Fine Arts/Event Center Survey

For Immediate Release 8/14/09

Contact Person: Dr. Tim Mitchell, Superintendent, Chamberlain School District 7-1
Phone: 234-4477
E-Mail: tim.mitchell@k12.sd.us

Chamberlain City Commission and Chamberlain School Board Seek Your Input on Facility Development

The 2007 Community Resource Team Assessment sponsored by Chamberlain/Oacoma Area Chamber of Commerce and Lake Francis Case Development Corporation identified the need for additional community facilities to host fine arts events and other community events. The Chamberlain City Commission and Chamberlain School District Board of Education have been exploring options to meet those needs for the patrons of our community and school district. Those discussions have resulted in several options.

Options being discussed and considered include:

A Fine Arts Center, which would accommodate theatre style seating for approximately 500 people. The primary use for this facility would be for music and theatrical performances. However, we anticipate that it would also be used for training seminars, community education, events like the high school senior awards night, and other community events. Estimated costs range from $2.5 million to $4.0 million. Funding could be accomplished through donations, school funds, city funds, grants, and taxes. Potential location could include a renovation of the Chamberlain City Hall or new construction attached to the Chamberlain High School.

An Event Center, which would contain athletic facilities and seating for 2,000-3,000 people. It could be used for athletic practices, youth sporting events, high school district and regional tournaments, sports shows, fine art performances where large seating capacity is required, and other community events. Estimated costs range from $8.0 million to $10.0 million. Funding could be accomplished through private donations, school funds, city funds, grants, and taxes. Probable location would be attached to the Chamberlain High School.

One potential funding option (for either of the options above), that the citizens need to consider, is the passing of a bond issue. In 2012, the taxpayers of the Chamberlain School District will complete payment of the 12 million dollar bond issue passed to pay for the construction of the current high school. If the taxpayers passed a new bond issue of a similar amount, approximately 12 million dollars of facilities could be constructed without the taxpayers seeing any increase in the property tax mill levy over what they are currently paying.

To continue this process and make this important long-term decision, we feel that it is important to gather a better understanding from the taxpayers. You can do that by helping complete a short survey.

The survey can be completed online at any of the following websites:
CSD 7-1 Website: www.chamberlain.k12.sd.us
COACC/CVB/LFCDC Website: http://www.chamberlainsd.org/
Chamberlain Oacoma Sun Website: http://www.chamberlainsun.com
Chamberlain-City-www.chamberlainsd.net
Printed copies can be obtained:
Chamberlain School Administration Building
Chamberlain High School
Chamberlain Elementary School
City Offices
COACC/CVB/LFCDC Office
Cozard Memorial Library
Request by Mail-301 East Kellam Ave
Request by E-mail-tim.mitchell@k12.sd.us
Central Dakota Times-Insert in Paper
Chamberlain Oacoma Sun-Insert in Paper

All surveys should be returned to the Chamberlain School District Administration Building, 301 East Kellam Ave no later than September 18, 2009 for final tabulation of results.

Once the results have been tabulated the Chamberlain School Board and Chamberlain City Commission will schedule a Joint Meeting to review the results and take further public input.

School Board Meeting 8-24-09

Please view the School Board Meeting Agenda for Monday August 24, 2009 at:

http://tm026.k12.sd.us/2009-2010%20School%20Board%20Agendas.htm

Please view the School Board Meeting Minutes from Monday August 10, 2009 at:

http://tm026.k12.sd.us/2009-2010%20School%20Board%20Minutes.htm

Upcoming Dates 8/24-9/7

8/24 Tech Paths Teacher Leadership Team 2:00-3:30 PM K-6 Conference Room
8/24 Regular School Board Meeting 6:30 PM HS Chorus Room
8/25 A-Team 7:00 AM White House
8/26 School Improvement Leadership Team 4:00 PM HS V-Tel Room
9/1 Pandemic Flu Community Planning 9:00 AM Mid-Dakota MC
9/1 Administration & Ministerial Assn Meeting 12:00 PM High School
9/2 Mitchell Area Supt Meeting 11:00 AM Mitchell
9/3 Early Release-Data Retreat 12:30 PM District-Wide
9/4 No School District-Wide
9/7 No School-Labor Day District-Wide

1st Day of School

I love the first day of school! This will be my 26th since entering education. I still get the same feeling of excitement the night before. My wife shared with me that she was awake most of the night because she was anxious to get to her classroom with her new 5th graders.

I started the day on 7th & 8th grade transfer bus duty at the Armory. All the communication that I monitored from the buses was positive and everything seemed to go as planned. I am sure there will be some minor bumps today, but so far the day seems to be turning out quite well. The cooler weather helps!

I hope I never lose that excitement for the 1st day. Here's to a great start of the school year!

Preservice Agenda Tuesday August 19

Tuesday--August 18, 2009

7:30 AM-8:00 AM Continental Breakfast (Dice Financial-Dakota Care)
High School Multi-Purpose Room

7:45 AM-8:30 AM Health Insurance Update—Dice Financial
2009-2010 Negotiated Agreement Update
High School Multi-Purpose Room

8:30 AM-10:00 AM Grade 7-12 Staff-What Great Teachers Do Differently, T. Whitaker
Facilitators: D. Johnson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6-Team Meetings
Topics: Professional Learning Communities Agenda
Location: Selected Locations in Grade K-6 Building

Grade K-12 Regular & SPED Instructional Aides
Topics: Professionalism and Confidentiality
Facilitator: D. Olson
Location: High School B-7

10:00 AM-10:15 AM Break

10:15 AM-11:30 AM Grade 7-12 Staff-Professional Development Plans
Facilitators: D. Johnson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6-Team Meetings
Topics: Professional Learning Communities Agenda
Location: Selected Locations in Grade K-6 Building

Grade K-12 Regular & SPED Instructional Aides
Facilitator: D. Olson
Location: High School B-7

11:30 PM-12:30 PM Lunch provided for all staff
High School Multi-Purpose Room
(Sponsored Chamberlain School District 7-1)

12:30 PM-2:15 PM Grade 7-12 Staff-Department Meetings

(Professional Learning Communities Agenda)
Facilitators: A. Bertram, D. Johnson, D. Olson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6 Staff-Motivating the Unmotivated Student-Part 2
Facilitator: T. Mitchell
Location: High School Room B-7

Grade K-12 SPED Staff-Staff Meeting
Facilitator: Valerie Johnson
Location: High School Room B-4

2:15 PM-2:45 PM Break-Ice Cream Social-Sponsored by Wells Fargo

2:45 PM-3:15 PM Grades 7/8-Laptop Cart Training
Facilitator: B. Peterson
Location: Middle School Science Room-E13

Grade 9-12 Staff-Follow-Up from Previous Sessions
Facilitators: D. Johnson/D. Olson
Location: High School Room B-6

2:45 PM-4:00 PM Grade K-6 Staff-Work in Classrooms

3:15-4:00 PM Grade 7-12 Staff-Work in Classrooms

4:00 PM-5:00 PM Science Committee Meeting
Facilitator: T. Mitchell
Location: High School V-Tel Room

New Staff Orientation

It was energizing today for me to meet new staff and then present an introduction to the district to the 1st and 2nd year staff in attendance. As these staff members progress through their 1st and 2nd year, I hope that we will all take the opportunity to welcome and help them to be successful.

I also look forward to seeing all the staff return on Monday morning for Preservice. Please review your schedule. A copy was e-mailed to you and you will also find a printed one in your Preservice Folder. I have also posted Monday's schedule on this Blog. I will also post Tuesday.

My 2009-2010 Goal:

To create conditions for you to succeed by helping you find meaning, increased skill development and personal satisfaction in making contributions that simultaneously fulfill your own goals and the goals of the organization!

Welcome New Staff

K-6
Katherine Padilla-Grade 5-8 Instrumental Music w/Marching Band
Amanda Audiss-Project PAWS Coordinator and Title I Teacher
Larry Morman-Grade K-6 Physical Education & Technical Support w/ 7/8 FB
Doug Carlson-7/8 Football
Joel Bergeson-Grade K-6 Principal

7-12
Timothy Baustian-8th Grade Social Science
Sarah Iverson- Grade 7-12 Special Education Teacher

K-12
Valerie Johnson-K-12 Special Education Director

Staff Changes
Holly Pusch-Grade 9-12 Instrumental Music w/Marching Band
Judy Jones-Grades 7-12 Detention Supervisor
Allan Bertram-Full-time Assistant Grade 7-12 Principal
Jeff Steckelbberg-.71 FTE Social Science Teaching
Holly Evans- Asst. Track Coach

Preservice Agenda Monday August 17, 2009

Pre-Service Days-Fall 2009
Chamberlain School District 7-1
August 17-18, 2009
“Building a Professional Learning Communities”

Monday - August 17, 2009

8:00 AM-8:30 AM Continental Breakfast (First Dakota National Bank)
Chamberlain High School Multi-Purpose Room

8:15 AM New Staff Pictures
Chamberlain High School Multi-Purpose Room

8:20 AM-9:15 AM Welcome by Mr. Mitchell
Introduction of new staff-Building Principals
Announcements/Agenda Review/Review Handouts & Folders
Presentation: “The 3 Big Ideas of PLCs”
H1N1 Update
Sheryl Larson-21st Century Skills Teacher Academy-Thinkfinity
Chamberlain High School Multi-Purpose Room

9:15 AM-10:15 AM Grade 7-12 Staff-Project Sharing (Tier II Evaluation)
Facilitators: Tier II Staff/D. Johnson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6-Staff-School-Wide Meeting
Facilitators: Joel Bergeson
Location: High School Room B-7

10:15 AM-10:30 AM Break

10:30 AM-11:30 PM Grade 7-12 Staff-Anti-Bullying/Teen Biz/Writing to Win
Initiatives
Facilitators: A. Bertram, D. Johnson, D. Olson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6-Staff-School-Wide Meeting
Facilitator: Joel Bergeson
Location: High School Room B-7

11:30 PM-12:30 PM Lunch-provided (Sponsored by Chamberlain School District)
Chamberlain High School Multi-Purpose Room

12:30 PM-2:15 PM Grade 7-12 Staff-Staff Meeting (Handbooks, etc.)
Bring your favorite book (that you read this summer) to the meeting!
Facilitators: A. Bertram, D. Johnson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6 Staff-SD Discovery Center & Introduction to FOSS
Interactive Science
Facilitator: SD Discovery Center Staff
Location: High School Room B-7

2:15 PM-2:30 PM Break (Sponsored by Thrivent)


2:30 PM-4:00 PM Grade 7-12 Staff-Staff Meeting continued.
Facilitators: A. Bertram, D. Johnson
Location: High School Room B-6

Grade K-6 Staff-Motivating the Unmotivated Student-Part 1
Facilitator: T. Mitchell
Location: High School Room B-7

3:30 PM-4:00 PM Grade K-12 Staff that Distribute Medications
Medication Administration Changes for 2009-2010
Facilitator: L. Johnson
Location: High School V-Tel Room

4:00 PM-5:00 PM School Improvement Leadership Team Meeting
Facilitator: T. Mitchell
Location: High School V-Tel Room

5:30 PM-7:00 PM 6th Annual School Board Supper & Social
High School Multi-Purpose Room

New School Year 2009-2010

August 17-18, 2009 Preservice Days
“Becoming a Professional Learning Community”

All employees are invited to breakfast and the 1st session on Monday August 17, 2009. The breakfast is from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM at Chamberlain High School Multi-Purpose Room and will once again be sponsored by First Dakota Bank of Chamberlain. They are also sponsoring door prizes so don’t forget to sign-up!!! We will use 8:20 AM to 9:00 AM for introductions and announcements. A final agenda for the Preservice days will be included in your employee folder that you can pick up at the breakfast on Monday morning.

***Please note that lunch for both days of Preservice will be provided for everyone on-site at the workshop and will be sponsored by the Chamberlain School District 7-1***

One hour of graduate credit is available through Dakota Wesleyan University at a cost of $55.00
Course Title: “Becoming a Professional Learning Community”
Sign-up and Information: 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM at Chamberlain High School Multi-Purpose Room-August 17th
Contact: Debbie Johnson 234-4467 or deb.johnson@k12.sd.us