Nicollet Middle School tells board student supervision, AVID and engagement efforts are boosting attendance and parent confidence
Summary
Nicollet Middle School officials told the ISD 191 board the school’s hallway supervision, bus ambassador program, restructured AVID offerings and teacher collaboration correlate with rising enrollment, higher parent perceptions of safety (about 80% from 62.7% previously) and reduced chronic absenteeism.
Nicollet Middle School principal Carolyn (transcript spelling varies) and staff described a suite of changes they say have improved safety, instructional continuity and family engagement.
School leaders told the Independent School District 191 board they implemented restructured hallway supervision—positioning staff at transitions to reduce hallway time—and a bus ambassador program that assigns teachers to buses at dismissal. They said those steps, paired with biweekly staff meetings, cross-building learning walks with Eagle Ridge Middle School, peer observations and weekly collaborative planning, have led to more instructional time, stronger teacher collaboration and positive feedback from students and families.
Teacher Brad Sorensen and parent Tone Waters highlighted increased student leadership through a revitalized student council and an active PTO (average 10–12 parents attending monthly). The school has also restructured AVID this year to create an AVID elective and a schoolwide focus on a set of core AVID strategies, which staff said has increased buy-in and continuity.
Principal remarks included three data points the school views as confirmation of progress: an enrollment increase, parent perception that the school provides a safe learning environment at about 80% (up from roughly 62.7% in 2023–24, per the presentation), and a decline in chronic absenteeism. Board members responded with praise and questions about PTO membership and implementation, and the presenters provided clarifications about meeting sizes and program structure.
The presentation concluded with board affirmation of cross-school collaboration and a reminder that work continues to refine these practices.
