Kindergarten classes growing

By Jerry Ness | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Great news! It’s anticipated that, at the June 9 School Board meeting, an additional kindergarten teaching position will be approved, allowing another section of kindergarten to be added for the 08-09 school year. This will reduce the class size from 25 to 20-21 students per section, and class sizes will be capped at 22 per section for all day, every day and the every-other-day sections.

Please contact the district office at 218-998-0544 if you plan to enroll a child in either of the kindergarten options or have any questions. Part of the funding will come from new money provided by the state, with the remainder funded through kindergarten fees.

Retirees

With my last column of the spring, I would like to recognize the retirees from District 544. They have spent countless hours educating our students, and I would like to congratulate them on their retirement and thank them for their years of dedicated service.

Nancy Johnson has worked as a special education teacher, principal, superintendent and, for the past 11 years, as the District 935 special education director, which includes the Fergus Falls Public Schools. Ms. Johnson has nine education license areas and is well known and greatly respected in the field of special education across Minnesota. During her tenure in our cooperative, she has been a leader in supporting our students with disabilities.

Mary Jones Olson is retiring after 44 years of teaching 1st grade, the last 39 at Adams School. Ms. Jones Olson has always been a supportive colleague, personally and professionally, not only to the Adams family but the entire staff of District 544. Working with students has always been her passion; her dedication to building a strong foundation for all students was outstanding. She recognized the individual needs of each student and planned effective lessons each day that assured the success of every child. Ms. Jones-Olson’s caring and compassion brought out the best in all her students.

Cherrie Mathieson, who ended her long elementary career in third grade at Cleveland School, is a humble person who would never brag about her accomplishments in education. But, just as she did in gardening, she worked hard to encourage her young charges to thrive, and the end result was most often a thing of beauty. Ms. Mathieson used a soft voice, arrived early each day, encouraged her students and colleagues and always gave a compliment at the right time.

As a teacher, Stephanie O’Brien helped shape tomorrow, one curious mind at a time. She accepts each student for who they are and meets each student at his or her level. Ms. O’Brien joined the District in January 1980 and has worked with students in the Alternative (Area) Learning Center. Thank you for your dedication to education and how you cared for each individual student and brought out the best in each of them.

If you looked up the definition of a good colleague, you’d find phrases such as hard working, sense of humor, assists coworkers, plans ahead and fun to be around. All of these describe Cinda Tysver. Ms. Tysver is retiring after at least 25 years in the district. Her fun nature and her quick wit brightened each and every day at the Fergus Falls Middle School.

Judy Edinger has worked with students in the Title 1 program and has worked in all three of our elementary buildings. She is a person you can confide in and trust. She has an open heart and is kind to everyone. Ms. Edinger gives you her undivided attention and respect along with an unwavering passion for teaching and dealing with all types of personalities each day. The dedication you have shown to your profession has touched us in countless ways.

Jerry Ness is the superintendent of the Fergus Falls school District. His column appears on Wednesday.