TO: Stillwater School Board
FROM: Susan Mau Larson
RE: EMID Proposal
My name is Susan Larson. I live at 15239 63rd St. N., Oak Park Heights. I am here this evening to ask for your full support of the East Metro Integration District Proposal to extend Crosswinds Arts and Science Magnet School to include grades 11 and 12. I have two sons at Crosswinds in grades 7 and 9 and I would like to share a little bit about our experience at Crosswinds. My husband and I moved to Stillwater more than 16 years ago when we were ready to start a family. We had just returned from 3 years overseas and were living in Minneapolis. We were seeking a community that would provide a great home for our children and would have outstanding schools. We found that in Stillwater. From a very young age our oldest son demonstrated a strong interest in the visual arts. When his school brought in a visiting art teacher he became engaged and alive. In his 5th grade year at Lily Lake the Principal suggested to us that Nicholas would be very happy at Crosswinds. I had never heard of Crosswinds before and was absolutely thrilled that this opportunity was available within the Stillwater district. Nicholas found his academic and social home there. He not only enjoyed the consistent and strong art program, but began to excel in all his subjects. This was in part because of how art is integrated throughout the curriculum. We were so pleased by his progress we sent our second son Sam there when he began 6th grade. Sam is not at all a visual artist like his brother, but he is doing great in band and has been involved in ski club, academic triathlon and other activities.
Crosswinds is a unique place. It is a school option that includes an arts and science focus, provides a daily cross-cultural experience for the students, and has a year-round calendar. The International Baccalaureate Program provides a curriculum that teaches students to be creative thinkers and well-rounded global citizens. A couple of weeks ago you approved the Comprehensive Diversity Plan for the Stillwater District. It is an impressive plan and I believe supporting the proposal to extend Crosswinds from its current 6-10 year grade structure to include 11 and 12 is consistent with that plan. The EMID proposal is designed to be revenue neutral for member districts because there is no increase in the number of students. Rather the student population would be distributed differently among each grade.
In 2008-2009 there were 13 students from the Stillwater District enrolled at Crosswinds. While some of them will return to Stillwater High School many will not. My oldest son plans to attend the Perpich Center for the Arts in Golden Valley in grades 11 & 12 if he cannot stay at Crosswinds. As for my 7th grader, it is too soon to tell.
What I can tell you is that my two boys are happy, they are thriving, and we hope they have the opportunity to continue their education at Crosswinds and receive their diplomas from the administrators and staff that have been a part of their lives through these important growing years.
I always tell people that we are blessed to live in a community with such strong schools, and we are so proud that our district supports the East Metro Integration District. I have every confidence that you will do the right thing and continue that support by saying yes to adding grades 11 and 12 to Crosswinds. Thank you.