Wildcat Pride                                     January 17 , 2018
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2018 has gotten off to a pretty cold start, but there's plenty of things going on to warm your heart, mind, and body. Girls basketball has been making news - you can even check out some highlights. At the GB game Thursday the 25th, the AAA and Excel awards will be handed out to some very deserving Wildcats. The District Spelling Bee is next Monday (1/22) @ 6:30 p.m. in the PAC, and the Music Extravaganza featuring choir and band students in grades 8-12 will be held on Monday January 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the main gym.

Ag Teacher Julie Mellum Selected for Professional Development Scholarship

Julie Mellum receiving the award in Nashville from the NAAE (National Association of Agricultural Educators) this past December at their national convention.
 
The Teachers Turn the Key scholarship brings together agricultural educators with four or fewer years of experience and immerses them in three days of professional development that addresses issues specific to the early years of teaching agriculture. Participants also have the opportunity to become involved in NAAE leadership and network with other NAAE convention attendees. TTTK awardees come away from the experience with a long-lasting peer cohort and tools that will help them have successful careers as agricultural educators.
 
Mellum's interaction with the agriculture department at Chisago Lakes began when she visited the department's greenhouse year after year for the annual plant sale. During one trip to the greenhouse, agricultural educator Jeffrey Lindeman encouraged Mellum to become an agricultural educator. The conversation sparked an interest that led Mellum to pursue a Master's Degree in agricultural education. Four years ago, upon completion of her degree, Mellum began her career as an agricultural educator at Chisago Lakes.
 
NAAE is the professional organization in the United States for agricultural educators. It provides its' more than 8,000 members with professional networking and development opportunities, professional liability coverage, and extensive awards and recognition programs. The mission of NAAE is "professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service." The NAAE headquarters are in Lexington, Kentucky.  

PTO Gets a Look at the New Elementary School Plans

Lakeside Principal Sara Johnson made a presentation to the PTO last week about the plans for the New Elementary School recently approved by the school board. Both the new elementary and the Community Center plans were approved by the board on January 4th and are now available to the public. Johnson was quick to point out that the colors in the presentation don't always show up exactly how they will look in the building. It does give an idea of the overall plan, however.


As the building projects across the district progress, you can keep up with the latest developments on the district website (just getting up and running), in the Chisago County Press, through our electronic newsletters, and at the Home Show March 3rd and 4th at the high school.


Juniors Attend Career Fair at  Cambridge Community College and College Fair at Home.

11th graders attended sessions about various professions in Cambridge.

Juniors have been busy thinking about their futures. January included a couple of opportunities for students to prepare and plan - including the Junior Information Night which drew 340 attendees, students and parents.

Juniors (and parents) had a chance to visit with colleges, universities, and representatives from the military to gather information.


On the Calendar:

1/22: NO SCHOOL - Staff Development (end of term 2)
District Spelling Bee at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC
1/25: AAA and ExCEL Award presentation during halftime of the girls                      basketball game - starting at 7:15
1/29: Music  Extravaganza at CLHS - 7:00 p.m. in the main gym
1/29-1/31: Tengwall's 6th graders at Wolf Ridge Environmental Center
1/31-2/2: Hinsch's 6th graders at Wolf Ridge Environmental Center
2/1-2/28: I Love to Read Month


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Donated Smart Phones for Google Expeditions

Chisago Lakes  would like to build a class set for our students to use for Google Expeditions. The greatest expense in putting together the needed equipment is the device. What we need is to collect some of those unused smart phones you might have - particularly after the holidays if Santa had you on the nice list and upgraded your device.
We're looking for your iPhone (5 or newer) or Android smartphone - unlocked and wiped of any personal information. All iCloud backup usernames and passwords, along with passcodes to open the phone need to be removed to be donated. If you have questions on how to do this, please contact Mike Klun at 651-213-2015 or by email. You can drop phones off at the district office or any of the school buildings.