by Tom Lee
Interim Superintendent
The 2023-24 school year is now complete. As I visited each school building during the final week, I was reminded of certain truths. Among those truths are that very few students may remember their school experience by recalling which teacher taught them how to conjugate a verb or add two-digit numbers.
We generally do not have intellectual recollections. That is not how most remember their school experience. Instead, many may remember our schooling experience emotionally. We remember how we felt in a teacher’s presence. Were they “funny” or “boring?” “nice” or “mean?” Or did we feel “liked” or “disliked?”
We also remember special events like Oak Ridge school’s tradition of attending the zoo at the end of kindergarten or kindergarten graduation (there was an abundance of tears from students not wanting to leave), Sartell Middle School’s kickball tournament, Pine Meadow’s Bingo Night event or Riverview’s end-of-the-year rally at the football field. Students may remember the Senior Parade when the high-school student graduates visit each school building (again many tears both from students and staff).
The process of “schooling” is an all-inclusive process involving the development of academic and social skills, participation in activities and finding our way in the social milieu. Unfortunately, no school system is equally successful with every student in providing the highest quality all-inclusive experience. There are students who have negative experiences. Let me assure you, no educator feels good about that reality.
Our aspiration is to provide the highest experience for all students, but other factors impact our ability to do so (a child’s ability to learn, background experiences, parental support and more in addition to the quality of the curriculum and staff). As I experienced the district this year, I believe this staff provided some of the highest quality opportunities I have found in my 40-plus years in education.
Sartell-St. Stephen schools are great assets to the community. Let me be clear: no school has ever been perfect and there can always be room for improvement. However, ISD 748 schools are very strong.
That being said, I would like to recap some Sabre Points of Pride the community may not consistently see:
- Our Nutritional Services staff knocked it out of the park this year, providing the highest number of nutritious breakfasts and lunches in our district’s history.
- Sartell High School’s Unified Club is a place for students in grades 9-12 to enjoy inclusive experiences like volunteering to pack meal boxes for local families, having fun at sensory-friendly dances and cheering for each other in sports. I attended an Adapted Hockey competition where the crowd was filled with ISD 748 families, students and administrators.
- Sartell High School seniors participated in our first-ever Trades Pathways Signing Day for students entering the workforce upon graduation or who will be attending trades-related post-secondary schools.
- According to data released by the Minnesota Department of Education, the graduation rate data from 2023 shows Sartell High School having a 98-percent four-year graduation rate compared to the state average of 83 percent.
I could include a multitude of other student accomplishments, including our SHS Yearbook and Student Council earning top national ratings, Robotics Team going to the World Competition, our One-Act play receiving the highest honors at the state performance, several conference championships and many more.
Please notice how many of these school experiences may be remembered positively and emotionally by our students, as they look back on their “schooling” experiences.
It has been my honor and privilege to be a part of this great district this year. Please continue to support your schools in these politically tumultuous times.
Interim School District Superintendent Tom Lee.
