Local News

Litchfield Community Education is in the middle of winter activities at this time. They are already looking ahead to spring activities – and planning is already underway for the summer months.

Litchfield Community Education Director Grant Solem says if anyone has a skill that they would like to share and have an idea for a class, they should contact him or Kelsey at 693-2354. He says swimming is a popular activity for them and they are anticipating the completion of the pool renovation project at Litchfield High School.

Solem says the pool project should be completed by January 30th. He says summer swimming lessons are very popular and they usually get a lot of college students who return to Litchfield for the summer to give swimming lessons which is a great summer job.

Solem says they have some trips coming up including to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater on April 22nd to see “Guys and Dolls,” to the Sidekick Theater in Bloomington to see “Birthday Candles” on May 14th, and to see “Nobody’s Perfect” on June 24th. He says Litchfield Community Theatre will not be doing “Lend Me a Tenor” February 20-to-22 as originally planned, but will try to schedule it for next year, but auditions are coming up next month for the Youth Theatre production of “Finding Nemo.”

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The students and staff at the School of St. Philip in Litchfield are getting ready for Catholic Schools Week at the end of this month. The school also has a number of fundraising events coming up.

Principal Andrea Dietrich says Catholic Schools Week is always held the last week of January so the students have field trips scheduled for Black Light and the Children’s Museum in St. Cloud, along with special events like bingo and some community service projects, and the week will actually kick off with a spaghetti dinner on January 24th from 4:30-to-6:30 p.m. in the St. Philip’s Church Social Hall. The Knights of Columbus will serve a breakfast at the church the next morning – January 25th.

Dietrich says the annual Seeds of Faith Fundraiser this year will feature Song Blast Dueling Guitars on Saturday, January 31st at the Litchfield Eagles Club and the $50 tickets are available by calling the school of St. Philip. She says proceeds from the event help with scholarships, and they can enroll students at any time.

Dietrich says you don’t have to be Catholic to enroll at the School of St. Philip and they offer small class sizes and teach good values. She says she can give tours to families who are interested at any time, and they have a Discovery Day later in February which may be a good time to check out the school. For more information about St. Philip’s School or the events that are coming up, call 693-6283.

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The Litchfield School Board got reorganized last night with its first meeting of the new year. Alex Carlson was reelected as chairman. Tim Oster will serve as Vice Chair, with Greg Mathews as Clerk, and Stephanie Danielson as Treasurer.

The Board heard a report from Elementary Principal Chris Olson who says there are 15 fourth graders in the Student Council, and a new breakfast process begins today at Lake Ripley Elementary School. He says Read Across America events will include a parent/community event on February 26th. Olson says the new Students with Unique Needs room has been highly effective. He says Social Workers Tammy Minton and Anne Mahoney have been working with preschool students in the Wagner Building to help with their development as they transition into Kindergarten. Minton and Mahoney spoke to the Board about their program.

The Litchfield High School Student Council President Kelsey Palmer spoke to the Litchfield School Board about the blood drive which is coming up on January 23rd from 8-to-2 in the Litchfield Area Recreation Center. She says their goal is 66-units. Student Council Vice President Kalla Ziegler says Snow Week activities are scheduled for February 9-to-13.

Superintendent Susan Burris told the Board that a draft of the scientific survey will be ready to review on January 21st and could be ready for the Board’s approval at the January 26th meeting. The survey will help the Board determine whether or not to put a referendum on November’s ballot.

Following a presentation last night from Business Manager Jesse Johnson, the Board approved of a 5-year long-term facilities maintenance/capital plan. The Litchfield School Board also approved of renewing membership with the PACT for Families collaborative.

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