May 4th, 2013
http://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/news/local/article_e29a0800-417b-5865-aec7-28a326250148.html
Thursday, April 25, 2013
On Friday night (tonight), Faribault Lutheran School students will be spending time at school enjoying root beer floats, pizza and a plethora of different games — some learning-based and others just for fun like extreme hopscotch — as a result of exceeding their school-wide goal of reading 15 million words before spring break.
Students exceeded their goal, with a total now just over 20 million words, according to Joel Witt FLS principal.
Second-grade teacher Kellsey Lee said her class came up with the idea for the 15 million word challenge on a whim after reading about a similar situation in one of their lessons.
“We read a book called ‘Miss Daisy is Crazy’ one day in class and in the book the principal promises to dress in a funny costume if the students reach their reading goal,” Lee said. “They [the students] loved the idea and kept asking if we could do something like it, so of course I said ‘Sure, we can.’”
Teachers at FLS use Accelerated Reader, a computer program that monitors reading progress and comprehension, with their students for regular class work. Luckily, Accelerated Reader also calculates the number of words read per book, making adding up students’ word totals a breeze, according to Lee.
Another piece of the project measured through Accelerated Reader was a student’s level of reading comprehension. After each book, students were required to pass a reading comprehension test for the words to count toward the final goal.
“That was another really great thing,” said Lee. “It’s not like students could just whip through book after book to rack up their word count. They had to be really paying attention and comprehending what they were reading for it to count toward the end goal.”
According to Lee, the goal of reading 15 million words also prompted some of her students to read more chapter books to log words faster.
“At the beginning of the year, only a couple of my students were reading chapter books,” Lee said. “And by the end of the challenge, all of my students had been reading them.”
Lee also set up a visual gauge of how far FLS students had come on their reading goal. Known as the “Wildcat Word Count,” it was a staircase made of paper and taped to the wall in the school’s main hallway with the school mascot, a wildcat, making the jump from stair to stair as the students worked toward their ultimate goal at the top of the staircase.
“Now, the wildcat is sort of hanging over the last step since students have read more than 20 million words,” Lee said with a smile. “It was great. Every morning, the kids would rush in and see where they were on the [word count] staircase. It is really awesome to see students get so excited about reading.”
Witt said the goal was both fun and academically beneficial.
“I am very proud of the students, they really dedicated themselves to reading and reaching their goal,” he said. “It shows me they are developing good reading habits.”
As another reward for reaching their goal of reading 15 million words by spring break, each FLS student will receive 10 tickets for a raffle with the prize of a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. And, as an added incentive, the top reader in each class received three extra tickets.
Other games students and their families will have the chance to participate in are: a checkers tournament, memory games, Friendly Feud — a trivia game based on Family Feud — and outdoor games if weather permits.
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April 4th, 2013
April 4, 2013
http://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/news/local/article_873929ce-0c43-5456-9df9-4b57f97aa896.html
Sporting a bow tie depicting the six different pathogens of food-borne illness, Minnesota’s Commissioner of Health Dr. Edward Ehlinger came to Faribault on Wednesday to celebrate National Public Health Week — a week-long initiative to raise awareness of healthy lifestyles.
Ehlinger, a trained medical doctor who’s quick with a smile, made many stops in the area promoting the good news of healthy eating and physical activity. Roaming from the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf to Rice County Government Services and more, Ehlinger was pleased with the level of energy and collaboration he saw amid Rice County’s public health community organizers.
“You run a good ship,” Ehlinger said during a small presentation at the Rice County public health office.
No pun intended, but a large portion of Ehlinger’s visit was to discuss the effectiveness of Rice County’s SHIP grant programs. SHIP, or State Health Improvement Program, began in 2009 as an effort to better the lifestyles of Minnesotans — whether by quitting smoking or drinking more water or just simply getting out and being active.
Now in its fourth year, SHIP has touched lives across the county. From community garden programs to cooking classes for troubled youth, Rice County organizations are taking modest grants usually less than $1,000 and making radical changes in the community.
“It really all adds up collectively into a broader movement,” SHIP coordinator for Rice County Natalie Ginter said. “The funding is just a catalyst for all the hard work.”
But with budget negotiations underway, many SHIP beneficiaries, like Caren Hoffman of A Child’s Delight Too, voiced their concerns about the continuance of SHIP funding, and possibly an increase in funding.
“The governor has [SHIP] in his budget, but the Legislature has set targets lower than the governor’s amount,” Ehlinger said. “We need advocates to keep these programs going. We need any help we can get.”
Along with Rice County Public Health, Ehlinger also visited Faribault Lutheran School Wednesday to learn firsthand about some of the physical education programming going on at the school as a result of the $1,500 Statewide Health Improvement Program Grant FLS received through Rice County Public Health.
The school is using their SHIP Grant to create more opportunities for students to be active: Fit Fridays and Active Recess. New adjustable jump ropes, gym mats and new outdoor recess balls are a few of the items FLS has purchased to enhance Fit Fridays and Active Recess.
Faribault Lutheran School is also collaborating with District One Hospital to bring more health and wellness lessons to the classroom.
Through another SHIP grant awarded to District One Hospital, a DOH Wellness Coach, Nicole Boelter, is collaborating with FLS and writing a curriculum for some activity-based in-class nutrition and health education as well as introducing some new things for Fit Fridays — like obstacle courses, hula hooping and circuits — with FLS students.
Some topics Boelter covers with FLS students in their classroom sessions range are: the My Plate program; nutritional information about fruits and vegetables; how to check a pulse; how to read food labels; free physical activity options for home; and portion distortion; among others.
There are three different groups of students—grades K-2, grades 3-5 and grades 6-8—and each group learns about the same topics, but there are different methods of information delivery based on grade level, according to Boelter.
“All of the students learn about the same material each week,” said Boelter. “It’s our hope that students take home all of the things they are learning and share it with the rest of their families.”
During Ehlinger’s visit to FLS, he ate lunch with students and took part in some dancing and yoga stretches — a few staples of Fit Friday programming.
Ehlinger said that the nutrition and health education curriculum as well as physical education programming at FLS serve as examples of the importance of SHIP Grants.
“The students, school and community really benefit from quality health education programs like those that are practiced [at Faribault Lutheran School],” said Ehlinger.
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March 17th, 2013
http://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/news/article_51a6d293-865f-53ed-b378-bda4b509311d.html
Faribault Lutheran School is getting creative in finding new opportunities for students to learn about health and get active.
The school was recently awarded a $1,500 Statewide Health Improvement Program grant through Rice County Public Health. They are taking that grant money and putting it toward new equipment for two programs that encourage students to be active and healthy: Fit Fridays and Active Recess.
Fit Fridays started in the 2011-12 school year, to promote unity for students of all grade levels, K-8. It is an activity-based program that includes all FLS students and gives them a chance to get moving, doing things like jump roping or yoga together every Friday.
In another recent development at FLS, some grassy space was added to the recess area that used to be all cement. Active Recess is a program that came after that addition; it will lengthen recess by 5-10 minutes after the snow melts for students to have a little more time for activities like soccer or kickball.
“We have just acquired some grassy areas, and Active Recess is about letting the kids be able to have the time and space to play something like kickball, soccer or baseball and really promoting that specific activity each day,” said Jennifer Jarocki, a first-grade teacher and physical education teacher for grades K-2 at Faribault Lutheran School. “Students have the option to play or not. It’s not mandatory.”
Through another SHIP grant awarded to District One Hospital, a DOH Wellness Coach, Nicole Boelter, is collaborating with FLS and writing a curriculum for some activity-based in-class nutrition and health education as well as introducing some new things for Fit Fridays — like obstacle courses, hula hooping and circuits — with FLS students.
Some of the topics Boelter plans to cover with FLS students in their classroom sessions are: the My Plate program; the guidelines, definitions and benefits of physical activity; nutritional information about fruits and vegetables; how to check a pulse; how to read food labels; free physical activity options for home; and portion distortion; among others.
The collaboration is meant to be a “train the trainer” program, where Boelter will train the school staff to help with long-term fitness and health education in an effort to make the program a sustainable thing for FLS, according to Pam Tidona, community relations coordinator at DOH.
“Faribault Lutheran School is using [the SHIP grant] towards promoting healthy activity, not just in phy-ed class, but through the school day. The goal is for students to be able to use what they learn at home and in their everyday lives,” said Jarocki.
In a past physical education class at Faribault Lutheran School, students test their hula hoop skills and get a bit of exercise
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November 13th, 2012
http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Lutheran-Church-Missouri-Synod-363?y=1
FLS has obtained $2,500 in matching funds for this event! That means that the first $2,500 we raise will turn into $5,000. It’s not too late to build on this fund even more; I would love to have more matching funds available. If you know of an individual on business that would like to make a larger donation, ask if they would consider donating to help build the matching fund or sponsor a matching grant. Nothing encourages people to donate more than knowing that their $25 or $50 donation will become $50 or $100. A matching fund of $5,000 or more would be a real blessing!
Don’t forget that the PTL has decided that they will be give a free Chili Jam ticket to anyone who presents a receipt showing that they donated $20 or more during GIVE TO THE MAX DAY 2012!
If you have any questions regarding GIVE TO THE MAX, please contact me (flsadmin@hickorytech.net).
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November 13th, 2012
Faribault Daily News–September 13, 2012
http://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/article_89fae45c-f8ae-5ab6-9b24-549f349c6c72.html
By KAYLIN FAUST
As the 2012-2013 school year began at Faribault Lutheran School, shiny sneakers and freshly sharpened pencils weren’t the only new equipment in the building. Over the summer, FLS furnished all eight classrooms with SMART Boards, installed wireless Internet and acquired 24 new laptops for use as a portable computer lab.
Of all the new technology in the school, perhaps the most impactful addition to the classrooms is the SMART boards. SMART Boards, which can cost upward of $7,000, are electronic, interactive whiteboards. The boards offer capabilities that allow students and teachers to do many things, including draw, write, take notes, play educational games, use Power Point and connect to the internet.
Joel Witt, principal of FLS, says the new boards have been received well by both the staff and the students.
“The staff are excited about being able use new tools with the kids, and the students are excited about being able to do something fun,” said Witt. “The new tools just serve to make the classrooms better altogether.”
According to Witt, updating the school’s technology has been a process that started more than a year ago. First came the idea of implementing a one-to-one technology plan, where every student and teacher would receive a device for his or her own use. That plan was later revised, and every classroom got a digital projector, while the staff received laptops. Then, as the school’s board of directors continued to meet with the staff to brainstorm, the idea of SMART boards came up. Later, new laptops were purchased as well, which were then placed on a cart that teachers can use as a portable computer lab.
At first, Witt says, only four boards were going to be purchased. But when the teachers expressed their wish to all work with the same level of technology, the decision was made to try to get boards for every classroom. Eventually, private funding, which came from both church and community members, raised the $30,000 needed to purchase and install the boards.
Witt says he spent the summer rewiring the classroom projectors to work with the new boards, and attending training sessions to learn how to use the new technology. Now, Witt and the Faribault Lutheran School staff meet every other week to learn more about the SMART boards and practice using all the tools they offer. Witt says the expansive capabilities of the boards have positively impacted how his staff teaches by giving them more educational options. He says they also help the staff meet the different needs of the students, because the boards incorporate audio, visual and tactical teaching techniques.
“It’s been an educational experience for everyone,” said Witt. “I feel really blessed because I can see the students and teachers grow.”
Robin Kuball, who teaches kindergarten at FLS, is very pleased with what the SMART board in her classroom adds to her lessons.
“There’s tons of resources out there,” said Kuball, “and now they’re just at our fingertips.”
In the end, the teachers and administration at Faribault Lutheran School ultimately desire to see their students get excited about learning. And to a generation that’s grown up surrounded by technology, these new devices make the students feel right at home.
“We’ve put a lot of thought into this,” said Witt. “This is a community that believes in meeting the educational needs of every student, and tools like this help us do that.”
Students at Faribault Lutheran School are learning how to use the Smart Boards that were recently installed in every classroom.
Faribault Lutheran School recently purchased a portable computer lab of 24 lap tops. Principal Witt often tours the classrooms to lend a hand as teachers and students learn about the new technology.
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November 13th, 2012
Faribault Daily News–March 30, 2012
http://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/news/local/article_5740228c-c62a-528f-a4f7-9f4e5a379388.html
By Allison Roorda
“This is my partner, Adam,” says first-grader Henry Lu. “It used to be Noah, but now it’s Adam.”
Henry is one of 12 first-grade students at Faribault Lutheran School who are paired up with one of 12 eighth-grade students. The partnership has been a part of FLS for more than 16 years, but this year the program has really taken off.
“In the past year, we’ve gone sledding if they meet their reading goals,” said first-grade teacher Stacey Nelson. “We played games, we did art projects with them.”
The eighth-grade partners have been a part of the first-graders’ lives at school all year. Their main task is to visit the first-grade classroom every Friday to help the younger students with their reading. But this year, the eighth-grade students have been a little more involved.
“Once we played games in the gym,” said first-grade student Justin Drevlow. “What’s the one where you sneak up on people?”
“Secret Agent,” answers his eighth-grade partner Travis Wegner.
The classes have spent more time together this year mostly because of geography. The first-grade class used to be located in the Peace Lutheran Church, south of the current campus at Trinity Lutheran. This is the first year all the grades are in the same building.
“I think they’ve bonded more,” Nelson said. “We’re able to do more with them this year.”
One of the more recent projects was a Valentine’s Day party. The eighth-grade students helped their younger partners make Valentines boxes. Nelson said she is not above using time with the eighth-grade students as a reward for her kids because the first-grade students enjoy the program and the time with their partners.
“It’s a great group of kids and a great project for the eighth-graders, too, because they can see what kind of role model they can be,” Nelson said.
Since the program has been a part of the school for so long, some of the current eighth-grade partners can remember having their own older partners as first-graders.
“I remember his name was Nicholas,” Travis said. “I can’t remember, but I think I was a good reader. They walked from Trinity to come read, and I would be very excited.”
Now as eighth-grade students, the older kids are just as excited being the role models in the partnership.
“I think it helps us as eighth-graders to remember what first grade was like,” said Tasha Duggan. “Or for the first-graders, it helps to have someone older hang out with them.
Hanging out with older kids is the fun part of having a partner, said Justin.
“They become the leaders,” said Joyce Kromminga, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade English at FLS. “These little guys look up to them so much. I think they feel more responsibility. They take their role very seriously.”
With all the grades at the same building, the students have more opportunities to co-mingle. Some seventh-grade students are already visiting the kindergarten classroom, preparing for the day when the two classes become partners in first and eighth grade.
Henry has had two eighth-grade partners this year, with Adam taking over most recently.
“I like to play games with him,” Henry said. “I read with him. It’s fun because he knows words that I don’t know.”
First-grade student Justin Drevlow reads a book with his eighth-grade partner, Travis Wegner.
Tasha Duggan, an eighth-grade student at Faribault Lutheran School, goes over a book with first-grader Gabriella David.
The Faribault Lutheran School eighth-grade students visit the first-grade classroom at least once a week. The partnership program has become more frequent this year with both classes in the Trinity Lutheran Church location.
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November 13th, 2012
FLS Parent Teacher League Minutes
Monday, September 10, 2012
- The PTL Meeting was held at 6 pm at the Peace Lutheran Church fellowship room.
- Attendees: Robin Kuball, Jennifer Stephes, DeAnn LaCanne, Sandra Lee, Amy Gehrke, Angela Ubl, Billie Jo Weeg, and Jen Gramse.
- Minutes:
- Stacy Chmelik was unable to attend and therefore, minutes were not available from the May meeting.
- Jennifer Stephes took will take minutes at this meeting and will post on the bulletin board at FLS and will email via Fast Direct.
- Treasurer’s Report:
- Jen Gramse attended, but did not have enough notice to pull together a statement of the current PTL balance. She will email Jennifer Stephes with the balance by the end of the week.
- Communication (FLS website/Fast Direct/Roar/FaceBook):
- Jennifer reported that FLS can now be found on FaceBook. It is a page you can “Like” as an additional means of getting info and updates on FLS. Ellen Haefner has graciously agreed to act as Administrator for FLS on FB.
- Mr. Witt has stated we could post information any time using the Roar or Fast Direct. He offered to assist in posting group emails or other communication as the “select all” option was only available to FLS administrator and staff, not parents or students.
- The FLS Website needs to be updated. It will be another great way to get information once it has been updated and fixed.
- All PTL forms are updated and can be downloaded and printed from the FLS website.
- Requests for PTL funds:
- Jennifer Stephes asked for funds to purchase meat (burgers and hotdogs, along with buns, napkins, and utensils) for the FLS Fall Potluck Picnic next Monday, September 17, 2012. There was left over funds on HyVee gift cards/Scrip that Jen Gramse would get to Jennifer for purchasing what was needed for the picnic.
- Robin Kuball has requested PTL’s help with “Mad Science” which is a science based program for youth which is designed to get kids excited about science! Jen Gramse thought it was a wonderful idea, as did the others present, and recommended that we check with Mr. Witt and the Board to see if FLS plans to take on some of the expenses PTL has assisted with in the past to free up funds for Mad Science. Mrs. Kuball will submit estimates on what the program would cost.
- Committee Reports: Chili Jam(DeAnn LaCanne, Lacie Grevious, and Kaylin Vinar are Co-Chairs):
- The date for Chili Jam has not been officially set. DeAnn would discuss with her committee and get back to Jennifer Stephes with a date once they have talked to Mr. Witt to be sure the FLS gym was available and that sporting events would not conflict with any date selected. Last year the Chili Jam was held the first Friday in November.
- Jennifer Stephes said she had talked to the owners of the Sweet Spot and they had said they would be willing to set up and sell their icecream at the Chili Jam. It might be a fun and tasty option to pair with chili versus having volunteers bring desserts.
- Old Business:
- Discussed only holding 2 big PTL sponsored events per year:
- Chili Feed (November)
- Spring Carnival (May)
- This would be to increase attendance and concentrate on pulling sponsorships and man-hours into making these 2 events successful in raising funds for FLS.
- New Business:
- Jennifer Stephes provided Angela Ubl the Dining Out Event info and contacts that Lisa Bauer had organized from 2 years ago. Angela and Sandra Lee volunteered to work on scheduling 3 “Dining Out” events for FLS families. The 3 that raised the most funds 2 years ago were: GodFathers, Basilleo’s, and Boston’s. Sandra works at HyVee and was also going to talk to them about a dining out fundraiser using their Deli. Kim Midland had talked to them earlier in the year and they seemed more than willing to work with PTL on an event.
- “Give to the Max” was a fundraising option that Mr. Witt had come across last fall around the time of the Marathon. It was an online event where people could use a link to donate funds towards their school (or other organization) and the funds were matched. This might be a great way to raise funds versus asking for donations for the marathon. Jennifer said she would talk to Mr. Witt about it and see if that is an option for this fall.
- The meeting was adjourned.
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