Homelessness Happens...

...yes, it happens in Maple Grove...it happens in nearly all of our District Schools.

Yesterday, District Officials, some Board Members, and several community groups and businesses particpated in the "Housing for All" Roundtable. The District hosted the event, and Superintendent Hintz gave the opening welcome. Tamiko Thomas, our District Homeless Liaison, presented our midyear Student Homeless Report and shared vital information in regards to our efforts in transporting and educating our students. Ms. Thomas also shared that students lose 4-6 months of academic progress with each school move. For some of our students, that can occur several times a year.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
This past year, our District was awarded the ARRA McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Grant. The award was given in conjunction with Brooklyn Center Schools. Our District is utilizing it to ensure that our homeless students enroll, attend, and succeed in school.


I have often heard from constituents that "our schools just need to teach and to be fiscally responsible, we need to only focus on education!" While I support being fiscally responsible, I also support our students, who deserve a level playing field in being successful. When our public schools produce highly successful students, we all prosper. Local business can hire competent employee's, which is crucial given our shrinking workforce. Employed and successful graduates promote healthy and safe communities. Those are all facts that are supported with data.



I want all students afforded the opportunity to succeed, otherwise, I have no business serving this community on the Board. I am thankful for community conversation and collaboration, as was evident with yesterday's forum. We have much work to do for an amazing investment...our students...our future workforce...our community...our pride!



CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO CHANNEL 12 COVERAGE OF YESTERDAY'S EVENT