhukouski

7^TH GRADE TERM 3 A HONOR ROLL

Maya Adler, Jordan Alberts, Andrew Andersen, Olivia Anderson, Riley Anderson, Cade Armstrong, Madeleine Arro, Andie Atanasoff, Noah Batcheller, Mckenzie Bayer, Sarah Behnke, Peyton Belka, Kylie Bostic, Amelia Bowers, Aksel Bresin, Espen Brown, Ellie Buzzelle, Dillon Cassady, Ariel Chang, Anna Chase, Jacob Clauson, Caleb Climaco, Flannagan Corkery, Jack Curtis, Laney Dahlstrom, William Dahlstrom, Payton Dane, Isabella Dickmeyer, Christopher Dietl, Austin Dietrich, Kathryn Donahue, Reiken Downs, Michael Dulski, Hunter Dunn, Anna Essendrup, Ella Evans, Jack Eyrich, Avery Farrell, Levi Fox, Edwin Garcia Fuentes, Cierah Giron, Nicholas Gleason, Olivia Glines, Austen Goelz, Brianna Good, Braedon Grauf, Savannah Greiner, Jamison Grudem, Alexis Hardy, Hannah Hartlage, Chase Harvey, Hannah Heimer, Megan Heinen, Joshua Henderson, Brady Hommerding, James Honnoll, Hailey Hoskins, Mitchell Jezierski, Abigail Johnson, Dawson Johnson, Dylan Johnson, Tegan Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Lilyann Kaehler, Sara Kemmetmueller, Kendal Kemp, Giselle Kennedy, Jamie Kerkvliet, Amber Killian, Raegan Kimbler, William Klabunde, Megan Klava, Kassidy Kragt, Emily Krall, Seth Kuhlman, Matthew LaCock, Vivian Lakotas, Caitlin Lee, Jack Lenz, Niramon Littana, Madelyn Lynch, Tianna Lynch-Brown, Lexi Lynde, Paige Madsen, Ellie Mahnke, Cordelia Mindrum, Zachary Mink, Makayla Moe, Tyler Mohs, James Moir, Mckenzie Morey, Medina Muratovic, Duncan Niblo, Kate Nourse, Kaden O’Konek, Carson Oberson, Jayden Olmsted, Jack Olsen, Sophia Paepke, Madison Phinney, Samuel Raffenbeul, Rhys Reilly, Brynn Reines, Morgan Reust, Ava Ridlehoover, Jacob Ripley, Alyssa Ritchie, Allyson Ritter, Aaliyah Rodriguez, Zachary Romans, Josie Russell, Kailey Seckel, Rachel Secrist, John Seiwert, Giana Seminari, Grade Fields: Name, Ava Sevlie, Breanna Shaw, Morgan Sievert, Kayla Silas-Booker, Jinda Sirisane, Jenna Skoog, Ella Smith, Isabelle Smith, Lathan Smith, Sawyer Smith, Tristin St Gelais, Mackenzie Strandness, Luke Strassburg, Jack Swan, Brynn Thomas, Sara Toensing, Kate Tollefson, Lan Tran, Hailey VanHouten, Alexa Vukich, Tyson Vylasek, Abigail Welle, Paige Welle, Brenna Wessman, Natalie West, Branden Willenbring, Tegan Woolsey, Isabelle Yantes, Ilona Zhukouski

7^TH GRADE TERM 3 B HONOR ROLL

Greta Anderson, Samantha Aronson, Tabitha Bandy, Bryce Bechtold, Josie Bolster, Allison Born, Alexander Bowman, Alyseia Brache, Benjamin Bultemeier, Elijah Byers, Emily Christensen, Ian Colby, Lauryn Collier, Bryce Daiker, Isaac Dean, Nicholas Demoret, Jacob DeValk, Easton Dobitz, Andrew Dolan, Braeden Donahue, Alec DuVall, Ava Erickson, Samantha Fanaselle, Kelly Farmer, Mariama Fofana, Ty Frederickson, Gavin Grambart, Faith Grant, Alicia Grassel, Cassidy Grebinoski, Jackson Gullickson, Abbigail Halverson, Hunter Harff, Leah Hatcher, Kaitlyn Hecker, Emma Hommerding, Kyle Jackson, Madeline Johnson, Owen Kanzler, Tiana Kastanos, Dylan Kolman, Ashley Kuehn, Kelsey Kuemper, Owen Lane, Mason Luehrs, Spencer Lundberg, Anna Magnuson, Jadyn Mahaffey, Brendan Maisch, Alyssa Makela, Riley Martin, Riley Martin, Grace McClurg, Max Menne, Keagan Messer, Madison Metcalf, Tanner Miley, Miken Miller, Elizabeth Mogere, Nadia Montano, Jaelyn Newcomb, Jayden Newman, Jacqueline Nguyen, Samantha O’Connor, Luke Osen, Sara Parliament, Alexander Paulson, Anna Paulson, Eric Pearson, Kaden Pederson, Albert Pereda, Samantha Perry, Adam Peterson, Isabella Peterson, Annalyn Phengmany, Mackenzie Pontius, Levi Putman, Brian Ramola, Kathryn Randall, Alexander Reinking, Shelbi Rolow, Madeline Ronning, Devin Sanders, Anna Scherling, Trent Schuffenhauer, Peyton Schultz, Isaac Seipkes, Alyssa Shaft, Anika Silbaugh, Ava Sims, Alex Smisek, Kya Smith, Payton Stafford, Robert Stewart, Kaylee Thomas, Allison VanStelten, Arizona Walker, Cameron Watters, Neva Weber, Cindle Wells, Matthew Wetternach, Ambriana Yang, Andrew Yermakovich

8^TH GRADE TERM 3 A HONOR ROLL

Noah Amundson, Kaitlin Anderson, Theran Armogan, Sarah Barry, Gavin Beck, Henry Bednar, Gabriella Bengs, Allisyn Betzler, Ryan Block, Dylan Blundell, Karolynn Bratten, Aidan Brewer, Ellie Bridell, Elizabeth Brown, Katlyn Byhre, Vernis Campbell, Ashlee Carlson, Carson Cornwell, Bryan Coskey, Benjamin Dahl, Sarena Dahlheimer, Riley Darr, Carter Daun, Luke Delzer, Jessica Derouin, Reese DesVernine, Kaitlyn DeVries, Kealan Downs, Chloe DuRose, Emily Dusosky, Brandon Fischer, Morgan Fischer, Ian Flath, Charles Folkens, Alexandria Fuller, Jazmin Garcia Villagomez, Madison Gelo, Kate Gilbertson, Evan Glimsdale, Riley Green, Grant Greni, Braden Hamann, Nicholas Hand, Quinn Hansen, Lauren Hatcher, Delaney Hegarty, Kaelyn Hegman, Alexander Heidorn, Josie Henderson, Olivia Hermanson, Breanna Hetchler, Reese Hoffarth, Ella Husnik, Jonathan Jairam, Kathleen Jessen, Alexandra Johnson, Jaina Johnson, Reagan Johnson, Kaitlyn Jones, Delaney Jordan, Jenna Kalevik, Isaac Kapsner, Kalista Kragt, Madelyn Kranz, Mackenzie Krueger, Alayna Lau, Courtney Lessard, Gwyneth Lien, Abigail Lilleodden, Andrew Lubke, Taylor Lundberg, Alexander Lundebrek, Sophie Lynch, Grace Mammen, Grace Manz, Jadyn Master, Dailey Matejka, Mackenzie Matthies, Riley Meister, Emily Merkley, Audrey Meyer, Allison Miller, Piper Miller, Sarah Mize, Zoe Morehead, Julia Motzko, Olivia Myrman, Evelyn Naziri, Danyel Nelson, Quan Nguyen, Kate Nielsen, Riley Nordberg, Erin O’Neal, Logan O’Neil, Ella O’Shea, Samuel Oestreich, Treyton Parker, Grant Pawlak, Jeremiah Phelps, Chevy Post, Isabel Quintavalle, Carter Raiche, Connor Raiche, Thomas Rice, MacKenzie Rick-Moores, Tyler Robinson, Emma Rooks, Cade Rosacker, Owen Sabinash, Mia Schmidt, Zachary Schmitz, Julia Schnell, Payton Scott, Matthew Seurer, Genevieve Sexton, Grade Fields: Name, Bianca Shedrick, Megan Simon, Hannah Skavnak, Alexander Skinner, Gavin Smisek, Melissa Solem, Macy Soppeland, Annabel Stahlback, Alexis Stock, Emma Stock, Caroline Strand, Lauren Tate, Mackenzie Terhaar, Lauren Theisen, Navarre Thielges, Ethan Tran, Morgan Trierweiler, Malory VanEngen, Lauren Verweg, Kyler Voeller, Elena VonBank, Samantha Walker, Steele Walsh, Tanner Weis, Andrew Woods, Lucas Yelich, Zoe Zelenak

8^TH GRADE TERM 3 B HONOR ROLL

Olivia Ames, Matthew Amundson, April Anderson, Teresa Babinat-Nelson, Hailey Bechtold, Logan Brecht, Alanna Carlson, Connor Chandler, Dominic Chihak, Mitchell Coleman, Tyler Cox, Ryan Davis, Collin Day, Alexanderia Dickerson, Eli Dobitz, Ava Duke, Mallory Engle, Zachary Evenson, Kaitlyn Fischer, Jared Gast, Bradon Gerberding, Thomas Gilmore, Cade Gleason, Angelina Golden, Diana Golovatyy, Cole Gunnarson, Madelyn Hamilton, Amber Heltemes, Corina Hoeg, Nicholas Hoffman, Kaden Holterman, Nicholas Huettl, Gabrielle Johnson, William Johnson, Adam Jonason, Noah Kelzer, Arissara Khampho, Abigail Kiffmeyer, Malerie Kinney, Emma Klick, Gabrielle Klink, Mason Kranz, Emma Kvalheim, Jack Larson, Aiden LeMay, Elijah Ligon, Katelyn Manthey, Haley McConnell, Colin McDonald, Curtis Meersman, Ryan Moter, Timothy Nagorniy, Hailey Nelson, Zenith Neumann, Hayden O’Connor, Patrick O’Donnell, Cody Oakland, Grant Olson, Hannah Olson, Avery Otten, Joshua Otto, Emma Palumbo, Dennis Paz, Alexander Peterson, Benjamin Peterson, Gena Phengmany, Savannah Pittman, Mya Playle, Jessica Radke, Kaitlyn Rapacz, Bennett Reines, Martina Saarela, Abigail Schave, Kyle Scherber, Alexander Schmidt, Anna Shaptala, Dominick Siharaj, Peyton Smith, Mayadell Sonderup, Mikayla Strand, Maddi Streit, Ella Stritesky, Tyler Strombeck, Victoria Swanson, Alaina Syverson, Sean Tester, Logan Thelen, Jaelynn Tresise, Cody Vander Heyden, Alexander VonRueden, Ondreah Wade, Caleb Warren, Jack West, Avery Wilson, Emma Wilson, Jordan Wilson, Brandon Wolinski, Benjamin Yonak, Dominick Zahner, Annie Zelee, Sandra Zelee

by Jim Boyle
Editor
After finishing up his interim superintendency at the Elk River Area School District, Bruce Watkins will once again not be retiring.

Instead, he will be trading desks with Dan Bittman.

Watkins will begin his term as interim superintendent for the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District just as Bittman leaves there for his new job in Elk River.

The Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board voted recently to offer Watkins the temporary position.

The Sauk Rapids School Board considered six semifinalists and picked Watkins to be the interim superintendent from a pool of two finalists. The finalists met with community members, district staff, teachers and the board for final interviews. Watkins is expected to take over July 1. Watkins will remain in the new interim position for a year while the board searches for a permanent replacement.

Sauk Rapids serves approximately 40,000 residents and 4,300 children in the northwestern reaches of the St. Cloud metro area while employing nearly 600 staff members.

The Elk River Area School District’s interim superintendent almost never applied for the Elk River job in Elk River.

He hadn’t been looking and wasn’t even aware of the opening until a colleague, a former Sauk Rapids superintendent, mentioned it while the two educators were catching up over coffee. The man told Watkins he was surprised he hadn’t applied for “Elk River.”

The St. Cloud man, who has never been very good at retiring, became immediately interested due to its close proximity and strong reputation.
After leaving the coffee shop, Watkins emailed Ken Dragseth, who he learned was leading the search, to see if he was too late.

The listing for the interim superintendency was about to close. Watkins hurried up and got Dragseth and his consulting firm School Exec Connect Inc. all it needed to be considered. He was hired last July.

Watkins served as the St. Cloud superintendent of schools from 2004 through 2008 and again from 2010 through 2013. Over the past couple of years, he’s been working in the St. Paul area, serving as executive director of the Nova Classical Academy in 2014-2015 and last year working on an extensive teacher evaluation project for the St. Paul Conservatory.
Watkins started his educational career, which spans more than four decades, in Proctor, where he was a teacher and principal. He served as an assistant superintendent in the Duluth School District, as well.

A HONOR ROLL

Grade 6 – Ethan Andresen, Maya Andrican, Cullen Asbeck, Chase Benson, Logan Birdsall, Peyton Boldt, Emma Boser, Alexis Bram, Kaylyn Breyen, Annika Carlson, Emma Cira, Emma Coffee, Mariah Dahlheimer, Jackson Davies, Alexandra Deeg, Ethan Delisi, Rylee Donald, Elizabeth Doran, Sydney DuBay, Ashley Ege, Cole Erickson, Jake Eull, Julia Fedosyuk, Eric Forstie, Skylar Fursman, Carter Galante, Jack Germscheid, Juan Gonzalez, Laura Grundman, Ella Hanson, Steven Hembre, Maxwell Hite, Ethan Hogan, Elizabeth Hopkins, Nikki Hortian, Esme Irel, Chase James, Gracie Jensen, Ella Johnson, Wesley Johnson, Zackary Klingl, Benjamin Konkol, Max Koste, Adria Kotzian, Vayla Kutsi, Kristin Landrus, Jordan Langbehn, Malayna Leuthold, Gavin Mansour, Annika Mathison, Jennie Mattson, Megan McMorran, Andi Mehrer, Justin Miceli, Kristin Miller, Brenna Monahan, Josie Monson, Greta Nelson, Jaden Nemeth, Avery O’Donnell, Kaitlin Olson, James Owens, Isaac Paaverud, John Palmer, Michael Palmer, Marshall Partlow, Kate Perbix, Lilly Perron, Nicholas Rademacher, Brianna Rangel, Matthew Reinert, Ayden Ricks, Owen Roehrdanz, Isabel Roiland, Lauren Rusnacko, Steven Ryabikov, Maria Rydberg, Gracyn Schmitz, Lillian Schoenert, Hannah Schumacher Sasse, Carson Schutz, Sophia Seidel, Isabelle Silvola, Grace Stimler, Walker Traun, Kelsey VanValkenburg, Hailey Vinje, Vaughn Voigt, Daniel Ward, Julia Wilson and  Jason Wingard

Grade 7 – Emily Almanzar, Maverick Almich, Henry Babcock, Jordan Bauer, Blake Benson, Emma Bobick, Tucker Brady, Logan Braley, Alex Brandt, Emily Bridgeman, Ryder Burdine, Gavin Carlson, Lainie Carlson, Andrew Christopherson, Chloe Coffee, Kayla Coolidge, Elle Cotton, Gabriella Danielowski, Owen Doran, Maya Eatherton, Zach Falls, Andrew Foss, Collin Furlong, Carmen Galante, Erin Gannon, Amos Gborie, Luke Gintz, Tanner Greenwell, Dayton Guyer, Dylan Haataja, Belinda Hamlin, Anthony Hanson, Julia Hanson, Ella Harris, Benjamin Hawley, Luke Hevey, Bella Hillman, Russell Hillukka, Kendall Hudson, Ryan Hudson, Taylor Ives, Kylie Jimenez, Ava Johnson, Kage Johnson, Zoey Johnson, Braden Junker, Rylen Keoraj, Gabriel Kramer, Susan Kreber, Rayna Laing, Dylan Langley, Tate Madson, Rayna Mahowald, Peyton Maier, Cadence Martie, Mason Mattingley, Alyson Miskowic, Caroline Nelson, Hailey Neumann, Ashley Ojeda, Ruby Olson, Sadie Olson, Erik Pilich, Thomas Rebrovich, Lindsey Redepenning, Madelyn Reisinger, Josh Riffe, Julia Rindy, Taitum Rishovd, Destiny Scharf, Maxwell Schunk, Blaise Schutt, Mason Schwegman, McKenna Stoll, Jack Sumstad, Gavin Swart, Joseph Swigart, Bethany Timm, Jerome Uche, Cassondra Vang-Lohnes, Sydney Venne, Jordan Voss, Amy Wallace, Mason Weber, Harper Westgaard, Isaac Wiitala, Ryan Wingard and Ella Wonser

Grade 8 – Amber Aamodt, Alexandra Anderson, Kiyah Baker, Tyler Bakken, Evan Bode, Isabella Braaten, Katelyn Carr, Easton Christian, Connor Corrow, Mackenzie Creighton, Ellen Dehn, Blake Douglas, Amanda Forstie, Edyn Fosse, Derek Fromm, Jack Gebhardt, Katie Gerold, Emma Glasgow, Ella Goede, Megan Gordon, Joseph Greniuk, Jayna Hager, Luke Hansen, Brady Holland, Viktoria Hrytskevich, Linkin Huber, Franklin Jarmoluk, Andrew John, Abigail Johnson, Maya Johnson, Megan Kelley, Parker Kivley, Payton Kolles, Jacob Kotzian, Olivia Kramer, Johanna Langbehn, Kalia LaValley, Makayla Leuthold, Kendra Lingman, Gabriel Livingston, Lucas Lodermeier, Harleigh Lucas, Mckenzie Lundquist, Miah Martin, James McCarty, Jordan Mehrer, Kellen Michener, Jonah Monroy, Payton Nivala, Grace Nord, Justin Owens, Samantha Peterson, Bailey Phipps, Blake Ramberg, Ethan Reznicow, Carlie Richter, Ellie Rivers, Lily Roiger, Corinn Seifert, Elissa Simone, Emma Stenglein, Molly Stroh, Gavin Swanson, Emily Tatur, Sophia Tobin, Hailey Traun, Eric Ullrich, Kylie Urvig, Heaven Wells, Ryan Wilson, Charles Wonser and Mya Yoder

B HONOR ROLL

Grade 6 – Lydia Baker, Madison Borovansky, Ciara Carroll, Emma Cockcroft, Quinn Dehkes, Colton Flagle, Angel Flemming, Parker Gall, Keana Gonzalez, Kaitlyn Hanson, Caitlin Harvey, Makayla Hendricks, Skyler Hines, Jaxon Hoffman, Kara Homola, Madeline Hopkins, Robert Jensen, Savanna Johnson, Lilli Khaochonethan, Jack Lachmiller, Leah LaFlamme, Faith Larson, Mackenzie Lene, Derrick Lodermeier, Tanner Martin, Sage McLean, Hayden Miller, Mason Miller, Aaliyah Mosher, Hannah Moss, Grace Mueller, Dylan Murray, Renae Murrell, Hannah Parker, Lilyana Reichert, Noah Reznicow, Elias Rustad, Noah Rustad, Chase Stennes, Preston Strom, Morghan Thoennes, Kendall Tjosvold, Elizabeth Ulbrich, Gabrielle Welch and Janelle Williams

Grade 7 – Emma Anderson, Noah Benson, Lydia Burggraff, Cruise Clay, Ava Cole, Lucinda DeMars, Alexandra Dillion, Gemini Fields, Neal George, Tyler Hague, Emma Harder, Gavin Hilyar, Alexia Hovda, Liberty Huber, Lucas Jenniges, Joseph Jusczak, Gabrielle Kangas, Makayla Kichler, Landon Kolles, Benson Kozitka, Tate Larsen, Mackenzie Larson, Kendra Lockwood, Brady McAdams, Tyler Menning, Tia Mitchell, Jacob Muniz, Mason Pearson, Evan Ressler, Hannah Ruberg, Allison Rusnacko, Peyton Sharp, Jaxson Tesser, Ashton Thomas, Hayden Waletzko, Tucker Westphal, Sean Whealdon and Rachelle Witt

Grade 8 – Treyvanne Bergstrom, Nolan Blake, Josiah Bonin, Aaron Bouma, Kareen Brenteson, Isabella Dehkes, Cole Donald, Kaitlyn Flagle, Wyatt Flint, Andrew Fox, Paige Germscheid, Kelsey Gust, Afton Guyer, Timothy Hanson, Madalyn Harvey, Ryla Hines, Nathan Holm, Collin Humphreys, Jordan Johnson, Scott Jussila, Logan Krekelberg, Cullen Laaveg, Tyler Lucas, Mason Martineau, Austin Moss, Maxwell Muller, Audrey Neuerburg-Chapman, Quinn O’Hara, Dayne Partlow, Irina Rabikava, Daniel Schroeder, Shelby Silva Garcia, Raymond Sizen, Kaitlyn Stelk, Ariyanna Stibal, Dacoda Thoennes, Jack Tudor, Adaeze Udalla, Kennedy Westphal and Kalau Wuanti

A Honor Roll Zimmerman Middle School – 3rd Quarter 2016-2017

Grade 6 – Amelia Acker, Rebekah Anderson, Hailey Becker, Chloe Belanger, Chase Berwald, Kelsey Bibeau, Justin Blazevic, MacKenzie Bosquez, Carmen Boyer, Abby Buermann, Rayna Cabak, Brianna Carlson, Kasetin Childs-Hoban, Pieper Christiaansen, Cora Conrad, Danielle Dekok, Hunter, Dipprey, Jenna Findell, Claire Firkus, Maggie Fischbach, Isabelle Fischer, Matthew Freeberg, Cole Gibeau, Max Gostonczik, William Grangroth, Ashley Gruwell, Isaac Hagen, Drew Halland, Caitlyn Hanlon, Jessica Hartigan, Ashlynn Hauth, Natalie Hayes, Karly Hermanson, Caitlin Herrmann, Olivia Hiltner, Merrilee Hofstede, Brooks Howard, Tatum Hupalo, Amaya Jackson, Lily Jendro, Elizabeth Kerzman, Kayla Kowalski, Louise Kritzeck, Talia Kuss, Austin Lee, Lindsay Lewis, Ty Mansfield, Payton McEachern, Jack Montplaisir, Chase Morrissette, Marissa Oberfeld, Eryn Olson, Kenneth Olson, Cole Orgon, Mishima Padilla, Samantha Paulsen, Ella Pouliot, William Rachel, Rhylee Reimann, Cora Reschke, Reese Rivers, Elena Roberts, Makenna Rotz, Karyn Rzeszutek, Chase Sabinske, Ashley Sendzik, Audrey Smith, Brock Snow, Shailyn Solle, Caden Spence, Trevor Sweet, Natalie Thompson, Wyatt Tschida, Christine Waage, Sarita Watson, Dylan Weller, Treyton Wibeto, Reed Zahler, Hailee Zimpel

Grade 7 –  Elizabeth Ahner, Kelsi Anderson, Gretchen Andresen, Michaela Beaver, Samuel Benjamin, Abigail Benson, Lauren Bondhus, Lauren Brooks, Allison Brostrom, Calan Bushinger, Caden Curtis, Madeline Dahl, Brandon Deal, Emily Dordal, Emma Flaten, Sydney Graf, Grace Guentzel, Lane Halland, Heather Hawkins, Kiana Helland-Boriboune, Avery Hollan, Luke Inman, Connor Janowiec, Meagan Jentzsch, Kenneth Jones, Trevor Jones, Lydia Keskey, Austin Kitzberger, Carter Kluge, Marley Knight, Nataysia Koehler, Ella Kostrzewski, Abigail Larson, Katelyn Lawliss, Morgan Malecha, Tiffany Maschler, Addison McBroom, Rileigh Miller, Nina Moll, Karlee Monteleone, Corbin Nelson, Gavin Neubauer, Jayna Newcomb, Samuel Norland, Peyton Opsahl, Aiden Pardino, Breanne Plude, Gavyn Popejoy, Aurora Rahn, Madison Randall, Rylan Rivers, Rachel Rotz, Josephine Rowley, Sydney Sayre, Hannah Smith, Abigail Steinbrecher, Alayna Swirtz, Bethany Szlavich, Eliana Tiggelaar, Sarah Tucker, Abigail Valencia, Elle Werner, Ella Williams

Grade 8 – Grace Baker, Avery Berg, Ryan Bouley, Abbey Brady, Sylvia Cabak, Kaylee Clifton, Alexander Cromwell, Anna Deitz, Makenna Elphick, Bjorn Franke, Kai Franke, Nils Franke, Ella Haas, Carly Hanlon, Rachael Hartley, Bryan Hoerr, Cambell Jenson, Isabelle Johnson, Logan Johnson, Polly Kritzek, Crystal Li, Shannon Mattson, Anikka Miller, Melissa Muckenhirn, McKenzie Olene, Haruka Padilla, Cheradin Ralph, Ryan Reinking, Dylan Rogers, Adyson Roman, Sierra Rosby, Lana Schultz, Miranda Schwieger, Innka Simonovich, Sophia Smith, Jacob Swirtz, Rachel Waage, Nicole Weekley, Kaitlyn Wehmeyer, Kyla Wiley, Olivia Williams, Joshua Wisness

B Honor Roll Zimmerman Middle School – 3^rd Quarter 2016 – 2017

Grade 6 – Jack Abrahamson, Ryland Anderson, Alyssa Bardwell, Sadie Benjamin, Gracie Blaedorn, Joel Bouley, Alana Budish, Jackson Buskey, Jade Cash, Eva Ende, Cole Evans, Samuel Fox, Carter Haas, Angelina Hansen, Owen Harding, Ryland Higgins, Charles Hokanson, Selina Jeffers, Carson Kalisch, Nathan Kohner, Noah Kolander, William Kucherov, Gavin Lahn, Madelyn Lehman, Kaylee Leider, Reed Lundberg, Gretchen Mattson, Kelsey Miller, Autumn Murphy, Blake Nordlund, Rocco Olson, Sierra Sheets, Kaden Shortell, Chase Skramstad, Gracie Steffes, Hailey Stolte, Hunter Wagner, Tyler Wick , Samuel Williams, Sophia Williams, Trinity Zortman

Grade 7 –  Tyler Aderman, Carter Anderson, Joshua Anderson, Abby Barthel, Holly Bath, Mackenzie Brooking, Dylan Carlson, Tristyn Erdman, Cecilia Galeano, Aubrey Gamache, Joseph Gardas, Abigail Gau, Peyton Giffen, Jayden Harris, Abigail Holien, Gavin Jellison, Zachary Karnes, Madison Klersy, Riley Klick, Mark Kucherov, Lucas LaVigne, Heath Lester, Luca Madland, Ty Mager, Jacob Mandler, Kellen Martin, Riley McMullen, Brynn Miller, Ekaternia Miller, Abigail Monson, Mara Olson, Brooklyn Riddel, Tristian Rinehart, Olivia Rotz, Vasiliy Rozhik, Araya Rudolph, Daunte Sellers, Molli Shannon, Milton Tuttle, Lillian Victor, Isaiah Wagner, Kayla Zinken

Grade 8 – Kameron Arieta, Avery Bakke, Teagan Braun, Abbey Callison, Lucas Carlson, Alexis Dahlheimer, Emmalee Ellingson, Kenneth Fenstermaker, Jack Firkus, Cody Hiltner, Cole Hinton, Lilienne Ihla, Mitchel Kimpton, Chase Loudon, Joseph Montplaisir, Ryan Peters, Wyatt Petron, Micheal Richter, Scott Rickard, Kayleen Rollins, Ethan Rotz, Jocelyn Sailor, Andrea Schneider, Jack Senderhauf, Drew Tempesta, Lucie Thompson, Trenton Waletzko, Ava Wark, Christian Wells, Landon Wesloh, Jonathan Wilson, Bryant Yanta

Dean’s Lists:
Concordia University
Elk River
Lydia Carr, Courtney Hickman, Keaton Huberty, Kali Parke, Madyson St. Germain
Otsego
Cadia Gren, Madeline Nehotte
Zimmerman
Brooke Salo

Graduations:
BlueSky Online School
Otsego
Matthew Klava

Grantham University (Kansas)
Elk River
Scott Lewis, B.S., business management

Minnesota State University, Mankato
Elk River
Bridget Anderson, BSCE, civil engineering; Shyler Egan, BS, psychology, magna cum laude; Kayla Herzog, BFA, art; Adam Kunkel, BS, finance; Haley Lenz-Severson, BS, mass communications, cum laude; Candice Nemes, BATR, athletic training; Maria Otachi, BS, nursing; Adam Peterson, BS, computer and information technology, magna cum laude; Hayley Pfleghaar, BS, family consumer science, magna cum laude; Jordan Schoolmeesters, BFA, art, cum laude; Valery Vola, BS, manufacturing engineering tech; Darci Wilkinson, BS, nursing
Rogers
Austin Barbeln, BS, earth science and education; Mark A. Baumtrog, BS, law enforcement, cum laude; Hayden R. Booms, BS, earth science; Brooke Erickson, BS, family consumer science, cum laude; Keaton Mumm, BS, geog: professional; Jenna Neis, BS, family consumer science, summa cum laude; Brandon Poliszuk, BS, marketing
Zimmerman
Lynsey Duke, BS, rec, parks and leisure services; Ryan Vermeer, BS, sport management, magna cum laude

Southwest Minnesota State University
Elk River
Corey Daniel Collins, B.S., elementary education and early childhood education

Trey Bieber and McKenna Butau were crowned Zimmerman High School prom king and queen moments before the start of the school’s grand march on April 22 in the school’s gymnasium.

This year’s theme was “Adventure Awaits.” The gym floor was decorated with travel in mind. There was even an Eiffel Tower replica built out of wood by a staff member’s husband, an airport runway, vintage suitcases and a passport.

Prom followed the march at Northern Light Ballroom in Pease. It included dinner and a dance.

A’s in tough classes drop top-10 ERHS student to 25th; efforts for change gaining momentum

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
Caroline Silvola knows how to shoot for the stars.

Aside from holding a part-time job, the Elk River High School junior received high marks on the ACT exam and was ranked 10th in her class.

But when the Advanced Placement classes she completed as a sophomore left her feeling a bit bored, the now 17-year-old turned to Postsecondary Enrollment Options. The academic option is primarily for high school juniors and seniors and allows them to take courses at the college level, with completed courses counting toward both college and high school credit.

She said her high school counselor seemed to have little information on PSEO, so Silvola did her own research.

She attended informational sessions at the University of Minnesota, where she aspired to enroll in classes. She knew her grades earned at the college level wouldn’t be weighted on her high school transcript, but when she was accepted to the U of M’s selective PSEO program, Silvola decided she was up for the challenge, she said.

Due to the intensity and workload of an AP level course at the high school, they’re weighted so that a 4.0 grade – or an A – appears as a 4.34 on a transcript. A 4.0 earned through PSEO in a university course remains unchanged.

“The workload is manageable, but it’s definitely a college workload,” said Silvola, who enrolled in 12 credits her first semester and 17 credits this semester. She completes a large chunk of her work on the Northstar train, her mode of transportation to and from classes.

Despite earning straight A’s in her college courses and being recognized on the dean’s list for academic achievement, Silvola’s high school ranking dropped from 10th to 25th, and that could be a problem, she said.

College admission offices pay close attention to class ranking, as do scholarship foundations and employers, said Silvola, which is why the Elk River junior and a network of other students from the Elk River Area School District are pushing for PSEO grades to be weighted, just like the AP courses.

Silvola was one of a handful of people present during an April 24 School Board meeting who encouraged the board to adopt a policy regarding weighted grades.

Silvola’s mother, Linda, has pushed for change, too. In an email sent April 24 to School Board Chair Shane Steinbrecher, she wrote the following: “Please think about this issue. PSEO students are simply looking for equal credit for equal effort. Please work with the school board and superintendent to even the playing field for students who are looking for the challenge and opportunities of becoming lifelong learners.”

Steinbrecher said he has given direction to the administration and interim Superintendent Bruce Watkins to look into the issue and anticipates it will be discussed at a work session in the near future.

Anna Dulski, a 16-year-old junior at Rogers High School, attends PSEO classes full-time at Anoka-Ramsey Community College – six classes in all. When asked if the workload was a lot, Dulski laughed and replied, “Yeah, it is.”

But the intense courses could pay off in the end; by the time she graduates from high school, Dulski will have already earned an associate degree at no cost to her. After high school graduation, she plans to continue her studies for a career in history- or anthropology-related fields.

More than a local effort
The groundswell behind the issue is also in place at the statewide level.

Joe Nathan is the director for the Center for School Change, a St. Paul-based nonprofit that works with educators, parents, policymakers and the community to increase student achievement, raise graduation rates and strengthen relationships. The center has given a grant to District 728 in the past to help establish a magnet school and Nathan has recently advocated for weighting grades earned at the PSEO level.

Nathan said there are simply some students who are looking to take on college-level work while still in high school and PSEO can offer an outlet for those students to excel and blossom.

“We’re just trying to have equity in the way students are treated,” he said.

Nathan added it’s in the best interest of students and the state of Minnesota to encourage PSEO courses as they can cut back on student debt and contribute to higher graduation rates, which make students more marketable.

Legislation relating to the issue has circulated through state bodies through the K-12 school funding bill, which includes PSEO-related provisions.

Among other requirements, the bill would require high schools to have a policy about weighting grades – including whether or not it does weight grades – and it must annually publish a list of courses that qualify for the weight on its website.

A collaborative bill from the Minnesota House and Senate will be sent to Gov. Mark Dayton for consideration.

Looking ahead
Silvola referred to PSEO as an “amazing” opportunity for students – and one that many students appreciate.

She’s been able to take courses not offered at her high school, Silvola said.

“We put a lot of work into our classes and into our education,” she said.

The Elk River student said she plans to pursue a career in the STEM field – likely in biomedical engineering.

by Jim Boyle
Editor
Dylan Clausen admits he probably put more pressure on himself than he should have to repeat as a state champion at the Minnesota State High School League Class AA state high school speech tournament this past weekend at Apple Valley High School.

But the Elk River High School senior and his teammates have been setting the bar high ever since the group won the school’s first section championship in 2014 and Clausen qualified for state that year as a freshman in Discussion.

The Elks have won the section title every year since, and Clausen’s goal to win a state title was cemented the following year when he took second in Discussion as a sophomore. He won it in 2016 and repeated again this past weekend. It was icing on a cake that has been getting sweeter all along.

“To me this means I was able to finish my senior year on a high note, and it’s also symbolic for Elk River being able to hold its own,” he said this week during his third hour speech class with teacher and speech team adviser Allison Harmer.
Elk River had five section champs this year. They are Clausen, Elizabeth Brayden, Tia Lerud, Erika Kovar and Emmanuel Collins.

Elk River advanced 12 team members to state and three became finalists. They are Clausen, Brayden (seventh in Oratory) and Jazzy Gray (eighth in Informative).

The team finished 10th overall at state, despite going up against many teams twice its size. Elk River has 36 members, from novice to varsity.

“To finish in the top 10 without the resources and support some other teams have says a lot about Elk River,” Clausen said. “We are still able to hold our own.”

Harmer said the success doesn’t happen by accident.

“I am always so impressed with how hard they work,” she said. “I think the school owes a lot to these students. They have set the bar high for future (speech) teams.”

Clausen’s rise
Clausen got involved as a freshman after taking part in mock trial. He was looking for something that would allow him more freedom and greater opportunities for creativity.

Speech quickly became his main activity in high school, although he hasn’t let off the gas in his foray into science, technology, engineering and math, aka STEM, aspects of schooling. He is planning to double major in premed and political science at Dartmouth, an Ivy League school in New Hampshire.

“Speech is the best thing I have ever done,” he said, noting how much it has prepared him for his future in terms of skills and experiences and developing a tremendous appreciation for language.

Clausen has been hooked on Harmer’s approach — one that stresses everyone has a voice and by using it people empower themselves and others to use their own.

Students on the team have a diverse background, but all share a passion for sharing a message with others and are willing to work hard, Harmer says. Topics tackled range from micro-aggression against women to the science behind disgust.

Some start out terrified of public speaking but are good writers. Some are even class clowns. But they’re all serious about competition.

This year the group competed in the National Speech and Debate Association’s national qualifier for the first time in school history. The contest is not sanctioned by the Minnesota State High School League.

Elk River had nine entrants and three students qualified. They are Clausen (first in Student Congress), Emily Sizen (second in Informative) and Brayden (third in Original Oratory). Grace Olson, Tia Lerud and Erika Kovar also finished as either a first alternate or semi-finalist.

At state
This year would be no easy task for Clausen, as six of the top competitors in Discussion returned. Only two of them became finalists, including Clausen.

“Just making it to the finals was quite an accomplishment,” Harmer said.

But that’s not enough for Clausen and his teammates. With one state champ and a Top 10 finish at state, the team has high hopes for the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament. That will be held June 18-24 in Birmingham, Alabama.

by Rachel Minske
Contributing Writer
During a work session meeting April 24, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Jana Hennen-Burr introduced two proposed initiatives to the Elk River Area School Board that would expand upon existing services.

The first proposal for the upcoming 2017-18 budget includes the expansion of the district’s career and college readiness program. The initiative would help develop and expand career pathways, offer job shadowing and career mentorship opportunities, internships and apprenticeships.

The initiative would require the addition of a workforce development coordinator who is licensed as a teacher and work experience coordinator. The employee would partner with Tricia Sanford, coordinator for career and college readiness with the district.

The projected cost of this proposal is about $96,580.

The second proposal would expand intervention support for all grade levels.

According to district documents, District 728 currently provides K-12 buildings with an intervention specialist who works directly with students who struggle in reading, math and behavior. Under this initiative, nine full-time-equivalent employees would be added to expand intervention time.

The point of the intervention is to reduce the number of special education referrals and move students in a positive direction before they ever reach the referral stage, said Joe Stangler, who deals with curriculum, testing and Title 1 for the district.

The estimated cost for the second proposal is $701,363.

School Board Member Holly Thompson said she wants to ensure students’ needs are met but also wants to ensure the district is not in a position where it has to “cut a million dollars” next year. She added it’s possible she is dealing with “the scar of cutting $6 million from the budget” in a previous budget cycle.

However, interim Superintendent Bruce Watkins said the request would not have been presented unless the circumstances were right.

“We didn’t come forward unless we had a balanced budget and a minimum 8 percent fund balance,” he said.

The board has upcoming work sessions scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 8 and 6 p.m. May 22, both at Elk River City Hall.

The School Board must have an approved budget in place by July 1, the beginning of the 2017-2018 fiscal year.

For the 2016-2017 school year, the Elk River Area School District had a budget of about $145.4 million.

This budget season poses some unique challenges, Director of Business Services Greg Hein has said. The district will open Prairie View Elementary and Middle School in Otsego for the 2017-2018 academic year, posing significant questions about enrollment numbers and building needs. Further, district officials are closely watching bills traveling down the legislative pipeline while also looking ahead to negotiating contracts with 14 different bargaining groups – something that happens every couple of years.

by Heather Reinhart
Contributing Writer
“When I sit, you sit. When I kneel, you kneel. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!” — The King of Siam

Hundreds took a seat in the new auditorium at Zimmerman Middle/High School for last weekend’s three performances of the high school musical “The King and I.” It was the first big performance in the new facility, which held its public grand opening in March.

The theater, which seats 604, is a dramatic improvement from the lunchroom “cafetorium” stage that had been used for the previous decade or more. This time, the seats were comfortable and there was true stage lighting, enough room for proper sets, a great sound system and a fly (hoist) system to manage items like curtains, lights and set pieces quickly, quietly and safely.

“This was just a load of difference,” drama director Jon Palashewski said. “It’s exactly what we wanted when we were pursuing the plans. It’s constructed in such a way that every seat feels close to the stage. It definitely has the feeling of being smaller and more intimate.”

The musical performance was complete with a live orchestra, which Palashewski said has never happened in Zimmerman before.

“That just adds a whole other element,” he said. “It’s just very exciting.”

The orchestra was entirely made up of students with the exception of the director and a piano player.

“We received lots of comments from people that were amazed with the performance but also with the facility,” Palashewski said. “The venue does make a difference.”

Typically, the high school performs its annual musical in the fall, but organizers weren’t certain the auditorium would be ready in time, so they pushed it to the spring this year. And that decision was a good one.

“It was amazing,” said high school junior Linny Briggs, who played the lead role of Anna. “That big of a change from the cafeteria and having the green room and nice dressing rooms was so nice. Having that much space to just be ourselves was amazing!”

Palashewski said that in the old space, attendees couldn’t always see or hear well and the chairs were uncomfortable.

“It was a hundred times better,” said sophomore Hunter Peterson, stage director for “The King and I.” “We actually had tools to build with and to make everything, and the sound and lighting equipment was much better.”

Peterson said the set crew was able to go higher and wider than in the past due to the confines of the lunchroom space, and having the fly system gave the crew many new options.

Palashewski agreed that the new auditorium has many benefits for the students, particularly those on the tech crew. For “The King and I,” there were about 70 students involved including 45 in the cast.

“There are so many more options, especially for those thinking about a career in theater,” he said. “We could only dream of these things before.”

For Briggs, the weekend’s three performances were something she won’t soon forget.

“So many people that I didn’t even know came up to me and said it was amazing,” Briggs said. “There were lots of compliments.”

Zimmerman is involved in the Hennepin Theater Trust Spotlight Program and one of the perks is having a theater professional come out during rehearsals, look at the show and give suggestions. They also critique the performance and, in June, will give out awards to the top performers in the state. Palashewski hopes some Zimmerman students will be invited there this year.

This new auditorium came about after voters approved a bond referendum two years ago.

“We’re very thankful to have this space,” Palashewski said. “Some of them have been dreaming and wanting this for a long time.”

by Jim Boyle
Editor
Elk River Area School District administrators sent an electronic letter home to parents this week about a controversial drama on Netflix, “13 Reasons Why.”

The series reportedly details the life of a high school student who faces many struggles and ultimately dies by a completed suicide.

Portions of the topics depicted in the series are very graphic. This has created much discussion about critical issues such as bullying, sexual assault and suicide.

“Debate centers around whether the series ‘13 Reason Why’ accurately portrays the support available to those struggling with mental health and/or suicidal thoughts or negatively impacts vulnerable students,” the letter to parents states.

Interim Superintendent Bruce Watkins said District 728 routinely shares information with parents and students on the topics of mental health and wellness, stress, depression and suicide and strategies to deal with such matters.

Watkins said earlier this year when a student from one of the district’s middle schools committed suicide was one of those times.

As part of its response, the district brought in Deb Link, a presenter and therapist and mediator from Ascend Family Institute in Rogers. She talked to parents, guardians and concerned adults about the well-being of children, focusing on children’s mental health and suicide awareness.

Another difficult time for schools is when students are touched by suicide in their family, including those who lose a parent to a completed suicide.

When talk of the Netflix series built up, educators and other professionals decided it was time to reach out again.

When discussing this topic with your student, parents and adults were encouraged to consider using several resources and were provided the following links:
•National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), http://bit.ly/2oYiPWu.
•“13 Reasons Why”: Talking Points JED Foundation, http://bit.ly/2okd8ne.
•Warning Signs, http://bit.ly/2pzgQKa.
•ISD 728 Bullying Prevention, http://bit.ly/2oZnFpK.
•Hotline: Text LIFE to 61222, txt4life.org.
•National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

by Jim Boyle
Editor
Big Lake Schools found itself in a dust storm over a decision to not allow this year’s trap shooting team photo in the yearbook because guns were in visible the picture.

It made headlines across the state.

Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, sent a letter to Big Lake School Superintendent Steve Westerberg to encourage him to do what he could to overturn the decision.

“This is political correctness run amok,” Zerwas said of the district’s policy against displaying firearms in photos being applied to the team’s photo. “Big Lake Schools need to reverse their decision and treat all extracurricular activities equally by allowing the trap shooting team’s photo in the yearbook.

“The trap shooting team safely and properly displaying their firearms in a photo is no different than baseball players with their bats or basketball players holding a ball in their team photos.”

The Big Lake School Board reversed the decision, the district announced April 27, with a change in policy.

When District 728 officials were asked if they ever found themselves in a similar position, and the answer from interim Superintendent Bruce Watkins was no.

Trap shooting is represented in District 728 yearbooks the same way all other sports and activities. They have team photos and action shots.

The difference, Watkins said, is all of the action takes place off of school grounds and on private property and gun clubs.

“We don’t own, rent or lease space for this stuff,” Watkins said. “These students compete safely at gun clubs.”