Contact Points | Speak Up in November
Below you’ll find contact points for Stillwater Schools district administration leadership and school board members, plus contact links to additional St. Croix Valley area schools.
School Contacts
- Salem Lutheran – Principal Seth Zimmerman
- St. Croix Catholic School – Principal Sister Mary Juliana, O.P.
- St. Croix Preparatory Academy – Executive Director Jon Gutierrez
- Lower School – Principal Joann Karetov
- Middle School – Principal Wanda Renner
- Upper School – Principal Andrew Sachariason
- St. Croix Montessori – Sheri Rylicki, Head of School
- New Heights School – Principal Thomas Kearney
- Math & Science Academy – Executive Director John Gawarecki
The Stillwater Area Public Schools administrators listed here have direct responsibility for district innovation and learning, including curriculum and gifted services. Rather than list each one, choose to include school principal(s) on written communication and/or to talk with him or her in person about GT services during November.
District Leadership
Ms. Denise PontrelliSuperintendent of Schools
pontrellid@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8301
Dr. Robert McDowell
Executive Director of Learning & Innovation
mcdowellb@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8391
Rachel Larson
Director of Personalized Learning
larsonr@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8340
Stillwater Area School Board
George HoeppnerBoard Chairperson, Liaison to Stillwater Junior High and Lily Lake Elementaryhoeppnerg@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8429
Mike Ptacek
Board Vice Chair, Liaison to Withrow, Marine, and Lake Elmo Elementaries
ptacekm@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8429
Paula O’LoughlinBoard Member, Liaison to Oak Park Elementary and ALColoughlinp@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8429
Shelley Pearson
Board Member, Liaison to ECFC and Rutherford Elementary
pearsons@stillwaterschools.org; 651-351-8429
Reach for the Stars reaches Educators, Students
Schools across the St. Croix Valley are receiving over 1,000 free copies of the 2016-2017 Minnesota Reach for the Stars Guide thanks to St. Croix Valley Gifted and the Synergy & Leadership Exchange. “It makes good sense to ensure the St. Croix Valley can tap into the vast Minnesota K-12 learning and enrichment resources Reach for the Stars gathers in one place,” says incoming chapter president Margaret Thomas. St. Croix Valley Gifted has made the guide’s print edition available in past years at their chapter meetings,...
read moreNAGC | Change Minds. Change Policies. Change Practice.
What needs to happen next in the United States and in Minnesota to reach, teach, and support gifted learners? Who is setting direction and leading the charge? What steps should Minnesota parents, caregivers, educators, and community members take? M. René Islas, Executive Director for the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), was among the keynote speakers at June’s Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium, co-sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education each year in Austin, MN. His full keynote address is...
read moreDept of Ed opens public comment on ESSA law
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) revises and reauthorizes the federal K-12 education law known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). President Obama signed ESSA into law in December 2015. ESSA marks the first time federal law includes several provisions that support gifted and talented students. Following further definition at the State level, these new provisions take effect in 2017-2018. What does ESSA mean for gifted students? Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD, home to the...
read moreBlaze a Trail for Your Students with MCGT
Parents and community members have asked St. Croix Valley Gifted for even more outreach efforts on behalf of area gifted kids. Now is the time for parents, caregivers, educators, and community members to blaze new trails together for GT students — because all kids deserve chances to learn and grow each day. Why Now? Changes in federal ESSA legislation (replacement for NCLB) take effect in Fall 2017. Schools face new requirements to measure learning growth among GT students, and new funding options under Title I and Title II to reach...
read moreFederal ESSA law mandates GT data reporting
President Obama signed new federal legislation in December 2015 that replaces No Child Left Behind (NCLB). UPDATE: A public comment period is in progress through August 1, 2016. – Learn more The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), introduces new requirements to report student achievement, and redefines the terms of Title I funding to include GT learners in under-served populations. “ESEA (ESSA) Re-authorization marks the first time that Congress makes clear that Title I funds may be used to identify and serve gifted students, which will...
read moreMerit-Based Scholarships for Current Year Seventh Graders
Many people associate scholarship with funding college or university coursework. Several scholarship programs are aimed at supporting high-ability students as they near high school so they have a strong foundation for the college experience. Current year seventh graders are eligible for consideration in the two programs below. Criteria and application instructions appear at each link. Institute for Educational Advancement Caroline D. Bradley scholarship – 2017 application by April 11 Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Scholars...
read moreMN Open Enrollment Deadline
Families exploring open enrollment should keep in mind that the MN Department of Education (MDE) sets an annual deadline for submitting related application paperwork to the receiving public school district. The routine deadline is January 15, with school districts required to notify by February 15. School district websites typically provide open enrollment forms and instructions. Visit MDE for: Key topics on statewide enrollment options Charter school directory Access charter school enrollment procedures, forms and related deadlines at the...
read moreNAGC releases State of the States in Gifted Education 2014-2015
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) has issued its 2014-2015 State of the States in Gifted Education biennial report. Look for Minnesota standings to be updated from 2012-2013 and compare to national programming standards for PreK-12 education. NAGC leaders shared these remarks in reaction to the latest report: “A lack of measurement, oversight, and transparency means that children with gifts and talents will remain hidden in the shadows of our schools,” said M. RENÉ ISLAS, Executive Director of the National Association for...
read moreLocal Outreach | November is Time to Speak Up for Area Gifted Students
You asked St. Croix Valley Gifted for a focused local effort that advocates for K-12 gifted students. This is the effort, now is the time. We ask you to step forward and speak up in November. Start a conversation. Share your thoughts with district leaders. Send them an email or pick up the phone. FAQ – Why now? What did people say in the survey? What about other local schools? Need contact points? Take These Easy Steps Know the Goal. > Put community voices together as a constructive force that advocates for data-driven,...
read moreRegister for Nov 2015 MCGT Conference
The 2015 MCGT Annual Conference is scheduled for Saturday, November 7 at Robbinsdale Middle School. Advance online registration for parents, educators, administrators and community members is open now through October 31. This year’s conference is hosted and co-sponsored by Robbinsdale Area Schools; conference flyer (.pdf). Visit the MCGT website for registration instructions and full session information. $55 for MCGT members $70 for non-members (pay the member rate if you join with your registration) $25 for second adult in the same...
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