I would like to speak : to my School Board Members
I signed up to speak during “Comment to the Board” on March 23rd, 2023 because I wanted to address my school board members about the subject of academic achievement. Do you want to know what they heard?
MARCH calendar
South Washington County, MN … time for speaking. March Feature is the opportunity to “Speak Proudly” at the Capitol, An Oratory Competition for High School Girls … As SoWashCo approaches another round of facility planning in 2023, I took some time to tour the schools. I was surprised, and also not surprised, by what I learned.
“Achievement & Integration” RESULTS
PART 4 The WORLD’S BEST? Taxpayers of the South Washington County School District have funded Achievement and Integration for 23 years. We should see the fruit by now. In 2011, Woodbury High School was ranked 3rd in the State of Minnesota. Today they are 47th. The World’s Best Workforce, a title that implies our performance shall be measured BEST by comparison, so let’s begin…
FEBRUARY calendar
South Washington County, MN Your CITY and DISTRICT meetings SO YOU WANT TO RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD and SoWashCo PLANNING : FACILITIES, STRATEGY, and ACHIEVEMENT & INTEGRATION February will be an important month of school board meetings to pay attention to since the completion of resident FEEDBACK means developing the framework around a new facility plan.
EQUITY
PART 4 POLITICS and CULTURE The last article looked at the original definition of SOCIAL in that we are “disposed to mix in friendly converse.” By that definition, today’s “social” is actually anti-social. There is no such thing as anti-social justice If equity is the law of reason. There is simply JUSTICE. Imagine if EQUITY were applied to a plant in the same way…
Achievement & Integration” SOCIAL
PART 3 FORCE against Family The SOCIAL-izing SCHOOLof ISD 833 SOUTH WASHINGTON COUNTY Only in the safety of its native soil is a root system able to stretch its arms out wide, its feet down long, and its head up high. In a strong healthy nutrient rich family, the home is the safest place for a child to grow. But not all soil is…
JANUARY calendar
South Washington County, MN Your CITY and DISTRICT meetings time to get organized January Meetings There is something about January that makes us reflect, assess and reorganize. January is the month of FRESH beginnings and RENEWED hope. Finance has been the topic of the day at meetings around town, and I will give a brief overview of three. The COUNTY OF WASHINTON adopted their…
“Achievement & Integration” SPEECH
“A&I” SPEECH PART 2 TRUTH in QUALITY of LIGHT. In the garden GREENHOUSE of The Transparency Series, the quality of light is just as important as the glass house and the plant growing inside it. The light will represent TRUTH here, but the question is: What kind of truth (light) does the public school system use to teach its little seedlings? Government Speech. Examples…
“Achievement & Integration” DEFINED
A&I The Cultural Foundation of Excellence Today in South Washington County Schools PART 1 The Districts Pathway to Equity The GREENHOUSE analogy is an illustration of the school district function in its community. In it the SEED is the heart. The SEEDLING is the student. The ROOT is the soul. The SOIL is the family. The WATER is the teacher… Who does the A&I…
DECEMBER calendar
The long awaited ruling by Administrative Law Judge, Jim Mortenson, over amendments proposed to MN Teacher Licensure and the required pedagogical standards, has finally been released. All but three of the rule changes proposed in the 86-page report were approved. It is sad. Most of the negativity, polarization, sexualization, and racially charged language remains firmly planted in the new licensure standards.
The Transparency Series
PEOPLE – LANGUAGE – VISION of 833 South Washington County Schools What does it mean to be transparent? I use the illustration of A GARDEN GREENHOUSE. For the purposes of this series, the greenhouse represents a school district’s function in its community, the policy and procedure it establishes to achieve that function, and its ability to communicate that process transparently out to the community.
Tightly Knit
A PEOPLE I am Thankful for Over the past year I have immersed myself in city, district, and state matters. I have thrown myself into the middle of political campaigns. Not because I am particularly political, but because I have begun to recognize the importance of regular citizen engagement in politics. What if the goal of an election is not to “win” an election”,…
I have HOPE
Seven seeds of HOPE. I find HOPE in the space in-between, in God’s natural world, in friendship and fellowship, in the giftedness of children, in We the People, in parents on school boards, and in improvements to higher education. I often write about many concerning and alarming topics that I see happening in the Government school system, and I realize that what I write…
Whose Children Are They? on the NOVEMBER calendar
South Washington County, MN JAiME for SCHOOLS Novembers Feature is the screening of WHOSE CHILDREN ARE THEY? “The groundbreaking documentary … featuring empowered parents, brave teachers, courageous students and front-line experts who pull back the curtain about what is truly happening in our public schools today.” Scroll to the end for more event details … November Meetings The first week of November is a…
2022 Puzzle of a Minnesota Election
for ISD#833 residents Putting together the puzzle pieces of quality education is dependent on electing quality candidates. I’m a visual person, so I like to see all the candidates and the maps laid out in front of me … easy to access as needed. The maps included here are taken from official SOS (Secretary of State) data maps, which were redrawn based on the…
Dance of Truth
He said, She said. They said, We said. ISD#833 Streaming of workshop meetings is approved! So what is true and what is not? How is a person supposed to recognize the liar from the saint? It is tough, truly it is tough. We want so badly to find that one truth teller to ally with … that one person, organization, news outlet, or candidate.…
OCTOBER calendar
South Washington County, MN Your CITY and DISTRICT meetings with website tabs for finding TIME and LOCATION. October Meetings Beginning this month, the school district has scheduled listening sessions for SoWashCo residents to weigh in on the very important topic of facility planning. If you can’t make one in October, they continue into November as well, so get them on your calendar now and…
“The Power of One”
Social Emotional Learning Long Range Facility Planning Bus Driver Shortages Recorded Workshop Meetings The district is currently talking about many of the issues parents care about. Two weeks ago, four elementary school principals shared how Social Emotional Learning is being wrapped into their 2022-23 school year theme, “The Power of One.” At the same workshop meeting, Superintendent Nielsen announced strategic planning would soon begin…
18 months Awake
A Round-up of my thoughts after the Panel Discussion How much can one person change in just 18 months? Consider a newborns growth in it’s first 18 months of life, and THAT is the kind of growth I am talking about! To be “18 months Awake” is like being born new, each milestone materializing into the next. This rapid period of growth involves cognitive,…
In Matters of Privacy
Student Data Privacy A new law that impacts schools and technology providers … and your children … Students are back to school using technology under a new student data privacy law which parents have not been made aware of. If this law is legitimately a life saving tool, then why is the knowledge of harm being withheld from the parent for so long? And…
JAiME on Panel
SEPTEMBER CALENDAR I am honored to have been invited by 1st Conservatives to speak on this PANEL DISCUSSION with Rebekah Bradfield, Alfrieda Baldwin, and MN Senator Roger Chamberlain. Moderated by Liz Collin, Alpha News. You are Invited! Seating is limited. Order your tickets here…
Molding the Claymation Teacher
The Minnesota Licensing Standards of Governor Tim Walz and his appointed PELSB With resignation after resignation by SoWashCo teachers over the last two years … are Mold-a-Teacher License Standards really what the voters of Minnesota want? Puppet teachers and a new social dialect? Do you want perpetual pessimism, Minnesota? Do you want your children to grow up hateful and victimized? I’ve lived here since…
Calendar
AUGUST CALENDAR Commit to attend a meeting this month around your town. Our elected officials need resident engagement in order to best do their jobs. This is a small list of meetings and events I try to attend around my City of Woodbury, my County of Washington, and my Public School District of #833. Maybe some of these align with your community also? If…
Slave To DEATH
THE SOUL Captive in Servitude. If death is inevitable, does that mean death owns us? I want to consider, just for a moment, the possibility that ultimate slavery comes NOT from our fellow human being, but from an internal spiritual enemy. What do we do when DEATH enters school in the form of a school shooting? …or FEAR enters school in the form of…
Slave To SCHOOL
PART 3 The MIND Captive in Servitude. Today, it can feel like the minds of our children are being compromised in American public school education. The very system which was said to represent all, seems to represent very few. Those who claim to unite us are dividing us. Even DEI policy, which was written and passed by the school board to promote inclusion, 6…
Slave To MAN
The BODY Captive in Servitude To read The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas is to learn of the evils mankind both endures and inflicts upon it’s own. The idea that so many nations contributed to the organized capture of one race – turning free men, women and children into property – is heartless and barbaric. It ‘s not just a systemic AMERICAN…
Slave To
INTRODUCTION What does it mean to be a slave? with references to Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass an American Slave. As I reflect on Douglass’ Narrative, I think about the many things we are “Slave To”, not just in BODY but also in MIND and SPIRIT. “Slave to MAN” is about human bondage, captivity and servitude of the BODY. “Slave To SCHOOL”…
Vote for A Better Plan
IN YOUR STATE PRIMARY August 9th, 2022 Early voting begins June 24th and ends August 8th. Vote by mail or in person. The Demand a Better Plan 833 political committee is made up of parents from the City of Newport who have children enrolled in District 833. Despite the Facility Plan’s motto of “Building a Better Future”, the School District has neglected to meet…
Books in School
NEW WEBSITE CONTENT ADDED See how your school compares to surrounding models in the South Washington County School area. And PLEASE PARTICIPATE by helping complete the list. All Schools BOOK LIST (To view the list CLICK HERE or in in the Menu tab) Reading is healthy. Reading sparks the imagination and expands our worldview. Kids who read improve their vocabulary, memory, comprehension, focus, and…
Q&A Largest Referendum in State History
PART 2 QUESTION ANSWER & COMMENT Ten audience members participate in discussion with Marvin. Senate District 47 Republicans Meeting from May 24th, 2022 Guest Speaker, City Council Member Marvin Taylor A TWO PART SERIES CLICK HERE for PART 1 – “Largest Referendum in State History” Marvin Taylor has lived in Newport nine years and was elected to City Council in 2020. I first met him…
Largest Referendum in State History
PART 1 LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT WITH Marvin Taylor, from Newport’s City Council If voters approve SoWashCo’s 10-year facility plan and the coinciding bond referendum at the Special Election to be held August 9th, 2022, will this strengthen our families and communities, or will it weaken them? If the district is willing to gamble on outdated demographics projections from a 2018 pre-covid report, what…
Ever changing Comment
MAY POLICY CHANGES On May 5th, the School Board discussed their reasoning for the changes made to public comment over the course of this past year. To my knowledge, this was the first time each board member has publicly expressed their opinion on the subject, and it was fascinating! For eight months the board has been silent on this issue, and resident concerns have…
A School’s Vision to Serve
VISION 4 LIFE School Highlight : Concordia Academy High School Author, Jaime Kokaisel published, May 10th 2022 Each one of us holds a profound superpower: the power to GIVE. When we make that choice to help someone in need, we become better than we once were. We become greater than just one individual acting alone because the giver and the receiver both benefit. Jesus…
Public Comment: April
SoWashCo School Board Meeting Video On April 21st, 2022 the School Board voted 6 to 1 to approve the $462 million Facility Plan, which will close Newport Elementary School. I think Public Comment is the most revealing part of a School Board Meeting. Policy might appear perfect written on a page and graphed out in fancy charts, but it’s imperfections are revealed in the…
Building on Optimism: QUILT OF QUOTES
PART 2 Meet some of the teachers, parents and business owners of NEWPORT Author, Jaime Kokaisel published, April 21st, 2022 A TWO PART SERIES CLICK HERE for PART 1 – “Building on Optimism: FACILITIES” Sara Bonine has been a Teacher at Newport Elementary for 17 years with a child who attends there as well. Small is Good. She says, “As parents, my husband and…
Building on Optimism: FACILITIES
The plan is large. The plan is expensive. The plan meets district goals. It is about “Building Our Future” says the headline. “Community. Growth. Student Success.” For everyone, you ask? Yes, for everyone … except for students currently attending Newport Elementary and 3,800 residents living in the City of Newport. For them, the plan represents just the opposite.
School Highlight: Laurel Community School
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO OPEN A SCHOOL? Time, Money, Support … This is the question Woodbury resident, Alfrieda Baldwin, asked herself several years ago. She had practiced law for 32 years, and in her eighth year of retirement she was called to pursue something even greater. She recognized the growing need in her Twin Cities community for Christian Education, and this last Fall…
A Call to Connect
!!! PLEASE PARTICIPATE !!! City of Newport Community and all members of School District 833 Do you support the current Long-Range Facility Plan and the closure of Newport Elementary? Please share your story with me The School Board will vote on the current Long Range Facility Plan and Bond Referendum at the next Meeting on April 21st, 2022. I am writing an article about…
Spanish Immersion: is So Much More.
PART 2 Inspired by Parent Interviews Author, Jaime Kokaisel published March 18th, 2022 A TWO PART SERIES CLICK HERE for PART 1 – “Spanish Immersion: Meet Equity.” I cover some pretty controversial subjects in this piece, but that’s okay. The more I talk to people, the more I learn, the more I ponder, and the more I relate. The truth is, my spirit has…
IS Roberto Alvarez or WAS Roberto Alvarez
A BOOK REVIEW TODOS IGUALES U n C o r r i d o D e L e m o n G r o v e ALL EQUAL A B a l l a d o f L e m o n G r o v e A book written and Illustrated by Christy Hale First, I have to tell you, finding this book…
Spanish Immersion: Meet Equity.
PART 1 Inspired by Parent Interviews Author, Jaime Kokaisel published March 1st, 2022 The three Principals from the Spanish Immersion pathway schools are Cynthia Maldonado, Kari Lopez, and Sarah Sorenson-Wagner. As they spoke at the School Showcase in February, certain phrases caught my attention. Those phrases were, “Inclusive Dual Language Immersion” and “For a more inclusive and equitable program, we need a transition…” and…
Schooling Circles
A SERIES Artwork by Jaime Kokaisel Have you ever walked into the lake up to your knees and watched the minnows swim in circles around your legs? Even from the dock, you can see them MOVING IN UNISON. TOGETHER. IN SCHOOLS. No single fish appears to be the leader. They react to their surroundings in a similar manner and at the same time, changing…
List of Local Private & Charter Schools
This is the season for school enrollment. LET THE FUN BEGIN! I had such a great time visiting private schools last year! Those listed here have been selected based on SoWashCo district attendance. I encourage you to dive in! Ask questions. Send emails. Attend an open house or two or three. Schedule a shadow day for your child. It doesn’t hurt to look. Commitment…
Growth on a Horizon of Great Change
Long range facility planning is in full swing by the ISD833 school district. The goal is to move toward one final plan by MARCH so they can gain approval by the school board in APRIL and begin organizing the sales pitch to voters with a bond referendum (the sale of bonds to raise construction funds). A special election would be held AUGUST 9th, 2022,…
Twinkie, What happened? My Child’s Education : Part 3
A THREE PART SERIES Filled with a fluff interior, the Hostess Twinkie is mass produced in a factory and contains 37 unrecognizable ingredients. This convenient, plastic wrapped snack is loaded with preservatives, calories and sugar, which all work together to elicit the intended result: a long shelf life, instant gratification, and an unquenchable desire for more. It is a factory workers job to regulate…
Truffle, Yes Please! My child’s Education : Part 2
A THREE PART SERIES Once I witnessed private school education from the inside, my best analogy was to that of a chocolate truffle. Each chocolate TRUFFLE is unique and special. The more irregular and homemade they look, the better. The ganache filling and tempered chocolate coating is rich in flavor, compact in density, and packed with quality. One or two chocolate truffles will satisfy…
Twinkie or Truffle? My Child’s Education : Part 1
A THREE PART SERIES What kind of education do I want for my child? And what are they currently getting? These are questions I allowed myself to begin asking last year at this time. Are all schools created equal? I was surprised when I found the answers. by JAiME for SCHOOLS January 24th, 2022 Follow my Blog
Growing cities, Growing families, Growing schools.
After voters approved the revenue operating levy on November 2nd 2021, SoWashCo schools didn’t miss a beat moving into plans for their next tax increase proposition. Two days later they immediately jumped into long range facility planning at their November 4th Meeting and Workshop. The strategy? My guess is they need to pass this bond referendum by the public before 2021’s approved impact is…
Welcome to my Blog
JAiME for SCHOOLS in 2022 begins and ends with kids. This website was created during my run for ISD#833 school board as a way to communicate campaign efforts and stances. On November 2nd 2021, I received 8,239 votes by my community. This was not enough to secure a spot on the board, however since then my desire to improve education has not ceased but…
JAiME for SCHOOLS
by JAiME KOKAiSEL
CITIZEN JOURNALISM
JAiME for SCHOOLS begins and ends with kids.
Which SCHOOL is the RIGHT CHOICE for YOU?
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About JAiME
JAiME writes about all SCHOOL options available to the residents of ISD833 SoWashCo.
PUBLIC and NON-PUBLIC
After running for school board in 2021, she recognized the need for a balanced perspective, both politically and spiritually.
JAiME’s two children attended ISD#833 schools for ten years. They are now completing their secondary education at local Christian private schools.
Read more at About Me
By highlighting the many school models available, JAiME hopes to find the BEST solutions for our KIDS. The only way to do this is without the UNIONs, without the STATE, without the GOVERNMENT, and without the MONEY.
THE ONLY WAY IS WITH LOVE
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