Currents

WATERSHED HAPPENINGS

August 21
Board Meeting

August 26
Open House (for prospective families),

August 27
Back to School Night*

September 2
First day of 08-09 school year

September 10
Open House

September 25
Open House

ADMIN NOTES:
–Phil Grant, Administrator

Dear Watershed Community,

If you’re anything like me, you’re at least partly in denial. It’s mid-August and I’m wondering where the summer went! How can I get a couple more weeks of good weather and time with family and friends?

And yet, I’m tremendously excited by the approach of the 08-09 school year. The school board, staff and I have embraced the opportunity to make this the best year ever. We’re doing this by planning, recruiting and marketing extensively. We’re getting the word out that there’s this hidden gem of a charter high school in south Minneapolis, Watershed by name. It’s small and safe. It has a rich liberal arts curriculum and promotes community service and the arts. Teachers care for each student, and students are wonderfully accepting of each other.

As I’ve said before, we need everyone’s help in recruiting. Word of mouth is extremely effective. Spread the good word about Watershed. If you have concerns, let me know so we can address them.

*Back to School Night: Wednesday, August 27, at 6:00 p.m. for new family & student orientation; 7:30 p.m. Ice Cream Social for new and returning families and students. If you can help, call Leslie Kallas.

Good news: (1) Adler Graduate School has informed us that they are renewing our charter for three more years. Many thanks to Endel Kallas, our board chair, for leading this process. (2) Our annual audit is well underway and it shows that we’re financially healthy, with much improved clarity, transparency and accountability over the past two years. Credit here goes to our board, finance committee, and especially past Treasurer, Jeff Royce. (3) We have great new and returning teachers. See Faculty Chair Matt McElrath’s letter for more information. (4) We’ve set ambitious goals for this year, all aimed at improving students’ lives and learning. Again, see Matt’s letter for details.

This week’s newsletter marks the beginning of our school year publishing cycle. You can expect a fresh newsletter almost every week from now on. They’ll always be on our website. We also mail a hard copy to everyone who wants one, so let Betty Edwards in the school office know if you’re in this group. We also include a newsletter in our monthly mailings.

The next Watershed School Board meeting is Thursday, August 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m. All board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to be on the agenda, please contact Endel Kallas.

Questions, concerns, ideas? Give me a call at 612-871-4363 x206, or email me at pgrant (at)watershedhs.org. Have a great week!

NEWS FROM OUR FACULTY CHAIR:
Matt McElrath

The summer is quickly transitioning into a new school year, and I would like to take the opportunity to welcome both new and returning students. This newsletter is intended to inform you of many of the transitions that are occurring at Watershed High School, as well as prepare you for the first day of class, which will be Tuesday, September 2nd.

Back to School Night
Included in this mailing, you will find a calendar for the upcoming year. Note the Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 27th. Beginning at 6pm, new students and their families will attend Watershed Orientation. At 7:30pm returning students and families will join us for an Ice Cream Social. During both events, you will be able to complete necessary registration, scheduling and permission forms for the upcoming year. These forms are also located on the website on the Forms and Documents page. Alternately, you may request that forms be mailed directly by calling Watershed’s office.

Recruiting and Marketing
Watershed’s largest objective for the summer has been to increase enrollment in all grades through recruiting and marketing. Look for Watershed signs inside Metro Transit buses and listen for spots on KFAI radio. Also, Watershed car magnets are in production and will be available soon. Increasing enrollment will allow Watershed to expand curriculum, electives, staffing and other extra-curricular opportunities for Watershed students. If you know any students or families interested in Watershed, please have them attend one of the Open Houses listed on the enclosed calendar.

Electives and J-Term
Students will recognize changes as they register for courses this fall, especially during Friday electives. Students will be able to choose from course offerings in art, physical activity, mentoring, literature and music (We are currently pursuing alternatives for music courses). In preparation for the annual Medieval Feast, Watershed will also be unveiling a brand new January (J) term this winter. Students will have an opportunity to select from numerous activities including preparing for Medieval Feast, developing National History Day projects and creative writing at Philadelphia Farm.

Goals
In order to continually promote Watershed’s institutional development, the faculty has defined a set of academic and non-academic goals to structure the upcoming year, which include the establishment and pursuit of specific goals for all students, increased student participation and success in all subjects, especially math and a commitment to a steadily increasing enrollment. In addition, the faculty has adopted a new behavior policy that embraces relationships and communication amongst teachers, students and families. Watershed’s foundation of licensed and experienced educators will be integral in developing these relationships and helping ensure the success of these goals.

Faculty
The summer has witnessed several changes within the Watershed faculty, including the election of Matt McElrath as faculty chair during the June in-service. Pam Lien and Rhonda Lingen have elected to leave Watershed to pursue other career paths. We thank them for their contributions to Watershed and wish them well in future endeavors. At the same time, Watershed is excited to introduce Steve Andrews as the new Special Education teacher. We are also actively pursuing individuals to serve as Spanish, ESL and Theater instructors.

I’m looking forward to a great year at Watershed. Feel free to contact me with questions or concerns (mmcelrath (at) watershedhs.org -or- 612-227-0034).

STUDENT SUPPLIES LIST:

Please make sure your student has the following by September 2nd, the first day of school:

General: All students
- 1 ream unlined paper & box of tissues to share
- 8 report folders with pockets and center binder
- Set of colored pencils
- Pens, pencils and erasers
- Assignment book

For English:
- Journal (composition-style notebook preferred)
- Three ring binder with lined paper and at least 3 dividers
- Nice, but not required: dictionary (American Heritage preferred)

WATERSHED HAPPENINGS

July 17, School Board meeting

September 2, First day of 08-09 school year

Dear Watershed Community,

An enrollment marketing task force met last Thursday to develop summer marketing plans. Our goal is to get out the good word about Watershed and increase our enrollment. The message is straightforward: we have a good school, getting better all the time. With our small class sizes, an innovative and supportive faculty, and sense of belonging, Watershed offers a great opportunity to all of its students.

Background: during 07-08, we served about 80 students. Our largest class (c. 30) was our senior class. Our other classes are smaller, so we need to attract about 30-40 students to replace the class of 2008 and grow as we would like. With all of us working together, we can indeed grow. I know students are out there. As one recent touring family commented, “Why are you such a well kept secret?” So—secret no more! If you have ideas to promote the school, know people who are interested (or should be interested!), or can otherwise help, let me know.

The school office will be open on a limited basis all summer. We will check messages regularly and get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks.

Farewell department: Congratulations to our registrar, Pam Lien, who’s accepted an
administrative position with Quest Academy, a new charter school opening in St. Louis Park. Pam has been a wonderful asset to Watershed for years, and I know she will continue to do good things for the students at her new school. Thank you for everything, Pam, and good luck. I look forward to your visits to Watershed!

With Pam’s departure, I’m looking for a replacement. If you’re interested or know anyone who might be, let me know.

The next Watershed School Board meeting is Thursday, July 17, 5:30-7:30 p.m. All board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to be on the agenda, contact Endel Kallas.

Questions, concerns, ideas? Give me a call at 612-871-4363 x206, or email me at pgrant@watershedhs.org. Have a great summer!

Sincerely,

Phil Grant
Administrator