CL Review December 2018-2

DECEMBER 2018 SCHOOL DISTRICT REVIEW

Under the Sea was the Place to Be for The Little Mermaid at CLHS

CLHS presented the story of The Little Mermaid as the fall musical, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen and
the Disney film produced by Howard Ahsman and John Musker. Full of songs and big dance numbers, the production
was stunning in its complexity - both the costumes by Jolene Meyer and the sets by Jay Schueller. Senior Erin Myhran
was flawless at Ariel and Elijah Marshall was quite charming as Prince Eric. Anthony Walker’s Sebastian and Sammi
Ricci’s Ursula were outstanding - along with Alex Nasvik’s King Triton. But, what made the show spectacular was
the ensemble cast that sang and danced its way through the sea (under and on a boat), rampaged through the kitchen
as a chorus of chefs, and squawked up a storm as colony of seagulls. All five performances sold out.

Pictured:
Above: Cast and crew of The Little
Mermaid
Far left: Ariel (Erin Myhran) and
Prince Eric (Elijah Marshall)
Middle: Sebastian (Anthony Walker)
Right: Ursala (Sammi Ricci)

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:

Dear Chisago Lakes Families,

It is nearly Thanksgiving as I write this. The political signs have been taken down
and in a way, we can be thankful for that! Sorry if this seems like a negative
comment to start my message, but those who organized the many campaigns of
negativity could remember our children were watching too. Thankfully we have
parents and educators that help children process what they see and hear as we
attempt to teach the values of respect, honesty and the amazing power of teamwork.

Speaking of teamwork, it surrounds us here in Chisago Lakes. Weekly Community
Meals, meals for Veterans, a Community Thanksgiving Meal, backpacks filled
with school supplies and food for students and families in need. Our Food Shelves, Clothing Drives,
Blood Drives and so many more… Lines of division do not exist when hearts filled with compassion are in
majority control. We are blessed to be where we are, in communities that truly care!

One of our most visible Community projects is literally growing in stature every day. Construction of our
Wildcat Community Center and Lakeside Elementary continues to go well. We are planning for approximate
openings of the Community Center June 1st and Lakeside, July 15th. At Taylors Falls, we will have a
Groundbreaking Event for the new Media Center, Community Room and Classrooms on Friday, March
22nd at 4:00 p.m. at the school. Actually, the next phase of the project to be completed will be our Career
and Technical Education (CTE) expansion. A new Agriculture Classroom, Greenhouse, Manufacturing
classroom and remodeled Industrial Technology Classrooms will be ready for use yet this winter. One neat
part of the project will be the public viewing window to the Manufacturing lab as people enter the high
school from the parking lot. One will be able to see the students and teachers “in action” as we continue
to promote the career trades as a potential and much desired, career path. As our construction projects
continue to progress, I want to be sure our communities know how grateful we are for their sacrifice and
commitment to our children. Voting to raise one’s taxes is a hard decision to make and we are thankful for
every brick, light fixture and carpet tile that will surround our children in the years to come.

Prior to the first day of school our School Board and Administration collaborated to create goals to guide
the efforts of our dedicated students and staff. Our goals are:

Goal #1: The Chisago Lakes staff and students will work together to increase the personal safety of
every person in ISD 2144.
Goal #2: The Chisago Lakes staff and students will work together to ensure every student has an
advocate at school.
Goal #3: The Chisago Lakes staff will help students improve their performance on the MCA/MTAS
Reading and Math tests by 2% in District-Wide results.

Writing our goals down is an important step toward reaching them. However, it is the actions and
accountability that go with them that will make the difference. We have a student body and a staff that is
second to none. I have no doubt, that working together, we will be successful in our pursuit!

In closing, I hope this holiday season is your best ever. I wish for you, good health, safety and lots of time
with family and friends. I want to also challenge us to shop local, support community events like our tree
lightings and to consider helping out at one of our Community Meals or Community Service Projects like
a food, clothing or blood drive.

It is an honor and privilege to partner with you in serving our children. Sincerely,


Dean A. Jennissen
Superintendent

2 www.isd2144.org

PLTW Launch Coming to Chisago Lakes Elementary Schools

The Elementary Science Department is excited to
n announce a new learning opportunity for Chisago
e Lakes students! Starting this year, all 5th grade
f students will begin a program called PLTW Launch. In
e Project Lead the Way (PLTW), students connect their
e creative thinking and problem solving skills as they
. work through real-world, project-based challenges.

y

d

Jessica Fitzgerald, elementary science specialist,

n demonstrates the parachute option to 5th graders
at Taylors Falls Elementary.

Specifically, 5th grade students will engage with a
r module called Infection: Detection where they will
e explore 1) the transmission of an infection, 2) the
a agents of the disease, and 3) the mechanisms the
h body uses to stay healthy. Through a simulation, they
r
g will compare communicable and non-communicable Students engaged in the planning stage for the
diseases, explore how an illness might have spread STEM Sports project.
t across the school, and examine evidence to the likely
h source of the outbreak and path of transmission through a school. Students will then design and
e run an experiment related to limiting the spread of germs and apply results to suggest appropriate
s prevention methods.
d

The PLTW Launch elementary program engages
students in fields that pave the way into middle
e school, high school, and beyond to future careers. In
grades 6-8, students are enrolled in PLTW’s Gateway
program where they engage in two modules; Design
and Modeling and Automation and Robotics. In
high school, students further their learning in
courses centered around engineering; Principles of
Engineering, Computer Integrated Manufacturing,
and Engineering Capstone.

Students used class iPads to submit plans for

d approval for their projects from Mrs. Fitzgerald.

s

As stated on the PLTW website,

e “Each PLTW Launch module engages students in
e cross-disciplinary activities that spark a lifelong
e love of learning and build knowledge and skills
in areas including computer science, engineering,

and biomedical science. In addition, each module

empowers students to develop essential skills

such as problem solving, critical and creative

thinking, communication, collaboration, and Mrs. Fitzgerald approves a plan before the students

perseverance.” begin the building process.

www.isd2144.org 3

Winter Weather School Closing

Minnesota winters seem to create the potential for severe weather warranting school closings or delays
nearly daily. We take the responsibility for each weather call very seriously despite the decisions never
being easy.

Our goal is to make the “right” call when it comes to closings and delays. Many variables are considered
when attempting to best ensure the safety of students and staff as we attempt to accommodate all of the
families in the District. Weather-related decisions in a District with a land-area of nearly 165 square miles
with varying land features from Chisago City to Taylors Falls will not always seem perfect. The status
of neighboring districts may even be different. Keep in mind, we will do what we deem to be best for
Chisago Lakes. Ultimately, a student’s attendance at school is a parent or guardian’s decision. If parents
and guardians feel it is unsafe for their child to travel to school, the absence will be excused.

Our Considerations:
1. Can students get safely to school and safely home? Not only are students bused to school, but many
students drive. We will take into consideration both modes of transportation when making our
School Closing and Delay decisions.
2. Weather forecasting. We’ll do our best to understand cold, wind, road conditions and visibility.
Keep in mind those 165 varying square miles in our District. We will utilize “spotters” (school
employees and law enforcement) throughout the District to provide us guidance when possible.
3. Keeping routines for families and the school. We all want students in school. School staff want to
keep the learning going and parents wish to minimize disruptions to their daily routines. However,
inclement weather may trump those goals. Parents and guardians, ultimately you will make what
you deem to be the “right” call for your student(s). It should be noted however, that schools must
meet state requirements for attendance and if cancellations exceed what is allowed in our calendar,
make-up days may be required.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Where can I get information regarding school closings and delays due to the weather? The decision
to close or delay school will be made as early as possible so families and staff will have time to react.
You may receive notification in the following ways: 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 at www.isd2144.org. In addition, parents will be notified via the automated School
Messenger system.

What time does my child’s school start when there is a two-hour delay?
Chisago Lakes High School - 9:50 a.m.
Chisago Lakes Middle School - 9:40 a.m.
Taylors Falls Elementary - 11:05 a.m.
Lakeside Elementary - 11:05 a.m.
Chisago Lakes Primary - 11:15 a.m.
Chisago Lakes Education Center (CLEC): Pathways to Change (PTC)/SOAR - 9:40 a.m.

In terms of bus pick-up times, add two hours to your child’s normal pickup time. If the normal pickup
time is 6:45 a.m. it will be at 8:45 a.m. on a two-hour late start day.

What if the weather worsens during the day?
There are times when an early dismissal is unavoidable. We are asking parents and guardians to consider
this scenario and have a plan in place should we dismiss school early. We realize this is a tough situation
for families, so it is critical we have complete and accurate contact information for parents, guardians and

4 www.isd2144.org

emergency contacts. If weather worsens and schools remain open, parents and guardians still have the
option to pick up their child early by following normal office procedures.

How will I know if other programs, activities, field trips or Community Education events are
canceled?
When school is closed, it doesn’t necessarily mean all other activities are canceled. Please refer to our
district website, www.isd2144.org, for information on closing and delays for all school activities.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility this winter and hope you feel better-informed
regarding Closings and Delays at the Chisago Lakes Schools. Please plan accordingly and,
as always, do what you feel is best for your students and family. Here’s to a safe winter season!

PARENTS: Please Update Your Contact Information
in ParentVUE Before the Snow Flies

As the weather turns cold and the leaves start to fall, we start to think of the cooler weather and white
snow to come. Now is a great time to update your contact information in ParentVUE for weather-
related school messages!

As a parent or guardian, you can update your contact information online thorough ParentVUE or by
calling your child’s school. Early Childhood contact information can only be updated by phone. You
only need to update your information once for all of your children.

How to update your contact information online in ParentVUE YouTube video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ14SRn9ZVo

To update your contact information by phone, please call the school’s main phone line or number listed
below:

CL High School - Marnee Jakowski Come Have
651-213-2502 or [email protected] Coffee With the
Superintendent!
CL Middle School - SuZanne Gillespie
651-213-2443 or [email protected]

Taylors Falls Elementary - Denise Lange Upcoming dates:
651-213-2102, [email protected]
January 24, 2019
Lakeside Elementary - Barb Nelson Coffee Talk in Taylors Falls
651-213-2302 or [email protected] 7:00 a.m. School Staff
7:45 p.m. Community Members
Primary School - Amy Odland
651-213-2202 or [email protected] March 28, 2019
Phil’s Grill in Center City
Chisago Lakes Education Center 6:45 a.m. School Staff
Pathway & SOAR - Dana Stachowski 7:30 a.m. Community Members
651-213-2071 or [email protected]

Early Childhood - Joni Mead May 16, 2019
651-213-2602 or [email protected] Eichten’s Market in Center City
3:15 p.m. School Staff
4:00 p.m. Community Members

www.isd2144.org 5

Foreign Exchange Programs: How students a
from around the world end up at CLHS t
h
There are many programs that facilitate student exchanges within the U.S. and abroad. Some of the a
programs have a specific focus such as art, music, or even working with zoo animals in Australia. Each of t
the programs allows for students in the U.S. to travel or for families in the U.S. to host a foreign student. c
Chisago Lakes High School takes up to four foreign exchange students in an academic year. This year there
are three: senior Nicolas Bertomeu-Cottini from Spain; junior Aaron Liebig from Germany; and Alejandra m
Lopez de Sebastian from Spain. Nicolas came to Chisago Lakes through a Rotary-sponsored exchange A
program and lives with the Ron Kimlinger family. David Kimlinger is a junior at CLHS. Each year the s
Chisago Lakes Rotary sponsors a foreign exchange student at CLHS. Aaron came through the Young t
Life Amicus International Student Exchange and lives with the Hans Wenthe family. Through Amicus
International Student Exchange, students from all over the globe come to the United States and live with F
Christian families. During their stay, students are exposed to the Gospel through host-family relationships, w
churches the host families attend, local Young Life activities and Young Life camps. Alejandra came a
through CIEE, a 65-year-old leading nonprofit education organization offering both study abroad and work o
exchange programs to high school and college-aged students. College students can choose from nearly a
200 study abroad programs in 40 countries, and high school students can choose from amongst cultural w
exchanges in 11 different countries: Australia, Chile, France, Ireland, Japan, Spain, Brazil, China, Germany, c
Italy, and New Zealand. CIEE students attend local high schools and live with local host families. Alejandra f
lives with the Tory Schaefer family. Serenity Schaefer is a junior at CLHS. T
t
Nicolas Bertomeu-Cottini comes to Chisago Lakes from Denia, A
Spain, a port city on the Mediterranean coast of eastern Spain with w
about 35,000 residents. With the Rotary Exchange program, another w
student goes to Nic’s house in Spain for the school year. When he was b
preparing for the exchange program, he chose the U.S. as one of the a
three countries he was interested in. Nic says that he wanted to see if T
the United States was really the way it was in the movies. No word U
on whether or not we’ve lived up to it. (Grumpy Old Men, maybe?) “
s
Nic says the biggest difference between Chisago and where he lives

in Spain is the way towns are built and the way schools work. “First

Nicolas with his soccor picture. of all, in Spain every town has a center where people gather and hang

out.” According to Nic, the school system is different in a couple of

big ways. In Spain there aren’t as many different classes to choose

from. The other big difference is grading. Nic is used to exams that aren’t graded, but instead pass/fail. “If

you have 7/10, you are an above average student.”

Some of the things Nic is looking forward to doing while he’s here? All sorts of winter activities that he isn’t
able to do at home. He would also like to visit other places, like Chicago, while he’s “in the neighborhood.”
Nic said that travelling is the best way to discover different place and see how culture changes. “It gives
you a different approach to life.”

While he’s here, Nicolas is hoping people at school will not be shy about asking him about himself and his
culture. One of the benefits of an exchange program is the effect that it has on the host community as well.

Nicolas is living with the Kimlinger family while he is attending CLHS. Along with the family, Nic has
had the opportunity to milk a cow at the Minnesota State Fair, attend a Wisconsin Badger football game,

6 www.isd2144.org

and a Timberwolves game. The Kimlingers also toured a federal courtroom and observed part of a jury
trial. Nic joined the CLHS soccer team and had a great season. When asked about the family’s experience
hosting a foreign exchange student, Kimlingers said, “We have learned a lot about Spanish culture. We have
also enjoyed the opportunity to have Nicolas as part of our family. He is kind, smart, funny, and wonderful
to be around.” And, the biggest surprise? “Realizing how much more of a worldview people from other
countries have compared to many of us in the U.S. who focus mainly on our own country.”

Aaron Liebig comes to Chisago Lakes from Berlin,
Germany. According to Aaron, the foreign exchange
program that he went through matched the student to the
family first without consideration of where that family
was located. He expressed an interest in the United
States and the family that matched him was found in
Chisago Lakes. Luckily for Aaron, he’s interested in
ice fishing. Aaron is also looking forward to catching
a muskie.

Aaron started his experience at CLHS with the football

Aaron picture with his host family, Hans and Nancy Wenthe. team. Aaron played football for the first time and really
enjoyed it. The team shared in his excitement when he

made his first tackle in our preseason scrimmage against Forest Lake.

As for the biggest surprises in his experience so far, Aaron listed the cultural differences, the different
school system, the big supermarkets and trucks, and the friendliness of the people. He is looking forward
to improving his English, and Aaron is finding plenty of people in Chisago to talk to.

For her 10th grade year, Alejandra Lopez de Sebastion is living
with Tory and Chastati Schaefer who have two children living
at home. According to daughter Serenity, a junior at CLHS, her
older sister’s departure for college created an both an emptiness
and an opportunity. Serenity would find “a new best friend”
who would help her learn more about a culture and language. A
childhood friend of the family contacted them about hosting a
foreign exchange student.

The family was interested in finding someone close in age

to Serenity and who came from a Spanish-speaking country. Alejandra (lower right) with the Schaefer family.
Alejandra came to Chisago Lakes from Spain. The Schaefers

were surprised at just how fast Alejandra became one of the family. The family went hiking in Taylors Falls,

watched a younger brother play football, and spent time getting to know one another. They have nothing

but great things to say about the experience, “We have gained a better understanding of different cultures

and just how much we are all alike no matter where you are from.”

The family intends to take Alejandra skiing and doing some travelling to show her different areas of the
U.S. It seems the experience so far was just what daughter Serenity needed after her sister left for college.
“I highly recommend [hosting] an exchange student. She teaches me something new every day, along with
so much fun and laughter to go with it. It’s like having a sleepover with your best friend every night.”

www.isd2144.org 7

Groundbreaking Date Set for the Taylors Falls Elementary Addition

Plans for the construction project at Taylors Falls Elementary were presented to the school board at the
November meeting. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place March 22, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. Renderings
included in the presentation showed an outside view of the new Media Center with an interior picture of the
reading nook with floor to ceiling windows on the river side. There were also pictures of the exterior of the
new kindergarten area and an interior picture of an instructional area.

Chisago Lakes Community Center Construction Photos

Installing concrete slab-on-grade in Area D. Finishing installation of the Greenhouse.

More construction photos and updates can be found on the district website: www.isd2144.org.

8 www.isd2144.org