Sibley in the Top 15%

Last Tuesday, Sibley school was noted as being in the top 15% of schools in the state under the new Multiple Measurement Rating, or MMR.  This new system includes how well schools do at closing the achievement gap among demographic groups in reading and math.  It also takes into consideration student individual growth over several years.  Under No Child Left Behind, individual growth over a year or several, although very important, was not a consideration for schools making AYP or not.  The goal was that everyone was to be proficient by 2014.  Although a great goal, it had its flaws, which is why Minnesota sought the waiver and a new way of looking at school progress.  For further information on the MMR, or to find out how other schools in the state ranked, please read the story by the Albert Lea Tribune here, or the Minneapolis Star here.  Our score of 74 is a result of the last two years of our assessment data.  In late July or August, the 2012 data will be added.  We are proud of our achievement and our students, but recognize that improvement in teaching and learning is ongoing.

Throughout the course of the school year, art classes worked with Mr. Blong to create a mosaic that can be found hanging in one of our main hallways as you enter the school. It was a long project that has been done for about 2 months now.  Starting in late fall, Mr. Blong worked a schedule with teachers and students that allowed them to be involved in this enrichment art project.  Through it, students were a part of the design, creation, learned about grouting work, and even glazing.  Some of the pieces were sent to the high school to be fired in a real kiln. Stop in and enjoy the art as it involved many of our students from multiple grade levels. Well done!

On Friday, May 4^th our Sibley 5^th graders traveled to downtown Minneapolis to see the professional performance at the Cowles Center For Dance and The Performing Arts building. This activity was made possible through a grant earlier in the year that also provided dance sessions with the performing artist. We did these sessions by using the Apple tv set up and ipad technology in the music room. The students not only watched them perform but participated in a routine that they taught to them. Our whole trip (bus cost, substitute and lunch) was paid for by the grant. The history of the building and program was part of the tour information that the Cowles Center shared with our students. It was a really good experience for our students to become aware of another form of the arts. - submitted by Teresa Bergene. 

Online Assessment Update

In an earlier post, I shared with families information about our MCA's.  Although The Minnesota Department of Education allows for up to three opportunities with online tests to show proficiency, our district has decided to allow our students to take the test twice if their parent/guardian wants them to.  Direct conversation concerning this has probably already come from your child's teacher.  As a district administration, we have forgone the opportunity to take the test three times because there is more to education then testing our children repeatedly.  The reading test remains a paper test that is given once.

"We are in the process of putting systems in place that take a much more methodical approach to educating our students.  Through the development of essential outcomes, the study of student data, and the collaboration of our professional learning communities, we are laying the groundwork for long-term success. It is my hope that these systems will bring us to the point that the MCA tests become a validation of what we are doing as a district, rather than the stressful experience it is for many now," says Dr. Funk.

2012 GT Program Summary

Gifted and Talent Development Program

New this year to the Albert Lea Area School District is the redesigned Gifted and Talent Development program. Several changes and additions have occurred across grade levels. Focusing on goals set out by the National Association for Gifted Children, our program is integrally connected to our district mission of equipping all students to think, achieve, and care. The opportunities created for our students are intended to meet the needs of our students with unique academic needs by providing challenging educational programs and services to help them reach their full potential.

Prior to this year, several opportunities were offered to our students. Math Masters, Spelling Bee, Science Fair, and Young Authors/Young Artists gave elementary students options for enrichment and extension. At the middle school, Geography Bee, Math League, and History Day were some of the opportunities, with the high school offering such options as Robotics, Honor Choir and Band, SuperMileage, Mock Trial, Career Day, State Capitol and History Days.

New to our program this year was DestiNation Imagination, an international program for kindergarten through university students with its purpose being to teach creative problem solving strategies. Teams of students met for several months prior to competition, working on challenges involving technical, scientific, fine arts, improvisational, structural or service-learning themes. Our district had 10 teams, from the four elementary schools, middle school and high school, and were coached by volunteers who committed an incredible amount of time to collaborating, researching, designing and building. Nine teams participated in the regional tournament, with seven of those teams progressing to the state competition. Student and leader enthusiasm was apparent, as indicated by students’ comments. “Participation in the DI tournament was the best thing I have ever done!” “It stretched my mind”, “I didn’t know that I could be so smart,” “Now, I think that I want to be engineer”, were some of the comments heard from involved students.

This year approximately 75 students were involved in Chess Clubs. The opportunity to learn and play chess as well as develop strategies was an exciting focus for these after-school meetings. Clubs at each of the four elementary buildings, Southwest Middle School, and Albert Lea High School were coached by staff and volunteers. Elementary students had the opportunity to compete in a tournament held at the Albert Lea Family Y on Apr. 14. The response of students to the Chess Clubs was overwhelming, as indicated by the large number of students pursuing their interest in chess.

Students identified as having specific academic strength in grades three through five had the opportunity this year to receive additional instruction during the school day. These pull-out groups were instructed by the Gifted and Talent Development Coordinator using materials and activities that foster the development of critical thinking, abstract thinking, creative thinking and problem-solving.

The Gifted and Talent Development program is evolving with plans to continue the current offerings while adding additional opportunities over the next years. At the forefront of all programming is our district’s focus on student learning and providing resources with a strong research-base that will best meet the needs of our students.

Social and Academic Success are equally important

Schools have always been places that represent the larger community and country in which they are found.  A goal of any quality school should be providing a student with experiences that will allow them to be successful as adults.  Depending upon who you ask, the word "success" carries with it a variety of interpretations, but most of them will support the notion that it involves a level of continued improvement. Learning and success go hand in hand as new knowledge gained and applied, usually is associated with a level of success or accomplishment.  In other words, without building onto the knowledge or skills one already has, they will not be able to "get where they want to go," in life.

In school, we learn about math, science, social studies, and a myriad of other topics within academic content areas.  Each of the experiences that are provided in these areas, gives us the opportunity to try our hand at each and to meld ideas from many.  These experiences improve who we are and make life satisfying, interesting, and successful.  All of them help in stimulating us towards great things and ways that we can contribute positively to our community and world.

Schools are also places where social and emotional learning is as important as academic learning.   Both, impact how well we are able to contribute to the larger community.  Without the support from both school and home,"success" will be hard to come by.  We need to teach students about logical consequences for choices made.  These consequences could be anything but enjoyable, but they are necessary.  When students do not get along, or make poor chances, schools and parents need to support the child through this learning process.  This sometimes involves admitting that a mistake was made and then developing a plan moving forward.

Through this process, it also helps students learn about empathy.  Without empathy, one only thinks of themselves and not the impact that choices and situations have on other people.  Even when an individual is wronged, if they have been taught about the importance of empathy, they will have arrived at a new level of social success.  To do so, requires collaboration and a commitment between school and home.  If a mistake is made, own it.  Then, make a committed effort to changing one's behavior and the perception that may exist.

Remember, the most successful folks in life, are not just those that have achieved a level of academic success, but also those that know how to work well with others.

Empathy = Success.