South school briefs: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan fills posts

District 196 recently filled three administrative positions related to special education.

Jessica Hoida, who has worked for the district since 2002, will fill the special education coordinator position for elementary schools, while Lindsay Engberg, previously with the Faribault district, was hired as the special education coordinator for secondary schools.

Lauren Trainer, a special-education teacher for Intermediate District 917 for several years, will serve as program coordinator at Dakota Ridge School, which serves students with special behavioral needs.

Apple Valley High School was named a School of Excellence at the National Catholic League Speech and Debate Tournament in Philadelphia over Memorial Day weekend.

The honor places it in the top five schools in the country.

Senior Nader Helmy was named national champion in the original oratory category, defeating more than 220 competitors.

Seniors Georgia Schmitt and Stephanie Lenertz also finished in the top 10 in their categories.

Social studies teacher Robin Carlson and media specialist Wendy Larson of Farmington High School are among a handful of Minnesotans to attend a Library of Congress workshop for teachers next week.

The two were selected from more than 500 applicants. The five-day workshop lets teachers work with Library of Congress education specialists and subject-matter experts to learn new strategies for teaching with primary sources.

Gail Setterstrom, district health services coordinator, and Michelle Iung, who works in human resources, are among 12 winners of this year's national Healthy School Heroes award.

The two coordinate the district's wellness committee, and many of the committee's initiatives are related to offering more nutritious school meals and snacks in the district.

The award is given by Action for Healthy Kids, an organization that works with schools to combat childhood obesity and poor health.

The principal position will be posted immediately; the district plans to hire a replacement in mid-June.

Drew Goeldner was named principal at Sky Oaks Elementary School in Burnsville, replacing Kay Fecke, who is retiring after 26 years.