Bridges Area Learning Center
Weekly Reflections
Dear Team,
Recently, two important items providing data and metrics about Bridges Area Learning Center were made available. First, was our School Continuous Improvement Plan's (SCIP) mid-year review. For this item the Building Instructional Leadership Team (BILT) looked at our goals in our SCIP to assess where we are in the process, how our action plans are doing and if we need to make any course corrections for the second half of the year. I am pleased to announce that most data points indicate very good and strong progress towards our goals. While we still have work to do, it is very nice to see positive progress. Below are some highlights:
Reading:
- First Map Survey Test Taken: 9/20/2016 Average Score: 218.35 RIT
- Second Map Survey Test Taken: 2/2/2017 Average Score: 227.47 RIT
Delta: +9.12
Attendance:
- 2016: 74.65%
- 2017: Q1 and Q2 75.87%
- Delta: +1.22
Innovation:
- 16 of 21 courses have a project based learning unit embedded into the class.
This past week we saw MDE publish 2016 graduation rates. Once again, Bridges ALC boasts a respectable graduation rate of 52.7% for four year students. Additionally, 37.7% of students that did not graduate continue on in working for their diploma. In looking at this data it is important to realize that nearly all of our students come to us off track to graduate. Over 90%, however, either graduate on time or continue to work to get their diploma! And, Bridges continues to be at the top or among the top in comparison to south metro ALCs. We also know data is not the be-all-end-all. It is good though to see great indications of our program where so many people work very hard to provide a place our students can positively progress towards their earning PLHS diploma in order to be gainfully employed or pursue post-secondary options! I could not be more pleased with this data!
This is our final week before Spring break. I will not be publishing another newsletter until after we all return. I hope that the time away is both restful and relaxing. You all have certainly earned a well deserved break. Enjoy the time with friends and family!!
Warm Regards,
dave
#WeArePLSAS
#bridges1617
We Want Your Feedback
We Want Your Feedback
Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) can expect more than 2,100 additional students over the next ten years spread across all grade levels (2017/18 - 2026/27).
As a result, a long-term facilities planning process is underway, led by a community Task Force that is providing input to address our needs. The first round of draft options related to facilities planning in PLSAS is now being presented for public feedback.
Your input will be used to help revise the draft options. The revised options will be shared with the community again March 28 for another round of feedback. Take the survey.
School Board Listening Session
On this night, the public will have a chance to share input on the initial draft option with the entire School Board.
Thursday, March 9, 6:30 p.m.
District Services Center
4540 Tower Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Public Input Session
On this night, the public will have a chance to share input with the Facilities Task Force on the revised options (first input session was March 2).
Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.
District Services Center
4540 Tower Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Learn More
To learn more about the draft options, facilities planning process and to view all of the data the Facilities Task Force has studied to date, visit:
Week at a Glance
- BSAT team meeting - 730am
- District admin meeting - Mr. Brown @ DSC (am)
- Student IEP meeting - Mr. Brown & Ms. Jenkins, 3pm
- Union Leadership Meeting @ 3pm
- All Staff Meeting - 730am, Room 4
- Potential Student Meeting - 2pm
- Mr. Brown Out
Friday
- JUMP DAY - skill development
- Mr. Brown Out
National School Social Work Week!
This week is National School Social Work Week. We are very fortunate for the past 3 years to have the opportunity to work with Kevin Wagner in this capacity. During his time here he has provided social and emotional support to countless students. He also has taken an active leadership role both in our BSAT team that meets every week and running support groups to both male and female students with anxiety. He co-leads this group with Candi Jenkins were over a third of our school is now involved! I have seen him contribute immensely to our program in his time at Bridges and we are better for it! I also want to recognize Ann Collins. While not a social worker she has contributed to our program tirelessly since we opened eight years ago as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. In the two days she is at Bridges she barely has a spare minute without meeting with students so there is no doubt how effective and important Ann is to our program. As an BSAT team member, I rely on her expertise and expertise in many situations! Finally, I also want to recognize Jenny Bauer. While she does not serve as a social worker in our building she does work in this capacity at Edgewood & La Ola Del Lago Spanish Immersion. She hit the ground running joining our staff this year as our guidance counselor making grate contributions to how we track students graduation progress and schedule students in addition to helping them plan for next steps after high school (as well as many other supports for our students!!).
We appreciate your great work Kevin, Ann and Jenny!
Teacher Corner- Ms. Nelson, Art & Phy Ed
By this point the Quarter 3 Blahs have taken their toll on our students. We see it on their faces and in their spirits each morning as they enter our building. They are Vitamin D deprived. With the exception of this past week, the students almost cannot remember what it’s like to be outside without the feeling of their skin freezing. Mostly, they have grown tired of one another and drama levels are at their peak. For our kids, there is no end in sight to this winter, much less to this school year. Quarter 3 is certainly the toughest of all the quarters.
The good news is that we know this will be the case. The Quarter 3 Blahs come right on schedule every single year. As teachers we can brace for it. We can advise the kids to try to be mindful of their nutrition. We can deescalate the intense interpersonal conflicts they face with one another as the need arises. We can remind them that the end of the Blahs are in sight.
Spring Break is just around the corner. Once we hit that yearly milestone, their thoughts of warmer days and fun summer memories may just be enough to get them through the rest of the school year. Then the Quarter 3 Blahs will be only a distant memory. So until then, we will patiently await the numerous snowfalls that we all know still lie ahead in our future.
Recently at Bridges!
MATH ACTION - Bridges Style!
Bridges Art Gallery facilitated by Ms. Nelson
Econ Action by Mr. Lawson
Director of Teaching and Learning - Kevin Shuttinger
PL City Manager - Frank Boyles
PLHS Guidance Department Chair - Nate Gutshall
Students enjoying the nice weather!
From the Student Support Team: Mrs. Bauer, Guidance Counselor
As we move through an incredibly warm February and dodged another “snowstorm of the century,” spring feels a bit closer than in winters past. With the dawn of spring comes things we as Minnesotans look forward to: leaving our winter coats in the closet, daylight that lingers beyond 4:30 pm, sitting on a patio to enjoy lunch, not having to wear socks, putting that ice scraper back in our trunk and just enjoying the warm sun on a beautiful spring day. For many of our students, these same things ring true, but as a School Counselor with 20+ years of experience, spring also means something else: Senioritis, Senior Slide/Slump or just general school apathy can settle in and may disrupt the progress that has been made.
As an educational professional in an alternative setting, this can be even more of a challenge! So, how can we best support our students here at Bridges to continue the great work they are doing now and hold that through until June? Here are a few helpful tips:
~Set realistic goals throughout the school year and work to attain them! Whether it’s a top grade in a challenging course, or preparing for a summer job, working toward simple goals will keep your student on track for a great finish to the school year.
~Balancing school, work hours and family/friend time can also be a challenge when the weather warms up. Time management is essential to success! Start small and keep an agenda with important deadlines and other obligations that occur throughout the spring. Putting it in writing will hold your student accountable and keep their schedule organized. This life skill is something that will also be used well beyond high school.
~Finally, as another school year comes to a close, especially for our seniors, there will be some moments that are more difficult to manage. Yes, finishing school and achieving that milestone is a wonderful accomplishment. But, for some our students, saying goodbye to teachers, staff and friends in a place that feels safe and comfortable can be a scary thought. Also, the uncertainty of what the future holds can also create some anxiety. Make sure that you seek out support from those that can offer insight or just a listening ear. For seniors, the final two quarters requires students to do a lot of growing up in a short amount of time, but with support, students can feel confident to tackle the next chapter of their life!
As I get to know each student and discover their hopes for the future, one common theme emerges: The dedication and perseverance to achieve the goal of high school graduation. That path looks different for all students, but at the end of the day, the desire to accomplish and achieve this goal is what all of our students share! And in sharing this common goal, the concept of team and family is what ultimately drives success at Bridges!
Have a great spring!
Mrs. Bauer