SCHOOLS
Trio Wolf Creek says goodbye to leader of 22 years
After founding the school and working as an administrator since 2002, Tracy Quarnstrom is leaving her leadership position at Wolf Creek Online High School in July. Wolf Creek is a public charter school that is authorized by Chisago Lakes Schools and has a hybrid campus location on Liberty Lane in …
Chisago Lakes adding to Taylors Falls kindergarten; early budget reviewed
The Chisago Lakes School Board authorized adding a section (class) to the Taylors Falls kindergarten for the coming year. The district had planned on 50 entering kindergarten and the Board heard there already are 49 students with a number of additional anticipated, if historical enrollment trends are any indication. Between …
North Branch schools looking at cellphone restrictions to adopt for coming school year
As the wording now stands, North Branch schools will likely not allow any use of cellphones in school during the entire day starting next fall, for students in grades K-5.
Sea of red takes over North Branch on Sunday graduation
North Branch Vikings commencement was June 9 in the high school gym. The Class of 2024 numbered 260 students and pictured are some snapshots of friends and family celebrating the day. Principal Link (below) spoke briefly and Supt. Sara Paul (above) is shown at the microphone.
North Branch teacher-apprentice plan gets state grant
The Viking Teacher Apprenticeship Program has impressed the state’s Dept. of Labor and Industry to the tune of $100,000. The program won the LEAP grant to implement a learn-as-you-earn teacher apprenticeship opportunity starting in fall of 2024. According to North Branch Superintendent Sara Paul, the department grant review team commented …
Wildcat Community Center membership rates to increase, substitutes’ scheduling hired-out
For the first time in its five year history, the Wildcat Community Center rates will be rising for many after an increase was approved unanimously at the regular Chisago Lakes School Board meeting on Thursday, May 16.
Activity workers get a pay bump in North Branch
The activities area of school life was in the spotlight at last week’s North Branch School Board meeting. The next year flat event rate of pay for workers at various extracurricular events was approved, 5-0, with member Lavalla absent and member Naegele attending by internet. The action was requested to …
Chisago Lakes E-sports Jr. team; first and second at state
This was the first season of competition for the E-sports Junior team (Middle School Esports) at Chisago Lakes and no one would've faulted them just for initially learning, trying and participating. Well, the team had other ideas, they qualified for state competition which was held this past weekend in St. …
NHS Students volunteer with Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Chisago Lakes Library held a spring book sale April 24-27 and CLHS Honor Society Students have been consistent volunteers over the years, helping set-up and take down of the books offered for sale to the public
CL High School adopting cell phone policy for next year, use being restricted
Chisago Lakes High School will be following the lead of Chisago Lakes middle school and banning the use of cell phones by students in the classroom setting after a unanimous vote at the regular school board meeting on Thursday, April 18.
CL students take a stand against human trafficking one beverage at a time
In a heartening display of activism and community engagement, students from Chisago Lakes High School; Lainey Hallan, Bre Ritter, Addy Rule, Kendra Schmidt and Audrey McGuiggan, have taken a stand against human trafficking. What started as a mere introduction to the grim reality of human exploitation; their experience attending a …
North Branch School Board settles contract, cutting edge apprenticeship program under state review
‘Agreement’ was the word of the night at last week’s North Branch School Board meeting— with action finalizing contracts for teachers that expired last July, and approving the apprenticeship program Memoranda of Understanding with teachers and support staff.
Local students stuck inside during rainy eclipse
The weather did not cooperate Monday, April 8 with teachers’ plans to allow area school kids to be outside and indirectly view the solar eclipse.
CL School District eliminating 19 teachers and 10 support staff in cuts
There was an air of uncertainty around the well-attended regular school board meeting for Chisago Lakes on Thursday, March 21.
