Here is what you need to know:
Policy changes
The board had a first reading of the proposed policy changes and the following is what has been discussed.
Policy 102, Equal Educational Opportunity: change in designations
Policy 401, Equal Employment Opportunity: change in designations
Policy 402, Disability Nondiscrimination: change in designations
Policy 503, Student Attendance: change in list of excused absences
Proposed student excused absences:
Serious illness in the studentâs immediate family
A death or funeral in the studentâs immediate family or of a close friend or relative
Medical, dental, orthodontic treatment or a counseling appointment
Cultural traditions and teachings
Religious instruction in a school not to exceed three hours in any week
Here is what you need to know:
Graduation mask requirements
Shanda Jorgenson, health and safety consultant for the Red Wing School District, announced that masks will not be required at the high school graduation ceremony if outdoors. However, masks will be required if the ceremony is indoors due to weather. There will be no social distancing or capacity limitations for either situation.
Mask requirements for summer school have yet to be determined due to lack of federal and state guidance.
Commencement will be at 7 p.m. Friday, June 4.
5RiversOnline
5RiversOnline is a collaborative partnership between the Goodhue County Education District and its six member districts of Cannon Falls, Goodhue, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lake City, Red Wing and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.
Kim Cory, dean of students at Jefferson School, will be taking on a different role as the principal for 5RiversOnline, the new full-time online learning school that is being offered for Goodhue County students next fall.
âKim needs almost no introduction,â Cherie Johnson, executive director for the Goodhue County Education District, said in making the announcement. âHer enthusiasm for students and learning is infectious. Kim has been the leader at Jefferson Elementary in Red Wing this past year. She has stepped in to provide guidance around continuous improvement and effective practices, even while navigating the pandemic, opening a building and bringing together a staff that hadn t worked together before. Kim is a passionate leader who we believe will be a great asset to our collaborative and to 5RiversOnline.â
Weston Johnson went from struggling student to honor graduate, teacher and author
In January 2021, Goodhue County Education District instructional coach s book “Purposeful Teaching: A Reflection on the Practice of Supporting Students as They Learn” was released.
Written By:
By Sarah Knieff, staff writer | 7:45 am, Mar. 14, 2021 ×
Weston Johnson, an instruction coach with Goodhue County Education District, has turned his childhood struggle with reading into a book to help others. He is pictured with son Bennett. Photo courtesy of Weston Johnson
Weston Johnson was years behind his reading level in middle school, but now is an author and educator who supports struggling students and their parents and teachers. His story is of how determination, hard work and perseverance can lead to success.
Goodhue County Education District executive director honored by Minnesota peers.
Written By:
Sarah Knieff, staff writer | 5:08 pm, Mar. 12, 2021 ×
Goodhue County Education District Executive Director Cherie Johnson (fourth from left) joins others in breaking ground for the River Bluff Education Center in 2014. Republican Eagle file photo
The honor is starting to sink in … a little.
Cherie Johnson was recently named Minnesota’s Special Education Administrator of the Year by the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education for her work.
“I am honored that they chose me. There are so many others out there that are worthy of this award,” Johnson said.
Johnson started her career in Minnesota as a special education teacher in the Red Wing School District in 1998 and has been in the Goodhue County Education District executive director since July 2007.