Chief Learner's Thoughts
Connecting the dots between what students want, enjoy and need.
Archive for Uncategorized
March 1, 2010 at 9:43 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Last week I spent time in two classrooms not as the principal but as a guest. While in the 3rd grade classroom we finished the assigned tasks with five minutes to spare so I asked the students, “What have you learned by watching the Winter Olympics?” Many of the students said they became aware of speed skating as a sport. Mrs. DeVeau invited me to come to the 5th grade class to speak about my winter sport of choice as a part of their Olympic research project. So I brought in my speed skates and explained to the children the three types of speed skating: short track, long track and marathon.
What I already knew but was reminded of this week is that many students in Minnesota know little or nothing about speed skating. We, as Minnesotans, are proud to be the State of Hockey, and we all know and love the figure skaters who jump and twirl, but most children are unaware of the third competitive skating, speed skating.
As a child, I grew up on figure skates at the local rink. I did not like to spin, and the thought of being hit by a puck scared me, so I would happily skate in circles as fast as possible. I was one of those uninformed Minnesota children and did not know of speed skating as a sport. While I have been aware of speed skating for a long time, my knowledge was very limited. Everything changed two years ago when my friend challenged me to try speed skating. Fifteen minutes into the first lesson I was hooked, and I quickly signed up my children for the learn to speed skate program. For two years, we have been skating as a family and having fun.
So why am I sharing this story with you? I have a chance to educate you the parents and your children on the great activity of speed skating. Since we live in Minnesota, we must love winter. For those that don’t, you just might if you embrace winter by choosing a winter activity. I can tell you that for the last two winters my family has grown closer as we spend many hours together on the ice. We are healthier due to the fresh air and exercise and the winter months seem too be over way to quickly. I am encouraging you to explore speed skating.
While this is a competitive sport, it is also a life long sport. This past weekend I skated a race with people of all ages; the oldest were well into their 60s. At a race held in Roseville earlier this winter the oldest competitor was in his 80s. What I have found is that speed skaters are some of the most welcoming and supportive people I have ever met. As a whole, they do not care if you are fast, slow or in-between. What they want is for others to love the sport just as much as they do.
We are very fortunate to live in the Twin Cities Metro, because we have one of only four Olympic sized ovals (400 meter) in the United States. The John Rose Oval is located in Roseville and is open from early November through the first week of March. At the oval, you will find learn to speed skate programs for both adults and children and various long track clubs.
Short track programs are more readily available around the country as they practice on hockey size rinks on a 111 meter oval. We have two such programs in the metro, one in Plymouth and one in Blaine.
When I left the 5th grade class, two of the students asked for information to share with their parents about speed skating. I encourage all of you to look into this healthy winter family activity. We hear so much about childhood obesity and children who spend too much time with computers, video games, and TV, so here is one way your whole family can work together to find the right balance for a healthy life style.
To learn more about speed skating in Minnesota, check out Greater Minnesota Speed Skating at http://www.mnspeedskating.org
December 17, 2009 at 12:35 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
I am very please to announce and share my gratitude with the Pohlad family.
FROM: The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
226 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
CONTACT: Dennis B. McGrath: (o) 651-291-4412; (c) 612-867-9968
POHLAD FAMILY ANNOUNCES COMMITMENT TO
URBAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Minneapolis, Dec. 17, 2009 –The Pohlad Family today announced a major commitment to keeping urban Catholic elementary schools affordable for young people from economically-disadvantaged families. Through the Minneapolis Foundation and the Catholic Community Foundation, a total of $1 million in tuition assistance will be distributed to nineteen Catholic schools for use during the 2009-2010 school year. The Pohlads plan to continue this million dollar funding each year through 2013-2014.
Archbishop John Nienstedt welcomed the commitment: “The Pohlad family’s quiet giving has focused on providing opportunities that help young people move out of poverty. We are grateful for the family’s recommitment to Catholic education in neighborhoods where poverty has been growing.”
The tuition assistance is to be given to two groups of Catholic schools:
A total of $900,000 will be distributed among twelve schools. All are members of a network called FOCUS (Friends of the Catholic Urban Schools). The schools began cooperating with one another in 2004 to improve teacher recruitment, training, compensation, communications, and fundraising. The schools will receive approximately $750 for each student currently enrolled who is eligible to receive free-or-reduced-cost hot lunch services, a widely recognized measure of family poverty. The schools in this group include: Risen Christ, Pope John Paul II, Ascension, and San Miguel in Minneapolis; Saint Agnes, Saint Matthew, Saint Francis/Saint James; and Saint Peter Claver in Saint Paul. Four first-ring suburban schools are also involved: Saint Raphael in Crystal; Saint Michael in West Saint Paul; Blessed Trinity in Richfield; and Sacred Heart in Robbinsdale.
Pohlad Family Foundation board member Robert Pohlad commented: “A strong education opens many doors and is the way out of poverty. My family appreciates the efforts of these schools to reach out to children and families who are working toward a better future. My brothers and I thank FOCUS-member schools for their decision to work together to improve the teaching and learning occurring in their buildings.”
The remaining $100,000 will be given as challenge grants to seven other Catholic schools. Each of these schools has at least 20% of their student population that is eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. The schools are scattered around the Twin Cities: Saint Alphonsus in Brooklyn Center; Saint Jerome in Maplewood; Immaculate Conception in Columbia Heights; Maternity of Mary in Saint Paul; Saint Helena in Minneapolis; Saint John Vianney in South Saint Paul; and Most Holy Redeemer in Montgomery. Each school will be challenged to raise a proportional share of $50,000 by Easter, 2010 to be eligible for a two-for-one matching gift.
October 13, 2009 at 8:20 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Last Friday Ms. Autumn was at school getting the students excited for this year’s Rake-a-thon. At the end of the day the students brought home their fund raising packets and this year’s t-shirt designed by Taylor Kottke. Ms. Autumn challenged each student to say the Rake-a-thon prayer, put on their t-shirt and start asking family, friends and neighbors to pledge them for this service project.
The goal for each student is to fund raise $150 allowing us to meet this goal. We count on the money raised from Rake-a-thon to meet the general budget obligations. I would like to recognize one student who did just this, Ty Thompson. Ty is new this year and he came to school on Monday with his $150. When I looked at his pledge sheet the top donation was $15. Most of the pledges were between $2 and $5.
Parents please help your child do what Ty did so we can have a successful Rake-a-thon this year.
November 10, 2008 at 11:24 am · Filed under Uncategorized
Yesterday was the final performance for this year’s musical at St. Raphael’s Theatre. As always the show was outstanding but for me this show was even more amazing than years in the past.
What caught my attention was the group of 8th grade boys. Most of these young men were in the play for the first time. Their contribution to the male lead parts with their skill, spunk, and creativity stood out to me. I have seen these students grow since fifth grade and it was a pleasure to see them participate and shine in their roles.
Looking to next year I hope Ryan can influence other boys to join in the fun.
June 20, 2008 at 11:28 am · Filed under Uncategorized
On Wednesday, June 18, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced publicly that an anonymous donor donated $10 million over the next ten years to 15 Catholic Schools who are members of FOCUS. This is great news for St. Raphael’s Catholic School because we are members of FOCUS.
FOCUS (Friends of Catholic Urban Schools) is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that has been working for over three years to raise money for fifteen Catholic schools that are located in urban or inner ring suburban settings. St. Raphael’s Catholic School is associated with this organization because of the changing socio-economic demographics in our local community. The goal of this organization is to support schools in their development and fundraising, not replace the schools efforts.
FOCUS has worked to solicit donations from people who believe in Catholic education. These donations go to support tuition assistance and program enhancements. This past year St. Raphael’s Catholic School receive money from FOCUS to help support our standardized testing and provide tuition assistance for some of our families.
On Tuesday, June 17, I attended the FOCUS general meeting. During the meeting details were given as to how the donation is structured; however, many of the details are not finalized. Ms. Laurie Acker, Director of Urban Education for the Archdiocese will oversee the money and work with the donor to finalize the plan. I have outlined the details that were shared and how this donation will impact St. Raphael’s Catholic School.
- Each year for ten years, 1 million dollars will be given.
- Sixty plus percent will go to scholarships.
- Most of these scholarships will be need based however some might be designated to high achieving students.
- The division will most likely follow the percent of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch accounts.
- During the 2007-08 school year 46% of students enrolled in the FOCUS Catholic Schools qualified for free or reduced lunches.
- During the 2007-08 school year 15% of St. Raphael’s students qualified.
- St. Raphael’s students represent 3% of the total FOCUS students who qualify for free and reduced lunches.
The remaining thirty plus percent will be designated to program or curriculum enhancement. Areas of focus will be English, math, science and religion. Money and time will be spent learning how to increase the quality of teaching and learning in these subjects. Small groups of schools will focus on the different subject areas and share their research and findings with other Catholic Schools in the area.
This is great news for St. Raphael’s Catholic School! The monies received through this donation will provide additional financial aid for some students starting in the fall of 2008. Each year as we continue our review of different curricula and make improvements in instruction we will additionally benefit from the donation.
We are fortunate to be one of the recipients of this money but our work to continue stabilizing our enrollment, developing our own fundraisers and reaching out to donors will continue long into the future.
Catholic Spirit Article
August 16, 2007 at 10:50 am · Filed under Core 6, Generation X, Marketing, Uncategorized
Now that it is mid August it is exciting to think about the new school year. While making plans for the year I continued to think about my experience in Atlanta. That experience impacted many discussions I have had and expanding my summer research.
I am so happy to be a part of a school that is changing how we deliver instruction to meet the needs of our students. We know that each new group of kindergarten students brings with them new experiences and skills. Our goal of capitalizing on this knowledge is a wonderful challenge for us.
As parents and teachers begin settling into a new school year, as principal, I start planning for the 2008-09 school year. One of the first focus areas for me is attracting new students to kindergarten. I realized the other day that the parents of these potential kindergarten students have different ideas of what they want for their children than parents of kindergarten students a few years ago. As I explore the wants and desires of parents who are considered a part of the Generation X, I realize we are offering what they desire. We are offering a program that fits with their desire for their children; to develop strong communication skills, embrace challenge, be able to solve problems, be able to collaborate, be critical thinkers, and to embrace diverse ideas and people. We are doing all of this in a faith filled school that has high academic standards. Impressive for such a small school so now it is time to acknowledge and celebrate what we are doing.
June 30, 2007 at 11:50 am · Filed under NECC, NECC 07, Technology, Uncategorized
In June, Mrs. Sjogren, Mrs. Juetten and I went to the National Educational Computing Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This was a wonderful experience for us.
The conference was attended by educators from around the world. I met principals from many different states and countries including Australia.
Two of the most interesting people we talked to were Dominican Sisters. These two are avid proponents of using technology to help prepare their students for adult life and also to help them understand the impact they can make on society. These two sisters also help train other Dominican Sisters to be teachers. As a regular part of teacher training all Dominican Sisters are trained in technology integration.
Classes and seminars focused on many different uses of technology to help students to become global citizens. The conference centered on developing instructional strategies that help the students to expand their thinking beyond learning rote material.
We were truly challenged to help our students reach out to the world an make an impact. There were many examples of how young students are doing just this with the aid of technology and fabulous teachers.
One particularly inspiring session was taught by a middle school social studies teacher. The name of the session was “This is Not Your Grannie’s Classroom.“
This teacher made her subject come alive with music, maps, and video clips that helped her 6th grade students not just learn about the topics but understand how their lives are impacted by those topics.
This teacher understood the value of having students engaged in their learning. It made me want to return to 6th grade.
I came home with many ideas of how to help St. Raphael continue to educate the students in a way that is meaningful and will prepare them to be productive members of the 21st Century. I am looking forward to the new school year.
