April 2025

Holton families:

At Ellis we are in the middle of state-wide testing and will soon begin testing at Holton as well. I think this is a good time to explain how we use the MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) testing data at our school. First, the MCA scores are meant to be used at the building or district level to identify reading, math, and science areas to celebrate or improve. The data can inform how we adjust our Tier One (curriculum every student receives) instruction to improve overall instruction in a particular grade, for example. Second, the MCA scores aren’t meant to inform you as a parent, about your child’s overall success in school.

There are some things for parents to remember about the MCA test scores. For the individual student, the test is simply a slice in time telling us what they could do on one particular day. So many variables can play into how well an individual student performs on any given day. A child may not feel well, could be emotionally distraught over a personal issue, or may just not be interested in performing their best on the day of the test. So, the test score wouldn’t necessarily be a data point we would use alone to make instructional decisions about your child. We may look at a pattern over time for a student but really what we look closely at are our STAR test scores which are given three times a year. We also look at curriculum assessments and teacher feedback to make individual student decisions.

Finally, I don’t mean to downplay the importance of our MCA testing because we use that information to look at our district or school’s overall performance. For the district, the MCA scores are informative in helping to measure our district academic goals. Therefore, we certainly want students to try their best so we can get a big picture. However, as a parent, your child’s STAR scores, grades, teacher feedback and curriculum assessments are probably more informative. If you have more questions about our MCA testing or assessments in general, please don’t hesitate to contact us so we can provide more specific information.

Thank you for your continued support,

Mr. Schara

We hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the beautiful transition into spring. As we move into April, we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your ongoing support and partnership in your child's education. Together, we are creating a wonderful learning environment for all our students.

We want to remind you that the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) are scheduled for this month. Here are the key details:

· Testing Dates:

· Reading: April 15 and 16 for 5th and 6th grades

· Math: April 23 and 24 for 5th and 6th grades

· Science: April 29, 30, and May 1 for 5th grade during science classes

Please note that IJ Holton will follow a special schedule during these testing days. These tests are important as they help our school track trends over time. We kindly ask that you ensure your children are present on these days and on time. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the office.

Additionally, the 4th quarter will began on Monday, March 31st.

In the coming weeks, Mr. Schara and I will be visiting elementary schools to introduce ourselves and discuss the exciting transition to IJ. We look forward to meeting the incoming 4th graders and welcoming them into our community.

As we welcome warmer weather, we wish you all a wonderful April. If you have any questions or issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to the IJ office. We are here to work together for the benefit of your child.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are grateful for the trust you place in us each day!

Holton Friends and Families-

It is unbelievable to think, but we have reached the 4th Quarter. The end is near! As the days grow longer, the weather improves, and students begin to spend more time outside, please remind your child that while they can see light at the end of the tunnel, there is still much to accomplish at school. Please continue to prioritize your child’s academic success. Please make sure they stay focused while in class and are getting plenty of rest while at home. Even an old man like me tends to find myself staying awake much later as the days get longer-- Then I pay for it the next day.

Speaking of the weather improving, let’s not forget to make sure our students follow the district established dress code. According to Policy 504 “Student Dress and Appearance” Appropriate clothing includes, but is not limited to, the following: Students must wear opaque (non-see-through) clothing including both a shirt or equivalent top, a skirt, pants, shorts, or equivalent bottom, and/or a dress. A student’s clothing must cover the front, back, and sides including the student’s private parts and abdomen.

Lastly, I hope your child had the chance to attend one or more of our IJ Holton school dances. Our final dance was held last Friday, March 28th. What an incredible time the students had. I hope you had a chance to see some of the pictures or videos posted on social media. I don’t know what the song was, but there was one song all the students waited for, gathered in the middle of the gym, jumped, yelled, and laughed the whole way through. It was remarkable! Thank you to the IJ Holton Student Council for sponsoring and putting on these fun, safe, and memorable events for our students. Keep up the great work!

At IJ Holton, we encourage our students to be Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and to Do Their Best! If at any time you have any questions or concerns, please email me david.brown@austin.k12.mn.us or call me at 460-1525. 4th Quarter, Here we come!!

David Brown

IJ Holton Dean of Students

Safe and Welcoming Learning Environment:

• Our department chairs engaged in more staff development is Strengths Finder. We continue to find ways to emphasize people’s strengths and align our work.
• Most of our staff are nearing completion of the OL/LA training (state mandated reading training). Administration is completing the training also. I have deep respect for the work our teachers are doing on this training. Trust me, it is difficult and rigorous.
• We had a Culture Day celebration at Holton as part of our PBIS reward for all students. We had community members from several different cultures come and share information about their experiences.
• As we move to an elementary model next year, we are working with our Leadership Team to iron out concerns and needed adjustments like classroom libraries, small group stations etc.

Packer Profile:

• Our newest exploratory class, Digital Arts, has students using CANVA. This class offer students to look at digital marketing and digital communications. As one student said to me, “Mr. Schara, you still use PowerPoint? Wow, no one does that anymore, you should be using CANVA!”
• We are also looking at ways to continue our Project Lead the Way programming at Ellis. These exploratory classes offer students ways to explore their interests and expose them to “career ready” skills.

MTSS for all Students:

• At Holton we have divided our school leadership team into two parts that meet monthly: Department Chairs and Team Leaders. Our Department Chairs focus directly on curriculum and instruction; our Team Leads focus on building events and building culture.
• With BARR coming to Holton next year, we are preparing our MTSS process for incorporating BARR. We have found at Ellis that the information shared at BARR meetings can inform our MTSS process and give teacher direct input.
• We have had good discussions about our Life Skills grades and how to better use them and inform parents.

Excellence in Resource Management:

• I met with the finance director, buildings and grounds director and covered facility updates for next year.
• We are budgeting for classroom libraries for next year. We have also written a grant to get support.
• As of April 1, all departments’ budgets are closed. If there are any remaining funds, we move those to one account and our leadership team chooses which building priorities we will funnel those funds toward.
• We are putting staff development in place for next year to efficiently use all staff’s time and resources.

IJ Holton Families,

We often hear the saying, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” One of the most essential daily efforts in a student's educational journey is simply showing up to school. Attendance might seem like a small thing, but its impact is profound.

The Long-Term Benefits of Good Attendance

· Increased opportunities for learning: The more days students are present, the more they can absorb, engage, and grow academically.

· Developing a strong work ethic: Being consistent in attending school fosters responsibility, discipline, and a sense of accountability—traits that are valuable in all areas of life.

· Better preparation for the future: Regular attendance helps students learn time management and the importance of commitment, both of which are key to succeeding in higher education and the workforce.

How Families Can Help

As parents, caregivers, and community members, there are several ways to encourage good attendance:

· Set a regular bedtime to help students wake up feeling rested and ready for the school day.

· Keep a positive attitude about school and education—your enthusiasm will inspire your child to attend regularly.

· Address any attendance challenges early. If your child struggles with school attendance for any reason, reach out to school staff for support.

· Encourage the importance of education by discussing the role of school in achieving their goals.

Attendance is more than just a number—it's a key to unlocking a student's potential. By showing up every day, students give themselves the best chance for success in school and beyond. Together, we can make sure every student is present, engaged, and ready to thrive.

Perfect attendance is recognized at IJ Holton. To qualify, a student needs to be present each day during the entire quarter and have 5 or less tardies to school.

First quarter, we had ninety 5th graders qualify, and fifty-eight 6th graders qualify. Second quarter we had seventy-eight 5th graders qualify, and fifty-two 6th graders qualify. This continues to be a wonderful testament to their commitment to being in school each day.

Thank you for supporting our students and honoring the commitment they made to be here in school. The correlation between consistent attendance and academic performance is profound.

Kirstin Norby, 5th grade (507) 460-1536

Lynn Keenan, 6th grade (507) 460-1533

Zack Langreck, 7th grade (507) 460-1513
Farin Delaney, 8th grade (507) 460-1517

Lea Oelfke, REACH (507) 460-1510

Rebecca Gullickson, SSW (507) 460-8306

• April 7th , 2025- Art Club 3:05 PM- 4:15 PM (Blue Group)
• April 10th 2025- HONK! Jr Musical 6:30pm @ Ellis Auditorium
• April 14th, 2025- Art Club 3:05 PM- 4:15 PM (Red Group)
• April 15-16th, 2025- Reading MCA's
• April 16th 2025- Terrell-X Music presentation
• April 16th, 2025- Young Scientists
• April 18-21, 2025- No School
• April 23rd-24th, 2025- Math MCA's
• April 24th, 2025- 5th Grade Math Masters
• April 28, 2025- Art Club
• April 29th- May 1st, 2025- 5th Gr Science MCA's

Dear families, guardians, school personnel, and community members,

Austin Community Education is excited to announce that we’re in the process of developing Beyond Blue, an empowering new summer program designed especially for boys who have completed grades 4 through 7.

Here’s a sneak peek of what to expect from this dynamic 6-week experience:

· Empowering Activities: Mornings will feature 60 minutes of physical activity—including training for a 5K fun run—paired with interactive Topic Talk sessions and group discussions.

· Inspiring Lessons: Our engaging lessons will cover topics that encourage self-respect, goal setting, healthy choices, and leadership. Strong male role models from our community will help guide these discussions.

· Community and Connection: Students will enjoy lunch together—they may bring a packed lunch or have the FREE school district lunch. Students will be dismissed at approximately 11:30 a.m.

· Celebration of Achievement: The program will culminate in a celebratory 5K fun run—a non-competitive, fun event to honor every boy’s progress and growth.

Important Information and Dates:

• Program dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, June 17-July 31.
• Program time: 8:00-11:30am
• No classes on June 19 and July 1-3
• Program location: Woodson Education Center
• Beyond Blue 5K Fun Run – Wednesday, July 30th at 6:00 PM at Todd Park. This is not a competitive race but a celebration of perseverance and personal growth! Award Ceremony & Celebration following the run.
• Thursday, July 31st: Reward Day for students who satisfactorily complete the Beyond Blue program meeting program expectations. More details to come!
  
  

The cost of the program is $85, which includes a T-shirt, supplies, the 5K fun run, and a reward day. Scholarships on a sliding scale will also be available.

Mark your calendars: full program details and registration information will be available on Monday, March 17th.

Stay tuned for more information about Beyond Blue—we can’t wait to share this exciting new adventure with you!

Sincerely,

Teri Wermager

Community Education Coordinator Teri.wermager@austin.k12.mn.us

507-460-1706