Investing In Our Future
This week, Governor Dayton will sign the E-12 Education Finance bill. At the center is optional all-day kindergarten for every Minnesota family that wants it and a commitment to investing in kids from Pre-K through higher education. Basic per-pupil revenue formula increases $78 million in the first year of the biennium and $80 million in the second -- as well as increases for special education and integration. This new funding will help give our students access to a world-class education and train the best-educated workforce in the world! Visit the Governor's website.
An Alliance of Champions!
Fish in the Boat, a FIRST-Tech Challenge Robotics team from Lakeville North High School were part of the three team alliance named 2013 FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) World Champions. The event took place on April 27th in St. Louis, MO. The six teammates also received the PTC Design Award for their work using Computer Aided Design (CAD) to build their robot and were finalists for the Motivate Award, the Rockwell Collins Innovate Award and the Inspire Award. Read more about Fish in the Boat. Visit the FTC website.
2013 Green Ribbon Schools
Three Minnesota schools and one Minnesota district are among the 64 schools and 14 districts from across the nation to be honored for their efforts to cut utility costs, implement smart conservation strategies and cultivate healthy and productive classrooms. Congratulations Minnesota Awardees: Jeffers Pond Elementary School in Prior Lake, Heritage E-STEM Middle School in West St. Paul, the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley and the entire Prior Lake-Savage Area School District. Read news release.
Nutritious and Educational
Students in the Kelliher School District benefit from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program grant (FFVP) in more ways than one! Elementary students receive a daily healthy snack of fruits and vegetables. High school students involved in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), used the grant program as their yearlong learning project -- learning to order produce, develop nutrition materials, serve produce and conduct surveys. The project earned first place at the state FCCLA meeting in April. They advance to the national meeting in July.
Data Maps!
Did you know that the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) collects data on each public school student regarding the primary language spoken in their home (Home Primary Language)? Using this information, MDE has determined the ten most commonly spoken home primary languages in the state and developed language-specific maps for each. Check it out.
