Linda Vanderwerf
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I cover education issues for the West Central Tribune and have worked for the paper since 1995. I have worked in journalism since 1981.
Follow me on Twitter: @lindavanderwerf
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- Member for
- 4 years 10 months
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WILLMAR — When it comes to honoring one of their own, the Willmar Middle School knows how to throw a party. They even got the top education official in the state into their gym Friday morning to honor Assistant Principal Beckie Simenson, who was chosen last week as the state’s assistant principal of the year for secondary schools. A student band played and the cardinal mascot offered hugs and high-fives as the entire student body, many dressed in red, filed into the gym. Then the mascot led the way as Simenson entered the gym with Cassellius. A row of girls with T-shirts spelling out “Mrs.
WILLMAR — After learning that Minnesota’s fourth-graders led the nation in testing this year, Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius began challenging school administrators and teachers. She’s been asking, “Are you ready for these fourth-graders.” Cassellius was in Willmar Friday to speak to a noon gathering of the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.
WILLMAR — There’s some trash-talking going on at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar this month, and it hasn’t been just the kids. Today marks the end of a food drive that has turned into a friendly competition. The classroom which donates the most food items wins a party attended by Principal James Hill. The school is also collecting donations of new or gently used winter clothing through Dec. 20, when the two-week Christmas break begins. There’s no competition on the clothing drive, but a large box in the school’s entry has been filled many times over, said child guide Heidi Burton.
WILLMAR — A 22-year-old man from Stewart was found dead Wednesday morning in his apartment in northwest Willmar. According to a news release from Willmar Police Capt. Jim Felt, authorities were called at 9:28 a.m. to the apartment in the 1300 block of 24th Street Northwest. A man reported that he had found his roommate unconscious and not breathing. Emergency crews responded to find the 22-year-old man deceased.
WILLMAR — West central Minnesota will need to stay bundled up for a couple more days, judging by forecasts from the National Weather Service. Dangerous wind chills are expected over...
WILLMAR — The Willmar School Board chose Laura Warne of Pennock as its new member Monday. Warne was one of two people who expressed interest in the seat left vacant by the resignation of board member Dan Croonquist. He resigned for personal reasons at the end of the Nov. 12 meeting. The board held its regular meeting after the annual Truth in Taxation hearing Monday. No one from the public attended the hearing, at which the board adopted a $4.93 million tax levy for 2104, a 27 percent decrease from the levy paid this year.
WILLMAR — The Willmar School Board will adopt a tax levy and select a new member at its regular meeting Monday. A proposed new policy to be considered would change the legal classification of board members so that the school district would not consider them employees when it comes to releasing data. The board will meet at 6:01 p.m. Monday in the board room on the first floor of the Willmar Education and Arts Center. The board will begin its meeting later than usual because of laws governing the annual Truth in Taxation hearing.
WILLMAR — Beckie Simenson, assistant principal at Willmar Middle School, has been named the top assistant principal in the state. The Minnesota Association of Secondary Principals selected Simenson for the honor, which was announced this week.
WILLMAR — A task force studying Willmar Public Schools facilities has found some common views as members discuss ways to deal with the district’s crowded and aging buildings. For one thing, no one on the task force thinks that nothing should be done. Everyone on the task force has talked about the need for improved physical education, athletics and fine arts facilities. The group will meet again Dec.
WILLMAR — Seniors in high school probably get tired of all the questions — what are you going to do next year, where are you going to school, what do you want to be. Willmar Senior High teacher Melissa Aaker has given her senior communications students a head start in answering those questions through a job shadowing assignment.
