Viking Newsletter

Dear Families,

We are less than a month away from the start of the school year and this newsletter contains some important back to school information. We value working in partnership and I encourage you to review this newsletter carefully prior to the start of the year - it contains information about improvements to our crisis response protocols, the 2023-24 Student/Parent handbook, and more.

Improving our Crisis Response Protocols

A safe learning environment is essential for students of all ages. When students feel safe, they can focus on learning the skills needed for a successful education and future. Ongoing practice and improvement is critical to effectively and efficiently respond to crisis events. The NBAPS Crisis Management Committee has been preparing to launch the I Love U Guys Foundation’s crisis management response structure; Staff trainings began last spring and the protocols and language will be shared with all staff and students at the launch of this school year.

We chose “I Love U Guys” for a number of reasons:

1. The language and protocols are simple, common, and well-known to first responders; and all training for students is age-appropriate and easy to learn.

2. Research-based actions/drills are designed to prepare students, staff and parents for emergency situations. Parents/guardians should review this handout.

3. Designed to provide NBAPS with responses to a wide-range of situations, including how to respond to a health emergency in a hallway or classroom, weather-related situations, potential dangers to the school district from incidents in the wider community, and dangerous situations inside our schools caused by intruders, chemicals, water-main breaks, and other threats to personal safety.

I am so appreciative of School Resource Officer Mike Nelson for encouraging the district to update its protocols, Director Todd Tetzlaff and the Crisis Management Committee for studying different approaches, and High School Assistant Principal Andrea Thiner for spearheading the effort, organizing training, and ensuring we would be ready for the 2023-24 school year. I encourage all families to review the parent/guardian handout.

2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook

The 2023-24 Student/Parent Handbook is available for download below. The handbook contains important information and clarity of processes and procedures that families need to know; Parents/guardians and students will be better set up for success by being familiar with its contents. For access to the handbook throughout the school year, information can be found on the Parent/Student Resources webpage. If you would like a paper copy of the Student/Parent Handbook please contact Arle Chambers at 651-674-1011 or achambers@isd138.org.

Families will be receiving communication from their schools this week, including information about welcome back events. It’s a great time to be a Viking! Skol!

Sara Paul

Superintendent

spaul@isd138.org

North Branch Area Public Schools is thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones! Stay up-to-date with access to events, documents, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. You can download the app for free on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Job opportunity for high school students

Youth Connections child care is a great first job! Flexible scheduling around student activity schedules, before and after school, working with children age 3 through 6th grade during the school year. Fun environment and no evenings or weekends! Applicants must be 16-years-old or turning 16 soon. To apply, complete this application and return it to the North Branch Area Education Center. Call Erica Bjerketvedt at 651-674-1225 with questions.

Email: ptepoorten@isd138.org
Website: www.isd138.org
Location: 38705 Grand Avenue, North Branch, MN, USA
Phone: (651) 674-1000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbapschools
Twitter: @nbapschools