Quantcast
Channel: Bloomington Public Schools - We help students thrive and dreams come alive
Viewing all 773 articles
Browse latest View live

Bloomington elementary schools test smart thermometers

$
0
0
Bloomington Public Schools is participating in a program offering free “smart” thermometers to elementary school parents in an effort to track early signs of illness trends within a school community.

The Fluency program pairs the thermometers with a mobile app, giving parents the option to sync thermometer data with others in their school to see anonymous, aggregated information on symptoms going around their child’s school.

Bloomington parents using the app will be able to see only the number of children in their schools or grades that have colds or flu symptoms or sore throats. School nurses will see school data but no student-specific information.

"Bloomington Schools cares deeply about the wellbeing of our students,” says Julie Campanelli,  chair of the District Wellness Committee. “By using these thermometers, parents are able to track illness and receive practical information.  Ultimately, we hope that this program will keep everyone healthier and learning in school."

The Fluency program and smart thermometer technology were developed by Kinsa Health to detect illness in real-time, helping individuals and communities respond before it spreads.
 

Jefferson, Kennedy students named AP Scholars

$
0
0

The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) program has recognized one AP International Diploma recipient, 11 National AP Scholars, 43 AP Scholars with Distinction, 26 AP Scholars with Honor and 111 AP Scholars from Bloomington Jefferson and Kennedy high schools.

AP International Diploma
Camille Jones (Jefferson) has been granted an AP International Diploma. To be eligible, students must receive scores of 3 or higher on five or more AP exams in three or more subject areas.

National AP Scholars are students with an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more exams.

National AP Scholars are Gunnar Anderson, Anton Burton, David Floeder, Rachel Graff, Elena Hayday, Camille Jones, Zane Lundsgaard, Charles Maki, Kenny Peng, Adeline Vacura and Samuel Vacura.

AP Scholars with Distinction are students with an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.

AP Scholars with Distinction are Umaimah Ahmed, Rosalie Arpin, Emma Augdahl, Jordan Brezinka, Ruth Claycomb, Anna Cole, Evan Faas, Stuart Fronk, Zoe Gabrielson, Alexandra Janey, Isabelle Johnson, Kaija Johnson, Ella Jones, Gregory Kohler, Abigail Larson, Kayla LaRue, Neython Lec Streitz, Colden Longley, Max Mallinger, Ryan Martz, Ryan Meany, Amelia Miller, Claire Miller, Emma Moore, Elizabeth Mosch, Olivia Neuenfeldt, Tomas Panvica, Isabella Phan, Julian Redish, Andrew Robertson, Harrison Russell-Pribnow, Francesca Schack, Elias Sinner, Jacob Smiley, William Titus, Alexander Thomson, Noah Tran, Sophia Volden, Nicholas Wallenhorst, Rachel Walton, Liam Williams, Jack Wisniewski and Jennavieve Zimmerman.

AP Scholars with Honor are students with an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more exams.

AP Scholars with Honor are Azriella Anderson, Jacob Bechold, Claire Carlson, Jillayne Clarke, Marissa Dauner, David Elliot, Aaron George, Zakary Goodmanson, Anna Grotins, Abdillahi Hired, Charles Jamieson, Zoe Langlois, Princeton Oppong, Ryan Park, Anthony Pham, Logan Redding, Megan Roach, Justin Seel, Elizabeth Taffe, Devyn Terry, Jordan Thomson, Benjamin Vanbinsbergen, Emily Wammer, Nathan Wandmacher, Eleanor Watson and Charles Weismann.

AP Scholars are students who earned a score of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

AP Scholars are Ryan Adams, Monserrat Aguayo Brenes, Alexandra Akem, Frederick Alonzi, Rachel Anderson, Evangel Anyiwe, David Beacom, Erik Beckers, Jared Beek, Hannah Bjorklund, Amy Blazanin, Zachary Boldenow, Katelynn Brandwick, Matthew Bromann, Iliyah Bruffett, Hannah Butala, Naomi Carlson, Rachael Chhang, Elyse Cooke, Luca Costin, Willa Countryman, Peyton Crombie, Zubeir Dagane, Emily Dam, Najma Dayib, Amy Diedrich, Mary Dombeck, Wyatt Doppmann, Cassandra Drevlow, Jazzlynn DuBay, Margaret Duerwachter, Aliah Eddihi, Emma Elbert, Jerry Erlandson, Hallie Ezaki, Caitlin Farrell, Derek Flanagan, Joshua French, Lillian Garretson, Tyler Glick, Jessica Greymont, Nathan Grund, Mary Haddad, Nina Hawkins, Lina Hernandez Morales, Joseph Holzman, Keegan Jackish, Jasmine Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Metta Johnson, Julia Jones, Joshua Kardell, Lucy Keefe, Sarah Kinsey, Cassandra Korman, Lucas Kramarczuk, Kole Krause, Angela Kunkel, Olivia Kunkel, Aaron Larson, Tyler Littman, Dawson Lowe, Garrett Lowe, Timothy Lueth, Rebecca Madsen, Emma Matson, Claire Mavis, Christopher Melville, Abigail Meyer, Joshua Miller, Victoria Miller, Katrina Mussehl, Tyler Nanoff, Connor Nee, Annika Palmquist, David Palmquist, Ana Sofia Peraza Munuzuri, Andrew Pfau, Vivian Pham, Natasha Richter, Kaia Rokke, Aley Rosas Mondragon, Annabel Russell-Pribnow, Alexander Schatt, Alexa Schirber, Carlos Schmidt, James Schubbe, Joseph Schueller, Megan Serstock, Phoebe Sinner, Alexander Skold, Sydney Smullen, Nevaeh Sok, Jonathan Starfeldt, Ally Starks, Leah Starks, Benjamin Staub, Emma Stevens, Chris Struck, Samantha Sunnarborg, Jake Swanson, Erica Tiemann, Jennifer Tincher, Caleb Vanderbeek, Emily Vodovnik, Ayla Volante, Amy Wang, Casey Warden, Mallory Waters, Henry Weismann and Tenzin Yangtso.

Bloomington Community Education offers free lifeguard training

$
0
0
Bloomington Community Education will offer free lifeguard training for individuals following an interview to work for its aquatics program.

Class dates are Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Nov. 13 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Valley View Middle School,
8900 Portland Ave. S.

The opportunity is available to students and adults 16 years of age or older. The training fee will be waived for those who complete lifeguard training and become employed as a lifeguard for the Bloomington aquatics program for at least six months.

To learn more about this opportunity or sign up for the class, call 952-681-6134.
 

Bloomington students earn top ACT scores

$
0
0
Jefferson High School junior Jillayne Clarke and senior Emily Wammer have earned perfect scores on the ACT. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students taking the ACT earn a top score of 36.

Clarke has completed both the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program and Bloomington’s Dimensions Academy High School, taking college-level courses in physics, chemistry, computer science and math. She completed a 10-week intensive Spanish course at Normandale Community College this summer. Clarke also works as a tutor at Mathnasium and is the office manager for Mighty Matt Lawn Care.

Wammer is a member of National Honor Society and Jefferson’s Science Olympiad team. She is involved in volleyball, track and field and band (saxophone) and volunteers at Fairview Southdale Hospital. She plans to study biology.

The ACT consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four test scores. ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges and provide evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors of postsecondary study.

Kennedy inducts five new members to Athletics Hall of Fame

$
0
0
Bloomington Kennedy High School inducted five new members to its Athletics Hall of Fame during halftime of last Friday’s football game against Waconia High School.

Bob Block, class of 1976, participated in hockey and soccer and was a member of the 1976 Lake Conference and section champion team that went on to capture the state tournament consolation title. Block was named all-Lake Conference and all-state in hockey, and was the Lake Conference leading scorer. Block coached youth athletics for 15 years.


Todd Buelow, class of 1978, participated in soccer, hockey and golf during. He was named all-Lake Conference and all-state honorable mention, and was a member of the 1976 state hockey tournament consolation championship team. Buelow also received the 1978 Athletic Honor and Medal for Outstanding Male Athlete and was a Bill Masterton Scholarship Award recipient. Buelow played hockey at the University of Minnesota and competed as a member of the USA Men’s Bandy League, competing in international tournaments in Sweden and Norway. He has also participated in Minnesota amateur golf in the MPGA, MGA and USGA and has been a swimming trainer for the last four years.

Dave Garin, class of 1973, participated in football, hockey and track and field. He was the 1972 football MVP and earned all-Lake Conference and all-metro honors in addition to receiving all-state honorable mention and all-American honorable mention. He was a state track and field participant in 1973 and a member of the third-place state sprint medley relay team and state champion mile relay team. Garin played football for Normandale Community College, the University of St. Thomas and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas. He went on to coach youth football, track and field, and lacrosse and coached flag football for the Special Olympics.

Chuck McCan, class of 1976, played hockey for the Eagles where he earned all-Lake Conference and all-state honors, and was a member of the 1976 state hockey tournament consolation championship team. McCan played four years of hockey at Augsburg College, winning the 1978 NAIA National Championship.



Art Seplak served as the Kennedy varsity girls soccer coach from 1990 to 2003, finishing with a career 134-108-22 record, including six years of 12 wins or more. Under Seplak’s leadership the Kennedy girls soccer team were section champions in 1990, Lake South Conference champions in 1997 and section finalists in 1996 and 1997, in addition to seven section semi-finalist appearances. Seplak is a four-time section coach of the year and was named State Class AA Coach of the Year in 1997. He was a finalist for National Large School Girls Soccer Coach of the Year and was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition to coaching, Seplak taught English in Bloomington for 45 years, and was a Minnesota Teacher of the Year candidate in 2008. He also worked high school hockey games as a scoreboard and clock operator and announcer for more than 25 years, and continues to work high school soccer and lacrosse games as a scorer and announcer.

Jefferson to induct seven new members to Athletics Hall of Fame

$
0
0
Bloomington Jefferson High School will induct seven new members to its Athletics Hall of Fame during halftime of this Friday’s football game against Waconia High School.

Cole AldrichCole Aldrich, class of 2007, excelled as a member of the Jaguars basketball team. He was a four-time all-conference selection, two-time all-state selection and Metro Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Cole averaged a double-double (points-rebounds) during his sophomore through senior seasons. He was a member of the 2007 state tournament team and played in the 2007 McDonald’s All-American game. Aldrich went on to play basketball at the University of Kansas, where he garnered numerous accolades: NCAA Champion (2008), Second Team All-American (2010), Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2009), First Team All-Big 12 (2009) and retirement of his #45 jersey. Aldrich was the 11th player selected in the 2010 NBA draft and has played with six NBA teams, most recently with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Justin HallJustin Hall, class of 1997, played football, basketball and golf while attending Jefferson. The three-time letter-winner and two-time all-conference linebacker and fullback also earned all-metro and all-state honors his senior season. Hall served as a team captain and was named MVP during his final season on the gridiron. Hall was a two-time all-conference selection and three-time state qualifier in golf. Hall played football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he was a two-time Scholar Athlete Winner and Academic All-Big 10 selection. Hall is in his fourth year as an assistant principal at Jefferson.

Luke MacLeanLuke MacLean, class of 2002, was a three-time letter-winning shortstop for the Jaguars baseball team. He was a two-time all-conference selection, and an all-metro and all-state honoree his senior year. MacLean was also team captain his senior year and played in the Minnesota High School All Star Series. MacLean played baseball at the University of Minnesota, where he earned four letters and played on two Big Ten Championship Teams.


Wayne ManderyWayne Mandery, taught physical education and coached boys swimming at Jefferson from 1971-1981, and girls swimming from 1975-1979. During his tenure, the boys teams were four-time conference champions and seven-time section champions. They also captured the state title in 1980 and were three-time state runners-up. The girls teams were three-time state runners-up. Mandery coached 23 individual state champions between the two programs. He was named Minnesota State Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1980 and section coach of the year in 1978 (boys) and 1979 (girls). Mandery was also named Bloomington Coaches Association Outstanding Service Award winner in 1973 and 1975.

Kim (Magee) RobinsonKim (Magee) Robinson, class of 2001, participated in cross country, nordic skiing and track and field. In cross country, Kim was a five-time letter-winner and four-time all-conference runner. She was a member of the 1999 Minnesota State Cross Country Championship team and captain of the 2000 conference championship team. Robinson earned three letters and all-conference honors in nordic skiing. She was a four-time letter-winner and three-time all-conference track and field athlete. She was a captain and three-time state qualifier in the 800-meter run, finishing fifth (1999), fourth (2000) and third (2001). Robinson was Jefferson’s Athena Award recipient in 2001, and ran cross country and track for the University of Minnesota. Robinson currently teaches at Poplar Bridge Elementary School and has coached cross country and track and field at Jefferson.

Kristina SheridanKristina Sheridan, class of 1991, participated in volleyball, alpine skiing and softball. In volleyball she earned two letters, all-conference honorable mention and team MVP. She was a four-time letter-winner in alpine skiing, along with an all-conference selection and team MVP from 1987-1990. She was an all-state selection from 1988-1990 and a three-time state qualifier, finishing sixth (1988), third (1989) and second (1990). In softball, Sheridan received all-conference honorable mention as a junior and all-conference selection as a senior. She was named Jefferson’s Athena Award winner her senior year, and the Bloomington Jaycees Athlete of the Year. She went on to play volleyball and ski at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

Duncan SuseeDuncan Susee, class of 1993, played soccer for Jefferson where he was a three-time letter-winner and team captain during his senior season. He received all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore and was a two-time all-conference selection his junior and senior years. Susee was an all-state selection during his senior season and was the Metro Boys Player of the Year. He was offensive MVP as a sophomore and senior and Team MVP as a junior. During Susee’s senior season the team captured a conference championship and qualified for the state tournament. Susee played soccer at the University of Richmond following graduation.

Featured Teacher: Holly Hysjulien

$
0
0


Check out the latest BPS Featured Teacher blog post to learn more about how Holly Hysjulien, eighth grade math teacher at Valley View Middle School, creates a classroom culture of caring.

Jefferson, Kennedy students named National Merit Scholar semifinalists

$
0
0
Six seniors from Bloomington’s Jefferson and Kennedy high schools have been named semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Charles Maki, Max Mallinger, Ryan Martz, Amelia Miller, Isabella Phan and Emily Wammer are candidates for a merit scholarship to be awarded early next year.

More than 1.6 million high school juniors entered the 2019 National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists includes the highest scoring entrants in each state.

Another 10 students have earned National Merit Commended Student status, which recognizes students performing in the top 5 percent of all entrants on the qualifying test. Commended Students include Joshua French, Alexandra Janey, Kaija Johnson, Isabel Matias, Ryan Meany, Claire Miller, Logan Redding, William Titus, Skylar Volden and Jennavieve Zimmerman.

Family Tech Tip: Creating a Family Media Plan

$
0
0

This is the first of our Technology team's monthly Tech Tips for BPS staff and families. Tech Tips will be shared via our staff newsletter The Inside Page, district and school websites and the district's social media channels.

Tech Tip graphic

Create your Family Media Plan and set up your school year for success

Children today are immersed in digital resources for personal and educational use. Bloomington students use devices to access educational content, collaborate and connect with peers and more, and we want students and families to be successful when devices are brought into the home.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and caregivers develop a family media plan that takes into account the health, education and entertainment needs of students and their families.

To help families start the discussion at home, we have created resources you can use to set up expectations for technology use in your home during the 2018-19 school year.

Family Media Plan Resources

Featured teacher: Rachel Prondinski

$
0
0


Check out the latest BPS Featured Teacher blog post to learn more about how Rachel Prondzinski scaffolds learning experiences for her students first grade students at Valley View Elementary School.

Bloomington Early Learning Services to host STEM Family Night

$
0
0
Bloomington Early Learning Services will host a free STEM Family Night from 5:30 - 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at Pond Center, 9600 3rd Ave. S.



Bloomington families with infants to preschool age children are invited to attend to learn about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) for early learners from Bloomington educators. The first 200 children to attend will receive a free STEM book to take home, and attendees will learn about Bloomington Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) and preschool programs.

Register online at bloomington.ce.eleyo.com or sign in when you arrive at Pond Center.

Bloomington schools to hold Veterans Day flag raising ceremonies

$
0
0
Bloomington Public Schools is partnering with the Minnesota Army National Guard to conduct flag raising ceremonies at each of its schools in recognition of Veterans Day. Flag raising ceremonies will take place on Friday, Nov. 9, according to the schedule below.

The Minnesota Army National Guard 1/34 Armored Brigade Combat Team will conduct the flag raising and lead students in the Pledge of Allegiance.

timeschool, Address
9 a.m.Valley View Middle School, 8900 Portland Ave. S.
9 a.m.Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave.
9 a.m.Jefferson High School, 4001 W. 102nd St.
9:20 a.m.Valley View Elementary School, 351 E. 88th St.
9:25 a.m.Indian Mounds Elementary School, 9801 11th Ave. S.
9:30 a.m.Westwood Elementary School, 3701 W. 108th St.
9:45 a.m.Poplar Bridge Elementary School, 8401 Palmer Ave. S.
9:55 a.m.Oak Grove Elementary School, 1301 W. 104th St.
10 a.m.Normandale Hills Elementary School, 9501 Toledo Ave. S.
10:10 a.m.Washburn Elementary School, 8401 Xerxes Ave. S. 
10:15 a.m.Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W. 106th St.
10:25 a.m.Ridgeview Elementary School, 9400 Nesbitt Ave. S.
10:35 a.m.Olson Elementary School, 4501 W. 102nd St.
10:50 a.m.Hillcrest Community School, 9301 Thomas Road
10:50 a.m.Olson Middle School, 4551 W. 102nd St.

Kennedy Theatre Company presents ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’

$
0
0
Kennedy Theatre Company will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” at 7 p.m. Oct. 25-27 in the Kennedy High School auditorium, 9701 Nicollet Ave. S.



Based on the memoirs of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl forced into hiding for nearly two years to escape Nazi persecution, “The Diary of Anne Frank” is a haunting story of Anne’s oppressive circumstances and the horrors that surround her, but also of her resilience and luminous spirit.

The show features 18 Kennedy students as cast and crew under the direction of Dohn Thibault with assistant director Clair Zinda, set design by Thibault and costumes by Laurie Clements.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors, and are available at the door.

Winter Coat Event

$
0
0
A Winter Coat Event for Bloomington families will be held from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27 at Creekside Community Center, 9801 Penn Ave. S.



Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. and free winter coats and snowpants will be provided for Bloomington students while supplies last. Families must provide proof of Bloomington residency (ID or piece of mail with a Bloomington address) or proof of enrollment in Bloomington Public Schools (student ID). 

With questions, contact Lindsay Heisel at 952-681-6512.

The event is sponsored by Bloomington Public Schools, the City of Bloomington, UpWorks and St. Michael's Lutheran Church. 

Family Tech Tip: Monitoring Screen Time

$
0
0


In its latest publication of screen time guidelines, the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises families to consider that not all screen time is equal. New research is encouraging families to examine the quality of the time spent in front of devices. Are children passively consuming content or actively creating and problem-solving on their devices? Is screen time “alone time” or time to co-view, co-play or co-engage?

Bloomington Public Schools believes in the balanced use of technology in the classroom and beyond. At school, we support staff and student use of tools like Seesaw, Google for Education apps and Moodle to help students be active creators, collaborators and communicators.

Use the resources and activity below to learn more about the AAP screen time recommendations and explore your child’s use of technology throughout the day.

Bloomington middle school students to perform in MPLS (imPulse) concert

$
0
0
Students from Oak Grove, Olson and Valley View middle schools will perform in the MPLS (imPulse) concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Olson Middle School pool, 4551 W. 102nd St.



The first of a Poolside Concert Series, Who I Want to Be explores the lives of middle school students: the joys, fears, heartbreaks and awkward moments. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at bit.ly/poolside-concert or at the door.

The concert will cap off a day-long choir festival that will give middle school students from all three schools an opportunity to work with show choirs from Jefferson and Kennedy high schools and professional MPLS chorus members.

MPLS (imPulse) is a professional festival chamber chorus based in Minneapolis. The ensemble reimagines the traditional choir through creative collaborations, narrative style programming and engaging audiences in diverse and unusual spaces. Learn more at mplsimpulse.org.
 

Bloomington celebrates Community Education Day with events, discounts

$
0
0
Bloomington Community Education will offer special events and discounts on programs in celebration of National Community Education Day Nov. 8.

Between Nov. 4-10, current members of the Jefferson and Kennedy activity centers can bring a friend for a complimentary day pass. This is a great opportunity to try out the weight room and indoor track and learn about membership opportunities.

The aquatics program will host free family open swim from 4:30-6 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Valley View Middle School pool, 8900 Portland Ave. S. Guests can park behind the school and enter through door 7.

Kids’ SAFARI before- and after-school childcare will hold a drawing Nov. 8 for one free day of child care at each of Bloomington’s 10 elementary schools. The drawing will include all current Kids’ SAFARI families, and the winners will be contacted via email.

Register for a fall adult or youth enrichment class and receive $5 off the class fee. Registration must be completed by phone (952-681-6132) between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 8.  

Parents of infants to preschool-age children are invited to a STEM Family Night from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at Pond Center, 9600 3rd Ave. South. The first 200 children to attend will receive a STEM-related book to take home. Register for the event at bloomington.ce.eleyo.com or sign in when you arrive.

For more information about Bloomington Community Education, call 952-681-6100 or visitbloomingtonschools.org/communityed.

Featured Teacher: Katie Juul

Kennedy show choirs host annual pasta dinner and show

$
0
0
Kennedy High School show choirs will host their annual pasta dinner and show from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 in the school cafeteria, 9701 Nicollet Ave. S.

Photo of show choir performance


Performances will include the Valley View Voices, East Side Swingers and Rhythm in Gold show choirs as well as small group performances.

The evening will also include a silent auction with all proceeds from the event going toward the show choirs’ travel expenses, competition fees and costumes.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the event or by emailing rigpastadinner@yahoo.com.
 

Featured Teacher: Jess Newman

$
0
0


Check out the latest BPS Featured Teacher blog post to learn more about how Olson Elementary School third grade teacher Jess Newman is utilizing the gradual release of responsibility as a literacy and math instruction strategy. 
Viewing all 773 articles
Browse latest View live