Prairie science class registration

By Jerry Ness | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Who can explain our Prairie Science Class better than the students? Here’s what Brady had to say in his writings about the PSC:

What if I had not been in the PSC? What if I had missed learning about geese, horned larks, owls, wind, coyotes and cattails? What if I had missed following coyote tracks, feeling the winds, seeing the birds, looking at a coyote den? I would be sad if I had missed it all, because I LOVE THE PSC!

We know what tremendous opportunities the PSC has offered to our fifth graders for the past five years, and we are very pleased to expand the class to fourth graders starting this fall. If you are interested in this option for your child, contact our elementary principal, Scott Colbeck, at 998-0544, ext. 1400.

Next year, a total of 240 fourth and fifth graders will be able to attend the PSC for half a day during the entire school year, studying the traditional 4th and 5th grade curriculum integrated with a study of the natural world that motivates students to learn.

By using nature, the PSC program is able to turn the abstract into concrete, which is a more effective way of leading 4th and 5th graders to comprehend the complicated topics in life and their educational studies.

Call for volunteers

Middle School staff will be packing and moving out of the school from May 27-30, in preparation for our building project. At the same time, many other teachers will also be moving because the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center and Cleveland additions will be completed.

This is an enormous project, and we would welcome the assistance of community residents willing to help pack and label boxes. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the District Office at 218-998-0544.

Middle School project

Recently, several citizens raised a concern to the school board about building on the north side of the Middle School. The district has always been open about the need to adjust for imperfect soils, and our decisions have been based on expert advice.

Northern Technologies, an engineering firm specializing in soils, has done two soil-boring reports at the Middle School. Their September 2007 report recommended extensive earthwork on the north addition prior to construction. While the report did not prohibit construction, the cost of necessary corrections was a concern.

The district’s architect and construction manag-ement firms agreed that a redesign was in order and proposed changing the music addition and altering the style of construction of the Middle School wing. The music rooms were relocated to the old gym, and an additional gym was placed on the building’s south side. The Middle School wing was changed from concrete block to steel frame to decrease the weight and will sit on top of metal and concrete pilings driven 70 feet below grade to firm soil.

A March 2008 report focused on the media center/cafeteria areas and the bus drop-off location. This report did not prohibit construction, either, but it did make recommendations on construction of the foundation. To lower costs, the bus drop-off was moved to the front of the building.

Both reports are located on our website in PDF format. At the main page select the following path "Resources>File Downloads>Building Project Documents>Middle School>Plan" then select the report you desire to read.

Jerry Ness is the superintendent of the Fergus Falls School District. His column runs on Wednesday.