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AmeriCorps seeks more tutors as Minnesota children fall behind in reading and math

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AmeriCorps seeks more tutors as Minnesota children fall behind in reading and math


WILLMAR

— Janessa Rodriguez was fresh out of high school in 2023, with no idea what her next steps would be.

Searching on the Indeed jobs website, she found an AmeriCorps math tutoring job at Roosevelt Elementary School in Willmar, a school that she attended.

“I struggled with math too, so I understood what these kiddos were going through,” Rodriguez said. “I didn’t think I’d be good at it, but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

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Tutors like Rodriguez help kids work on their math or reading skills individually or in small groups, a more personal approach to learning that AmeriCorps utilizes in schools across Minnesota.

The AmeriCorps tutoring program in Minnesota started with Reading Corps in 2003 and expanded with Math Corps in 2008. The organization’s goal is to get kids in grades K-3 to achieve grade-level proficiency in reading and math. However, according to AmeriCorps, fewer than a third of Minnesota students are doing so.

That’s why the organization is looking for 900 tutors across Minnesota for the upcoming school year, including in Willmar, Paynesville and Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City schools.

“Ever since the pandemic, students have fallen behind in these areas,” said Laura Isdahl, senior manager at Reading Corps. “That’s why the need for these positions have grown.”

That’s why a more personal approach to early learning could be a solution, according to the director of Minnesota programs Christine Fankhanel.

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“When students work with a tutor, incredible things happen,” said Fankhanel in a news release. “They often make more than a year’s progress during the school year.”

Rodriguez can attest to that.

“One of the most rewarding things about this job is that light bulb moment when a kid understands a concept that they’re struggling with,” Rodriguez said. “And to not only build relationships with the kiddos, but the staff as well, it’s very rewarding.”

Rodriguez is now going to Ridgewater College, receiving tuition assistance from AmeriCorps. Tutoring, however, is not just for high school graduates or college students.

Isdahl said about two-thirds of tutors are retirees or parents who want to get back into the workforce. They also have flexible hours, with the choice of working 18, 25 or 35 hours a week, with a stipend every two weeks that is equivalent to about $15 an hour.

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Isdahl also said that there is training for tutors before their positions start to ensure they feel prepared.

“I’d highly recommend it, especially for college students,” said Rodriguez. “But it’s really for anybody who wants to work with kids.”

AmeriCorps directs those interested in a position to go online for more information at

join.readingandmath.org

.

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Leo Pomerenke is a reporter with the West Central Tribune of Willmar. He’s an intern that will report on general topics around Willmar.

He can be reached via email at lpomerenke@wctrib.com or by calling 320-214-4341.





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Goalie Nicole Hensley stars as league-leading Minnesota Frost top New York Sirens in shootout | CBC Sports

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Goalie Nicole Hensley stars as league-leading Minnesota Frost top New York Sirens in shootout | CBC Sports


Nicole Hensley made back-to-back saves in the shootout and the Minnesota Frost earned their fourth straight victory with a 4-3 win over the New York Sirens on Sunday in Newark, N.J.

It was the fourth time in seven all-time meetings that a game between the teams was decided in OT and the second this season. New York won the season opener in St. Paul, Minn.

Kendall Coyne Schofield scored two first-period goals to stake the Frost to the early lead and Taylor Heise beat Kayle Osborne, who relieved starter Abigail Levy in the New York net to start the second period, two minutes in to make it a 3-0 lead.

WATCH l Heise scores shootout winner:

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Minnesota captures shootout win over New York to remain on top of PWHL standings

Taylor Heise’s fourth round shootout goal turned out to be the difference as the Minnesota Frost defeated New York Sirens 4-3 Sunday in New Jersey.

But Osborne did not allow another goal in regulation and wasn’t seriously challenged in overtime while the Sirens staged a comeback. Brooke Hobson and Elizabeth Giguere each scored in the second period and Alex Carpenter pounced on a loose puck and lifted a shot over Hensley’s shoulder from deep in the face-off circle to tie the game midway through the third period.

Hensley was brilliant in overtime, turning away four close-in, open shots by the Sirens (2-1-1-1), two of them on breakaway chances.

Minnesota (4-0-1-0) got goals from Denisa Křížová, Grace Zumwinkle and Heise in the shootout. Noora Tulus and Carpenter each converted in the shootout for New York, but Hensley came up with a save on Sarah Fillier before stopping the final two shooters for the Sirens.

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Hensley finished with 33 saves on 36 shots to earn the win. Osborne made 18 saves on 19 shots over her 45 minutes in goal for New York. Carpenter’s two-goal effort lifted her past Coyne Schofield and into the league lead with four goals in her first five games and she now has a league-leading seven points.

WATCH l Sirens’ Fillier, Carpenter test their off-ice chemistry:

New York Sirens’ Sarah Fillier, Alex Carpenter test their off-ice chemistry

Host Anastasia Bucsis puts newest teammates and linemates to the test to determine if their chemistry on the ice, translates off it.



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Unique northern Minnesota border airport closing after 70 years

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Unique northern Minnesota border airport closing after 70 years


A northern Minnesota airport with an unusual claim to fame is closing after 70 years of operation.

The Piney-Pinecreek Border Airport near Roseau is the only airport with a paved runway crossing the U.S.-Canada border.

The border airport opened in 1953 to expedite customs processing for air travelers and was regularly used by hunters and anglers flying to Canada.

The Piney Pinecreek airport has the only paved runway crossing the US Canada border.

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Initially, the airport had a grass runway that ended at the border, but in 1978 a runway expansion added a paved runway that extended into Canada.

Customs agents would meet travelers on either side of the border.

But declining usage and significant impending repair costs led to the decision to close the one of a kind operation, said Ryan Gaug, director of the Minnesota Department of Transportation aeronautics office.

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“We know that the pavement condition has declined significantly over the years and will need a reconstruct most likely in the next one to three years,” said Gaug.

Short-term costs to bring the facility up to safety standards is estimated at $3.8 million.

Piney-Pinecreek is the only airport owned by MnDOT, and it is operated in collaboration with the Rural Municipality of Piney, Manitoba.

A Canadian official said the local government could not raise the money to pay its share of the planned improvement costs and Piney officials ended the joint operations agreement.

Gaug said an estimated 200 airplanes a year use the facility, far lower than traffic at similar sized facilities.

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There are six airports on the U.S.-Canada border, but Piney-Pinecreek is the only one with a paved runway.

“It’s always been the No. 1 fun fact that I’ve shared with friends, family, coworkers, colleagues here at MnDOT,” said Gaug.

“It’s a tough decision to close an airport ever, but the evidence was all there that now was the time,” he said.

concrete with black stripes

MnDOT officials said the runway at Piney Pinecreek border airport needs a costly reconstruction.

Courtesy MnDOT

There are no local airplanes based at the airport.

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“It’s very sad for the community to lose its airport,” said Marlin Elton, a local resident who served on the airport commission and helped maintain the facility for 30 years.

Elton said the closure hasn’t raised concerns in the community because “if you don’t fly, it won’t affect you. The ones who will be affected are the pilots who use it.”

Gaug said MnDOT reached out to pilots and aviation groups to gauge support for keeping the airport open but found “there just isn’t a strong user base for this airport and that also led to not a strong local support fighting to keep this airport.”

The final day of operations for the Piney-Pinecreek airport is Dec. 26.



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NEXT Weather: 10 p.m. report for Minnesota from Dec. 21, 2024

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NEXT Weather: 10 p.m. report for Minnesota from Dec. 21, 2024


NEXT Weather: 10 p.m. report for Minnesota from Dec. 21, 2024 – CBS Minnesota

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Saturday was our last cold day for a while, with a warm-up arriving Sunday and lasting through the holiday week.

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