By Jean McDermott
Principal, IJ Holton
Intermediate School

Austin Public Schools is opening a new school in August that will house all students going into fifth and sixth grade from the Austin area. Information meetings are being held during the month of March for parents.

Monday, March 4: Neveln Auditorium, noon to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 7: Sumner Auditorium, 9 to 10 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 12: Banfield Wood Gym, noon to 1 p.m. and 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 19: Southgate Gym, noon to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26: AHS-Christgau Hall, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Meetings will cover two main topics: 1. Review of fifth and sixth grade course offerings and registration for 2013-2014 courses. 2. Review of the district’s one-to-one Laptop Computer Initiative for those students and related Computer Protection Plan options for families. Parents are required to complete an in-person or online orientation before their child will be issued a laptop computer this fall. This meeting will satisfy that requirement. Students will receive training and orientation on their laptop computer when school begins in September.

Meetings are for parents only. Parents may attend at their neighborhood school or at any of the locations listed above, depending what date and time best fits their schedule. Meetings will last for one hour with time afterward for individual questions. Meetings will also be offered in Spanish at these times and locations in an adjacent room.

Parents who are unable to attend any of the meetings listed above or have questions regarding the new intermediate school should contact Principal Jean McDermott at 507-460-1844 or jean.mcdermott@austin.k12.mn.us to set up an individual appointment.