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I need to give you information about the changes that Humboldt will undergo next year. I hope to not only give you an update, but also squelch some of the false information that has been circulating about our school.

Humboldt Senior High School and Humboldt Junior High School are going to be different schools next year than they are now, but they will remain alive, vibrant parts of Saint Paul’s West Side. We are not closing, as has been rumored. We’ll just be a little different.

Humboldt Senior High School, like all schools throughout the Saint Paul Public Schools district, is going to be impacted by the large scale changes within the district.  As you know, it’s expensive to operate a system of schools. The costs of heating buildings, bussing students and really, simply providing the best education possible has increased.

Our district also has declining enrollment. At Humboldt Senior High School, as is the case in schools across the District and across the country, that declining enrollment is due in part because the birth rate declined about 15 years ago and that dip is now hitting our high schools. That declining enrollment is projected to continue into our near future.

Humboldt Junior High School also is required to restructure because of sanctions under state and federal law.

This perfect storm of events is going to result in changes that will have an impact on you and your teachers.

Next year, all Humboldt Junior High School students will be taking classes on the senior high side.  We will have 7^th – 12^th grade students in this building.

Humboldt Junior High School started an Environmental Studies and College and Career Prep focus this year. The idea had always been that we would join with them in that focus. For us, that starts next year’s 9^th graders. We have a strong college access program in place, which we will continue to refine. We will be developing a comprehensive environmental studies program. The environmental studies program is developing and I’ll share more details as this becomes solidified.

With approval from the Minnesota Department of Education, during the 2010-11 school year, we will begin an extended day program. This program will include our current ALC program, with academic and support classes with daily school bus transportation home. The difference is there will be more enrichment classes, like the 21^st century classes currently offered. School bus transportation will be available for all students in the later afternoon. Again, these are things that will need to make their way through the state Department of Education and the District’s administration.

These are radical changes that are meant to make Humboldt stronger. We need the support of our entire community to make them as successful as possible, to show everyone the strength that resides within the halls of Humboldt.

There may be changes to some of the teachers you now have. Some of them may no longer be here. A setting with seventh through 12^th graders may not appeal to everyone. What will be true is that you will continue to have a dedicated staff here to help you achieve your goals and to help you succeed.

These are some significant changes in our future. We’ll be undergoing a renaissance. I know Humboldt Junior and Senior High Schools are great schools. I’m looking forward to leading it to further greatness. I’m looking forward to helping you graduate to something great.

I believe in you. You are great kids and I want you to be part of our evolution that will be a strong Humboldt family.

If you have any questions about this, please ask and I’ll do my best to answer. I’m looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year!

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