Eye opening figure - 72 pre-school age children in the Osakis school district

Osakis school enrollment up
By Greta Petrich, Osakis Review

The Osakis School Board reviewed its annual census report at its regular meeting December 14.

The report looks at trends in enrollment from the first day of school. In 2009, Osakis Public School tallied 780 students September 8 – only 32 shy of its 1973 high of 812.

Osakis Superintendent Gregg Allen pointed out what may be an all-time high of 400 students in K-6.

The high school numbers dropped after bringing in a small 7th grade compared to a large graduating class last year.

A total of 234 students came into Osakis School District through open enrollment from the following areas: Minnewaska (78), Alexandria (67), Long Prairie (56), Sauk Centre (23), Eagle Valley (4), Parkers Prairie (2), Browerville (1), Minneapolis (1), Cedar Mountain (1) and Morris (1).

But some students also left Osakis to attend other schools. Sixty-one students who live in District 213 sought other options for their education, compared to 73 last year. Of these, 18 are home schooled and 11 attend Lakes Area Charter School. Other districts attended are: Alexandria (17), Sauk Centre (13) and Long Prairie (2).

The home school numbers only include ages 7-16 and do not include any Amish families living in the district.

Although Osakis loses some students, open enrollment for the 2009-10 school year gave Osakis an additional 173 students on the first day of school.

Allen commended the staff, teachers and administration for keeping kids in the district.

“Competition for students is tough,” he said. “School districts are doing interesting things to get kids to choose their schools. Our staff is doing a wonderful job keeping kids in our district.”

The report also showed 49 students enrolled at St. Agnes School in Osakis, most of whom will come to the Osakis High School in 7th grade.

The census showed that Osakis Public School’s total enrollment was up with 790 students signed up to attend Osakis Public School on the first day. That’s 25 more than last year and an increase of 58 students in the past two years.

Allen highlighted census data for 0- to 4-year-olds – an age group they watch closely. According to the report, there are 72 4-year-old children.

What isn’t on the report, Allen explained, is 4-year-olds outside the district.

“If we’re at 25 percent or more open enrollment, can you imagine what that kindergarten number could be?” he said.

He added that the parents of 4 year olds in the district will receive calls in January to determine if those children will attend school next year since some parents opt to wait an extra year for kindergarten.

Grant County Salvation Army provided refreshments during the 2009 Holiday Train

The Grant County Salvation Army members braved the cold and provided coffee and hot chocolate during the Holiday Train in Elbow Lake on December 16th. They served approximately 75 cups of hot chocolate and 40 cups of coffee. It was so much fun to see the Holiday Train and to watch the people enjoying the entertainment.

We would like to thank Culligan for allowing us to park by their building and use their electricity, the Chamber of Commerce, and Luverne Sik of the Elbow Lake Police Dept. Thank you to everyone for their donations. The Salvation Army red kettle donations will be used locally to help Grant County residents.

Thank you from the Grant County Salvation Army!

Merry Christmas!

(above) A scene from city hall in Hoffman.

The "Big Blizzard" has no teeth

It's 8am Friday and in Hutchinson I'm VERY disappointed in the weather forecasters! Not that I put much faith in them anyway. We got another 4-5 inches of snow here - WHOOPEE. It's calm and warm outside. The snow is heavy to move with the shovel. Ahhh, mother nature's free exercise program, gotta love it!!

A task for the Farwell-Hoffman-Kensington area! Send me your storm photos

To anyone who lives in the path of the big Christmas Mega-storm, grab your digital camera and take some snow pictures this weekend! Anything showing you digging your house out, your car, garage, farm buildings, sheds - whatever you can get a nice shot of.

Then e-mail them to: littleguy56289@hotmail.com

Be sure to be safe while doing this! It's a huge help for me, as I am basically stuck in Hutchinson until at least Saturday afternoon.

Link for a weather update at Weather.com

http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/56334?phenomena=WS&significance=W&areaid=MNZ048&office=KMPX&etn=0008

http://www.weather.com/weather/alerts/localalerts/56334?phenomena=WS&significance=W&areaid=MNZ048&office=KMPX&etn=0008

Click on the link to read the National Weather Service update, posted at 11:50am on Wednesday morning.

Solem Township Board meeting date change

Solem township board meeting date change

The Solem township board January meeting will be held on Monday, January 4, 2010, at 8pm at Midwest Grain Systems building in Kensington, MN (this is a departure from the regularly scheduled meeting on January 11).