Luverne High School German students plan summer travel for cultural experience

By Lori EhdeThe trip is still four months away, but 11 Luverne High School students in grades 10 through 12 are wrapping up plans now.German teacher Angie Swenson presented information on the summer German trip to School Board members during the Monday, Feb. 23, meeting.Students and chaperones will depart June 13 and return June 27.They’ll travel to München, Oberammergau and Alpine region, Leipzig, Rothenburg, Rüdensheim and Rhein region and Frankfurt.The point of the trip, Swenson said, is for students to use and improve their German communication skills.A major part of the trip is a six-day stay with a German family in Leipzig where they’ll have opportunity to experience German culture.Luverne students will be part of a group of 37 students and five teachers from schools in Montrose, Colo., Stillwell, Kan., and St. Paul and Gryla, Minn.Students are responsible for paying their own way, about $2,200 per student. But costs are offset by fund-raising. In Luverne, that amounts to about $4,500."We’re pretty much done with fund-raising, except for candy sales in the next couple of weeks," Swenson said.Luverne German students take the trip once every three years."I’m really excited about the students going this year," Swenson said. "I think we have a great group and a really cooperative group going."In other business, Monday, the board:
Heard from Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff that Tuesday is Read Across America Day, which coincides with Dr. Seuss’ birthday. "It will be a full day of reading activities, with Dr. Seuss as the theme," Tenhoff said. "We’ll have green eggs and ham for lunch, Cat in the Hat cupcakes and a visit from the Cat in the Hat."
Agreed to pursue the process for collecting $55,000 in special education bills owed by Hills-Beaver Creek for services provided by the Luverne district.A third party from the Pipestone Special Education Cooperative — of which Luverne and H-BC are members — may review the bills submitted during 1999, 2000 and 2001.The bills, some of which H-BC is questioning, amount to $55,000. H-BC offered to pay $30,000, but Luverne refused that offer and asked for the amount in full.
Increased the driver’s education fee to $230.
Heard a legislative update from Superintendent Vince Schaefer who reported that the state may issue a new Report Card drawing a correlation between building expenditures and student performance.
Hired Greg Hurst as a custodian, effective Feb. 23.
Hired Dave Svingen as long-term substitute for high school learning disabilities teacher Jennifer Radtke, who is planning maternity in April.
Hired Paula Lammert as long-term substitute for math teacher Becky Rahm, who is planning maternity leave in May.
Hired Crystal Swenson as seventh-grade softball coach.