by Aaron Brom

ECM-Sun Newspapers

Former Rogers High School student Reid Sagehorn filed a lawsuit June 10 against the school district and Rogers police chief.

The lawsuit cites “harm to his reputation and standing in the community, mental distress, shame, humiliation and embarrassment” and requests monetary damages “against Police Chief Jeffrey Beahen for defamation.”

The lawsuit was in response to Sagehorn’s suspension and expulsion after an incident in January where Sagehorn said he sarcastically answered, “Actually, yes” to a social media posting that had asked if he had “made out” with a Rogers High School teacher. Sagehorn later issued an apology saying his words were never meant to be taken seriously or cause harm to the teacher. He also had written an apology to the teacher.

The tweeting incident garnished metro news front page coverage, near daily TV reports, and national and international media coverage. The attention sparked widespread debate in editorials and online blogs, some arguing that Sagehorn’s rights were violated and that his suspension was an overstep, others arguing that Sagehorn’s comments, taken seriously or not, had damaged the reputation of the teacher.

Chief Beahen argued for the latter and mentioned that Sagehorn’s comments could be felonious. He later said he had erred in mentioning a felony charge was possible. The Hennepin County Attorney’s office determined there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Sagehorn with a crime.

“Reid’s post was meant to be taken in jest. This was a mistake,” the lawsuit said. “He has since learned that sarcasm does not translate well over the Internet. He never intended for anyone to believe his post.”

Lawsuit documents said his conduct did not constitute threatening, intimidating or assault of a teacher, administrator or other staff member, which are grounds for suspension according to school policy. It further said, “Any reasonable school official or police officer would understand that to be the case.”

Sagehorn transferred to St. Michael-Albertville High School, where he graduated May 30.

The lawsuit contends that Sagehorn’s name “is forever linked with the term ‘felony,’ as any Google search will confirm. This has destroyed his reputation and will be detriment to his ability to find employment during and after college.”

Sagehorn requested a jury trial on all issues of fact listed in the lawsuit. There were five counts cited. The first was for First Amendment violations, noting that his “out-of-school, sarcastic reply” constitutes speech protected by the First Amendment.

The second count was for supervisory liability against Beahen, alleging that his actions amount to “reckless disregard.”

The third count is for unconstitutional custom and pattern of practice, alleging that District 728 subjected Sagehorn “to a deprivation of his clearly established rights.”

The fourth count was for Fourteen Amendment violations, stating that Sagehorn “was deprived a meaningful opportunity to be heard” to contest his suspensions and expulsion.

The final count was for defamation against Beahen, stating that Beahen’s comments were false.

Citing ongoing litigation, the Rogers Police Department confirmed Beahen would not comment.

The Rogers Class of 2014 graduated June 5. The lawsuit said that Sagehorn sat in the back of the gymnasium and watched as his former classmates all received diplomas.

“(Sagehorn) was barred from graduating with his friends and classmates of three and a half years or longer,” it said. “(Sagehorn) was forced to change schools with four months remaining on his senior year, one of the most exciting and carefree times in a young person’s life.”

The school district released the following statement: “District 728 acknowledges the receipt of a summons and complaint from attorneys representing Reid Sagehorn. The data related to this matter is private educational data and although the Sagehorns are free to release any data they wish, the district cannot disclose or discuss private educational data per the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.”

Father-son team John Fritzke (at left) and Tony Fritzke of Fritzke Trucking out of Watertown prepared six temporary classrooms for transport at Elk River High School this past week. The portable classrooms were reportedly in tough shape and there will be enough space in the building for students when classes resume this fall.

• Perfomance on stated goals nets school chief bonus

by Jim Boyle

Editor

The Elk River Area School Board gave Superintendent Mark Bezek high marks during a recent performance review.

He scored well on all nine factors he was evaluated on as part of the review and on all four of his stated goals that go beyond general duties and responsibilities to earn him a $10,000 performance bonus.

“The 2013-14 school year was a very busy year with some unexpected challenges as well as major strides in implementation of the strategic plan,” School Board Chairwoman Jane Bunting read into the record from a prepared document.

Some of the unexpected challenges included the controversial delimiters process and an uproar over the discipline of a Rogers High School student for a two-word tweet.

This is the second year of a three-year contract for Bezek, who oversees the eighth largest school district in Minnesota.   He provides leadership to a public school district of approximately 13,600 students and oversees an annual operating budget of more than $125 million and the largest workforce in the district.

He was evaluated on educational leadership, board relations, staffing and policies, community and professional relations, finances, contract negotiations, operational goals and projections and strategic plan.

One board member said: “I feel Mark is a born leader. His knowledge of the entire district shows how much he loves his job and excels at moving the district forward.”

Board members did suggest Bezek provide more leadership this year to the Collaborative Leadership Team as “they are still cutting their teeth” on what their role is during educational reform.

School Board members expressed a need for greater community understanding to provide faster resolutions.

“(Bezek) is performing above standard in all categories, with significant levels of performance being noted in board relations and community and professional relations,” Bunting read.

Bezek also is asked to assess his own body of work, and he and the School Board are in agreement over staffing and policies, community and professional relations, finance, contract negotiations and operational goals and projections.

Two areas where there are significant differences are with educational leadership and strategic plan.

“This disparity in perceptions will require that priorities are clearly identified and mutually supported,” Bunting said.

School Board Member Jolene Jorgensen said thank you to Bezek.

“I think it was a great year, even though I didn’t agree with some things that the board or superintendent (sought),” she said. “It was always done professionally.”

Bezek’s four stated goals dealt with leading the development of the strategic plan and change strategy, developing a plan to improve access to opportunity, leading a multi-district legislative initiative to secure metro funding and to research and develop new and innovative academic opportunities.

“(Bezek) made steady progress with all four goals, despite the fact that a few significant challenges demanded his full attention for periods of time during the year,” Bunting said. “He achieved a 3.0 or higher ratings on all four goals thus achieving the full bonus of $10,000.”

• New course will give kids a glimpse into
several world languages, and other cultures

by Jim Boyle

Editor

Members of the Elk River Area School Board got their first good look at courses that will replace a middle school health and Family and Consumer Science class.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students will be taking Introduction to World Languages, which will provide a chance to explore foreign language classes offered at the high schools and a window into other cultures, according to curriculum specialist Mary Alberts.

Students will learn the skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing a second language. Course time will be spent on the languages’ cultures, along with awareness and appreciation of the contributions of those cultures to contemporary society.

Languages will include, Spanish, French, German and Ojibwe.

Students will be asked to think critically and reflect on the differences and similarities between the target cultures and their own, according to the course description.

“Students will be able to get to know the language, be able to speak some of it and read a little of it,” Alberts said. “They will also talk about the culture, the diversity and what it brings to us as citizens, making us the global community we talk about.”

Alberts said the days of having one language suffice are going by the wayside. She noted a report from the U.S. Department of Education indicated white students will no longer be in the majority in school when school starts this fall.

Minorities are projected to outnumber whites among the nation’s public school students for the first time, U.S. Department of Education projections show.

This is due largely to fast growth in the number of Hispanic and Asian school-age children born in the U.S., according to a Pew Research Center analysis of Census Bureau data.

In 1997, the U.S. had 46.1 million public school students, of which 63.4 percent were white. While whites will still outnumber any single racial or ethnic group this fall, their overall share of the nation’s 50 million public school students is projected to drop to 49.7 percent. Since 1997, the number of white students has declined by 15 percent, falling from 29.2 million to 24.9 million in 2014, the Pew Research Center reported.

“We really need to think about having more than just one language in our back pocket,” Alberts said. “When you travel to Europe, people usually speak English along with two or three other languages.”

Students taking the introductory course will create an interactive notebook-passport that will contain all their notes and handouts.

At the end of the quarter, students will participate in a Festival of Nations activity, choosing a country that speaks one of the languages studied and creating a small presentation.

“This course is meant to pique students’ interest to learn a new language,” Alberts said. “We’re excited about that.”

To keep students engaged, teachers are being given a book titled “An Invitation to World Languages.” The book gives teachers ideas of how to present information and keep students engaged.

• New class at middle schools to help prepare next generation of computer programmers

by Jim Boyle

Editor

The Elk River Area School District will begin preparing the next generation of computer programmers when school begins next week.

Sixth-grade students across the district will take computer coding instead of the 21st century skills class this school year, and the school district’s manager of instructional technology, Troy Anderson, reported Aug. 18 the district has selected a ready-made program called Tynker.

Anderson said the educational software was chosen for a few reasons, including the short window for creation of a class and because teachers who would be teaching the class have not taught coding before.

“The curriculum is all laid out for us,” Anderson told members of the Elk River Area School Board.

Tynker has found a way to make teaching of the topic much easier than the traditional computer programming methods, Anderson said.

The Tynker program uses visual blocks and then transitions from the icon-based method to JavaScript when they are ready, according to the educational software company’s website.

“Tynker’s language  extensions, built-in physics engine, animation libraries and character editors provide an excellent outlet for kids to unleash their creativity,” the program’s website states.

Anderson said the course will be a great help to students’ educational careers and future.

“The marketplace has changed drastically,” he said. “Kids need to understand this … so they can be creators of technology and not just passive users.”

Tynker is aligned with four strands of International Standards for Technology Education. They are:

•Creativity and innovation.

•Communication and collaboration.

•Critical thinking and problem solving.

•Digital citizenship.

And while the curriculum is mapped out, teachers have been given the flexibility to move at an appropriate pace for their classes.

“Teachers will modify and adjust,” said Anderson, who noted Elk River is out in front of other Minnesota schools.

Minnetonka is offering coding at the elementary school level this year, but it’s not required, Anderson said.

Out in Silicon Valley, meanwhile, “parents are knocking down the door for this,” Anderson said.

More than 8 million children and 10,000 schools use Tynker to learn programming through:

•Online interactive courses that allow kids to learn programming at their own pace at home.

•Curriculum and classroom management tools for schools and districts.

•Mobile applications for the iPad and Android-based tablets for kids to learn through puzzles and build their own mobile games.

•Instructor-led summer camps and after-school clubs for kids to collaborate.

Anderson expects kids to be a little uneasy at the start of the class, but to become more comfortable through trial and error.

The district administrator also anticipates teachers someday offering their students an opportunity to put on a coding fair.

Jordan Haack, a student at Elk River High School, has been named one of approximately 16,000 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

Jordan Haack

Haack and these other  academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring.

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.

• Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act will impede Homecoming fund drive for high school scholarships

by Jim Boyle

Editor

College scholarships will be some of the newest victims of the calorie-shaving, sodium-lowering Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010.

Improving child nutrition is the focal point of the federal legislation that authorizes funding and sets policy for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s core child nutrition programs. It also speaks to the drinks and snacks available to students during the school day more than ever before.

Photo by Jim Boyle
Elk River High School students are eating healthier, but some say the federal and state government are going too far with its rules.

Effective July 1, 2014, the only snacks school districts may sell to students during the school day – including food and beverages sold in school stores, vending machines and through fundraisers – will be “smart snacks” that meet the USDA’s nutrition standards for calories, fats, sugar, sodium and caffeine content.

Sales at Elk River High School’s school store have been cut in half, according to DECA adviser Sonja Weiler.

Weiler said the DECA program is treating the changes as an opportunity to learn, and her students are working hard to figure out what product lines they should sell as food and beverage manufacturers wrestle with the changes, too.

This new wrinkle also applies to fundraisers put on during the school day, such as the two held during homecoming and Snow Week at Elk River High School. Twice a year the school’s student council organizes the royalty court in the participation of food or beverage sales to the student body. They collaborate with the local business community to sell things like slices of pie and other treats made by area businesses.

The royalty has been offering this fundraiser ever since 2004. The food service staff educates the royalty court to ensure homemade items do not enter the school and proper dispensing is adhered, Elk River High School Principal Terry Bizal said.

“Our regular lunch provider (Sodexo) still offers the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids lunch to any student during each of the lunch periods on these two dates,” Bizal said.

Bizal said he has filed for an exemption with the Minnesota Department of Education, which has that authority from the federal government. But as of Wednesday morning, Bizal had not heard back.

The clock is ticking on the homecoming fundraiser that’s slated for Sept. 17. A similar operation will be carried out one day in February during Snow Week, if approved. Each have generated about $3,500 annually.

Bizal said the high school has parlayed the money from those two fundraisers into 14 $500 scholarships annually.

“I can’t make that up,” Bizal said.

The scholarships are distributed to the upper (four), middle (five) and lower (five) thirds of the senior class.

“This nominal, but much-appreciated, amount helps fulfill dreams as recipients pursue postsecondary educational training,” Bizal said.

Smart snack rules have also put school lunch programs in a pinch to fill their a la carte shelves at area high schools.

So few items qualify under the new guidelines that manufacturing plants are struggling to keep up with the demand for the “popular” healthy snacks, according to Julee Miller, the manager of food service that the school district contracts with to provide school lunches.

Miller said the school district and her company, Sodexo, have been able to keep up with most of the changes coming down from the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, because they have been keeping ahead of the changes by using healthier ingredients like whole wheat before they have been mandated.

“The schools have been supportive of the changes and the kids are knowledgeable about nutrition,” she said, noting their willingness to eat healthier options as well as fruits and vegetables.

Photo by Jim Boyle
Candy has been removed from the School Store at Elk River High School.

Makers of snacks have been stymied trying to keep up as they work to create appealing products for their consumers.

Miller said manufacturers of baked chips, reduced fat chips and other healthful snacks can’t keep up, but she predicts they eventually will.

She said she’s most concerned about are the sodium restrictions coming down the line in 2016 or 2017.

“The foods that will be needed don’t exist,” she said.

School store adjusts

DECA students, who have removed candy from their store’s shelves, have found some of their most popular sellers, like Arizona brand beverages, have to be sold in smaller cans to qualify.

They also had to change the base of their Slush Puppies from sugar to fruit juice. Whether it sells as well will remain to be seen, Weiler said.

Weiler, who serves on the National Advisory Board for DECA, said chief among her concerns are the impacts the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 will have on curricular programs like food occupations.

“That was a huge topic at our last conference,” she said.

There’s a piece of legislation that has surfaced called the Joe Act that the advisory board is supporting. It was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in May. It would amend the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to exempt school-based enterprises that are managed as part of a school’s curriculum from the nutrition standards for foods sold in schools that are not foods provided under the school lunch and breakfast programs.

Bizal and Weiler said they understand the need to provide nutritious lunches, but they question the overall impact of the legislation on educational programs. The loss of scholarships remains the most pressing concern.

The federal government is giving states wide-ranging authority to grant or deny exemptions. Time will tell how the Minnesota Department of Education uses its authority.

• State didn’t meddle with Homecoming fundraiser but work toward healthier choices for Snow Week will be expected, state says

by Jim Boyle

Editor

Elk River High School could not get an exemption for its homecoming food sale fundraiser, but an official for the Minnesota Department of Education acknowledged this week the wheels for this year’s event had already been turning and change takes time.

Deb Lukkonen, a supervisor of school nutrition programs for the safety, health and nutrition division of the Minnesota Department of Education, told Elk River High School Principal Terry Bizal in an email Sept. 16 that exemption approvals are only given in unique situations.

For instance, a student group that already signed contracts for school year 2014-15 and is in jeopardy of losing deposit money. Or the culinary arts program that might not be able to change the curriculum for the fall quarter, Lukkonen said.

“The food sales for homecoming and Snow week celebrations do not qualify for a special exemption,” Lukkonen said in the email. “However, seeing that homecoming is this week, I’m expecting that you and your students have already gone ahead and made arrangement for food sales. I hope the event is successful!”

She stated in her email the fundraising project is a good one for both the students and the community. Elk River High School students have historically raised about $3,500 each homecoming that has been divided into seven $500 scholarships for graduates. The same has been true of the Snow Week food sale fundraiser.

Effective July 1, 2014, the only snacks school districts may sell to students during the school day – including food and beverages sold in school stores, vending machines and through fundraisers – will be “smart snacks” that meet the USDA’s nutrition standards for calories, fats, sugar, sodium and caffeine content.

The new rules on snacks are all part of federal legislation that authorizes funding and sets policy for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s core child nutrition programs.

States have wide discretion when it comes to granting exemptions, but the Minnesota Department of Education has decided to toe a hard line.

Bizal told the Star News he was pleased someone from the state got back to him and he foresees a manageable transition to healthier food sale fundraisers.

“I do think we can be successful,” Bizal said. “We’ll have to shift our focus and educate ourselves as to what’s available. It will be a learning process.

“I truly understand the state’s position of wanting to support the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act.”

So does Julee Miller of Sodexo, who manages the breakfast and lunch program for the district. She has been working to keep the Elk River Area School District’s lunch offerings one step ahead of the federal government to ease the transition, but it hasn’t been easy. For those that are now feeling the effects of the changes, she says, “Welcome to my world.”

“The state wants to remain a strong leader,” Miller said. “That’s the culture in Minnesota. Healthier is a good thing.”

Lukkonen has asked Elk River High School students to work on securing new food products that meet program regulations for Snow Week.

“Four months is enough time for them to learn about the regulations and work with local businesses to identify products that are just as satisfying to students,” Lukkonen said. “I think that lots of schools will have scenarios similar to yours, and you can be a great role model for taking a long-standing tradition and, with some minor modifications, meet the new regulations.”

Lukkonen even offered some suggestions on food items that might be popular while still meeting the healthy snack requirements.

Bizal said he appreciated the suggestions.

Lukkonen also offered to review any ideas or recipes kids had from a local business that they’d like to use, and she can have one of the department’s dietitians work with it to make it meet regulations.

“I would much rather work with you and the students now than to use this year to ‘search,’” she said “There’s no better time to start changes than the present!

“I’m looking for progress. I won’t let perfection be the enemy of good! I am just thrilled that the school staff and students are really looking at the regulations and talking about it.”

Everyone remembers a favorite teacher, someone who motivates and inspires students for a lifetime. Minnesotans have the opportunity again this fall to nominate that unique educator for Minnesota Teacher of the Year.

Nominations opened Oct. 1 and remain open through Nov. 15. Nominations can be submitted online by accessing a simple nomination form on www.educationminnesota.org starting Oct. 1. The 2015 Teacher of the Year will be named at a ceremony May 3, 2015. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year also becomes Minnesota’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

For more information or to receive a nomination form, call Kieren Steinhoff at 651-292-4865 or 800-652-9073.

File photo by Jim Boyle Students used to fries cooked in oil have lamented healthier versions now being baked in ovens, without salt, under the confines of the Healthy Kids Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that has been fully implemented as of this year.

by Paul Rignell

Contributing Writer

Lunch may not count as a subject in school, but it has been a hot topic among students in District 728 this fall. The discussion reached the Elk River Area School Board at a work session Monday night, Oct. 20.

Students and staff last month saw a full introduction of the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, which became law in 2010.

Public school menus in this district and others in the nation had expanded in recent years to include more fresh fruits and vegetables. However, starting this year the menu options have changed in other ways to boost the nutritional value of some long-time favorites. For example, the baking of all breads, rolls and cookies now involves 100 percent whole grains, said Julee Miller, general manager of food services.

Among other menu changes, nothing could be done to rework and retain certain popular entrees such as buffalo popcorn chicken, Miller added while reporting to the board.

She said that she enjoyed that item as much as anyone.

“I miss it,” she said. “It was very good.”

The menu rotations still include all of the common staples. The school kitchens are ordering and using as many potato products as ever, Miller said, whether the spuds are sliced length-wise like shoestrings or diced and compressed as tator tots.

But it’s hard to qualify those shoestring potatoes as “fries” when they are being baked in ovens, without salt, instead of cooking in oil.

The students are eating the new versions, but some of the loudest reviews have not been favorable.

School Board Member Dan Hunt said he has polled district teens in his neighborhood, and they have told him “the fries are terrible.”

Miller admitted that she is still developing her own taste for the new styles of potatoes. “I don’t think they (the fries) taste very good unless you use a lot of ketchup,” she said.

By the nature of required changes, a la carte lunch options at the middle schools and high schools have shrunk significantly. The cookies are still there for individual sale, but they are different when based on whole grains.

Most of those schools’ returning students have been unimpressed by the sweets, Miller said. However, the students who are now in sixth grade and thus new to middle school are simply thrilled to have the freedom of buying cookies at lunch.

“The sixth-graders think these cookies are ‘the bomb,’ because they have never had anything else,” Miller said.

Negative rumblings about the menu changes have been loudest in the Rogers schools, and the School Board was discussing the subject Oct. 20 with the possibility of allowing those schools to enter different regulations for food service.

“(They) would still need to function under rules,” Miller said.

In the end, the board decided for now, anyhow, that they will direct all schools to continue following the current federal guidelines.

Hunt asked and his colleagues agreed, however, that staff should start to make a stronger effort to track food waste at lunch times.

Miller said it has been good for the schools to be incorporating more fresh produce. She reported that one female student at Rogers High School told her that the girl eats most of her fruits and vegetables at school. An active, busy lifestyle outside of school makes it too easy and convenient to be filling up on potato chips, she said.

Hunt said he believes that the Rogers student enjoying the fresh produce only at school would be an exception. “Healthy eating habits do not start in school,” he said.

Students in the Elk River Area School District will make up two days they missed due to weather cancellations.

The Elk River Area School Board approved make-up days for Friday, May 1, and Thursday, June 4. Students will have school on those days.

The School Board decided that the next two canceled school days will not be made up at the end of the year. Should school be canceled more than four times this year, the School Board will need to determine if additional canceled days (beyond the four days) will need to be made up.

Kayla Mack

Kayla Mack, a 2009 graduate of Elk River High School, is working toward becoming a nurse anesthetist.

She recently completed her application for her master’s program, and she plans on going for her doctorate for nurse practitioner to achieve her goal.

Mack knew in high school she wanted to go into the health care field and knew of a variety of degrees fields, but she said she didn’t realize there was a public health major that could be done at the same time as her other major.

“That would have been a nice addition to my education,” she said.

To prepare for postsecondary education, Mack took several AP classes.

She said it was helpful, but she said she would have also have benefited more from attending college classes while in high school through the Postsecondary Enrollment Option.

“I attended the University of Minnesota, and it was a shock to adjust to the expectations of the college courses,” she said.

Her parents encouraged her throughout high school to be involved in high school and work, which forced her to prioritize.

“That was invaluable,” she said.

Mack said a career exploration fair “would have given me an idea of the areas I could focus on in my secondary education in order to be better prepared for college and beyond.”

Kenneth Tietz

Kenneth Tietz, a 2014 Elk River High School graduate, has aspirations of becoming a firefighter.

To prepare for college, Tietz said he worked a lot and took classes that would help him prepare. One notable class was advanced public speaking.

One thing he would have done differently is taken AP classes and other college credit classes.

He found his success in getting his homework and assignments done on time and being prepared for class.

Tietz’s suggestion for the parents, the school district and the community to help high school students prepare for their future is to focus more on the learning and less on the grades.

“Great grades come from learning,” he said.

One missed opportunity he wishes would have been addressed during high school was a chance to not only meet with firefighters but fire chiefs. He said a career fair might have been able to facilitate such an experience.

Mary Elmquist

Mary Elmquist, who graduated from Elk River High School, is pursuing a career in elementary education and coaching. She’s always wanted to become an elementary school teacher and she’s getting close to her goal as she is now a college sophomore.

Good study habits and time management skills she picked up in high school have helped her in college.

“My parents (pushed) me to do my best and were always there to support when I needed it,” Elmquist said. “Being an athlete, they were able to support me through athletics but also through academics.”

Although a career in teaching has been a dream of hers since she was a little kid, she said she suspects a career exploration fair might have caused her take an adventure out of her comfort zone.

Taylor Gauthier

Taylor Gauthier, a 2013 graduate of Elk River High School, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in history with a double minor in criminology and ethics. He hopes those will be steps toward law school and a practice as a prosecutor.

He said he hopes to graduate from his undergraduate program a semester early and be able to start law school by spring of 2017.

“I never thought I would pursue a career in the law field, but after being able to take a few law-type classes, I discovered that it was a perfect fit for me,” he said. “Those kinds of options or classes were not available in high school. I have learned that there are so many more options to pursue besides the core subjects taught in high school. You just have to be open to anything.”

Gauthier took as many AP classes as he could and took a few PSEO classes his senior year, which allowed him to prepare for college while gaining college credit.

“My parents provided so much support when it came to my education,” Gauthier said. “They pushed me to do well in all my classes and to pursue the rigorous work that came with AP and PSEO classes. They were always there to help me out when I got a bad grade on a test and remind me that there is so much more to my education than just the grade. The experience and knowledge gained from each and every class is worthwhile even if it does not reflect in your grade.”

Gauthier said, given a chance to do it over, he would research different colleges and careers earlier.

“It snuck up on me my senior year, and I was very overwhelmed with all the choices for colleges, especially when I did not know what I wanted to major in, let alone what I wanted to pursue for a career,” he said. “Talk to your counselor, teachers, parents to decide what you value most in your education and what ideas you have a possible major or career. Explore, do a little research, and find out what works best for you.”

Gauthier said it’s important for parents, the school district and the community to stress the importance of education and doing well in school.

“It will open so many more doors than ever imagined,” he said. “Also, it will give a person as many options as possible for postsecondary education. You never know what a student will pick as the path as their future. Be open to anything and do not limit the student to the standard path.”

Gauthier said a career exploration fair would have been very helpful in high school.

“I went through a lot of potential careers before deciding on law, simply because I did not know it was an option,” he said. “A career fair would have gave me more options and taken away a lot of the stress of deciding on a potential career.”

Leah Waite

Leah Waite, a 2013 graduate from Elk River High School, wants to work in advertising but said she won’t be picky. She’s going to school for marketing communications.

She already earned her associate’s degree and is one semester in at University of Wisconsin- River Falls.

She chose the school after learning it had a program that combined both marketing and communications and gives a lot of real-world and up-to-date education.

Waite took AP classes in high school and made sure she stayed busy.

“A lot of my high school experience was spent working, doing sports and other extracurricular activities,” she said. “I also spent my senior year of high school doing PSEO at Anoka-Ramsey Community College. I graduated with over a year of college under my belt.

“PSEO was the biggest helper. I spent a lot less money and finished my generals degree before going to a university.”

Waite said she thinks a career exploration fair could have been a tremendous help to her.

“There are certainly a ton of jobs that high school students are very unaware of,” she said. “I also hope that the career fair hosts jobs that require technical degrees, because I grew up being told I need a bachelor’s degree, and I have found (though I am going for one) that I would still have plenty of options with a technical college experience.”

Tayler Edwards

Tayler Edwards, a 2010 graduate of Elk River High School, is two years away from a degree in nursing from Winona State University.

Now that she’s in her degree program, she realizes there is an unbelievable number of occupations and programs that she had no idea about prior to attending.

“The most intriguing thing that I learned is that there are over 230 different clubs here at Winona State.

“So no matter what my interests are in, there is bound to be something on that club list that I would enjoy participating in,” she said. “I also learned that there are many positions on campus that are reserved as student employment positions. I was proactive enough freshman year to find a job on campus in the performing arts center as a costume shop assistant for my sophomore year until I graduate. On-campus jobs are very understanding that you are a student and they work around your class schedule, which is not guaranteed everywhere.”

Edwards’ advice is not go to a four-year college until you know what program you want to be in.

“Some occupations do not require the full four-year degree and others require eight-plus years of education,” she said. “I think it is really important to fully understand all of the steps that you will have to take to get to the occupation that you want before you start paying for your education.”

Parents, the school district and the community should collaborate to seek and provide job shadowing opportunities for certain occupations.

“Then they can see a real-life example before they dedicate two to four years of their life or more to an education in one specific area.”

Edwards said she thinks a career exploration fair would be helpful, too.

“It’s always good to see what all the options are that are available to you,” she said.

She added: “Seeing the different options can help you see what you most definitely do not want to do and that makes you one step closer to seeing what you actually want to do.

“It also might eliminate any second guesses during college and prevented me from almost switching majors. It is great to have an opportunity to explore your options before it is costing you thousands of dollars to do so.”

by Joni Astrup

Associate Editor

When Richard Duggan moved from Minneapolis to the Elk River area, his neighbor told him that now he was in the country he should have a horse.

Richard Duggan

“So he bought a horse and stabled it at his farm. From that it grew into a passion for horses,” said his wife, Nancy.

In 1969, Richard enrolled in the horseshoeing program at Anoka Technical College and eventually began teaching there. When that program was reduced in 1976, he started his own school.

Today, the Duggans and two of their children operate the Minnesota School of Horseshoeing and Duggan Farrier Supplies in Ramsey.

Nancy will represent the school at District 728 Community Education’s Career Exploration Fair on Feb. 28 at the Handke Center in Elk River.

Ironically, she discovered along the way that she’s allergic to horses. So she’s not a farrier herself, but works in other aspects of the business.

Nancy Duggan

Nancy said it takes three things to be a successful farrier: horsemanship skills, people skills and forging skills.

“Some people just don’t have it,” she said. “They might have the love of the horse, but might not have the other skills.”

For those that have what it takes, it can be a very good career. The average farrier in the Midwest earns about $82,000 a year, she said, and some make six figures.

She’s known people who have paid their way through veterinarian school by shoeing horses. Others have paid for their farms.

“It’s work, but it’s a rewarding career because you’re working with a live animal,” she said. “It’s healthy for your body because you’re using all your muscles.”

It’s not impossibly strenuous, though. She knows of people in their late 70s still shoeing horses.

Minnesota is fertile ground for farriers, with the state ranking No. 11 in the nation in the number of horses. She estimates there are about 300 full-time farriers in Minnesota.

The Minnesota School of Horseshoeing offers 10-week, 12-week and 24-week programs for professional farriers.

“There’s a lot to learn. The anatomy (of the horse) is a critical thing in horseshoeing so they have to really learn that,” she said.

For horse owners, the school offers a two-week trim class and a four-week horseshoeing class (two weeks of trimming and two weeks of horseshoeing).

The Minnesota School of Horseshoeing is one of about 50 farrier schools in the nation, and the only one in the five-state area.

Nancy said they have drawn students from all over the world.

by Joni Astrup

Associate Editor

Ena Rasmussen planned to become a veterinarian.

Teacher Ena Rasmussen worked with a group of students extracting DNA in her seventh grade life science classroom at Rogers Middle School.

But while going to college at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, she discovered she had an aptitude for teaching. When she explored the profession by shadowing teachers, Rasmussen liked what she saw.

“I loved the energy of the classroom and seeing that light bulb go on,” she said.

Rasmussen switched her career plans and decided to become a teacher. She graduated from River Falls with degrees in biology and English and went on to complete a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from St. Cloud State University.

For 14 years, Rasmussen was a science teacher — the last 11 years in the Elk River Area School District at Ivan Sand community school and then at Rogers Middle School.

Rasmussen and her husband, Eric, and their three sons live in Rogers and she is now in her first year as a curriculum specialist with the Elk River school district.

Rasmussen, who will participate in the District 728 Community Education Career Exploration Fair on Feb. 28 at Handke Center in Elk River, describes teaching as a “joyful” profession.

She also has enjoyed developing relationships with her students and their families and with her fellow teachers.

“The colleagues in teaching are amazing,” she said. “It’s such a supportive environment. Teachers now collaborate more than ever and so you really get to learn from one other.”

Seeing former students succeed is another bright spot. Rasmussen recently received a letter from the family of a former student who plans to pursue a medical degree.

Ena Rasmussen

She credits her own family with fostering her love of science.

Growing up in Maple Grove, Rasmussen said her family often took road trips to other parts of the United States. Her parents aren’t “science nerds,” she said, but they wanted their children to learn from their vacations. Instead of going to beaches or Disney World, they visited places like the Grand Canyon, Glacier and Yellowstone.

“I think that helped me learn a lot about science,” Rasmussen said.

Her 10th grade biology teacher at Osseo Senior High School, who ironically was also named Mrs. Rasmussen, also encouraged her interest in science.

“She was always very enthusiastic and we didn’t learn by just listening to her talk. It was very interactive,” she said.

Rasmussen encourages students interested in a teaching career to check out the “Future Educator Clubs” at their high schools.

What makes a good teacher?

Rasmussen offered this definition: Somebody who loves their job, loves and understands kids and makes learning fun and accessible for all learners.

‘I know that the great teachers that I had not only conveyed a passion for teaching and learning but also a sincere sense of caring for and about their students,” she said. “I hope that I was able to do the same for my students.”

by Jim Boyle

Editor

The questions about what a child wants to do when they grow up start at a young age, but at what point each person starts looking into their career options varies greatly.

Submitted photo
Jennifer Grant, founder of Inspiring Radiance and author of ‘Dying to be Good Enough,’ was recently interviewed by KARE 11 reporter Bryan Piatt on KARE 11 Sunrise.

Some figure out their path early. Others put it off, but manage to find their calling. And many end up circling back as adults to consider what will be a better fit for them — be it financially and/or to find something more rewarding.

District 728 Community Education hopes to light a fire under youth in ninth, 10th and 11th grades with its first Career Exploration Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Handke Center, 1170 Main St. in Elk River.

The thought behind the event is to get youth thinking, inquiring and taking action about their future careers sooner rather than later, and to start the process by learning from others who have arrived at their chosen career destination.

The free event will feature representatives from dozens of professions along with break-out sessions and chances to talk to people in various fields about potential job shadowing opportunities.

Jered Sweet, a software engineer for a Shakopee firm, will be there to share what his job is like and what prompted him to go after a career like software engineering. He will also share what it takes to tackle such an objective.

“I feel that the best time to start learning about this career path is in high school,” he said. “I was first exposed to software-related work after taking AP Computer Science as a senior, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if I did not decide to enroll in that class.”

The employee of Rosemount Inc., a branch of Emerson that also has Tescom in Elk River, has specific advice on how to hone in on a software engineering career how to go about testing one’s interest in such a field.

Jay Grammond and Kristi Waite, who work for District 728 Community Education, are the brains behind the event. It wasn’t an idea they concocted in their offices at the Handke Center or one they stole from another community education program. It surfaced casually as they talked about experiences with their own children that convinced them of the need for such an event.

Grammond’s oldest child is a high school student. Waite’s oldest child is a college sophomore. Both say college fairs are good, but point out they are a vehicle for school representatives to convince high school kids to come to their college, university or tech school.

“We we want kids to be able to explore their career options,” Waite said.

Grammond said the exploration fair will be more informational in nature than a recruitment tool. The pair has lined up representatives from about 40 career fields, and more continue to step forward.

The career representatives range from teachers to engineers as well as entrepreneurs, business managers and a copywriter to government employees working in law enforcement, health and human services and social work. There’s even a soon-to-be husband and wife duo who have signed up.

Submitted photo
Lindsey Peterson, formerly of Elk River, is the assistant programming director for WCCO Radio. He will talk about the field of broadcasting at a career exploration fair on Feb. 28 at Elk River High School.

Lindsey Peterson, an Elk River native who graduated from Big Lake High School, works behind the scenes at WCCO Radio and his fiance, Jennifer Grant, is an author and life coach who traded in a corporate job for something more fulfilling.

“It’s always fun to talk to people about what we do,” Peterson said of his work at WCCO Radio. “There are so many things about broadcasting that people don’t realize.  It’s not all about the person you hear on the radio or see on TV and the career choices inside our industry can be very rewarding.”

Grant has recently been featured on KARE 11 talking about everything from work-life balance, self-care, talking to a pesky boss or considering walking away from a career to do something more fulfilling. Her message points out that how people approach and prioritize their life doesn’t mean challenges go away, but their capacity to handle them improves.

The Minneapolis native became a life coach and started her own business called Inspiring Radiance  to help people  recognize that they are amazing and that their experience of life is a choice. The work has since led to writing her first book (“Dying to be Good Enough”), work as a speaker and becoming a yoga teacher.

She speaks to a wide array of audiences and can also address the topic of developing one’s own business.

Submitted photos
Jennifer Grant on a trip to Bali that gave her insight into human nature and the meaning of life.

Her advice to people considering such a career path is to “stay the course.”

She says when a person decides to start their own business, they need to realize how much work will be involved.

“I firmly believe though that having something passionate to pursue and work towards makes an enormous difference in your happiness overall,” she siaid. “Don’t be discouraged by what isn’t happening. Instead, be encouraged by what is happening.”

Waite said organizers have asked career field representatives to share what a typical day is like, what wage ranges are for that particular career, what the job market is like and what it is projected to be, and the training or education required to obtaining that career.

Wendy Paulson, a former WCCO program director, and Lindsey Peterson after winning an Emmy. It was a piece Peterson did on the top moments in the state’s history as heard on WCCO for the sesquicentennial.

There is no cost to the featured representatives. They will get a free lunch, and they will help the future workforce find a career path that suits them and maybe avoid having to circle back later in life.

There’s still time for people to sign up and represent their chosen career field, but the deadline to be listed in the event brochure is Feb. 25.

While the focus of the event is on high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors, students and their families in grades six and up are invited.

Invitations have been sent out to area school districts, including Elk River Area, Anoka-Hennepin, Osseo-Maple Grove, Princeton, Big Lake, St. Francis and St. Michael-Albertville, Waite said.

The 100 Best Jobs of 2014

n U.S. News and World Report offers high rankings for technology, health care, teaching careers

1. Software developer

2. Computer systems analyst

3. Dentist

4. Nurse practitioner

5. Pharmacists

6. Registered Nurse

7. Physical therapist

8. Physician

9. Web developer

10. Dental hygienist

11. Information security analyst

12. Database administrator

13. Physician assistant

14. Occupational therapist

15. Market research analyst

16. Phlebotomist

17. Physical therapist assistant

18. Civil engineer

19. Mechanical engineer

20. Veterinarian

21. Occupational therapy assistant

22. Technical laboratory assistant

23. Operations research analyst

24. IT manager

25. Dietitian and nutritionist

26. Diagnostic medical stenographer

27. Massage therapist

28. Veterinary technologist/technician

29. Esthetician

30. Computer programmer

31. School psychologist

32. Respiratory therapist

33. Epidemiologist

34. Maintenance and repair worker

35. Speech language pathologist

36. Substance abuse counselor

37. Construction manager

38. Licensed practical nurse and

licensed vocational nurse

39. Accountant

40. High school teacher

41. Financial adviser

42. Business operations manager

43. Bookkeeping, accountant and

audit clerk

44. Marketing manager

45. Medical assistant

46. Financial manager

47. Medical equipment repairer

48. Clinical social worker

49. Nail technician

50. Middle school teacher

51. Lawyer

52. Computer systems administrator

53. Meeting, convention, event

planner

54. Compliance officer

55. Medical secretary

56. Radiologic technologist

57. Bill collector

58. Child and family social worker

59. Cost estimator

60. Optician

61. Exterminator

62. Insurance agent

63. Financial analyst

64. Elementary school teacher

65. Hairdresser

66. Dental assistant

67. Management analyst

68. Home health aide

69. Patrol officer

70. Recreation and fitness worker

71. Human resources specialist

72. Personal Care Aide

73. Sales manager

74. Taxi driver/chauffer

75. Logistician

76. Marriage and family therapist

77. Surgical technologist

78. Computer support specialist

79. Administrative assistant

80. Sales representative

81. Nursing aide

82. Interpreter and translator

83. Pharmacy technician

84. Preschool teacher

85. Public relations specialist

86. School counselor

87. Paralegal

88. Paramedic

89. Real estate agent

90. Glazier

91. Art director

92. Architect

93. Customer service representative

94. Plumber

95. Office clerk

96. Auto mechanic

97. Mental health counselor

98. Landscaper and groundskeeper

99. Structural iron and steel worker

100. Painter

The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office will host a youth hunter safety program from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3 at the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office Range and Training Center, 13880 Business Center Drive, Elk River, Door J.

This is the “Field Day” for students who have completed the online hunter course at http://www.huntercourse.com. Students must be at least 11 years old before the date of the Field Day.

Field Day being offered

A parent or guardian must attend first 30 minutes of the Field Day. Students must bring Field Day Voucher, copy of birth certificate, sack lunch, a blaze orange article of clothing (i.e. hat, cap, or vest) to the Field Day. Students must make and bring a survival kit (info on survival kit is found on the on-line course) that can be carried in a fanny pack or a small back pack to the Field Day. Participants are also asked to dress for the weather.

Firearms for testing will be provided. Do not bring any firearms to the training.

To register please email the student’s name, date of birth, address, parent/guardian name & emergency contact number to: paul.novotny@co.sherburne.mn.us

Pre-registration is required (no walk-ins). For questions, please contact Paul Novotny at 763-765-3511.

Class size is limited and will fill up quickly.

Dr. Jana Hennen-Burr, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for Elk River Area School District, has been named an Outstanding Central Office Leader by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA).

Dr. Hennen-Burr will be honored for exhibiting a willingness to risk, possessing strong communications skills, being a progressive change agent and having high expectations for self and others at a statewide recognition ceremony to be held at the MASA/MASE Spring Conference, March 12-13, 2015, at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park.

Dr. Hennen-Burr has demonstrated exemplary professional and organizational leadership. Under her leadership, district test scores have shown steady improvement, narrowing the achievement gap. Dr. Hennen-Burr’s dedication and perseverance has lead to the implementation of all-day kindergarten, online learning options, College in the Schools and AVID, Professional Learning Communities (PLC), and two STEM magnet schools. As an advocate of personal development and professional growth, Dr. Hennen-Burr supports her educational leaders through conversations and dialogues during principal meetings, clustered strategic planning, and quality training for successful implementation and sustainability of initiatives.

In a letter of nomination for Dr. Hennen-Burr, Elk River Area School District Superintendent Mark Bezek wrote, “Jana is well-respected and well-known within the Elk River Schools community. She is optimistic, has an innate sense of purpose, a natural ability to lead, and a heartfelt commitment to education.”

Dr. Hennen-Burr has served the Elk River Area School District for nearly twenty years. Dr. Hennen-Burr’s holds a doctorate in education from Hamline University, a master’s degree in special education, a superintendent license, and a bachelor’s degree in special education from St. Cloud State University.

Each year, MASA recognizes members for their contribution to public education. MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders whose members include over 900 public education and non-public superintendents, directors of special education, curriculum and technology leaders, other central office administrators, service providers, business partners and retirees.

The field of possible candidates for this year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year honor has been narrowed to 30, and the list includes Kathryn Oberg,  a first grade teacher at Otsego Elementary School.

A selection panel of 24 community leaders chose the semifinalists from an initial field of 123 candidates from across the state. The panel will meet again in late March to select about 10 finalists from among the group of semifinalists.

The current Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Tom Rademacher, will announce his successor at a banquet May 3 at the Radisson Blu Mall of America in Bloomington.

Education Minnesota, the 70,000-member statewide educators union, organizes and underwrites the Teacher of the Year program. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers from public or private schools.

The Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program also receives support from the following organizations: The SMARTer Kids Foundation, the Radisson Blu Mall of America, the Harvard Club of Minnesota Foundation, United Educators Credit Union, McDonald’s Restaurants of Minnesota, TruStone Financial and Education Minnesota ESI.

by Jim Boyle

Editor

Superintendent Mark Bezek came to Monday’s Elk River Area School Board meeting with an update on proposed athletic fields in Otsego and a recommendation to proceed with a project.

Members of the Elk River Area School Board, however, said not so fast.

Bezek wasn’t asking for a vote that night, but School Board Chairwoman Jane Bunting made it clear the School Board would take a closer look at the district’s overall plans for capital budget and also explore if there would be any options to phase the project in without having to commit nearly $500,000 all at once.

School Board Member Sue Farber agreed it would be good to take a look, but she also noted the project has been left hanging the entire time she has been on board since first getting elected.

“It gets brought up and put on the back burner every time,” she said.

Bezek laid out a case that this project — which started out at $50,000 for irrigation and mushroomed in size and scope upon closer review — makes sense to tackle now.

But he also defended his staff for doing due diligence on it throughout the years. The project was first talked about before he became superintendent and several business managers for the school district have had their hands on it.

“We have a very good relationship with many of our municipalities,” Bezek said. “Some are not as easy to work with. I don’t want our people to take a hit when they have not been the easiest to work with. It takes two sides to make things work.”

Greg Hein, the most recent executive director of business services to speak to the project, told members of the School Board $50,000 had been written into a capital budget plan but has never made it onto a capital improvement plan.

He said it had been talked about at the building level, but once the price of the project shot up it didn’t stay there and subsequently has languished.

A civil engineer has come up with a plan for reorienting one of the fields to make it easier to maintain the fields. There will be grading needed to do that and one field will have to be made from scratch. There are also plans for a paved trail and green space for soccer and lacrosse games.

Hein recommended that the district go back to the Otsego city officials and hammer out the details of a joint partnership that would highlight what the district is investing in, who would maintain it and who would schedule it for use.

Hein said the district’s grounds crews are staffed razor thin, and he would like to see Otsego maintain the fields as has been suggested.

“That could be their contribution,” Hein said. “Otsego offered to do the scheduling, but that would not be wise.”

Another expense will be an increased water bill from the proposed sprinkling system for the fields and the areas leading up to the school that are already watered in the summer and look typical of other schools throughout the school district.

The field space is another story.

“In the depths of summer this area we’re talking about looks more like death valley than a lush, green watered prairie,” Bezek said. “My recommendation is to go forward. I think its a good investment.”

Bezek said the district has several ways it could fund the project, and it will help the  school’s physical education program and will serve the community.

One of the sources is a $2.1 million in the capital fund balance that will continue to be fed. Bezek said in the years that have gone by, the school district has added a track in Zimmerman and put bleachers in Rogers.

“We haven’t invested in a project like this in Otsego,” he said.

The School Board will take the matter up at a 6 p.m. work session at the School District Office, 815 Highway 10, Elk River.

Students at nearly 90 Catholic schools in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, including St. Andrew Catholic School in Elk River and Mary Queen of Peace in Rogers, are selling raffle tickets as part of the Catholic Schools Raffle. Ticket buyers have the opportunity to win $45,000 in prizes, including a 2015 Ford Escape or $25,000 cash, vacation packages and more.

Catholic Schools Raffle

The 86 schools participating will keep 100 percent of every $5 ticket sold, thanks to raffle sponsor Catholic United Financial. The St. Paul-based company covers the entire cost of the prizes and promotional materials.

More than 16,500 students are selling tickets through March 8, prior to the official drawing at 11 a.m. March 19 at Catholic United Financial’s home office. Hopeful ticket holders can watch the drawing ceremony live online at www.catholicunited.org/raffle.

Last year, participating schools raised a combined total of more than $1 million in just six weeks, an amount Catholic United Financial would like to repeat in 2015.

In this raffle’s five-year existence, it has helped Catholic schools in the Upper Midwest raise more than $3 million. The money raised has allowed the schools to provide tuition assistance, improve technology and pay for special learning opportunities, such as field trips and special guest speakers.

Along with the ticket sale revenue from the raffle, participating schools have a shot at winning a $3,000 grant from Catholic United Financial if it is one of the top three performing schools (based on the number of tickets sold per student). The company also awards the top-selling student at each school a $100 Visa gift card and a pizza party to each top classroom.

Raffle updates can be followed on Twitter (@raffle4schools) and on Facebook at facebook.com/catholicschoolsraffle.