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MAY 2015
Main Office
507.663.0630
Joel Leer,
Principal
507.663.0630
Joel.leer@nfld.k12.mn.us
Lori Christophersen,
Principal’s Secretary
507.663.0630
Jeff Eckhoff,
Assistant Principal
507.663.0635
Marnie Thompson,
Assistant Principal
507.663.0635
Lynn Fossum,
Attendance Secretary
507.663.0635
Kathy Clark,
Guidance Office Secretary
507.663.0636
Kathy Wiertsema-Miller,
Guidance Counselor A-G
507.663.0636
Mark Ensrud
Guidance Counselor H-O
507.663.0636
Deborah Rasmussen,
Guidance Counselor P-Z
507.663.0636
Tom Graupmann,
Activities Director
507.663.0632
Sheryl Docken,
Activities Secretary
507.663-0632
Activities Hotline
507.645.3456
You may have heard that loud exhale on Tuesday afternoon. It originated at Northfield High
School shortly after state testing season officially came to an end. True, there are a few students
who still need to makeup the ACT in May, but otherwise, we’ve made it through, with only a
few scars, scares, and unusual stories in our rearview mirror. Now we turn our attention to what
we fondly call the “home stretch.” I announced to seniors on Wednesday night that they had 20
days of school to go. That means, as you read this, it’s more like 17, and just over 20 for the 9th,
10th, and 11th graders.
A lot can, and will, happen in those 17-20 days, so we ask that you continue to assist and
support your student in completing those final projects, papers, homework assignments, and
exams as they head for the finish line. It’s been a community effort to this point, and it needs to
remain so in order for our students to all finish successfully.
Some great events still remain as well, so make sure you’re checking your calendar. The Spring
Play, William Shakespeare’s As You Like It opens this coming weekend with shows Thursday,
Friday, and Saturday. National Honor Society induction comes your way Monday, May 11th, the
HS orchestra performs its concerto concert on May 21st, and sports teams wind down their
season and will be participating in section tournaments right up until the seniors process across
the stage.
And speaking of that…
Parents of seniors, please don’t forget the senior lock-in is Thursday, May 28th, and of course,
commencement will be Sunday, May 31st at 2:00 p.m., either at Memorial Field or in the NHS
gymnasium, depending on weather.
Things are coming fast and furious as we close out the year. We look forward to every exciting
moment with you and your student!
Have a great May, and a wonderful summer!
Joel Leer
NHS Principal
ACTIVITIES NEWS……..
To those Returning in 2015-2016 – Northfield High School and Northfield Middle School are
working on an online registration component for registering for all activities. More information
regarding this will be available soon; please watch for it. Students who will be involved in NHS
Athletics next year are reminded that you must have had a physical within the past three years. If
you need a physical, schedule it now, so that you can be eligible to practice at the beginning of your
season. If you’re unsure whether you need a physical, an alphabetic list of athletes and their most
recent physical will be posted in early June at the east entrance (near the upper cafeteria) and also in the weight room. Football
practice begins on August 10th and all other Fall Sports will be starting on August 17th.
Spring Sports -- We wish our Spring Sport teams the best of luck as they complete their seasons, and then enter the section
play-offs.
Fine Arts Update – The performances of the Spring Play, “As You Like It” are scheduled for May 7, 8, and 9 in the high
school auditorium, all beginning at 7:30 PM. Tickets will be available at the High School Office, and at the door. $6 Adults, $4
Students.
Maroon and Gold Reception -- Sponsored by the Northfield Booster Club, the annual Maroon and Gold Athletic Reception
will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Northfield Middle School. A punch bowl reception (punch, coffee, and cake will
be served) will be held beginning at 6:15 and the awards ceremony begins at 7:00. All senior athletes, MVP’s and State Participants will be given complimentary tickets as guests of the Booster Club. Ticket sales begin on May 1st and will end on May 15th.
Ticket prices are $5. The tickets are general admission with no reserved seating. All tickets must be picked up in the High
School Activities Office.
Outstanding Equipment -- Athletes who have not yet turned in school issued athletic equipment are reminded to do so.
Your cooperation with this is appreciated.
www.Big9.org – All schedules are accessible by utilizing this web site. Parents and others are able to access the schedule and
see exact sites, times (including bus times), updates, maps, etc. The program is linked to the Northfield High School website.
The program address is: www.Big9.org -- click on “Member Schools,” click on “Northfield High School.” One of the many
handy features of the program is that anyone can receive notification of changes/cancellations/etc. by clicking on “Notify me.”
and setting yourself up to be notified. We have found this web-based program to be highly successful; information can be accessed in “real time.” The “Activities Hotline” phone number remains: 645-3456.
Raider Walk – Purchase a “Raider Walk” brick, and be a part of the tradition. The monies earned by the “Raider Walk” go to
the Northfield Booster Club, which directly supports the Middle and High Schools’ athletic programs. It’s a great way to honor
a graduate, to remember someone, or simply a way to list past, present, and future Raiders! Call the NHS Activities Office for
information: 663-0632. Or email: tom.graupmann@nfld.k12.mn.us
Career Exploration Day!
On May 19th, high school students can attend the career fair during 4th hour. Students will need to sign up and obtain a pass
to attend from one of the CTE teachers (Ron, Tim, Julie, or Mark). We will have busing from the high school to the middle
school. Contact Mark.Woitalla@nfld.k12.mn.us with any questions. See flyer attached to this newsletter for more information.
Service Learning Community Share Night Open House is Back!!
Please join the service learning students Wednesday, May 20th from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the lower cafeteria of the high school. Students currently enrolled in the class will share their fourth quarter project initiatives and be available for questions and reflections.
All are welcome! Come and go as you please! Projects include such topics as local poverty, the local backpack project, literacy
awareness, environment, mental health, healthy eating, body image, scholarships for the Y and more!
**********************
On May 11th, come and see what the 9th graders currently enrolled in Civics have done for an “Engage in Citizenship” project!
Come to the high school during 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 7th hours to talk with students about how they see themselves as an actively
engaged citizen! Check in at the office to get directions for where to go to see the culminating event.
AP Biology Parents…….
After the AP Biology Exam, our students’ brains have usually melted into puddles! I like to bring them back to
solid state with a little brain freeze - brought on by ice cream! If you’d be willing to donate food for an AP Bio
Post-Exam Ice Cream Sundae Feast on Tuesday, May 12, please email me, instructor Jody Saxton West at
jody.saxtonwest@nfld.k12.mn.us, and I will let you know what you could contribute to the freeze -- I mean
FUN!
Mrs. SW
Spain Trip Summer of 2016
Meeting for Parents and Students Room: D-107, Monday, May 10th at 7pm. Get information and
begin the registration process! Early Bird Registration ends June 15th (Save $200.) Please contact
either: lori.rossmiller@nfld.k12.mn.us, Stephen.cade@nfld.k12.mn.us,
Sarah.Martens@nfld.k12.mn.us for more information.
Attention all parents/students:
Are you interested in hosting a high school student
from Spain from June 25th-July 30th this summer? If you are going/or went on the Spain trip you will receive a rebate or a credit
toward that trip ($200).
* Some students participate in a basketball camp at Gustavus Adolphus College from July 5-16 and stay on that campus during that
time.
Please contact Sarah.martens@nfld.k12.mn.us for more information (NHS Spanish teacher).
End of the year reminders from Child Nutrition Services:
1. Please bring your lunch account balances to zero or above before June 1.
2. All lunch account balances will carry over to next year for returning students or be transferred to a younger sibling for those
students who are graduating.
3. All Seniors who do not have siblings in the district can request a refund by sending an email to Laurie Prior at laurie.prior@nfld.k12.mn.us by June 16th. If you do not request a refund your account balance will transfer into the Angel account
lunch fund.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2015!!
Stephany Stromme
Director of Child Nutrition
5th Annual Latino Play Festival (and Friends!)
Join us May 15th, 16th, 22nd or 23rd at 7 p.m. at the Northfield Arts Guild.
Parents of Juniors & Seniors…..we need you!!
Planning for the 2015 Senior Lock-In is underway! This year’s lock-in is on Thursday, May 28th from 10:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
If you are able to chaperone for a half-night shift, please contact Jill Kohel with your preference of first or second shift. Groups of
friends can request to work together! Help us send off our seniors with a great night of celebration! Email jill.kohel@nfld.k12.mn.us
with questions. G
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
May
1
2
7, 8, 9
11
15
16
17
19
21
27, 28
28
29
31
Big 9 Music Festival
Prom
Spring Play
Honor Society Induction
HS Jazz Band Swing Dance
Choir Spring Finale
Concert Choir Twins Game
Maroon & Gold Reception
Concerto Concert
Senior Finals
Senior Class Lock-In
Graduation Rehearsal
Graduation
3,4,5
9-11 Grade Finals
June
Mankato West
7:30 p.m. - HS Auditorium
7:00 p.m. - HS Auditorium
7:30-10:30 p.m. - Ballroom
7:30 p.m. - MS Auditorium
Target Field
6:00 p.m. - MS
7:30 p.m. - MS Auditorium
HS - 10:15 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.
12:30 p.m. - HS Gym
2:00 p.m. - Memorial Field
Honors Art Final Gallery Show 2015
Beyond the Fridge
Show Runs from May 20th –June 13th
Opening Reception At the Northfield Arts Guild on Friday May 22nd
Please join us at the opening reception for Beyond the Fridge on Friday, May 22nd from
7-9 pm to congratulate the 24 Honors Art students on their wonderful work and their accomplishments this semester. Much of the work
on display will be for sale and there will be refreshments and entertainment to enjoy.
We hope that you are able to visit the final Honors Art gallery show during the time that it is open. The opportunity to produce a professional-level-gallery show at a local art gallery provides a magical ending for these young visual artists!
We hope to see you there! Mrs. Norrie and the Honors Art students
Business and Technical Trades
Career Exploration Day
For middle and high school students
Students are invited to explore the world of Business and Technical Trade careers and education on
Tuesday, May 19th, 2015 at the Northfield Middle School
Learn about careers in:
Accounting • Auto and Truck Mechanics • Business Management
Construction • Computer Aided Drafting • 3D Animation • Electrical • Finance
Health Care • Hydraulics/Mechatronics • HVAC • Machining • Welding
Join us for an opportunity to explore!
• Hands-on experience with large equipment.
Up close experience with snow plows, tractors, race cars, semi-trucks, district
school buses and more! Students can climb into the driver’s seat, look under the
hood at the engines and experience the technology firsthand.
• Open discussions with career role models.
Interact with local role models in Business and Technical Trade fields to gain an
understanding of available career paths and job responsibilities.
• An understanding of the two-year education path.
Representatives from the Minnesota Technical Colleges in Alexandria and Faribault
will be present to provide an overview of the post-secondary education in these
career areas.
• Gain career and company insights.
Local businesses’ HR staff will be available to answer questions around career
paths, job responsibilities, salary, and more.
Sign-up to attend through teachers or counselors!
Questions? Contact Mark Woitalla at mark.woitalla@nfld.k12.mn.us, 507.581.0633.
Interesting Statistics:
• 70% of Northfield graduates pursue
a post-secondary education following
graduation.
• By the 2nd year after graduation, 80%
of Northfield graduates have entered a
university or college.
• Only 57% of Northfield graduates who
enter post-secondary education
complete their efforts with a degree.
• Less than 7% of the graduates in these
statistics expressed interest to enter a
two-year college after graduation.
Did you know?
• Two-year technical degrees cost less
and get graduates into the workforce
faster.
• Two-year degrees typically don’t lead
to heavy debt.
• Technical schools offer a variety of
rewarding programs to choose from.
Hosted by the Career Technology Education (CTE) Booster Club
Participating companies include:
Alexandria Tech & Community College
CarTime Auto Center
Cemstone
Chart Industries
Community Resource Bank
FORCE America, Inc.
K&G Manufacturing
Mechanical Systems
Minnesota Ag Group, Inc.
Multek Flexible Circuits
NAPA Northfield
National Fluid Power Association (NFPA)
Northfield Automation
Northfield Lines, Inc.
Northfield Retirement Community
Perkins Specialized Transportation
Realityworks
Reese, Winter and Associates
Rice County Highway
Stanton Masonry
SEMA Equipment
South Central Technical College, Faribault
Streitz Heating
Witt Brothers Inc.
Technology Recommendations Approved
May 2015
Newsletter
Main Office
507.663.0600
Chris Richardson,
Superintendent of Schools
507.663.0629
Donita Delzer,
Admin. Assistant to the
Superintendent & School Board
507.663.0629
Buildings & Grounds
507.663.0610
Business Office
507.663.0626
Community Services Division &
Community Relations
507.664.3650
Curriculum Office
507.663.0622
Child Nutrition Services
507.663.0618
Health Services
507.645.1205
Human Resources
507.663.0627
Payroll Office
507.663.0628
Student Services
507.645.3410
Technology Services
507.645.1260
At its April 27 meeting, the Northfield Board of Education approved recommendations from
the District Technology Steering Committee for the next phase of the Transformational
Technology Project, including expansion of the district’s iPad initiative to provide personalized
learning tools to students.
Director of Technology Kim Briske presented the recommendations to the board, which were
the result of a process that included a board update in January, 12 listening sessions, and surveys
in each school and for community members. The process also included four Chromebook
demonstrations for staff interested in seeing an alternative to the iPad.
In her presentation, Briske outlined the rationale for proposed new iPad leases and
programmatic changes— including a new device management system that makes it possible to
restrict access to the App Store and includes a classroom management tool to allow teachers to
lock student iPads into a specific app or website. The Casper mobile device management system
will be in place for the start of the 2015-16 school year, replacing the system that has been in
place over the past two school years.
The recommendations also include a three-phase lease cycle of iPads and cases for staff and
students. Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, iPads will be provided for 4th and 5th grade
students and will be kept at school. A second lease beginning in January of 2016 will provide
replacement iPads for staff and 6th through 12th grade students. A third lease in July 2016,
coupled with the first lease of iPads in 2015, will also provide one iPad for every two students in
grades K-3. In addition, keyboards will be made available for classroom checkout beginning
next year.
The district’s proxy server, which filters the internet on school devices when they are off
campus, will be discontinued due to interference with internet connectivity and access to
software tools in Schoology and Google Drive. Web filtering will still be in place on all devices
when connected to school WiFi, and the district will provide family resources for internet
filtering at home.
For more information on the implementation and use of iPads, please visit the project blog, at
http://nfld.k12.mn.us/ipad.
Drive to Support Raider Athletics
Help raise money for district athletics—participate in the free “Drive One 4 UR School” event,
between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, at the high school. Bring your driver's license
and test drive a new Ford to help raise up to $6,000 for student athletic activities. Participants
must be 18 or older and have a valid driver's license. Only one member per household is eligible
to participate. This opportunity was organized by the Northfield Booster Club, the Ford Motor
Company and Northfield’s Dokmo Ford.
Early Learning Scholarships
The Northfield Public Schools Community Services Division has received approval by the
Minnesota Department of Education of its application for early learning scholarships. Pending
passage of the state’s fiscal year 2016 education budget, the scholarships will allow for support
of the following actions.
x Adding a five-day per week preschool class, with capacity for 12 scholarship students
x Providing transportation for preschool and parent education events
x Providing one parent education and/or family event each month, from September to June
x Purchasing evidence-based curriculum for the EarlyVentures childcare program and
continuing to provide wrap-around care slots for district preschool students as requested
x Increasing the number of students served in Bridges to Kindergarten by 25 students
x Increasing collaboration between early childhood teachers and kindergarten staff
To learn more about our scholarships for preschool, please call 507.664.3754 or email Sara.Line@nfld.k12.mn.us.
District News
Northfield Youth Organizations
To update contact information, please call 507.645.3406 or email Heather.Kuchinka@nfld.k12.mn.us with changes.
5th Bridge
Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Bowling
Boy Scouts
Cannon Valley Youth Orchestra
Canterbury Pony Club
Carleton College Center for Community
and Civic Engagement
Check it Out Singers
Community Resource Bank Junior Board
Dakota County Extension - 4-H
Division Street Dance
Girl Scouts
Healthy Community Initiative
Jr. Curator Program
Just for Kix
Leo Club Advisor
Library Teen Advisory Board
Making Waves Swim School
Northfield Area Family YMCA
Northfield Arts Guild
Northfield Basketball Association
Northfield Community Chinese School
Northfield Dance Academy
Northfield Fastpitch Softball Assoc.
Northfield Gymnastics Club
Northfield Hockey Association
Northfield Karate Dojo
Northfield Lacrosse Association
Northfield Library
Northfield Mentoring
Northfield Police Dept Explorers
Northfield Skating School
Northfield Soccer Association
Northfield Swim Club
Northfield Tennis Association
Northfield Union of Youth
Northfield Volleyball Club
Northfield Youth Baseball Assoc
Northfield Youth Choir
Northfield Youth Wrestling
Pinnacle Performing Arts
Project Friendship
Rainbow Saddle Club
Reaching Our Goals - St. Olaf College
Rice County Extension - 4-H
Candy Taylor
Robyn Goldy
Terry Heilman
Adam Hough
Deonne Gray
Christine Sullivan Kelley
Laura Riehle-Merrill
507.663.1505
507.414.0308
507.645.8322
651.254.9120
507.645.7189
507.664.9512
507.222.7020
Todd Thompson
Christina Jerome
Amber Shanahan
Emily Boyd
Carolyn Gates
Zach Pruitt
Nfld Historical Society
Liz Rohach
Alice Nasby
Kathy Ness
Cindy Varley
Virginia Kaczmarek
Laura Schenck
Scott Sannes
Gao Hong
Daphne McCoy
Mark Pritchard
Zach Wareham
Dean Kruger
Bob Dobrow
Natalie Marfleet
Kathy Ness
Zach Pruitt
Sgt. Mark Murphy
Carey Tinkelenberg
Holly Scheuble
Devon Barnes
Andy Ringlien
Rachel Woldum
Beth Pascua
Roger/Kim Thompson
Liz Shepley
Shaun Murphy
Jana Hirsch
Sarah VanSickle
Nancy Becker
Education Dept.
Kelly Chadwick
507.645.5397
507.645.3125
651.480.7755
507.202.9256
507.645.6603
507.664.3524
507.645.9268
507.271.3316
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507.645.1804
507.645.4623
507.645.0088
507.645.8877
507.581.2197
612.385.3893
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www.5thbridge.org
www.bbbsofsouthernmn.org
www.adventureiscalling.org
www.cvyomn.org
https://sites.google.com/site/canterburypc
http://apps.carleton.edu/campus/ccce
www.extension.umn.edu
www.divisionstreetdance.com
www.girlscoutsrv.org
www.northfieldhci.org
www.justforkix.com
http://npl-info.blogspot.com
www.makingwavesswimschool.com
www.northfieldymca.org
www.northfieldartsguild.org
www.northfieldsports.com
www.northfielddance.com
www.northfieldfastpitch.leag1.com
www.northfieldgymnastics.com
www.northfieldhockey.net
http://northfieldkarate.wordpress.com
www.northfieldmn.info
www.northfieldhci.org
www.northfieldskating.com
www.northfieldsoccer.org
www.northfieldswimclub.org
www.northfield.usta.com
www.unionofyouth.com
www.northfieldvolleyball.com
www.northfieldsports.com
www.northfieldyouthchoirs.org
www.northfieldwrestling.com
www.pinnacleperformingartscenter.com
www.projectfriendshipmentoring.org
www.rainbowsaddleclub.org
www.extension.umn.edu