The Becker School Board met Monday night with two members attending from out of town.

 

Bryan Olson remotely signed-in from Kansas City, KS and Mark Swanson from Pittsburgh, PA.

 

Supt. Stephen Malone said all school board members are registered for the MSBA Conference Thurs. and Fri., Jan. 12-13. 

 

The theme this year is “Courageous Leadership.” The keynote speakers are Alan Blankstein and Alan Page. 

 

Veteran’s Day programs at Becker Schools were conducted last Friday. The high school and middle school program were at 10:30 a.m. in the high school gym while the intermediate school program was at 8:15 a.m. in the intermediate school gym. and the primary school program was at 9 a.m. in the primary school gym.

 

A meal was provided for veterans at the Becker Community Center, thanks to Bernicks Pepsi, McDonalds Meats, Sherburne State Bank, StarCor Credit Union and the Becker Lions Club. 

 

Malone says a special “thank you” needs to go out  to the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office for presenting the colors, the Becker BYTR for providing volunteers and to the City of Becker for assisting with the celebration.

 

A fulltime licensed therapist will be placed at the middle school, Malone said. The position is funded by grants from the MN Department of Human Services, BRIDGES (Sherburne County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative) and Dylan’s Hope.

 

There is no cost to the school district. 

 

The therapist is contracted through Greater Minnesota Family Services of Willmar. Diagnostic assessments and psychotherapy will be charged to family insurance plans or MA whenever possible.

 

Malone says this position will help meet the mental health needs in the school district and is a step toward meeting the school board’s goal next year to “develop an age appropriate mental health delivery model in each school.”

 

Malone says the TRAK Committee recently developed “Asset Cards” to be distributed to different groups. The developmental assets are 40 research-based (Search Institute) positive experiences and qualities that influence young people’s development, helping them become caring, responsible and productive adults. 

 

The cards provide action steps for different groups, which will advance the developmental assets.

 

 

Cards will be distributed to coaches, community members/parents, school staff, businesses, faith based organizations, child care providers, health care professionals, law enforcement, senior citizens, bus drivers and the youth.

 

Malone said Becker Innovates is an ongoing innovation program to encourage and promote innovation throughout the school district. Malone says their first event, The Big Dog Challenge, was a huge success. Over one third of the staff participated and generated 30 ideas, he says.

 

Ideation and pairwise are completed. The winning ideas are as follows:

 

• A handicap ramp for the playground, suggested from Judee Vesledahl;

 

• Multi-Grade level math, suggested by Jason Miller;

 

• Design thinking/project-based learning experiences suggested by Tracy Hare;

 

• Compost cafeteria food that would be wasted, suggested by Marlene Goenner;

 

• Mental Health, suggested by Heather Eigen.

 

The winning ideas will move forward to design thinking and to explore piloting.

 

Malone finished his report by handing out an update on MMR progress.

 

Malone recommends the board do a first reading of the revised Policy 223: Strategic Goals. The policy reflects the school board’s strategic planning during 2016.

 

The purpose of the strategic goal policy is to establish  the school district vision, student exit outcomes, school district exit outcomes, and school board annual strategic goals.

 

The school’s direct vision is to prepare self-directed learners to thrive in a changing global community.

 

Student exit outcomes expected are: 1). Students will become self-directed learners, self-disciplined, and autonomous workers, while being critical thinkers with a drive for innovation and problem solving;

 

2). Students will demonstrate proficiency of core academic standards by meeting or exceeding developmentally appropriate benchmarks for academic competency;

 

3). Students will have the opportunity to pursue expertise in areas of personal academic or career interest;

 

4). Students will effectively collaborate and communicate using an array of media;

 

5). Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively apply life skills;

 

6). Students will effectively use technology to function in a knowledge economy.

 

The district exit outcomes expected are: 1). The district will properly maintain up-to-date school environments where students are physically and emotionally safe and secure;

 

2). The district will maintain the financial integrity of the school district.

 

Strategic goals are established for the 2017-18 school year to realize selected exit outcomes. The superintendent is responsible for the administrative means to accomplish the strategic goals.

 

The next Becker School Board meeting is Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.