North Branch Area Public Schools

Auditions for "The Witches" by Roald Dahl are 6-8 pm Friday, Sept. 20 in the NBAHS auditorium. This production is for students in grades 6-8. See flier for more details.

Coming up in Community Ed! Viking Volleyball Girls Grades 3-6 Starts 9/9 / 6-7:30 PM Esports Ages 13 - Grade 12 Starts 9/9 / 4-6:00 PM Zumba - Starts 9/3 / 7-8:00 PM ESSENTRICS: Restorative Fitness Starts Sept 4 / 6:30-7:30 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Sunrise River School has received support from Minnco Credit Union this year! Through member and local donations, this team brought over dozens of supplies for teachers and students. We are so grateful for their support!

We're having a great week working with new teachers! Welcome to all...it's going to be a great year!

The NBAEF (North Branch Area Education Foundation) sponsored several grants in the 2023-24 school year. One of those grants funded an early spring field trip to the Wildlife Science Center for high school Outdoor Adventures students. Students were able to learn about all of the adaptations local wildlife have to survive in out climate, along with some insight into restoring the endangered Red wolf populations through a complex multi-state breeding program. Outdoor Adventure students had opportunities to interact directly with wildlife they may otherwise only hear about or see in videos. Some (but not all) of the wildlife covered this day were: gray wolves, red wolves, coyotes, hog nosed snakes, salamanders, red fox, gray fox, black bear, Bob cat, mountain lions, American porcupine, barred owl, Turkey vulture and a non native African crested porcupine that was surrendered to the Wildlife Science Center. What a wonderful place and experience for the students! Thanks NBAEF!

🎶🌞 Final Summer Concert Alert - TONIGHT! 🌞🎶 Join us tonight at North Branch Central Park for the last Summer Concert in the Park of the season! Enjoy a fantastic performance by local favorites Next Door Down, featuring the talented Andy Spofford and Steve Sylvers. This event is sponsored by the North Branch Area Education Foundation, and to make it even sweeter, enjoy FREE ice cream treats courtesy of Kim Theis with the Generations Real Estate Group! 🕕 Festivities kick off at 6 PM with delicious food, tons of fun, and our fabulous farmer's market. 📚 At 6:45 PM, there's a special book reading for the kids, with free books provided by Books for Better MN. 🎸 The music begins at 7 PM. Don’t miss out on this amazing evening of music, fun, and community. We hope to see you there!

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉 The North Branch Area Community Education Fall 2024 brochure is out now! 🍂✨ View the full brochure online even before it arrives in your mailboxes!: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/home/ Explore a wide range of classes and activities for all ages. Don't miss out—check it out and secure your spot in a class today! 🔗 View ALL classes and Register Here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/

🎶🌞 Final Summer Concert Alert! 🌞🎶 Join us for the last Summer Concert in the Park of the season! Local favorites Next Door Down, featuring the talented Andy Spofford and Steve Sylvers, will be performing on Tuesday, August 20th. This fantastic event is sponsored by the North Branch Area Education Foundation, and to make it even sweeter, enjoy FREE ice cream treats courtesy of Kim Theis with the Generations Real Estate Group! Don’t miss out on this amazing evening of music, fun, and community. We hope to see you there!

Coming up in Community ED! Esports Ages 13 to Grade 12 Sept 9 / 4 - 6 PM Middle School Play - The Witches GR 6 - 8 / Auditions 9/20 6 - 8 PM / Rehearsals Begin 10/1 3 - 5 PM White Christmas The Musical at Chanhassen Dinner Theater Trip - 10/9 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Auditions for "The Wind in the Willows" by Todd Espeland are Monday, Aug. 19, 3-6 p.m. in the NBAHS auditorium. This production is for students in grades 9-12. See flier for more information.

Three school logo murals were just completed at Sunrise. The "graduate" logo was painted on the school's north stairwell wall; the Viking "V" is in the east stairwell, and the helmet logo is located on the west stairwell of the building. These projects were requested by the district Wellness Committee. Lee Ann Falen, North Branch Area Middle School art teacher, was excited about the opportunity to promote school pride and agreed to take it on. Our North Branch logos are especially compelling and powerful with their bold colors, shapes and lines. It took about nine sessions over the course of ten days to complete all three murals. Mrs. Falen noted her favorite parts about the paintings were how satisfying it is to see progress being made (especially when working on the first layer of color) and working on such a large scale. The toughest part was it took four layers of paint for the two different reds to cover well and become opaque. Working with the indents between the bricks is also a challenge since it is difficult to keep the lines consistent. It was her first time ever working on scaffolding as well. She said the murals make her smile every time she sees them and she hopes it will have the same effect on the students, staff and parents at Sunrise too! A huge "THANK YOU" to Zach Berg, Director of Buildings and Grounds for North Branch Area Public Schools, and his crew for all their help with setting up and transporting the scaffolding for this project. Thanks also to Sunrise River Elementary School principal, Taylor Swanson, for his collaboration and support to make sure this project could happen.

The Viking Newsletter - August 2024 is now available: https://secure.smore.com/n/18buw. All the news that's fit to print!

North Branch Area Public Schools Launches Teacher Apprenticeship Program The most common words said at the launch of “Forward Together: Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program” was, “It’s happening!” After a year and a half of planning, one of the first teacher apprenticeship programs in the state to create pathways to teaching licenses for talented, diverse candidates in both urban and rural districts is up and running. Minneapolis Public Schools, North Branch Area Public Schools, Owatonna Public Schools and Minnesota State University, Mankato announced the launch of “Forward Together: Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program” at a news conference on Monday, Aug. 12. The Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program is open to candidates who meet a number of qualifications including having an associate’s degree or qualifying credits. School districts across the country are experiencing challenges hiring and retaining teachers, and the “Forward Together: Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program” aims to address the teacher shortage by attracting excellent candidates of diverse backgrounds from local communities, and removing barriers to becoming a licensed teacher. “We believe that these community-based connections will make a difference in student outcomes long-term,” said Sara Paul of North Branch Area Public Schools. “This innovative program identifies people who are often already educators who are deeply connected to our students and community, and helps them find pathways to teaching licenses.” North Branch partnered with Minneapolis and Owatonna Public Schools to form the first cohort of 25 registered teacher apprentices who will get first-hand experience in the classroom in addition to their studies before graduating in 2026.

🎶 Don't miss TONIGHT'S spectacular event at North Branch Central Park! 🎸 Join us for an evening of fun featuring the four piece acoustic band, On Tap. 🎤 🕕 Festivities kick off at 6 PM with delicious food, tons of fun, and our fabulous farmer's market. 📚 At 6:45 PM, there's a special book reading for the kids, with free books provided by Books for Better MN. 🎵 The band hits the stage at 7 PM. Bring your family and friends for a night to remember! See you there! 🌟

🎶Get ready for an amazing FREE concert again this Tuesday, August 13 at North Branch Central Park! 🎸 This week, we’re thrilled to feature On Tap, a four piece Acoustic Band. 🌟 Don't miss out—mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable evening of music! 🗓️✨

Interested in FTC Robotics? North Branch is looking for three students, boys or girls in grades 7-11 to fill out a new team for the 2024-25 school year. Please contact the Activities Department or email nbftc@isd138.org.

Fun for all on the last day of Targeted Services at the NBAMS!

Join us this Wednesday morning at the North Branch Area Education Center for a FREE Community Baby Shower! 🎉 We've got fantastic giveaways like a high chair, bike, magna tiles, and MORE! 🎁 🌈 Enjoy play opportunities, delicious treats, and connect with valuable community resources. It's a morning filled with fun and support for growing families. Don't miss out—see you there!

Coming up in Community Ed! The World Groove Movement Aug 7 / 6:30-7:30 PM Dine & Discover / Food As Medicine: Healthy Eating on a Budget / Rushseba Senior Living / Aug 14 / 9 AM, Zion Lutheran Church / Aug 14 / 12PM and Chisago County Senior Center / Aug 14 / 3:30 PM Social Security Facts and Strategies / Aug 14 / 6:30-8PM Medicare 101 Aug 21 / 6:30-8PM Drivers Education In Person Class Aug 19 / 8-11 AM Drivers Education Zoom Class Aug 19 / 8-11 AM Drivers Education Zoom Class Aug 19 / 11 AM - 2 PM Drivers Education Zoom Class Aug 19 / 11 AM - 2 PM Salsa and Tomato Products Aug 22 / 4-7:30 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Recently, students attending the Chisago County Schools' Life Work Center summer program took a field trip to the Quarter Moon Acres Equine Therapy Center located in Amery, Wisconsin. Students learned the basics of caring for horses and had the opportunity to ride a horse. For many students this was a first! Thank you to Quarter Moon Acres and their volunteers for the opportunity! 🐎