WILLMAR -- The new school year brought some increased enrollment and a variety of new programs to Willmar Public Schools.
Administrators provided an update on the first week of school when the School Board met Monday.
They also addressed some challenges. The school district is required to write an improvement plan because students in some categories did not meet goals in state standardized tests taken last spring. Lincoln Elementary is required to offer school choice.
Principal Beckie Simenson said work is already under way at Lincoln to develop a plan for that school.
Other administrators said their staff members are looking for ways to address gaps that may have been revealed in the test scores.
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In many cases, the news from the tests is more positive than negative, said Senior High Principal Rob Anderson.
Enrollment is up in pre-school programs and at several schools in the district.
The Family Literacy and Kids Together programs have grown, said Steve Brisendine, director of Willmar Community Education and Recreation. Recreation and adult education programs also have increased participation.
At Kennedy Elementary, with grades K-4, enrollment this fall is 40 students higher than a year ago and 85 students higher than two years ago, said Principal Scott Hisken.
The first grade and the second grade each added one section this year, Hisken said, and the school is full. "Every room, every space is being maximized for learning," he said.
Roosevelt Elementary with grades 4-6 is also full, said Principal Patti Dols. That school added sections in grades 5 and 6.
Even in the 90-degree heat last week, "we still had students who were very eager to come to school," Dols said. She added that she enjoys watching sixth-graders step up into leadership roles each fall.
The Senior High has added nearly 30 students in the past two weeks, Anderson said.
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The school's graduation rates have risen steadily in recent years. "I can't tell you how proud I am about that," he said.
Many school buildings have introduced new programs this year.
At Lincoln and Jefferson elementary schools, both with lower elementary grades, programs aimed at a more peaceful playground environment have been added, and teachers are implementing plans to bring more physical activity into the classrooms, Simenson said.
The Area Learning Center has an Early Childhood Family Education class on site to serve students who are parents, said Michael Mohs, director of secondary alternative education.
The Junior High has expanded its class offerings and revamped its schedule from seven to eight class periods a day. The first week, as students and staff adjusted to all the changes, was a hectic one, said Principal Mark Miley. He praised the school's staff for working through the twists and turns of the first week.
Some security upgrades have been made. The Area Learning Center has a new, electronic magnet door-lock system, so one button in the office can lock all the doors in the building in an emergency.
Roosevelt has a new intercom system, and the Junior High has a new secured entry.
Superintendent Kathy Leedom praised the administrators after their reports. They pave the way for their staffs and "set the tone for a positive school year," she said.
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The board approved a fundraiser for the girls varsity soccer team. Team members will offer a clinic on basic soccer skills for younger girls and boys the morning of Oct. 6. The clinic will include a session for parents on the rules of soccer.
Scholarships are available for children whose families cannot afford the fee for the clinic.
Varsity coach Jeff Winter said the money raised in the clinic will help pay for an awards banquet and for transportation to a University of Minnesota women's soccer match.
A workshop to discuss the block schedule at the Senior High was scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 30.
The board moved its meeting originally scheduled for Oct. 9 to Oct. 8, which is Columbus Day. Though a federal holiday, the day is not a school holiday.
