St. James Plaindealer
Butterfield-Odin School District on May 24 found out they won a classroom set of Chromebooks through a Trafera contest: Trafera Give Back 2021.
Trafera is a technology company that works with teachers and schools to drive students achievement by having software made for them.
Staff first learned about this contest from Technology Coordinator Aaron Wollschlager back in April. The contest gave participating schools a prompt for students and teachers to make a video saying what their school would do to transform their learning with the new classroom set of Chromebooks.
“A staff member wrote lyrics to mimic the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song,” said Lauren Collier, a social studies teacher. “A music class re-created the Fresh Prince of Bel Air soundtrack, and then a student rapped the lyrics over the top of the music.”
St. James Plaindealer
St. James Library brought back their summer reading program this year with some fun activities for kids of all ages to show that reading and the library are fun.
With kids having stuck inside or on zoom all year with school and COVID-19 still not allowing for large groups to be in the library, they decided to have a lot of their summer reading programs outside. If they are not outside the activities are either over zoom or done independently. Activities come with take and make bags that are supplied by the library.
“ Every week I offer a brand new take and make. A take and make is an activity kit the kids can signup for and they pick up the following week, said Melissa Haseman, Children Services Coordinator. Everything inside a little gift bag, they can make some kid of craft or activity at home.
Railroad Days brings fun to the community
St. James Plaindealer
Last week and over the weekend the St. James community celebrated Railroad Days with a week full of events. There were runs, games for kids, and the parade to just name a few things that occurred during the week.
On Saturday a lot of people were out enjoying all the activities the day had. One of the big hits for the kids was the Schmidt s Bakery donut eating contests. For each age group, there were at least five kids ready to eat a donut.
After the contest, there was a car show, kids games, horse-drawn wagon rides, and the parade, which had a large turnout of people in and observing it.
St. James Plaindealer
Four long-time teachers in the St. James School District retired on June 3. Karen Lahti, Bev Carson, Cathy Bruce, and Elaine Krech ended their teaching careers at the end of this school year.
Lahti taught music in St. James for 23 years. During her career Lahti taught a variety of instrumental programs, such as marches, classic wind ensemble and pep band music. She directed two jazz ensembles, one teaching ensemble for 7th-10th graders, and an upper level jazz ensemble.
Each day Lahti put her students first in order to give them the best music experince.
“Mrs. Lahti worked exhaustively to give each student-musician her undivided attention,” said Karla Beck, High and middles school principal.
St. James Plaindealer
At their Tuesday, June 15 meeting, the St. James City Council heard from the St. James Police Department, the City manager about new code inspector job for the city, and they discussed Watonwan County Humane Society.
Council members first heard from the police department for their 2021 Coronavirus Emergency Supplement Funding grant for $32,250.
This grant would cover camera cars, body cameras, computer servers, wireless download ports, and some training. There s going to be a lot of work too, because by statute we got to hold community meetings to help develop our bodycam policies, said Police Chief Rick Eisfeld.
The resolution to authorize the execution of the agreement was approved.