Language Immersion: It Was the Best Decision We Ever Made

Paris at St. Cloud State University's New Year Celebration.

We were like any other parents nervous about enrolling their child in kindergarten. All the questions that run through your mind. Which school? What are the best opportunities? Is there busing? Is there before or after school care available? Then another thought crosses your mind. The choice we make now will potentially set the course for … Read more

10 Ways to Prepare for Back-to-School

Open house

It’s August and summer is coming to an end fast, which means back-to-school for kids. For some parents, the remaining time can’t go fast enough. For others, they are holding on to every last precious moment. In either case, here are some helpful ways to prepare for the inevitable first day of school. Stay Informed-Follow the … Read more

Young Scholars Expand Their Horizons With STEM

Young Scholar Latzke

Giggles and laughs echo down the halls of Discovery Community School this summer. It is the Young Scholars Summer Camp, and students are working on their project presentations to parents. Young Scholars is part of the talent development and accelerated services programming of St. Cloud Area School District 742. It is designed to help kids reach their … Read more

What’s It Like: Teaching Talent Development

Talent Development Heather Ebnet

I wonder . . . Heather Ebnet, a District 742 teacher on special assignment for the Young Scholars program, has an entire wall of post-its filled with “I wonder” statements from her students. She calls it her “wonder wall.” It is this wonder wall that helps to inspire kids to create projects. Students in the … Read more

80 Years Old and Still Going Strong

Ivonne Warzecha

A lot of 80-year-olds find naptime the highlight of their day. Not Yvonne Warzecha, a busy volunteer at Madison Elementary School for 19 years. Most kids know her as “Grandma Yvonne,” and during a recent Veterans Day program at Madison, they presented her a large birthday cookie in celebration of her 80th birthday and service … Read more