Victorian-Style Garden Returns to Como Park Murray Middle School Hits Its
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Your award-winning, Park nonprofit community resource St. Anthony Park / Falcon Heights www.parkbugle.org BugleLauderdale / Como Park May 2015 World’s Fair? Victorian-style garden It’s not such a novel idea. returns to Como Park Page 7 By Roger Bergerson Horace Cleveland, the renowned landscape architect who The first in a series of formal gardens shaped the early park, favored the to be established around the Visitor concept of a “landscape park” as an Center and the Marjorie McNeely escape from city life. Conservatory in Como Regional Frederick Nussbaumer, early Park will open early this summer. park superintendent, also was a The Centennial Garden will disciple of the school of picturesque serve as a focal point for observances landscaping, but recognized the to celebrate the 100th anniversary of importance of recreational facilities the conservatory and pay tribute to and tried to balance the two those who worked to get it built and concepts. subsequently become a Twin Cities Furrer noted that the landmark. construction of the Visitor Center “The design of the Centennial about 10 years ago eliminated the Garden harkens back to several McKnight Garden near the legacy gardens in Como’s past,” conservatory. While plans called for explained Michelle Furrer, director formal gardens to be established on and campus manager of the Como what became lawn areas, funding did The Centennial Garden is the first element of a plan to bring back Park Zoo and Conservatory. not become available until recently. botanical features that park visitors would have seen at the time the These included “garden rooms” Support for the Centennial Marjorie McNeely Conservatory was built 100 years ago. near the conservatory that featured Garden included $272,000 from the fountains, arbors and plantings. It Minnesota Arts and Cultural natural gathering place for daily on June 19 and continue through was a style of garden, Furrer said, that Heritage Fund, as well as a $168,000 visitors, as well as a relaxing setting Nov. 8. Grow your own was representative of the English contribution from Como Friends, a for after-hours events, Furrer said. Victorian era that the conservatory nonprofit organization. Observances of the Roger Bergerson writes about community Local business aims evoked. The garden will provide a Conservatory centennial will kick off news and history regularly in the Bugle. to show clients just how to do that. Page 8 Murray Middle School hits its stride Parents and staff of former junior high say school’s second year with grades 6-8 is calmer and less crowded By Alex Lodner the school, and the district. negative academic experience. teachers with student behavior issues, Last year, nearly 900 students But for those who stuck it out one of the biggest concerns families It is well-documented that the 2013- were enrolled at the school as it and returned in fall 2014, the year had last year. The additional staffing 14 school year did not go well for transitioned from a grade 7-8 junior has gone better than expected. enables counselors to spend more Murray Middle School. After a year high school to a 6-8 middle school. “We got off to a great start this one-on-one time with each student, of weathering what some perceived Classrooms were overcrowded and a year,” said Murray Principal Stacy and while special education as chaos created by the school new disciplinary policy established Theien-Collins. “We did a lot of specialists once worked separately district’s implementation of too districtwide left teachers feeling work last year. We did a lot of from classroom teachers, they are many changes in one year, a number unsupported and families worrying listening, learning and collaborating now teamed with each grade and of teachers and Murray families left about their children’s safety and with families, students, teachers and have a better grasp of what each administrators. We got a lot of grade’s specific needs are. input.” “Last year, 20 percent of A 200-student drop in students had two or more behavior- enrollment—due in part to the based referrals. As of midyear, that graduation of a large class of eighth number was closer to 7 percent,” graders who were grandfathered in Theien-Collins said. “Students who after the district changed attendance have between two and five referrals boundaries in 2013—and a $2 are placed in Tier 2, which allows million remodeling project that them to receive more support.” created a new wing for the sixth grade Fall semester data shows the created more elbow room in the improvements. Dismissals have seen building. a 55 percent reduction and But one of the biggest changes suspensions have seen 32 percent this year is a proactive, rather than fewer students being suspended. Batter up! reactive, approach to issues, “Last year, we didn’t have according to Theien-Collins. “We are enough resources to help those School baseball now driving where we want the students and it became a cycle of season is underway school climate to go,” she said. In the being sent back to the classroom at Como. 2014-15 school year, the school has before their needs were met, further A sure sign of spring implemented policies that support disrupting the classroom,” Theien- staff and help those students who Collins said. This was a common That flash of yellow in the trees? It means the yellow-rumped warbler struggle most, Theien-Collins said. Pages 16 has arrived in Minnesota and spring is here. Clay Christensen will tell complaint from teachers last year as you all about it on page 11. Photo by Harris Mallory New support staff has been well: having disruptive students added to help counselors and Murray to 6 2 PARK BUGLE n MAY 2015 CITY FILES Como Park period. St. Paul Public Schools St. Contact www.ci.lauderdale.mn.us Sales may begin at 8 a.m. What I learned during my first environmental educator Josh or 651-792-7650. The District 10 Como Community St. Anthony Park Council meets at 7 p.m. on the third year with District 10 is that is it easy Leonard will talk about how this Tuesday of each month at the Historic to underestimate the important role little-known gem of Como Park can Learn about Bell Museum’s move The District 12 Community Council Streetcar Station, 1224 N. Lexington district councils have in our be used for educational purposes. St. The cities of Falcon Heights and meets on the second Thursday of each Parkway. Contact 651-644-3889 or communities, and I think it is vital Paul Parks and Recreation Lauderdale, along with the Falcon month at 7 p.m. at South St. Anthony www.district10comopark.org. we recognize that and promote environmental coordinator Adam Heights-Lauderdale Lions Club, will Recreation Center (SSA), 890 Cromwell membership in the community Robbins will discuss the sponsor an evening with Dr. Susan Ave. To find when council committees District 10 chair reflects on his councils as valuable volunteer work. I management of the different habitats Weller, executive director of the meet, go to www.sapcc.org or call 651- two terms on the district council also learned to a new degree what found in the woodland. University of Minnesota’s Bell 649-5992. I took over as chair of District 10 in individuals working as a team could The 90-minute presentation Museum of Natural History, on February 2010. Immediately, there accomplish. will include a tour (weather Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. at Sewer repair on Raymond Avenue were pressing organizational needs I am blessed to have worked permitting). Please be prepared to be Falcon Heights City Hall. A sewer-repair project in south St. involving with many great volunteers and staff outdoors. Meet at the Joyce Kilmer Weller will discuss the museum’s Anthony Park has shut down the staffing over my five years, but perhaps most Memorial Fireplace, just west of the move to the St. Paul campus on the Raymond Avenue from Manvel model and blessed to have worked with Marcy Como Pool. Rain location: Midway southwest corner of Larpenteur and Street to West Hampden Avenue general Micek. Marcy served as the District Picnic Pavilion. Cleveland avenues. through early June. The City of St. operational 10 treasurer for four years. Marcy For more information, call Paul’s Public Works has set up health. I served her community with District 10 office, 651-644-3889 Lauderdale garage sale is May 16 detours using Energy Park Drive, was exuberance and vigor and yet in a Lauderdale’s citywide garage sale will Highway 280 and West Territorial fortunate to quiet humble manner. Beyond a be held Saturday, May 16. Road. Local parking is banned on the have a great volunteer for the Como Falcon Heights and Lauderdale Lauderdale residents must call City park side of Manvel, Bayless Avenue board full neighborhood, Marcy was a great The Falcon Heights City Council meets Hall 651-792-7650 by May 8 to and Hampden. of members friend. Marcy Micek passed away on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each register your sale location and let The city said it expects to willing to February 15, 2012. Marcy was the month at 7 p.m. in Falcon Heights City organizers know if you have items of complete the project by June 5. Jon Knox step type of volunteer who helps define all Hall, 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave. Contact special interest to list. There is no Contact Aaron Hass with the City of forward to that is good about district councils. 651-792-7600 or charge to register and the city does St.