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Fisher sent to state in style [UPDATED]
Published 8:47am Wednesday, November 21, 2012 Updated 10:53am Wednesday, November 21, 2012Last Wednesday was a great day for District 544 as we celebrated excellence in the achievements of our students and staff.
First, the Otter Band, along with students and community members sent junior swimmer Abby Fisher off to state with a pep rally. Congratulations to Abby for finishing eighth in the 100 Backstroke at the Class A State Swimming and Diving Championships.
Next, we celebrated American Education Week by announcing the Teacher and Support Staff of the Year at an awards gathering at Kennedy Secondary School. And on the way back to my office, I was able to sit in on the final dress rehearsal of Bye Bye Birdie. Congratulations to the students and directors on a very successful production.
2013 Teacher of the Year
Congratulations to our four teachers: Kevin Pearson, Marsha Talley, Kristin Tuel and Niki Welde, who were nominated for the 2013 Teacher of the Year award. The Fergus Falls Education Association selected Marsha Talley, high school math teacher, as this year’s winner. Comments from her nominator include the following “Marsha works hard to engage her students in learning and sometimes challenging subject (math).
Her creativity in her lessons involves students being active almost daily. She has worked extra hard in creating a flipped classroom in her geometry classes where students’ homework is to watch a short recording, and then follows up with in-class activities to reinforce the lesson.
The traditional homework is done during the class period, giving the teacher opportunity to evaluate individual needs and offer assistance to those who are having difficulty. Marsha’s enthusiasm is admired by her peers and is the type of teacher that Fergus Falls would be proud to have represent their schools as Teacher of the Year.”
Ms. Talley received her Bachelor of Arts degree in math education from the University of Northern Iowa and her Master of Education from Viterbo University.
Congratulation to Marsha Talley on this tremendous honor.
2013 Support
Staff of the Year
The Support Staff of the Year nominees included: Alan Friedrich, custodian; Amy Tietz and Rayelle Hite, both special education paras; and Joan Helgeson, McKinley School secretary. Congratulations to Joan Helgeson for being selected as this year’s winner. Her nominators made the following comments “Joan is the face of McKinley. With a smile, a laugh and her tender heart, she greets young and old warmly as they enter our school and her office.
We never hear Joan say no to any request, and she is amazing in her ability to accomplish the impossible with the many tasks that fall her way. Her work ethic, sense of humor and skills in building relationships with students, staff and parents have made us all grateful to work at McKinley School.
Joan is such a kind and talented secretary. We could not do what we do without all that she does.”
Hosting the first
ever Girls’ Hockey
Holiday Tournament
Both the Junior Varsity and Varsity girls’ hockey teams will host Minneapolis Novas, Detroit Lakes, and Henry Sibley for a two-day tournament.
Games will start Friday at 12:30 p.m. with Fergus Falls JV playing at 2:30 p.m. against Minneapolis Novas and the Varsity team will play at 7 p.m. against Minneapolis Novas.
2012-13 School
calendar change
During the last School Board meeting, the decision was made to change the snow makeup days. The first makeup day, if needed, will be Monday, April 1 and the second is now Friday, May 31.
This means there will be no school on Thursday, March 28 and Good Friday, March 29. The change was made so parents and staff can better plan their schedules.
