Our Communities and Our Schools – A Shared Commitment to Success

Public schools are more than just places of learning—they are the foundation of our community. At Cambridge-Isanti Schools, we take great pride in being a district that belongs to the people we serve. Our schools are not just for our students; they are a reflection of the values, aspirations, and commitments of our entire community. That is why the first line of our mission statement is so important: "In partnership with our community, we educate, empower, and inspire every student, every day."

This partnership is vital. In a time when the world can feel increasingly divided, our schools remain a place where we come together for a shared purpose—ensuring that every student receives the opportunities they need to succeed. By working directly with families, businesses, and community members, we create strong relationships that support strong communities. We are guided by our Bluejacket Character Traits—Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Self-Discipline, and Compassion—which help us find common ground, collaborate, and support one another.

The Power of Partnerships: Laying a Strong Foundation for Success

One of the most powerful examples of this partnership in action is our district’s expansion of Career & Technical Education (CTE) programming, a direct response to community feedback from our 2021 operating referendum. Our community asked us to enhance vocational and technical education opportunities for our students, and we are proud to say that we have delivered on that promise.

But partnerships that strengthen our schools and community come in many forms. Recently, I had the honor of attending the 20th anniversary celebration of the Reach Out and Read program, an initiative that highlights how collaboration between schools, healthcare providers, and community members can create lasting change. Originally brought to the community by Chris Miller who formerly served as the School District Director of Teaching and Learning and Dr. Allen Mork, a recently retired local family medicine doctor, this powerful program started as an idea and transformed into an impactful partnership that provides free books to children during well-check visits. Their mission is simple yet profound: to incorporate books into pediatric care and encourage families to read aloud together—giving children a foundation for lifelong success.

Since its inception, Reach Out and Read has distributed over 80,000 books, thanks to grants, donations, and the dedication of many volunteers—many of whom are teachers or retired educators. The program’s impact on generations of children is immeasurable, helping families build early literacy skills, fostering a love of reading, and ensuring that every child has access to books at home. This initiative is a shining example of what is possible when a community comes together with a shared vision of supporting children and families.

Celebrating CTE Month: Preparing Students for the Future

February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month, a time to recognize the important role that hands-on, career-focused education plays in preparing students for the workforce. Since the 2021 referendum, we have expanded CTE programming with strong partnerships between our schools and local businesses. Together, we are providing students with real-world experiences that prepare them for high-demand careers while strengthening our local economy. Some of the ways we have grown CTE programming include:

●    Developing Career Pathways that align with CIHS course offerings to give students clear roadmaps to future careers.
●    Expanding the 9-12 career curriculum to ensure students receive career-focused learning throughout high school.
●    Creating Career Connections events, where community members visit CIHS twice a year to share insights from their professions in small-group settings.
●    Launching Career Spotlights, hands-on sessions for students to explore specific career fields such as electrician, HVAC, EMT, and carpentry.
●    Offering business & industry tours in fields like manufacturing, health care, food service, retail, and banking.
●    Developing the Bluejacket Advanced Manufacturing Program (AMP)—a new internship opportunity that will connect students with local employers in the manufacturing sector. This program allows students to earn school credit while developing technical skills for high-growth, high-demand careers.
●    Expanding course offerings in high-level CTE classes, including new courses such as CAD (Computer-Aided Drafting & Design), Disease Conditions, and College Foundations of Education, many of which offer college and technical school credits.

These efforts ensure that Cambridge-Isanti students are well-prepared for their futures—whether they choose to enter the workforce immediately after high school, pursue technical education, or attend college. By investing in CTE, we are creating stronger career pathways for students while strengthening our local economy and workforce.

Stronger Together

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our families, local businesses, and community members who help make these opportunities possible. When we work together, we can create innovative programs, expand student experiences, and build a future where every student has the skills and confidence to succeed.

Programs like Career & Technical Education and Reach Out and Read show us the power of partnerships in action—whether we are preparing students for the workforce or providing young children with their very first books, we are shaping a brighter future together. Cambridge-Isanti Schools remain committed to collaboration, respect, and shared success. As we continue to grow, we look forward to building on these strong partnerships and finding new ways to serve our students and our community.

Because when our schools are strong, our community is strong. Thank you for your ongoing support, and for being part of this important work. GO BIG BLUE!