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Students, coaches highlight winter activities; board approves Dakota County school-wellness grant for Lincoln outdoor classroom
Summary
Student groups and coaches presented season highlights from theater, dance, gymnastics, cheer, BPO, women's society, hockey and wrestling. The board also approved a joint powers agreement and a Dakota County SHIP grant application to expand an outdoor classroom at Lincoln Center.
At its Feb. 24 meeting the South Saint Paul School Board heard presentations from students, coaches and advisers across athletics and activities and approved a county-funded school-wellness agreement to support an outdoor classroom at Lincoln Center.
Presenters included Eric Holson and student theater participants who described the winter one-act program (six short plays, 10 student directors, 73 students involved), dance coach Ros Wilson who noted three all-state dancers and placements at sections, gymnastics coach Kaya Tajas and seniors who qualified for state, and coaches and captains from girls and boys hockey and wrestling who reviewed seasons and postseason qualifiers.
Several student groups described recent and upcoming events: the Black Pride Organization (BPO) recounted HBCU college-fair visits, a kindness retreat, and partnerships with Dodge Nature Center; Women's Society described a movie night fundraiser for menstrual products; and cheer advisors said the program grew from an initial small group to a 12-person squad that raised funds for uniforms.
On the business docket, the board approved a joint powers agreement between Dakota County and Special School District 6 for school wellness funds and accepted an application to use SHIP funds to expand an outdoor classroom at Lincoln Center. Assistant Principal Jen Sechhauer described the project: the district plans to expand an existing garden area, add accessible surfaces, tables and a weather-protecting canopy, and buy curricular materials with roughly $7,000 in county funds and additional PTA fundraising. Sechhauer said the project will support science curriculum and schoolwide activities.
The motion to accept the county funds and move forward with the project passed by voice vote; the chair recorded the vote as unanimous.
Why it matters: The presentations highlighted broad student participation across arts and athletics; the outdoor-classroom money is a modest, targeted investment intended to create an accessible, curricular space for hands-on science and community activities.
Ending: Board members thanked coaches, advisers and student representatives; administration said it will begin site work this spring and pursue additional grants and fundraising to complete the accessible surfacing and canopy work.
