by Heidi L. Everett news@thenewsleaders.com St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Sartell, along with their sister schools in the Catholic Community Schools system, will begin distance learning Nov. 30 with the hopes for a possible return to in-person learning Jan. 19. “We know people will be gathering over the holidays, although hopefully to a lesser
Free COVID-19 exposure notification app announced
by Heidi L. Everett news@thenewsleaders.com A free phone app is the latest tool announced by the Governor’s Office to help slow the spread of COVID in Minnesota. In the press briefing, Tarek Tomes, Minnesota’s chief information officer, shared details about the app called COVIDaware MN. COVIDaware MN runs on smartphones and notifies people who have downloaded the app and opted
Governor says 4-week dial back to control COVID spread
by Heidi L. Everett news@thenewsleaders.com Gov. Tim Walz announced a four-week dial back to control the spread of COVID-19 Nov. 18. This new guidance, which took effect Friday, Nov. 20, pauses all adult and youth sporting events, in-person social gatherings, dining, sports and fitness centers. Retail, salons, places of worship and other activities may continue to operate under current restrictions.
Sartell-St.Stephen distance learning gets generally good marks
by Mike Knaak news@thenewsleaders.com A majority of parents are satisfied with how Sartell-St. Stephen schools are handling hybrid and distance learning this fall, but results of the district’s latest survey shows room for improvement in communication. The district received 1,270 responses, representing about a third of all students during the survey period, Oct. 29-Nov. 13. Parents were asked to fill
Write-in candidate wins mayor of St. Stephen
by Heidi L. Everett news@thenewsleaders.com Used to be that several people vied to be mayor of St. Stephen. In 2020, not so. Long-time resident Lisa Marvin won an election in which nobody even put their name on the ballot. Marvin received 48 of the 185 write-in votes that were cast on election day. The second largest number of write-in votes
Education equity plan moves ahead as committee takes shape
by Mike Knaak news@thenewsleaders.com With a meeting on Nov. 4, Sartell-St. Stephen school district’s long-debated equity audit is now taking shape. About 30 people attended the meeting where Equity Alliance Minnesota Executive Director Sebastian Witherspoon outlined plans and a timeline for the effort, aimed at identifying concerns and suggesting solutions to race and other education equity issues. The group will
Distance learning teaches self-reliance
by Heidi L. Everett news@thenewsleaders.com In the Braegelmann household, four boys camp out around the house as each tackles distance learning in Sartell. Tyler, 17, is a senior, and Riley, 15, is a sophomore at Sartell High School. Calvin, 13, is an eighth grader at Sartell Middle School. Kolby, the fifth grader, attends St. Francis Xavier. “We are blessed,” said
Sartell-St. Stephen schools move all students to distance learning
by Mike Knaak news@thenewsleaders.com All Sartell-St. Stephen schools will switch to distance learning starting Monday, Nov. 16, the district announced. Distance learning will continue until at least Dec. 4, said Krista Durrwachter, director of human resources. Students in grades three through 12 will be off on Friday, Nov. 13, so teachers can plan for the transition. Pre-kindergarten through second-graders are