100 Days of In-Person Learning

Primary schools have a time-honored tradition of celebrating the 100th Day of school each year. Working up to the 100th day, kindergartners learn counting skills, as our teachers lay the foundation for number sense, base-ten counting, patterns, and future lessons in multiplication, division — even decimal points and algebra in years to come. 

This year the 100th Day also marked 100 days of in-person learning! Our goal all year has been to keep students in school, in-person as long as it is safe to do so. As we reflect on the last 100 days, we have asked a lot of our staff, families and students. We’ve had more than our share of challenges — as have other employers — with staffing shortages, supply chain interruptions, and ever-shifting policy decisions at the federal level. 

Yet, as I visit our schools and classrooms, I see a high level of energy, excitement and joy!

February is always filled with excitement in schools. It’s I Love to Read Month and our schools have adopted fun themes — Going for the Gold at Cambridge Primary and the media center at Isanti Primary transformed into an indoor camp ground for Camp Read this month. Around the district students and staff take 20 minutes to Drop Everything And Read.  Reading is the foundation for all other learning, and when children see adults reading, they learn that reading is a lifelong activity.

February is also full of competition. I also had the pleasure of watching our CIHS One Act Play in competition at the State Festival this month, where they earned top ratings. Their production of Aunt Leaf was simply amazing.Our Math

Black History Month, Career-Technical Education Month, and this year we are following 26 Minnesotans competing in the Olympics. Last week, I had the pleasure of talking with some of our second graders about reading and their favorite Olympians. You can see that conversation here. I also had the pleasure of watching our CIHS One Act Play in competition at the State Festival. We are so proud of our talented students who earned a Starred Show status which is the highest ranking possible! Their production of Aunt Leaf was simply amazing.

Finally, I’d like to give a shout out to our elected School Board. Next week is School Board appreciation week in Minnesota. Under the leadership of Tim Hitchings, our seven school board members give of the time and talent to serve our community. I hope you will join me in thanking them for their service.