Decision made regarding making up cancelled days
February 5, 2014
Filed under News
After deliberation over the outcome of the multiple days off due to weather conditions, School Board and district officials decided on a proposal Feb. 4. In order to make up for the lost time, the plan involves cancelling late start and early release days on March 17, April 25 and May 19. Additionall...
Weather conditions prompt additional days off
January 27, 2014
Filed under News
As cold weather temperatures persisted, Park closed its doors to students and faculty once again to ensure safety from dangerous conditions on Jan. 23, Jan. 27 and Jan. 28. Contrasting the previous days off earlier in January, these closings caused complications, occurring during finals days and using up...
Fund goal reached for Carly’s Dream
January 16, 2014
Filed under News
Blue replaced the traditional orange and black at the girls’ basketball game Jan. 10. Players tied their shoes with light blue laces and the student section wore blue to honor the anniversary of the passing of Carly Christenson. The game included a moment of silence for Christenson, a Park freshman...
Karen Waters begins School Board term
January 16, 2014
Filed under News
For Karen Waters, a new year doesn’t just mean changing the calendar. She’s also starting a new job as the newest member of the School Board. Waters was elected to her first term in the elections last November and was sworn in at the School Board meeting Jan. 13. Incumbents Bruce Richardson and Jim ...
Audio books a new resource for students
January 16, 2014
Filed under News
With certain students struggling to keep up with the literature in his class, English teacher Andy Carlson decided record audio files for his students. “What prompted this was the ninth grade students started reading ‘They Caged the Animals at Night,’” Carlson said. “I had a couple students th...
Metz: Weather cancellations will not impact calendar
January 15, 2014
Filed under News
After many years since Park’s last snow day, students finally received their wish as the district closed schools Jan. 6 and 7 because of extreme winter temperatures. Gov. Mark Dayton announced Jan. 3 all Minnesota public schools would be closed the following Monday, as the state experienced temperatures...
Teachers, district differ on contract details
January 15, 2014
Filed under News
For the first time since teacher contracts expired last June, representatives from the Park Association of Teachers released a statement while about 70 teachers sat in the audience at the School Board meeting Jan. 13. Negotiators from the Park Association of Teachers (PAT) and the School District...
Freshmen encouraged to stand up for respect
December 13, 2013
Filed under News
When freshman Erin Anderson arrived at the Respect Retreat Nov.14, she said she did not expectthe retreat to impact her values and the way she views other students. “I thought we were just going to play games and talk about respecting each other,” Anderson said. “(But) hearing everyone’s stories ...
Establishing a comfortable environment for all
December 11, 2013
Filed under News
When Minnesota’s same-sex marriage amendment passed last May, senior Sophie Macklem-Johnson said she immediately saw students rally in support of gay couples, like her parents. “People have been nothing but positive toward my family,” Macklem-Johnson said. “As soon as same-sex marriage was...
Club establishment policies ignite disagreements
December 11, 2013
Filed under News
When senior Mary Pavia and juniors Layna Crandell and Noa Raasch proposed the gender equality club, the administration’s reaction surprised them. The gender equality club, among others including the knitting club and the pingpong club, encountered different situations regarding their establishments. According...
Students play tribute to Sandy Hook
December 11, 2013
Filed under News
During the orchestra’s Alumni Concert, students will play a piece by Park eighth grader Kinsey Scott. Scott began writing this piece almost a year ago when in Newtown, Conn., when an intruder shot 20 children and six staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Approximately 1,000 miles away...
Program to expand bike paths
December 11, 2013
Filed under News
Freshman Noah Smith said he and his family bike from their home on Lake of the Isles to Beth El Synagogue almost every week. The trails would assist the Smith family on their weekly trek. “There would be no risk of cars and it would be more accessible,” Smith said. “It would be less dangerous.” A...
According to freshman Roots and Shoots member Zoe Frank, the Climate Action Plan has been in the works for three to four years. She said she feels happy to see their hard work come to fruition. “We...
With two seconds remaining in the championship round, senior and member of team Softball Sam Garcia felt beyond thrilled when she caught the ball, winning that round for her team as well as being n...
[one-third-first] Bekele focuses on inspiring listeners Sophomore Nebyu Bekele said he wakes up every morning thinking about winning a Grammy someday. “(Rapping) is my passion. I mean (winning a...
Abby Intveld, Dani Orloff, and Emma Yarger
Having not stated the Pledge of Allegiance since elementary school, senior Sam Wooden said he was inspired by the opportunity to honor the United States and its flag at school. “We haven’t don...
