Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann, who earlier this year was named Minnesota Superintendent of the Year, has now been 
A statement issued by the Association said Hillmann is a finalist alongside PJ Caposey, of Stillman Valley, Illinois, Kevin McGowan of Rochester, New York, and Trent North of Douglasville, Georgia. According to the statement, the candidates are evaluated for communication, professionalism, community involvement and leadership.
“The four individuals we’re honoring exemplify the great leadership our superintendents are providing in our school systems on a 24/7 basis across the country,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA, in the statement. “They’re pushing the envelope to generate positive teaching and learning in the classrooms they oversee.”
When he was named Minnesota Superintendent of the year in October a variety of Hillmann’s achievements and skills were highlighted, including his commitment to closing achievement gaps, his highly successful commitments to reading proficiency and early childhood education, and his work with traditionally marginalized segments of the community as key reasons for his selection.
Specifically, he was praised for the “Readiness for Kindergarten” rate shown by Northfield students, as well as Northfield’s third grade reading proficiency levels, and his commitment to diversity.
Dr. Hillmann has referred to the school district’s vision statement many times and said in October that he takes that statement to heart.
“We will prepare every student for lifelong success. Now, that doesn’t mean some students. When we say it, we mean every student. We want to prepare every student for lifelong success so that they have a genuinely fair chance to achieve whatever their version of the American dream is. And I mean that. It sounds a little dorky. But I really mean that with all of my heart.”
Hillmann will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with the selection committee and will participate in a press conference at the National Press Club on January 12th. The 2023 National Superintendent of the Year will be announced on February 16th, during the AASA’s National Conference on Education in San Antonio, Texas.
St. John’s Christmas Day tradition ‘like magic’
Yet another tradition that was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic will return to Northfield on Christmas Day, when St. John’s Lutheran 
Church will open its doors to the community to serve a traditional Christmas Dinner to all that would like to attend.
Bill and Char Carlson have been involved with the project for as long as St. John’s has participated. Char Carlson said the idea started with the Main Street Moravian Church in the 90’s. The congregation, she said, would offer dinners on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas until it became too much and other organizations stepped in.
“Laura Baker Services Organization took over Thanksgiving,” she said. “And St. John’s has been doing this for at least 15 years.”
Bill called the event St. John’s gift to the community.
“We get up early and put Turkey breasts in the oven at 7:00 or so, and about 10:30 they’ll all be roasted and ready for carving and we’ll start that process. Meanwhile, a whole bunch of people will come in and bring salads and desserts and all sorts of things that will be prepared and ready to go. So at 11:15, here we are.”
The meals are prepared by volunteers from the St. John’s congregation. Char said she does not have an exact number of how many people lend a hand, but she does know how many thank you notes go out. She also said the atmosphere created by the volunteers and the event itself is something she looks forward to all year.
“You know, I don’t know an exact count, but I do know that we send out thank you notes to about 90 families, and I use the word families because we have whole families that come in. It’s part of their Christmas tradition. Northfield is asleep when we get over there, it’s quiet. It’s beautiful, we walk into the church. We turn on the Christmas tree lights. It’s like magic.”
The event is free to anyone who chooses to attend, and Bill said they are also preparing meals to go this year as well. Anyone who is not able to attend in person for any reason can call the church and ask to have a meal prepared for them. They will then be able to pick the meal up at the church beginning at 11:30.
Both Carlsons said the event is a great amount of fun for them, and they encourage anyone to come whether they are alone on Christmas or not.
“Bring your appetite,” said Char, “and be prepared to spend Christmas with 300 of your closest friends.”
The St. John’s Christmas Dinner is scheduled from 11:30 until 1:30 on Christmas Day, this Sunday. No reservations will not be taken. To order a meal to go, call 507-645-4429.
For more information about St. John’s address and contact information, click here.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Bill and Char Carlson can be heard here
‘Driver’s License for All’ presentation designed to offer perspective
The Northfield Human Rights Commission is inviting the community to a presentation on the Driver’s License for All campaign that will be 
given during the commission’s meeting on December 28th.
The presentation will be given by community organizer Jovita Morales. Morales is the founder of a grassroots group called the Minnesota Immigrant Movement and has been an advocate for immigrant’s rights for more than 15 years. She worked to help pass the Minneapolis Municipal ID program and has provided support and guidance to the Northfield community on establishing the local municipal ID.
In a statement issued by the Human Rights Commission, Claudia Garcia, the Northfield staff liaison to the Commission said the presentation will help people understand the reasons and the need for a program like this.
“This presentation will give community members a good overview on the Driver’s License for All campaign,” she said, “along with some the history in the state of Minnesota.”
The meeting is set for 6pm on Wednesday, December 28. It will be open to the public and registration is not required. It will also be livestreamed on the city’s website and replayed on Northfield Public Broadcasting channel 187 and online at npb.ci.northfield.mn.us.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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