Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Empowering Futures: Strengthening Literacy at Willmar Public Schools

In the spirit of February being I Love to Read Month, I felt compelled to share the significant impact that literacy has on the development of our students’ learning journeys. Literacy is often described as the gateway to education and the key to unlocking a world of knowledge and opportunity. At Willmar Public Schools, we recognize the importance of literacy in the development of our students’ learning journeys. It is the foundation upon which all other areas of instruction are built, and it plays a pivotal role in shaping their future success.

In our pursuit of continuous improvement, we have commenced the journey to strengthen literacy within our learning organization. Last school year our Elementary English Language Arts Curriculum Review Committee began reviewing a new reading curriculum, however, the 2023 legislative session prompted a change of course due to the passage of the READ Act. As per the guidelines set forth by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), beginning on July 1, 2024, every district was mandated to furnish teachers and instructional support staff entrusted with the responsibility of teaching reading with comprehensive training in evidence-based instruction. In addition, the MDE selected approved curricula, screeners, and interventions for literacy instruction.

Choosing the Right Path

The first step in our journey towards improved literacy and compliance with the READ Act involved selecting the most effective training program for our educators. A PreK-12 Literacy Committee of 31 educators has narrowed the choices to the Online Language and Literacy Academy (OL&LA) and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). In February, our local cabinet, which includes superintendents, directors, and principals, reviewed these options and concluded that the Online Language & Literacy Academy (OL&LA) would be well-suited for our district. This program offers comprehensive training to equip our teachers with the knowledge and tools they need in their consistent pursuit of improving literacy instruction.

Minnesota’s READ Act has also created mandatory screeners for school districts throughout our state. As a result, the MDE selected the DIBELS 8th Edition and FastBridge which are both educational assessment tools used to measure students’ progress and proficiency in various aspects of reading and literacy. These tools are primarily utilized in elementary and middle school settings to help teachers identify students who may need additional support in reading, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of interventions and instruction over time.

A final requirement of the READ is selecting an approved curriculum if districts plan to use READ Act funds to pay for it. Currently, the MDE has approved the following curriculum.

Comprehensive Curricula

  • EL Education, Open Up Resource, 2017

Foundational Curricula

  • Magnetic Reading K-2, Curriculum Associates, copyright 2023

  • UFLI Foundation K-2, copyright 2022

  • University of MN Functional Phonics+Morphoology K-5, copyright August 2023

Knowledge Building Curricula

  • Wit & Wisdom-Great Minds, copyright 2023

Our Team

Carrie Thomas, the Director of Teaching and Learning at Willmar Public Schools, invited staff members to join the PreK-12 Literacy Committee. This new committee was tasked with reviewing the MDE’s approved professional development options and mandatory literacy screening tools. Thirty-one members of our school district responded to this call to action, demonstrating the high value our staff places on literacy. We are proud of this response and extend our gratitude to the educators who became part of our guiding coalition.

The Minnesota Legislature mandated each district to appoint a Literacy Lead, a role we proudly filled this year with Katelyn Skudlarek. Katelyn brings a deep passion for literacy and a strong foundation in the science of reading. Throughout the year, she has conducted highly effective professional development sessions for our staff, laying the groundwork for the required upcoming training.

Focus and the Future

As we celebrate I Love to Read Month, Willmar Public Schools' dedication to advancing literacy highlights our commitment to empowering students with the skills necessary for lifelong success. Our journey, enriched by the expertise of passionate educators, underscores the collective effort to elevate literacy education. By selecting approved curricula and professional development programs, we are not only complying with the READ Act but are also laying a robust foundation for our students. As we move forward, our focus remains on nurturing a culture of reading that opens doors to endless possibilities for our students.


Monday, February 19, 2024

Celebrating Excellence in Education: National Recognition for Minnesota Leaders

The Midwest is known for its exceptional PreK-12 education systems, supported by well-aligned organizations, highly qualified teachers, and universities that do well in preparing future educators. Our local school districts are dedicated to the continuous development of their staff, supporting an environment where teachers, administrators, and support staff are all committed to enhancing student outcomes. This collective effort ensures that our educational systems lead to academic excellence.

This commitment to excellence was recently showcased at the American Association of School Administrator's (AASA) National Conference on Education, where Minnesota's educational leadership received positive recognition. Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent of the St. Paul Public School District, was honored as the AASA National Superintendent of the Year. Known for his courageous leadership and dedication to equitable education, Dr. Gothard's recognition is a testament to his unwavering commitment to ensuring inclusive educational opportunities for all students.

Additionally, Minnetonka's Superintendent, David Law, was named one of three finalists for the 2025 AASA President. This role is pivotal in guiding the organization's policy and representing the collective voice of the education community across the United States. Superintendent Law's candidacy highlights his and Minnesota's influential role in shaping national educational policies and practices. 

Both Dr. Gothard and Superintendent Law exemplify the spirit of collaborative leadership, valuing the contributions and successes of all school districts, regardless of size. Their recognitions not only underscore the exceptional quality of Midwest education but also celebrate the genuine leadership that drives our schools toward continuous improvement.

Minnesotans have every reason to take pride in our public education system. These national recognitions reinforce the belief that Minnesota's public school districts rank among the finest in the country, thanks to the dedication and excellence of our teachers, support staff, educational leaders, school board members, and communities.



Monday, February 12, 2024

Supporting Minnesota Students Beyond the Classroom: A Parent's Guide to Tax Credits and Educational Savings

Willmar Public Schools is committed to ensuring that our students and their families are aware
of important financial opportunities that can support their educational journey. We are happy to share information about significant tax benefits that can assist Minnesota families: the enhanced Child Tax Credit and tax deductions for educational expenses, including school supplies.

New Child Tax Credit Offers Financial Relief for Families

Minnesota families are now eligible to claim the Child Tax Credit, a substantial financial relief measure aimed at reducing child poverty and supporting the well-being of children across the state. The credit, which amounts to up to $1,750 per child, is available with no limitation on the number of children claimed. To claim the Child Tax Credit, families must file a 2023 individual income tax return. Most taxpayers eligible for this credit may also qualify for free tax preparation assistance. We encourage our community to explore the income requirements and qualifications detailed on the Child Tax Credit webpage provided by the state.

Tax Benefits for School Supplies: Save Your Receipts

In addition to the Child Tax Credit, the Minnesota Department of Revenue offers valuable tax benefits for parents purchasing school supplies for their K-12 students. Eligible purchases include most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school bands. By saving receipts, parents can reduce their taxes and possibly increase their refund through the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction.

The majority of Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which lowers their taxable income. Furthermore, parents who meet certain income thresholds may be eligible for the K-12 credit, potentially refunding up to 75% of their costs, even for those who do not owe any taxes.

Act Now to Take Advantage of These Opportunities

Willmar Public Schools encourages families to explore these financial opportunities to support their children's education. Detailed information on how to claim these benefits can be found on the Minnesota Department of Revenue's website. We recommend visiting the site for comprehensive details on eligibility and how to apply for these tax benefits. You can access both of these opportunities via the below websites.

Child Tax Credit: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/child-tax-credit

School Supplies: https://www.revenue.state.mn.us/press-release/2022-08-03/save-those-back-school-shopping-receipts-valuable-tax-benefits


Willmar Public Schools remains dedicated to supporting our students and their families both inside and outside the classroom. We believe that by sharing this important information, we can help ensure that our community is aware of the financial supports available to them.


Thursday, January 25, 2024

Balancing Mastery-Based Learning, Trauma-Informed Instruction, and “All Means All” Teaching at Willmar Public Schools

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, striking a balance between various teaching methodologies is crucial. At Willmar Public Schools, we are deeply committed to integrating mastery-based learning, trauma-informed instruction, and “all means all” teaching. Our current focus is on developing proficiency scales and standards-based learning, drawing more recent inspiration from the insightful book, School Wellness Wheel by Mike Ruyle, Libby Child, and Nancy Dome.

Mastery-Based Learning: A Core Focus

Mastery-based learning is pivotal in our approach. It allows students to progress at their own pace, ensuring they achieve a deep understanding of each topic before moving on. This method, rooted in the belief that all students can learn given the right time and support, aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.


Trauma-Informed Instruction: Understanding the Whole Student

Trauma-informed instruction is another key component of our educational strategy. Recognizing that many students come with varied backgrounds and experiences, often including traumatic events, our educators have been trained to create a safe, supportive, and understanding classroom environment. This approach is vital in helping students feel secure and ready to learn. As noted on page 63 of Ruyle, Child, and Dome's book, understanding and addressing the impact of trauma is essential for effective teaching and learning.


“All Means All”  Teaching: Embracing Different Learning Modalities

“All Means All” teaching is the third pillar of our educational approach. In our diverse community, it is essential to acknowledge and value each student's background. By incorporating differentiated materials and perspectives into our curriculum, we aim to make every student feel seen, understood, and respected. This approach not only enhances engagement but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the differences among all students.


Building Proficiency-Scales and Standards-Based Learning

Our current project involves the development of proficiency scales and standards-based learning models. This initiative is designed to provide clear expectations for student learning, offering a roadmap that guides both teaching and assessment. By clearly defining what students need to know and be able to do at each stage of their education, we can more effectively tailor instruction to meet individual needs.


As many of you know, the Willmar School Board and Local Education Association have collaborated effectively, agreeing to allocate ten dedicated memorandum of understanding days over the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. These days have been specifically designated for the development of proficiency scales and the advancement of standards-based learning. Our teaching staff and principals have devoted these days to intensive work in these areas, and their progress has been nothing short of remarkable. I am personally filled with immense pride when I see their dedication and the strides they have made in enhancing our educational framework. Their efforts are a testament to our commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement at Willmar Public Schools.


Integration in Practice

Integrating these approaches creates a comprehensive and dynamic learning environment. Mastery-based learning ensures that each student achieves a thorough understanding of the material. Trauma-informed practices provide the emotional and psychological safety necessary for effective learning. “All means all” teaching ensures that our curriculum is aligned with our entire student body.


Moving Forward

As we continue to refine our proficiency scales and standards-based learning approaches, we keep the principles outlined in "School Wellness Wheel" at the forefront. We believe that by balancing these methodologies, we can provide a holistic and effective educational experience that meets the needs of every student at Willmar Public Schools.


In closing, the journey towards a balanced and effective educational approach is ongoing. At Willmar Public Schools, we are dedicated to evolving and adapting our methods to ensure that every student receives the best possible education. By focusing on mastery-based learning, trauma-informed instruction, and “all means all” teaching, we are paving the way for a future where all students can thrive academically and personally.


Ruyle, M., Child, L., & Dome, N. (2021). School Wellness Wheel: A Framework Addressing Trauma, Culture, and Mastery to Raise Student Achievement (Kindle edition). Marzano Resources.


Monday, December 11, 2023

Strong Today. Future Focused. Words of Appreciation

Last month, voters in the Willmar Public Schools community came together to

help the district address its financial and space challenges. On November 7,

voters approved the operating levy and bond referendum for Willmar Schools.

In addition to a middle school gymnasium that conforms to Minnesota

Department of Education minimum requirements, the referendum approvals

will support students and staff. 


The operating levy will be used to continue important mental health supports,

fulfilling needs that have only grown with time. Further, the levy approval will

help us maintain existing class sizes and a broad variety of academic,

co-curricular, and extracurricular programming. Finally, funding raised from

the levy will be used to attract and retain quality staff and ensure financial

stability that will help us to remain strong today and future-focused. 


Middle School Gymnasium Next Steps

We expect groundbreaking and construction to start this spring, with an eye

toward a fall 2025 occupancy. Initial drawings have been completed, and we

are working through final approvals in preparation for going out to bid. As we

work through the details, we’ll keep the community informed at every step of

the process. 


Our Community. Our Cardinal Pride.

We have seen how supportive our community can be, and while we know not

everyone voted yes for this referendum, we think we can all agree that we have

some common beliefs about our community and our schools. We are excited to

move forward and are dedicated to being good stewards while making

important decisions on behalf of our community’s children.


On a personal note, we are truly grateful for your trust and support of our

school district. We will continue to be available to discuss our district and our

great student accomplishments, visit your club or organization, or even have a

cup of coffee. 


Please reach out to either of us with any questions.


Dr. Jeff Holm, Superintendent, holmj@willmar.k12.mn.us or 320.231.8510

Dr. Bill Adams, Assistant Superintendent, adamsb@willmar.k12.mn.us or 320.231.8506


For More Information

Visit willmar.k12.mn.us for more information about Willmar Public Schools.


Dr. Jeff Holm is the superintendent of Willmar Public Schools; Dr. Bill Adams

is the assistant superintendent of Willmar Public Schools.


Draft Drawing of Middle School Physical Education Space (SE of Current Structure)

Draft Drawing of Middle School Physical Education Space (SE of Current Structure)


Thursday, December 7, 2023

Gifts Beyond Wrappings: Embracing Time, Traditions, and Unseen Blessings During the Holidays


The holiday season resonates deeply with me. In the Adams household, we hold dear the traditions of Christmas and New Year’s while also acknowledging other celebrations at this time, such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and others. Festive gatherings, delicious meals, and abundant joy form the heartwarming highlights for the Adams family, with the added layer of fun brought by NFL football, cribbage, and other games. These celebrations over the years have created many wonderful memories for our family and I’d like to share one of them with you.

One of my favorite family holiday memories is from a large family gathering. Our oldest daughter was probably four then (she is now 24). The entire Adams family had converged on an evening of celebration. As part of the celebration, children were asked to gather around a speaker. As the speaker was talking to the children I caught a glimpse of my daughter dressed in her most beautiful holiday clothing looking intently at the speaker soaking everything in. I remember goosebumps taking over my skin and tears filling my eyes. In the spirit of the holidays, at that moment I realized the great gift bestowed upon me, children.


During the holidays, a lot of emphasis is placed on giving and receiving gifts. For me personally, the hustle and bustle of the holidays can have the unfortunate effect of putting me in auto-pilot mode as I seek to observe my wife crossing off items on whatever checklists are demanding her attention at the moment while asking my input. What I appreciate most during the winter break is the time I’m provided to deliberately break out of auto-pilot mode and connect at a deeper level with my wife and four children. This protected time allows us to embed new traditions and more meaningful conversations into our family’s rituals.


The possibility of purging traditions that may be competing for our attention on “what really matters to us” is a true gift. In a similar vein, there are gifts that we can bestow that will make a difference for our children long after the luster of a new Barbie or the new Harry Potter trivia game wears off (don’t get me wrong, I love Harry Potter). The gift of time is one such gift. With the increasing demands on families’ schedules, I understand that it may not be possible to increase the number of minutes that parents have available to be present (pun intended) with their children. What we can do is leverage those minutes by setting aside our handheld devices and engaging with children via conversation, play, and one-on-one time. Integrating concepts like respect, responsibility, mathematical thinking, etc. into authentic real-life interactions is a powerful learning tool. At the risk of being vulnerable, I’ll share a personal story.


When my son Gable was 4 years old (he is now 19) my wife called me and informed me of a conversation she had with him. He had said he was worried about the fact that I may not be proud of him because he doesn’t wrestle. To put this into perspective I am a huge amateur wrestling advocate (not WWF). This information jolted me upright and provided me with careful reflection. At that point, my son did not realize what a great gift he was to me, and that, wrestler or not, I loved him dearly. At that point, I made it a priority of mine to let him know what gifts he had that truly made me proud of him. I consistently told him how proud I was of him for his gifts to do mathematics and make friendships. This story also catapulted me to recognize the great gifts my other children and wife had.


I certainly don’t share these side stories to imply that I was doing or am doing the parent or gift thing better than anyone else. Truth be told, I am not. My intention is to engage in a continuing dialogue about what we can do collectively to support student learning and provide all students with the opportunities and skills that will help them make important decisions later in their lives. Sometimes this is as simple as taking a step back to reevaluate priorities and routines, affirming what matters, and pursuing new goals. The best gifts often manifest themselves as opportunities in our daily lives. What we do with these gifts is up to us.

 

On behalf of the entire Willmar Public Schools staff, we wish you the happiest of holidays. May you discover your true gifts this season and enjoy a relaxing and enriching break.


Monday, December 4, 2023

Recognizing Excellence - Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award Recipients

In the spirit of acknowledging outstanding contributions to our community, we take immense pride in celebrating the recent recipients of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment and service, embodying the values that Rotary cherishes.

Lauri Liebl (PH+5):

Lauri's dedication to our community is not only commendable but goes above and beyond. With five Paul Harris Fellow recognitions, she has consistently shown a deep commitment to service and making a lasting impact.

Steve Brisendine (PH+5):

Steve's unwavering dedication is a testament to his commitment to Rotary's ideals. With a Paul Harris Fellow +5, he has exemplified leadership and service that have left a lasting imprint on our community. For those of you who didn’t know, Steve was the Willmar Public Schools Community Education Director for several years. He certainly knows a thing or two about “Service Above Self.”

Jack Behr (PH+2):

Jack's contributions, earning him a Paul Harris Fellow +2, highlight his commitment to Rotary's mission. His efforts have undoubtedly enriched our community, showcasing the power of service.

Joy Baker (PH+6):

Joy's remarkable journey, marked by a Paul Harris Fellow +6, speaks volumes about her passion for community betterment. Her commitment to making a difference has had a profound and lasting effect. We were happy that Joy was able to join us after her very busy book tour.

Tom Johnson (PH+7):

Tom's outstanding contributions, earning him a Paul Harris Fellow +7, reflect the epitome of Rotary's ideals. His continuous service has significantly impacted our community, fostering positive change.


The Value of the Paul Harris Fellow Award to Our Community:

The Paul Harris Fellow Award is not just a recognition; it symbolizes a commitment to service above self. These individuals, through their multiple recognitions, have demonstrated a sustained dedication to making our community and world a better place. Their actions inspire others to step forward, creating a ripple effect that strengthens our society.

These recipients have become examples of service, illustrating that every act, big or small, contributes to the greater good. The Paul Harris Fellow Award is a reflection of the collective effort and commitment to Rotary's principals, making our community a brighter, more compassionate place.

Rotary’s 4-Way Test:

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?


To learn more about the Willmar Rotary Club, please visit www.willmarrotary.org. We would love to have you join our club. Feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions that you may have.