Today marks the end of a long school year filled with ups and downs for students, parents, teachers and administrators in the Albert Lea School District.

The excitement buzzed in the Sibley Elementary School cafeteria this morning, as students playing outside before classes came in out of the sprinkling rain.

“I thought it was a fun school year,” said fifth-grader Brynn Rahn.

Even though she said she’s happy it’s over, she is going to miss her friends and teacher.

“I thought it was fun, and I’m also glad it’s over because I’m going to be in a new grade and getting to learn new stuff,” said fellow fifth-grader Aruna Evenson.

Principals throughout the district reflected on the closing year and looked forward to the next.

Successes

Scattered through the year at each of the school buildings were great student accomplishments.

At the high school, the one-act team made it to the state competition. The fall musical, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat,” sold out three nights. In the athletic department, the wrestling team took second at state and members of the girls’ golf team, boys’ track and girls’ soccer went to state competitions.

“I think all teams did really well,” said Albert Lea High School Principal Al Root.

The high school hosted the Big Nine Music Festival, which happens once every 10 years.

Just recently, Root told the school board about a $10,000 grant to continue counseling and career programs.

The Sibley Math Masters team had great success in the regional competition this year, said Principal Ross Williams.

In the classroom at Sibley, Williams said students did well in computerized assessments of math and reading.

“We have had a wonderful year,” Lakeview Elementary School Principal Jean Jordan said.

It was the fifth or sixth year of the responsive classroom program at Lakeview where students learn how to interact with the school and classroom communities by respecting each other.

“I think we’re really seeing the benefits of that,” Jordan said, adding she had the fewest disciplinary problems ever and less bullying on the playground.

Southwest Middle School Principal Marsha Langseth also said she had fewer disciplinary problems this spring.

“It made for a much less tense spring,” she said.

Students at Lakeview tested through the Alternative Teacher Professional Pay System were above the national average on every grade level.

“That’s really something to be celebrated,” Jordan said.

It was the year of the second annual Tiger Trot fundraiser for Southwest, which went over well with the great involvement from the sixth-graders, Langseth said. The school also received a $5,000 donation from Hy-Vee.

Enrollment was up at St. Theodore Catholic School with 94 students in school. The Rev. Jim Berning said he expects to see another increase next year.

At St. Ted’s, the science fair always gets kids excited, and faith is an important part of curriculum. Plus, new computers were added in all classrooms and the computer lab.

Challenges

One of the challenges for the 2007-08 school year at ALHS was transitioning from block scheduling to a seven-period day, Root said.

“That was hectic and a lot of change for both staff and students,” he said.

It was a year of firsts at Sibley, as Williams finished his first year as an elementary school principal. He said it has been nice to see teachers and students progress all year while building relationships.

“I thought our teacher was really good this year,” said Sibley fifth-grader Paige Kelley. “I’m sad that we’re leaving. But I’m also excited for the summer.”

For the staff at Lakeview, it has been a year of ups and downs. Jordan said three babies were welcomed into the world while a handful of staff members lost their parents.

A major event in the 2007-08 school year was the passage of an operating levy referendum, which created much controversy and divided the community.

“I’m really looking forward to a nonreferendum year,” said Jordan. “That will be nice.”

Voters in November approved paying more per student to supplement the funding from the state, which is continually falling short of what schools need.

Up next

Sibley first-grader Jacob Moffitt said the last day of school is good because “you get the whole summer off and you don’t have to do as much writing.”

But the school work and writing will come with September sooner than students and teachers realize.

Root said he looks forward to adding two new courses at ALHS: Food Science, part of the College in the Classroom program, and Project Lead the Way for industrial technology students.

“We’re looking forward to new opportunities for students in the academic curriculum area,” he said.

Langseth said she is looking forward to the incoming group of students.

“Every year we lose a group, and every year we gain a group,” she said.

There will be a new academic credit program at Southwest next year to help prepare students for high school, and rules will be fine-tuned, according to Langseth.

Berning said there will be a new, schoolwide reading program at St. Ted’s next year, and the new math program this past year went over well.

All principals said they will continue to focus on improving education and academic achievements.

Principals from Halverson and Hawthorne elementary schools could not be reached.

“It was fun, but I’m glad it’s over,” said Sibley fifth-grader Audry Olson.

As the school year comes to an end, tears can be seen on the faces of teachers and students as kids move on to the next grade. But the relationship that was built over the past year will remain.

“Teachers love their kids, and the kids love their teachers,” Williams said.