The A+ program is an arts-infused national program that is highly successful. It includes daily instruction in the arts: drama, dance, music, literature and the visual arts around the district’s core curriculum. It incorporates Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences and students are encouraged to recognize and use all their intelligences.

Why the rush?

Parents, students and the communities involved had only three weeks to absorb the shock — because the Parent Information Fair is February 2 and a pamphlet needed to be prepared before that, with an A+ Jr. High choice on the menu.In a rushed decision, the St. Paul School Board voted on December 18 to merge Monroe Community School and Linwood A+ School, and bring Linwood’s art-infused (A+) program to Monroe School. The plan is to have a unified A+ K- 8 program between the two buildings, Linwood will house the K-3 (or K-4) primary school and Monroe the 4-8 (or 5- 8) middle school.

A final decision on the split will be made in March, depending on enrollment numbers for the 2008-2009 school year. Linwood Principal Steven Unowski said the goal is to “unite the two communities around ‘what we do next.’” He realizes he has parents strongly for and strongly against the proposal.

The task now is “to find how best to implement the decision and make it a success for all our children,” he said. The Linwood parent survey found that 70% were in favor of expanding to include the 7th and 8th grades. Many, however, were hoping to keep their K-6 grade school intact. The action came about because Monroe is declining in population and failing in test scores, so the school is in need of “corrective action” under the No Child Left Behind Act.

The St. Paul School District decided this was the way to improve the academic program at Monroe and attract more students. Linwood A+, on the other hand, has a successful program and a waiting list of students clamoring to get in. The close proximity of Monroe and the 4.8 million dollar renovation Monroe recently underwent made it a logical and ideal choice, the district thought. Monroe has a junior high with science labs and sport facilities needed for a middle school.

Under this new plan, Monroe will keep all of its enrichment programs Nancy Stachel, Executive Director of Elementary Education said.

That includes:

• The Dell TechKnow program where qualifying students “earn” a computer by learning about it through a 40-hour afterschool program.
• The ceramic “Peace Wall” tiles, a project for the 8th grade.
• ACES (Athletes Committed to Educating Students), a tutoring/mentoring organization for grades 4-8 with Minnesota professional sports teams.
• The partnership with the Minnesota Orchestra.
• ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), the existing program for 4- year-olds, Community Kindergarten.
• Discovery Club will be added to the Monroe program.

Some Linwood parents are worried that expanding into the larger facility of Monroe would jeopardize their small school success. They are concerned with staff and leadership, and some parents want to keep their children together on the elementary level. Indeed, the idea of one program split between two campuses is challenging.

Both schools are concerned with transitioning and loosing their particular culture. The staff at Monroe will be trained in the A+ program.

West 7th Federation representative Walt Wietzke spoke at the meeting asking that the District Councils be involved in the process. “We wish to be more than partners, but fellow educators,” he said. Meetings will commence in January to bring the two school together: parents, students, principals, site councils, PTAs and community leaders.

The plus to Monroe is that enrollment will be open to a greater population and Monroe children, living over a mile from school, will be bused. All current Monroe students will be automatically enrolled in the new program, unless they decide to opt out.All in the attendance area of the two schools will have preference.

Monroe Principal Jim Eaton is also very positive about the changes. Monroe is well steeped in the arts already, so “it’s a great opportunity for the kids. The arts-infused program builds on what we do now at Monroe,” he said. Both schools will maintain their names and their principals for now. “The district is not out to force anything,” Stachel said. “We’re saying here is a proposal that builds on the strength of Monroe’s program and the success of Linwood’s program. It’s up to the two communities to figure out the details.”

The A+ program is an arts-infused national program that is highly successful. It includes daily instruction in the arts: drama, dance, music, literature and the visual arts around the district’s core curriculum.

It incorporates Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences and students are encouraged to recognize and use all their intelligences.

Why the rush? Parents, students and the communities involved had only three weeks to absorb the shock — because the Parent Information Fair is February 2 and a pamphlet needed to be prepared before that, with an A+ Jr. High choice on the menu.

PHOTOS BY: Jo Heinz