On Saturday, April 6th. four Academic Triathlon teams from ZED had the opportunity to participate in the state meet that was held in the Metro Area. The teams participating included two challenger teams (5/6 graders), one from Byron and the other from Stewartville, and two cross-trainer teams (7/8 graders), both from Byron. The Byron Challenger team tied for 1st place but ended up taking 2nd due to the tie breaker criteria. They also received a Mary Ann Berdan Award. The Stewartville Challenger Team tied for 5th place and earned both a Peggy Sheldon and Mary Ann Berdan Award. Congratulations to all four of these teams for a job well done!
Byron Challenger Team Stewartville Challenger Team
Byron Cross-Trainer Team Byron Cross-Trainer Team
ZED would like to recognize two staff members that were recipients of our 'Above and Beyond' Award.
Mindy Schroeder, ZED Behavior Autism Consultant/School Psychologist, was nominated by many because she does such a wonderful job with students and staff and has such an upbeat personality. Her nominators also said that she is always willing to go the extra mile and help whenever it is needed. This 'team player' attitude is exihibited by the fact that Mindy changed her job roles this past January due to an immediate need at ZED and took on a part-time school psychologist position. Congratulations Mindy! We are lucky to have such a flexible and unselfish staff member on our ZED team! (Pictured above on left with Executive Director, Patrick Gordon)
TJ Nienaber, ZED South Campus Special Education Paraprofessional, also received several nominations because he always meets each day with a smile, and when he is working with students he is constantly positive, offering genuine encouragement. Nominators cited that TJ rarely sits down (even when things are going smoothly) and helps in any way he can. One of the nominators said "TJ is a guiding light when it comes to how paraprofessionals should interact with students." Congratulations TJ! ZED is blessed to have such a dedicated team member! (Pictured above on right with Executive Director, Patrick Gordon)
Food Truck Business at Byron High School
Congratulations Byron High School! Byron High School was awarded a $45,000 Bush Foundation Grant. The grant will support the creation of a self-sustaining business within Byron High School to provide students with authentic applied learning experiences in running and maintaining their own business. The food truck business will be a collaboration between the Business and Family and Consumer Science (FCS) departments and will give students an entrepreneurial and culinary experience in the food truck business.
While the Business and FACS departments will oversee the food truck business, other departments have also indicated an interest in providing support. The Agricultural department has a greenhouse that we will be able to use to grow fresh vegetables and herbs. The Industrial Technology department will help maintain our equipment. Several community members will donate time and money to help with this opportunity.
Teacher and co-author of the grant, Ryan Radke shared, “I’m beyond excited for our District, our students, and the people of Byron. It is going to be a great experience for everyone involved. I can’t wait to get started with fellow teacher Josh Benards as he will be working along with me on the business side. Also, we will include many other departments in this adventure including Agriculture, Art, and Industrial Technology. Thanks to all of those who’ve helped this ‘Dream’ become a reality.”
On Saturday, January 26, 2019, the ZED South Campus won the Marcus Sherels Autism Community Service Award at the RT Autism Awareness gala held at the Rochester International Events Center. This award recognizes achievement in service to the autism community as a whole.
It was such an honor and testament to all the great work staff are doing at the ZED South Campus. Congratulations!
