CL Review March 2019

MARCH 2019 SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW

CLHS Digital Photography Class

Grace Cahill - 10th Grade Digital Photography class is learning about Haley Lewis - 10th Grade
double exposures and how they can be used
to represent an individual. The students learn
that a double exposure is a combination of two
or more exposures to create a single image.
In Adobe Photoshop the students remove the
background of their self-portrait image and
combine it with an image that represents their
“Future Self.” They were asked to use a photo
that expresses where they see themselves in
the future. Some students used places they
want to live, colleges, sports and jobs.

Emily Horn - 12th Grade Halle Bergschnieder - 10th Grade Cecelia Dircks - 11th Grade

Remember to flip the Review over to see the Chisago Lakes Community Education Catalog!

Non-Profit Organization Chisago Lakes School District
U.S. Postage ISD#2144
Permit No. 37
13750 Lake Blvd.
Lindstrom, MN 55045 Lindstrom, MN 55045

Postal ECRWSS Tel. 651-213-2000

www.isd2144.org

Letter from the Superintendent:

Greetings to our Chisago Lakes Community! As you read this hopefully “spring has
sprung” and you possibly had a chance to get away during our school’s Spring Break
week.

Our school year has been incredibly busy and rewarding to this point as we have
front-row seats to the great things our students accomplish every day. We had a
tremendous winter season with many accomplishments by Wildcat activities. Our
High Kick Dance Team qualified for State and placed 12th. The Wildcats also had
State Individual Qualifiers in Girls and Boys Alpine Skiing, Gymnastics, Swimming
and Diving, Wrestling, DECA, and BPA. Congratulations to all, we are proud of you!

The building project continues to be a major focus of our daily efforts. Our two major projects, the Wildcat
Community Center and the new Lakeside Elementary are making great progress. The Community Center will
be completed approximately June 1st and Lakeside by approximately August 26th. There will be Open Houses
for both facilities that will be advertised in advance of the events. Over the summer we will be renovating
the vacated weight spaces at CLHS as well as adding the Early Childhood entrance to the southwest end of
the Primary School. In the fall, the vacated gymnastics gym at CLMS will be renovated. At Taylors Falls
we will start on our new Media Center addition, classroom addition and classroom renovations as soon at the
weather allows and school is out for the summer. Please see the information below regarding our Taylors Falls
Groundbreaking event. We hope to see you there!

The past two months have been challenging in our schools and communities as we have been working through
our Budget reality. I want to thank our students, staff, families, and communities for your input and patience
as we’ve attempted to do our best to maintain quality programming while meeting our Budget goals. Chisago
Lakes has had a long tradition of providing the very best for their students with the available resources and all of
involved here at ISD 2144 intend to continue that legacy.

Finally, I’d like to put in a plug for our local businesses. We have a tremendous selection of quality restaurant,
service, and retail offerings in Chisago Lakes. And, you only have to drive a few minutes to experience the best
customer service in the area.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Dean A. Jennissen
Superintendent

Coffee With the
Superintendent!

Upcoming dates:

March 28, 2019
Phil’s Grill in Center City
6:45 a.m. School Staff
7:30 a.m. Community Members

May 16, 2019
Eichten’s Market in Center City
3:15 p.m. School Staff
4:00 p.m. Community Members

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District Safety Goal in Practice at CLEC

Chisago Lakes Education Center, the newly remodeled lower level of the middle

school, houses two specialized programs for Chisago Lakes students. CLEC

houses both the Pathway to Change program and the SOAR program. Pathway to

Change is a federal setting IV program that serves students with significant social

and behavioral needs, whose least restrictive environment is a setting separate

from the mainstream, general education building. We pride ourselves on creating a

very structured, engaging environment with a high

Soar program classroom teacher to student ratio. Students in our program
receive frequent, consistent feedback on their

behavioral performance, creating numerous opportunities to learn the appropriate

skills. The SOAR program has been intentionally designed to support students

with functional communication needs and challenging behavior. Because of our

student’s unique needs, we incorporate a comprehensive “package” of supports

to ensure our students become independent learners. We pride ourselves on

creating a student-centered, structured environment that fosters the development Sensory room
of functional communication and self-regulation skills. Each student’s program

is tailored to their individual needs.

One of Chisago Lakes School District’s goals for 2018-2019 is the personal
safety of every person. The renovated space has the latest technology, along with
physical attributes that keep both students and staff safe. New entrances across
the district, along with an upgraded key card system, have moved us closer to our
goal this year.

Upgraded security monitor

Chisago Lakes Schools Now Accepting Kindergarten Registrations!

Chisago Lakes School District is taking registrations for full-day kindergarten for the 2019-2020 school-year.
Please call an elementary school office to register and get on our mailing list for kindergarten round-up.

All children who will turn five by September 1st are invited to Save the Date for
attend kindergarten. If you know someone who has a child
that is kindergarten eligible, please remind them to give us a call. Kindergarten Round Up:
Primary School – April 18, 2019
Chisago Lakes Primary – (651) 213-2200
Taylors Falls Elementary – (651) 213-2100 Taylors Falls – April 12, 2019

Letters with time and details about Round-Up
will be sent to all registered families in March.

Minnesota law requires that all students entering kindergarten complete an early childhood screening
and have their immunizations up-to-date. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 can be screened at the Family
Center in Lindstrom.
To schedule an appointment for screening, please call (651) 213-2602.
Upcoming Screening Dates: May 30, May 31 and June 11, 2019 are available for 2019-2090 kindergarten
eligible students.

Both Taylors Falls and Primary will continue to offer pre-school programs for children ages 3-5 within the
elementary buildings. Registration for Little Wildcats Preschool, Ready For Kindergarten and Early Childhood
Family Ed. begins April 1st. You can register on-line or stop by the Community Education Office. For more
information on Preschool Programs call (651) 213-2602.

www.isd2144.org 3

Chisago Lakes Wildcat Awards

Each year Chisago Lakes School District honors both certified and non-certified staff across the district in
recognition of the positive impact they have made on the students, families and staff. A recognition banquet will
be held at the end of March.

CLHS Honors Wildcat Award Winners LuAnne Davison and Mike Sandell:
LuAnne Davison works as a paraprofessional at the high school. LuAnne was nominated
for the Wildcat Award because of her work with students and staff at CLHS. She has
been instrumental in working with at-risk students. LuAnne does this every day with a
smile and a positive attitude. She is willing to not only support students but has been
willing to “pitch in” for other building needs over the years. LuAnne fills in wherever
needed and is truly a team player for CLHS.

Mike Sandell works as a Tech Ed teacher at the high school. Mike is a leader in many areas
of CLHS - for his Tech Ed department, the union, and activities. He has worked on building
sets for plays for many years. Mike has been instrumental in the innovation of the Tech Ed
department - teaching PLTW classes, procuring and/or building needed components for the
classrooms, and working with the administration and construction team to make sure that
CLHS gets the best possible result in the new addition at the high school.

CLMS Honors Wildcat Award Winners Heather LeTourneau and Abby MacIver:
Heather LeTourneau works as a paraprofessional at the middle school. Heather was
nominated because of her patience and understanding when working with CLMS
students. She supports students without doing the work for them - allowing them to
make mistakes and helping them to understand when they do. Heather is a hardworking,
positive role model at CLMS.

Abby MacIver works as a math teacher at the middle school. Abby is a team player, a
collaborator, and a forward thinker. She is a positive role model for students and staff
alike. Abby encourages those around her to lean on each other for support. Her constant
desire to find more effective ways to reach students is appreciated. Abby inspires others
to work hard and continually improve. She is a leader in the building for the staff and
students at CLMS.

Chisago Lakes Education Center (CLEC) Honors Wildcat Award Winner Jill Kofler:

Jill Kofler works as the lead paraprofessional in charge of the behavior processing
resource room in the Pathway to Change program at CLEC. Jill spends her days with
students who are too agitated to remain in a classroom setting. She takes nothing
personally and thinks only of the well being of the students she’s working with. Jill is
the model of “warm demanding” and inspires all of her co-workers to preserve empathy
for their students while also keeping students accountable.

Lakeside Elementary Honors Wildcat Award Winners Cheryl Bakken and Megan Hyde:

Cheryl Bakken works as a paraprofessional at Lakeside. Cheryl goes above and beyond
on a daily basis for the staff and students. She always has a positive, caring attitude and
a smile on her face. This year, Cheryl has strived to create a yoga program that benefits
our students and hopes to continue to grow this program offering more for our students
as she learns more herself. Cheryl brings great strengths to Lakeside - she is dependable,
helpful, and understanding; to name a few.

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Megan Hyde works as a special education teacher at Lakeside. Megan goes above and
beyond for the students and staff at Lakeside. She is always willing to try something
new and do what is best for students, constantly modifying and creating reward and
intervention charts to meet students needs. Megan is always supportive to both staff and
parents, and she does a great job communicating changes to keep everyone on the same
page. She is dedicated to the success of all her students.

Taylors Falls Elementary Honors Wildcat Award Winners Pam Campbell and Patty Reineccius:

Pam Campbell works as a paraprofessional at Taylor Falls Elementary. Pam brings
enthusiasm, motivation, and encouragement to work with her every day. Regardless of
the situation, she remains optimistic. Pam is honest about challenges but always open
to feedback and focuses on student achievement. She is kind, gentle, and encouraging
to the students; she is fun, outgoing, and positive with the staff.

Patty Reineccius works as a 2nd grade teacher at Taylors Falls
Elementary. Patty continuously works to improve her teaching performance through
many college classes and self reflection. She understands the necessity of differentiating
instruction for students and has done so long before it became and educational buzzword.
Patty has used her years of teaching experience to build collaboration and guide other
teachers as they work through challenges.

Chisago Lakes Primary Honors Wildcat Award Winners Cindy Bassett and Dina Parker:

Cindy Bassett works as a first grade teacher at Chisago Lakes Primary. Cindy has great
passion for students of all abilities, as well as being a great collaborator with staff. Her
positive attitude is infectious, and everyone who interact with Cindy walks away feeling
better about their day. She makes connections with her students that last beyond their
year in first grade.

Dina Parker works as a paraprofessional at Chisago Lakes
Primary. Dina works with a challenging population of students. She works to show them
compassion and caring, but she doesn’t let them get away with bad behavior and holds
them accountable. Dina does amazing work in classrooms, stepping in wherever needed
and making great decisions for kids.

The Chisago Lakes District Office Honors Wildcat Award Winner Jodi Davis:

Jodi Davis works as an administrative assistant to the superintendent. Jodi is the glue
that holds the district office together. With many administrative changes over the past
two years, Jodi has worked to support and anticipate needs of those around her. She
is knowledgeable, skilled, and personable. Jodi keeps things running smoothly for the
office and the school board, and does so in a positive and helpful way.

Chisago Lakes Wildcat Awards (continued on page 6)

Announcements for school cancellation or late start will be made on WCCO radio AM
830, Channel 4 TV, Channel 5 TV, Channel 9 TV, Channel 11 TV, and the district website.
In addition, parents will be notified via the automated School Messenger system.

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Chisago Lakes Wildcat Awards (continued from page 5)

Community Education Honors Wildcat Award Winners Jamie Agre and Carmen Woeltge:

Jamie Agre is the full time Site Supervisor at Primary School. At primary, Jamie oversees
the morning and pre-school portion of Kids Club. She comes with new ideas, ways to
improve, and is always looking at how to make things better. She is a huge asset to
Chisago Lakes Community Education and Kids Club. Jamie Agre is a caring, honest,
and exemplary staff member, collaborative, open-minded, and always striving to do as
much as we can for the families and children we serve.

Carmen Woeltge has been a great addition to the early childhood
program since 2009. Carmen started as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
and has demonstrated a great effectiveness and compassion in working with parents,
children and other staff. Six years ago Carmen accepted the challenge of becoming the
Director of Family Education for Chisago Lakes Community Education. She has been
outstanding in her leadership role, connecting with her Parent Advisory Council, and
working hand in hand with her staff.

2019 Hall of Fame Inductees

January 25th, CLSD paid tribute, gave recognition, and enhanced a Chisago Lakes tradition by honoring
those who have shown distinct, unique, and exceptional athletic ability or individuals who have made positive
contributions to the Chisago Lakes athletic, fine arts, and activities programs. This year’s inductees were
nominated by former coaches, teachers, school staff, and community members. From there, they were voted
into the Wildcat Hall of Fame by the Chisago Lakes High School Hall of Fame Committee.

Linda Habel is a 1980 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School where she earned ten
varsity letters - three in volleyball, three in basketball, three in softball and one in fine
arts. In 1980, Habel was named “Female Athlete of the Year”. Leading up to this
honor, she was co-captain of all three sports her junior and senior years, was named
to All-Conference teams and was the “career leading scorer” in girls basketball with
604 points from 1980-1993. Other school events that Habel participated in included
the variety show, student council and various bands such as jazz ensemble, symphonic
band and stage band with her alto and tenor saxophone. After high school, Habel went
on to play volleyball, basketball and softball at Lakewood Community College for two
years, where she was named to All-State teams in volleyball and softball. Habel later
transferred to Concordia College and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in Organizational
Management. Habel continued to enjoy the world of sports and exercise after graduation playing softball at
state and national levels, competitive racquetball, recreational and competitive volleyball, golf and pickleball.
Habel retired in 2018 after nearly thirty-five years of service to the Public Service Employees Association
(PERA).

Mark Wilson is a 1986 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School where he earned six
varsity letters - three in hockey and three in baseball. In baseball, Wilson received All
Conference and All Conference Honorable Mention awards and holds the school record
for the most strikeouts (sixteen) in a game. Other school events that Wilson participated
in included DECA and Accounting Club. After graduation, Wilson attended University
of Minnesota Duluth and Mankato State University where he played baseball and studied
geography and international studies. Wilson was the first Chisago Lakes graduate to
sign a professional baseball contract and went on to pitch for three different minor
league baseball teams. Since 1996, Wilson has been a Major League Baseball Scout for

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the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2004, Wilson was one of ten scouts
in all of Major League Baseball to receive a silver platter award by Topps Baseball as Scout of the Year and is
one of fourteen scouts in baseball history to have an official MLB autographed baseball card. He has had the
great fortune of signing Major League Baseball All-Stars Glen Perkins and Joe Mauer.

Julie Lochner is a 1980 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School where she earned seven
varsity letters - three in volleyball, two in basketball and three in track. Throughout her
career at Chisago Lakes High School, Lochner earned seven All-Conference Honors;
went to state three years in the high jump, three years in the long jump, two years in
the 4x400 relay; and was the holder of the Minnesota State High Jump record. In
addition to her track and field accomplishments, Lochner is currently tied for the most
r field goals in a girls basketball game with seventeen and held the single game scoring
, record with thirty-nine points until 2014. In addition to athletics, Lochner participated
e in DECA and qualified for the state competition. After high school, Lochner went on
n to participate in track and field at the University of Minnesota Duluth where she earned
d Rookie of the Year honors her freshman year. Lochner graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in
1985 with a degree in psychology and has worked for Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) for the last 28 years
where she is currently the Vice President of Retail. Lochner is an avid downhill skier, XC skier and bicyclist;
she continues to enjoy running and has completed the Seattle and New York City Marathons.

Jake Ford is a 1984 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School where he earned three
varsity letters in football. While a member of the football team, Ford was part of the
1982 and 1983 teams that were Conference Champs and was on the 1983 team that only
allowed eighteen points in all nine conference games. Ford led his team as captain his
senior year; earned All Conference in 1982 and 1983; earned 1st Team All State honors
as a nose tackle from the Associated Press, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and Minneapolis
Star and Tribune teams. He had a career 196 tackles and forty-seven sacks and, as a
result, was selected to play in the Minnesota High School All Star Football game in
July of 1984. Other school events that Ford participated in included hockey, DECA
and VICA. After graduation, Ford attended St. Cloud University and graduated from
Anoka Vocational Tech as a machinist. Since college, Ford has worked as a precision machinist and is the
owner of Custom Machining Inc., which employees many Chisago Lakes graduates.

Dan Chouinard is a 1980 graduate and valedictorian of Chisago Lakes High School
where he lettered in fine arts and developed his love for music. While in high school,
Chouinard was co-editor of the school newspaper and participated in student council,
band, stage band, choir, stage choir, theatre, and speech. After high school, Chouinard
attended St. John’s University on academic and music scholarships. In 1984, he earned
the May Bowle Arts Scholarship, and in 1985 he graduated magna cum laude with a
degree in music and French. He continued his studies of French, Italian, and education
at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities where he taught in the departments of French
and Italian. For three decades, he has worked in the Twin Cities and across the Midwest
as a pianist, accordionist and writer. He has created dozens of special live programs for
Minnesota Public Radio, the MN Historical Society, concert halls and theatrical stages. In 1994, he created
the acclaimed radio series The Singer’s Voice, which broadcasts live Sunday nights from the Dakota Jazz
Club, then in St. Paul, hosting song-spiked conversation from the piano with a different singer each week, over
200 in the six years of the show’s tenure. Chouinard is a musical consultant and a concert organizer at the
progressive St. Joan of Arc Catholic Community in South Minneapolis and leads several regular community
sing-alongs around the Twin Cities.

Congratulations to the outstanding Hall of Fame Class of 2019!

www.isd2144.org 7

Go Math

Many of us remember hours of practicing our times tables, learning to “carry the Taylors Falls teacher Carrie Brandt
one,” and following an established set of rules in solving math problems. But working on equivalent fractions with
times have changed and the strategies in which we teach and learn math have 4th graders
changed as well. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics publication
Principles to Action describes the latest research in the most effective ways to
teach math. The book outlines eight specific strategies (see below). To provide
our students with the best resources and practices possible, the Chisago Lakes
School District has switched our math curriculum to Go Math in grades
kindergarten through 8th grade. Go Math emphasizes a deep understanding
of the math concepts before rote memorization and students working together
to see different ways to solve problems. For more information on the district’s
move to Go Math please watch this video at https://youtu.be/VdnP45vpEoU or
contact the building principal or Sarah Schmidt, the Director of Curriculum, at
[email protected] or 651-213-2005.

Mathematics Teaching Practices

Establish mathematics goals to focus learning. Effective teaching of mathematics establishes clear goals for the mathematics
that students are learning, situates goals within learning progressions, and uses the goals to guide instructional decisions.
Implement tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving. Effective teaching of mathematics engages students in
solving and discussing tasks that promote mathematical reasoning and problem solving and allow multiple entry points and
varied solution strategies.
Use and connect mathematical representations. Effective teaching of mathematics engages students in making
connections among mathematical representations to deepen understanding of mathematics concepts and procedures and
as tools for problem solving.
Facilitate meaningful mathematical discourse. Effective teaching of mathematics facilitates discourse among students to
build shared understanding of mathematical ideas by analyzing and comparing student approaches and arguments.
Pose purposeful questions. Effective teaching of mathematics uses purposeful questions to assess and advance students’
reasoning and sense making about important mathematical ideas and relationships.

Build procedural fluency from conceptual understanding. Effective teaching of mathematics builds fluency with procedures
on a foundation of conceptual understanding so that students, over time, become skillful in using procedures flexibly as
they solve contextual and mathematical problems.
Support productive struggle in learning mathematics. Effective teaching of mathematics consistently provides students,
individually and collectively, with opportunities and supports to engage in productive struggle as they grapple with
mathematical ideas and relationships.
Elicit and use evidence of student thinking. Effective teaching of mathematics uses evidence of student thinking to
assess progress toward mathematical understanding and to adjust instruction continually in ways that support and extend
learning.

Lakeside teacher Erin Sander introducing fractions with 3rd graders 2nd graders at Primary learning subtraction

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