2011-12 is a year of great change for the Albert Lea Area School District. When students return to school in the fall, they will be transported on new busses, greeted by many new staff members, fed under a new food program at lunch, and be exposed to a new district science curriculum. Our Middle School will have a different feel with the new 6th and 7th grade format, while 8th and 9th graders will now be housed together at the High School. All of our buildings will have wireless internet capability, and Ipads will be utilized by some students in the district for the first time. Our teachers will be learning from many new colleagues as Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are re-formed in each building. The district is placing particular emphasis on PLCs because of their proven effectiveness at increasing student performance. As a result of the district realignment, staff members throughout the district will have the opportunity to teach each other strategies that they learned elsewhere. Finally, as your Superintendent and a parent of three students in our district, I wish to emphasize that my focus will be on engaged learning. We owe it to our students to have them engaged in instruction throughout the school year. Student engagement will be a significant part of our professional discussions. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events throughout the year. Mike Funk