ENG 2025-26 Family Update No. 17

⏰ Reading time: nine minutes, 18 seconds

Photo: Retired Spring Creek Head Custodian Dan Warner reads to students.

Photo: Dr. Hillmann presents to students in Greenvale Park Elementary's fifth grade class about the importance of reading.

The school board met on Friday, March 6, 2026 to plan the superintendent search, set the hiring criteria, and develop the superintendent search timeline. A webpage has been created on the district’s website to keep the community informed about the process.

Applications for the position are due April 7, after which the board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 16 to determine the finalists. The first round of interviews will be held Friday, April 24 at 4:00 p.m. and continue at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, with the final round of interviews taking place on Wednesday, April 29, starting at 4:00 p.m.

Here are two ways you can engage in the search process:

2. Participate in a virtual Q&A Zoom session, where MSBA will answer questions about the search. This Zoom session will be held Friday, March 13, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Questions about the search process can be submitted anonymously in advance, or they can also be submitted using the chat box during the session. This session will also be recorded and posted to the district’s website at a later date. (Please submit your questions by Friday, March 13 at noon).

Northfield's RALIE student leadership group has conducted an extensive process to refresh the image of the Northfield Raiders. Over 30 submissions were received from students, staff, and community members. A student committee narrowed the options to two images (shown above).

You can watch the student presentation to the school board on Monday, March 9 here.

You can view a copy of their slide deck here.

You can offer your feedback on which finalist should be the new image representing Raider Nation. We are proud of our RALIE students who did an exceptional job of leading this process! You can submit your feedback through April 7 at 11:59 pm.

For the past two weeks, eighth grade art classes at Northfield Middle School worked with an Artist-in-Residence named Wing Young Huie. Wing is a renowned photographer who has published eight books, exhibited work worldwide, and is the recipient of the 2018 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award. It was an incredible honor to have him at the middle school. Students not only learned about photography, but they also learned more about themselves, their classmates and the world through this workshop. We are incredibly grateful to the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council for the generous grant that allowed Wing to be here. This workshop experience will culminate in an exhibition of student’s photographs in Northfield later this spring.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

Northfield Public Schools continues to strengthen our districtwide work in Social-Emotional Learning and Behavioral Health (SELBH). Our district vision reminds us that we prepare every student for lifelong success by developing critical thinkers who are curious and ready to engage in our society. We also recognize that social-emotional learning is foundational to creating the optimal conditions for learning. When students feel safe, connected, and supported, they are better able to engage, persist, and grow academically.

Over the past year, a representative group of district stakeholders has been leading the work to clarify a shared vision and set of beliefs about how schools support the whole person development. At the heart of this work is a simple idea; when schools and families work together with consistency and shared purpose, students thrive.

You may hear us describe SELBH as being “as clear as A, B, C and 1, 2, 3.” In this model, families and caregivers, educators, and students all play an important role. When families and schools work in partnership, the result is stronger relationships, improved well-being, and greater student success.

Our framework is grounded in the CASEL model of social-emotional learning, which helps students develop essential life skills such as understanding and managing emotions, building healthy relationships, showing empathy, and making responsible decisions.

This spring, a designated group of Pre-K - 12th teachers are piloting SEL curriculum to determine which resources best support students and staff. Feedback from these pilots will help inform future decisions about instructional materials and supports.

SELBH is ultimately about creating schools where every student feels safe, connected, and ready to learn. Through strong partnerships with families and our community, we are building the conditions that help every student belong, grow, and succeed.

Any questions about SELBH can be directed to Instructional Systems: MTSS Coach Shane Baier, sbaier@northfieldschools.org.

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will hold virtual public hearings on the Proposed Permanent Rules Relating to Academic Standards in Health on April 13 and 14, 2026.

The hearing on April 13 will be held from 2:00-6:00 p.m., and the hearing on April 14 will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., or when the last person present has the opportunity to be heard.

To join the hearing on either day, use the following instructions.

• Go to https://minnesota.webex.com

• April 13 meeting information: 2487 060 4000

• April 14 meeting information: 2493 434 7052

• Password: health2026

  
  

View the Full Notice of Hearing.

Once adopted, the 2025 Academic Standards in Health are anticipated to be implemented in the 2028-29 school year. If you have any questions, please send them to Adam Heuett (Adam.Heuett@state.mn.us), MDE Deputy General Counsel.

• Board packets, table files, and meeting videos are located on our website.
• You can listen to the audio-only version of the board meeting.
• You can listen to Superintendent Hillmann’s update on KYMN radio.

At Northfield Public Schools, we value our strong community partnerships. To better connect families with local events and resources, we've created a community events newsletter. This newsletter is linked to our district newsletters, making it easy for families to stay informed about upcoming opportunities and important community resources.

This week's newsletter includes information about spring break activities at the Northfield Public Library, the all-district orchestra concert, Earth Fest, and more!

The Northfield School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, including in employment. You can learn more at: https://northfieldschools.org/about/departments/human-resources/ under the Title IX tab.