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South St. Paul school leaders preview 2024–25 priorities: early literacy, pathways and safety
Summary
Principals and Superintendent Dr. Zambrino told the school board the district will prioritize early literacy (Minnesota Read Act training), refreshed early-childhood curriculum fidelity, expanded pathways and concurrent enrollment, student supports and security protocols as the 2024–25 year begins.
Principals and district leaders presented a back-to-school update at the South St. Paul Public School Dist. board meeting on Aug. 26, highlighting early literacy work tied to the Minnesota Read Act, refreshed preschool curricula, K–12 pathways and expanded concurrent-enrollment offerings.
Kristen Summertown, the district's early-learning coordinator, said preschool will emphasize literacy training and stronger curriculum fidelity. "The first one being the letters training which is part of the Minnesota Read Act. That is gonna be our biggest lift this year," she told the board, describing new family-learning classes and an evening single-parent course.
Principals from Kapoja and Lincoln Center described staff-building activities, new hires at both schools and a partnership with Walzer Subaru and Adopt A Classroom that included classroom-supply kits and a $7,500 donation for teachers. Terry Britoik (Kapoja) and Theresa Martie (Lincoln Center) said school staff used collaborative summer planning to align science instruction and to rehearse building leadership presentations.
Leah Borg, middle school principal, described Connections-class curriculum adjustments to add scheduled grade checks, steps to close achievement gaps, and professional-development focus areas: equity, lesson design with Catalyst and stronger learning targets. Borg said the middle school saw gains on statewide MCA assessments and will continue to work on student engagement and skill development.
Superintendent Dr. Zambrino framed districtwide priorities as a mix of student supports, family communication and operational readiness. He urged families to complete educational-benefits applications and to review emergency-contact and language-preference information in the Infinite Campus parent portal so the district can ensure communication and program eligibility. "Please, please, please continue to fill out those forms," he said.
Zambrino also reviewed safety-protocol work: required fire drills and lockdown/hold procedures will be conducted early in the year and explained in age-appropriate ways to avoid causing student anxiety. On academic pathways, he described expanded high-school pathways in computer science, business, transportation and health and human services and said the district is expanding concurrent-enrollment options so students can earn college credit while remaining on campus.
Angie Ryder, assistant principal at the high school, said committees over the summer studied issues such as tardies and attendance, electronics policy, lesson design and academic honesty and developed new practices intended to improve school culture and student outcomes.
The presentations closed with logistical reminders about family-connection events and the rolling start dates for different grade bands. Board members expressed appreciation for staff and enthusiasm for the new school year.
