Austin Packer Bulletin - 2/28/2025

This is Part 2 of a three-part newsletter series on the impact of BARR. See Part 1 here.

At Austin Public Schools, the BARR (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) program isn't just about academics—it's about creating a culture where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered.

The Transition from Ellis to AHS: A Stronger Start

This year, BARR began at Ellis Middle School, giving 7th and 8th-grade students the tools they need to enter high school confidently. Focusing on social-emotional learning helps students manage stress, build resilience, and stay engaged. During student transitions to 9th grade, BARR creates more collaboration between middle school and high school teachers to ensure every student is seen, supported, and set up for success.

BARR helps bring Austin Public Schools' vision to life, ensuring that:

• Students feel safe, respected, and challenged.
• Teachers feel equipped to meet students' needs with the right tools and support.
• Families see their children thriving academically and emotionally.

With BARR, teachers check in regularly and create meaningful connections with students. Peer relationships grow and develop, fostering a strong sense of belonging. Students receive proactive support, catching obstacles early before academic or social struggles escalate.

Beyond High School: Career & College Readiness

With a strong start in 9th grade, students build momentum throughout high school by utilizing SchooLinks and a strong emphasis on readiness after graduation. They discover career interests, engage with industry professionals, and access valuable resources for college and career planning — and graduate more confident and prepared for the future.

The Data Confirms the Impact:

• Fewer students failing = more students on track for graduation.
• Fewer behavior referrals = more time learning in the classroom.
• A smooth transition from middle to high school can increase student success by improving engagement, academic performance, and relationships. The BARR model supports this by strengthening student-teacher connections, using real-time data, and providing targeted interventions, leading to higher achievement and long-term success.

Together, we're Building Assets, Reducing Risks, and shaping a brighter future for every student in Austin Public Schools. You can learn more about our strategic plan at AccelerateAustin.org.

Next Up: In the final part of this series, we'll explore the future of BARR at Austin Public Schools and how the district continues to expand its success.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

Earlier this year, Austin High School band director Christoph Dundas was named the 2025 Austin Teacher of the Year and became one of 142 candidates for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year award. Yesterday, Education Minnesota, who runs the competition, announced that Mr. Dundas is one of 31 semifinalists!

The next stage in the competition will see the field narrowed to 10 finalists ahead of the Minnesota Teacher of the Year banquet, where the winner will be announced, on May 4.

Congratulations and good luck!

To learn more about the Teacher of the Year competition, please visit https://educationminnesota.org/news/press-release/2025/teacher-of-the-year-candidate-field-narrowed-to-31-semifinalists/.

We're happy to share our 2025-26 Parent-Teacher Conference Schedule! These conferences are a great opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss progress, and support your child's success.

Back-to-School Conferences

• Scheduled home visits for PK
• 1:1 conferences for Kindergarten
• Open house presentations for Grades 1-12

Fall Conferences (PK-8)

• Scheduled 20-minute individual conferences
• Dates vary by school—check the full schedule for details!

Winter Conferences & Check-Ins

• Monthly check-ins for Grades 9-12
• Career Readiness Event
• Packer Profile Event

All back-to-school presentations will be available in English and Spanish to ensure every family stays informed, with additional interpreter support for Karen & Karenni families.

Check our full conference schedule to find your school's dates and times. We look forward to working together to support every student's success!

It's time for another #Packercast! This month, we sit down with retired APS teacher Katie Ulwelling. Check it out!

What a night! Thank you for supporting the Local Legends CEO Concert at Knowlton Auditorium. Nearly 600 tickets sold, fantastic feedback from the community and our musicians. They loved the vibe and can't wait to come back.

Did you know?

Thanks to the generous support of the Hormel Foundation, all Austin community members and Austin Public Schools staff can attend the Symposium free of charge!

The annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium provides an opportunity for educators, counselors, administrators and parents to gain greater understanding of the unique needs of gifted and high potential learners. Participants attend in-depth sessions focusing on foundational knowledge, creativity, curriculum strategies, and social/emotional needs of gifted and high potential learners provided by the field's finest regionally, nationally and internationally recognized presenters. All are welcome to register and attend the symposium.

Even if you are not required to file Minnesota income tax returns, you can still file to claim valuable Minnesota tax benefits. The Working Family Credit and Child Tax Credits deliver tax relief to individuals whose income is below a certain level. Both credits are refundable, meaning you can receive a refund even if you do not owe tax.

What is the Child Tax Credit?

The new Child Tax Credit is available to Minnesotans who have children under age 18. By filing a Minnesota tax return, you may qualify for $1,750 per child with no limit on the number of children.

What is the Working Family Credit?

The Working Family Credit is available to Minnesotans who earned income during the year. The maximum Working Family Credit is $350 if your earned income is $8,750 or more, and it can increase by:

• $350 for no qualifying child

• $1,275 for one qualifying child age 18 or older

• $2,450 for two qualifying children age 18 or older

• $2,850 for three or more qualifying children age 18 or older

Both the Child and Working Family Credits are phased out if your income is over $35,000 for Married Filing Jointly or over $29,500 for other filers. The credit is reduced by 12% of earned income or adjusted gross income, whichever is greater.

How do I claim these credits?

For tax years 2022 and earlier, claim the Working Family Credit using Schedule M1WFC, Working Family Credit. The Child Tax Credit is not available until tax year 2023. For tax years 2023 and later, claim both the Child and Working Family Tax Credits using Schedule M1CWFC, Minnesota Child and Working Family Credits, available in the next filing season.

Free Tax Preparation

You may also qualify for free tax return preparation! Go to www.revenue.state.mn.us and enter free tax preparation into the Search box to find free tax preparation services near you.

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 Banfield Elementary School nurse Chris Lieffort.

"Chris treats everyone with respect and patience and you can feel the love she gives. She cares for the students as if they were her kids and is always going above and beyond for both the students and staff."

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!

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• Mayo Clinic Minute: New rule for 'healthy' food labels
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Embracing winter - Activity ideas for the season

• • Minnesota's paid leave program will launch with 0.88% payroll tax, state agency says
  • Teen Grind Culture
  • DFL, GOP team up on bills to battle absenteeism in Minnesota schools

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

Dates:

• 3/31
• 4/30

Time:
7:45 AM - 8:30 AM

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

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.

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.