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Teachers organization offers update

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont School Board on Tuesday heard from Education Minnesota Fairmont president Joice Forster, who spoke about American Education Week, which is this week.

Forster shared a little bit about Education Minnesota Fairmont.

“As an organization, our main goal is to improve the educational opportunities for our students,” she said. “Education Minnesota Fairmont also works to help our profession by providing training opportunities to better our instruction. Lastly, our organization believes in giving back to the community of Fairmont, which supports us so fully.”

Forster said some ways the group works to show its appreciation and give back include ringing the bell for the Salvation Army during December and putting on a school-wide food drive every March. It also sponsors youth soccer team and T-ball teams, and it gives a scholarship through Dollars for Scholars.

Turning to other business, the board heard from Steph Johnson of the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition. She was present to share some information about the group.

“Our mission is working together to eliminate alcohol, marijuana and prescription drug abuse in young people in Martin County by helping them become leaders and supporting them in making healthy choices,” Johnson noted.

She said the coalition meets once per month. Members across Martin County come to the meetings, and they try to have student members of the youth coalition (YOCO) present as well.

“We’re doing the best that we can to make our environment safe and healthy,” Johnson said.

She said Fairmont has a strong youth coalition and there are youth coalitions at Granada-Huntley-East Chain and Martin County West as well. Truman is starting one. Students from Martin Luther are also members of YOCO.

Johnson shared some of the things the coalition works to do throughout the county.

“We’re working together to reduce access across the county,” she said, referencing the “sticker shock” events the coalition has held at liquor stores. “It’s a countywide reminder to adults to please keep your alcohol out of the hands of young people.”

Johnson said the group is also always working with area law enforcement to make sure they are doing compliance checks at area businesses that sell alcohol or tobacco products.

The coalition also works to host events to provide youth with fun, safe activities.

“We’re so lucky that businesses are giving back and sponsoring us by helping us give the kids something fun to do,” Johnson said.

In other school news, Superintendent Joe Brown reminded the public that the Fairmont High School football team plays in the state semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The school board accepted the following donations:

o Carpet Plus in Fairmont donated a piece of grey level loop commercial carpet valued at $191 to the Fairmont High School robotics team.

o Fairmont firefighters donated $1,350 to CER for T-shirts for elementary girls and boys basketball programs.

o Fairmont firefighters donated $500 to help fund the second grade spring field trip to the Como Zoo.

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