Greetings, Northfield Public Schools Families,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying a well-deserved Minnesota summer. I want to take the opportunity to share a few items today: vaccination opportunities, community education opportunities, job openings within the district and its partners, a reminder about a modest 2021-22 calendar change to facilitate family conferences, a reminder about our all-the-time-online Portage program enrollment, and information about the interview segments I record with KYMN radio.
Vaccinations [reminder]
While vaccination is a personal choice, it is the best tool we have to defeat COVID-19. In Rice County, 61.7% of residents 12-and-older have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of July 6, 2021.
Vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective. Please consider this resource from Northfield Hospital+Clinics about COVID-19 vaccines, including information for parents of 12-to-15 year olds.
You can find a vaccination option by using our vaccine opportunities page.
Community Education Opportunities [new]
Northfield Public Schools’ community education programming is back in full swing! There are many options to choose from for youth and adults. Scholarships are available for qualifying families.
» Check out the community education opportunities here
Want to make a difference? Come work with us! [new]
Northfield Public Schools has many employment opportunities available for the 2021-22 school year in both regular and substitute positions. This also includes positions with our transportation partners at Benjamin Bus.
» Check out our current job postings
Americorps Openings [new]
We are actively recruiting AmeriCorps Promise Fellows to work with Northfield youth in the Northfield Public Schools during the upcoming 2021-22 school year. Promise Fellows can serve full-time or half-time, providing academic support to youth and connecting them with community resources and opportunities.
Fellows receive a living allowance, an education award (to use towards past or future education expenses), health insurance, and more (to learn more, click here).
Northfield currently has open Promise Fellow positions with Northfield High School, Northfield Middle School, Northfield Area Learning Center, Greenvale Park Community School, and the Portage program.
Please help us spread the word! Application review is underway, so encourage interested candidates to send their resume (or any questions!) soon to: americorps@healthycommunityinitiative.org
2021-22 calendar/family conferences [reminder]
There has been a change to the 2021-22 calendar. Following excellent feedback from families and staff about our beginning-of-the-year family conferences last fall, we are continuing the practice moving forward. Building strong home/school partnerships begins with developing relationships. Family conferences to begin the school year is a key element of building those relationships that lead to quality partnerships.
Family conferences are scheduled for Sept. 7 and 8, 2021. The first official day of classes will now be Sept. 9. The last day of school has also been moved to June 9, 2022. There are no other changes to the calendar.
» Link to the revised 2021-22 school calendar
Portage enrollment available [reminder]
Portage is a free, state-approved online learning program serving Minnesota students in Kindergarten-12th grade and administered by Northfield Public Schools. If you are interested in enrolling in Portage for the 2021-22 school year, visit the Portage website.
The district is hosting webinars about the Portage program (including changes made compared to the 2020-21 school year version). The next webinar is on July 21 at 12:30 pm. The links and additional information will be posted on the Portage website.
KYMN Radio Interviews [new]
I visit with KYMN radio’s Jeff Johnson the morning after each school board meeting. I usually review the highlights of the board meeting and other things going on in the school district. You can listen to the latest segment on the KYMN radio website.
Thank You
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I value the relationships the district has with our students, parents, and guardians. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, concerns, or compliments about Northfield Public Schools!
Sincerely,
Matt
—
Matt Hillmann, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
mhillmann@northfieldschools.org