Monday, March 31, 2014

Dr. David Walsh - The Science Behind Tired Teens


The Science Behind Tired Teens

Getting my kids out of bed in the morning when they were teenagers felt like an epic battle of wills. I remember my son Brian begging for just five more minutes of sleep as if his life depended on it. Convinced that his fatigue was caused by going to bed too late, we tried to convince him to close his eyes earlier than eleven o'clock.
"I'm just not tired!" he would protest. "You can make me go my room, but I'm not going to be able to sleep!"
All three of my kids went from cheerful early risers to exhausted night owls when they hit adolescence. It seemed that every parent we talked with was experiencing the same patterns with their own teenagers--alert at night, comatose in the morning, and practically hibernating on the weekends.
Sleep and the Teen Brain
The explanation for how Brian turned into a night owl is, like so many things, found in the teen brain. Perhaps you've heard of the hormone melatonin. I like to think of it as "sleepy." When it gets dark a part of the brain called the hypothalamus sends a message to the pineal gland to increase production of melatonin. As melatonin concentrations rise, we feel more and more sleepy. After we've gotten sufficient rest, melatonin dips and we wake up.
Beginning at puberty, this cycle changes. Young people experience melatonin surges later at night and melatonin dips later in the morning. The result is a night owl who hasn't gotten near enough sleep when the alarm rings for school at 6 AM.
Complicating things even more, adolescents need more sleep than adults. The old "eight hour rule" does not apply to teens. In fact, the teenage brain needs about nine and a half hours of sleep every night. Are most teenagers getting it? Not by a long shot. Research shows that the average teen gets seven and a half hours of sleep a night, falling two hours short of what they need.
The result: a nation of sleep-deprived adolescents.
As I think back, it is clear that some of the power struggles around sleep that we had with Brian had nothing to do with a bad attitude or poor decision-making. It was what was going on inside his brain.
Tired brains suffer in school
The consequences of chronic sleep deprivation for teens go beyond fatigue. A clinical psychologist at Tel Aviv University, Dr. Avi Sadeh, found a significant performance gap between sleep deprived and well rested students. Students who got just one less hour of sleep per night for three nights in a row experienced a cognitive slide equivalent to two grade levels.
Likewise, a recent study conducted by sleep researcher Dr. Carskadon found that high school students who got poor grades slept an average of 25 minutes less and went to bed 40 minutes later than those who got A’s and B’s.
When it comes to children and sleep, there are huge academic consequences to even small bits of sleep deprivation.
Tired brains suffer in other ways too.
Sleeping teens look so relaxed it is hard to imagine that their brains are hard at work - sifting through the day's learning and memories, solidifying new synapses, retiring weak ones, and solving problems. Brain scans show that the brain is quite active during sleep. Adequate sleep is a core ingredient for learning and memorymood and emotion regulationsafe driving, andphysical health.
It is clear that not getting enough sleep is hard on both the body and the mind.
What can be done?
Just because teens' circadian rhythms change at adolescence, doesn't mean that they need to resign themselves to a decade of fatigue and poor health. Researchers at the University of Minnesota just released a three year studylooking at the impact of later school start times on student achievement and health. They found that when high schools switched to a later start time:
  • Attendance, test scores, and academic performance improved;
  • Tardiness, substance abuse, depression, and consumption of caffeinated beverages decreased.
School districts have to make very difficult decisions about start times based on budgets, bussing, sports, and complicated scheduling. I am certainly empathetic to their plight. But from the perspective of brain science, it is clear that teens benefit from the extra hours of sleep.
You can have a big influence on your teen's sleep as well. Here are some ideas for ways to encourage your children and teens alike to get the sleep they need. What would you add to the list?
Sweet dreams,

Stop Bullying: Be a Powerful Bystander


Stop Bullying: Be a Powerful Bystander

We just did a series of podcasts on the bullied brain. Now that we understand the impact of bullying on young people, what do we do about it? Too often when we talk about taking action we focus only on the bully and the victim. But bullying doesn't happen in a vacuum. It takes place in a social context that can either fuel or combat bullying and cruelty. Talk with your kids about the powerful role they can play by being a good bystander.
Don't participate:
  • Never egg on, laugh, or encourage the bully in any way.
  • Don't like, share, or tag mean comments on social media.
  • Walk away and make it clear that it is not cool.
  • Anonymously report to a trusted adult.
Step in:
  • If you feel safe, say something like, "Hey, stop it." Or "That's not funny."
  • Get a trusted adult involved.
Be a friend:
  • Reach out to the person being bullied to let them know they aren't alone.
  • Send a sympathetic text to the victim or sit with them at lunch.
  • Ask the victim if they are okay.
Set a good example:
  • Don't use language that insults someone based on their sexual orientation, race, or other categories of difference.
  • Work to include kids that don't have a lot of friends or support.
  • Don't make or laugh at inappropriate jokes, even if the target of the joke isn't there.
Check out Other great parenting and teen information - drdavidwalsh.com

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Billund-Phibbs and Avent Move Onto Philadelphia

Anders Billund-Phibbs and Laresa Avent have made the cut!  Along with four other young poets, they will be representing Minnesota in the Brave New Voices International Poetry Slam this summer in Philadelphia.  Fatima Camara was selected as an alternate.  The poetry slam Saturday evening at HOTB was phenomenal.  Young poets speaking their truths.  I am honored to share the space.  



Caroline Hooper
NBCT Social Studies
Southwest High School

Friday, March 28, 2014

Area C Parebt and Community Meeting April 16 at Lake Harriet Lower

  Area C Parent and Community Meeting 
Flyer to Share - Translated (here) 
Lake Harriet Community School - Lower Campus  6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
*please join us for a light supper beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Agenda
  • Welcome & Introductions - Liz Short, parent co-chair
  • School Budgets - Phase 2 - Robert Doty & finance staff
  • Q&A :  Cecilia Saddler, associate superintendent
Weighted Student Funding (link)
Upcoming Budget Engagement Opportunities (link)
 

Southwest Students & Parents Haiku Awards


Each year the emperor of Japan selects a theme for haiku poets.  This year’s contest theme was "tatsu" which translates in English to " stand, to stand up ".

Ibaraki, Minneapolis’s sister city in Japan, sponsors a haiku contest.  Southwest High School was notified that they placed with eight winners in the citywide contest.  That means we won all honors in the 9th grade -12th grade category again this year.  

A presentation of awards will be held on Sunday, April 13th, 2014 from 2 p.m. at the Minneapolis Central Library downtown.   Please congratulate these talented students when you see them! 

Category C:  9 – 12 Grade
1st Place - Griffen Desai
Dreams begin to fade
As light pierces my window
I stand from slumber


2nd Place - Mohamed A Mohamed

Hot tea in a cup
Standing leaf in the middle
Good luck and good day


3rd Place - Anna Kelly

White falls softly down
Children run outside to make
Standing man of snow


Honorable Mention - Jackie Vo

Early morning fog
Settles on silent seashores
Lonely fisher stands


Honorable Mention - Maggie West

The sun rises high
Standing up to meet the world
A new day begins


Honorable Mention - Virginia Culhane

Here I stand alone
My gaze meets yours with a smile
Here I stand with you


Honorable Mention - Starlight Thao

I stand among hills
Even mountains and the clouds
I will not fall down


Honorable Mention - Emily Peterson

The red wood stands high
Above the clouds, towards heaven
The tree’s arms spread wide



Category D: Adult


1st Place - Mary Doyle (Nora Doyle's mother)

Haystacks dot the field
Stand guardians of the farm
Silent warriors


Honorable Mention - Elizabeth Short ( McLean Cozine's Mother)

Stand up, my dragon
Push back the sorrows of time
Blazing hope shines forth
 

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Budget Information About Modifications From District


Dear MPS partners and friends,

I am pleased to report to you that preliminary budget allocation issues involving some of our schools have been resolved. New allocations were shared with principals Tuesday; they in turn will work with their site councils to continue their fiscal year 2015 (FY15) budget planning.

The revised allocations provide a total funding increase of approximately $40 million directly to schools, rather than the roughly $33 million previously communicated. This includes increases of about $3 million for class size adjustments, about $3 million for basic per pupil expenditures and about $2 million in discretionary funds.

Although concerns were raised at about a dozen schools, I decided to review the budget allocations for all schools to be certain that accurate numbers were provided to all sites. Of the 69 school budgets, 59 received increases in both total discretionary dollars and individual per pupil amounts.

The remaining 10 schools received slightly lower discretionary allocations or per pupil amounts. The finance team and associate superintendents worked with these schools individually to review their proposed budgets and ensure all needs had been fully met.
I acknowledge and apologize that this budget process has been challenging and confusing. We will continue to work to improve and refine our processes as well as our communication and engagement with individual school sites.

Despite our challenges, I am very proud of the outcomes of this budget planning process. Shifting approximately $40 million from central office budgets to individual school budgets has laid a solid foundation for the school district’s work to create a more equitable and transparent funding process for our schools. This proposed budget has also helped to move us in the right direction of giving schools more bounded autonomy in their budget decisions.

The FY15 budget will provide more support to high priority schools by reducing class size ratios to 18 students per teacher in kindergarten through third grade. We also included an increase to fund academic intervention strategies, which include additional math and reading specialists for schools.  The budget also provides more funding for International Baccalaureate programs, arts and world languages and support to English learners and maintains funding for magnet schools.

The budget supports the enhancement of transportation services by adding buses that will provide more flexibility in loading and route times. The additional funds will pay for safety equipment such as GPS systems and incident tracking devices.

The maintenance and cleanliness of our buildings remain priorities, so we are increasing the number of custodians at school sites. Climate and safety in schools will continue to be supported by maintaining school resource officers at schools. The budget will also allow for the expansion of our Go-To Student Pass program. We want families to be able to easily take advantage of citywide school choice options.

As we continue our budget planning for next school year and future years, we remain committed to keeping student needs at the center of financial decision-making. Thank you for your continued support of Minneapolis schools and students.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Doty, CPA
Chief Operating Officer
 

Parking Restrictions Change 10 am March 27


Winter parking restrictions slated to be lifted Thursday

Posted by: Eric Roper Updated: March 26, 2014 - 12:25 PMcomments
On Thursday morning at 10 a.m., both Minneapolis and St. Paul will lift restrictions that limited parking to one side of many streets.
Because of major snow piles, the cities prohibited parking on the even side of non-snow emergency routes starting in February.
The restrictions are being lifted because of snow melt during recent days of milder temperatures and ample sunlight.
Minneapolis' restrictions were slated to be in place until April 1 -- next Tuesday -- or until "city officials announce conditions warrant that they may be lifted."
The cities warned that some streets may still have some restricted parking.
"In the few areas where additional parking restrictions were posted using temporary signs, there will be a transition period of about a week in which those signs will be removed or replaced," said a statement from Minneapolis. "As always, drivers should continue to follow any posted parking signs as long as they are in place."

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Budget 2014-15 A Work In Progress


Dear MPS partners and friends,

Planning for the fiscal year 2015 (FY15) budget – which runs from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2015 – is in full swing, with schools and departments receiving their initial budget allocations. We want to make sure that all MPS stakeholders have an opportunity to be a part of the process of maintaining a sustainable financial foundation to support academic achievement.

The release of budget allocations is just one step in the budget process. Initial allocations are not a final budget; they simply provide a starting point for discussion. Now is the time for school leaders to work with their school communities on how to use their budget for next school year and, in a few cases, identify whether more resources are necessary at their school site.

I am pleased that, more than ever, school support is at the heart of this year’s budget. In our efforts to increase funding to individual schools, we are proposing a $33 million increase of funds that are directly allocated to schools. That increase equates to $336 million to schools overall, compared to the current fiscal year’s $303 million.

The FY15 budget provides an increase of $2 million to support lower class sizes (K-3) in high priority schools, which are lower-performing schools designated for special focus to raise student achievement. There is also an increase of $10 million that includes additional spending to support academic intervention strategies, including:
  • More math and reading specialists
  • Additional support for International Baccalaureate, talent development and advanced learner education, arts and English learners at schools
About $5.4 million in additional funding has been budgeted to support enhanced services in the areas of transportation and plant operations. Furthermore, we plan to add two districtwide sports and increase funding for adaptive sports in order to allow more students across MPS to participate in athletics.

Our goal with the FY15 budget allocations is to provide principals and their site leadership teams with more flexibility to better meet the needs of their students. As I mentioned above, each year in a few cases a school’s initial allocation may not meet the school’s expectations. A leadership team including Chief Operating Officer Robert Doty and the associate superintendents actively works with school principals to understand and respond to each unique situation.

The school district’s budget recommendation continues to be preliminary and will be discussed in board committee meetings, schools and the community this spring. I encourage you to participate in one of the many upcoming engagement sessions. A complete calendar of events is available on the MPS website. The school board is scheduled to vote on the FY15 budget in late June.

Thank you for your continued interest, involvement and investment in Minneapolis Public Schools.
 
Sincerely,

Bernadeia H. Johnson, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Course and Registration Parent Information March 25


Course and Registration Information for Parents, Tuesday, March 25th

Counselors, teachers, and our IB Coordinators will present information on course options, including typical course sequencing, new course offerings, and IB courses and diploma program. 
 
This event is geared towards parents of current 9th and 10th grade students, but all are welcome.  The event will take place in the Southwest Media Center on Tuesday, March 25th starting at 6pm. 
 
See website for additional details and contact information: http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/course_registration_info

Support Fashpitch March 24


Support Fastpitch with Dinner at Chipotle March 24th
Help support the girls fastpitch softball program by coming to dinner at Chipotle-Calhoun Commons.  Bring the attached flier, show a copy of it, or just tell the cashier that your purchase goes toward the SW Fastpitch program.  Remember that any gift card purchases go toward the fundraiser, too.  They makegreat graduation gifts! Chipotle Mexican Grill 3040 Excelsior Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55416  Printable Flyer

March 28th is a Regular School Day


No one anticipated the Governor and then the Superintendents closing school for snow.  This is Minnesota and that never happens.  Well, it did.

In the meantime your Grandmother (sweet lady) planned her 96th birthday celebration in Duluth on March 28th - since that was her birthday and it conveniently fell on a school day off.

Some found that fantastic deal for a trip to the Amazon for 8 days and 7 nights with a guide and somewhat safe camping arrangements on the shores.  You discovered that two years ago and it all starts on the 29 and you have to fly a gazillion miles and take two buses ride for four hours.

And the list goes on...................

Despite what it might seem, the school district and Southwest did not attempt to make up a day on March 28 as some personal affront.  We did not call travel agencies and determine what would ruin the most plans.  We did not canvass the students to figure out what might be the most difficult.  We did what seems to make sense with the least pain and suffering.

The decision to use a day in February and a day in March as make-up days was made several weeks ago. The intent was to provide families opportunities about the impact of that change and make necessary arrangements.  One such arrangement is what to do about class on Friday March 28.

Many students who know (and probably have known all year) that they were not going to be in town on the 28th have talked with teachers and coaches and made all the adjustment necessary to stay on top of the situation.

Southwest is not interested in a massive skip day on Friday the 28th.  MOA might like the business but we are trying to provide an education. 

March 28 is schedule as a finals days in some classes.  Some classes have made adjustments are having them earlier in the week.  Some are giving the final to those who are gong to be absent early.  Some classes have change Friday to a presentation day.

If your family is going to be out of town on March the 28 your son or daughter needs to make the necessary arrangement if he or she has not already done so.

If you are NOT going out of town on March the 28, Friday is a school day and we expect your son or daughter in school regular hours.

Yes, we try to make this all work for you and all the other requirements and demands that placed on us.  If you specific question contact or have your student content the appropriate teacher.

Let's have a great week of school and a fantastic break!

Friday, March 21, 2014

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is Required By State Law



 
 
"I don't wanna take the test..."
 
 

Yes, there are many homes hearing that plea and complaint.  And the reasons from not taking it range from "there are too many tests, I took the ___ five times already, this doesn't count for anything who cares" to I don't want to so I can run around with my friend on another skip day you approved.

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) is state law that came about due to Federal law and No Child Left Behind.  This is not a Minneapolis rule or a Southwest rule.  It a requirement of the state of Minnesota.

Now one fact is very true, there is no cut score and how a student scores on the test has nothing to do with graduation.  However, the law says a student has to take it in order to receive a diploma.

The MCAs are an accountability piece.  The legislators want to see that the funds they allocate are producing the results they required.  So don't take the test.  Let the legislators see that accountability is a sham.  If the percentage of participation drops I can guarantee you another round of mandated state tests.

The second part of that, the the personal part for us, the legislators seem to find ways to pit one group of schools against another.  Thus, if the percentage of participation goes down and the average test results go down, one more time the legislators can explain that certain schools are not making the grade.

Researchers have determined the more exposure (take the test) you have to a long test, the better you do each time.  If you are interested in raising your score on the ACT or SAT then this is one way to do it and it is required anyway.

Do we test kids too much?  YES.  Your approval for your child to skip the state reguired test is not the way to demonstrate a protest.  Vote out those legislators that support this massive expenditure of public funds for no productive purpose.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Harvey Feldman, SW Alumni 1961 - The Spark for Excellence

Harvey Feldman, Southwest Grad of 1961
 
It takes a spark to light a fire.  According to Margaret Meade, only a small group of thoughtful people can change the world.  Harvery Feldman is the hopefully the start of the group.
 
Harvey started with the lights at the football field and then turned his attention to other "glaring weaknesses."  Sitting the auditorium watching last year's musical Harvey noted that it was hot.  Being told there was air conditioning he commented, "that is ridiculous" and started the process to have air conditioning installed for this year.
 

It takes a spark.  Harvey is the Southwest alumni spark.  Principal Bill Smith and Seniors Ceyonn Wade and Charlotte Anderson presented to Harvey a full cast autographed posted of the current running musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie.

You can make your spark and continue the excellent.  A donation can be mailed to Southwest Foundation, 3414 West 47th Street, MPLS, MN 55410.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

On to New York SW Junior Ava Krahn


Congratulations to Ava Krahn,  a junior!  Her scholastic art MN competition drawing, titled "Gracie"  won National Gold Key award recognition.  She will be invited to New York for the ceremony. 

 

In the last 25+ years at SW, this is only the 3rd National Gold Key winner and the first in the drawing category.  ( The others were ceramic tea pot and watercolor painting; and one national silver key in animation) This year,  MN has a total of 13 National High School winners.  (8 National Gold keys and 5 National Silver key winners.) Ava is one of 8 National Gold key from MN and one of the two juniors. 

 



In 2013-14
- last year SWHS senior Marissa Nicol received a National Silver Key for her Portfolio. 
 

 

 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Senior Party Planning Needs YOU


Senior Party Planning has Begun

March is upon us!  Although your student's Graduation is a few months off, the planning for the Senior Party has begun. We are beginning to gather donations and support for the all-night event which takes place at the Chaska Community Center right after graduation. 

Here's what's on our donation wish list for the fun event:

?        Donated/discounted printing services for the April posters-postcards-registration forms.  Any printer parents out there?

Donated gift cards for prizes.  Suggested amount $10-$25.  Places like: Chipotle, My Burger, Brueggers, Yogurt Lab, Noodles & Co., Punch Pizza, Ben & Jerry's, ITunes etc.   Any places/things that students like

Donated coffee for Parent Volunteers the night of the party

Donated gift cards or monetary donations for bigger prizes: Apple store, Best Buy, Target

Gift cards and donations can be sent/dropped off at my house near school: 4127 Beard Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN  55410.  Checks can be made out to Southwest Senior Class Party.

I would also welcome hearing about any contacts/connections you might have at the places above or similar places I might approach for donations:mak592000@yahoo.com.  
Thank you so much for your help!  We look forward to making the Senior Party a memorable event for our students.
Margaret Peterman, Donations Volunteer

Course Fair - For Students March 18 and For Parents March 25

 

Course Fair for Students, Tuesday March 18th

9th, 10th, and 11th grade students will attend a Course Fair in the West Gym during the school day on Tuesday, March 18th.  This fair will provide students an opportunity to speak with teachers from each department about course options before registration happens in April.  In addition to hearing about courses available at Southwest, students can speak with representatives from PSEO (post-secondary enrollment options) programs, a GenesysWorks internship representative, and a representative from MCTC representing Southwest’s new concurrent course offerings in IT and Business.

 

Course and Registration Information for Parents, Tuesday, March 25th

Counselors, teachers, and our IB Coordinator will present information on course options, including typical course sequencing, new course offerings, and IB courses and diploma program.  This event is geared towards parents of current 9th and 10th grade students, but all are welcome.  The event will take place in the Southwest Media Center on Tuesday, March 25th starting at 6pm.  Details to follow.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Ava Krahn - Top Award Viva City $1,500 Scholarship


Congratulations to Ava Krahn- she won top award of the Viva City art show-  $1500 scholarship!!  Below is Ava's winning portraits of her "papa" 

Fine Arts Festival High School Visual Art





Congratulations to Ava Krahn- she won top award of the Viva City art show-  $1500 scholarship!!   

Third place-   $500 scholarship went to ADDY ALMS's fabric conceptual folk art "family"

In addition,  Superintendent Johnson is purchasing Addy's work for the Mpls permanent art collection for an additional $150!


Ava Schroedl won  U of MN first place award-  $150 cash, plus a tour of U of M studio and free lunch with her conceptual feminist piece referencing to the 60s and 70s movement.  ( it's a beautiful piece with 4 drawings and mirrors which made it impossible to photograph; plus detail small design of the movement symbol and bunny ears....   you just have to see it in person to appreciate this piece )

Ellie Martin,  Jade Robinson,   Ruby Trensch and Kaleigh Lawton  also won smaller awards and recognition.  

 



 

Poetry Slam Laresa Avent on to Finals


 
Congratulations to Laresa Avent who advanced to the finals of the Be Heard Youth Poetry Slam series. 

The finals will be Saturday March 29 from 7-9 PM at thehttp://hobt.org/ .  Along with Laresa, Munna Ali, Anders Billund-Phibbs, and Fatima Camara will be competing for six spots on the Minnesota BNV Spoken Word team.  The Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam will be in Philadelphia this summer.

Come support Southwest poets.

Caroline Hooper

NBCT Social Studies
Southwest High School

 

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Barton Plant Sale


The Barton Plant Sale is again offering top-quality plants at competitive prices, provided especially to us by a local nursery.  Your purchase helps with reading and math support, the English Language Learner Program, band and strings, computer and technology support, field trip scholarships, educational materials, and parent involvement assistance that enhance educational opportunities for all Barton students.

 

Plant order forms and payment are due at Barton no later than Friday, April 11, 2014

 

Please visit:


to order or donate online and to view photos and read about our 2014 plant selections.

 

Please post photos and all your gardening qustions on:


 

For additional information, please email:



Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Area C March 19 Community Meeting See Agenda


Area C Meeting 
 
Area C Parent and Community Meeting
Wednesday, March 19, 2014   flyer translated
Windom Dual Spanish Immersion School - Media Center 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
5821 Wentworth Ave. South
*please join us for a light supper beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Topics 
  • Welcome & Introductions - Liz Short, parent co-chair
  • Spring Break Academy - Adding additional supports to schools, Cecilia Saddler
  • Inside today's classrooms:  How teacher evaluation supports academic achievement - Elise Maxwell, Coordinator, Human Capital and team
  • Q&A :  Cecilia Saddler, associate superintendent
Childcare ages 3 & up only, interpretation available
 
Teacher Evaluation
 
In the Minneapolis Public Schools, we have one clear and unambiguous priority: great learning in great schools. Teachers are the foundation of our success as a school district. When teachers succeed, our students succeed. That is why MPS is committed to making sure teachers get the support they need to do their best work. 
 
Take a look at the work:  (link)
 
MPS History Day
 
M innesota's History Day competition is one of the most vibrant in the nation; each year 30,000 kids around the state explore historical topics through projects ranging from performances, exhibits and documentary films to websites and research papers. In a typical year, more than 50 Minnesota students go to the National History Day competition in Washington D.C. 
 
The 2014 History Day theme, "Rights and Responsibilities in History," provides an opportunity for students to take a deeper look at the different forms rights can take and how responsibilities relate. 
 
 District History Day
 Saturday, March 22, 2014
 Anwatin Middle School 256 Upton Ave. South
Registration begins at 8am  |   Learn More (link)
 
Equity and Diversity
 
The Minneapolis Board of Education on Oct. 8 approved a new equity and diversity policy for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS).
The policy is the culmination of a nearly year-long process that included input from a variety of stakeholders including the Board Equity and Achievement Committee and the Education Equity Organizing Collaborative, which is comprised of a group of multiracial, multicultural organization partners working to further educational equity. Part of the process included developing an Equity and Diversity Impact Assessment that provides information on how some MPS students and communities are disproportionately affected by bias in policies, procedures and protocols.
 
The policy reads in part, "Minneapolis Public Schools is committed to identifying and correcting practices and policies that perpetuate the achievement gap and institutional racism in all forms in order to provide all of its students with the opportunity to succeed."

Equity and Diversity Policy (link)

For more information about the work being done in E&D go to:  (link)
PREP Workshop
PARENTAL READINESS AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
The mission of the program is to improve K-12 student achievement and retention by increasing parental engagement, and to ensure that parents become successful advocates for meaningful access to a quality education.  
PREP EMPOWERS PARENTS BY:
  • providing access to information on rights related to their child's education and skills to support educational success
  • enhancing parental self-advocacy and negotiation skills
  • developing strategies for engagement with school administrators and teachers
  • increasing capacity of local districts, educators and organizations to support parent networks.
PREP WORKSHOP:  SATURDAY APRIL 12, 2014  Flyer English Spanish