Blackboard: There’s a lot going on in Farmington schools

There are a lot of things going on in Farmington Area Public Schools right now, even though there aren’t many students walking the halls. As important as the opening of the new high school is next fall, it’s the work that happens this year that will make it a success. So here’s a look at a few of the major initiatives District 192 is working on, and ways you can be involved.

School starts Aug. 25

OK. This isn’t something we’re working on, but it’s something everyone needs to know. School starts early this year so there will be more time to complete renovations and move everything around next summer. Please mark your calendar, because we want to see everyone on the first day of school … which is Aug. 25.

Except, that is, for juniors and seniors. Farmington High School will continue its growing tradition of making the first day of school for sophomores only as part of the building’s Link Crew program. Link Crew is a peer mentoring program through which junior and senior students help introduce sophomores to their new surroundings, and help them feel comfortable throughout the year. For more information about the first day at FHS, call the school at 651-460-1400.

Communications: We need you in this conversation

This fall, we will go through an audit of our communications program — which will involve hearing from stakeholders — to see what’s working, what’s not and how we can improve. It’s an exciting endeavor and one that will benefit our schools, students and community for years to come.

We will also be building on last spring’s coffee chats with superintendent Brad Meeks. For those that want an informal opportunity to have a chat with your public schools’ CEO, this is for you. There isn’t a time or day that works for everyone, but we want to offer a time that works for most people. You can tell us what works for you through an online survey at farmington.k12.mn.us/communications.

Boundary changes are necessary and beneficial … but not fun

In case you haven’t heard, there will be changes to our attendance boundaries related to the opening of the new Farmington High School in 2009. We will split our district middle school students for the first time, and we will bring online a fifth elementary school, which means changes for the other four.

Once again, please know that a decision has not been made on these new boundaries. In fact, there are no proposals on the table and no lines on any maps.

In the first weeks of the school year, a committee of district staff and parents will convene to look at the best way to establish new boundaries and to create a couple of options.

As you can see, there is plenty going on with Farmington schools and that doesn’t even include the ongoing staff development work, curriculum mapping, and other district initiatives. If you have questions about any of it, feel free to call me directly at 651-463-5079.

Tags: opinion, farmington, schools