To the low turnout at the Albert Lea Area Schools community meeting Thursday night.

After seeing the flood of comments on social media following the death of Albert Lea High School ninth-grader Pla Mo this week and last, we were disappointed to see only about 50 people come to the district meeting on Thursday — including teachers, school counselors and other district employees.

During the meeting, district administrators and principals shared steps Albert Lea Area Schools is taking to address students’ social and emotional needs and gave time for community members to ask questions.

We encourage more parents to step back from simply talking about issues online and instead make a difference and get involved through actions.

Parents have another opportunity this week to get involved on the topic of bullying through a grant the district received to participate in the No Bully program, which district staff started training with earlier this school year. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, No Bully will facilitate a parent workshop titled “How to bully-proof your kid” at Southwest Middle School. No Bully is a nonprofit organization founded in San Francisco that partners with schools nationwide to implement a nonpunitive and highly effective solution to end bullying and harassment, according to a flier for the upcoming event.

We look forward to seeing what comes out of this workshop and hope everyone can work together to strengthen our students and our schools.

 

 

To county employees who donated items to be sent to local deployed troops.

Thanks to all of the county employees who took part in a collection of food and items this month and last to send to deployed troops.

The donations filled more than 100 boxes and should be getting sent out next week. Leftover items will be sent to either Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or the Wounded Warrior Project in San Antonio.

We hope others continue to support our troops in the coming weeks, especially as the holidays draw closer.

 

 

To Albert Lea Police Department Lt. Jeff Strom.

Congratulations to Albert Lea Police Department
Lt. Jeff Strom, who was recognized this week for his efforts to reduce the number of traffic deaths and serious injuries in the state as part of the Toward Zero Deaths program.

Strom, who is active in the Freeborn County Safe Roads Coalition, received the Education Star Award, according to a press release. He conducts quarterly fatal crash reviews and prepares all crash files for review. He coordinates monthly child passenger safety clinics and participates in traffic safety events at area schools and organizes mock crashes and impact speakers for the community.

The awards are given annually to individuals and organizations that show excellence in enforcement, emergency medical and trauma services, education, engineering, child passenger safety and judicial/court systems.