Burnsville Open House

The Burnsville Campus will be hosting an open house on August 31st from 3:00pm – 6:00pm.

Last updated on August 10th, 2010

Summer School

Summer has arrived and along with it a great assortment of summer school classes!
It’s never too late to register for summer school.  We do appreciate pre-registration so don’t hesitate to contact the closest SHS campus to sign up for the next session of summer school.  Here are the remaining summer school sessions:

Burnsville

Session 2
July 12 – 23, 9a – 12:30p
  • English – .25 credit – Crystal
  • Math – .25 credit – Miranda
  • Social Studies – .25 credit – Sarah
Session 3
Aug 2 – 13, 9a – 12:30p
  • Math – .25 credit – Miranda
  • Science – PENDING
    • Matt will not be teaching this summer.  Check back for possible updates about science at Burnsville during third session.

Coon Rapids

Session 2

July 12th-July 23, 9am-1pm

  • Science – .25 Credit – Katie
Session 3
August 2nd-August 13th, 9am-1pm
  • English – .25 credit – Amy

Maplewood / Phoenix

Session 2
July 12 – 23
  • World Foods & Cultur – .25 credit
    • 8:45 – 12:15
  • Modern Society & Lifestyle – .125 credit
    • 12:30 – 2:15
Session 3
Aug 2 – 13 (Thursdays off)
  • Integrated Math I/II – .25 credit
    • 8:45 – 1:15
Last updated on July 1st, 2010

School Items Sale

FRIDAY, JUNE 18TH from 8:00AM to 3:00PM

Charter school in Edina is closing.
Many items to be sold.
Computers, tables, desks, books, office and kitchen supplies, electronics, music/band equipment, and many more items.

West Academy
5250 West 73rd Street
Edina, MN 55439

Sale also at North Summit Academy in Maplewood at 2055 White Bear Avenue N., Maplewood, MN 55109 on FRIDAY, JUNE 18TH from 8:00AM to 3:00PM. Similar items to be sold!

Items:

  • Computers
  • Music Equipment
  • Furniture
    • Tables
    • Chairs
    • Desks
    • Shelves
    • Lamps
    • Couches
  • Books
    • English
    • Social Studies
    • History
    • Math
    • Science – Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Health
      • Full curriculum sets, teacher and student editions
    • Numerous fiction/non-fiction novels
Last updated on June 9th, 2010

Letter from the Board

Our Mission:

To provide adolescents recovering from alcohol and drug dependency a comprehensive, four year high school diploma program in a safe, sober, and chemical free environment.

November 30, 2009

Dear Parents and Supporters of Sobriety High School,

Sobriety High School, like most Minnesota public schools, is facing a very difficult financial situation.  As you may know, the Sobriety High School board of governors conducted a special board meeting on Wednesday, November 25, 2009 to review options for reducing our operating budget during the remainder of this fiscal year.  Included among these options were the possibilities of closing one or more campuses before the end of the school year and/or reducing staff, since staff salaries are over 85 % of our budget.

Although the minutes from this board meeting are posted on our website, we wanted to personally explain the situation.  Some of the reasons our budget is not working are:

1. The state is withholding close to 30 % of all public school allotted funds until next school year.

2. Our pupil units are down 18% from previous years, possibly because of the low numbers of young adults in treatment centers due to the economy.

3. The funding we receive from the state department of education pays for the educational part of our services.  It does not fund us for the recovery counselors, the supportive part of our mission.

The board decided Wednesday to keep all four campuses open at this time and to maintain our current staff while reducing our operating budget. Public school revenue is based on the average number of students in a school since the beginning of the school year, referred to as an average daily membership, or ADM. Because our current ADM of 143 is well under our projection of 185 we are facing a serious revenue shortfall.  The board is hoping that we will increase enrollment from 143 to 155 students during the remainder of this school year.  Our revised projected budget has been reduced to reflect the drop from 185 to 155 students.  This budget reduction decreases our anticipated revenue by approximately $210,000.

Due to prior board planning, SHS has a very modest fund balance.  We are hopeful that with the fund balance, $35,000 in reductions in expenditures this school year, efforts to increase enrollment, and a concerted fund raising effort we will weather this financial storm without further financial adjustments. However if we are not able to increase our student enrollment by 24 students (necessary to meet the target of 155 ADM), further budget reductions will have to be made later this year and certainly for next year.

Even with these efforts, Sobriety High School won’t be out of the woods for quite awhile.  The situation will likely repeat itself next year, when the legislature is again planning to hold back 30% of our revenue.  Since charter schools are unable to pass levies for funding, we have no choice but to borrow the money necessary to keep our payroll going.  This of course means paying back the money borrowed with interest.

Several parents attending the November 25 board meeting expressed their willingness to assist in a variety of fund raising efforts.  The board is thankful for their commitment to SHS and their willingness to join hands with the board to maintain a quality program for students in recovery well into the future. We ask you each to think hard about the many ways you can support Sobriety High School in the days to come and to share your ideas with other parents.

Sincerely,

The Sobriety High  School Board of Governors

Bob Doffing, Board Chair
Alan Braun
Joe Covert
Chet Johnson
Paul McGlynn
Crystal Mcaninch
Dan Ondich
Bruce Santerre
Barb Wornson, Executive Director

Last updated on December 4th, 2009

Welcome to the 2009-2010 School Year

Welcome!

As you probably know, there are many changes taking place at SHS this fall.  I’m optimistic and excited for a wonderful  year with increased staff and student supports in place!

First, Debbie Bolton, recovery counselor at Alliance Academy, will serve all four campuses in her new position as School Social Worker.  Debbie will be available to work with families and students on an individual basis and to coordinate continuing care and referrals with community resources.  A licensed school social worker, Debbie is experienced working with dual diagnosis (chemical dependency and mental health) adolescents.  She will have her office at Alliance Academy, Burnsville.

We are equally excited to announce a new position funded through the continuing generosity of an anonymous donor. The newly appointed ‘Director of Community and Family Outreach’ is Judi Hanson, recovery counselor at West Academy in Edina.  Judi has become the ‘face of Sobriety High’ for many organizations and individuals.  In addition to providing a liaison with our community supporters and treatment centers, Judi will work with parent groups on all four campuses, and support and mentor new recovery counselors. She will be responsible for promoting our school, helping to plan fund raisers, coordinating student sober events and activities, and various marketing activities.  Judi will have her office at Alliance Academy, Burnsville.

The creation of these positions necessitates a shift in the recovery staff.   Mary Popelka will continue as recovery counselor at Arona Academy, Coon Rapids.  Julie Wettstein, currently recovery counselor at North Summit Academy, will take over as recovery counselor at West Campus.  Two new recovery counselors, Brian Bossany and Amy Heeren, are assigned to Alliance Academy and North Summit Academy respectively.  We are very fortunate to have two such highly qualified recovery counselors join our staff.  Change is challenging for us all, and the recovery staff is working together to plan a smooth transition for our students and families.

Our teaching staff is also changing, perhaps most dramatically at West Campus, Edina.  Three teachers have resigned to accept other positions.  Lil Raynard, Larry Schmidt and Chad Benesh have been active and valued faculty members for many years, and they will be missed by both students and staff.

Yet with change comes opportunity.  There have been many requests from parents and students to return to more face to face teaching with less reliance on interactive on-line teaching.  We have heard you.  Although unable to hire additional teachers due to the state budget shortfall, we have arranged for a sharing of staff among campuses that will allow for full coverage of the four core areas at each site.  The on-line coursework will still be available, but will be used primarily for supplemental classes.

We have  completed our hiring and  I am truly dazzled by our new staff’s expertise and enthusiasm!! As the first day of school approaches, I’d like to introduce our new staff:

Brian Bossany, licensed recovery counselor at Alliance Academy, Burnsville; Michelle Rust, special education at Alliance Academy, Burnsville; Alicia LaMunion, special education at West Academy, Edina; Miranda Frank, math at West Academy, Edina; Yoohyun Um, math at Arona Academy, Coon Rapids; Lee Merrick, math at North Summit Academy, Maplewood; Amy Heeren, recovery counselor at North Summit Academy, Maplewood; and Deb Zepeda, administrative assistant, Arona Academy, Coon Rapids

There is  much for us to be proud of.  Although we must continue to work on a very tight budget, we have been able to retain all teaching positions and even add two positions for greater student and family support.  We have a staffing plan that allows all four courses to be taught at each campus, face-to-face.   And we do this when most school districts are making dramatic cuts!

We as a staff continue to appreciate and depend on your support.  I will be visiting parent meetings as they occur over the next few weeks and will be happy to discuss the changes with you.  Of course, as always, please contact me at any time with your questions and concerns.

Barbara E. Wornson

Barbara E. Wornson

Executive Director

Sobriety High School

2233 University Avenue, #357

Saint Paul, MN 55114

(651) 773-8378, ext 101

barb.wornson@sobrietyhigh.org

Last updated on September 2nd, 2009

Sobriety High Update: January, 2009

Happy New Year and Welcome to our first Update blog!

I hope you will be a frequent visitor to this site and will leave your questions and comments as we continue together on our journey of excellence.

December was a packed month, with campus holiday parties and many other important events.
On December 5th, West Campus (Edina) hosted our first Open House of the year.  Arranged by the Sobriety High Foundation, the open house introduced over 75 new and familiar families and treatment professionals to our program.  West Campus has been a leader in our school-wide effort to develop campus wide interactive computer classes and digital media classes. Congratulations West, on a lovely evening!

The Mounds Theater was the venue for our annual All-Campus Talent Show, spearheaded by the Arona Academy in Coon Rapids. The theater was rocking with talent and every campus was very well  represented.  Two shows were presented on December 11th and 12th featuring everything from juggling and hip hop to dance and Joe Covert’s amazing student band. An enormous thank you to the Mounds Theater for providing the space.  We look forward to this event next year!!

Both Alliance  Academy (Burnsville campus) and North Summit Academy (Maplewood campus) hosted New Year’s Eve student events.  These events are offered primarily through parent groups and provide a safe,sober space for celebration and fun for our students.  Staff time is also volunteered, however, and our greatest appreciation is reserved for the efforts of these adults to provide a safe environment through volunteering their own holiday time.  Our greatest strengths as a school lie with our parents and staff!!

The December Board of Governors met on December 17th to welcome new members (these positions appear on the website minutes).  The meeting was in part a celebration of our current financial standing (we’re in the black!).

Our celebration was, however, tempered by concerns over cuts coming soon from the state legislature in response to state budget deficits.  In addition, overall enrollment has been lower than expected this Fall, which will have an impact on us this spring.  The school is working to make wise financial moves now to prevent a pinch.  You may look for a fund-raising push in  coming months (if you have ideas for making it fun and successful, let us know!)

Coming up in January:
A group of parents from each campus will be meeting with Sobriety High Foundation Treasurer Andy Swanson in early January to talk about getting the word out about Sobriety High.  Some great ideas have been generated even before the first meeting, which will be set within the next week.  If you would like to part of the marketing team, please let us know and we’ll keep you posted.

Sobriety High has reserved a booth at the St. Paul Information Fair on Saturday, January 10th in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium of the St. Paul RiverCentre!!  Volunteers are needed to help set up the booth, staff it, and help take it  down.  For more information, contact  the Sobriety High Central Office at 651-773-8378.  Thanks again for your support and time!!
Stay tuned for more developments as we look forward to an amazing, sober, and productive 2009!!
Last updated on December 31st, 2008