By Doug Berg
The 23rd year of Mini-School is well underway. As is true every year, there are changes—some dramatic, some subtle. Yet the over-riding goal of Mini-School remains the same as it has been since day one—to help kids become the best they can holistically be—intellectually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Mini-School is up for a North Central evaluation this year. While these things are often kind of a chore and a headache, so far this NCA evaluation has given students and parents an opportunity to express their feelings about Mini-School. Most of them, I’m happy to say, have been positive. The evaluation began last spring when a focus group of current Mini-School students was asked to evaluate Mini-School. Their comments were extremely positive, especially in the areas of school solidarity and the meaningfulness of the classes and trip experiences to them.
On October 20th, a Focus Group of Mini-School parents met. While I have not seen the written transcript of this meeting, ESL teacher Nancy Ward (mom of former Mini-Schoolers Tom and Ryan), who moderated the meeting, says she has never heard such an outpouring of positive support for any aspect of the school. Vern Thoreson, business education teacher who chairs our NCA group, seconded Nancy’s feelings. We on the staff are extremely pleased with this support, but we’re not ready to rest on our laurels. We’re meeting regularly to bring our outcomes and objectives more into focus and to more finely tune and coordinate the Mini-School program.
As you will read about elsewhere in this issue of Com-Mini-Cations, there have been some staffing changes in Mini-School. First, Lester, long-time Mini-School teacher, has gone from full-time Mini-School to .3 Mini-School. The rest of her teaching assignment is in the Art Department. Lester’s classroom time with Mini-School is in her computer literacy class. In addition, she will lead the production end of Com-Mini-Cations.
Dawn Norton’s time with Mini-School has been slightly increased, from .5 to .6. This means that Dawn will be around Mini-School all morning all year. In addition to teaching her science classes, Dawn is working with Lester in the computer area. Also, with Lester’s reduction in Mini-School time, Dawn (along with Ramona, who I’ll tell you about shortly) is leading the Mini-School Women’s Issues class.
Mike Shelly, who worked last year as Mini-School math teacher/office paraprofessional, is working as a full-time math teacher for the Eden Prairie Alternative Program. He’s still technically an employee of Minnetonka Schools, sort of on loan to that program.
Replacing Mike as math teacher is Ramona Anderson. Ramona is full-time Mini-School math/special education. She’s worked in the past in Chicago and closer to home with West Metro Alternative School. Ramona is also working with Women’s Issues and is eager to get involved in Mini-School’s trips program.
Replacing Mike as Office Paraprofessional (it took two people to replace Mike) is Joanne Storlie. Joanne is a returning staffer, as she worked as Mini-School’s office person ten years ago until her job was eliminated by budget cuts. Mini-School has never been as organized as when Joanne was here, and she’s whipping us into shape again. In addition to her office skills and organizational skills, Joanne has a degree in counseling and tons of canoeing, backpacking, and camping experience. Along with managing the office, she’s facilitating Mini-School’s weekly Insights Group.
Lynette Schaitberger, Special Education teacher, worked the last couple of years with Mini-School part-time. Replacing Lynette in this capacity this year is Teresa Lenzen. Teresa works primarily with Dawn during hour 4/5.
Randy and I, 23-year veterans of this program, keep plugging along. In his classes, Randy emphasizes current events, goal-setting, geography, history, and basic living skills. In addition, Randy is the major driving force in Mini-School’s recreation program, provides a daily weight-training program for some kids (“Beyond Mini”), teaches and supervises the vocational component of Mini-School, and keeps kids’ credit records in order. Randy has also recently been voted into the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Way to go Randy. I get involved in recreation, teach analytical skills in newspaper reading, stress environmental awareness, teach basic English skills, direct, edit, and advise Com-Mini-Cations, produce most of the written communication for Mini-School, help Randy with the vocational aspect of Mini-School, lead the majority of the trip experiences and help facilitate those I’m not directly involved in.
Things get crazy sometimes, but the combined efforts of the above people put together, I believe, a good, sound comprehensive program for the Mini-School kids.
Speaking of kids, we have a terrific group this year. In twenty-three years I can’t remember a stronger, more enthusiastic group of returning seniors and veterans. These kids are excited about all aspects of Mini-School, are extremely loyal to the program, and work hard to make themselves and Mini-School the best that they can be. I’m reluctant to list names for fear of overlooking someone, but veterans who are really helping out this year include: Jesse Walker, Sharon Korzendorfer, Ronilyn and Raeann Rasmussen, Terry Vincent, Kristie Ennis, Chris Bagdons, Jeremy Lego, Josh Rockstad, Josh Kilen, Jenny Case, Jessica Lawson, Stephanie Tucker, Chad Zaback, Nate Miller, Brandon Marcaccini, Justin Weitnauer, Elliot Tan, Jessica Ryan, Stacy Vetvick, Matt Holmbeck, and Matt Richard. Joining these veterans are a group of kids who were pretty new to the program at the end of last year and a steady stream of new kids being referred to Mini-School from TEAM. We especially seem to be getting an influx of new girls lately. (They must have heard about all the good-looking guys in the program.)
There has been so much going on in Mini-School that it’s hard to believe school has only been in session 2 months. The Mark Warren trip took place the second week in October. There’s been much written about it throughout this issue, so I’ll not add much more. Twenty students took part. Suffice it to say that the skills, attitudes, concepts, and understandings Mini-School kids receive from this amazing man are truly life-transforming. We’re privileged to be able to have this yearly connection with our friend from Georgia. There have been a number of one-day outings, most of which are written up elsewhere in this issue: The Crow River Canoe Outing, the Minnehaha Creek-Lake Minnetonka male bonding canoe outing, the Rake-a-Thon, the Inter-City Bicycle Trip, the City Lakes Rollerblade Outing. Also, I should mention that a canoe trip through the Minnetonka summer school program, led by Randy and I, went down the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers. Fourteen Mini-School kids participated. On the horizon for Mini-School include the annual Grantsburg Thanksgiving Hike (we’ve never let snow, cold, barges that won’t start, or deer hunters stop us), a possible outing to Dudley Riggs’ Brave New Workshop, a Women’s Issues Downtown/Cultural Appreciation Trip and the first ever all-Mini School field trip to the Science Museum.
Classes in the near future include, along with the usual instruction in basic skills, special emphasis on math, English, and science skills for kids who are taking the ACT test. Also, Randy is teaching a block on philosophy, assisted by Ramona and me. The kids want to do a talent show again before the holidays. It’s not a sure thing, as we’re having trouble finding staff time to direct it, but we’ll pull it off if we can. Also, our Minnesota Weatherguide Calendar fundraiser has begun. The calendars sell for $11.00 (wall calendar) and $12.00 (engagement calendar). Mini-School makes $4.00 on each one. The money goes to upgrade and repair equipment and to defray the costs of trips. If $3500 is raised, Randy and I will lose our hair (Randy has more to lose than I if you take into account his beard.)
Well, that’s about it for this Meander. As some of you may have heard, I was ill most of the summer with a rare blood parasite called babesiosis. I spent most of the summer with a raging fever. The big problem was that this bug is so rare (about 150 cases in the total U. S. population) that the doctors couldn’t figure out what I had. By the time they did, and knocked it out of me with antibiotics, it had pretty much reduced me to a weak, skinny, pale, tired wimp. I’ve been coming back strong, and am ready to lead the Mini-School kids once again down rivers, into canyons, over mountains, and across frozen wastes. Believe me, it feels good to feel good again.