Industrial technology and engineering awards student of the month

Current industrial technology and engineering students are eligible for “Student of the Month.” The instructors of these courses will select one student each month for the award along with a $50 gift card. Various businesses in Albert Lea are supporting this award including Raleigh’s Ace Hardware, Northstar Motorsports, Lou-Rich, Home Depot, M & S Outdoor Equipment and NAPA.

Criteria for selection includes:

1. Enrollment in an engineering or industrial technology course

2. Displays of leadership

3. Exemplary work in the classroom

4. Good attendance

Instructors for the industrial technology and engineering courses are Bill Webb, Casey McIntyre, Kim Meyer and Mike Sundblad.

Third Engineering Course Offered

Engineering continues to grow at Albert Lea High School. Digital electronics has been added to the list of courses that students can take which offer three credits from the University of Minnesota. The course investigates analog and digital electronics used by engineers. Students will complete a number of hands-on activities to reinforce the theories of electron flow. Other engineering courses currently offered are Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering.

Engineering instructors include Casey McIntyre, Pam Ruble and Mike Sundblad.

Fourth graders visit Good Samaritan

The fourth grade class at Lakeview Elementary will be starting the 14th year of visiting the Good Samaritan Society. The students go once a month to build an intergenerational relationship. The residents start clapping when they walk in, which shows how excited they are to see the students.  The students spend time singing their morning meeting songs along with an activity. In October, they interviewed the residents to find out what life was like when they were young and what their school was like. The students were amazed at some of the stories shared. In the coming months, they will read plays, poetry and books. The students also enjoy making a craft for the residents to hang in their room. Along with this theme, four residents also come to Lakeview once a month. The students spend time reading in small groups to the residents. New this year is Hidden Creek visits. While one class is at the Good Samaritan Society, the other class will be enjoy time with residents from Hidden Creek playing board games. The students have to work hard on concentrating so that they don’t get beat all the time. A special thank you to the Kiwanis Club for helping fund half of the bus expense for this event. Good Samaritan Society helps cover the other half of the expense. The empathy and connections made are such a wonderful learning experience that benefits so many people!

Meteorologist visits Halverson Elementary

Halverson fifth-graders were excited to have local meteorologist Chris Kuball join them for a science wrap-up event. He gave a clouds and weather-forecasting presentation based on the fifth grade MCA science test specifications. He brought in forecasting tools for students to see, hear and touch along with a cloud PowerPoint illustrating the what’s, how’s, and why’s of cloud formations and purposes.

Students read with partners on Fridays at Halverson Elementary School. -- Submitted photo

Students at Halverson Elementary like reading buddies program

Michelle Kluender and Rhonda Schmidt’s classes from Halverson Elementary look forward to Fridays to read with their Reading Buddies. The students love getting to read to someone from the other class. This is a great way to build community and give students a chance to bond with kids from a different class and grade.

High school students visit courthouse

High school students listen to a Freeborn County Sheriff’s deputy talk about getting fingerprints during their tour of the courthouse. -- Submitted photo

Jon Hansen’s forensic science class had at field trip at the Freeborn County Government Center. Areas toured included the booking area, evidence collection, processing and storage rooms. It was “Wacky Wednesday” for Homecoming week, which is why the students are dressed the way they are. This is the third year the forensic science classes have been given the tour. The students get excited and come back with a greater understanding of the procedures involved in booking and registering people at the detention center and the process and storing of evidence. The tour is done with help from the high school’s liason officer, Ted Herman, the staff of the Freeborn County’s Sheriff’s Office and the Albert Lea Police Department.

“It was nice of the sergeants and officers to give us a tour and show us what it’s really like to be in jail,” Mina Lein, ALHS senior, said.