Latest news with #JoeyPage
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
AHS graduates poised to continue their story
May 30—There was a lot of tradition on hand Friday night during the 149th commencement ceremony at Austin High School. One of those traditions is the video of the high distinction students, taking turns as they go and exemplifying the achievements marked by the year's defining high school moment. The quotes were many and encompassing and included such examples as: "Each of us is a piece of a puzzle." "Working hard has shaped me into the person I am today." "We still have pieces to place." Each of the graduates who spoke during the video touched on moments of time lived by the graduates throughout their journey through the Austin Public Schools system, something that was marked by administration, who lauded the Class of 2025 for meeting extraordinary challenges and coming out stronger on the other side. "I just don't see students in caps and gowns," Principal Matt Schmit said. "I see stories." He noted how the graduates overcame these challenges and celebrated successes, but Schmit also took a moment to touch on fear. Not because it was defining in some way, but rather because of how the students approached and overcame the fear that can arise from so many sources. Running parallel is the courage that defines the student's poise in walking past fear to achieve their goals. "It's a sign of stepping into something bigger," Schmit said. "Don't let fear write your story." While graduation tends to be a moment in time leading into a new moment, Superintendent Dr. Joey Page spoke of celebration. He touched on how this class was instrumental in the growth of enrollment and graduates at the school and how they have set their legacy. "Tonight is about joy, pride and celebrating the Class of 2025," he said. "This moment is the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and growth." "Success begins with being present," he later added. He finished his speech by urging students to go out and make their mark on the world, because this portion of the story telling the tale of their time at AHS has already been written. "You've already made your mark on Austin Public Schools," he said.
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
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
APS Board votes to return to 2020 version of sex nondiscrimination policy
Feb. 10—Decision brings the district in line with Federal court decision following Republic Attorney Generals challenge to 2024 Final Rule on Title IX The Austin Public School Boards on Monday night voted unanimously to revert its Title Ix Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, which will bring the district in line with a Federal court decision handed down in January. The court decision came on Jan. 9 and vacates the federal 2024 Final Rule on Title IX, which in part shortened the process by which sexual discrimination cases are investigated. As part of the Final Rule on Title IX, the definition of sex-based harassment was also expanded to include sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotypes and pregnancy. However, the Jan. 9 decision found that the rule was a violation of not only the First Amendment and the Spending Clause of the Constitution, but it also went beyond the reach of the United States Department of Education's authority in regard to Title IX. In that regard it only prohibited discrimination based on sex as male or female and didn't include gender identity. According to a Jan. 31 press release from the Department of Education, the ruling comes after Republican Attorneys General successfully challenged the Biden Administration's rewrite in 2024. "The department will return to enforcing Title IX protections on the basis of biological sex in schools and on campuses," the release read and goes on to claim that: "Returning to the 2020 Title IX Rule also ends a serious threat to campus free speech and ensures much stronger due process protections for students during Title IX proceedings." According to a memo presented by Austin Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joey Page Monday night, the court's decision affected the Minnesota School Board Association's Model Policy 522. In order to be consistent required by the Federal court's ruling, the MSBA replaced the 2024 version of the policy by reverting back to the 2020 policy and recommended that school boards do the same thing if they adopted the 2024 policy in order to also comply with the court ruling.
