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Linwood Elementary students showcase "Ranger" leadership; Lakes Center-funded enrichment program highlighted
Summary
Linwood Elementary staff and student 'Ranger' groups demonstrated school leadership, community events and social-emotional learning; the board heard an overview of an on-site Lakes Center enrichment program funded by government grants through 2025.
Linwood Elementary students and staff presented the school’s "Ranger" leadership groups to the Forest Lake Area School Board on Jan. 8 and described how groups of fifth- and sixth-graders lead spirit events, bus- and recess-safety work, community-building and forest stewardship.
Principal Madsen and enrichment coordinator Abby Hines (Lakes Center for Youth and Families) explained the ranger structure — Lion Rangers (PBIS/positive-behavior ambassadors), Influence Rangers (event support), Kindness Rangers and Forest Rangers — and said groups meet twice a month at lunch to plan events and lead projects. Students described tasks including helping at book fairs and pride breakfasts, running spirit activities, creating forest-safety presentations for younger grades, leading spring cleanups and building bat and bird houses for the school forest.
Hines, whose role is funded by a grant created in partnership with Linwood and administered by Lakes Center, said the program aims to prevent and intervene against high-risk behaviors, build students’ decision-making and conflict-resolution skills, and strengthen relationships with caring adults. She described lunch clubs (Healthy Hearts, Career Club, Art Expressions, Book Club and Internet Awesome), social-emotional small groups, STEAM challenges and service-learning projects. Hines said the current grant runs through 2025 and that Lakes Center and the school coordinator meet monthly to align programming.
Board members asked how students are selected (application process in the fall; returning sixth graders get priority), how often groups meet (twice monthly at lunch) and whether the program can accept community donations (yes). The board praised the program’s role building leadership, social skills and family engagement and encouraged community volunteers for future projects such as the school’s planned maple-syrup activity and garden work.
No board action was required; the presentation served as an informational update.
