Subject: Winter & Spring PD, Workforce Grant Projects, Special Ed News & Student Programs!

February 2023, Vol. 30, No. 2

edNews Editor: Colleen Feller

Metro ECSU Executive Director’s Report

Our recent snow storms may have cooled our landscape, but ECSU is running hot as we begin 2023. As many of us who are remote, you should know the buzz inside the office is amazing. Success Beyond the Classroom (SBC) took over a good portion of the office and one conference room getting ready for Knowledge Bowl, CreativeCon, Creativity Festival, and the Future City Competition. SBC does such a great job touching the minds of member district students and staff.

Our Business Office keeps our organization running and our Business Services Manager is a key partner in allocating federal funding to our private school partners.


It is exciting to know that ECSU’s dedicated and enthusiastic staff are working in schools and touching the hearts and minds of students and staff. The Centers of Excellence, Low Incidence Projects, Help Me Grow, Greater MN Launch PAD, and the special education staff who work in these programs, offer cutting-edge professional development and are great partners in schools, working elbow-to-elbow to impact student learning.


It seems that our one and only professional development strategist has talked to everyone in the Twin Cities’ metropolitan education industry. ECSU is building professional development programming in intervention (MTSS), equity, curriculum, principal coaching, to name a few. ECSU will be publishing in the next week a professional development catalog that will give educators a place, virtually or in person, to learn and reflect about their practice. We are also enriching this work by partnering with the Minnesota Department of Education, higher education, and other organizations.


Our Health and Safety staff continues to plan. Leadership in the Health Work Force grant is writing plans for another grant that will provide mental health services to school communities. Our ECSU staff of school health and mental health professionals using a strong relationship with the Minnesota Department of Health have also touched the minds of school health personnel, making their work more meaningful and manageable.  As a result of this work, school health personnel in Minnesota schools can collaborate with health personnel in networks established in this grant.


As a Metro ECSU leader, I want to recognize how lucky our organization is to have an incredibly talented, experienced, and creative staff. I honor their expertise. Please look for the amazing stories you encounter about their work.


-John Schultz

PD Opportunities are listed by date and summarized below:

Winter/Spring - Principal Coaching with Chris Streiff Oji

Individual & Small Group Sessions are Available

Audience: K-12 Principals and Assistant Principals who would like to take their leadership from Good to Great!

Description: Coaching can provide a critical pillar of support for Principals and Assistant Principals as they navigate the complex world of school leadership.

Sessions will focus on four key areas:

  • Fostering a Healthy Culture & Climate

  • Empowering Your People

  • Optimizing Your Systems

  • Equity Focused Leadership

We will analyze strengths and opportunities for improvement in these areas using data and a strategic focus. We will establish a Plan, Do, Study, Action plan to implement school improvement strategies and monitor progress toward your strategic goals.


Individual Coaching

Registration Fee: 

  • $700/Person - Metro ECSU Member

  • $900/Person - Regular Rate

Includes:

  • 45-minute individual coaching sessions

  • Meeting dates: TBD with Participants. These can occur onsite or virtually.

  • To register for individual coaching, please contact Brittany Stepan directly at brittany.stepan@metroecsu.org 


Small Group Coaching

Registration Fee: 

  • $600/Person - Metro ECSU Member

  • $800/Person - Regular Rate

Learn More about Small Group Coaching and Register

February 7, 2023 - Facilitating Meaningful Feedback Conversations

Time: 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Co-Facilitators: Liz Vaught & Ann Mitchell

Audience: Any school leader or teacher leader

Registration Fee: Free. This training is funded through a partnership between the Regional Centers of Excellence, Minnesota Service Cooperatives, and the Minnesota Department of Education. 6 CEUs will be provided.

 

Description:

The purpose of this training is to enhance school leaders' skills in facilitating conversations with meaningful feedback. This training includes a particular focus on incorporating culturally responsive, equity-centered practices into your feedback. 

Learn More and Register

February 9 OR February 11, 2023 - The Catalyst Approach: Whole Group Classroom Leadership Classroom Management Strategies

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitators: Jacki Brickman & Nancy Burns, The Catalyst Approach

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Administrators, Directors

Registration Fee:

$400/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$500/Person – Regular Rate


Description:

The CATALYST APPROACH’s Classroom Management Strategies promote

strong and supportive relationships between educators and students through 12 easy and practical behavior management skills that are grounded in connection and aimed at disrupting patterns of frustration, confusion, and inquiry in the classroom. Strategies are specific to shifting students’ attention, providing clear communication and engagement during lessons, and supporting success during times of independent and group practice or application of learning

 

Learn More and Register (Choose One Date Only):

Thursday, February 9, 2023 

Saturday, February 11, 2023

February 21, 2023 - MTSS Deconstructed – A Model for Continuous Improvement to move from a Crisis Response to Proactive and Predictable Responses

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitators: Dave Stearn and Chris Streiff Oji

Audience: Preferably school teams: Administrator, School Psychologist, Social Worker, Behavior Intervention Specialists, MTSS Team Reps

Registration Fee:

$250/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$300/Person – Regular Rate


Description:

This training will help you move from operating in crisis mode to proactive and predictable responses in meeting the needs of your students. These past few years have been disruptive and many have been in reactive, rather than proactive mode. 

Learn More and Register

February 22 (In-Person) OR March 8, 2023 (Virtual) - Leading Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Schools

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

February 22nd Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

March 8th: Virtual via Zoom

Facilitator: Dr. Amy Young

Audience: School Administrators

Registration Fee:

$100/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$125/Person – Regular Rate


Description:

Dr. Amy Young will facilitate this training to support activities to improve student outcomes among multilingual learners with the following anticipated outcomes: 

  • Leverage students’ linguistic and cultural assets

  • Learn from and with multilingual/multicultural populations

  • Develop all learner’ academic language proficiency

  • Access instructional frameworks and resources

  • Provide supports and facilitate academic achievement in all classes

  • Ensure equitable educational opportunities


Register for the February 22 In-Person Session

Or

Register for the March 8 Virtual Session

February 28, 2023 - Serving the Whole Student: English Language Development and Trauma-Sensitive Practices to Maximize Multilingual Learner Engagement in School

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitator: Dr. Jill Watson

Audience: Teachers, School Administrators, School Support Staff

Registration Fee:

$200/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$250/Person – Regular Rate


Description: Best practices for supporting English Language Development (ELD) for Multilingual Learners (MLs) and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE), sponsored by Metro ESCU.


  • Trauma-informed practice with a focus on working with SLIFE/refugee-background Multilingual Learners. 

  • Best Practices in English Language Development (ELD) for ML/SLIFE with a focus on Academic Language: Beyond the Vocabulary List.

Learn More and Register


March 1 & 2, 2023 - The N-Word in Other Words: Addressing Hate Speech to Heal Historical Racial Trauma

Two-Day Workshop

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (same time for both days)

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitator: Calvin Terrell

Audience: Principals, Assistant Principals, Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Equity Leaders (includes coordinators, specialists and directors); Deans of Student, School Board Members

Registration Fee:

$600/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$750/Person – Regular Rate


Description:

Day One - March 1

Will address historical evidence with regards to race, race’s impact on identity intersections, and etymology of the N-Word, as well as other disparaging terms. Give participants simple, yet profound ways to intervene when microaggressions or hateful acts occur, strategies for preventing the aforementioned behaviors, and proactive ideas for promoting organizational cultures where dignity of all the World’s Peoples is protected. 


Day Two - March 2

Will be devoted toward the Three Lines of Action/Work with regards to developing the global literacy and racial/identity education of all Stakeholders. The Three Lines of Action are Personal Evolution, Interpersonal Collaborations, and Operational Outcomes.


Learn More and Register

March 15 & April 26, 2023 - Igniting the Leader Within: A Fresh Look at School Leadership

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Co-Facilitators: Jeff Stafford, Orange Slice Training & Chris Streiff Oji, Metro ECSU

Audience: Principals, Assistance Principals, Directors, and other school leaders

Registration Fee:

$300/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$375/Person – Regular Rate


Description:

Are you ready to level up your leadership and take your staff and school to new heights? Then join us for "Igniting the Leader Within: A Fresh Look at School Leadership." In this workshop, we will delve into the 3 crucial steps to becoming a dynamic and effective school leader.

In this 2-day experience, we'll explore ways to cultivate a healthy culture and climate by connecting with your values and identifying behaviors that drive action. Next, we'll explore how to amplify your leadership voice and empower your people. And finally, we'll discuss strategies for thriving in times of chaos and conflict.

Learn More and Register

March 28, 2023 - Elevating Student Voice Through Caring & Committed Conversations

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Metro ECSU, Bethel University-Anderson Center, 2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112 - Room ANC125

Facilitators: Sarah Miller and Malik Peer, Diversity Equity Outreach Consulting, LLC

Audience: Classroom Teachers K-12, Administrators, Directors, Social Workers, Behavior Intervention Specialists, Equity Specialists

Registration Fee:

$200/Person - Metro ECSU Member

$250/Person – Regular Rate


Description:

Caring & Committed Conversations (CCC) is a guided conversation process that empowers students to courageously use their voices to share their personal stories and thoughts pertaining to society and educational issues that explicitly and implicitly impact their lives. This training outlines the process used to establish a Caring and Committed Conversations Protocol in your schools.

Learn More and Register

Application for Cohort 19 School-Wide PBIS Training 2023-2025 is open!

Every year, the PBIS State Leadership Team selects Minnesota schools that apply to take part in our 2-year PBIS implementation training cohort. Our Regional Implementation Projects coordinate training and support implementation in the northernsouthern, and metro areas of our state.


Click here to view the Cohort 19 Application (due February 28)


We will select Minnesota school teams who apply to take part in our two-year Cohort 19 School-Wide PBIS Training (Summer 2023-Spring 2025) based on complete and accurate information provided in the application. A strong emphasis is placed on:

  • Evidence of data system that informs behavioral practice;

  • Administrative support and participation;

  • Demonstration of staff buy-in/informed commitment; and

  • Capacity to participate in all required trainings and complete all PBIS assessment tools (TFISAS, etc.) in the Data Calendar-at-a-Glance


Not sure about PBIS cohort training or how it can work for your building? Call or email Lauren Sparr to talk more about training possibilities and opportunities! Lauren Sparr, Regional Coordinator, 612-638-1534.

Grant Funding for Praxis ParaPro Assessments and ParaEducator Courses and Testing is available through Metro ECSU!

Currently, through the Minnesota Department of Education, the state of Minnesota is providing grant funding to cover test fees for the Praxis ParaPro Assessment and ParaEducator courses and assessments. This funding is available to all practicing, or aspiring paraprofessionals, through June 2023 or until the funding provided to Metro ECSU has been depleted. Funding is available on a first-come first served basis.


Paraprofessionals who assist with classroom instruction must meet state requirements beyond a high school diploma, or its equivalent. Metro ECSU currently offers two options to satisfy this demand: The ParaEducator Courses and Assessment and the Praxis ParaPro Assessment. These assessments measure the math, reading, and English skills of practicing or aspiring paraprofessionals, as well as their ability to apply these skills and knowledge when assisting in a classroom setting. Both programs are designed to fulfill the requirements of the federally legislated No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.


Advantages to using these value-added services through Metro ECSU:

  • Flexible exam scheduling (morning and afternoon availability, Tuesday-Friday)

  • Appointments offered on an individual basis

  • Access to a computer with pre-loaded exam

  • Conveniently located metro exam site

  • Test-takers receive their score immediately after taking the exam


For more information on ParaEducator courses and testing, please visit https://www.metroecsu.org/ProgramsServices/paraEducator/index.html


For more information on the Praxis ParaPro Assessment, please visit
https://www.metroecsu.org/ProgramsServices/paraPro/index.html


To learn more about either exam process, grant funding, or to schedule an exam appointment, contact Angela Skrade at 612-638-1528, or angela.skrade@metroecsu.org.

 

Updates from the COVID-19 Workforce Grant Team!

Hearing and Vision Training Videos in Production

The Workforce Grant School (WFG) Nurse team has been creating hearing and vision training videos. These videos are intended to help school nurses with the process of mass hearing and vision screenings, which occur yearly. School nurses are often screening hundreds of students each year to ensure that their hearing and vision are adequate for learning. Because these screenings are so large, school nurses often recruit unlicensed volunteers to help with the screenings and to work with classroom teachers to help students understand what happens during screening.


The finished product for this project will be a set of five videos for nurses to use to help make mass screening more efficient.


The first video is for classroom teachers to show to their students. This video will explain what happens during screening; the goal is to decrease anxiety and increase the quality of screening. Helping students understand what they are going to experience during screening will save some time for the school nurse as they will have less to explain on the day of screening.


The second and third videos are meant for volunteers -- one video focused on hearing screening and one focused on vision screening. School nurses will use these videos to supplement volunteer training. This will also save the school nurse some time.


The fourth and fifth videos are meant for nurses -- one video about hearing screening and one about vision screening. The goals of these videos are:

  • to supplement the longer MDH hearing and vision training,

  • to provide a quick refresher for seasoned nurses, and

  • to provide an introduction to hearing and vision screening for new nurses.


The WFG school nurses have been working closely with MDH to create the content, ensuring that it aligns with MDH recommendations and best practices.


If you have any questions about this project, please email Anna Warn at anna.warn@metroecsu.org.

Health Offices Data Collection Project

The Workforce Grant School Nurse team is continuing to collect statewide data related to health offices in public, charter schools, and intermediate districts. Data is also being collected for all special education and service cooperatives. The main objective of the project includes quantifying the titles and the number of health staff serving students in Minnesota schools. 


Using foundational information from the 2021-2022 MDE STAR Staff Automated Report, all MN school sites were contacted and asked about the number of Licensed School Nurses, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Unlicensed Assistive Persons, Public Health Nurses, and any contracted services in their district.


The Metro ECSU school nurse team, led by Mary Heiman, collaborated with the nurses from the regional service cooperatives to contact sites within their region. In addition, ECSU has partnered the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota -- staff from MDH and the U of M will analyze the data.


Over the years, there have been many attempts to collect similar staffing information without success. Due to the dedicated staff of the WFG and key partnerships, this project has come to fruition. It is our hope that the data analysis will illustrate the similarities and differences in health equity in MN schools.  Additional objectives include using the district staff contacts as the means to disseminate regional and statewide health information. Plans are being developed to determine a process for how the contact list can be annually updated.  


If you have any questions about this project, please contact Mary Heiman at 612-638-1545 or mary.heiman@metroecsu.org

Social Emotional Learning Pilot Program

Distance learning and the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us many things within our communities and society as a whole. One of the most important lessons learned is the necessity of human connection and relationships. Now, more than ever, our education systems have the opportunity to enhance students’ abilities to learn to connect with others' experiences, emotions, thoughts, and daily interactions to increase their academic and social-emotional learning.


Transformative Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a term that encompasses just that. This SEL process is where we provide educators and students the skills, space, and capacity to build strong, respectful, and positive relationships grounded in connection and community. Transformative SEL focuses on identifying differences and similarities to create relationships grounded in curiosity and understanding to work together to create collaborative problem-solving and solutions to everyday situations. 


Metro ECSU has partnered with a Social Emotional Learning provider to bring SEL to three Metro area pilot schools. These support professionals include a licensed EBD Special Education Teacher, Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Licensed Social Worker, and SEL curriculum provider for the pilot program. The partnership was established with the goal of better supporting/enhancing educator training in SEL interventions, supporting educator wellness in reaction to their own stress and impacts of working in the educational setting, and increasing the capacity for educators and students to build psychologically safe relationships in order to cultivate a school community that promotes academic and emotional learning. 


This specific SEL curriculum includes assessment tools for schools to identify areas of need regarding SEL practice skills with students, as well as an equally important focus on educator and caregiver SEL resources and education. In addition to this robust SEL curriculum, Metro ECSU brings the following potential services to the partnership in hopes of enhancing and increasing meaningful implementation of SEL work: 

  • Professional development for staff assisting in the rollout of SEL in their schools

  • Optional training on Restorative Practice, ACE's, and Trauma-Informed Supports for educators and school communities 

  • Individual mental health support for educators experiencing impacts of stress, dehumanization, or burnout within the school setting impacting their ability to take care of their mental health and wellness.

  • Targeted & specialized small group interventions to close the gap in learning SEL materials and skills.


This partnership aims to have a strong impact on schools and the students they serve by adding more intention to their social skill curriculum with a focus on connection, collaboration, communication, and reflection. For more information, contact Allie Taylor at allie.taylor@metroecsu.org

Metro ECSU Staff Spotlight!

Jen Guettler joined Metro ECSU full-time this fall as the Minnesota Autism Evidence-Based Practices Coach. 

 

Jen is originally from Southwest Minnesota and moved to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota. After completing her undergraduate degree, Jen attended St. Mary's University for a master's degree in special education with a license in autism, specific learning disabilities, and emotional behavior disorders. 

 

Jen has 18 years of experience working with autistics. She spent nine years working as a living skills instructor and then as a manager at a group home called Alternatives for People with Autism. 

Jen also spent nine years in education at St. Paul Public Schools. While in St. Paul, Jen taught at Battle Creek Middle School as the Setting III Autism teacher. She was passionate about using evidence-based practices to teach the functional routines her students would need to become thriving members of their community. Jen's program at Battle Creek was a model autism site for St. Paul Schools and the Links Curriculum. 

 

While teaching, Jen was also a SUTR Mentor (St. Paul Urban Teacher Residency) for six years. SUTR is a teacher residency preparation program focusing on recruiting, preparing, and retaining teachers with similar life experiences to the students in St. Paul. Jen mentored and coached teachers going through their special education graduate program to become successful autism teachers. 

 

Jen lives in Richfield with her husband, Matt, bonus daughter, Fiona, and two pups, Tucker and Frankie. Jen enjoys reading, camping, hiking, taking long walks with her dogs, traveling, and spending time with her family. 


Reach Jen at jen.guettler@metroecsu.org or 612-638-1543.

Early Childhood Special Education "Comings and Goings"


ECSE Regional Professional Development Facilitators (PDFs) with the Minnesota Centers of Excellence for Young Children (MNCoE) welcome two great new colleagues and say farewell to one colleague impossible to forget.

Wendy Carter (Bemidji) joins MNCoE as the ECSE PDF for Regions 1 & 2. Wendy has worked as an early childhood teacher and parent educator, ECFE Program Coordinator, and Early Head Start and Family Service Manager. She is also a trainer for the Pyramid Model Innovation as well as the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) assessment tool. She is licensed in early childhood, elementary education, and parent education. 

Robin Grooters (Moorhead) is the newest ECSE PDF and supports Region 4. Prior to becoming a PDF, she held positions as a K-4 lead principal and as a Program Manager in Early Intervention Services, both in Moorhead. Robin started her career in education as a special education teacher of Emotional Disorders in elementary, middle, and high school settings.

A truly great coworker is hard to find, difficult to part with, and impossible to forget.

~Unknown Author

Sally Hansen, Region 11 ECSE PDF and State Content Lead for Classroom Engagement Model (CEM), is moving on to provide leadership in professional development and the implementation of evidence-based practices on a national level with Dr. Phil Strain, University of Colorado-Denver. During her time with MNCoE, Sally has spent endless hours creating and delivering CEM content, leading the CEM State Implementation Team, and setting high standards around not only content but also adult learning strategies across MNCoE’s professional development offerings. Sally is probably equally known for her trademark approachable "warm and fuzzy" personality as she connected, supported, and empowered all of her metro B-5 program leaders, likely never leaving them without a hug – or at least trying for one!

Success Beyond the Classroom is hosting the

2023 Statewide 6th-8th Grade Knowledge Bowl Meet!


All teams across the state are welcome to participate!


Register!


Saturday, February 11, 2023, at DaVinci Academy

532 Bunker Lake Blvd NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304

$40 per team


Get ready to reach for the stars and blast off into space. Come dressed for space exploration at the State Knowledge Bowl Blast Off Meet. Awards will be given out to the top 5 scoring teams and for costumes as a team or as individuals. Pack your spacesuit, bring on the Tang, and register today!

 Awards:

  • Top 5 Placement - for each of the 5 highest scoring teams

  • Triple Team Award - for the highest-scoring 3 teams from the same school

  • Spirit Award - for the team that demonstrates the characteristics that all competitors admire – team cooperation, positive attitude, respect for self and others, graciousness in winning or losing 

  • Movin' On Up Award - for the team that makes the biggest room jump of the day

  • Plus prizes for the best individual and team costumes! 


Schedule:

  • 9:00 AM: Teams Check-in (Gym)

  • 9:30-10:05 AM: Written Round (Gym)

  • 10:15-11:00 AM: Oral Round 1

  • 11:15 AM-12:00 PM: Oral Round 2

  • 12:15-1:00 PM: Oral Round 3

  • 1:15-1:30 PM: Awards Presentation (Gym)


Contact Katie Wenzel with questions!


Kelly Barnhill & Anika Fajardo will keynote the 2023 Young Authors Conference

Kelly Barnhill will keynote the Young Authors Conference on March 17, 2023. Kelly Barnhill is an author, teacher, and mom who lives in Minneapolis. She has received a Newbery Medal, a World Fantasy Award, a Charlotte Huck Honor, and a McKnight Arts Fellowship. Kelly is the author of the novels The Ogress and the Orphans, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, The Witch’s Boy, Iron Hearted Violet, and The Mostly True Story of Jack.

Anika Fajardo will keynote the Young Authors Conference on May 30, 31, June 1, and 2, 2023. Anika was born in Colombia and raised in Minnesota. She is the author of the middle-grade novels What If a Fish, Meet Me Halfway, and Encanto: A Tale of Three Sisters, as well as a book for adults, Magical Realism for Non-Believers: A Memoir of Finding Family. When she is not writing, she teaches at Augsburg University’s MFA program. Anika lives with her family in the very literary city of Minneapolis. 

The Young Authors Conference (YAC) is an inspiring one-day field trip for students in grades 4-8 who love to write. Participants spend a day learning from and writing with professional Minnesota writers. They leave with new strategies and skills to express themselves more effectively. The 2023 YAC theme is Building Bridges, One Story at a Time.


Register


March Young Authors Conference Flyer


May Young Authors Conference Flyer

Congratulations to all Minnesota Future City Competition participants!

The 23rd Annual Minnesota Future City Competition took place on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount. Twenty-nine teams comprised of 6th-8th graders attended and presented their visions of futuristic cities and their ideas for keeping citizens safe as cities are impacted by climate change.


Top Five Teams:

First Place – VAXA, Mounds Park Academy

Second Place – Nadee Sooraj, Justice Page Middle School

Third place – Ethos, Black Hawk Middle School

Honorable Mention – Delhi, Scott Highlands Middle School

Honorable Mention – Varia Terra, Twin Oaks Middle School


Team VAXA from Mounds Park Academy will travel to Washington, DC during the third week in February to compete in the National Future City Competition. To learn how to participate in next year's Future City season, contact Colleen Feller at 612-638-1511.

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Metro ECSU, one of the Minnesota Service Cooperatives, serves K-12 schools and districts in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. Learn more


Success Beyond the Classroom, a 501c3 non-profit organization, houses Metro ECSU's student enrichment programs, such as Knowledge Bowl & Young Authors Conference. Learn more