Gators vs. Roseau

By:TyLynn McKeever

The Gators went to Roseau to take on the Rams. Like the previous games the Gators were determinded to push them games and to play consistent the whole night. The Gators were unable to defeat the Rams; the scores were 17-25, 25-22, 14-25, and 19-25. Serve receive passing was not consistent and the “nothing hits the floor” mentality wasn’t there throughout the whole night. The Gators did battle hard throughout each set and were in it as a team. Head coach commented, “The Gators battled throughout the match but had too many errors and uncontested balls dropping to the floor.  There were moments of really sharp volleyball; however, the Gators need to pull it together for an entire match.  This is a great rivalry and it’s exciting to play in such a charged atmosphere—the Gators used the environment to fuel their sets but just couldn’t push the Rams to 5.  Again, it’s another great learning experience this season that will help the team grow and improve for next year.” Looking to improve on these little things, the Gators will bring it into a game situation and show how they really can compete. Leaders for the night were Katie Langaas (12) and Tori MeKash (10) for kills; Vanessa Burkel (15) and Shanyce Bishop (14) for assists; and Katie Langaas (2) for aces. Goooo Gators!

AYP

Most  Greenbush-Middle River students were proficient on the spring 2011 reading and math Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA).  However, schools are required to keep increasing proficiency each year until the 2014 tests when 100% of students are expected to be proficient.  If a school or district fails to increase scores for two consecutive years, the state requires an improvement plan. This is the first year GMR did not make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) in reading, with 74% of students proficient. Since MCA tests began in 2006, GMR student proficiency has ranged from 71-77% in reading.

GMR	District	High school	Middle school	Greenbush Elementary	Middle River Elementary
All students	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in math and reading	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in math and reading
Students categorized as American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, Black	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP	Student groups too small to count for AYP
White Students	Making AYP in both math and reading	Making AYP in both math and reading	Making AYP in math; not making AYP in reading	Making AYP in both math and reading	Making AYP in both math and reading
Special Education	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student groupstoo small to count for AYP	Making AYP in both math and reading
Students qualifying for Free/Reduced meals	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Student group too small to count for AYP	Making AYP in both math and reading

When our district did not meet targets in math for the student group “Special Education” in 2009 and 2010, the resulting district improvement plan was very successful in raising scores. Although the state doesn’t require an improvement plan at this AYP stage, GMR is moving forward with a specific plan to increase students’ reading proficiency.

About two-thirds of Minnesota’s middle schools and junior highs did not make AYP.  About half Minnesota’s high schools did not make AYP, although GMR High School did. All neighboring schools or districts have some history of not making AYP.

Our district’s 2011 reading scores were nearly identical to large and small area schools:

GMR, Grygla 74%

Badger, Thief River Falls, Kittson Central, WAO, Warroad 75%

Roseau 76%

MCC 73%

Tri-County 72%

Goodridge 61%

Lancaster 83%

State of Minnesota: 75%

GMR’s 2011 MCA math scores were generally better than area schools:

GMR 71%

Kittson Central 74%

Badger 81%

Roseau 62%

Tri-County 60%

MCC 52%

TRF 42%

WAO 41%

Lancaster 38%

Goodridge 28%

Warroad 22%

Grygla 18%

State of Minnesota: 49%

Important Information about the 2011 Referendum

The proposed $1,135 per pupil does not mean that your taxes will go up by $1,135!  What does it mean?  

2011 Market Value                          Pay 2011                              Pay 2012                          (Yearly) Difference

      50,000                                         66.63                                     152.56                                   85.93

     75,000                                          99.95                                     228.84                                 128.89

    100,000                                         133.27                                    305.12                                 171.85

    150,000                                         199.90                                    457.68                                 257.78

    200,000                                         266.54                                    610.24                                 343.70

    300,000                                         399.80                                    915.36                                 515.55

    500,000                                         666.34                                  1,525.59                                859.25

Taxes are based on taxable market value, not estimated market value.  They are applicable to residential, homesteads, apartments, and commercial-industrial properties.  Farms are only taxed on the home, garage, and one acre.

So, if the taxable market value of your home is $100,000, your taxes would go up $171.85 next year.  

Of the $435 increase, local tax payers will only pay approximately 50%!  The other 50% is payed by the state.  If the referendum does not pass, we will lose out on that state money!  

If you have any questions about the referendum please contact a school board member!  This funding is crucial to the continued success of our school!  

Governor Dayton Recognizes the Juneberry Firefighting Effort

Governor Mark Dayton listens to the fire report.

By: Josh Peterson

Governor Mark Dayton made a last minute visit to the Greenbush fire hall today. He stopped on his way from Thief River Falls to hear how our community was fighting the wildfire that started last Wednesday (5 days ago). The officials from the Minnesota National Resources had an extremely well laid out plan to show to the governor. I learned a lot in the 20 minutes that they were reporting.

Firefighters detailing the fire spread.

There is a reported 31,216 acres that have been burned; areas that are burning include the Salol fire, Juneberry fire, and the Cannon fire. The Juneberry fire is the largest by far with 28,673 acres burned. The Cannon fire comes in second with 2,388 acres and Salol with only 155 acres. The Juneberry fire is the only one that has any cost damage. The cost to date is $532,000 dollars. Mostly all of the fires have been contained. The Salol fire is completely contained and 95% of the Juneberry fire is under control which is good news as it is the largest.

Local and out-of-state firefighters accept the governors compliments.

Firefighters and other officials say the fires will be under full control in the next two days, if not tomorrow, for sure and Governor Mark Dayton gave his phone number out freely to anyone who would like to contact him to update him on the fire. The number can be found in the Middle River ‘Honker’. No fatalities have occurred and only one injury (a broken arm) is reported. Surprisingly enough, the smell of the northwestern fires can be smelt all the way down to Grand Forks and the skies have been foggy and cloudy ever since last Wednesday. After everything was said, Mark Dayton stepped up to address the men who were fighting the fire. He thanked them dearly and recognized their hard work and commitment. He was very charming and intellectual.

Greenbush Corn Maze.

By: Karley Forst  

You know that feeling when you don't know which way to turn because it seems like in every direction is a dead end? Well if you haven't experienced that feeling, make it come true! Brandon & Jessica Kuznia and Erik & Kara Heggedal are in charge of the new corn maze in Greenbush. The corn maze is located 1/2 Mile West of State Hwy 11 on County Rd 4.Design: combining with a John Deer. Last tickets are sold one hour before closing. The fee for attendants 4 years old and younger is free; 5-17 is five dollars and 18 and up are seven dollars. There is lots to do other than walking through the maze! You can go play on the hay bales, play in the corn box, find a token, go to a bon fire, eat at the concession stand, and try figure out the riddles for a chance to get your name in a drawing for a prize.  You can go on a field trip to see the corn maze! Just call e-mail maizecraze@wiktel.com or call 218-782-CORN (2676) and remember to dress warm and bring a flashlight hope to see you there.

 Hours are

Friday:  5pm-10pm.

Saturday: 10am.-10pm.

Sunday: 12am-8pm.