Newsletters (NWSISD) NWSISD newsletter - June 2015 | Page 2

Congratulations to our award winning schools! U.S. Department of Education GreenRibbon School • Rockford Middle School-Center for Environmental Studies Magnet Schools of America 2015 School of Excellence Award • University Avenue Aerospace, Children’s Engineering, and Science • Weaver Lake Elementary: A Science, Math and Technology School Magnet Schools of America 2015 Schools of Distinction Award • Anoka Middle School for the Arts • Salk Middle School • Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards • Alanna Worrall - grade 6 student at Anoka Middle School for the Arts The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards named Alanna as Minnesota’s top middle school youth volunteer for 2015. The award is a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Only 102 students — one middle schooler and one high schooler in each state — are given the award annually. Congratulations Alanna! Step-Up Summer Summit 2015 Summer Summit Enjoys 5th Year at University of St. Thomas-Minneapolis Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD) along with University of St. Thomas Minneapolis Campus (UST) hosted the 5th Annual 2015 Step-Up Mentorship Summer Summit. Over 60 young men from the NWSISD consortium districts spent a week at the Minneapolis Campus of UST June 15 – 19, 2015. This intense educational experience helps prepare just graduated 8th graders for high school by focusing on four key educational constructs: Aspirations, Expectations, Opportunities, and Achievement. These young men heard from leaders of the community as well as peer leaders who spoke of their experiences in life, high school, sports, college, and business. Each day begins with a keynote speaker that stresses the importance of education as a way of maintaining control over one’s future. “The first step of expectation is to forgive,” stated Lacy Cannon. Thus started the conversation about reality, success, specific intention, and faith. Cannon, Principal at School of Grammar – Parnassus Preparatory School, spoke to the group about growing up without a male mentor present in his life. He learned through the years that he could make things happen in his life with positive thoughts, surrounded by people who encourage him, and by believing in himself – all the things these young men need to start incorporating into their lives. Jimmy Nyembwe, Student Achievement Advisor at Anoka-Hennepin School District, brought stories of opportunity. An immigrant from the Congo at age 14, Nyembwe had to learn a new language, make new friends, learn a new education system and integrate himself into a new country. “Opportunity is waiting for you, but you have to find it,” Nyembwe told the young men. In the Congo education is not free. He stressed to the boys the need to get involved with every opportunity available to them in high school. “You’re all capable,” Nyembwe stated, “this is your chance to show that you’re an adult and that you can do it!” Former Step-Up participants Michael and Derrick both 2015 graduates, along with Miles (grade 10) and Antoine (grade 11) spoke t o the group about achievement. Having been in the shoes of the attendees, their advice was a reiteration of what the boys had heard during the week and what the mentors had experienced in high school already. Michael – “Your friends are your backbone – associate with the right people.” Antoine – “Goal setting opens doors to achievement – hang out with the right people.” Miles – “Set your focus and don’t get distracted – break away from the bad stuff.” Derrick – “Another way to reach achievement through goal setting is by listing steps. There is always a list.” Students spend the morning participating in classroom activities focused on introspection, learning how culture shapes expectations, setting goals for their high school careers and creating plans that will assist them in accomplishing those goals. Besides classroom activities, students took part in an art scavenger hunt in downtown Minneapolis, joined in outdoor sports activities at Loring Park, spent a day at Camp Eden Wood being challenged on high ropes and team building activities, and ended the week with their own presentations. Step-Up students receive additional guidance throughout the year and are involved in mentorship activities during their high school careers.