Austin Packer Bulletin

Southgate Elementary was honored at the MESPYS Award Ceremony as a 2025–2026 Minnesota School of Excellence, an award presented by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) this week.

This recognition reflects years of thoughtful work by Southgate’s teachers, support staff, and school leadership, as well as strong partnerships with families/caregivers. Together, they have built a school culture focused on equity, strong relationships, and support for the whole child.

Southgate’s staff consistently collaborate to improve instruction, strengthen student support systems, and ensure every learner feels seen and supported. Families and caregivers play an essential role in this work by partnering with the school, reinforcing learning at home, and helping shape a positive school environment.

Our school district's mission is to Inspire, Empower, and Accelerate student learning. Our vision is to prepare every learner to make a difference in the world. By addressing the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences and fostering student well-being through meaningful connection, we are equipping our students with the tools they need to become responsible, resilient, and effective communicators, learners, and contributors to society, values that will help them succeed long after graduation.

The Minnesota School of Excellence designation is awarded to a small number of schools that complete a multi-year, peer-reviewed process centered on research-based practices and continuous improvement.

Congratulations to the Southgate Elementary staff, students, and families/caregivers, on this well-earned recognition. A community celebration is scheduled for May 13 at Southgate Elementary School.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joey Page, Superintendent

The Packer Study Table (PST) launched last winter as a focused support for student-athletes working to stay on track academically while competing in athletics. Now in its second year, PST has become a regular and expected part of the athletic experience.

PST meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30–4:30 p.m. and is led by AOA teacher Arik Andersen, with strong support from Austin Aspires Navigators. The program provides a structured, calm setting where student-athletes receive individualized academic help and build habits that carry beyond the season.

What PST Provides:

• Dedicated time for academics during the athletic season
• One-on-one and small-group academic support
• A focused learning environment
• Strong study and time-management habits
• Reduced stress during busy seasons
• Peer and adult support from trusted staff

After One Year, Key Highlights:

• PST is now an expected priority; coaches support it, and athletes understand the process.
• Stronger relationships have formed between students and Austin Aspires, allowing supports to align with services during the school day.
• Classroom teachers increasingly view PST as a benefit and extension of academic support for their students.
• We are seeing more athletes remain academically eligible during the season; the next step is extending support into the off-season.
• The success of PST is driven by genuine care, relationship-building, and consistency from the three facilitators who work directly with students.

The Packer Study Table continues to help student-athletes manage their responsibilities, stay eligible, and build skills that matter in school and beyond.

For questions, contact Activities Director Katie Carter.

CEO Ultimate Showdown!

When: Saturday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m.

Where: The Historic Paramount Theater

Get ready for a fun, interactive night inspired by your favorite TV game shows—right here in Austin at the newly renovated Paramount Theater. Audience members may be randomly selected to join the action on stage, or you can sit back, cheer, and enjoy the show from your seat.

Whether you’re competing or just along for the laughs, this is an evening of entertainment you won’t want to miss.

Get your tickets here: https://www.austinareaarts.org/paramount-events.

Here at Austin Public Schools, everything we do 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 Counselor Week, and we wanted to take a moment to thank all the counselors who work diligently to help our students along the way. From helping students cope with life to planning for the future, our school counselors provide an invaluable service for all our learners. Their unending advocacy for their charges is admirable and we know it’s a tough and sometimes thankless job.

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

Thank you.

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 Neveln Elementary School Special Education Teacher Wendy Kosel.

"[Ms. Kosel] works so hard all-day taking care of her students, and even when they get violent or verbal, she stays calm. It’s incredibly obvious how much she cares about her students and their success.'

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 time for another Packercast! In this episode, we sit down with Southgate Elementary School Principal Derik Gustafson.

https://tinyurl.com/Packercast0314

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

• March 6 – 11:30 am-12:00 pm
• April 30 – 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.

• Is your cough acute bronchitis?
• Checking the facts of COPD
• Is the extreme cold bad for your lungs?

• Is your child ready to register for kindergarten? Here’s what experts look for
• Flipping the Lens on Classroom Observations With the ‘Inside-Out’ Method
• Reading’s Thin Line Between Difficult and Boring
• As school cellphone bans gain in popularity, lawmakers say it’s time to go bell-to-bell

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.