Below are my personal answers or perspectives to a recent questionaaire by this Focus Group (Jamie, Jarrod, and Karen):
The questions are:
Services and features of our library:
I use their local internet "a lot", which the 4 plus internet access computers is awesome. However, during the busy times (after 3pm when kids/teens get out of school), it's difficult to go on the computer. I'm glad they do have a 1 Hour Sign-Up policy. Hancock has about 4 computers hooked to the internet too, which we (Morris) should have more!
The computers each are equipped to view the information on the screen bigger, which serves well for the vision-impaired. For the hearing impaired, I do not know!
I love the FREE DVD/Videos that we can barrow. This beats renting them at other video stores, which charges you. It's good for me as I have "late fees"!
K-12 Education
I was amazed by the high test scores recorded at the annual "System Accountability Report" (SAR) for Morris Area Schools ISD#769 in 2003-2004. Unfortunately, they don't have it online (e.g. sample)
Cultural Showcase
I personally love the opportunities Community Ed offers. I first was introduced to this when I was a student at UMM. Char Zinda, the previous coordinator, invited ethnic minority students to share about their culture. I had the opportunity and privilege to share about my Filipino-American culture to some students at the Elementary School. The next year, an opportunity closed at the Morris Area High School; However, this motivated me to keep doing this as an individual by letting folks from my local church invite me to their schools (e.g. St. Mary's and a school in Militona by Alexandria) they teach. I would love to see this program to continue, which is something I would love to see the community to build on!
Learning Unlimited
Since graduating from UMM in 1999. I still have that passion to learn, which I take advantage of the free monthly "Learning Unlimited" events (mostly attended by senior citizens). They bring all types of topics (e.g. Islam, Latin Native People, etc...) that enhances my learning experience (particularly the ethnic/cultural areas). Also, it's a good opportunity to "rub shoulders" with local residents (especially the elderly)!
ESL Program
Currently, I'm working with Steve Sterud on helping coordinate the "Literacy Program", which I help teach ESL to local migrant workers. For more info....
Personally, ethnic-cultural enrichment or educational opportunities are very important to me due to my ethnic background experience (see racism stories). Living in this predominately Caucasian-White rural community can be challenging for ethnic minorities. That is why I take every opportunitiy I can on sharing ethnic diversity issues (e.g. I shared my experiences at a recent Safety & Security Focus Group meeting last month). Also, I made a local "Morris" focus personal website called "UMM Alpha" on my personal experience with cultural/ethnic groups I've have and still learning about. I named this after a college campus ethnic focus ministry student group (Alpha & Omega) I used to help co-found/co-led (1998-2002).
I believe this is very important to the overall community due to our changing times (increase immigration to our nation) of globalization and the increasing numbers of "ethnic-minorities" (e.g. migrant workers) moving to rural Minnesota. With the current world paranoia of "terrorism", we need to be educated of our ethnic neighbors that we might ignorantly/accidentally label/prejudged/steretype "terrorist" (e.g. muslims). This leads to hate, discrimination, or racism!
I'm currently working on a project list of "Reasons of Learning about Ethnic Cultures".
Continued progress on all the areas mentioned and not mentioned (listed in the Blandin: Healthy Community Assessment Workbook) above. Also, to move along with the current social or political issues of the times ahead in this community.
Again I thank you for taking time to answering these questions, if you would return them by Tuesday November 2, 2004 that would be appreciated.
Karon I. White
Morris Quality Education
Below was a letter written (April 2005) by Judy (Blandin 05' participant), who asked us (Blandin Group) if we could be mentioned in agreement to the Morris School Board and community...
Strong schools reflect a strong community
As participants in the 2004-05 Blandin Community Leadership Program, we've spent much time employing Blandin's eight dimensions of a healthy community to identify Morris' strengths and weaknesses. As we completed our assignments, it became increasingly apparent that our schools, our opportunities for life-long learning, are not only a shining example of our community's vitality, they also compose an asset that closely intertwines with all but one (infrastructure and services) of the other seven assets:
o Our schools have a strong positive effect on our area's economic development. They are a major factor in the decision-making process of businesses considering a move to or an expansion in Morris; of families considering moving to our community for employment; of families considering a move from the Morris area for employment. Our schools encourage entrepreneurs, making it possible for our young adults to stay in the Morris area.
o Our schools provide our community with opportunities to enjoy cultural and recreational opportunities. Public performances from band and choir concerts, to theatre, to athletic competitions enrich our lives and bring us together as a community. Community education and extracurricular activities encourage involvement and physical activity.
o Our schools teach the value of environmental stewardship. Programs such as the special learning events that take place at the Scandia Woods Environmental Learning Lab (SWELL) are instrumental in nurturing citizens of a changing world.
o Our schools value diversity, encouraging cooperation, and collaboration, discouraging and guarding against negative behaviors such as bullying and racism.
o Our schools seek to provide a safe environment for our children. Peace officers and counselors teach about safety and discourage negative activities and behaviors.
o Our schools provide a multitude of opportunities for our children to learn community leadership as well as opportunities for leaders in our community to engage and support this important community asset.
We encourage fellow community members to express their desire to see our schools' quality and standard of excellence maintained. We urge community leaders directly involved with educational decisions to consider the long-term and far-reaching consequences of their decisions. Quality education requires an investment of our time, our resources and deliberate planning for the future. A strong school system reflects a strong, healthy community.