by Rich Larson
On Monday, the Northfield School District and the Northfield Education Association kicked off the 2021-22 school year with
the annual ceremony honoring educators and those who have been key partners in lending a hand to the education of Northfield’s young people.
Heather Olivier, the Northfield Middle School orchestra teacher, was honored as the 2021 Teacher of the Year. Olivier, who has taught in Northfield since 2009 was praised for the dedication she has shown to every one of her students. Vocal music teacher Michelle Bendett said, during the periods of distance learning last year, Olivier would regularly check in with her students and helped them keep academics as a priority
Northfield Middle School’s Teresa Findlay, who has been with the district since 2003, was named the NEA’s educational assistant of the year. Nominated by science teacher Amy Allin, Findlay works with students who need additional support in the classroom. Allin said Findlay is “skillful” in the way she helps students succeed.
Northfield Hospital+Clinics was given the Friend of Education award by the NEA. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann presented the award and lauded the hospital for their service to the community, advising the district of COVID-19 safety measures and prioritizing vaccination for school employees that led to hundreds of educators receiving the vaccine in January and February.
Dr. Hillmann said that the students’ return to the classroom this past spring was a result of the decision NH+C made to vaccinate the district staff and faculty.
“Northfield has always been fortunate to have a community hospital. [The staff at NH+C] have been leaders in the industry in countless ways. But none was more apparent in January when they decided to prioritize educators for the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, hundreds of our employees and substitutes could have peace of mind through vaccination. It was one factor that allowed us to resume a fully in-person schedule for our middle and high school students and finish the school year strong.”
School starts in Northfield on September 9th.
Grief presentation and support group to be offered
As the world continues to make its way through the Covid-19 pandemic, Northfield Hospice, a division of Northfield Hospital + Clinics, along with the Northfield Grief Support Coalition announced yesterday that they will host a presentation and a support group that will explore the concept of grief and offer help to those who are grieving a death or loss.
The presentation, “Grief in the Time of Pandemic,” will be given by Patricia Richardson, MSW. Richardson is a retired family and individual therapist who has worked in the Northfield area for 50 years. She will address the impact of loss during the Covid-19 pandemic, the typical process of grief, and ways to cope with grief while building resilience during a time of uncertainty.
Displays will be put up around Northfield two weeks prior to the event. The displays will invite community members to share their thoughts on questions about loss and coping during the pandemic. Those thoughts will then be incorporated into the presentation.
In a statement, Northfield Hospital + Clinics said the presentation is offered as a prelude to a 6-week grief support group that will be offered by Northfield Hospice and led by NH+C social worker Sara Lippert. The group will meet in person on Mondays from September 27th through November 1st at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Grief in the time of Pandemic will be on Monday, September 20th from 7:00-8:30pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church. As these are indoor events, Covid-19 precautions will be followed during the presentation and support group sessions. Masks will be required, and social distancing will be encouraged.
Pre-registration is required for the presentation. Contact Sara Lippert at (507) 646-1456 or at lipperts@northfieldhospital.org to register or for a link to the video option. Both the presentation and support group are offered free of charge.
Horseshoe Hunt is underway.
The 24th Annual Defeat of Jesse James Days Horseshoe Hunt begins today. Over the next six days, treasure hunters will be given clues to find the coveted antique horseshoe hidden somewhere on Northfield or Dundas public property. The person who finds the horseshoe will win $1800.
The Horseshoe hunt began in 1998 as an event designed specifically for Northfield residents who would typically leave town during the celebration. Event chairman Tim Freeland, who has run the hunt for thirteen years, said the clues are still designed for locals but hunters are welcome from anywhere.
Clues will be released on the DJJD website and Facebook page, the Northfield News website, and read on the air during the KYMN Morning show every day at 7am. The Horseshoe will be on public grounds and will not be buried. Freeland reminded hunters that public school grounds are not city owned, and he asked that those looking stay off school property and to respect private property as well.
All hunters must have a Defeat of Jesse James Days button and must register with the Horseshoe Hunt Page on the defeat of Jesses James website. Should the horseshoe be found by someone without a registered button, they will receive a prize of $300.
This year the hunt is sponsored by HomeTown Credit Union, Cannon River Tree Care, Edina Realty and Professional Pride Realty. If the horseshoe goes without being found by midnight on Tuesday, September 7th, the hunt will be declared over, and the money will be returned to the sponsors.
For today’s clue and the full listing of the horseshoe hunt rules, visit djjd.org/horse-shoe-hunt
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
