by April Scheinoha
Editor
Challenger Elementary School students may have noticed that they’re seeing their music and physical education teachers more often than in the past. At its meeting Monday, Sept. 8, the Thief River Falls School Board heard an update from CES Principal Patrick Marolt and Assistant Principal Mike Wienen.
Students are having music and physical education classes more frequently after some schedule changes at the school. They may also have some of their friends from other classrooms attending their music and physical education classes.
Wienen explained second, fourth and fifth grades have five sections each. However, music and physical education classes are split into four sections per grade. As a result, some of the five-section classes may be split when attending music and/or physical education classes.
Another change is that classroom teachers, not science specialists, are teaching science. Wienen said classroom teachers are using the Mystic Science curriculum.
Marolt noted that CES teachers are receiving responsive classroom training. Years ago, all of the teachers attended the first course of responsive classroom training. The district has since received a grant to provide both the first and second courses.
The training provides students with a deeper engagement in problem solving and academic choice, according to Marolt. It also helps teachers foster independence and student leadership, provides strategies to address behaviors, and allows for collaboration in each grade level and throughout the school. The morning meetings and games culminated from that training. The training also led to afternoon quiet-time activities. During those 15 minutes of quiet time, students may choose to engage in such activities as reading or drawing.
The board approved an agricultural trip to Ireland in summer 2028.
At the last board meeting, agriculture teacher Katie Shaw presented information about the trip. At that time, she said current freshmen and sophomores would be first given the opportunity to attend the trip to Dublin, Kilkenny and Galway to see such things as oyster and seaweed farming. Current eighth graders may also be given the opportunity.
The 10-day trip is estimated to cost $5,000 per student. A minimum of six students are needed in order to have the trip.
Superintendent Dr. Chris Mills spoke about a project undertaken by K-5 Connect Tech Educator Courtney Skjerven and The Times. As part of the project, third graders draw an advertisement for a business that has purchased an advertisement. “The kids are pretty excited,” said Mills, who noted that enough advertisements were purchased for each student to draw one.
The advertisements will be printed in the Sept. 24 edition of The Times. Mills said the project is expected to raise a little more than $5,000 for CES activities.
As part of its consent agenda, the board approved various personnel matters. It approved employing Megan Klamar, CES special education teacher, from Aug. 25 to May 26; Amber Neadeau, Ojibwe language teacher, effective Aug. 25; and Sarah Vogel, CES music teacher, effective Aug. 25.
Vogel succeeds Ken Wiggs, who is now the principal at Marshall County Central Elementary School. She was previously employed as the band teacher at Lincoln High School.
The board was recognized for its dedication to students and the community.
Chairperson Ryan Walseth thanked his fellow board members, saying he appreciated their work.
Mills echoed Walseth’s sentiments. He said, “It’s a very important position in the community.”
September marks School Board Recognition Month as designated by the Minnesota School Boards Association.
School Board accepted donations provided to the Little Brother Little Sister Program.
Donations were provided by the Hartz Foundation, $3,000; TRF Hardware LLC, $500; and Ingram’s Candy Store, $220.
The next School Board meeting is scheduled Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. at the District Service Center.