Owatonna Public Schools
Recruiting and Retaining Educators in Public Education
by Chris Picha, Human Resources Director
Educators play a vital role in shaping the lives of the people in their communities. The demand for services provided by these professionals is increasing due to society’s expectations of ensuring our students are college or career and life ready. Practices such as an effective recruiting strategy, positive culture, mentoring and induction programs for newly hired staff, guided career pathways, and adoption of Grow Your Own and internship programs can help meet the demand to fill a variety of positions.
A school district’s retention of an educator begins day one of contact. What today’s educators want in the recruitment process that directly links to retention is timely communication and an information-rich process to determine the right placement for them. We share our district high points and challenges early in the recruiting process. We provide interviews with our administrators, educators, parents, and students; give tours of our buildings; and share an overview of the Owatonna community. When educators accept a job at Owatonna Public Schools, they understand the district’s mission and vision and their role in inspiring excellence, every learner, every day.
Mission Moment
The Adult Learning Center team impacts adult learners over the age of 17, to earn their high school equivalency diploma, enhance basic math and literacy skills, and improve digital competence skills. Staff also provide English as a Second Language instruction.
The ABE team is highly collaborative within the Owatonna community and focuses very intentionally on individual student assets and goals. This team brings high energy and enthusiasm to support adults in mastering skills needed to build careers that better themselves, their families and their community. The team has initiated a Student Leadership Council designed to guide and support the delivery of ABE/ESL instruction.
Teachers at the Adult Learning Center continue to use hybrid teaching with the goal of giving adult students the flexibility of learning in person or online, depending on their family situation.
We are so grateful for our talented and caring Adult Learning Center team, who go the extra mile to help their students reach their full potential and become involved members of our community.
Student School Board Representatives
Application Deadline: March 15, 2022
Student school board representatives serve as non-voting members who are advisors to, and meet and work with, the school board and administration in the formation and evaluation of policy and regulations in the operation of our school system. Student representatives attend and participate at all open meetings of the school board during the school year, including work sessions. Student school board representatives provide an important communication link with the student body and obtain practical governmental experience.
Owatonna Public Schools is now taking applications for student school board representatives. Sophomores and juniors during the 2021-2022 school year should submit their application no later than March 15, 2022. By May 2022, two student representatives (a sophomore and a junior) will be chosen to serve during their junior and senior years.
For more information or to apply, click here.
Pictured is Daniela Ortiz, Student School Board Representative, 2020-2022.
District-Wide Elementary Orchestra Festival
First Ever District-Wide Elementary Orchestra Festival
Sunday, March 6, 3:30pm
Owatonna High School gym
With a special performance by the Owatonna High School Symphony Orchestra
Over 160 Owatonna students will share their musical gifts!
Admission is free!
Kids First/OMS Coach and other positions
Kids First/OMS Track and Field program is looking for a female coach. The season begins April 4 and runs through May 20.
The Addams Family Musical
Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5, at 7:00 pm
Owatonna High School auditorium
Don't miss your last opportunity to see The Addams Family musical. Purchase tickets for in-person or online streaming at owatonnahs.booktix.com/
National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Claire Heyne has been named a finalist in the 2022 competition for National Merit Scholarships! Claire was among two million students to take the PSAT in the fall of 2021, and her score was one of the top few in the state of Minnesota. Roughly 15,000 total students advance to the finalist stage. As a finalist, she is in the running to receive a highly sought after National Merit Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to the top 7,500 finalists.
Congratulations to Claire on this amazing accomplishment!
New High School Progress
Important March Dates
- March 3 - Kindergarten Open House
- March 10 - Owatonna Middle School Conferences
- March 24 - End of third quarter
- March 25 - No school, teacher work day
- March 28-April 1 - No school, spring break
March School Board Meeting
Date/Time: Monday, March 21 at 5:30 PM (note date change due to spring break)
Location: Owatonna High School, Small Group Forum, 333 East School Street (Door #16)
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