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The ISD 197 School Board heard site reports from Somerset and Friendly Hills, an update on the middle school schedule change, and recognized the Two Rivers Cheer Team and Native American Student Group.
Middle School Schedule Change
District staff gave a strategic framework update on college and career readiness, focusing on the recent middle school schedule change. A big part of the change was to add new class options, introduce potential career paths earlier, and create more flexibility in offerings with creative flex time options. The district staff is working closely with teachers to provide additional support around this change.
They highlighted two popular new classes:
- Teenager 101: This life skills class covers things like budgeting, food preparation, cleaning (how to clean your room, how to do your laundry, etc.), and interpersonal skills (i.e., how to introduce yourself). It’s the most requested class among students.
- Introduction to Theater: Students have worked on improvisation, scene analysis, and monologues. The class adds another option for the arts requirement and creates a missing theater pipeline to Two Rivers as a number of students are working on the tech crew for the upcoming Robin Hood play.
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Somerset Elementary School
Libby Huettl, principal at Somerset, and two fourth grade students, Hannah and Charlie, gave a site report on Somerset:
- Change: Somerset has changed a lot in last three years. They have their highest enrollment ever (418 students), the special education Shine program has doubled, and new-to-country students have increased from zero to six. Throughout that change, reading scores have increased 8% and math scores increased 19%.
- Staff morale: The school gets a 94% rating in staff surveys, with 100% optimistic the school will continue to improve.
- Looking ahead: Somerset has started Word of the Week to teach sign language and form connections between verbal and non-verbal students. Also, every Friday Somerset shares Focus Friday announcements with families.
Friendly Hills Middle School
Chris Hiti, principal at Friendly Hills, and Britini Osmonson, administrative assistant, shared a site report on Friendly Hills Middle School:
- Growth: Friendly Hills is approaching 800 students for the first time in a long time.
- Adaptability: With the new middle school schedule, new classes, and flex period choices, students and staff are adapting to a lot of change at once.
- Pride: Friendly Hills has changed from A/B days to Red/Gold days to better embrace school spirit and pride in the wider district.
- Looking ahead: Teachers are encouraging less reliance on technology, the school is learning with their new greenhouse, and their are more animals in classrooms.
Recognitions
The school board recognized two groups of students, the Two Rivers Cheer Team and the Native American Student Group.
- Cheer Team: The cheer team restarted last year after more than 20 years with no cheerleading team at Two Rivers High School. Last year they started the basketball season with 12 members, this year they’re up to 39. Students on the cheer team talked about their newfound confidence and sense of sisterhood.
- Native American Student Group: A newly formed group for Native American students at Two Rivers High School is meeting every other Wednesday. They’re learning native culture and language, and sharing what they learn through school announcements, library displays, and putting on a Native American Heritage Month event on November 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Two Rivers High School.
Engage
- More: Agendas and minutes for ISD 197 School Board meetings are available online.
- Watch: You can watch this meeting online and see the video recap from Superintendent Peter Olson-Skog and Board Member Marcus Hill.
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