On Friday, March 1st. the Academic Triathlon Regional Meet was held at Triton schools in Dodge Center. There were 17 challenger teams (5th & 6th graders) and 12 cross-trainer teams (7th & 8th graders). An Academic Triathlon meet is comprised of three events with all members participating in every event. There are Mind Sprints, individual or team quick problems to solve; Face-Off, which is similar to a quiz bowl on various topics; and P.A.R.T.Y. in a Box, where teams receive a problem and some miscellaneous items and have a specified time to come up with a short play that demonstrates the problem solution. This program is designed to develop creativity, increase knowledge, and build divergent thinking skills, logic, problem solving abilities, and team cooperation. There are three round-robin meets, a regional meet, and then a state meet that will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, in the Metro Area. The four teams advancing to state this year include 2 cross-trainer teams from Byron, 1 challenger team from Byron, and a challenger team from Stewartville. Congratulations to these teams, as well as all of the other teams that have participated in this year's Academic Triathlon. Also, a big thank you to the coaches from each of ZED's member districts and all of the parent and student volunteers that have helped to make this another successful season!
Red Meet Challenger Division-1st place-Byron Yellow Meet Challenger Division-1st place-Stewartville
Blue Meet Cross-Trainer Division-1st place-Byron Green Meet Cross-Trainer Division-1st place-Byron
The ZED Traveling Art Show travels throughout all seven member districts from February through April and is displayed at each district site for approximately one week. This year is the 25th Annual Traveling Art Show! The show is made up of art compositions using a variety of media being used from students in grades K-12 and is definitely worth taking time to visit. Anikka Bjornson, Hayfield Senior, did the artwork for the poster this year.
The schedule is as follows:
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!
