Latest news with #EllisMiddleSchool
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
UPDATE: APS cancels last day at Ellis, IJ over 'potential safety concern;' AHS graduation unaffected
May 30—Due to what was termed as a "potential safety concern," at Ellis Middle School, the Austin Public Schools District has made the decision to cancel the last day of school for both Ellis Middle School and IJ Holton Intermediate School. In a letter to district parents, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page made the announcement early Friday morning. "Due to the timing of this report and our need to fully assess the situation, we have made the decision to cancel the last day of school for Ellis Middle School students," Page explained in the letter. "Additionally, IJ Holton, due to its close proximity to Ellis, will also be closed to students." Citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Page said he was unable to go into details regarding the situation saying only that the district was working with law enforcement to investigate the threat's nature and that it is "taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our community." "All threats of violence — even those made in jest — are taken seriously and may result in student discipline, including possible expulsion and involvement of law enforcement," Page's letter said. However, later in the day on Friday, Page confirmed that the report of a possible safety threat had come in late Thursday evening. Austin Police Chief David McKichan confirmed that the district had reached out to the Austin Police Department, which continues to look into the threat. "Austin Public Schools received information about a potential safety concern involving students at Ellis Middle School. They did contact us to investigate, and that investigation is ongoing," McKichan said in a statement. "We do have two School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to the school district. One of those is dedicated to the Ellis/IJH joint campus and is assigned this case. The other SRO, and any of our other staff, would of course assist as needed." Page has said that this incident had no bearing on Austin High School's commencement which took place as planned Friday night. The letter ended with Page urging parents or their students that if they hear of any threats to call 911 to report it.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
APS cancels last day at Ellis, IJ over 'potential safety concern' to students
May 30—Due to what was termed as a "potential safety concern," at Ellis Middle School, the Austin Public Schools District has made the decision to cancel the last day of school for both Ellis Middle School and IJ Holton Intermediate School. In a letter to district parents, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page made the announcement earlier this morning. "Due to the timing of this report and our need to fully assess the situation, we have made the decision to cancel the last day of school for Ellis Middle School students," Page explained in the letter. "Additionall, IJ Holton, due to its close proximity to Ellis, will also be closed to students." Citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Page said he was unable to go into details regarding the situation saying only that the district was working with law enforcement to investigate the threat's nature and that it is "taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our community." "All threats of violence — even those made in jest — are taken seriously and may result in student discipline, including possible expulsion and involvement of law enforcement," Page's letter said. Austin Police Chief David McKichan confirmed that the district had reached out to the Austin Police Department, which continues to look into the threats. "Austin Public Schools received information about a potential safety concern involving students at Ellis Middle School. They did contact us to investigate, and that investigation is ongoing," McKichan said in a statement. "We do have two School Resource Officers (SRO) assigned to the school district. One of those is dedicated to the Ellis/IJH joint campus and is assigned this case. The other SRO, and any of our other staff, would of course assist as needed." The letter ended with Page urging parents or their students that if they hear of any threats to call 911 to report it.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nine Minnesota students to compete at 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee
May 9—Nine Minnesota students, including an Ellis Middle School student, will represent the state at the historic 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee, taking place May 25 — 31, in Washington, D.C. These spellers earned their spots through local and regional competitions and are ready to showcase their skills on the national stage, including Carter Peterson, an eighth-grade student at Ellis. The Minnesota representatives are: —Emmaline Bushman — Saint John's Preparatory School, St. Cloud —Jaden Go — Sacred Heart School, East Grand Forks —Josslyn Hansen — Wadena-Deer Creek High School, Wadena —Gemma Kim — Ordean East Middle School, Duluth —Charles Mueller-Thompson — Marshall Middle School, Marshall —Carter Peterson — Ellis Middle School, Austin —Wade Salvey — Scenic Heights Elementary School, Minneapolis —Eli Schlosser — Kennedy Secondary School, Fergus Falls —Anya Stoll — Saint Peter Lutheran School, St. Peter This year marks the 100th anniversary of one of America's most celebrated academic competitions. More than 240 spellers from across the country and around the world will gather for a week filled with competition, camaraderie, and a celebration of language excellence. "We are proud to support these exceptional Minnesota students as they compete on the national stage," said Mary Hillmann, student academic coordinator with the Minnesota Service Cooperatives. "Their hard work, dedication, and love of learning are truly inspiring." Preliminary rounds begin May 27, with semifinals and finals broadcast live nationwide. The event will culminate with the crowning of the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. For more information about the Bee and the Minnesota students, visit
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
It's all worth it: Ellis eighth-grader going national after recent Spelling Bee win
Feb. 19—There was a moment Tuesday during the Final Spelling Bee at the Wood Lake Meeting Center in Rochester when Austin student Carter Peterson's nerves were overwritten by joy. "When the girl I was going against got that word wrong, when it was just us two, I basically knew that I had won the competition, because I had memorized the words down pat," Peterson said Wednesday, still relishing the win a day after the event. "These words, I knew them like the back of my hand so I knew I was going to win when she got the word wrong." Peterson, an eighth-grader at Ellis Middle School, won Tuesday's Spelling Bee on the word "judicious" and will now go on and represent the area at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. on May 26-31, with the finals slated to take place on May 29. Peterson's recollection of the final moments of his win Tuesday isn't bragging, but rather the next step of a journey that has included hours of practice and spelling going as far back as first grade. "It felt amazing knowing that I worked so hard and it finally turned out the way I wanted it to," Peterson said. It also wasn't an easy win. Peterson said he felt the nerves of competing in this final round before he even got Rochester. "I had some doubt in myself that I would be able to do it, but you know I tried to keep faith in myself," he said. "I ended up doing it." Something of an old hat in the spelling game, Peterson has spent countless hours of practice working and memorizing the words that he might be facing. This is a challenge in and of itself, but it's made even more so knowing that of the thousands of words he works through, only few of those words will be used. And it's only going to get more challenging at the national level. "It can be very frustrating at times knowing you have to spend all of that time for just a few words because you don't know what you are going to get," Peterson said. "It all ends up being worth it in the end." Peterson said he will now take some time off just to get away from the spelling game for a while before he jumps back into it in preparation for the live-televised event in May. To do that he uses the Word Club app that provides different levels of words depending on a grade level. But he's not doing this alone as Peterson has come to depend on family to help him through, including a rather boisterous fan section being in attendance Tuesday. "I felt like I had done it," Peterson said after spelling "judicious," adding with a grin: "My grandma, like screamed." He has also fallen back on the support of his mother, Breanna Peterson, who has been with him every step of the way, even during the challenging moments. "I really owe a lot of it to my mom, because she has sat there as I get frustrated and I don't want to study anymore because I'm exhausted," Peterson said. "One thing she told me when I was having a hard time was, 'just close your eyes and imagine that moment when you win.' That really pushed me to want to win." Peterson doesn't have to imagine anymore now that he's cleared this latest hurdle and looks even further forward, but he's not taking the opportunity for granted either. He will take a realistic view of things with him to the nation's capitol and all that entails, which he hopes includes a stop at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "I'm nervous already, but I'm also very excited because I'm excited for the competition. Excited for the experience being in Washington, D.C.," he said. "Even if I do get out, it would be such an honor just to get to be there. One day I'll tell my kids you can do anything if you put your mind to it." While the experience up until this point as well as the experience before him is exciting and important, there is also one added benefit that makes it all worthwhile. "It's the last week of school so I get to skip the whole last week of school," he said. This year marks 100 years of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Aside from Peterson, fellow Austin eighth-grader Giselle Hinks had advanced to Tuesday's Spelling Bee along with Hollandale Christian sixth-grader Jessica Bird.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here's what happened when drivers Josef Newgarden, Josh Berry returned to their middle school
HENDERSONVILLE — Josh Berry is living life in the fast lane as he gears up for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 16 in his second season as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver. That's why Berry's advice Wednesday — made to a group of students at the middle school he attended 20 years ago — came as a surprise. Berry joined former classmate Josef Newgarden, a two-time Indianapolis 500 champion, at Ellis Middle School, where they reminisced as they walked the hallways before meeting with a group of current students. The visit was arranged by PPG Industries, which is a sponsor of both drivers. NEWGARDEN IS SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Why Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden is 2023 Tennessean Sportsperson of the Year JOSH BERRY CRASH AT THE CLASH: How wild restart led to Kyle Larson, Josh Berry transferring to NASCAR Clash after crash Berry started racing go-karts in seventh grade, but he encouraged the students to avoid being in a hurry to follow in his footsteps. "Don't be so worried about your future that you don't enjoy what you're doing right now," Berry said. "Look at us — we're 34 years old, we drive race cars for a living and we're back here at our middle school and we think it's so cool to be here. Just enjoy these years because they're so much fun. Enjoy the time with your parents and your friends and playing sports. The future, you'll figure it out." After being discovered by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Berry became one of the top drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity Series before moving up to the Cup Series in 2024. He took over the No. 4 car at Stewart-Haas Racing, previously driven by NASCAR Cup champion Kevin Harvick. Berry posted two top-5 finishes (the USA Today 301 and Goodyear 400) and four top-10s in 36 races. He also finished third in the non-points NASCAR All-Star Race. He moved to Wood Brothers after Stewart-Haas Racing closed at the end of the 2024 season. While being in the Cup Series was always his ultimate goal, Berry told the students some of his best memories remain the late nights he and his dad spent working on the go-kart he received as a Christmas gift as a teenager. Berry and Newgarden barely knew each other in middle school. They were not close friends and had no idea they shared the same dream of being professional race car drivers. Blown-up seventh and eighth grade class pictures of the two were hung on the walls at Ellis, and they got to look through their yearbooks. They also were given copies of their attendance records. Berry missed just three days in eighth grade; Newgarden missed 21. "Wow, I was already racing a lot back then so I was gone a lot," Newgarden said. "I really struggled with that when I got to high school." The two separated after leaving middle school. Berry attended Hendersonville High and Newgarden went to Pope John Paul II. They didn't see each other for 15 years until Newgarden was watching a television show about stock car racing and heard Berry's name mentioned. "They said, 'Josh Berry,' and I said, 'I know I know Josh Berry,' " Newgarden said. "We got in touch not long after that and have become close. We've often talked about how crazy it is that two kids in Hendersonville dreamed of becoming race car drivers and it eventually happened." Newgarden will attempt to win the Indianapolis 500 for a third consecutive year, something that has never been done. There was pressure, he said, to claim his second straight Indy 500 victory, but it's different as he aims for his third. "There's always pressure, but in a lot of ways it feels like less pressure," he said. "Indy is such a demanding race. And when you win it once, and certainly for us winning it back-to-back, anything after that is just going to be extra. We've already climbed the mountain in a lot of ways." But can he do it? "The numbers are not on our side. It's never been done," Newgarden said. "So odds-wise, it doesn't look good. But I think we'll have an opportunity to go for three in a row. I think we'll have fast cars, we sort of fixed our speed issues at Indy over the last couple of years. We've had some of the best race cars over the last two years and I don't see why we can't do that again." Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Race car drivers Josef Newgarden, Josh Berry return to middle school
