Honoring Our Veterans
Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel for the commitment and sacrifice of protecting our country. The EV-W schools and communities recognized our Veterans on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the EV-W High School Auxiliary Gym. The gym was at full capacity as we enjoyed a message of freedom and patriotism, along with songs from our Elementary, Jr. and Sr. High Choirs, and instrumental music provided by the Jr. and Sr. High Bands. It was an emotional evening as we took a moment for silence to remember our lost loved ones, the sacrifices encountered, and family burdens that were endured to protect our basic freedoms. Let?Äôs not take our freedom for granted, and the next time you cross paths with a veteran, be sure to say ?ÄúThank You.?Äù
Special Thanks and Recognition for the Veterans Day Program go to:
?Ä¢ Our Veterans
?Ä¢ MC & Eden Valley Legion Post Commander ?Äì Steve Schmitt
?Ä¢ Pastor Bryan Hopfensperger
?Ä¢ Lieutenant Commander Mark Kern
?Ä¢ Band Students & Director Kim Salo
?Ä¢ Choir Students & Director Kris Latcham
American Education Week
The National Education Association was one of the creators and original sponsors of American Education Week. The first observance of American Education Week occurred Dec. 4-10, 1921, and was co-sponsored by the NEA and American Legion. American Education Week is observed in all communities annually for the purpose of informing the public of the accomplishments and service of the public schools and its educators. Typically, American Education Week is always celebrated the week prior to the week of Thanksgiving.
We?Äôll be recognizing the accomplishments and service of Eden Valley-Watkins educators at the following scheduled events.
?Ä¢ Monday, Nov. 16 7:15 a.m.- Muffins with Mom at Watkins Elementary School
?Ä¢ Tuesday, Nov. 17 7:15 a.m.- Muffins with Mom at EV-W Elementary School
?Ä¢ Wednesday, Nov. 18 7:30 a.m.- EVW Staff Appreciation Breakfast at EVW HS
?Ä¢ Thursday, Nov. 19, 7:15 a.m.- Doughnuts with Dad at Watkins Elementary
?Ä¢ Friday, Nov. 20, 7:15 a.m.- Doughnuts with Dad at Eden Valley Elementary
I?Äôm extremely proud of our EV-W teaching staff, and witness firsthand the positive impact they have on our students. Teachers make a lasting impression on the lives of children, and many times these teachers don?Äôt see the impact of their work on kids, families, and the community. Please, take a moment to share your testimonies with staff that have made a difference in your life.
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Samantha Estes, daughter of Paul. Sami admires her aunt for the ongoing support and positive role-modeling. Currently, Sami is enrolled in two college level courses, including College Algebra and German III. She puts in numerous hours of work at her job with Wal-Mart, and also volunteers at a nursing home. Following high school graduation, Sami plans to pursue a degree in Special Education. The EV-W administration and staff commend Sami on her great start to the 2015-16 school year. Congratulations!
Friday Update Nov. 20, 2015
Concurrent Enrollment
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an organization that accredits post-secondary educational institutions in Minnesota and 18 other states across the country. Recently, the HLC announced that high school teachers working in dual-credit courses must have a master?Äôs degree in the specific content area they?Äôre teaching, or they need to have at least 18 graduate level credits within the specialty area being taught. Requiring these content specific degrees and credits of HS educators will mean fewer teachers in the programs, fewer students taking college-level courses in the HS building, and an increased cost in college credit for the families.
If implemented, this could have a negative impact on our high school students and their ability to acquire college credit, research-based courses, and challenging academic options within the HS setting. We?Äôve had a long and successful history offering Concurrent Enrollment options to our EV-W students, and I?Äôm confident that we all want to keep our students on our high school campus. If districts are unable to offer dual-credit options, students will have to choose Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) that takes them off our school campus or simply be forced from taking advanced coursework altogether. Again, this generates a greater financial burden on the student and family to acquire the college credit on the postsecondary site.
School administrators, board members and legislators across the state have been working together to provide HLC with potential options worth considering when implementing their credentialing standards. We?Äôre concerned that HLC has not provided clarification or rationale to their recent initiative. Are Concurrent Enrollment students failing tests, unprepared for college, in need of remediation or dropping out of college?
Our staff, board members and administrative team have a deep passion for our kids and their education. We?Äôll continue to monitor and communicate the status of HLC and Concurrent Enrollment options as the information unfolds. Until then, I would encourage you to contact your local legislators and share your successes with Concurrent Enrollment. You may also want to contact the HLC President, Barbara Gellman-Danley and tell her about the potential consequences of this recent change in credentialing. She can be reached at: bgdanley@hlcommission.org, or call: (800) 621-7440, ext. 102.-Information provided by MSBA-Straight Talk.
Quote of the Week
?ÄúGratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.?Äù
~ William Arthur Ward
Thanksgiving Wishes
On behalf of the EV-W school board and administration, I?Äôd like to share our best wishes during this season of gratitude and giving thanks. We want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a heartfelt ?ÄúThank You,?Äù for the contributions to our shared educational commitment to the EV-W students and communities. May your Thanksgiving be filled with gratitude, peace and love.
Senior Spotlight
The EV-W School District would like to recognize Raven Koltes, daughter of Jody. Raven admires her foreign language instructor, Ms. Orbeck for the ongoing support to foreign exchange students and her work with Student Council. Currently, Raven is enrolled in three college level courses, including Advanced American History, German III, and Advanced Biology. In addition, she?Äôs actively involved in Student Council, Speech, Aquila, and Eagles Cry. Raven also puts in numerous hours of work at Jack?Äôs in Watkins. Following high school graduation, Raven plans to pursue a degree in Health Information Technology combined with Business Administration. The EV-W administration and staff commend Raven on her great start to the 2015-16 school year. Congratulations!