The Mankato Press wanted an interview but would not print the statement I gave them. Instead of Facebook journalism, I am posting my statement.
This is Mark Westerburg, the school superintendent for Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial. The LCWM School Board and I have been discussing a book review policy for several months now since the district hasn’t had a policy in place to review books. Over the summer, the School Board Policy Committee and I worked together on creating a policy since the Minnesota School Board Association did not have one available at that time. The MSBA just released their draft, the Board Policy Committee and I met to discuss it, and it is my hope that the school board will approve this policy at the Monday night board meeting. If this is approved, we will have a process in place that gives a fair representation of the value of the text and give parents the opportunity to express if they have a concern with the book.
Prior to having the policy in place, I did a review of our libraries and found a very small percentage of books that are questionable. I used a reference of the 150 most criticized books in public school and found out which ones we have in our collection. We are not a public library, we are a school library. Public libraries are placed in communities to serve everyone in the community and give them the resources they would like, encouraging more people to use their services. School libraries are for students to read materials and find references within the boundaries of what we believe to be acceptable. We filter the Internet and we have standards for dress, speaking and treatment of each other; books are no different.
The goals for a public school are very easy to say but difficult to do. The first goal is to give students as much academic knowledge as we can based on their potential. The second goal is to provide a safe environment for students to grow socially and emotionally to become positive, productive and well-adjusted adults. The difficulties involved with doing that are immense.
As a public school, we are making a place for all students, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religious beliefs. In the case of books, the district has thousands of books and there’s a very tiny percentage that are questionable. It is our intent to review those books and make a proper placement of them. Our goal is not to ban books, but to make sure they’re at the right grade level, right location in the building, and have any additional notes for the usage of the book. At the secondary building we need a section of the library dedicated to 10th through 12th graders that has the more mature content. The secondary building has sixth through 12th grade students in it; which means 11-year-olds up to 18 year olds who have different needs.
In order for us to achieve our goals, we cannot be on one extreme or the other. Social media is not our method to resolve issues. In fact, our experience is that it makes most issues worse, not better. We need to be in a place where parents have an opportunity to decide if their child is required to read a book and can decide if their child is allowed to check out the book in the library.
The new policy will outline a specific process for individuals if there is a concern with material available in our district.
We believe collaboration between school, home, and community is critical to our student’s achievement. We are committed to educational excellence for our students so they can reach their potential in all endeavors.
The links below are for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Awards Presentation. The presentation is Friday, November 17th, from 1:30 - 4:30 EST and the schools are presented in alphabetical order. Since LCWM Elementary is close to the middle of the alphabet, we are anticipating our presentation sometime around 2 CST. The office will send out a notification as the presentation nears our elementary school so you don't have to watch the entire awards ceremony.
https://m.facebook.com/ED.gov
https://youtube.com/@USEdGov?si=HZa5SAuaTDF__r45
Thank you to Ann and Kevin's Market for the kick-off donation to the Knights Market!!
The 3rd graders learned all about winter safety today. Students were given winter survival kits and went outside to check out a snowplow!
The Knights Market is open! Any donations can be left with Rhonda or in one of these locations!! THANK YOU!
Sixth Graders heard experiences from two Veterans this morning, both relatives of sixth-grade students! We are very appreciative that these two gentlemen visited with us and are so thankful for ALL who have served!
LCWM Math League participants are competing at their first meet tonight against several other area schools on their "home turf"! Good luck, Mathletes!
LCWM receives its special education support through the Minnesota Valley Education District (MVED) which has its offices in St. Peter and services several area school districts. Annually they hold a Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meeting to seek information and insight from the families of the students who receive special education services to help improve their programming. This year's annual meeting is being held at the St. Peter High School. All parents of students who receive special education services are invited to attend!
Mr. Ouren's lifeskills class had some fun carving pumpkins yesterday!
HUGE congratulations to Mason, who qualified for the State Cross Country meet on a chilly, wet day this past weekend!! He finished 8th and recieved an award for All Section Honors, along with his trip to the U! His next race is at the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course THIS SATURDAY beginning at 12:00 pm!
Congratulations Mason and good luck on Saturday!!
Looking to pick up a couple extra hours? Apply to be a substitute custodian! This is on call and as needed!
Boys AND Girls Junior High Basketball Coaches are still needed for this year!!
If you are interested or know someone who is, please contact Logan Manska, Boys Head Coach; Pete Goeringer, Girls Head Coach; or Doug Burns, Athletic Director. Please call or email them if interested!
Members of the LCWM’s Chess Club headed to the Spooky Chess Tournament in Mankato on Saturday and had a great time! Congratulations to the club, and special recognition to Luke (received 2nd place in the 5th-7th Grade category), Beckett (received 1st place in the 5th-7th Grade category), and Vivian (received 1st place in the 8th-12th Grade Category)!
Knight's Market will provide food and personal care items to students in
need in a discreet and safe way to provide them with everyday items.
Please consider a donation of personal care items or food to our High School
Market.
Personal Care Items:
-Shampoo and Conditioner
-Body Wash
-Hand Soap
-Lotion
-Feminine Products
-Deodorant
-Toothbrush and Toothpaste
-Laundry Pods
-Toilet Paper (4 packs)
Food items:
-Noodles
-Pasta Sauce
-Mac-n-Cheese (Box or Easy Mac)
-Cereal
-Canned Soup
-Mashed Potato Packets
-Ramen
Donations can be dropped off during Secondary Conferences
on 11/9/23 from 4:15-7pm or at the Secondary Office Front Desk
during school hours. All donated items must be new, unopened,
and unexpired. Monetary donations or gift cards are always accepted.
If you have questions you can e-mail Rhonda Jensen @ rjensen@isd2071.org
Student council members are meeting with the school board this morning for the first of three breakfasts!
National Honor Society members cleaned ditches as part of their community service hours earlier this month!
Our Veterans Day Program for grades K-4 is coming up on November 9th.
The LCWM Athletic Booster Club Clothing Store is open through this Friday, October 20th.
Go to the following link to order: https://shorturl.at/muMR7
The kindergarteners enjoyed some "nursery ryhme olympics" this morning after completing their first reading unit! In these photos the kids are watching a real, live 'tortoise' and the hare race! We weren't too surprised when Margaret, the rabbit, won all three races.
The Elementary Blue Ribbon Celebration is less than one week away! The celebration is Monday, October 9th, from 4-7 p.m. at the elementary school. Please join us for bouncy houses, face painting, tattoos, a dunk tank, carnival games, and On Every Corner food for purchase! Everything is free except for the food!
