South metro school briefs

Last update: November 3, 2009 - 4:27 PM

BURNSVILLE-EAGAN-SAVAGE

District says freshmen won't switch buildings

Freshmen won't be moving to Burnsville High School anytime soon.

That's the outcome of a conversation this fall in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District, which had toyed with the idea of moving students in some grades to different schools.

Ninth-graders in the district attend junior high, and sixth-graders go to elementary school. A task force studying the district's building needs was split over whether it would make sense to switch to a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade configuration.

After gathering public feedback, Superintendent Randy Clegg advised the school board last month to keep things the way they are.

Most residents said they liked the current system, he said. Moving the ninth-graders would have also required an addition to the high school costing an estimated $13 million, which many residents saw as a big drawback to the idea.

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS

Pine Bend jumps high in heart fundraiser

An elementary school in Inver Grove Heights recently learned that its students jump-roped their way to glory in a national fundraiser that benefits the American Heart Association.

Pine Bend Elementary raised nearly $18,000 this spring through the Jump Rope for Heart program, donating more money than any school in Minnesota, according to the program's website. Nationally, the school ranked 89th in the nation for 2008-09.

Shannon Park Elementary in Rosemount, which raised nearly $17,700, landed just behind Pine Bend at 93rd in the national rankings.

Inver Hills will hold career expo

Thinking about how to launch -- or change -- your career? Inver Hills Community College is holding a career expo next week that aims to answer basic questions about its programs and student support services. The expo also will include information about the college's adult programs, customized training and financial aid.

The event is free and open to the public. It will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 in the College Center of the campus, which is located at Hwy. 52 and E. 80th Street in Inver Grove Heights.

PRIOR LAKE-SAVAGE

Hidden Oaks opens outdoor classroom

A bald eagle and other birds of prey helped welcome students at Hidden Oaks Middle School to a new outdoor amphitheater last week during an opening ceremony that featured a visit from the University of Minnesota's Raptor Center.

The amphitheater sits in a natural bowl and overlooks the Prior Lake school's nature paths. The new outdoor classroom, with 40 limestone boulder seats, reflects a districtwide emphasis on environmental education, said Principal Sasha Kuznetsov.

Teachers already hold some lessons outside, but the new space will make outdoor learning even easier, he said. "We were looking for an opportunity for kids to start and end class outdoors."

The new space will be useful for science classes, as well as lessons on everything from perspective drawing to the history of ancient Greece, he said.

The Hidden Oaks student council and parent advisory group raised about $10,000 for the amphitheater, he said. Burnsville-based Ames Construction and Prior Lake Aggregates also donated significant services and materials.

SARAH LEMAGIE

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