Austin Packer Bulletin

Minnesota law provides school boards with specific authority to issue bonds for maintenance and health and safety needs. The Legislature created this authority because public buildings require ongoing upkeep. Roofs fail. Boilers wear out. Fire alarms must meet code. Accessibility is required by federal law. For a home valued at $200,000, the projected annual impact is approximately $7.42 per month or $89 per year.

What the Board is considering:

• Updating or replacing air handling systems at Banfield, Neveln, Southgate, Ellis Middle School, the high school, and the Annex.
• Repair and repave parking lots and sidewalks that impact accessibility at Banfield, Woodson, Ellis Middle School, and the high school.

What this proposal does not include:

• A new building
• An addition
• Program expansion

The Minnesota Department of Health is clear that indoor air quality affects attendance, respiratory health, and student concentration. Maintaining safe and functional ventilation systems is part of providing healthy learning environments, not an enhancement or optional upgrade. Delaying these projects does not remove the need. In most cases, it increases costs due to inflation and emergency repairs and creates additional risk to building systems and learning conditions.

We wish all of our Austin Public Schools students and families/caregivers a safe and relaxing spring break.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

Thank you, staff, for the many ways you support students, families/caregivers, and one another.

On March 2, we held our 21st annual Women’s History Assembly in Knowlton Auditorium, celebrating student achievement and welcoming an inspiring guest speaker.

Students in Dennis Schwab’s American History classes were recognized as winners of this year’s Women’s History Project contest and were awarded cash prizes for their outstanding work. Their projects reflected thoughtful research, strong storytelling, and a deep appreciation for the impact of women throughout history.

We were honored to welcome Emily Ford, a winter adventurer and thru-hiker based in Duluth, Minnesota, who attended with her dog.

Emily shared her experiences tackling extreme winter expeditions and spoke about her drive to ensure that anyone can pursue adventure and that everyone deserves access to the outdoors, regardless of race, gender identity, or upbringing. Her message challenged stereotypes and encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones with confidence.

The assembly was a meaningful way to recognize Women’s History Month, celebrating both student scholarship and leaders who are expanding opportunities for others.

Student winners included:

• Ellen Heiny & Aubrey Ruzek: "Midwestern Women in the 1960s"
• Ava Ehrhardt & Lexi Helgeson: "Women In New York in the 1920s"
• Ian Johnson: "Inequalities in the Modern World"
• Miley Ly & Abby Wradislavsky: "Ordinary Women in the 1970s”

At Austin Public Schools, our goal is to help each student be successful academically. As such, we offer a wide range of opportunities for students at all levels. No matter your student’s academic interests, they will find numerous options at Austin Public Schools. Learn more here.

Here’s one more way our Packer Profile shows up beyond the classroom. Two on-site summer programs at The Hormel Institute give our students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in real laboratory settings, strengthening the very skills we define in the Packer Profile: critical thinking, collaboration, communication, adaptability, and real-world application.

Who it’s for: Students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in fall 2026

Sessions: July 7–9 or July 14–16
Application Deadline: May 1, 2026

This three-day, hands-on introduction to cancer biology places students inside an active biomedical research lab.

Students will:

• Work alongside professional scientists
• Investigate real research questions
• Communicate ideas and findings
• Collaborate in team-based lab settings

This is Packer Profile learning beyond the classroom, students applying knowledge, thinking deeply, and building confidence in professional environments.

Who it’s for:

• Accelerated students entering junior or senior year
• Recent graduates (May 2026)

Program Details:

• 8 weeks (June 15–August 7, 2026)
• 25 hours per week
• Cohort of 3–4 students
• $3,000 stipend
• On-site in Austin

Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

This immersive research experience mirrors college and career expectations.

Students will:

• Execute precise lab procedures
• Analyze and interpret data
• Conduct literature reviews
• Engage in professional development and safety training

This program demands maturity, responsibility, perseverance, and initiative, all core components of the Packer Profile. It challenges students to operate at a high level and take ownership of their learning.

Both opportunities provide students with more than exposure; they offer experience aligned directly with our Packer Profile. If you know a student who is curious, driven, and ready to stretch, this is the kind of opportunity that builds both skill and confidence for what comes next. Applications are available at hi.umn.edu under the Training tab, then select High School Training. They will also be offering a fully 2-week virtual program and will share more details soon.

Our Special Services Department plays a vital role in establishing effective leadership, support, and guidance systems to ensure that students with disabilities receive the necessary services. Its commitment to IDEA compliance and inclusive practices empowers students and staff to thrive in a supportive learning environment.

Everything we do here at APS is geared toward supporting our students, whether in the classroom, on the stage, or in the cafeteria. In order to successfully Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate our learners, we need to meet their needs and work to develop the whole child.

This week is national School Social Work Week, and we wanted to take a moment to thank all the School Social Workers who work diligently to help our students along the way. School Social Workers are a hard-working and humble group of professionals who spend much of their work time advocating for others. School Social Workers do not work for the praise, they do their work with excellence because they value the students, families, schools and communities that they serve. From helping students cope with life to planning for the future, our school social workers provide an invaluable service for all our learners.

Your unending advocacy for students is a tough and sometimes thankless job but know that your efforts are noticed and appreciated.

So, please take a moment this week to thank a School Social Worker for all the amazing work they do.

A New Way to Stay Connected: The Austin Packer Bulletin Podcast.

At Austin Public Schools, our mission is to inspire, empower, and accelerate every one of our learners, and we know that the only way for us to reach this goal is through the efforts of all our incredibly hard-working staff.

In this week’s Staff Spotlight, we’re highlighting Ellis Middle School Special Education Teacher Cheryl Smith.

"Cheryl is a great addition to the Ellis Special Education Team. She is reliable, hardworking, passionate, and dedicated to student success. Her passion for helping her students is evident."

Congratulations!

If you’d like to nominate an outstanding Austin Public Schools staff member for our weekly Staff Spotlight, please take a moment to fill out the form at https://www.austin.k12.mn.us/district-resources/aps-staff-spotlight. It only takes a minute and can truly make someone’s day. Thanks!

Come out and see "Seussical Jr." Performances are Friday, March 20, at 7:00 PM and Saturday, March 21, at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students, and all shows are in Ellis Auditorium. Come on out and enjoy a great time at the theater with the Ellis Middle School Drama Club!

Please join me and a School Board member at the Coffee House on Main, 329 Main Street North, for coffee and conversation.

• April 27 – 7:30-8:00 am
• May 26 – 7:30-8:00 am

You can also contact me at joey.page@austin.k12.mn.us or call 507-460-1900 to schedule an appointment.

• Brighten spring dishes with asparagus
• Eating healthy on a budget
• Make this spring a safe one

• Ban screens in preschool and kindergarten? MN lawmakers hold hearing on proposed bill
• What do students need to know about gambling?
• Greater Minnesota schools felt the fear as ICE presence surged

APS offers a wide range of student activities, including competitive athletics, intramurals, academic clubs, fine arts, and performing arts. View schedules and learn more here.

The school district strongly encourages anyone interested to apply to join our teams. Reasonable accommodations are available to access job openings or apply for a job. Click here to learn more.

The Austin Packer Bulletin (APB) is an award-winning external newsletter that provides another opportunity for APS to share information with families/caregivers and the greater Austin community. It is an exciting time in the Austin Public Schools, and keeping everyone informed about what is happening is essential. You can review previous issues here.

The Austin Public Schools is required by Title IX not to discriminate on the basis of sex. The Austin Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity, including employment. Individuals may report concerns or questions or make a complaint of sex discrimination to the Title IX Coordinator, Sue Stark.