U.S. Department of Education Recognizes 2016 Green Ribbon Schools
Announced by U.S. Secretary of Education John King, the 2016 Green Ribbon award honors schools across the nation that are leading the way in reducing environmental impact, promoting health, and ensuring high-quality environmental education programming. Among the 2016 honorees are two schools and one college from Minnesota: Glendale Elementary School, Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools; Henry Sibley High School, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights– Eagan School District; and Macalester College, St. Paul. Commissioner Brenda Cassellius congratulated the schools as true leaders in Minnesota’s conservation efforts. Read press release.
Minnesota Students Receive National Recognition
Hundreds of Minnesota students submitted entries to the annual state Kids Safe Online poster contest last December. Fifteen state finalists were selected and those posters were forwarded on to compete at the National level--and three Minnesota student posters were selected as national winners! Congratulations to: Leona and Galen, both grade 5 students from Scenic Heights Elementary in Minnetonka, and Lily, grade 6 from Transfiguration Catholic School in Oakdale. All three of their posters will be featured in the 2017 Kids Safe Online Calendar!
Check out all fifteen Minnesota finalists and three national awardees!
Minnesota's Impressive Youth Council
Before attending a round of legislative meetings, members of the Minnesota Youth Council (MYC), including MDE's Student Advisory Committee, attended the annual division fair in Roseville. The fair provides an interactive opportunity for the MYC to meet with division staff and for staff to hear what youth think about the education issues that directly impact them. A presentation by the students illuminated the impressive work they are doing and their plans for the future. Visit the council web page to learn more.
Better and Healthier Meals for Kids and Adults Soon to be On the Menu
The first major revision of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns since the program’s inception in 1968 was announced recently by Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon.
Young children and adults in day care will now receive meals with more whole grains, a greater variety of vegetables and fruits, and less added sugars and solid fats. The new science-based standards will be consistent with the meals children receive as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Visit USDA website for more.
Help Preparing for the GED
The Learning Express Library, available through the state-funded Electronic Library for Minnesota (ELM), offers free GED assessment, interactive skill-building and online test preparation. Visit the ELM website for more information.
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Finding Ways for More Students to be Part of the Team
At a small bowling alley in Thief River Falls last week, a big celebration happened in the middle of the day. Cheers and applause greeted student Courtney Fontaine, 14, after she bowled a strike. A special education student from Warren-Alvarado-Oslo High School, Fontaine is a member of her high school's adapted bowling team... Read more in the Grand Forks Herald.
Apprenticeships Help Students and Local Businesses
Good-paying jobs go unfilled because there are are not enough skilled workers to fill them. However, some Minnesota schools are getting students into those careers and it's helping local businesses as well. Check out KSTP for full story.
Early Learning has Lifelong Benefits
First-time parents often ask how to they can make sure their child is ready for kindergarten. It's a good question because a child's early years, from birth to age 5, are a time of important development and growth. All of a child's early experiences, whether at home or in daycare or preschool, are educational. Read more of Opinion in the Budgeteer News.
Career Pathways Program Offers Adult Students Opportunities
Classes are offered through the college’s Southwest Minnesota Career Pathways Program to help students obtain certifications in degrees in industries such as welding and interpreting. Read one student's experience in the Daily Globe.
Struggling Schools Find a Partner in Minnesota’s Regional Centers of Excellence
In Minnesota, we have completely rethought what it means to support struggling schools. We are being more strategic and systematic. Schools identified as low performing or that have high achievement gaps are offered intensive support and guidance through the state’s nationally recognized Regional Centers of Excellence (RCEs). Read the April 22 post.
Students Reflect on United States Senate Youth Program Experiences
Each year, two high school students from every state are selected to participate in the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) in Washington, D.C. The program is a unique educational experience for outstanding high school students interested in pursuing careers in public service. This year the students representing Minnesota were Grace Greason from Mayo High School in Rochester and Dasom Ham from East Ridge High School in Woodbury. Read the first-hand accounts from Minnesota's 2016 student representatives.
Helping Students Achieve, Connect and Thrive
Across Minnesota, communities are working to create a more positive future for our state’s children and youth. After School and Out-of-School programs provide opportunities for kids to continue to learn when school is not in session--before and after school, on weekends, and during summer break. The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) program is a competitive federal grant administered by the Minnesota Department of Education. Schools, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, are eligible and welcome to apply.
Encouraging and providing funding to help support collaborations between schools, families and community organizations is a cornerstone of 21CCLC. Read how a group of concerned parents and a receptive group of school leaders in Northfield created a community school initiative that offers a wide range of out-of-school time programming for students, parents, their families and the entire community!
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