Amber Kispert-Smith
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Amber Kispert-Smith has been the schools and Afton reporter at the Woodbury Bulletin since 2008. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota. She previously worked as a reporter for Press Publications in White Bear Lake.
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The District 833 Kids Club program has cleared a major hurtle now that it has received accreditation from the National AfterSchool Association. Kids Club is a child care program before or after school in each elementary building and provides care to children k-6. Children can participate in a variety of activities such as arts, crafts, games, science, computers, physical activities and quiet time. Currently there are 1,500 students enrolled in the Kids Club program at all district elementary schools.
After spending five years as a member of the United States Army, Woodbury resident and musician Mathew Griswold, 26, made his triumphant return to the stage on Dec. 29 at the Fine Line Music Café in Minneapolis. Griswold's performance is a pre-release party for his newest album release, Lets Do It, which will be officially released on Jan. 20. "Every time I get up I really strive to make that personal connection and I hope they can use an experience that I've been through, or any insight that I have gained," he said.
Afton's "stealth" tower -- one that masquerades as a pine tree -- has finally taken root in Afton. The radio communications tower, which hasn't exactly been welcomed with open arms in Afton, is located at 15326 Afton Hills Court. A work crew endured a frigid blast of winter weather to begin installation of the main portion of the tower on Dec. 15.
Most singers dream of fame and fortune, but Woodbury resident Karen Pavlicin has a different dream, she dreams of helping people cope through music. "Whatever anybody is going through when they listen to it, I hope they feel like they're not alone, there's somebody out there who's been through something similar and made it," she said. "That's why I really wanted to do the CD for, I know how much the songs helped me, and I hoped they would help somebody else, too." Pavlicin is not a musician by trade. In fact, she is a writer.
Mathematics can be a daunting subject for many students. The amount of numbers and sequences floating around students heads could give anyone a headache. Woodbury High School now offers students some extra help when it comes to mastering math skills with the seven-week long PLATO Math after school program.
Woodbury has its very own aspiring "Nashville Star" in singer/songwriter Lindley Wolfgram, 19. A Woodbury native and current Nashville resident, Wolfgram will be releasing her first album titled "Travelogue," on Dec. 22. She describes her musical style as "Folk/Americana." "I just don't connect to commercial music as well," she said. "Americana, it seems so real to me; I just like how real and gritty it is.
The opening of East Ridge High School is quickly becoming a reality, especially now that the first band parent meeting was held on Nov. 25 at Lake Junior High. During the meeting, the East Ridge principal, Aaron Harper, the assistant principal, Matt Kraft and the band director, Christopher Tank, expressed their visions for what they hope the band program will bring to East Ridge. "I want music to be fun, I want it to be energetic and I want it to have a lot of spirit," Tank said.
"Big Brother" is always watching; and now he's even watching the car. American Family Insurance offers the Teen Safe Driver Program which is a camera that can be installed into a teenager's vehicle and records any erratic driving activity. Once the device records any erratic behavior it is sent to DriveCam's Event Analysis Center where it is analyzed and then the video is provided to the parents along with helpful tips to improve the driving habits of the teen.
Everyone is familiar with the beloved children's fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling," but the Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis brought a different take on the story to Woodbury High School on Nov. 26 with their performance of "The Deaf Duckling" when they performed for both Woodbury and Park High School students. "The Deaf Duckling" tells the story of Sam, a duckling who was born deaf to hearing parents.