Schools - Oakdale - Lake Elmo Review

Students from three School District 622 middle schools who participated in Project Citizen, a bipartisan program to promote civic engagement, met with State Sen. Chuck Wiger on May 15 in the Capitol Rotunda. Pictured with Wiger are Skyview Middle School eighth-graders, from left, Gretchen Draves, Molly Holthe, Ashley Medina, Margaret Pawlenty, Olivia Meyer and Sydney Tiffany. Their project was about the use of road salt, and how it impacts the environment.

submitted photo • An Oakdale-based cheerleading squad made up of 14 metro area girls recently won its division at the All Star Cheer Competition National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana.

courtesy of School District 622

Aundrea Kinney photos/Review • Castle Elementary School in Oakdale is one of the District 622 schools offering free pre-k to 4-year-olds this school year. Without the Legislature supporting renewed or permanent funding, the school may no longer be able to offer any free slots in its pre-k classes.

courtesy of School District 622 • Pictured left to right in the front row are Bill Halbrehder, Mike Boland, Becky Neve, Superintendent Christine Osorio and State Rep. Leon Lillie. Pictured in the back row are Brad Martinson, Randy Anderson, Michelle Yener, Greg Nelson, State Sen. Chuck Wiger and Caleb Anderson.

Solomon Gustavo photos/Review • Olympic hockey players Marissa and Hannah Brandt got quite the welcome during their homecoming event at the Vadnais Heights Commons March 8. The sisters returned from Pyeongchang, South Korea, and competing in the Winter Olympics for two different teams, a story that got international attention. Area hockey fans held “Welcome Home Brandt Sisters” signs, fire trucks were on display in the parking lot and hundreds of people lined up for pictures. Marissa, 25, played for South Korea and Hannah, 24, played for the U.S. Both were raised in Vadnais Heights and graduated from Hill-Murray School.

submitted photo • Several schools in the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District celebrated National African American Parent Involvement Day over the week of Feb. 12. Events included educational games, classroom visits, presentations and a group dinner.

submitted photo • Early childhood staff are key to successful events, such as Friday Family Fun Nights, because they interact with the children and model how to practice skills.