On Wednesday February 10, 2021 Faribault Rotarians had the pleasure of hearing from Faribault Public Schools Community Education Team, Faribault Rotarian Dr. Anne Marie Leland and her associates Cassie Ohnstad, Kate Geary and Vicky Croon presenting “Cradle to Career FPS Community Education”
Anne Marie stated there has been tremendous growth of the Community School Education programing since she started in 2012.
Vicky Croon runs Community School at Jefferson Elementary. Coming up for 5th graders is an opportunity to work virtually with the U of Minnesota on a cooking class making apple sauce. Looking forward to some warmer months, and starting a community garden at Jefferson. This will provide many learning opportunities.
Kate Geary runs the programing at the Faribault Middle School, serving 6 -8th graders. There are a variety of clubs offered five days a week, including the popular P.E on Wednesdays when there is open gym. There are about 30 Kids taking advantage of this right now and soon warmer weather will allow them to do outdoor activities as well such as cross-country skiing and snow shoeing. The students have an advisory board within community school at FMS, and have expressed the need to be around their teachers more!
Cassie Ohnstad runs the programing for Highschool and Adult Education. She has partnered with some local businesses to launch a community training program for adults looking to go to work at Daiken or another factory in the area. The class is teaching the basics one would need to know to work in the factory setting, including handling tools, basic wiring and safety to name a few. She is also excited about “Renting Basics” a program that will be offered for new home buyers and first-time renters. When you are in charge of a house hold for the first time, you don’t know what you don’t know. For example: when you are renting, it is not the landlord’s job to vacuum for you or change a battery in your smoke detector.
Thank you, FPS Community Education Team! It is so exciting to hear about the programs you are all putting together for our community – you are making our community a better place! We appreciate all your hard work and diligence! Visit us again soon!
