Eye on ECCS

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

Collaboration is among the five core values of Eastern Carver County Schools’ strategic roadmap. In Mary Larsen’s third grade class at Chanhassen Elementary, a recent project involving a Kamishibai storytelling box had students engaging, listening, and partnering with each other to learn.

“I like to get (the task) out there, explain everything, and then let them take it from there,” Larsen said.

Students, in groups of four or five, were working on a multicultural lesson on storytelling in other countries. Kamishibai is a traditional Japanese art form that combines illustrated paper cards with a scripted performance to tell a story. 

The classroom started the project by watching a video, Issun-bōshi or Little One Inch. Students were given the task of recreating the story through Kamishibai.

Some students shared their artistic talents by drawing the illustrations. Others wrote the script for an upcoming performance where each person was assigned a speaking role.

“The groups were chosen by the students themselves. Students considered their peer’s abilities, such as artistic ability, communication ability, and critical thinking skills. All of these considerations fostered a sense of teamwork and accountability,” Larsen said. 

Larsen, a teacher at Chanhassen Elementary since 2005, said she has used this lesson a few times, but not in recent years. Students said the project was fun, and they flourished in many ways. Some were leaders, some kept their eye on the clock to monitor how the group was progressing, and others showed off their typing and technology skills by printing off the script. Each group had their own creative take on what the illustrations and performance should look like.

“The end result, performing the Kamishibai box story, afforded the kids a sense of accomplishment. They also took great pride in being able to perform storytelling in a traditional Japanese storytelling method,” Larsen said. “As a teacher, incorporating different storytelling methods in the curriculum exposes students to a variety of cultures, helping them develop a deeper understanding of these different cultures.”

 

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

Students at Chaska High School and Chanhassen High School have a broad range of opportunities to challenge themselves academically as they explore and pursue their interests and passions. Some of these courses also offer students an opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.

In total, there are more than 40 advanced academic classes offered between Chaska and Chanhassen high schools. Integrated Arts Academy added AP Drawing for the first time this fall as well.

In the latest Eye on ECCS, we ventured into four AP classrooms to take a look at the learning.

AP CALCULUS BC

Yes, it’s as challenging as what you’d expect. AP Calculus BC is a continuation of AP Calculus AB, so the second-year calculus students in Sarah Roemig’s class at Chanhassen High School have a high level of understanding of the presented material. But it was a process to get there.

If you think about a math class, there is a problem, there is an answer, and in between there is show your work. In AP Calculus BC, it goes beyond that. There is a next question. There is a “why” is that the answer. 

“For the high flyers, this class might be the first time they’ve struggled. And that’s good for them to have that experience. They find out they might need to approach it a little differently than I have in the past,” Roemig said. “Most of them rise to the occasion. Some of them it takes a while, but they get there.”

Roemig said she’s made it practice before the first test to email all parents and guardians to prepare them for how their students may be feeling.

“I ask them to be supportive, and remind their student that even if they didn’t do as well as they’d like, they can do this. They just need to keep at it,” Roemig said.

With AP Calculus AB, four major concepts are studied: limits, derivatives, definite integrals and indefinite integrals. Skills are presented numerically, graphically, algebraically and verbally. 

AP Calculus BC covers the remaining topics of a one-year college course. Applications in physics, the calculus of power series, parametric functions and other topics specified by the College Board are included. The AP Calculus BC Exam covers the content of both AP Calculus AB and BC.

“Once they’re in BC, they know the drill. They know they’re signing up for a hard class. When they’re in AB, they know it’s going to be hard, but I think it’s more of a shock to their system,” Roemig said.

ENGLISH 10 PRE-AP ADVANCED

Among new classes for the 2024-25 school year is English 10 Pre-AP Advanced. This course has a high level of depth, rigor and independence aimed at students capable of performing several grade levels above average in language arts skills. Texts are more complex and students will be expected to analyze what is read with more depth and independence using the vocabulary of literary analysis in their discussions and writing. The focus will be on writers’ craft vs. reading comprehension. 

Visiting Jennifer Farrell’s class at Chaska High School, the lesson was centered around Marshall Davis Jones’ “Touchscreen” slam poetry. “Touchscreen” is described as a serio-comic poem about the ways in which technology is turning humans into zombies. Students first watched the video and were asked to describe Jones’s attitude and give examples of how they felt or what they thought before watching it a second time with text copy to circle or underline impactful words or phrases.

Students were then asked to think about the poem as an argument. What would the claim and evidence be?

Students reactions included:

• “(technology) has been removing our humanity by taking away the necessity for it.”
• “(technology) is deteriorating our humanity and making us more like machines.”
• “growing online presence and use of technology results in a lack of connection.”

Farrell said one of the focuses thus far this semester has been on the “value of virtue.”

CHEMISTRY+INTRO TO PHYSICS

Another new class at the high schools is Chemistry+Intro to Physics. The class covers all of Chemistry at a faster pace plus the essential Physics topics to be ready for AP Physics or AP Chemistry.

“We’ll get through the entire Chemistry curriculum by February, allowing us to get into Physics later in the year. The benefit of this class is that they are getting both in one school year. It puts their feet in the water in both, so they can decide whether they want to go into AP Chemistry or AP Physics in their junior year,” Chanhassen High school science teacher Ashley Flynn said.

Having an accelerated pace helps teach students study skills, Flynn said, as quizzes and unit tests are closer together. 

The latest unit test focused on metallic and hydrogen bonding, intermolecular forces, and chemical and structural formulas. Next up is moles. No, not the furry underground animal or dark spot on your skin. The mole is the base unit in the International System of Units for amount of substance.

AP DRAWING

Christina Keith looks at her role as more of an organized “theme facilitator or coach” for her AP art students at Chaska High School. 

Students, after multiple years in drawing and painting, are allowed space for experimental growth. Students have the opportunity to create more self-directed artwork. While some focus their work on abstract or landscape, others pull from within.

Summer, a senior student, is currently working on recreating a photograph of two family members.

“I love that there aren't any restrictions. In AP art, you have that creative freedom to create what you want. I’ve done a lot of stuff with my culture, Palestinian. I have a lot of pretty photos from when I was there, so I’ve tried to tie in my culture with some of my artwork. I feel like it tells a story, and I like to tell stories with my work,” she said.

Summer plans to do a landscape drawing of a city and a close-up picture of someone holding an olive, the native tree, in future works. While her current drawing is in pencil, she wants to use charcoal with some of her next projects.

Keith’s message in choosing works is subjects where students can sustain intent for nine months. Students create a digital portfolio of their work that will be submitted at AP testing time and may be used for College/Art School admission guidelines.

A complete list of advanced classes can be found on the district’s website.

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

When Casey Parker was first searching for ideas to lead one large service project to attain his Eagle Scout rank, one of the first places he thought of was the STAR Program; the District’s post high school special education transition program available to students of Eastern Carver County Schools.

“My brother is enrolled here at STAR, so I reached out to them and asked if there was anything I could do for them,” Parker, a senior at Chanhassen High School, said.

The idea of a Lending Library or Little Free Library came about. Parker, with the help of a few neighbors and friends, constructed the base and box in his home garage. Once completed, he dug the post hole and installed the library just feet from the front door of STAR. 

How does one stock the library box?

“We got a bunch of donations from people that are connected to people with special needs or my friends and extended family. We started with over 100 books. We can’t fit that many in there, so we’re just replenishing them and switching them as we need to,” Parker said.

The response from STAR students has been amazing. 

“I came back to get a picture in my uniform and the benefactor, Patricia, told me there are kids coming through here every morning, or at the end of the school day, picking out a new book, or giving some of their own. That made me so excited to see that it was getting used,” Parker said.

STAR’s program director, Patricia Lange, shared that one student has made it part of their daily routine to select a book to take home and bring one back the next day,

“The students love it. It’s been just such a great addition to our program,” Lange said.

Parker is active at Chanhassen High School, a member of the choir and boys swimming and diving team where he earned all-state last year

MORE PROJECTS

Chanhassen High School senior Alex Schmidt also worked on his Eagle Scout project for his high school. “(I was) inspired by my love for the band. I wanted to do something for the band to show my appreciation for the good times and lessons I have learned over the years,” Schmidt said.

After talking to band director Paul Swanson, Schmidt set forth on building Jazz Band Fronts for his project. “The Fronts give a more professional look to the jazz band and add to the atmosphere when playing,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt and members of his family were also a part of an Eagle Scout project led by Chanhassen High School senior James Gladen. He, like Parker, supported the STAR building, completing a can recycling storage shed that will be used to collect cans internally.

“I was looking around trying to find a project and how I came to find STAR through my physical therapist, Trisha Rinzel. It was easy to connect with them. I’m in a wheelchair, I have a disability, and they work with people that are similar to me, so it felt like I was giving back,” Gladen said.

Gladen met with the team at STAR and the can recycling storage shed idea came about. “It was perfect. It felt like it was something I could do, but at the same time a challenge, so it was right in that sweet spot,” he said.

Schmidt and fellow scouts aided Gladen, who has limited mobility of his arms, with the build of the project in his garage. Gladen was the mastermind behind the project, leading the group through the build. His grandmother even contributed, staining the wood shed.

“There was the long process of all of the logistics, dates, times, pricing out of all of the materials. It takes a while, and there’s a lot of back and forth on what to do. Being in a wheelchair, unable to really help out, it was a lot of explaining what I was thinking. Trying to get people to see into my mind,” Gladen said.

Seeing that final product, now delivered to the STAR building, was a great moment of pride for Gladen.

Additionally, Gladen is a percussionist in the Chanhassen High School band. Director Paul Swanson called him “one of the most amazing kids I have ever taught.”

“I have a number of limitations, but band happens to be one of the things I can do,” said Gladen, who joined band in fifth grade. “It’s just fun. I have made a bunch of friends through it. Mr. Swanson is a great teacher. I just have fun when I’m playing.”

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

 

If you drove by the Chaska Middle School East and West buildings this summer, you likely witnessed a flurry of activity. Major projects at both schools, as well as repaving of the parking lots and roadway between buildings.  While not everything was ready to go by the start of this school year, the work in both buildings over the summer has students and staff excited.

A sign outside the Star Center at Chaska Middle School West proudly reads, “Yes! We’re open! Welcome back! The Star Center is open! Come on in!” Three weeks into the school year, the media center welcomed students again on Sept. 25.

“It was so fun seeing the kids’ faces this morning when they walked in and saw what the space looked like. I wish I had pictures of their faces. They were all so excited,” West media specialist Erinn Flowers said.

Phase I of a remodel at Chaska Middle School West is in the final stages of completion. Work began last spring, with crews starting in the lower level locker rooms, and continued throughout the summer. At the West Open House event in late August, workers were putting the final touches on projects throughout the building as students and families went from classroom to classroom learning their schedules.

"It is truly a top-to-bottom remodel. It's an example of a generational investment in a building that will serve our students for the next 50 years," Jim Muenzenmeyer, director of buildings and grounds for the district, said of the middle school projects. Chaska Middle School East is in the final stages of its two-year construction remodel.

New flooring, lighting, ceiling in hallways and common spaces, lockers, interior doors, and room signage are just a portion of the upgrades at both East and West. Upgrades to pool equipment at East as well as updates to HVAC and building roofs were also part of the projects.

West Middle School Principal Alicia Fischer and Assistant Principal Mark Shoquist each had a hand in what the final product would look like. Fischer took on the visual part of the product, prioritizing current school branding to create a consistent identity. Shoquist took on the functionality of each space, the logistics of the project.

“It’s a work-in-progress. There are crews here each night working after the school day is over. Things are on backorder. There are things that still need to be completed, but we’re already moving into Phase II for next summer,” Fischer said.

The second phase is on the west end of the building along with the school cafeteria. 

“It may feel like more of the footprint of the building was worked on this summer, but next summer’s projects are a heavier lift,” Fischer said. An additional project in Phase II is the reconfiguration of the center-based learning area. “It will be a true center-based setting for those students.”

Classrooms received new modern flooring and cabinetry. Hallways are brighter with new lockers lining the main arteries. Bathrooms were redone. The locker rooms were completely gutted and revamped. Push-pin friendly fabric wall covering above student lockers will be installed soon, allowing for student work to be displayed.

While the cafeteria project is in Phase II, new tables have arrived, including a row of restaurant-style booths and chairs that have been wildly popular, Fischer said.

“All building staff were affected; every room needed to be packed up and emptied before the work could start,” Muenzenmeyer said of the project thus far at both schools. “Hundreds of skilled workers completed the work, often in a very hot environment as no air conditioning was available. The summer of 2023 was especially very hot and took its toll on productivity. This summer we survived a two week plumbers strike and needed every hour left to complete the work.  The schools’ admin staff were amazing in their help and set the bar high for the other school projects yet to come. Many workers, including ECCS custodial staff, worked the entire Labor Day weekend (Labor Day too!) to pull this off.”

NEW VIBE TO SCHOOL

The interior of Chaska Middle School East might not look recognizable to some after two summers of construction. The first phase focused on the second floor and pool and gymnasium area. This summer it was all about the commons area, first floor space, the main office, and cafeteria.

While the finishing touches on many of the projects are not complete, the look and feel at East certainly has a new vibe.

“(Crews) are in here every chance they can get when students aren’t to wrap things up. We are certainly excited about the new changes,” East Middle School Principal Dr. Greg Martin said.

Muenzenmeyer said as of Sept. 26, there is a 556-item punch list for this school. Although most of the items are individual paint touch-ups, there are a couple of mini projects that will be completed over the MEA weekend.

The most visible change at East comes in the commons area where new lockers were installed that will be available for student use starting Monday, Sept. 30. Student voice played a role in the redesign; Martin said feedback from students played an important part.

“They’re wider (by three inches). My backpack would not fit before. I would have to keep pushing it in to make it fit,” an East student said.

The commons area also serves as the lunchroom at East. New tables and flooring throughout the space are a welcome change for students and the custodial staff that keeps the area clean.

Students agree the upgrades to the commons area and cafeteria are a hit. 

Another large-scale project was the addition of two band box rooms inside the music center. Previously, there was one large room near the cafeteria. “It was hard for a teacher to monitor students in there and have a classroom of students in their room inside the center. Now they’re right by each other,” Martin said.

Other first-floor classrooms are seeing change. The Tech Ed room will be getting 3D printers this fall. The wood shop room had its equipment and work space realigned to best use the space. Single user bathrooms were added near these rooms as well.

“I have a sense of pride when I walk through East today. It has new energy, looks fantastic, and I know it will operate in a safe and efficient manner for years to come.  The Long Term Facilities Maintenance bond has been an incredible tool for us to renovate our schools. We started a two-phase project at CMSE in May of 2023 and reached substantial completion in September of 2024. Most of the work was related to mechanical, electrical and plumbing. These renovated critical systems will extend the life of the building by generations,” Muenzenmeyer said.

To learn more about the district’s Long Term Facilities Maintenance planning, past, present, and future, visit: https://www.district112.org/district/facility-maintenance-and-improvement. 

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

 

Elizabeth Balmaceda Amenta knew she needed to make a phone call to her college admissions counselor after her third field experience in her Introduction to Education class during her final semester as a student at Chaska High School.

“I thought I’d come into the field experience and I would leave sticking with my decision of getting into secondary education. After my third week here, I was like, ‘I’m switching my major and declaring it for elementary education.’ I immediately talked with my admissions counselor (at the University of River Falls) and told her I wanted to change my decision,” Balmaceda Amenta said. 

“I’ve seen some stuff that made me want to change my mind. This class really pushed me out of my comfort zone. This class made me love working with kids this age,” she added.

Balmaceda Amenta is one of seven Chaska students taking Introduction to Education with Susan Busch. There are 11 students – a mix of seniors and juniors – in Melissa Martin’s class at Chanhassen High School.

Introduction to Education is described in the registration guide as “an overview of the education profession and the U.S. educational system, including historical development, social foundations, and educational institutions. Other topics include current theories, trends, and issues in education and the community, certification standards, roles and responsibilities of teachers, learners, and other school personnel.”

The class is taught through Normandale Community College in Bloomington, earning each student four college credits.

In addition to classroom work, every student must complete a 25-hour field experience in an area school. This is completed during class hours at a local elementary school. Transportation is provided for students.

Chaska students have been traveling to Jonathan Elementary this semester, while Chanhassen students have been at Bluff Creek and Chanhassen Elementary.

“I was changing my schedule and it was one of the electives, and when I heard I would be able to come to an elementary school and have an experience working with kids, I thought that would make for an interesting experience. It’s been a great time. I’ve also met so many kids in other classes,” Chanhassen senior Georgia Wolf said.

INTEREST IN EDUCATION

Lydia Edison has always been interested in becoming an elementary-age teacher. When her teacher, Mrs. Susan Busch, suggested she take the course and earn college credit, she was sold. Edison spent the semester with Jonathan Elementary counselor Stacy Busch.

“Each time I come here, it makes me even more excited to major in education in college. I love kids. They’re the best!” Edison said.

Chanhassen junior Katelyn Anfang has always enjoyed working with children, so she went into the experience with an open mind to teaching.

“I knew this would be a good way to see if being a teacher would be something I’d like. It’s been really fun so far,” Anfang said.

Others are more interested in different fields involving children but saw the class as a great experience and an extension of the Childhood Development class they took in the first semester.

“Right now I’m thinking of becoming a pediatric nurse. I’ve babysat for many years, and I work with kids at my dance studio, so I definitely want to do something with kids,” Chanhassen senior Kaelyn Wild said.

“I definitely am interested in doing something with children. Maybe pediatrics or something in the healthcare field,” Chanhassen junior Ellie Rollins said. “When I heard that I could do my work experience at Bluff Creek, where I went to school and where my sister is now, I was so excited.”

FIRST WEEKS ARE CRUCIAL

Balmaceda Amenta remembers how crucial those first few weeks she was in the Jonathan Elementary building in Jack Hurst’s fifth-grade class. She knew she had to make connections with students for them to take her seriously.

“By the third week I was starting to figure out all of their names and started to build relationships with them and work with them out in the hallway 1-on-1. You start to build connections with them at that time. It’s nice having those relationships so when I am walking around the classroom, I feel comfortable stopping and helping them with something, or telling them they need to get back on track or whatever,” she said.

“I’ve gotten to know them more and more, learn their names, and start to build relationships with all of them. You really learn what each student likes and dislikes,” Anfang, who has been in Jordan Kilber’s third-grade classroom at Chanhassen Elementary, said.

For Wolf, she sees the impact teachers have on students and she tries to be that person when she’s at Bluff Creek in the first-grade cluster with teacher Kendra Buteyn.

“Being able to make a difference in kids’ lives is amazing. Today a couple of kids came up and gave me a hug, and I’m only here one day a week and they remember me. It’s a great feeling. Once you start making those connections, you really can make a difference. That’s what teachers are doing all school year with these kids,” Wolf said.

LEARNING THE ROPES

Wild was paired with Virginia Jackson’s fifth-grade class at Chanhassen Elementary. Part of the field experience is learning from the classroom teacher.

“She’s taught me to be alright with everything. Not every day is the same, and there are going to be new challenges and you just have to understand that comes with working in this job,” Wild said. “I’ve learned how you have to be aware of everything going on in the classroom. Even when you’re working with one or two students, you have to keep one eye on what else is going on.”

“I’ve worked with the classroom as a whole, giving out spelling tests, and I’ve read out loud to them. I’ve worked with them in small groups, and had check-ins with them to see how they’re doing during their work time,” said Rollins, who is paired with Molly Aker at Bluff Creek.

“I’ve learned how to build stronger relationships with students, and what it's like to be a teacher. The kind of activities you can do to keep the students engaged. Things you can do to create a positive classroom environment,” Anfang said.

“I’m here only two hours every week, and I see how much time and effort it takes in that small period of time. I can’t imagine what it takes for a full day, a full week, all school year. It really takes a village. The way Ms. Buteyn comes in each day, is prepared, is always doing new things with the students, is so comfortable in her job, it’s very inspiring,” Wolf said.

LASTING EXPERIENCE

Rollins is part of a club at Chanhassen High School called “Letters of Love.” When she and fellow club members got together with all of the fifth-grade students at Bluff Creek for a project, that was her “favorite day ever.”

“We all made cards for a Bluff Creek student who is in the hospital struggling with cancer. I got to bring in some of my friends and they were able to meet the kids I work with, and we were able to make cards for him. It was a great day,” Rollins said.

Balmaceda Amenta is excited to begin her journey as an elementary educator next fall when she steps on the campus at the University of River Falls. Her experience this spring is something she is glad she had.

“I had a teacher who really inspired me to be a teacher, so when I heard about this class through my AVID teacher, Ms. (Kelly) Dreier, I thought it would be a great experience. I love coming over to Jonathan each week and working in the school. I’m excited for the future,” she said.