Saint Paul Public Schools
 | Partnerships Home > Partnerships > Stillwater-Saint Paul > Valley Branch Partnership > Parent/Guardian Letter |
Dear Parent/Guardian, Your student’s class has chosen to participate in an innovative science program at Valley Branch Environmental Learning Center (ELC). This partnership is part of a collaboration between St. Paul Public Schools and nine suburban East Metro School Districts. These inter-district classroom partnerships work to create inclusive learning environments by infusing instructional strategies with cross-cultural experiences that will enable students, teachers and other stakeholders to develop a broader understanding and respect for cultural difference. This program pairs seventeen third grade classrooms from Stillwater and St. Paul Public Schools with an academic component that is tied to the Minnesota Academic Standards based on the Foss Science materials. The FOSS kits are studied in class and the Valley Branch ELC science visits expand upon these studies following an experiential approach (learning by doing). What will my child be doing as a part of this program? The partnership will involve two educational exchanges during which students from the partnered classrooms spend the day together. It also includes on-going communication throughout the year between the classes. The first educational exchange will focus on a group learning experience aimed at helping participants gain a new respect for themselves and others by acknowledging and appreciating their own culture and identity, gaining insights about how our differences affect our thoughts, actions and words and through team building and establishing behavioral ground rules for classroom interactions. The second educational exchange is facilitated by Saint Paul Public School staff at Valley Branch ELC Outdoor Educational Center and focuses on “Nature Investigations” – This class focuses on the many ways that scientists learn about our world. Students will also use technology to communication with their partner classroom. We are excited about this innovative program and encourage you to contact us with any questions. You may also visit our website for further information: http://valleybranch.spps.org/ Sincerely, Classroom Teacher Program Coordinators: Eric Anderson Stillwater Area Schools Diversity Curriculum/ Leadership Counselor 651-351-8307 Stephen Severance Saint Paul Public Schools Inter District Partnership Classroom Coach Facilitator 651-487-7363 |