Clearview principal highlights Spanish immersion, makerspace and family engagement at district board meeting

Clearview Elementary Principal presented the school's Spanish-English immersion program, new makerspace and family-engagement events at the St. Cloud Public School District Board of Education meeting on Feb. 19, 2025.

The presentation described Clearview as a dual-language immersion school that focuses on positive behavior interventions, family and community engagement, and academic initiatives including new science materials aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and an updated K'-2 phonics approach in both English and Spanish. The principal said the school recently launched a "District One Book" initiative and hosted a family book-bingo event and a back-to-school barbecue that drew about 150 people.

The principal said Clearview emphasizes building relationships as the basis for safety and learning and noted several indicators the school tracks: "82 percent of our teachers feel supported strongly with student behaviours" and "87 percent have said [being part of the community] has been a positive experience for them this year," the principal said during the presentation.

School staff described curriculum and instructional supports in the immersion program, including classroom strategies that use iPads and the Seesaw platform so students can record and review their oral production in Spanish and English. The principal said the school converted an old computer lab into a makerspace to give students hands-on STEM experiences and noted that elementary teachers have received training on using educational technology and AI tools with guardrails for young students.

Board member Scott Andresen asked how Clearview coordinated with Westwood after Westwood decided to adopt an immersion program. The principal replied that staff sharing and workshops were used: an experienced teacher shifted to Westwood, immersion staff met in a multi-day workshop in August, and the district linked Minnesota Department of Education resources to support program development.

Andresen also asked about declining enrollment. The principal said the school saw declines during the pandemic and that district boundary changes intended to begin next year could stabilize Clearview's enrollment: "They would start next year," the principal said, adding the district will monitor which areas transfer in over time.

The board had no further questions. The presentation materials indicated the school intends to continue trimester-based family events, expand the makerspace and use formative assessments such as FastBridge to monitor student growth.

Clearview's presentation was delivered during the information portion of the Feb. 19 meeting and will be part of the board's public record.