By Edwina Harder

Southgate Principal

Southgate Elementary received word in early September that they are designated as a “celebration eligible” school for the third year in a row. This designation is based on a formula set forth by the state. In brief, to become eligible for this designation you must score well as a building on the yearly Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and show that you are closing the achievement gap. These standards are high, and we are proud that we have attained this status yet again.

Success like this happens as a result of an incredible amount of hard work. Classroom teachers at Southgate Elementary work to ensure that students are taught the grade level standards. There are times that students are missing requisite learning to meet these standards, or they may enter school already knowing them. Intervention teachers work in concert with grade level teachers to remediate and extend learning for these students. Teachers use data from ongoing assessments to determine what students need to help them progress. Teachers use collaboration time to discuss the needs of students and how best to meet them. There are times that scheduling can be quite difficult, as a student may need to receive assistance in a number of areas (i.e. speech, remediation in reading, extension in math, and English Learning services). Teachers have to create schedules that allow students to get all the assistance they need while still not missing core content.

Families also play a vital role in the success of their children. Attending conferences, family events, and other school functions keeps families connected to our school. Modeling that school is important and that home-school connections are strong helps provide students an example of the idea that just as the adults in the family have a job, the child’s job is to do their best at school each day. We appreciate the partnership that we have with our families.

Finally, we know that you, the community, are a part of our success. Without your support — through referendums, attendance at school events, volunteering, nurturing families in our community, and support for community resources that help families — we would not have the positive environment that allows us to support children in and out of school. Your support is critical for our success.

Though we are proud of our great results, we are always striving to improve. In August, Southgate staff received the second day of training in Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies. These are strategies designed to improve the engagement of all students. They apply to every curricular area, and truly make learning enjoyable. Our staff is also implementing Thinking Maps this year. Thinking Maps are a set of eight visual representations that help to organize our thinking. This is also something that can apply to every curricular area. We are excited to see how they help students as they progress through the years.

We know that there are people who would like to become involved in our schools. We have students who could use help with math facts, students who need someone to listen to them read, library books that could be shelved, students who could be greeted as they get off the bus, students who would love to play a game with an adult (either at recess or another time), students who would love to learn to play chess or backgammon, copies that need to be made, etc. If you have a desire to help in the school, we will work with you to find a task that fits your interests. Please contact the Southgate School office at 507-460-1300 if you are interested in volunteering at our school.

I am so proud of the work that is done at Southgate Elementary each and every day. Thank you for your support of our school.