Math and Science Gains, Buckthorn Busting, JFK Assassination: Today in Oakdale

Here are five items to take note of today in Oakdale.

Testing

The state Department of Education this week released scores for the 2013 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments.

You can find how your child did using the interactive database on Patch:

How Did Your Child's School Perform on State Tests?

The North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District on Friday, Aug. 30, sent out a release on the results, saying students continued to make gains in math and science:

Overall, math scores moved up slightly, from 61.6 percent proficiency in 2012, to 62 percent proficiency in 2013. This marks the second year in a row for overall math gains. Last year, students were only allowed to take the test once, unlike the previous year when students were given three opportunities to take the test, with the best score used.

Science also saw an increase in proficiency, with 50.1 percent proficiency in 2013, compared to 44.9 percent proficiency in 2012. As in math, this was the second year in a row for overall gains in science.

Last year marked the first time students took the MCA III reading test. This test is aligned to more challenging Common Core standards. These new assessments will provide us with a better way to measure student progress in meeting high expectations designed to help them succeed in college and career. Overall, reading was at 50.9 percent proficiency.

Now Hiring

The Oakdale Recreation Department is accepting applications for ice rink attendants at $8.50 an hour.

Applications are available at the Oakdale Discovery Center, 4444 Hadley Ave., or on the city’s website.

Buckthorn Busting

For those who have removed buckthorn from their property, Oakdale will offer curbside pickup on Sept. 17 and Oct. 1 and 15.

To be added to the pickup schedule, people should submit a form on the city’s website—follow the instructions provided on placing bundles at the curb.

Last Campfire Program

The Washington County campfire program season wraps up with reptiles, bugs.

James Gerholdt of Remarkable Reptiles will be presenting a program on “Reptiles” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Live reptiles, along with artifacts, will be used in the program.

The Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 (one mile north of Interstate 94) in Lake Elmo.

The program will be in the campground amphitheater. It is a free program with park permit ($5/day or $25/annual).

Call 651-430-8370 or visit the county parks website www.co.washington.mn.us/parks for additional information.

Kennedy Assassination

The Washington County Historical Society recently announced that Judge Jack Tunheim will be the featured speaker at its annual meeting at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater on Thursday, Sept. 19.

From 1994 to 1998, Tunheim served as chair of the U.S. Assassination Records Review Board, an independent federal agency that reviewed all assassination documents on the assassination of President Kennedy.

The U.S. Assassination Records Review Board concluded that federal agencies “needlessly and wastefully” kept documents about President Kennedy’s assassination secret for decades. The board has made more than 4 million pages of material open to public review at the National Archives.

The event is open to the public and the cost is $20 for WCHS members and $25 for nonmembers.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour, dinner at 6:30 p.m. and short business

meeting will be at 7:30.

Tunheim’s program will begin at 8 p.m.

Reservations are required; call 651-439-5956 or visit the Washington County Historical Society website. www.wchsmn.org.