Superintendent

 

Dear St. Cloud Area Schools Community,

I am delighted you're reading this message. It's important to me that we have a connection. Whether you have a child enrolled with us or not, we are your public schools and proud to serve this community.

Our team is excitedly preparing for another promising school year. Our commitment is to provide academic excellence and safe learning environments where the skills and talents of every child are nurtured. I invite you to get to know us better, whether through enrolling your child, visiting or volunteering in our schools, or attending one of my community listening sessions.

Academic Excellence, Career Pathways & Extracurricular Opportunities

St. Cloud Area Schools is proud to offer a tuition-free education that opens doors to a world of academic, athletic and extracurricular opportunities. Our skilled and dedicated educators are committed to fostering academic excellence, ensuring that each student receives the support and resources needed to thrive. Whether it's advanced placement courses, competitive sports teams, or a variety of clubs and activities, there is something for every student to explore and excel in. We also offer Career and College Pathways in our high schools. These articulated course pathways allow students to graduate with college credit, industry certification, or work experience related to a career interest with a local employer. 

Commitment to Safety & Facilities Improvement

Safety is a top priority for us, and we continuously strive to enhance the security of our schools. At Apollo High School, we are installing a temporary controlled entrance to ensure the safety of our students and staff. This is a crucial first step as we work towards securing a facility bond to create a permanent, safe and secure entrance. We are also glad to share that we used one-time state and federal funds to improve our school facilities, including updates to elementary school playgrounds, music rooms at South, and the theater and multi-purpose athletic stadium at Apollo. We recognize the importance of having facilities that support our educational mission and provide a secure learning environment for all.

Fostering Belonging & Collaboration

Creating a sense of belonging for all students, families and staff is central to our mission. We believe that every student deserves to feel valued and included within our school community. We provide learning environments where student gifts and talents are celebrated and serve as the foundation of academic learning. We are dedicated to working hand-in-hand with families, staff and community partners to ensure our schools are places where everyone feels welcome and supported.

Community Engagement & Listening Sessions

We believe that the voices of our community members are crucial in shaping the future of our schools. Each year, our cabinet and I hold community listening sessions to hear your insights, concerns and aspirations for our district. These listening sessions take place from 9-10 a.m. on Sept. 27, Jan. 17 and March 14 at the District Administrative Office, 1201 S. Second Street, Waite Park.

Additionally, we are proud to have partnered with the City of St. Cloud in their community neighborhood conversations in August. These engagements are invaluable as we listen and respond to our stakeholders, ensuring that our decisions reflect the needs and desires of the community we serve.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to St. Cloud Area Schools. Together, we can create a safe, inclusive and academically outstanding environment for all our students. I look forward to another successful year and the opportunities it will bring.

Sincerely,

Laurie Putnam

Superintendent