News from the 2002-2003 school year- a new playground was assembled (see pictures in the "Photo Gallery" section) and a Spanish program in Pre-K through 6th grade was started. We also purchased a walk-in freezer for our hot lunch program and a StarLab planetarium from the Sherburn Space Museum (after it closed). We began teaching CPR in our 7th & 8th grade Health classes- complete with 10 manikins. New classroom audio systems were added to 3 classrooms so that we had these systems installed in all classrooms from Pre-K through 5th grade.News from the 2003-2004 school year- we added several items to our playground (see the "Special Announcements" section). We also: installed a classroom audio system in the 6th grade room, setup a digital microscope in the 7th grade room, purchased 4 DVD players for our Spanish program, and added Saxon Phonics in grades K-3. An important project was the wiring of each classroom for telephone, cable TV, and Internet access.
News from the 2004-2005 school year- a wireless laptop cart (see picture in the "Special Announcments" section)was purchased. We also acquired several digital cameras for use in the school and 9 GPS units for use in our 8th grade "Earth Science " course.
News from the 2005-2006 school year- new 7th & 8th grade Literature books, new revision of Saxon Math in grades 4-8, several new items on the playground (see "Special Announcements" section), new gym lighting, wireless weather station set up, began using SMART/Boostup program in Pre-K thru 3rd grade, etc. We will also began the purchase of new student desks (grades 4-8).
News from the 2006-2007 school year- several new items on the school playground (dino, telescope, crunch bar)were added; started using student planners in grades 5-8; new Kindergarten teacher- Ms Kristen Wille; new student desks in grade 3; new flooring & ceiling tiles in the front entryways; "Mapping the World By Heart" curriculum supplement added to grade 6, etc. Mr. & Mrs. Eyerly (grades 3 & 5) retired at the end of the school year.
News from the 2007-2008 school year- new item on school playground (Harry the Hippo); new 3rd grade teacher- Mrs. Elaine Lieder; new part-time teacher in the 6th grade- Mrs. Deb Bertram; several room changes (grade designations)- 4th grade to previous 5th grade room, 5th grade to previous 6th grade room; 6th grade to previous 7th grade room; and 7th grade to previous 4th grade room; major changes in grade 6-8 (more departmentalization utilizing 5 full & part-time teachers- plus 2 pastors for 7th & 8th Religion classes). Just so you know- St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School is now St. Paul Lutheran Church and School (the 's was dropped from St. Paul at the October Congregational Assembly meeting). So now we are- St. Paul Lutheran School. It will take awhile to switch brochures, documents, etc. over to the changed name.
News from the 2008-2009 school year- A $100,000 "Partners with Purpose" grant was received from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for a joint program with Lutheran schools in Fairmont, Northrop, & Truman to develop stewardship and charitble giving materials and activities; new rugs were installed in the Kindergarten room and 4 year old Pre-K room; new Health curriculum was adopted; the final classrooms with old student desk received new ones (grades 1 & 2); we developed an ongoing improvement plan for re-accreditation with National Lutheran School Accreditation. Mrs. Prochnow (1st grade teacher) retired at the end of the school year.
News from the 2009-2010 school year: We have a new 1st grade teacher- Erin Tomslinson. We purchase at Classroom Response System (Clickers) with money donated for that purpose. An Interactive Whiteboard Projection System was installed in the 8th grade room. We received the system from a grant from 3M. A new item was installed on the playground (Jackhammer). We started utilizing an online parent/student/teacher communnication system (FastDirect) which gives students and parents the ability to view an online gradebook. They can view resutls of tests, check what assignments are missing, view progress reports and quarterly report cards online, etc.
News from the 2010-2011 school year: Our Accelerated Reader program went online. Students before had access to approximately 8,000 AR tests and now it is 150,000 plus tests. Parents also have an AR HomeConnect site online that they can use to monitor how their children are doing in Accelerated Reading. A Stand n Spin was added to our school playground. Mr. Prochnow (6th grade teacher) retired at the end of the school year.
News from the 2011-2012 School Year: We have a new 6th grade teacher on staff- Mr. Caleb Egger- a recent graduate of Concordia University Nebraska. New part-time teacher in grades 7&8 is Mr. Chuck Lieder. Mr. Gerald Bergt (Principal and 7&8 grade teacher) and Mrs. Pauline Bergt (Part-time teacher in grades 4&8) announced their retirement at the end of this school year.
