Hawthorne gets computers to promote early learning

Kindergarten teachers at Hawthorne Elementary School were one of 31 organizations to receive a Young Explorer Learning Center through Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s Early Childhood Initiative. This project, promoting technology and science to young children, was made possible through a partnership between SMIF and IBM.

The Young Explorers offer a fun and engaging platform from which teachers and child care providers can challenge young minds and make classroom connections through the use of technology, allowing children to explore at their own pace.

“We are pleased to partner with IBM’s KidSmart Early Learning Program in providing these exceptional learning tools to encourage fun and learning,” said SMIF’s President and CEO Tim Penny. “We believe this is one way to invest in our young children that supports our long-term strategy to invest in our region’s future.”

Hawthorne’s kindergarten classes were selected to receive three Young Explorer Early Learning Systems (valued at $2,600 each) because of their commitment to provide a trained adult and easy access for young children and their families to enjoy this exciting new way of learning. A local celebration will be planned to introduce the Young Explorer Systems.

Hawthorne kindergarten teachers Heather Leach, Kristy Rowland and Emily Reed said they were excited to have received a Young Explorer computer for each kindergarten classroom.

As part of its strategy to invest in economic growth in southern Minnesota, SMIF has supported early childhood efforts to make certain all children enter school fully encouraged, prepared and supported for learning success. Over the past 8 years, SMIF has invested approximately $1 million annually in early childhood development. SMIF has also established 19 community coalitions as part of the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative. Each coalition is developing their collective early childhood vision and implementing local projects to strengthen early care and education for young children and their families.

A.L. fifth-graders participate in Math Masters

Fifth-grade students at Halverson, Sibley, Hawthorne and Lakeview Elementary Schools participated in the regional Math Masters Minnesota Challenge at Austin High School in Austin on April 29.

Thirty-four teams of students (169 fifth-graders) competed individually and as teams on eight sets of mathematical problems in this competition. Math Masters is designed to promote excellence in critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities as well as provide recognition to students for academic effort and achievement.

The team coaches were Laurie Herman (Halverson), Nancy Sorlie/Christine Schaefer (Sibley), Sandi Sorenson (Lakeview) and Mary Jo Dorman/ Amy Schuhmacher (Hawthorne).

Listing of awards

Halverson:

• 11th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Xitlalli Lopez

• 12th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Lexie Simon

• 13th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Anthony Huerta-Apanco

Sibley:

• 7th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Jens Lange

• 9th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Spencer Indrelie

• 18th place Individual Rounds: Bergan Lundak

• 7th place Individual Rounds: Logan Alfson

• 2nd place Individual Rounds: Jens Lange

• 4th place Team Award: Logan Alfson, Jens lange, Natalie Nafzgar, Alex Romer and team captain Jill Peterson.

Lakeview:

• 2nd place Team Award: Alli Christensen, Calen Hoelscher, Jacob Johnsrud, Brody Nielsen and Calvin Petersen

• 5th place Team Award: Maddy Carstens, Josh Englin, Jack Gepson, Souraxay Sisouvanh and Noah Wiese

• 3rd place Order of Operations Facts Test Award: Calvin Petersen

• 7th place Order of Operations Facts Test Award Place: Noah Wiese

• 8th place Order of Operations Facts Test Award: Josh Englin

• 9th place Order of Operations Facts Test Award: Jacob Johnsrud

• 6th place Individual Rounds: Jacob Johnsrud

• 9th place Individual Rounds: Calvin Petersen

• 10th place Individual Rounds: Souraxay Sisouvanh

• 12th place Individual Rounds: Noah Wiese

• 15th place Individual Rounds: Calvin Petersen

Hawthorne:

• 12th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Baylie Groess

• 11th place Order of Operations Fact Test Award: Isaiah Wall

Students inducted into National Honor Society

This year there were 42 juniors who were inducted into the Albert Lea Chapter of the National Honor Society. To apply, students must currently be a junior in high school with a 3.7 or higher GPA. These students then fill out an application form, and they need to obtain five recommendations from staff. A committee is formed of high school teachers who review the applications and determine who will be admitted into NHS. Students who are chosen need to complete five hours of community service.

This year’s dinner and induction ceremony was held on April 18.

Students inducted include:

Karlee Andersen, Jason Appel, Stuart Behling, Amanda Bergland, Tayler Blake, Claire Buendorf, Matthew Buhr, Morgan Ciota, Brady Ebert, Erin Everhard, Brady Falk, Morgan Field, Taylor Harris, Michelle Hartmann, Sarah Hoverson, Rachel Jensen, Alix Kermes, Samantha Klapperick, Sean Laurie, Kelsey Lenhart, Tylor Matson, Anissa Nelson, Kelly Nelson, Macy Paul, Addison Petersen, Christine Peterson, Annabelle Randall, Samantha Reim, Grady Ruble, Nicholas Santee, Kimberly Schiltz, Ashley Schoonover, Galen Schulz, Allison Scott, Samantha Stanley, Ashley Tewes, Kelsey Thomas, Colleen Thompson, Will Waggoner, Christopher Weniger, Meagan Wicklace and Naomi Wilkerson.