- Monday, November 29 – Southland, Austin, Maple River (7:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.)
- Monday, December 6 – Windom, CTE Academy, Marshall (7:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.)
- Monday, December 13 or Wednesday, December 15 (TBD) – Perham, Wadena-Deer Creek, Alexandria (6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m)
- Monday, December 20 – Windom, CTE Academy, Marshall (7:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.)
The 2021-22 school year is off to a great start at GFW with students taking advantage of new program offerings, taking steps toward their preferred career pathways, and utilizing support systems being offered by our dedicated staff. As a district, GFW has been through a lot in the last couple of years, but I am proud to say that we are on a great path and our students are continuing to benefit from our strategic plan efforts.
In the Strategic Plan Focus Area of Finance, the district has made several changes that have greatly improved our financial situation. We are projected to exit Statutory Operating Debt with a strong and stable budget that will be able to continue to add programming and opportunities. This is huge news for our district and more information will be released when our audit is completed and presented in December.
The most important update we can provide as a school district is that our students are highly engaged in their learning! We are so fortunate to have passionate staff in our buildings who are so focused on providing great opportunities for our students. We have brought in additional assistance at every grade level including expanded use of reading interventionists, math interventionists, cultural liaisons, and social emotional learning interventionists.
We are focused on student achievement for every student in our district as they work towards their goals and continue to find extra support to help with these opportunities. Some of the highlights of these efforts include:
- Trained multi-language interventionists are working with 15 students to set them up for success.
- All students in 6th and 7th grade are engaging in small group reading interventions.
- Targeted interventions for students needing extra support in reading or math at both buildings.
- Partnerships with a variety of organizations including the Regional Centers for Excellence, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative, the University of Minnesota, the New Teacher Center, and more.
- Eighth graders are participating in a career and college readiness class and are developing personalized learning plans that will set them up for success in high school.
- Taking advantage of grants and other opportunities to be able to continuously improve our offerings and strengthen our academic program.
Students at GFW High School have been very excited to take part in the new career pathways and courses being offered. Additional courses in the arts and health science technology have been popular with students getting to explore a variety of resources and work directly with community partners and organizations.
GFW Public Schools will continue to build upon previous work in the focus area of Community and Family Engagement as we explore the next steps for our school district. Our improved financial situation will also allow the district to establish a curriculum review cycle and update curriculum throughout the district with a focus on preparing our students to grow into future world class leaders.
I will also be starting a new initiative called the “Your Strategic Plan in Action Tour” where I will be meeting with community groups, student groups, and business leaders to continue to work towards the goals of the strategic plan and to explore new course offerings such as career and technical education courses, advanced placement courses, and college in schools. More information on these opportunities will be coming soon!
