Saint Paul Public Schools and community come together to discuss a “Focus on Success” and the 2008-09 district budget

Saint Paul Public Schools and community come together to discuss a “Focus on Success” and the 2008-09 district budget
4/10/2008 9:26 AM

Media Advisory
Office of Community Relations
Contact: Howie Padilla (651) 767-8104

Saint Paul, Minn – Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) staff members are asking families and other community members to define success in five upcoming community sessions themed “Together With Families: Focus on Success.” In addition, the district will seek community input about the 2008-09 proposed budget on Tuesday, May 20, immediately following a shortened Board of Education meeting.

Focus on Success Sessions:
The purpose of the sessions is to have conversations about how individuals, families, and communities view educational success from their perspective — and how similarities or differences affect how we support students, communicate with families, and hold each other accountable. Discussion will include what we expect of our children, our schools, our families, and ourselves regarding education.

The meetings are part of the district’s Strategic Plan for Continued Excellence, which was created with substantial community input. Information gathered from the input sessions will be used to shape part of the district’s Shared Accountability Framework related to shared expectations. The Framework document will be completed and published in May. In addition, session input will help inform plans to better communicate with and provide support to families.

Community input sessions are scheduled for:
•   Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Rondo Red Atrium, 560 Concordia Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55103.
•   Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mounds Park All Nations, 1075 East Third Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106.

In cooperation with SPPS parent advisory committees, language-specific community input sessions are scheduled for:
•   Somali session: Friday, April 18, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the SPPS Administration building, 360 Colborne St., Saint Paul, MN 55102.
•   Hmong session: Monday, April 21, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the SPPS Administration building, 360 Colborne St., Saint Paul, MN 55102.
•   Spanish session: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the SPPS Administration building, 360 Colborne St., Saint Paul, MN 55102.

For more information about the sessions, contact the Office of Community Relations at (651) 767-8110.

Budget Input Sessions:
The purpose of the Budget Input Session is to get feedback on the district’s proposed budget for 2008-09 prior to Board action about the budget in June. The proposed budget will be presented to the Committee of the Board of Education on Tuesday, May 6. The budget input session, which will include a presentation followed by facilitated break-out sessions in English, Hmong, Spanish and Somali, will be held at 8:15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, at 360 Colborne St. immediately following the regular Board of Education meeting.

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