Empower Learning Center

Hinckley-Finlayson Public Schools

Independent School District 2165
http://www.weareempower.weebly.com
206 Main St. E.
Hinckley, MN 55037
11 Nov 2016
Greetings To Our Empower Student Supporters,
Believe it or not, we are nearly 2 months into the school year. With that, we are
entering conference time. Please plan on attending our annual fall family night. We are
excited this year to be hosting it in our new building, Tuesday, November 15th from
5:00pm-9:00 pm. Come hungry; there will be a home cooked spaghetti dinner for you to
enjoy!
Speaking of our new building, we are still in a limbo status on the remodeling. One of
the downsides of this nice fall weather is that the construction crew continues to work on
outside projects. We are assured that once the weather turns, they will be in here working
to open up the first floor. This has not slowed down a few of our students in creating a
recording studio out of an old exam room. We just received all the initial equipment and
the students are eager to start learning the music and engineering side of the recording
world.
One of the pop-up learning opportunities happening around here the past couple of weeks
came on election day. On Election Day we were able to visit the polling place at the
Community Room at the Hinckley Library to see live polling. The students were able to
witness the process in person and learn how easy it is to get out and vote.
MAAP STARS has also been busy these past two weeks. Last Friday the chapter served
dinner at the Finlayson-Giese Lions Club for their annual Hunters Dinner. Liyah Davis,
Jason Dean, and Val worked as volunteers for all of the men, women, and children who
came in to enjoy a roast beef and mashed potatoes dinner. We are proud of the
relationship we have built between MAAP STARS and the Finlayson-Giese Lions and
hope to keep fostering this relationship in the future.
MAAP STARS also headed off the statewide Fall Leadership Conference Wednesday
and Thursday of this last week. Students in attendance were Chapter President Liyah
Davis, Chapter Vice-President Elizabeth Buckner, and Chapter Secretary Jason Dean.
They were able to meet students from other alternative students from schools across the
state, as well as hear from motivational speakers, and participate in team-building
activities and leadership training. We are also extremely proud of Liyah Davis, who ran
for State Officer at the Conference. Although she did not come home with a position, she
presented an amazing, inspiring speech in front of almost 200 people and nailed it. Many

people were motivated by her speech and made it a point to tell her and Val about it.
Great job Liyah, you are inspiring!
Lastly, please note that a few of our dates for upcoming activities have changed. Please
double check the notes below or our website for the correct dates.
Coming Events: Remember all events are updated on our website.
Nov 15 Field Trip Ojibwe Museum, Onamia
Nov 15 Empower Learning Center Spaghetti and Open House
Nov 17 Student, Parent, Teacher Conferences (Small Gym)
Nov 18 No School
Nov 22 PTCC visit and Accuplacer
Nov 24-25 Thanksgiving Break
Dec 3 VEX Competition St Cloud
We encourage your continued support of the students in their efforts to make it to class
on time every day and meet their academic goals.
Thank you
Mr. Brad Jensen
Mrs. Valerie Kunze

HFHS Alternative Learning Program

(320) 384- 6132 ext. 5001

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improving Empower!

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