Lester Prairie Public Schools
Submitted by Lester Prairie Public Schools
The Lester Prairie Schools mission statement: To develop every learner to the learner’s maximum potential, to succeed and continue to learn in a changing world.
Independent School District #424 is a K-12 school housed in one building and located at 131 Hickory Street North, a residential neighborhood in Lester Prairie. The school student population is around 400, the high school graduates about 31 students per year, and the elementary school averages 19 students in each classroom.
There are 30 certified teachers, several paraprofessionals, and a kitchen, custodial, and office staff in the school who believe the students of today need guidance, care, and a challenging education that will prepare them for a successful life.
The Lester Prairie staff development committee and administration work together to improve the quality of instruction for the students. Presently, the teachers have formed Professional Learning Committees (PLCs). PLCs are based on the idea where teachers in the school and its administrators seek and share learning, and then act on what they learn. The goal of PLCs is to enhance teachers’ effectiveness as professionals so that students benefit.
Lester Prairie School administrators are Elementary Principal Pam Lukens and Superintendent/Secondary Principal Mike McNulty.
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The Lester Prairie School has also been upgrading its technology, and is planning for the future of its students’ utilization of the technology. The teachers utilize SmartBoards, classroom response systems, and wireless writing pads to help engage the students interactively. The technology infrastructure of the school has been a priority over the last two years and this allows the school to keep speed with the continuous upgrading of technology.
Elementary school
Educational highlights in the elementary school include bimonthly art classes and daily physical education and music. Prairie Arts Council also works closely with the elementary to provide opportunities through Art Adventures, visits to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and residencies. Beginning band is started in the sixth grade, including individual lessons.
Students are challenged through opportunities to participate in: enrichment classes, Future Problem Solving, Accelerated Reading and Math, Science Fair, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Online Math Competitions, and Young Authors and Artist.
Each grade participates in field trips to enhance learning. Students are encouraged to participate in athletic opportunities through community education including: volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, and dance.
Kids Depot provides an appropriate and fun child care program for elementary students after school.
Community Education
The district provides an active community education program to address the needs of the lifelong learners of our area. Access to the bulletin and applications are offered online at www.lp.k12.mn.us. Activities include; drivers’ education and behind-the-wheel, youth sports, adult classes, AARP classes, first aid and safety, tours, crafts, cooking, learning activities for youth, youth summer field trips, and open gym.
Little Learners provides the opportunity for 3- and 4-year-olds to participate in preschool. Activities are planned using the Creative Curriculum to enhance the pre skills needed for kindergarten. The schedule is set up to provide a two-day, Tuesday/Thursday or Monday/Wednesday class with the option to add a third day on Fridays. Classes are provided by licensed staff.
Early Childhood Family Education concentrates on birth to 4-year-old children and their parents. Yearly field trips, learning activities, season crafts, and parent education are provided throughout the school year.
Adult Basic Education and GED programs are offered Monday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. in the media center. The opportunity is free. Individualized instruction and skills provided through the instruction offer adults the opportunity to obtain their GED or learn English as a second language.
High school
The rigor of the secondary curriculum now includes college credit courses. We presently offer college English, college algebra, CADD, and college calculus. We want to provide college-bound students with the opportunity to earn credits for college while offering the high school experience. Lester Prairie Schools plans to add college psychology for 2011-12, and we are looking at AP chemistry for the following school year. The Lester Prairie tech ed classes continue to flourish. One example of this is the progress of our woods classes and their new CNC machine. You can contact Joe Scoblic, our LP tech ed instructor at (320) 395-2521, if you have questions regarding members of the woods classes helping you with a wood project.
The Lester Prairie Schools is working toward a complete and inclusive ELL/ESL (English Language Learners/English as a Second Language) program, led by our new teacher, Cheryl Norman.
Extracurricular activities continue to flourish at the Lester Prairie Schools. Lester Prairie has been in a co-op with Holy Trinity of Winsted for the past four years, and this co-op agreement was extended through 2017 for all sport programs through the MSHSL. Sport programs include football, volleyball, cross-country running, boys’ and girls’ basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball, and track. Other activities include student council, National Honor Society, Future Leaders of America, choir, band, jazz band, National Honor Society, cheerleading, and Knowledge Bowl. LP also runs the One-Act Play for both students of Lester Prairie and Holy Trinity, along with a spring play.
The community of Lester Prairie is very supportive of the school, both fiscally and in the educational process. Some of the organizations include the Booster Club, the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary, the Lions Club, our local newspaper, the Herald-Journal; and various other businesses in the area. The Lester Prairie Schools would like to thank all the organizations for their continued support.
