District highlights '100% postsecondary plan' goal, describes CTE and special‑ed transition programs

Pelican Rapids educators used the board meeting to describe how classrooms and career programs are helping students build postsecondary plans and job skills tied to the district27s Goal 4.

Angie Westy, a first‑grade teacher, described classroom use of the Leader in Me curriculum and a short daily lesson that asks students "What does it mean to be a leader?" She said the program includes a parent‑student "leadership binder" to track progress and goals.

A fifth‑grade teacher said the district adapts leadership language for older elementary students through literature and projects to build responsibility, and social studies staff used business‑plan projects to expose seventh graders to entrepreneurship.

Special‑education staff reported embedding transition goals into IEPs and partnering with Vocational Rehabilitation for job exploration, workplace readiness training and paid work experiences. A special‑education presenter said students ran a snack shack and a Viking Cafe, performed custodial and laundry duties, learned time sheets, and in some cases were paid for their work after school.

CTE instructors described opportunities in agriculture, industrial technology, cosmetology, EMT, CNA and a CDL class. The CTE presenter reported 18 students certified as CNAs (16 working in CNA roles) and EMT completers moving into local employment; one CDL student earned a scholarship through RDO.

Why it matters: administrators said the combination of classroom leadership lessons, intentional transitional goals, career expos, and certified CTE pathways aim to give every graduate a documented plan for postsecondary education, military service or entering the workforce.

The district plans to continue PLC work to build student portfolios and expand career‑focused experiences across grades.