Scarlet News and Notes
September 22, 2019
Assuring Learning Excellence and Readiness for a Changing World
“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.”
Clay P. Bedford
Building Community
It is good to be a Scarlet!
Let's Get to Know...
Andy Krause, Assistant Principal. Andy has been in education for 17 years. This is his first at West. He is looking forward to getting to know all students, families, and staff.
Last summer, Andy traveled to Boston for the NASSP National Conference. He also participated in Restorative Practices Training and read several books. Andy grew up on a farm between Waldorf & Pemberton. He graduated from Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton High School and went on for degrees at the University of Minnesota Duluth-BA and Concordia University St. Paul-MA. He finished his Ed.S at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Andy spends time running, hunting, fishing, and being adventurous with his family--wife Beth and Gavin, 14, Kwynn, 11, and Ava, 9.
Dana Patenaude from the Mathematics department. This year, his ninth at West, Dana is teaching Algebra 2B and AP Calculus AB and co-teaching for the first time. Last summer, Dana prepared by attending co-teacher training and collaborating with his co-teacher, Micah. Dana grew up on a farm near Crookston, MN where he actively participated in band, choir, plays, student council, and three different sports. He went to college at North Dakota State University--GO BISON! Dana has been married to Nedra (Nee-dra) for 23 years. They have four children, two have graduated from West and his third is graduating this year. His youngest is a sixth grader. Dana has taught all three of his high school kids AP Calc. In his free time, Dana says, “I need to stay busy.” He enjoys listening to and playing music, being outdoors, reading, doing projects, and traveling. Of his 19 years in education as an instructor of all levels of math, he says, “Teaching high school at West has been my favorite.”
Megan Hoffman from the English department. This is Megan’s 7th year in education, all of which have been at West. She’s teaching English 10, AVID 10, and Teacher Cadet.
Last summer, Megan attended AVID Summer Institute in San Antonio and MDE’s Teacher Cadet in St. Paul. She also led learning academy sessions. In her free time, Megan can be found reading, watching reality TV, or planning her next travel adventure.
Reminders
How is your Champion Student doing? Are you finding time for daily check ins? Have you made a positive connection with parents? Have you talked with the student's other teachers? Maybe you would like to shadow your student in another classroom?
Social Media
Please consider sending a picture with a brief description of all the great things happening in your classroom to socialmedia@isd77.org. Many other schools are submitting posts. Let's get our stories out there!
The West Coffee Creation's student-run business will be open for your enjoyment on Monday morning. Please note we will take orders until 8:30 am. Punch cards will be available $ 20.00 for ten cups --number 11 FREE!
Community Events
Mankato Marathon - Hundreds of volunteers are needed for the weekend of Oct. 18-19. Anyone interested can sign up on the website: https://visitmankato1.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=34988
Transgender 101 -
Ellie Krug is a nationally recognized speaker on human diversity, inclusivity, and rights for transgender people. She will be presenting this Thursday at 7pm at the UU Fellowship, 937 Charles Ave.
Lock Down this Week
PD Opportunities
Thursday, September 26, 3:15 in the MC
Meghan Eberhart and Bambi Dubke will be here to present on "Read and Write for Google Tool Support" to any teachers/staff who are interested.
There is AVID training available November 6 and 7 in Austin. Our goal is to have 100% of our teachers participate in an AVID training. We already have 60%! There is a Science strand and a Culturally Relevant Teaching strand. We are trying to have the majority of our staff participate in one of the Culturally Relevant strands and this is the first opportunity. There will be other opportunities, including Summer Institute, July 29th. It will be best if there is a team that attends the CRT strands, so get your friends together and let Kim Hermer know if you would like to attend on November 6 and 7.
Game On Thursdays
Have you visited another classroom? I have! This week I saw students using rubrics to evaluate performances, students collaborating in small groups with each group member having a specific role, and a classroom where class begins with a quick check in with each student. Lots of student voice!
Here is the link to a quick Google form that helps us get a sense of what you are seeing as well as helps move us closer to our goal of 75% participation.
There will be a drawing at the end of September for fabulous prizes for participating.
National Merit Semi Finalists
Message from our APs
Conference Rooms Google Calendar Update
With the recent switch to be able to schedule a conference room when creating a calendar invite there is one additional step if you are scheduling Conference Room 1112 or 224 for use after 3:00 pm. When you create a calendar invite using either Conference Room 1112 or 224 after 3:00 pm you will also need to notify Jodi that you will be using this space so that it can be scheduled on the Facility Calendar as well. This change is needed to keep the District Facility calendar updated as there are groups that utilize this space. During school hours these rooms will be scheduled through Google Calendar Rooms and then after 3pm they will be scheduled on the Facility Calendar.
Staff Meetings
Thank you for your engagement in your small group meeting for Life Journey and for submitting your reflections.
This Wednesday, September 25th will be our large group staff meeting in the Media Center. Please bring your device to the meeting.
October 2nd is set aside for departments to meet, if they choose to do so.
Standards Based Grading
Here is a quick video with Rick Wormeli discussing late work.
Things I Have Been Reading/Watching
White Teachers Need to See Color. Here's Why
10 Things Every Teacher Should Know About Classroom Microaggressions
10 Things I Wish My White Teacher Knew
The Week at a Glance
Monday
Booster Club meeting 6:00pm - 116
Tuesday
Problem Solving Team 2:15pm
Parent Steering Committee for Family Connection 5:30pm - 116
Events: Boys and Girls Cross Country 3:45 - Minneopa Golf Course
Boys Soccer 7:00pm - Caswell
Wednesday
I will be out of the building at a Big 9 Executive Meeting, returning about 2:00pm
Lock Down Drill 9:55am
Staff Meeting - Life Journey 3:15pm - Media Center
Thursday
Voluntary Staff meeting, Google Read/Write 3:15pm - Media Center
Wayne's Retirement Party 4:00 - 7:00pm - South Street
Events: Girls' Swim & Dive 6:00pm - MSU
Volleyball 7:00pm - gymnasium
Girls Soccer 7:00pm - Caswell
Friday
High Five Friday
Homecoming Pepfest 8:15am - auditorium
Saturday
Events: Boys Soccer 1:00pm - Caswell
Football 6:00pm - TCO Stadium, Eagan
It was a Scarlet Sweep at Pack the Stands!
Hall of Fame
- Governor Tim Walz
- Peter Gronvall
- Lynn Nordgren
- Hans Storvick
- Seijen Takamura
- Cami (Longstreet) Zimmer
Jodi has tickets available, which are $20 for teachers ($30 for general public). Tickets need to be purchased by October 1st.
Birthdays This Week
Happy Birthday
Coming Soon
Educare Grant due date - September 24
Staff Meeting - Large Group Life Journey/CRT September 25
October 1 - Staff Meeting - Departments (optional)
October 10 - Hall of Fame Banquet
October 11 - Homecoming
October 16 - PSAT
New Course Proposal deadline - October 31