Thursday, October 26, 2006
November Events
• Face-painting, coloring contest, games, and trick-or-treating in the residence halls. Stop at the guard booth at the main entrance for parking directions.
WSU Trick-or-Treating • Tue, Oct. 31, 6-8 pm • WSU residence halls
• Winona State University Housing and Residence Life invite Winona community members and their children into the WSU Residence Halls for trick-or-treating. The following halls are participating: Prentiss-Lucas, 265 W. King St.; Sheehan, 264 W. Mark St.; Morey, 256 W. King St.; and Lourdes, 457 Gould St. More info: Prentiss-Lucas Hall Director Mic Nauman, 457-5320
Fall Harvest Festival • Tue, Oct. 31, 5-7 pm • Rock Solid, 75 W. 3rd St., Winona
• Activities for children up to grade five from 5-7 pm, including inflatable bouncing and climbing equipment, costume contest, games, rock climbing, airbrush tattoos, and hot apple cider. Carmel apples for $3 and hot dog, chips, and pop for $1. More info: 452-2125
Mississippi Queen docking • Mon, Nov. 2, 1 pm - 5 pm • Levee Park
EagleWatch Opener • Sat., Nov. 4, 10 am - 4 pm • 152 Main St., Wabasha
• The National Eagle Center’s observation deck opens for the fall bald eagle and tundra swan migration; volunteers on hand to assist with scopes. Special events include Eagles in the Flags of our Nation at 11 am and Native American powwow at 2 pm. More info: www.nationaleaglecenter.org or 877-332-4537
Flippin’ for Books: Family Fitness, Flapjacks & Fables • Sat, Nov 11, 9 am - noon • Winona Senior High School
• Come join us for a free pancake breakfast (9 – 10:30), plus dramatic storytelling, free books, fun activities, and family resources from many local organizations. This event was planned especially for families with children age 5 and under. Sponsored by the Winona Early Childhood Initiative, Early Childhood Family Education PTA, Winona Family YMCA, and the Kiwanis Sunrisers.
Parenting in a Too Much of Everything World • Thu, Nov. 16, 6:30-7:30 pm • Jefferson Elementary
• Dr. William Doherty will be speaking to parents on the topic of "Parenting in a Too Much of Everything World." $5 suggested donation. Limited on-site childcare available (reserve in advance). To register, call Glenda at 494-0913
Old World Christmas • Fri, Nov. 24 – Sat, Nov. 25 • downtown Winona
• Wagon rides and visits with Santa, strolling carolers, Christmas decorations and lighting, sales. More info: 452-3722
Rotary Holiday Lights • Fri, Nov. 24 – Sun, Dec. 31 • Riverside Park, La Crosse
• More than one million lights illuminate Riverside Park from 5-10 pm daily (5-9 pm on Dec. 24 & 25), including a 140-foot Christmas tree, drive-through tunnel of lights, live entertainment on select nights, hayrides, carriage rides, animated light displays, live Nativity scene, and Santa. More info: (800) 658-9424 or www.rotarylights.org
Holiday Lighted Parade • Sat, Dec. 2, 5:30 pm • Third St. between Main and Franklin
• Numerous lighted Christmas floats, elves, and Santa. More info: 452-0735 or www.visitwinona.com
Did we miss your event? Feel free to add events by posting a comment (click on "Comments," below.)
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Stacey Mounce Arnold School Board Candidate Statement (At Large)
My vision for Winona Area Public Schools is to transition slowly in the direction of reprioritizing our goals for our children in our community. I see a need for a new image on all fronts where everyone plays an important role in creating the “new wave of education”! We need to educate everyone (parents, children, staff, teachers administration, board, and the whole community) that they have a role to contribute to the success of the future of our kids. Some of these groups are already doing that, but the collective whole is not working together and valuing the importance of education and at what cost it takes to have a successful system. We need to support each other in reaching this common goal.
I am interested in gathering the facts and utilizing the information to serve the best possible result. I want teachers and staff to feel that I am an open door for any feedback they want to give me. An environment that encourages a free flow of ideas will promote a healthy work environment(which is compromised right now) and create discussion and positive communication. We need to empower and embrace everyone’s potential and expertise and wrap it in respect and develop mutual understandings that will bring productive outcomes with people feeling like they contributed to the overall success. Right now the school system is lacking these dynamics. If you do not have mutual support you will generate a lack of excitement and low morale and then the quality of your system decreases.
I feel we need to refocus on the legislation that is in place today. The allocation formulas for school funding is designed for districts to fail. It needs to be reanalyzed. The proof is in the number of school districts that have had to rely on referendums and operation levys. I also see a need for more business backround individuals to be on school board. If you look at the history of our school board’s decisions, they have cost us more money than was necessary. Part of those decisions was based on the fact that they chose not to listen to the committees that were formed to research different problems and issues that were needing to be addressed. We need to delegate duties, listen to our community volunteers that do the research, and make tough decisions.
There are always going to be challenges in public education—funding issues, declining enrollment, increasing overhead costs, increasing special education needs, etc. I do not have all the answers, but I am willing to work hard with others to find solutions. I am also ready to make tough decisions—we need to find a home for ALC. Once we get the tough decisions handled, and get back on track, then we can focus on the KIDS and their education.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Greg Fellman School Board Candidate Statement (At Large)
Why am I running for the school board?
That’s a great question one my wife keeps asking me all the time! The answer is pretty simple, but the decision and commitment was hard to make. I am running because I care about kids and I care about our community. Current school board priorities do not seem to be putting our kids first and our community does not trust the board. I’ve served on WAPS committees in the past and I have had children, and still have one, in the public school system. I have 26 years of public accounting experience, management and budgeting. If elected, my commitment to WAPS would be one that is undivided and works hard to focus on the education or our kids and keeping us financially sound.
My Key Campaign Points:
· The students must come first – up to date curriculum and class sizes must be a priority, along with adequate space, equipment and supplies.
· Decision-making must be above board and transparent to all. There are too many items on the boards consent agenda. The public agendas and published minutes should also have more detail in them.
· We need to re-build trust, respect and cooperation in the community and throughout the district – this can only be accomplished via accountability in:
o Spending of taxpayers dollars (we need to take the opportunity while we have funds to not just spend them all, but to keep looking for areas reduce costs and not get back into the mess we were in)
o The quality of education we provide our children
(The school board, administrators and teachers all have these responsibilities and need to be fairly evaluated on how they are doing. It is not acceptable to have test scores that are not improving and lower than the state average)
· There needs to be better long-range planning. Not having identified homes for ALL of the programs in the Lincoln building before selling and under taking re-modeling for some programs should not have happened. We need to answer the question of where did all of the grade school capacity go? The Board identified that there was capacity and schools needed to close – the decisions made since then were to move all the 5th graders to WMS and close Ridgeway and Dakota. Closing Ridgeway and Dakota DID NOT reduce capacity since they opened as charter schools and kept the students - moving the 5th graders only provided more space in the elementary buildings.
· The ALC is an important program and should have a new home. We should not have a building built that the school district has to rent and pass this cost on to the taxpayers via a levy that can be applied without public approval
· All district programs need to be housed in district buildings before space is rented to outside entities while some of our programs continue to seek space.
· Grade level buildings should be considered for all grades, not just 5 – 12, for the elementary buildings in town. It was a mistake to close Ridgeway and Dakota and ask those elementary students to take long bus rides when there are multiple buildings close to each other in town. Why do we bus students who live closer to Rollingstone all the way to Goodview? School attendance boundaries should be reviewed.
· Decisions must be based on what is best for the whole district.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
John Goplen School Board Candidate Statement (District 2)
Key Campaign Issues
Change the atmosphere of WAPS System:
- Make decisions based on what is best for the district and community as a whole.
- Be community inclusive.
- Build cooperation and mutual respect within the district and community.
Correct the current board’s misplaced priorities and focus:
- Student needs must come first.
- Responsibility to the District as a whole should take priority over special interests or pet projects.
- Classroom staffing should have priority over additions to central administration staffing.
Accountability:
- Board members, administrators, and educators should be held accountable for the quality of education and service provided to the students and communities served by WAPS.
- Move away from closed discussion and pre-determined votes and return the focus of the board to the openness of public discussion.
- Tax payer money is neither free nor unlimited and money should be spent only after considering where that dollar would have the most educational impact.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Natalie Siderius School Board Candidate Statement (At Large)
I am very interested and involved in early childhood education and family issues. I am a former member and officer of the ECFE Parent Advisory Council. I currently serve on the Winona Early Childhood Initiative Leadership Team. The Winona Early Childhood Initiative is supported by a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. I support expansion of early childhood programs (like Maxwell at Madison Preschool and Childcare) because of the demonstrated benefits these programs bring to children and families. Recent studies show that for every $1 spent on early learning and care programs there is a $17 public return on investment. For more information, please see the following sites: http://woodrow.mpls.frb.fed.us/research/studies/earlychild/abc-part2.pdf
http://www.highscope.org/NewsandInformation/PressReleases/PerryP-Age40.htm
Thanks to a hard working referendum committee, school board, administrative team and this community, Winona passed an operating levy that puts the schools on solid footing. This year, I have had the great pleasure of voting to restore all day, every day kindergarten; restore high school athletics and activities and expand them to include the 7th and 8th grades; hire new teachers and reduce class sizes; add reading specialists and expand the gifted and talented program.
Using capital dollars, the Board approved construction of a new library/media center, student store, counseling center and administrative offices at the high school while improving indoor air quality, security and safety. The district has moved ahead with partnerships that have improved athletic fields at the Middle School, added a preschool to Madison, placed HVED programs at Jefferson, expanded mentoring for teachers and expanded student teaching opportunities.
I support neighborhood schools because strong neighborhood schools are signs of strong communities, and strong communities are necessary for strong public schools. Neighborhood schools tend to be smaller and have smaller class sizes that lead to effective learning. Not only does it make educational sense to support neighborhood schools, it makes economic sense too. Schools sustain the economic vitality of our residential neighborhoods and families are increasingly looking for safe, attractive, and easily accessible schools. Since the school district must compete for area students, we have a great opportunity to meet that demand and to do very well by the students and their families.
If elected, my priorities over the next four years include curriculum improvement, staff development, building improvements and continued financial stability.
- Curriculum: We need to make a commitment to prepare a curriculum that is appropriate for our current and future students -- and one that capitalizes on the expertise of our teachers, our higher ed. institutions, and all of our community partners. I will continue to support positive initiatives like the curriculum audit that is currently underway.
- Staff Development: We all know that no matter how good the curriculum is, it takes teachers to make it happen. It's time we return to using staff development dollars for improving teaching.
- Building Improvements: We have completed in-depth facility studies of all district buildings and made upgrades in portions of all buildings. I will work to prioritize needs and address them creatively and in a financially sustainable manner.
- Finances: Statutory operating debt is not a solution. Citizens have given us the financial means to improve the district and we should use these funds wisely.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Ted Hazelton School Board Candidate Statement (District 1)
My name is Ted Hazelton and I am running for a seat on the School Board in election district #1 agianst incumbant, Larry Labor. I am a life long Winona area resident. I am a very active volunteer in many civic groups and organizations; both past and preasant. I am a current board member and founder of the Winona Area Youth Wrestling Club, I am also an active parent volunteer in my youngest son's Cub Scout troop, a member of the minnesota Transportation Museum -(Railroad Division), and a member of the Chippewa Valley Motor Car Railway. I am a past member of the Winona Model railroad Club, and the Winona Area Jaycee's. I also give railroad safety presentations in the area schools during National Railroad Safety Week in May of each year, and have also helped chaperone on some school field trips at W-K in the past.
I am employed full time as a truck driver for D.J.Johnson Transfer Co. of Winona, and I'm also licensed pyrotechnic operator with J & M Displays. I shoot fireworks shows at many of the surrounding community festivals.
I am a single parent of a child who was involved in the E.C.F.E. program at the Lincoln Bldg. My son now is a 1st grade student at W-K Elementry school now so I have a vested intrest in 861 schools.
I am running for school board for many reasons. My first and foremost reason is to help restore public trust and accountability back to Dist. 861 and to open more communication between 861 and parents, students, teachers, and the tax paying general public. The current board is not representative of the wishes of the general public and there is no representation for the rural areas of the district, or the average working class citizens and familys. The current board is a "rubber stamp" for admimistration rather than for the wishes of parents, community and the tax payers. There is such a lack of direction, credability or accountability on this board that it is pathetic! Trust must be restored after many of the contraversial and hair-brained decitions that have taken place in the last 4 years such as moving the 5th graders out of the elementry schools over to the Middle School, and the way that S.O.F.A. was handled. The public is fed up with the actions of the current board majority as evidenced by the recent vote in the primary election on Sept. 12, and word of mouth around town!
Change in Winona is on the horizen! It's time to put the "public" back into our public schools!
Other issues that I am running on are: Finding a new home for the A.L.C. program in a DISTRICT OWNED BUILDING by either re-claiming the Lincoln building or more preferably moving the 5th grade back into the elementry schools (where they belong) to free up the space needed at the Middle School for the A.L.C. Improved relatoins with 861 staff & employees to help boost morale (which is currentley lacking). Improving test scores by doing a cirriculum audit to see what can be modified or improved for our students. Re-examine the 2 tierd busing system for cost effectivness and efficiency improvements. I have a hard time believing that 861 is saving the kind of money that they claim that they do to the public. Also, switching school start times between the older and younger students needs to be done as the current set up is backwards and creates a schedule nightmare for parents of elementry aged students in regards to day-care issues after school Additionally, the current set up may be in violation of federal law (daylight savings time). Daylight savings was done for 2 reasons. One; to give farmers an extra hour of light to work with, and second; to keep little kids from being out in the dark to catch the bus or walking to school! I would also address some of our screwed up attendance boundrys that are currently in place. Examples: kids living in Hidden Valley live 3/4 mile from Goodview School yet we bus them 4 miles to Jefferson School! Kids living in Minneiska are bused 14 miles to Goodview School, but they go right by highway 248 and Rollingstone on the way to Goodview! How dumb is that?!!
I also believe that the maintenance budget needs to be increased with the number of older buildings we have in use so they don't end up with same fate as the old Middle School did - what a shame!
Finally, I would bring a consrvative viewpoint to the board as for decisions that involve tax payer dollars and how they are spent. The spending practices of the current board are pathetic! Examples: Paying $120,000 for new tennis courts at the Middle School rather than re-habilitate the existing ones at the High School for $40,000 then paying for busing students from the high school to the Middle School to use them!
Paying an extra $4,000 per year on milk just to get "B.G.H. free" stickers on them! Paying $110,000 for 2 part time elementry principals then letting W.S.U. use them to teach over there and only getting $45,000 in return for this. Net loss - $65,000. Why not just hire 1 full time elementry principal at $55,000 and have that person split thier time between the 2 elementry buildings involved? Security cameras at Madison School. If W.S.U. requires them for the daycare program over there, let them pay for it instead of 861 footing the $22,000 cost! Isn't that what a partnership is all about, helping each other out for a common goal?!! These are just some examples, I could write a book on this subject if I had the time.
These are some of the issues that I will be addressing if elected to the board. Lets end this "good old boys club" that seems to be in place with our current school board with every vote being 7-0 no matter what the subject matter is. There needs to be more debate on the items in question.
This way, board members are more informed when a vote comes up. This is what the public wants. Vote Ted Hazelton for school board on November 7. Vote for change!
Thank-you,
Ted Hazelton
school board candidate
P.S. Please feel free to E-Mail or call me at my house in the evening with any questions or concerns that you have or would like to talk about. Its all about communication, which is part of being a good school board member. Phone: 454-3232 E-Mail: thazerailsinwinona@hotmail.com
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Larry Laber School Board Candidate Statement (District 1)
I believe a child’s education starts at birth and continues until you pass away. I also believe it is very important that the child and parent have a strong start. This is the reason I support Ready4K. As you would know, Community Education ECFE offers excellent classes to new parents. Statistics prove over and over that children will continue to excel in their education if they are given a good well-rounded start. This is why the school board continues to support Early Childhood programs such as welcoming WSU staff into Madison Elementary providing all day childcare within the school. I think we should work at growing this program into other elementary schools as well. After passage of the referendum last year, the school board immediately voted to restart all day every day kindergarten in all the school districts elementary buildings. Again, stastistics show the return on the dollar invested in kindergarten pays back many fold in children who are more eager to learn, fewer behavior issues and successful students graduating from high school and college ready to live and work in our communities.
We have instituted a long range planning committee to address needs at our high school over the next 10 years. We have worked with our School Nutrition director in bringing equipment and menus up to a new level while staying within a strict budget. We have upgraded a 20-year-old media center to a modern functional area more suited to the 21st century. As this committee finishes its task, it will begin working with elementary schools addressing their current and long range needs following the facility study performed by Wold Architects.
The Middle School is our newest school building. It has extensive technology within but that is 10 years old now with minimum upgrades. We will look at upgrading equipment in this building as well before we get too far behind.
Early Childhood programs, all day kindergarten, key kids, keeping all our elementary schools open takes money and dedication. Upgrading our school buildings, our textbooks and technology requires diligent use of the tax dollars we are given. I have supported these efforts wholeheartedly though there has been argument against some of these positions. I will continue to support what is best for our school district but most importantly what is important to our kids.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Brian Neil School Board Candidate Statement (District 2)
Monday, October 16, 2006
Creekside Playground, Rushford

This is a large wooden playground with "castles" and walkways, swings, tires, a sandbox, and various climbing equipment. The playground is partially shaded and near a picnic shelter and t0ilets. If you'd like to make a day of it, the Creamery is a good place to stop for ice cream or pizza after the playground; it's just a few minutes down Hwy 43 in Rushford (on the right, before Hwy 15, next to the bowling alley). Located near the intersection of Pine Meadows Rd. and N. Mill St., Rushford; watch for the ballfields on the left as you head into town, or view a map.
Homemade playdough
2 cups water
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
1 1/4 tablespoon alum
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
food coloring
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Events for October 16 - 22
• Re-enactors portray life at a 1700s fur-trading camp.
Autumn Adventures • Sat, Oct. 21, 9-10 am • Minnesota Marine Art Museum (800 Riverview Dr., Winona)
• This is a free storytelling event at the new Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Enjoy family-friendly autumnal tales in front of original artworks. A short seasonal art project will follow the stories. More info: 474.6626 or minnesotamarineartmuseum.org
Indoors Marching Band • Sun, Oct 22, 6 pm • St. Mary's Fieldhouse
The Cotter High School and Junior High School Marching Bands will present their annual Indoor Marching Band Concert. Features will include the colorguards and drumlines of each band, as well as highlights from the 2006 marching season. Free.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Events for October 9 - 15
• Winona Health lactation specialists host Mother's Own Milk, a weekly support group for moms and breastfed babies looking for resources and encouragement for variety of breastfeeding issues. More info: Robyn Hinz, 453-3700
Coffee Talk with Superintendent Paul Durand • Thurs, Oct. 12 8-9 am • Blue Heron Coffeehouse
• Come have a cup of coffee with the superintendent and discuss issues of concern to you.
Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry 25th Celebration • Thu, Oct 12 - Sun, Oct. 15 • Minnesota Equestrian Center (off Hwy 43, take Hwy 21 west for 1 mile)
• This national event marks the 25th anniversary of the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry and showcases Fjord horse versatility. Highlights include horse shows 8 am-6 pm Saturday, and Fjord horses dancing to choreographed music, 7 pm Saturday. Free admission. More info: (585) 872-4114 or www.nfhr.com
Pumpkin Patch • Sat, Oct. 14, 9:30 - 12 • Franklin Bronk & Sons Family Farm, Winona
• Celebrate fall harvest with hay rides, snacks, and crafts for your children. No registration necessary; $3 per person to be paid at the farm. Meet at the ECFE parking lot, 5100 W 9th St. (Goodview School) to caravan to the farm.
Historical Cemetery Walk • Sat, Oct 14 & Sun, Oct 15, 12 pm - 3 pm • Woodlawn Cemetery
• Actors dressed in period costumes play the roles of important deceased citizens and talk about their “lives” in Winona’s past. Guides take small groups around the cemetery to meet and listen to these historic figures. This year, the following stories will be highlighted: 1. Edward Drew, who made the trip to Winona from Wabash, Indiana, in a covered wagon featuring a 5 yoke team of oxen; 2. Frank Owens Brown, whose father was a prominent Upper Mississippi River pilot and flour mill owner; 3. Henry Slocumb, who was himself a river pilot who grew up in the Reed’s Landing area; 4. Samuel and Maude Prentiss who moved from the Green Mountain, Vermont, area to Winona because of the excellent schools; 5. Elizabeth Kunze, who was born in St. Gallen, Switzerland; 6. Gustav Anger, who was born in Annabery Saxony, Germany, and immigrated to California before coming to Winona; 7. Ann Butler, who was born in England and sailed from Liverpool to New York; and 8. Roy Frank Vose, who was taught to fly by Max Conrad. $6 for adults, $4 for students 13 and over, $3 for students 12 and under.