Around 656
Sharing the great work of Faribault students and staff
Honoring our veterans
"I'm honored to welcome our veterans and current military personnel into our building and to continue our tradition of our Veterans Day Program hosted by our Minnesota Honor Society. Faribault High School proudly supports our veterans and active military personnel. We are thankful for their sacrifices for us, for protecting our way of life, and our freedoms that we hold so dear." -Principal Jamie Bente
At Roosevelt Elementary, we welcomed Roy Anderson, Roger Koopmans, Milton Christianson, Glen Wegner, Dave Lee and Ron Hammond and thanked them for their service.
Lt. Sjodin of the National Guard visited our first graders last week. He read them a book, showed them his equipment and took pictures with each class.
Video: FHS Veterans Day program
Over 200 FMS students are making a difference through Falcons For Change
Now in its sixth year, Falcons for Change is still growing and finding new ways to help those in need.
This year 222 students are part of the community service club at Faribault Middle School. The club has a simple yet ambitious goal: to provide volunteer service to those who need it, in the school, in the community and throughout the world.
“It feels good to make a difference,” eighth-grader Ahliyah Reyes added. “Even if it’s just one person at a time, you can change their world.”
Click here to learn more about Falcons for Change: https://fms.faribault.k12.mn.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=3061389&pageId=68856611
The Nest forms partnership with Goodwill
“Goodwill has a good name within the community and helps provide goods and services to those in need,” said adviser Kaylee Wiens. “It is important for students to learn how to work with community partners and see how different organizations can come together for a common purpose.”
Here's a link to Goodwill's announcement of the partnership: https://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/about/blog/goodwill-faribault-high-school
Staff Spotlights
Ruth Ann Collins
Job title: Early Childhood special Education Teacher
Education history: Minnesota State University Mankato: BS – Elementary PreK-6; MS – Special Education Early Childhood
University of MN, St. Paul: Administrative Licensures
Further work in Educational Leadership
Previous work experience: Early Childhood Special Education; Administrative Coordinator of the 21st CCLC program, Faribault Public Schools, Teacher 5th grade private school.
Years with the district: I am working on my 20th year with Faribault Public Schools.
What are some of your hobbies and interests? I enjoy relaxing. I love to read, garden, hike with my family, fish up north in MN, camp at State Parks, and be with family.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of people know? I have met a President and First Lady of the United States of America. Our pictures are on the wall in my den.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education? I have a grandmother and aunt who were teachers and they both read to me in my preschool years. When I was growing up I got a big chalkboard at Christmas time. I taught my stuffed animals to read and write.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? The students teach the teacher how to teach. Students have that certain look of amazement on their face when they realize they have just learned something new and understand it. That look of amazement never gets old.
What do you enjoy about being part of Faribault Public Schools? This is a community that cares about their students.
Mark Enge
Job title: School Psychologist
Education history: BA Luther College, MSE in School Psychology/Special Education
Previous work experience: 30 years as a school psychologist or special education teacher
Years with the district: First year in the district
What are some of your hobbies and interests? I am a passionate reader of science fiction. I enjoy being a grandpa to five little grandchildren.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of people know? I was the Luther College table tennis champion.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education? I saw too many students give up on school at a young age. I wanted to help turn that around so all students believe they can learn.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? I enjoy when I see a student become excited about a book they are reading.
What do you enjoy about being part of Faribault Public Schools? I enjoy the diversity of grades and cultures I work with. I am always learning something new.
Hana Palmer
Job title: 5th Grade Teacher at Roosevelt Elementary
Education history: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Years with the district: First year
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Spending time with my family, being outside, cooking.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of people know?
I am born and raised in Faribault, MN.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education?
I grew up in an education family.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
Watching their personalities come out.
What do you enjoy about being part of Faribault Public Schools?
I went to Lincoln Elementary. I always wanted to come back and be a part of it again.
Amy Blanchette
Job title: 4th Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary
Education history: I received my undergraduate education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse- Bachelors of Science in Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Education with a minor in Mathematics.
I am currently obtaining a Master's Degree in Curriculum/Instruction with a K-12 Reading Endorsement from Concordia Univeristy-St. Paul.
Previous work experience: I started my career here in Faribault!
Years with the district: This is my third year in Faribault
What are some of your hobbies and interests? I enjoy spending time with my family as well as being outdoors whether I am biking, fishing, or reading a book at the lake.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of people know? I grew up in Owatonna and often played sports against Faribault but now am proud to be a part of the Faribault Falcon culture and be an educator in such a great community!
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education? I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to make a difference in the lives of other people and working with children is something I always aspired to do.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? They keep me on my toes and as much as I love teaching them new things, I also love that they teach me new things as well!
What do you enjoy about being part of Faribault Public Schools? Everyone is working together in creating equitable learning experiences for all students. It feels like a big team!
Brian Coleman
Job title: High School Career & Equity Coordinator
Previous work experience: My previous work experience includes being a career counselor and Area manager for Workforce Development, Inc. for 15 years overseeing offices in Faribault, Owatonna and Albert Lea. The last four years I was in the role of Service Learning Coordinator for Faribault School District.
Years with the district: 5
Current job title: High School Career & Equity Coordinator
What are some of your hobbies and interests? I enjoy trying to golf, playing basketball and coaching. I also enjoy drawing and being outdoors.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of people know? That I like to pheasant hunt.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education? I was able to have the opportunity to apply for the Service Learning position which provided me a chance to work with youth and provide guidance for careers they had an interest in along with utilizing my connections with businesses in the community. It also allowed me the opportunity to help students build pride in community through service.
What do you enjoy most about working with students? I enjoy the fact that the relationships I build with students allow them to be themselves with no filter and they know that I accept them for who they are as a person.
What is the process for students to meet with you? The process is they can come and fill out a referral form at the main office or can be referred by a counselor or staff member.
What do you enjoy about being part of Faribault Public Schools?
I enjoy being a part of team that is supportive and wants the best for the students.
Brian Cherwinka
Job Title: Global Studies teacher at Faribault Middle School
Education: Winona State University---Bachelor of Science degree, coaching minor; Concordia University St. Paul---Masters of Arts, emphasis in Differentiated Instruction
Years with Faribault Public Schools: 25 (35 years total)
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Spending time with our children and grandchildren. Still interested in sports, gardening, traveling, listening to music and going to concerts.
What’s something interesting about you that not a lot of People know?
I was in choir and a few special choral groups during my time at Winona State, traveling the U.S and Europe.
Why did you decide to pursue a career in education?
I have always enjoyed working with young people, my own teachers in Cannon Falls were very good role models.
What do you enjoy most about working with students?
I like seeing the "proverbial light going off" when a student gets it. And even though my wife thinks I am crazy for teaching 8th graders for as long as I have, they are going through so many life changes at age 13 and 14 every day is an interesting day, usually for different reasons.
What do you enjoy about being part of Faribault Public Schools?
My fellow teachers and co-workers. Most students and their parents. There have been opportunities to go elsewhere, I have taught previously at East Central (Sandstone) and Elk River schools, but Faribault has felt like the place I have wanted to be.
Governor Walz visit
"Trick or treat or donation!"
AVID students assist English language learners
On Oct. 30, senior students from the Faribault High School AVID class came to the Faribault Education Center to help English language learners with learning to use their phones and tablets.
The two groups will meet weekly for the rest of the semester for what they’re calling BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The partnership is modeled after the Area Learning Center’s sessions where students have visited Buckham West and helped senior citizens learn how to use various technologies.
“[Career and equity coordinator] Brian Coleman worked with the ALC and senior center and he referred me to the AVID students,” FEC program coordinator Cassie Ohnstad said. “High school students are often better with technology than adults, so I thought it would be a good partnership.”
Seventeen AVID students came to the Education Center Wednesday to assist the English language learners who signed up for the first training session. Among the skills they covered were how to log in to WiFi, how to send texts and emails, how to check voicemail, how to download apps, and how to use Google Translate.
“We’re always looking for new ways to reach out and volunteer,” AVID teacher Tricia Johnson said. “We’ve got a group that likes to help people and is pretty savvy with technology, so that made it a great fit.”
Unity Day
Students from the middle school student council sold orange dreamsicles as a fundraiser for Ruth's House and Hope Center.
Learn more about Unity Day here: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp
Demars named DECA State Officer
Senior Kelsie Demars recently became the first Faribault High School student ever selected as a DECA State Officer!
“I was very surprised but also very honored that my district supported me,” Demars said. “It means a lot to me to represent our district and be the first one, and I know how much it means to [DECA advisor Jared] Kegler and our program to be represented at the state level.”
Read more about Kelsie's accomplishment here:
Fall Adopt a Highway
Fall Sports update
Big 9 All-Conference honorees
Cross country: Madelyn Skjeveland, Mitchell Hanson, Gabrielle Yetzer, Ruby Gernandt (honorable mention), Mariana Foxhoven (honorable mention), Tanner Longshore (honorable mention), Ethan Kruger (honorable mention) and Brody Enget (honorable mention).
Girls soccer: Olivia Williamson and Grace Remillard (honorable mention).
Girls swimming and diving: Abby Larson and Verity Wray-Raabolle.
Girls tennis: Abby Goodwin (honorable mention) and Erica Johnsrud (honorable mention).
Volleyball: Payton Evenstad, Bennett Wolff, Hanna Cunniff.
Football: Not yet available.
Coaching Awards
Boys soccer: Mitch Anderson was named the Section 2A Assistant coach of the Year. "His committment and dedication to developing the young men in our program both on and off the field is outstanding." -boys soccer coach Brendan Cox
State qualifiers
Cross country: Madelyn Skjeveland (76th at state, 19:26) and Mitchell Hanson (92nd at state, 16:52).
Girls swimming and diving: 200 medley relay (Verity Wray-Raabolle, junior Kayla Kenow, junior Grace Rechtzigel and freshman Ava Nelson); Abby Larson in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle; 400 freestyle relay (Nelson, Rechtzigel, Wray-Raabolle, Larson); Wray-Raabolle in the 100 backstroke.
The state swim meet begins Friday at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. Good luck, swimmers!
DECA students volunteer at Feed my Starving Children
Community School News
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faribaultcommunityschool/
Daily News photo gallery from last week's Community School open house: https://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/news/article_e7211222-c068-571d-a14e-c4ed445cc739.html?fbclid=IwAR3KdsCm6o_dIP2mUnB_by22LXVUJj1Vcc_yctHbpg-xPGKhX8hM7043KfU
High School activities: Varsity soccer 3 years
Additional education: some college
Professional certifications: Certified nutrition coach and personal trainer
Work history: Various job fields, mostly in sales. It took a long time to find my way to creating a career out of my passion. In 2016 I was able to, with the help and support of my wife, become a full-time fitness entrepreneur and create culture around helping others live a healthier lifestyle through fitness and nutrition coaching and seeing their results is a driving force each day.
Other hobbies and interests: Competitive bodybuilding, hiking, and avid moviegoer
Family: My wife, Aubrey and daughter Scout (6 yrs old)
What's a lesson that has stuck with you from your experience in Faribault schools that has helped you be successful? Communicating well with others and setting proper expectations has brought an abundance of opportunity to my life. Those skills started at FSHS and their importance has become more apparent with time.
Why did you choose to enroll your daughter in Faribault Public Schools? We decided on FPS because we felt state test scores are only a snapshot (and a poor metric) for the level of learning that can take place. It’s ultimately our responsibility as parents to make sure our daughter gets a good education. When we take responsibility for that instead of pawning it off to a school district - it empowers us to take charge. We love it at Lincoln.
Community approves levy request
Falcon High Flyer Alumni Awards
Welcome back, Mr. Ronayne!
Faribault Public Schools
Email: msteichen@faribault.k12.mn.us
Website: faribault.k12.mn.us
Location: 710 17th St. SW
Phone: 507-333-6000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faribaultpublic/
Twitter: @District656