PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION

Irondale Robotics team among the best in the world

April 11, 2013 -- Irondale High School's FIRST Robotics Team #2052 will compete at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, Mo., April 24-27. Irondale is among only 13 teams in Minnesota to qualify for the world championship competition in which 16 countries will be represented and 400 teams will compete.

Irondale's Robotics Team will also compete at the Minnesota High School League FIRST State Championship at Williams Arena on May 18. For more information, visit the team's web site www.team2052.com.

Sunnyside teachers named Advisors of the Year

April 2, 2013 -- Sunnyside Elementary School teachers Greg Ulrich and Matt Moore were named 2013 Fuel Up to Play 60 State Program Advisors of the Year recently. Ulrich and Moore were recognized as leaders among Fuel Up to Play 60 school advisors nationwide. They were honored for creating healthier school environments and for empowering students at Sunnyside Elementary School to be active and participate in wellness initiatives.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a program founded by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with the United States Dairy Association (USDA), that empowers students to take charge in making small, everyday changes at school. 

Irondale artists recognized

March 11, 2013 -- Irondale student Brooke Knight was awarded the Silver Key Award in the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards competition sponsored by the College of Visual Arts. Her reflection piece titled "Downtown Reflections" was chosen from a pool nearly 1,850 entries submitted by students in grades 7-12 throughout Minnesota. Knight's piece was on display in February and early March. 

In addition, Knight was named a finalist in the Photographer Forum's 33^rd Annual Best of College and High School Photography Contest for her photograph called "Ride."

Irondale student Shelby Belden was also named a finalist in the Photographer Forum's 33^rd Annual Best of College and High School Photography Contest for her "Water Drop" photo. An estimated 16,000 students from all over the world entered the contest, which was sponsored by Nikon. Belden's piece was selected among 100 student works awarded Honorable Mention. As finalists, Knight and Belden will both see their work published in a hardcover book due to come out this summer. 

Pinewood principal wins Leadership Achievement Award

February 27, 2013 -- The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA) recognized  Pinewood Elementary School principal Bill Book with the 2013 MESPA Division Leadership Achievement Award recently. The award honors principals whose exemplary leadership and sustained efforts have made noteworthy contributions to the operation of effective school learning programs. During MESPA's statewide convention of Minnesota's elementary and middle level principals on February 7, Book was recognized by his colleagues for his contributions to the profession, to his community and to education. 

Service to Youth award

February 18, 2013 -- Irondale student Nick Super (pictured with Superintendent Dan Hoverman) was named by the Northwest Youth and Family Services as a recipient of the 2013 Service to Youth Award from Northwest Youth Service Bureau. Mounds View High School physical education teacher and football coach Jim Galvin also received the Service to Youth Award from Northwest Youth and Family Services. The Service to Youth Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service and commitment to area youth. 

Turtle Lake teacher named semifinalist for 'Teacher of the Year'

February 14, 2013 -- Simone Haugen, a fifth-grade teacher at Turtle Lake Elementary School, has been named a semifinalist for 2013 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. She is among 39 semifinalists chosen from hundreds of nominations from across the state. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers from public and private schools.

In late March, 10 finalists will be chosen, and the Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced in early May. The Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by Education Minnesota.

Haugen is a National Board Certified Teacher who has taught at Turtle Lake for 13 years and at Snail Lake Elementary School for one year. She is among a group of teachers participating in a District-wide Professional Learning Community that incorporates flipped instructional practices in their classrooms, changing how face-to-face time is used. In December, Haugen was recognized as a 2012 TIES Exceptional Teacher for individualizing student instruction through her use of technology like Moodle and Google Apps for Education.