New equipment will benefit CTE, art, math, and science programs

Saint Peter High School students enrolled in classes through the school's CTE (Career & Technical Education) program will now get the opportunity to use the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) plasma cutter the district recently purchased using AAA (Academics, Arts, and Athletics) funds that were raised privately. 

The AAA funds were raised through the school's recent Capital Campaign to provide enhancements to Saint Peter High School's academic, athletic, and arts programs. The Capital Campaign began around the time the new SPHS building opened in the fall of 2017.

According to Michael Reeser, SPHS’s metalworking instructor, adding the plasma cutting system will allow St. Peter students to experience an industry tool that is commonplace in the manufacturing workforce. Students will apply critical thinking skills to operate and manage several software systems, coordinate systems, tool path building, and G code programming to produce quality products.

“Students will identify issues with production and problem solve for solutions to maintain quality and quantity of the products for the consumer,” Reeser said. “Allowing for creativity in design, this system will expand our ability to capture student ideas and components to push for innovation in production.”

In addition, the CNC system will foster collaboration between departments to provide industry level equipment and processing to students outside of the manufacturing wing such as art, math, and science.

Students will learn to communicate using the languages of manufacturing, technical reading, and technical writing. Applying math, science, and art to create ideas and then convert those ideas to actual products.

‘It’s My Future’ program offered through
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest

Junior Achievement (JA) of the Upper Midwest is proud to partner with SouthPoint Federal Credit Union on bringing in JA’s “It’s My Future” curriculum to the seventh graders at Saint Peter Middle School. 

Business professionals from SouthPoint were in the Middle School recently teaching students about how to prepare for the working world by introducing them to career clusters, high-growth jobs, career planning and creating a personal brand.

“Saint Peter Public Schools is extremely grateful for JA, the volunteers and the community connection while providing career and college readiness skills for our students as it relates to the graduate portrait,” Mandy Quist, Saint Peter Public Schools PreK-12 Career and College Readiness Counselor and AP Coordinator, said. “JA provides another resource to enhance the foundational skills being taught in everyday classroom lessons through hands-on learning activities with local businesses and community leaders at all grade levels.”

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest non-profit organization focused on financial literacy, career and college readiness, and entrepreneurship.  JA brings age-appropriate programs to all Saint Peter Public Schools this year for free, and relies on volunteers from the community to help implement programs with hands-on activities. 

To learn more on how to volunteer in the schools or financially support JA, please contact katie@jaum.org or call 507-387-9609.

 

Two Saint Peter High School seniors were recognized recently by the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program for 2020 for their exceptional academic promise. 

Grace Werner, the daughter of Ray and Kim Werner and Keith and Deanna Ruffing, has been named as a Semifinalist for 2020. She is currently spending her senior year of high school studying abroad in Germany through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Program. 

Werner is one of just 16,000 to earn semifinalist honors out of the 1.5 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). She is now eligible to become a National Merit Scholarship finalist, which will be announced in February 2020. 

Aubry Landsom, the daughter of Craig and Lisa Landson, was named a Commended Student for 2020. Commended students place among the top 50,000 of the 1.5 million students taking the PSAT/NMSQT and she is one of 34,000 to earn the Commended Student honor.

Even though Commended Students do not continue in the 2020 competition, it is a tremendous honor to achieve that level, according to a National Merit Scholarship spokesperson.

Each month, teachers will be nominating two students from their house who show Saints PRIDE to become our school’s All Stars.  These are students who show Preparedness, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Empathy in their learning, attitude, and behavior.  The following students have been nominated for the month of September. Congratulations and keep up the amazing work!

SPRUCE HOUSE:

Keira Friedrich - Keira is a leader and sets an example of excellence in behavior and cooperation. She also works very hard, is always on time, and is willing to help with other classmates and their teachers

Quinn DeBlieck - Quinn is continuously on task, works hard in class, is always on time for class, and is willing to help other classmates. He truly is an All Star Saint. Quinn uses his brain thoughtfully and creatively, and this academic leadership challenges his classmates to do the same.

 

OAK HOUSE:

Halle Maczkowicz - Halle demonstrates Saint’s PRIDE in all she does. She routinely goes out of her way to help other students and teachers to ensure that everyone is able to be successful. Her positive demeanor and willing cheerfulness makes her a pleasure to have in class.

Henry Peters - Henry exhibits PRIDE of being a SPMS students through his continual effort to go beyond what’s been asked of him. He’s kind, helpful, and guides others in my class. He shows ownership for the SPMS building by respecting the spaces we use and is always willing to be helpful with our PE equipment. Henry has a great attitude and his energy is always welcomed!

 

MAPLE HOUSE:

Abby Maloney - Abby is a student that anyone can be partnered up with as she is willing to help others.  She is constantly working above and beyond expectations in her classes and motivated to learn.  Her positive attitude is infectious to everyone around her, creating a fun atmosphere in the classroom.

Tate Olson - Tate is a student who works with positivity and motivation in everything that he does.  He is always sure to be involved with in class discussions and comes up with thought provoking and creative questions.  While working with others, Tate is a leader by encouraging his group members and keeping everyone on task.

PINE HOUSE: 

Rylee Stadick - Rylee has done nothing but show Saints Pride.  She has become a leader in class. She is constantly working with others to help all students to be their best and to be successful.

Cole Filand - Cole has everything that has been asked of him.  Cole demonstrates Saints Pride by pushing others to do their best.  Whether in the classroom, the hallways, or even on the athletic field.  Cole is a kid that students look up to and respect.  

First Landon Gran Memorial Scholarships to be awarded in May 2020 at FFA banquet

Final numbers are in for the first-ever Roll’N for Landon event, held Saturday, Sept. 21, at Saint Peter High School, and nearly $25,000 was raised for the Landon Gran Memorial Scholarship fund, which will benefit SPHS FFA students well into the future.

Landon Gran, who would have been a senior at SPHS this school year, passed away as the result of injuries he sustained in a farm accident in mid-August. Friends and family of his wanted to do something special in his memory and the Roll’N for Landon event was created. 

A total of $24,623 was raised for the scholarship fund through the September 21 event, T-shirt sales, and an anonymous matching grant. These funds will be placed into an interest bearing account and the interest will be used to provide scholarships to students involved in the SPHS FFA Chapter pursuing an education in an agricultural field.

“Thank you to everyone that made the Roll'N for Landon event wonderful success,” SPHS/South Central Agri-Science Academy FFA co-advisor Michael Reeser said. “To all of the families, students, and FFA members that stepped up and into all of the positions that needed to be filled to make the event run smoothly, you are all awesome and to be commended. 

“This is a wonderful community that showed its love for one of our families that has lost a loved one. The goal is to honor Landon and all that he loved about life. From a tremendous loss, a light has hopefully been lifted to ALWAYS remember Landon."

The first scholarships will be awarded in May 2020 at the annual Saint Peter High School FFA Awards Banquet. Plans are already in the works for the Roll’N for Landon 2020 event, according to Reeser. 

Other highlights of the event included:

*  130 registered vehicles
*  450+ Meals sold
*  2,500 Raffle Tickets Sold

*  Farthest Distance Traveled by an Exhibitor: Larry Haden of Fargo, N.D.,  2008 Ford Mustang GT.
*  Oldest vehicle Exhibited (tie):  Cole Pankratz of St. Peter (2018 SPHS Grad), 1930 Ford Model; Erik Hansen of Kasota, 1930 Ford Model A.