North Branch Area Public Schools

Students in Mrs. John and Mrs. Peters' science class learned how to make a shadow clock. Our unit question was "Who set the first clock?" This led to a discussion on what patterns in daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky that civilizations noticed long ago that led to the development of a clock to keep track of time.

SKOL! and congratulations to Ashley Bistodeau and Ethan Kester, NBAHS's nominees for the MSHSL Triple “A” award! The Academics, Arts, and Athletics Award, commonly known as the Triple 'A' Award, honors high school seniors throughout the state who have a 3.0 or higher-grade point average and participate in League-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. Of being selected, Ashley said “I love this school, and I love doing a ton of activities and being involved in the community." Ethan and his dad sat down to learn more about the award, “We were wowed by these amazing students who get selected for it. I decided that these are the people I want to be identified with.” Both are multi-sport athletes also involved in fine arts activities while taking AP courses.

Recently, FFA students participated in FFA Day at the State Capitol. During their visit, students met with representatives Max Rymer and Jimmy Gordon to advocate for FFA and Ag education, as well as taking the time to tour and learn about the state capitol!

SKOL! and congratulations to Annabelle Lattimore and Andrew Witkowski, the 2024-25 ExCEL (Excellence in Community, Education, and Leadership) Award nominees for North Branch Area High School! The MSHSL ExCEL Award recognizes high school juniors active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. Annabelle is a 3-sport athlete, choir participant, NHS member, and a peer tutor. She volunteers with Operation Christmas Child. Andrew is a 2-sport athlete, symphonic and jazz band member, knowledge bowl and FTC Robotics participant. He has volunteered at Chisago County Community Center.

Use this link to watch this evening's 3rd grade concert "We Believe in Music" live: https://youtube.com/live/bmr-TJbIxeE?feature=share The 3rd grade concerts start at 6:15 pm and continue at 7:15...enjoy the show!

Here's photos from FFA week at NBAHS (Feb. 17-21). Students celebrated with a daily trivia question with prizes for correct answers. Students also read books to Education Center students, participated in a medallion hunt with clues each day, and finished the week with Bingo at all the lunches on Friday! It was a huge success for the school's first ever FFA week!

Use this link to watch this evening's 4th grade concert "Catch the Rhythm" live: https://youtube.com/live/rmQqRoAygYg?feature=share The 4th grade concerts start at 6:15 pm and continue at 7:15. See flier for schedule...enjoy!

North Branch Area Middle School 7th graders created food-themed layered paper collage projects in art class. They had the option of being inspired by Dairy Queen menu items and 27 students chose to do so. Our focus was creating depth through MANY layers with an emphasis on the shape, size, color and placement of paper pieces. This project is much more challenging than it appears to be because students have to work sequentially and really think about the order of when and how they attach the pieces together. The actual projects are on display at our North Branch Dairy Queen right now through Sunday, March 16. A huge THANK YOU to Dairy Queen owners James and Heidi Fowler, plus Alizabeth the manager for agreeing to collaborate with art teacher, Lee Ann Falen, and her students. Come check out their work in person! Fan Appreciation day at the North Branch Dairy Queen is Saturday, March 1, with menu items 50% off.

Coming up in Community Ed! Growing Sweet Potatoes in your Home Garden Feb 27 / 6-7:30 pm Chiropractic Care & Wellness For School Age Feb 27 / 7-8 pm Avoid the Pitfalls of Perimenopause/Menopause Virtual Workshop Mar 3 / 6-7:30 pm Fast Family Meals Virtual Mar 4 / 6:30-8 pm Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Thanks to the Snow Court for visiting with students across the district today! At the Ed Center, students greeted the court with a "snowball" fight (wadded up paper), and they were only too happy to join in! After the mayhem, the court answered questions from students.

Statebound gymnasts Dakota Esget and Ella Dick were treated to a walking pep rally at the high school yesterday. The two will compete this Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at 11 am. Best of luck!!!

The NBAHS Knowledge Bowl Varsity 1 team (pictured l to r): Gavin Lien, coach; Aaron Goeltl, junior; Jackson Thelander, senior; Camden Rafftery, senior; Karen Yang, junior; Samantha Nuthak, coach) placed second at the Mississippi 8 Conference Meet on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at Zimmerman High School. They scored 85 points, just one point behind the first-place finisher! This same group will be competing next week at the Subregional meet in St. Cloud for a chance to advance on to Regionals on March 4. Good luck Knowledge Bowlers!

REMINDER: The high school spring sports meeting is next Monday at 6 pm. See flier for details about where each sport is meeting.

Tonight's the night! Come one, come all to a FREE fun and entertaining evening with Joe Beckman! Dinner, also FREE, is catered sandwiches from Merchants Cafe. So...win-win! See flier for details and check out Joe's video message to North Branch here: https://youtu.be/5KdEY8o7uM0?si=Cq3FLZYe-6X_x3Xd

SKOL! and congratulations to Chazz Johnson and Layla Verdick! They are your Snow King and Queen for 2025!

Congratulations on qualifying for the MSHSL Class A State Gymnastics Meet, Dakota Esget and Ella Dick! This is Ella's first time qualifying for the state meet. She will compete on beam and vault. Dakota earned her fifth consecutive trip and will look to defend her back to back 2023 and 2024 Uneven Bars Titles and her 2024 All-Around Title. The meet is this Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium at 11 am.

📢 Join Us Next Week! 📢 Don't miss Connect Before You Correct: Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds! 📅 Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 5:00-6:30 PM 📍 North Branch Area Education Center 💰 $10 per family (includes dinner) 📌 Registration Required – Sign up at www.nbaceonline.org or call 651.674.1220 Learn how to build a stronger connection with your child, reduce power struggles, and use empathy-based discipline strategies. Parents gain valuable tools while children enjoy activities, story time, and play. 🍽️ Dinner served from 5:00-5:30 PM 🎟️ Spots are filling up – Register today!

The County News Review has a story on NBAHS junior Vince Crudo, who became only the fourth high school student ever to complete the Ford ACE program. He did so in grand fashion too, the fastest to complete the program - Vince did it in half the time as the previous record holder! Read all about Vince here (may be paywalled for some): https://www.hometownsource.com/county_news_review/news/local/crudo-driven-to-complete-ford-program/article_9f298a48-e59c-11ef-b3be-038a34ce3278.html

Coming up in Community Ed! Adult/Child/Infant CPR with AED Feb 20 / 5:30-8 PM Growing Vining Crops Feb 20 / 6-7:30 PM Rubber Stamping of Cards Feb 24 / 7-9 PM Mosaic Butterfly, Dragonfly or Lizard Feb 25 / 6-9 PM 3D Centerpieces Feb 25 / 6:30-8 PM Should I Stay or Should I Go: Steps to Review Your Housing Needs for Today and Tomorrow Feb 25 / 10-11:30 AM Acupressure to Relieve Stress, Anxiety and Insomnia Virtual Workshop Feb 25 / 6-7:30 PM Dino Discovery with Kidcreate Studio (18 months-6 years) Feb 26 / 5-6 PM Registration here: https://northbranch.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/getprogram/ or call 651-674-1025.

Joe Beckman is ready for next Thursday! See his video message here: https://youtu.be/5KdEY8o7uM0?si=rlI32Gxzc4sN0qNT FREE EVENT: Thursday, Feb. 20, 6 - 7:15 pm at NBAHS FREE DINNER INCLUDED: 5:15 - 6 pm See flier for more details!