Clara Barton Open School

Area C Parent Advisory Council Meeting Tonight

Please note the next meeting of the Area C Parent Advisory council agenda includes:  Enrollment Process, Parents Guide to MPS Budget, and High School Changes.  Attendance at these meetings is open to all parents and leaders of community organizations who are invested in their respective neighborhoods. The meeting is:

Wednesday, April 25th, 6:30 - 9:30 PM at Kenwood Elementary School 

Click here for an information flyer about the meeting or here for more information on the District Parent Advisory Council.

Community Forum at South H.S. POSTPONED

The April 23rd Community Forum at South High School featuring Craig Vana has been postponed.  Mr. Vana is unable to attend tonight and there is not another district person available who can address the topic on high school re-design.

X is for X-tra Options

The Options program provides short-term alternative learning experiences designed to match specific needs, abilities, and interests of a diverse school population, and provides conditions of success different from those in the regular classroom.  The Options classes are taught by staff members, students, and community and family volunteers.

Spring Options begin next week and adult volunteers are still needed for several student-led outdoor Options.  Spring options are 12:55- 1:45 PM, May 2 & 3rd, and May 9 & 10th.  Please contact Rus at rthomas13@lycos.com or 612-668-3580 if you can help.

In the News!

The April 18, 2007 edition of the Star Tribune, Twin Cities + Region section, features Steve Delapp in an article: 

SAVING CITY SCHOOLS THIRD IN AN OCCASIONAL SERIES

Will shift of principals help North Side students?

• Passed over initially for a job, Barton's principal has fostered stability and excellence in 15 years.  Do all schools deserve that?

link to the article here!

Leadership Council Update

At the April 12th meeting, council members reviewed the specifics of the current year budget in preparation for discussions on the coming school year.  An extra meeting is scheduled for April 19th 6:00 PM to begin to review the budget/staffing allocations for Barton.  Council minutes are available on this site in the left-hand side bar under COUNCIL MINUTES.

South High Community Forum

A dialog in high school redesign with Craig Vana, Associate Superintendent for parents and prospective parents of South High School is scheduled for:

Monday April 23, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, South H.S. Media Center

Parents and prospective parents are invited to give input on:

What defines a "world-class high school"?  What are the important student expectations for a "world-class" high school?  What co-curricular activities make a high school "world-class"?

The second part of the discussion will reflect on:

What are the best features of South High School?  What features define South High?  When people talk about South, what do they mention as the important aspects of the school?  What features make our school a “world class” school?  What do we as the South Community want/need to enhance and strengthen South High’s academics, activities and the arts?  What needs to be in place to make sure South excels as a “world class” high school?

Sponsored and hosted by South High School PTA

Contact Zee Gregerson, 668-4303 for information

Plant Sale Extended until Wednesday NOON!

Please deliver all plant sale orders to the office by NOON Wednesday.  Thanks for your support in this important fund raiser!

Last Weekend to Sell Green Plants!

Plant Sale order forms are due back to school on Monday, April 16.  The weather should finally cooperate this weekend, so if you haven't already, help your child talk to neighbors and friends about the sale.  You can print out additional order forms and get more information by clicking on the links underneath the pansy photo in the ANNUAL PLANT SALE are to the right. 

Plants are available for pickup at Barton on May 11-12, the Friday and Saturday before Mother's Day.  If you wish, you can mail the order form and check to Barton School, 4237 Colfax Ave S., Minneapolis, MN  554109.

High School Redesign Forum Thursday

Minneapolis Public Schools are considering district-wide changes in the high school enrollment process, including Small Learning Community (SLC) enrollment caps, removal of selection criteria for SLC's, expansion of some SLC programs to other high schools, and potential changes in area attendance boundaries.

Parents and prospective parents of Southwest High School are encouraged to learn about what's been decided, what's up for discussion, what are the potential impacts to SW, and how can parents be prepared? 

The featured speaker is Craig Vana, Associate Superintendent.  The forum is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, at 7:00 PM in the Southwest High School Media Center.

W is for Windows

Click here for more Barton ABC's photos.