#492Happenings 0527

While the November bond referendum was not approved, the facility needs identified at that time remain, particularly those related to safety, air quality, and aging systems. On March 9, the School Board will consider a different and more limited action.

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.

Wishing you a well-earned and relaxing spring break. Thanks for all you do for our students and each other.

Best Regards,

Joey

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

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.

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.

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”

If you’re enrolled in our self-insured medical plan, you now have full access to HealthiestYou, our new, no-cost virtual care option. Think of it as your first stop for non-urgent needs, available nationwide.

You can use HealthiestYou for:

• 24/7 general medical care
• Dermatology
• Mental health
• Nutrition
• Digital physical therapy
• Expert medical opinions

Overdose emergencies can occur in any community, including schools. Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and opioid-related incidents continue to impact individuals of all ages. Expanding your knowledge and preparedness strengthens your ability to respond quickly, confidently, and safely to protect individuals in crisis.

While designated responders in our schools, including administrators, nursing staff, and resource officers, maintain current naloxone training, all staff are strongly encouraged to complete training to increase awareness of opioid overdose protection and emergency response. Widespread training improves situational awareness, supports a coordinated team response, and enhances overall emergency preparedness across our schools and community.

Naloxone kits are available in every school health office to ensure immediate access during an emergency. Our current procedures align with Minnesota Statute §151.37, School Board Policy 516.5, and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health regarding naloxone possession and administration in school settings.

The Steve Rummler HOPE Network offers free online training designed to increase awareness. The training provides guidance on recognizing the signs of suspected opioid overdose, responding safely during an emergency, and understanding the role of naloxone as a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered promptly.

Steve Rummler HOPE Network Naloxone Training Link.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to student safety and emergency preparedness. Your willingness to expand your training contributes to a safer, more responsive community.

SAVE THE DATE: July 13, 2026, at Austin Country Club

Austin Public Education Foundation invites you to join us for an afternoon of golf in support of education in Austin Public Schools. Register here.

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!

It's always a great time to start tracking your Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for license renewal. Staying on top of the process from the beginning will make it much easier when renewal time comes around. Follow the steps below to ensure your CEUs are properly recorded and submitted.

APS Staff who attend "on-campus" professional development (PD) will receive CEUs through the Teaching & Learning Department—no need to upload/submit CEUs for internal PD.

Step 1: Complete CEU Activity

• Attend workshop, training, conference, or approved PD event.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

• Certificate, agenda, or proof of attendance.

Step 3: Log Hours

• Record on the district CEU Application Form.
• Make a copy for your records

Step 4: Submit

• Send completed form + documentation to the Building CEU Representative
• The Building CEU Representative will then send the information to the District CEU Committee Chairperson. The Chairperson will review and forward it to the Office of Teaching and Learning, which will record it with PELSB.

Step 5: Confirmation

• Review your CEU hours here.

The U.S. Department of Education invites high school students nationwide to participate in the Presidential 1776 Award, a national civics competition to celebrate the United States’s 250th birthday. The top four students from each region move on to the national final, held in Washington, D.C., in June 2026, where three winners will receive scholarships totaling $250,000. Visit Presidential 1776 Award: Rules, Regulations, and Overview for more details.

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!

• 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 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 view prior Austin Packer Bulletins here.

Previous issues can be found 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.