Laker CONNECTIONS a Publication of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools • November, 2018

Laker CONNECTIONS A Publication of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools • November, 2018

From the Superintendent Kindergarten enrollment Voters were presented with many important choices to make in this year’s Election; not the least of which was deciding who should fill information four seats on Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools’ Board of Education. Welcome class of 2032! Prior Lake-Savage Area Eleven candidates sought positions on the board which speaks to Schools (PLSAS) is pleased to offer tuition free, full-day the importance of education in our community. Congratulations kindergarten located in our neighborhood elementary to incumbent Stacey Ruelle along with Michael Nelson, Jonathan schools and full-day kindergarten Spanish immersion Drewes and Enrique Velázquez who will begin their terms in January. at La ola del lago at Edgewood School. For questions about Spanish immersion at La ola del lago, or if you Each of these newly elected board members will serve four-year are interested in taking a tour, contact Principal Richie terms and will join existing board members Melissa Enger, Mary Kucinski at 952-226-0903 or rkucinski@priorlake- Frantz and Lee Shimek. savage.k12.mn.us. Teri Staloch, Ed.D. Districtwide Kindergarten Information Session is Serving as a board member is one of the most important responsibilities that a citizen can January 7, 2019 undertake. According to the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA), while school All parents of incoming 2019/20 kindergarten students board members have no individual authority, as a governing board they affect the future of are welcome to attend the Kindergarten Information the students, staff and the community. Each school board is responsible to its community for Session on January 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Grainwood governing efficiently and leading effectively to provide for equitable education, resulting in Elementary, 5061 Minnesota Street SE, Prior Lake. high student achievement. Parents will learn about our traditional kindergarten According to the MSBA, school boards must work as a team to achieve the district’s vision, program and our La ola del lago Spanish immersion they must establish organizational and physical structures for student and staff success, they option, along with curriculum and enrollment are accountable to the community for monitoring the conditions affecting the school district information. as a whole and they must seek stakeholder input to envision the educational future of the Online enrollment opens January 17, 2019 community, and then formulate goals and define outcomes. Beginning January 17, PLSAS will To that end, community input has been key for our begin offering online enrollment current board members as they review our school for new families, including kindergarten students. At that district’s Strategic Plan. On November 1, more than time, families can visit the district 125 school and community members came together website: www.priorlake-savage. to review the most important document in PLSAS: our k12.mn.us and click on Strategic Plan that defines our mission, core values, “Enroll.” To help prepare for vision and strategic directions. It was an interactive online enrollment, please evening with students, parents, staff and community have your child’s most working in groups to describe the experiences they recent immunization would like to have in our schools in the coming years. record ready to upload, These descriptions will help guide the district in the PLSAS community members gathered to review the along with your student’s next stage of planning. district’s Strategic Plan on November 1 birth certificate or passport During the review, attendees learned about the current state of the district, along with the and, if applicable, the Free- progress we have made to date on our strategic directions. We believe community input is and-Reduced Lunch application essential in helping us shape our district goals. That’s why during the review we answered which can be found on the district questions, received input and listened to our stakeholders. As a result, we will continue to website. make progress on our current strategic directions and are also ready to make adjustments to our plan. Recommendations will be presented to the School Board for final decision making. Any updates made to our Strategic Plan will then be shared with our staff and community. Our school board will continue to use our strategic plan, shaped by our community, to help achieve our district mission and to guide educational programs, services and applied resources. I would like to thank our school board members for their decision to serve the students, staff and families of PLSAS. I would also like to thank current board members Ben Hanson, Todd Sorensen and Rich Wolf who have each made outstanding contributions while serving PLSAS and each made the difficult decision to not seek re-election. Newly elected members will take office in January. I know each is committed to continuing to build on the trust they have earned in our community and will be dedicated to making the Middle School students wrote messages of kindness to celebrate best decisions possible for the students of PLSAS. National Unity Day Kids Voting Students and teachers celebrated More than 1,000 PLSAS students cast a Kids Voting ballot on November 6. Here is a sample of PLSAS Kids Voting results: National Unity Day • United States Senator: Amy Klobuchar October 24 was National Unity Day— a day designed to • United States Senator Special Election: Karin Housley promote kindness and acceptance in schools. Students • Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan and staff at schools throughout PLSAS wore orange and • PLSAS School Board: Michael Nelson, Stacey Ruelle, Sarah Rippke Lloyd, Michael Peterson participated in activities to support fellow students and to PLSAS Kids Voting is a nonpartisan voter education program sponsored by Community Education Services. discourage bullying.

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Military veterans spoke with Prior Lake High Schools students about their experiences Veterans share stories with PLHS students In honor of Veteran’s Day, a panel of veterans shared stories and answered questions for PLHS Students at Five Hawks Elementary participated in a corn husking 11th grade U.S. History students. Thank you Veterans Steve Carr, John Murray, Jim Cates, Tom relay as part of Farm-to-School month Loftus, Mike Martin, Floyd Nagler, Lyaman McPherson, Ed Speiker, King Cole, Rachel Maloney, Dave Thompson, William Zerwas and Joseph Buhain. Farm-To-School Child Nutrition Services (CNS) values providing nutritious, high-quality food to fuel our student’s minds and bodies, as well as supporting our local farmers and economy. That’s why this fall, CNS has been celebrating Farm to School in a variety of exciting ways. • They hosted a corn husking relay event and picnic at our elementary schools, featuring corn from Casey’s Acres. • They participate in “MN Thursdays,” where menu items are Minnesota grown and produced. • All students had an opportunity to participate in Staff, students, school board members and local dignitaries broke ground on the Bridges Area Learning Center on Sept. 18 the “Great Apple Crunch” and crunched into a juicy SweetTango apple, sourced from Thompson’s Breaking new ground Hillcrest Orchard in Elko. The new Bridges Area Learning Center (ALC) will be open in 2019 and to • They are also serving local fruits and vegetables celebrate, PLSAS recently held a groundbreaking ceremony. weekly which are provided by The Good Acre, a With construction just getting underway, the event also honored Bridges local food hub.

ALC Coordinator Dave Brown who is now on leave after being deployed Download the Nutrislice app to see your student’s daily overseas with the Minnesota National Guard. Brown plans to return in the menu options. summer. In the meantime, PLHS Assistant Principal, Heather Fitzloff will lead Bridges. Tree of Warmth Thanks to community support, the new Bridges ALC will be built next to Please bring NEW boots, snow pants, waterproof Twin Oaks Middle School and will be constructed using funds from the mittens/gloves, hats or warm socks by December 11. November 2017 referendum that was approved by voters. Also included in All donated items will go to PLSAS students. the referendum was a new elementary school and additions to Prior Lake Scan the code to watch Drop-off locations: High School and six other schools. our construction video • Prior Lake Chamber Office: 4785 Dakota Street, updates or visit our Prior Lake To see the latest construction timeline and building designs, visit our website: YouTube channel: www. • Prior Lake City Hall: 4646 Dakota Street, Prior Lake www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us/construction youtube.com/isd719 • District Services Center: 4540 Tower St. SE, Prior Lake • The UPS Store: 14033 Commerce Av. NE #300, PLSAS receives clean audit report Prior Lake Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools has again been issued a clean audit report from independent audit firm of CliftonLarsonAllen, which is the highest opinion an auditor can issue for school districts. Tree of Warmth is sponsored by the Prior Lake Chamber of Commerce. Audits are done to ensure districts’ compliance with state and federal requirements, internal and administrative controls and accuracy of financial and student data, documents, statements and reports used in the calculating of state and federal aid and grant payments. Congratulations For the fiscal year ending on June 30, general fund revenues in 2018 were $92.3 million, and Congratulations to Jim Dellwo, expenditures were $91.5 million. Director of Operations, “Those results don’t just happen, said CliftonLarsonAllen Principal, Dennis Hoogeveen. “It takes a Transportation, Health & Safety, strong board to give the input and guidance to the business office and they have given you great on receiving the Honorary information. You’ve come to have no surprises at the end of the year.” Paul Harris Fellow award from the Prior Lake Rotary Club. Here are some additional financial facts: For several years, Jim has • The district has sustained a positive fund balance for the last eleven consecutive years. donated his time to organize • PLSAS spends approximately $2,550 less per student than other school districts in the 7-county the transportation of more than metro area. 15,000 Lakefront Music Fest • PLSAS has a AA2 bond (credit) rating, which means the district meets its financial commitments Jim Dellwo concert goers. and taxpayers should expect to receive better interest rates on district bond refinancing and Congratulations to Maureen any new bond issues. Mullen, Assistant Director of • Over the last six years, PLSAS has maintained utility costs below $1 per square foot. Operations, Transportation, • Joint purchasing agreements help the district save money on items such as instructional Health & Safety, on being supplies. named the 2018 Facilities Management Professional of • The PLSAS Business Office consistently earns the MN Department of Education School Finance the Year by the Minnesota Award and the Association of School Business Officials International Certificate of Excellence in Educational Facility Financial Reporting Award. Management Professional The audit was presented and unanimously approved at the school board’s October 8 meeting. A Association. detailed report is available on the district’s website, www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us Maureen Mullen 2 / E-STEM SCHOOLS/

School Board Scholars To be a School Board Scholar, a PLHS student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or higher. Congratulations to our School Board Scholars! www.priorlakesavagece.com 952-226-0080 10th Grade Brendan McGraw Sophia Gannon Samuel Bingenheimer Chisomu Abasiri Heather McKiernan Makenzie Garvin Taylor Boeser Register for all Community Education classes and events at Kathryn Abney John Meagher Chloe Ginkel Benjamin Bremer www.priorlakesavagece.com Brielle Anderson Zachary Medin Hannah Good Emma Brower Isabella Andrus Allison Meschke Abby Grund Quinn Casey New Winter and Spring Allison Andryski Frederick Moede Heidi Guetter Jessica Chacich Youth Catalogs and Winter Maerianna Artang Alexander Moeller James Haas Madisen Clemensen Alexis Cohn Adult Catalogs are going live! Lillian Barney Bryce Moore Jace Hackett Jamie Barrett Ellie Mortensen Grant Hatten Lillian Collins Register for January - May Samantha Barrett Margaret Muelken Kathryn Heimel Shelby Compton youth classes beginning Ellen Becken Kalle Munger Natalie Hoepner William Condon William Cong November 13th. Register for Emma Bingenheimer Anjali Muppidi Raynell Hong Brandon Bischel Laura Murr Devmini Jayatilaka Reagan Dahl adult classes, taking place Payton Bloedow Olivia Nelson Gabrielle Jensen Isabel Danicich December-March, beginning Laine Bottemiller Tanner Newlin Brenden Jore Akshara Devanathan Jenna Difrischia November 15. Shannon Boyle Jessica Nguyen Cole Keiper Morgan Bozeman Sandy Nguyen Kelly Kero Logan Edwards www.priorlakesavagece.com. Wesley Brainard Rochelle Nibbe Kaiya Kielb-Young Sean Erickson Tatum Brostrom Kathryn Nollette Grace Korkowski Kailey Ernste Hour of Code Kendall Brown Nicholas Nygaard Josie Kropp Daniel Faragher Jack Fitterer Benjamin Burke Magnus O'Connor Emma Kuboushek Grades K-5 with an Adult Saturday, Dec. 8, 9 - 10:30 a.m. FREE Matthew Fredrickson Grace Chapman Armaan Olson Sydney Kuhl Celebrate Computer Science Education Week with a free Family Amanda Fuechtmann Jack Cheng Mary O'Neil Preethi Kumar Justin Garrison Code Night! Hour of Code is an opportunity for every student to try Jo-Yi Chow Isabel Orvalla Rebecca Kyllonen Daniel Gerdes Matthew Christensen Carl Otten Madison Lance computer science for one hour. Now is your chance to participate Katelyn Glaser Sam Christopherson Lydia Pavek Baptiste Lemercier in similar coding activities with your child in an environment that Nicole Glenzinski Rachel Cirillo Emma Perkins Chenxi Liang Nathan Green encourages problem solving, innovation and collaboration. Join us! All Kaitlyn Cray Hannah Quan Maia Lieske Violeta Grischhuk Lauren Crosby Lauren Rausch Grady Ling students must attend with at least one adult. Please register, if you are Alexander Haferman Lucas Cvancara Brynna Ray Kaitlin Longerbone able, to help us estimate attendance. Walk-ins are welcome, as space Ryan Hall Riley Dahl Madeline Reckmeyer Isabel Lundquist permits. #2784 Catherine Haugen Michael Dallalah Ethan Reistad Joslyn Machalek Chase Hebel Sydney Danger Jake Ridgley Alexis Mack Jonathan Hedburg Early Childhood Programs & Events Taylor Dauer John Ridgley Lauren Mandinec Brittney Helget Gingerbread Family Event and Winter Gear Drive Evan Delain Miranda Roberts Hannah Meyer Thomas Hesch Lynn Dinh John Roess Greta Michaelson Join the Early Learning Advisory Council and Early Learning staff for Olivia Hipkins Madelyn Ekstrand Mckoy Ross Conor Miller Tony Ho a fun, FREE family event on December 1, 2018 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Evan Engel Quinn Ruzicka Jeffrey Miller Nathan Jacob Edgewood School. No need to register. Bring your young children and Annika Evenson Mackenzie Salentre Adam Moorse Alexis Jacobson Corinne Fastrup Ana Sanchez-Garza Alexander Nelson enjoy some fun activities! Cole Jarman Joseph Fier Abbigail Santer Elizabeth Nelson Liliana Jasinska Ella Fitterer Savannah Savoy Sydney Nelson Circle of Friends Preschool 2019-20 registration begins February 1 Matthew Jilk Ethan Fontana Jade Sawrey Thien Phuc Nguyen Hannah Johnson We serve all learners in an inclusive, caring environment. The mission Jenna Fowler Maxwell Schuring Emily Nicholas Patrick Juell of PLSAS Early Learning Programs is to provide a healthy environment Makayla Gedrose Jaden Setter Hunter Nieson Jackson Jutting where children of all abilities can play, grow, take safe risks and Ashley George Emily Singewald Kya Ochsendorf Rachel Kapsch Colin Glynn Ariana Skroch Anna O’Connell Leah Keil experience success as we prepare caregivers for their integral role Lance Goeschel Gabe Smit Benjamin O’Konski Kyla Knutson as partners in the educational process. We offer both nature-based Dustan Green Addison Smith Morgan Olson Brandon Krivitz and more traditional classroom settings, with an E-STEM focus in all Carson Greenlee Gabrielle Sprouls Niklas Olson Kira Krolak Sadie Haben Jackson Stephany Julia Ondracek Luke Larson settings. Utilizing both indoor and outdoor settings, children learn Abigail Haferman Zander Steward Ezinne Osuji Julie Lemercier about the world around us in real, meaningful ways. Whether you Madeline Hauenstein Lauren Stolt Sydney Pahl Jacob Leonard choose a nature-based or more traditional classroom setting, this Jade Haugen Veronica Suarez Paige Pavlish Jack Lewis Nathaniel Hawkins Dennis Such Jaime Pedregon-Mendoza Jessica Lilliland E-STEM educational philosophy is integrated throughout all of our Abigail Heiser Luke Ta Hope Phan Cooper Lind programming. Tianna Helgeson Natalie Thoms Bryanne Pinkowski Megan Lolling Delaney Henry Kathryn Trachsel Ava Ptak Dahlia Ly Registration for the 2019-2020 school year will begin on February 1. If Emily Hesse Hannah Ulsager Megan Rasmussen Benjamin Maldonado you would like to receive registration information, call our preschool Ryan Hietpas Blake Vander Weide Jonah Reed Carter Mong Kaori Hirano Shannon Wallskog Rachel Ring Thomas Moreau office at 952-226-0956 in December to ensure you are on our mailing Joshua Holden Nicholas Wiedemann Kieran Rowan Grace Mueller list. Program information can be found on our website: www.priorlake- Wilfred Holm Abigail Williams Jacqueline Rynda Megan Munger savage.k12.mn.us under “Our Schools.” Valeryia Holub Cayla Winger Michael Safonov Thomas Neuharth Jasmine Horrach Justina Wojahn Griffin Santer Ingrid O’Connor Peek Into Preschool Brandon Hough Emily Wu Abagayle Scapple Heather Olinger Sydney Indihar Kelly Wu Peper Scepaniak Brooke Oliver January 7, 5-6:30 p.m. at Edgewood School Benjamin Johnson Connor Young Haley Schaefer Alex Olson Adults and their preschool-aged children are invited to visit classrooms Mia Johnston Olivia Zastrow Calyn Schanzenbach Abigail Overbeek at Edgewood School during this event. You will have the opportunity Katherine Kaisersatt Jack Zellmer Ryan Schuerkamp Matthew Peterburs Kaitlyn Kalal Erik Zender Mason Schwen Melissa Pfeifer to learn about our program options and spend time with our licensed Ciara Kallevig Kristina Zerwas Parker Shannon Michael Phelan preschool teachers. No need to register. Sarah Keeney Imad Siddiqui Sydnee Puschinsky Leah Keith 11th Grade Dezirae Spratt Erin Quach Tour and Talk Joshua Keller Laker NicoleEducational Allan Mallory Foundation Stach Samuel Reid For an adult-only visit, join us at Edgewood School on one of the dates Katelyn Kelm William Allan Danae Swedberg Taylor Rentschler Henry Keo Shreya Ashok Gavin Tersteeg Payton Rients below. Adults will tour Edgewood School with our Early Learning Abigail Kerr Ainsley Barker Allyson Tieman Brady Ritchie Coordinator, discuss program options and view preschool classrooms. Audrey Klein Kaitlyn Becker Lynh Tran Madeline Roess No need to register. Ella Kocina Matthew Becker Colin Tushie Riley Rose Emily Krause Jack Benedict Dante Urrutia Callie Schlottman • December 5, 10 a.m. Cole Schlottman • February 13, 10 a.m. Emily Krosnowski Jordyn Berg Marco Valdiva Tyler Schmaltz • December 17, 12 p.m. Abigail Kuboushek Kayla Berg Madison Vance • March 13, 10 a.m. Erin Schneewind Lillian Kuiken Angela Bergseth Alyssa Volk • January 10, 3 p.m. Adam Schriever • April 10, 10 a.m. Ashton Lacko Alyssa Bloomer Kylie Weigel • January 29, 5 p.m. Christina Sheehan • May 8, 10 a.m. Katelyn Lam Isabelle Boelter Julia Wieskus Joseline Siguantay Ortiz Sara Lam David Bornholdt Camille Will Early Childhood Family Education classes (ECFE), 952-226-0952 Parker Sinkula Kristen Langdon John Brennan Veronica Wolfe Meghan Skapyak ECFE is a program unique to Minnesota and is the first connection Sophie Larson Trevor Brezen Melissa Wyum Hannah Skroch between families and the school district. The mission of ECFE is to Sophia Lee Carter Busch Jacob Zollar Lindsey Soderberg Samantha Leong Jaden Chant support and strengthen families - the first and most important teacher Anna Stone Sophia Lewis Mason Clemenson 12th Grade Gabrielle Sumner in a young child’s life. We offer fun, supportive classes for families with Kati Abrahamson Mark Lichtenberger Anna Curtler Amaya Thomas young children. Visit our website more information about our ECFE Jessica Anderson Lauren Lindstrom Gracie Diperna Michael Tinguely Jordan Anderson class options for the 2018-2019 school year. Ella Mackin Sarah Dysthe Tyler Traschel Owen Antonopolos Grace Mahowald Zachary Eduvas Olivia Tran Rachel Aruldas Early Childhood Screening Isabella Maiwurm Sophia Edwards Ryan Wade Matthew Baer Isabelle Maldonado Carter Effertz Carly Walkowiak Early Childhood Screening is a free developmental check-up required Isabella Bates Savanaluck Manikhong Hing Matthew Feraru Jake Welke Aidan Becken by the State of Minnesota for all preschool-aged children to check how Lindsay Marcinkevich Colin Fjelsted Skylar Welle Kristina Beer your child is growing and developing. It is offered through the Prior Ella Martell Taylor Flaata Zachary Wise Dain Benson Keegan Masser Abigail Flanagan Katherine Wu Lake-Savage Area Schools. Join us at Screening as soon as your child Max Benson Julieta Mazzoldi Emily Fleck Michael Wu Paige Benson reaches 3 years, 2 months. Call today for an appointment at 952-226- Kyle McCoulough Annika Flees Abigail Yost Bryce Beske 0975 or email Deb Tribby at [email protected] Sarah McDonald Ellen Gandrud Samuel Zellmer 3 MNCAPS students hosted a mock job fair to learn about careers in the healthcare industry MNCAPS students host job fair Students at the Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies (MNCAPS) hosted a Taste of Lakefront Music Fest volunteers were honored by the school board on October 8 Healthcare event designed specifically for students interested in this career field. Prior Lake Rotary donates more than $40,000 to support MNCAPS is a profession-based immersion program students where students apply their course work in real-world The Prior Lake Rotary Club presented a check for more than $40,000 to the Laker Activities Booster settings through hands-on learning and project-based Club (LABC), Patrons of the Arts and Activities (PAA), and elementary Parents and Teachers for assessments. Children (PTC) organizations during the October 8 school board meeting.

The funds represented a portion of the money raised from the 2018 Lakefront Music Fest held last summer in Prior Lake. LABC, PAA and PTCs supported the Fest by selling admission tickets and providing hundreds of volunteer hours.

National Merit semifinalists: Alexis Cohn, Aidan Becken, Carter Mong and Rachel Aruldas Four Prior Lake High School students among NMSC semifinalists Prior Lake High School seniors Alexis Cohn, Aidan Becken, Carter Mong and Rachel Aruldas are semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students have the opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships to be offered next spring. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

Prior Lake High School student selected for national honor ensemble PLHS student Matthew Baer was selected for the National Association for Music Education, All- Lakers at Vikings’ TCO Performance Center The Lakers had an opportunity to play at the Vikings’ TCO Performance Center in Eagan where they National Honor Ensemble. PLHS student, Matthew Baer took on the Lakeville North Panthers. Although we didn’t bring home a win, it was a great night full Matthew is one of two Minnesota students selected of Laker Pride! Congratulations to John Wabbe, Twin Oaks Middle School Global Studies teacher and for this honor and the first PLHS student ever selected. PLHS football coach, who was honored at the game and named the Minnesota Vikings/Country Fi- He will perform in the orchestra with students from 49 nancial Spotlight Teacher of the Week! The Vikings also surprised PLHS math teacher, Dan Beier, with states and territories at Disney World November 27-28. two tickets to the Super Bowl in Atlanta after he won a QB Challenge. Are you new to the district? About this newsletter 2018 Board of Education Welcome to Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools! Laker Connections For questions or comments regarding , Chair If you have school-age children, you can contact Kristi Mussman, Director of Communications, Rich Wolf enroll them online at www.priorlake-savage. [email protected] or Vice-Chair/Clerk k12.mn.us/enroll or visit the District Services 952-226-0014 Lee Shimek Center, 4540 Tower Street SE in Prior Lake. The stock we are Treasurer For more information, call 952-226-0000. We printing on contains Stacey Ruelle look forward to welcoming your child into our 10% PCW Directors school district as a Laker! Melissa Enger Mary Frantz Connect with us Ben Hanson To get news, photos, events and more, “Like” Todd Sorensen us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter and Our mission is to educate all learners to reach Superintendent Instagram. their full potential as contributing and productive Dr. Teri Staloch facebook.com/PLSAS members of our ever-changing global community. Student Representative twitter.com/isd719 Charlotte Huntington instagram.com/isd719