School enriched

by volunteers

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3, Shakopee Public Schools salutes the dedicated parents, retirees, business people and young adults who volunteer in support of our schools.

More than 1,500 volunteers share their time and talents with students and staff each year. Volunteers enhance learning for students by reinforcing basic skills and sharing their expertise. They contribute countless hours behind the scenes working on projects and clerical tasks. Volunteers help establish a standard of quality and direction through service on committees, parent-teacher organizations and advisory councils. Without a doubt, volunteers have a significant and positive impact on education in the Shakopee schools.

On behalf of the students, staff and School Board, we sincerely thank every volunteer who works in partnership with our schools. We truly appreciate their dedication and commitment to making Shakopee schools a better place to learn.

— Jon McBroom, superintendent, and Paulette Rislund, district volunteer coordinator, Shakopee Public Schools. 

Thanks for

many hours

“You can always depend on them.” National Volunteer Week is celebrated in the United States and Canada. Volunteer Week is April 27-May 3. It is the official time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers at the local, state and national level.

This year, Friendship Manor will honor its volunteers with a luncheon on Wednesday, April 30. It is a time for our residents and staff to thank the volunteers for all of the hours they donate to Friendship Manor.

— Julie Palmersheim, therapeutic recreation director, Friendship Manor, Shakopee. 

Perspective of

drill ‘victim’

Thank you for your article about the 2008 emergency drill at SACS [April 17]. I would like to comment from a view not expressed in your article: That of a “victim.”

I am one of the group of eighth-graders called the CIA (Characters In Action). We were the students who were “shot,” who dragged others to safety, and called for help.

We were there early that Saturday to be “made up.” Some of my fellow students received bullet wounds, one a head injury, others received stomach wounds. I had a wound to the back of the neck. At the start of the drill we were directed to go to our assigned spots, which varied from outside near the bus, to upstairs in the hallways. I was in the gym. Every student has his or her account of what followed, being in so many places. Children will tell you where they were shot, and how it happened in great detail. They will recall who saved them, and how they were saved.

How scary it was to wait, being carried out of the school dead or alive, the transportation to the hospital. Some can even quote what firefighters said that day. They will tell you what they learned.

If there was only thing each student and each emergency worker learned that day, it would be enough. It might even be enough to save kids in the future. As one of the kids who went through that day, being a victim, helping others is enough.

— Theresa Bailey, Belle Plaine, SACS student and “victim.” 

Future Leaders

event successful

On April 11, the hallways of the Government Center were busier than usual. One hundred middle-school students from across Scott County were invited to participate in the seventh annual Future Leaders Day.

After being paired with a county employee who would be their mentor for the day, the students attended a canine demonstration by deputy sheriff Marshall Emerson and his police dog, and a tour of the 911 dispatch center. The day of interactive and hands-on events included a mock courtroom trial, a mock County Board meeting, and discovery activities throughout the courthouse. The purpose of the event is to give students the opportunity to learn about and experience various aspects of county government.

This event would not be possible without the assistance and financial support of citizen volunteers and veterans from the VFW posts, the American Legion posts, and Ladies Auxiliaries in Scott County.  These volunteers interact and communicate with the students throughout the day during the various activities.

Conversations overheard during lunchtime between these distinct generations demonstrate a genuine interest in the questions that are asked and the stories that are shared. Each was learning something from the other. One of the students was surprised to learn that some Scott County veterans are women. 

Special thanks to Pete Clay, Ron Harcey, Matthew Chapiewski, Darla Madsen, Charlie Pass, John Collins and Betty Monnens from Shakopee for their help on Future Leaders Day, their willingness to serve our country and the many things they continue to do for our community. 

— Barbara Marschall, Prior Lake, and Jerry Hennen, Shakopee, Scott County commissioners representing Shakopee.