The Princeton Union-Eagle » Columns/Opinion

Spanish Noodle Skillet

Princeton Union-Eagle — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:10:38 +0000

Jacob “Jake” Tou grew up in Princeton and is using his Associate of Applied Science degree in accounting in his job with the Princeton School District, handling accounts payable and accounts receivable, and assisting with payroll.
Jake and his wife Janelle have two children – Connor, who turns five in June, and Donovan, 2. Janelle is a special education paraprofessional for the school district.
Jake enjoys downhill skiing, music, cooking and spending time with the couple’s children. “I love working here,” he said about his job in the district office. “Everybody here works well together.”
Jake says his job is fun because of the challenges. It’s not just accounting but also doing the accounting so it meets government regulations, and that requires a little investigating, he says.

SPANISH NOODLE SKILLET
2 slices of bacon, cut up
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup green bell pepper, cut up
1/2 lb. ground beef
1 tsp. salt
dash pepper
1/4 tsp. oregano
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups egg noodles
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Fry bacon until crispy and set aside. Cook the onion, green pepper and hamburger in the bacon drippings until tender. Drain off grease. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper and 3/4 cup water. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Bring to a boil and add the noodles and 3/4 of the cheese. Reduce heat and simmer 10 more minutes. Stir occasionally. Top with the remaining cheese and reserved bacon.

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Volunteer Bridge thanks its volunteers

Jeff Hage — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:37:41 +0000

The Volunteer Bridge wishes to thank all of the community partners that assisted our organization to prepare for the 2013 Volunteer Opportunity Expo. Unfortunately, our unusually long winter storm season caused the cancellation of this year’s event in April.
Special thanks to The Bank of Elk River for repeated financial sponsorship of the Expo. Thanks also are due to the many organizations that assisted in promoting this year’s event, many donating services that are generally fee-based: Elk River Area Chamber; ISD 728 Community Education; the newspapers serving Sherburne County, including the Union-Eagle; the cities of Elk River, Big Lake, Zimmerman and Becker; Sherburne County churches and schools; the many businesses that were willing to post event flyers.
Watch for 2014 Volunteer Opportunity when it resumes next spring. Until then, information about current volunteer opportunities is always available using the following contact information: 763-635-4505 or by e-mail at charlotte.strei@ci.stcloud.mn.us.

Charlotte Strei, RSVP, for the
member agencies of
The Volunteer Bridge

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National coalition honors outstanding district and charter public schools

Joe Nathan — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:02:08 +0000

With racial diversity growing in many suburban and rural areas, several recent awards are especially important. The national Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color, online at www.coseboc.org, has recently recognized five outstanding district and charter public schools, including one in Minnesota.
Coalition Director Ron Walker has spent 42 years as a public teacher and principal and won numerous awards. Walker wisely is not interested in which are better, district or charter public schools.
“We focus on our mission: to identify schools that are succeeding, whether district or charter, with young men of color,” he said. “We want to inspire, strengthen, support and connect school leaders who are dedicated to the social, emotional and academic development of boys and young men of color.”
The Best Academy, a Minneapolis charter, was one of the schools recognized. Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson wrote that Best “has an impressive record of educating black boys at the highest levels of achievement, outperforming all other schools in Minneapolis and across the state. … Best is a beacon of success and achievement.”
(Full disclosure – the Center for School Change, where I work, has partnered over the past few years with Best as part of a Cargill Foundation funded project.)
Attorney Jeff Hassan also endorsed the school, in part because of his grandson, Malik.
“Once he entered the public school system in the suburb where we live, he did not continue to grow and prosper.
“Malik was a distinct ethnic minority in his classrooms, and his teachers seemed to have an indifferent attitude towards him and his ability. Teachers did not appear to have the empathy that he needed to grow and develop. … He reported that his teacher often would not call on him in class, despite his raising his hand.
“In addition, (we) did not see that he was receiving the academic rigor that we expected, and homework was not being sent home despite our requests. … When Malik entered Best Academy in the fifth grade, he was scoring in the 60th percentile in statewide reading and math assessments.
“By the time he graduated from Best Academy in the eighth grade, he was … in the 90th percentile in reading and math. … His eighth grade all boys class scored 100 percent proficient on the statewide Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment reading test, and scored in the 80th percentile in math almost 50 percent higher than the statewide average. … When Malik entered high school … he tested out of ninth grade math and English, and was placed in advanced level classes.”
The Coalition also honored Jonas E. Salk Elementary and Merrillville High School, both in Merrillville, Ind., a suburban and rural area about 45 miles south of Chicago. Salk enrolls about 650 students, grades K-4. About 60 percent of its students are from low-income families, 46 percent are African American, 25 percent are white and 18 percent are Hispanic.
Salk Principal Kara Bonin, a 22-year public education veteran, told me that “culture and climate are key” to the progress that the school has shown. “We model and encourage students to be respectful, responsible and safe.” The school uses videos to help students understand what expected behavior looks like.
The principal noted that 97 percent of students are passing the state’s tests. But “character also is very important. … Every Monday we have a schoolwide meeting where we celebrate student achievements.” The school promotes community service. Students have, for example raised money for a children’s hospital and held food drives.
The two other schools of the five total honored are Devonshire Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C., and Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, D.C.
Congratulations to the schools that were honored, and thanks to the Coalition for recognizing and sharing their success.

Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change. Reactions welcome, joe@centerforschoolchange.org

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Mexican Bean Salad

Princeton Union-Eagle — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:20:49 +0000

Julia Espe is the interim superintendent at Princeton Public Schools, negotiating final contract details for a three-year contract as the district’s superintendent starting July 1. Espe and husband Brian live at Long Lake in Sherburne County and have five grown children, and seven grandchildren. Julia grew up in Pekin, Ill., and Brian in Whittemore, Iowa. The two met when they were attending Winona State University taking coursework for becoming a school principal. She was assigned to tutor him in one of the courses because he was missing some classes when officiating at basketball games. She found it funny that he ended up with an A, and she a B, in the course.

Brian is a master coach for MN Math Corps and acting principal at Westwood Elementary in St. Cloud.

Julia counts family as her biggest interest, especially watching grandchildren in activities, much of those being sports. One of her grandchildren, age 9, recently played in Carnegie Hall as winner of the Little Mozart competition. She also enjoys boating, tubing, swimming and grilling foods.

Julia’s previous job was assistant superintendent in St. Cloud. Her occupations before that in different school districts were music teacher, gifted and talented program teacher and director, curriculum director, and principal. Many in her family have been in education.

“Princeton is a fantastic place for students,” she said. “People are student centered and the community is so supportive. I am looking forward to working with everyone, to take our district to new heights.”

MEXICAN BEAN SALAD

15 oz. can rinsed and drained black beans

15 oz. can drained kidney beans

15 oz. can drained and rinsed cannellini beans

1 chopped green bell pepper

1 chopped red bell pepper

10 oz. pkg. frozen corn kernels

1 chopped red onion

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 T fresh lime juice

1 T lemon juice

2 T white sugar

1 T salt

1 crushed garlic clove

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 T ground cumin

1/2 T ground black pepper

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1/2 tsp. chili powder

Combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn and red onon in large bowl. Whisk together in small bowl the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime and lemon juices, sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce and chili powder. Pour the just-mixed olive oil dressing over the vegetables and mix well. Chill thoroughly and serve cold.

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Safety measures in place in Princeton schools

Princeton Union-Eagle — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:10:09 +0000

All families have concerns about the safety of their children. We wanted you to be aware of the security already in place in Princeton schools. Here are some security measures that we have had in place:

Staff have appropriate identification through school badges, including substitute staff.

Each school has a system of checking visitors in and out of the building.

We supervise common areas throughout the schools to assure safety.

Every school practices emergency drills.

We have school liaison officers for our district.

The Princeton Police have trained using our schools’ emergency plans.

The schools have many cameras and monitoring devices.

We have school counselors, social workers and administrators who are on alert to assist students and staff who have concerns.

Due to the age of the students and the proximity of the high school parking lot, South Elementary has a detailed process to release our children at the end of the day.

Each of our schools is implementing a locked-door policy, with official doors to be open for visitors. Please enter South, North, Middle and the High schools at door number one, the main entrance. For Early Childhood programs, please enter the building at door number five, the Community Education entrance. We are evaluating a method of installing security doors in the district office building. Until this happens, we will be locking classroom doors in the preschool area, once the children have arrived and parents have left the building.

Our School Board created a Security Committee, which is in the process of studying our schools’ security needs. We will proceed on a renewed learning curve, assessing the known measures, technology and communication techniques available, to keep our students safe.

We ask for your alertness, your concerns and the support that we know you will provide. We truly care about your children, teachers and staff.

Julia Espe, Peter Olson, Dan Voce, John Beach, Greg Finck and Gwen Anderson

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Teen homelessness remains a concern

Princeton Union-Eagle — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:08:30 +0000

By Rich Stanek • Hennepin County Sheriff

After arriving late to high school several days in a row, a student was asked by a counselor why he was consistently missing his first period class. The young man explained family problems had resulted in him being kicked out of his home. The only place he could find to sleep was a couch at a friend’s house, which was several miles from school. The bus schedule couldn’t get him to school until well after first period had started.

The young man attends Edina High School. Every morning he would take several buses to the Southdale Mall, and then walk more than three miles to get to school. He is like many homeless youth in Minnesota. They work hard to stay on track with their lives, but the challenges are significant.

Homeless young people generally are not “runaways” or “homeless by choice.” Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) have experienced an out-of-home placement. Thirty-four percent of the homeless youth surveyed by Wilder Research said they have experienced parental neglect; 42 percent are past victims of physical abuse; and 27 percent have been sexually abused.

The Homeless Youth Act, a bill now being considered by the Minnesota Legislature, will give hope and help to the 2,500 Minnesota youth who, on any given night, are without a safe and stable place to call home. The crisis is growing in communities all across the state. According to an analysis of Wilder Research figures, the number of homeless youth increased 33 percent between 2006 and 2012.

These young people are trying to keep their lives together against tremendous odds. Many are trying to stay in school, hold down jobs and grow into successful adults. All too often, however, the instability and unpredictability of their lives drags them down.

As Hennepin County Sheriff, it is my job to make our communities safer. The Homeless Youth Act will help the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies throughout the state get our homeless youth out of harm’s way. This is an important and attainable goal. I’m not supportive of this legislation just because I wear a badge. A decade ago, as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, I advocated for programs with similar goals to help homeless youth in Minnesota.

I’ve seen first-hand the good that can be done by assuring young people have access to a safe place to sleep, the support to stay in school, and the support to both obtain and hold a job. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of the Twin Cities. Each year, the Boys & Girls Club of Minnesota recognizes one club member with the Youth of the Year Award. Over the years, I’ve heard many compelling stories about overcoming obstacles like: living in a car, turning away from chemically-dependent parents, and doing everything they can to simply get to school at the start of the day.

All Minnesotans have a stake in helping homeless young people become successful adults. We know the alternatives. Wilder Research estimates a return of $4 for every $1 spent on supportive housing for homeless youth. Homelessness and housing stability are clearly linked to lower high school and college graduation rates.

There is a lot of competition this year at the Minnesota Legislature for funds, but the budgeting process is all about priorities. We need to look at investments like this that simultaneously improve public safety and reduce future costs. The Homeless Youth Act complements the investments in early education, K-12 education and higher education proposed by both Democrats and Republicans.

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After the second Boston massacre

Joe Nathan — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:07:00 +0000

We’ll come back, sadder but stronger. That’s what I’ve predicted in talking with youngsters about the second Boston Massacre – the one that just happened. Acts of horror often have the reverse impact of what was intended by those who produced them. No one should defend any of these horrible acts, committed by cowards. They are terrible tragedies.

But look what happened after the first Boston Massacre, in March 1770. According to Wikipedia, “British army soldiers killed five civilians and injured six others.” People throughout New England were infuriated. This helped bring the colonies together, eventually resulting in our freedom from England.

We found a Civil War with huge losses on both sides. But one result was the end of slavery. As Lincoln told us at Gettysburg, “These dead have not died in vain.”

Not quite 50 years ago, in September 1963, a Birmingham, Ala. church was bombed. Four innocent little girls died and many were injured. Horrible! But this helped unify millions of Americans to support civil rights legislation. Again quoting Wikipedia, “The explosion at the African-American church which killed four girls, marked a turning point in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and contributed to support for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

American history is not just names and dates. It’s also about the successful struggle to expand opportunities and freedom. Sometimes it’s been difficult. Sometimes we’ve had to deal with tragedy.

But we have moved ahead. The remarkable American poet Langston Hughes reminded us of the American spirit in “Mother to Son.” In it, the mother tells her son, and the reader, that she’s “still climbin” though her life has not been, “no crystal stair.”

Finally, there’s the wonderful Carl Sandburg book-length poem, “The People Yes.” Written during the Depression, Sandburg points out, “The people yes. The people will live on…In the darkness with a great bundle of grief the people march. In the night and overhead a shovel of stars for keeps, the people march. ‘Where to, what next’.”

Hughes and Sandburg are right about Americans. Life is not always “a crystal stair.” But we’ll keep marching on.

Joe Nathan directs the Center for School Change. Reach him at joe@centerforschoolchange.org.

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Twix-like candy bars

Princeton Union-Eagle — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:35:34 +0000

Bridget and Bob Othoudt, and their children Riley, 5, and Elise, 20 months, live in Princeton.
Bridget is originally from Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and Bob from the Staples-Motley area of northern Minnesota. Bridget is head waitress and assistant manager at Pizza Barn in Princeton, and Bob is a printing press operator for ECM Publishers. The two met when they were working at Pizza Hut.
Bridget started a business more than a year ago called Bridget’s Barrettes & Boutique. Through the business, she makes and sells barrettes, headbands, tutus and tutu dresses. She got the idea for making barrettes after daughter Elise was born. “Elise had a head full of hair and I loved having a girl and putting things in her hair,” Bridget said.
Bridget’s interests include taking care of Riley and Elise, listening to alternative rock music, cooking and baking. Bob enjoys music. He plays electric bass guitar and used to play in some bands.

TWIX-LIKE CANDY BARS
club crackers
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
TOPPING
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup butterscotch chips

Line a 9×13-inch cake pan with club crackers. Mix together the brown sugar, butter, milk, white sugar and graham cracker crumbs in heavy sauce pan and boil five minutes. Pour over top of club crackers and then top with another layer of club crackers. Melt all the topping ingredients over low heat. Spread on top of the bars. Let cool and cut into squares.

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Let voters decide school building issues

Princeton Union-Eagle — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:36:58 +0000

To the taxpayers of the Princeton School District:
Once again we will be told that we need to build a new school. Last year, South Elementary was in need of maintenance and out of room, so we needed to replace it. This year we will be having full-time kindergarten and somehow four rooms at the overcrowded South Elementary were discovered that are evidently not in use and would be perfect for this.
I am not against education; I am against the needless spending of money that is taken from taxpayers by all forms of government. Sometimes it makes sense to spend more now than to wait. All I hope is that the handpicked committee and whoever they spend money on as consultants come up with some realistic reasons for a new building. I also hope that they come up with a realistic assessment of the existing building to bring it up to what is needed. There is no doubt that the South Elementary building needs to be renovated. Come up with a plan that will cover 10 or 20 years, let us know the cost per year of a new school as opposed to renovating the existing one. What is the projected population growth or decline?
It appears that there will be a referendum on the new school. This will, no doubt, be another all-or-nothing vote that if it does not win will do nothing to alleviate the problems of South Elementary.
If we are going to have a referendum, let the voters decide if it will be a new building or a remodeling of the existing one.

Dave Dewars,
Princeton

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Annexation agreement missing language

Princeton Union-Eagle — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:35:49 +0000

For many years, Baldwin residents have been concerned about their property being annexed by Princeton. In my opinion, those concerns are largely unfounded. Princeton officials have stated that they have not and currently have no intention of annexing any property unless requested by the property owner.
For as many years, the city of Princeton and the town of Baldwin have engaged in discussions regarding a more formal agreement. Early last fall, then Mayor Riddle delivered another draft agreement to Baldwin Chairman Swanson. If he has not already done so, Swanson will very soon deliver to the city the Baldwin response. The agreement intention is merely to formalize a process should a Baldwin property owner request annexation.
Like with any negotiations, simply continuing to discuss is good. Even better is reaching a mutually fair agreement. What is troubling in the latest draft is one phrase that has gone missing, either accidently or intentionally.
I have publicly brought this missing phrase to the attention of the Baldwin Town Board, but it remains missing.
Previous drafts required property owner requests for annexation to be adjacent to city property.
The current draft allows any parcel in Baldwin to be annexed if requested by the property owner. The town of Baldwin could not object. Any one of our neighbors could potentially request annexation with the condition the city zone their property for a business, such as an off-road motorcycle race track. I am not suggesting the current city officials would consider such an action but what about future city councils?
More of a concern is why the Baldwin Town Board has chosen not to add the missing phrase back into their response. What could possibly cause such reluctance?

Chuck Nagle
Baldwin

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