Community Education Services Early Childhood Teacher Trodee Jore has been named the April 2024 recipient of the Anchored in the Laker Way Award. This monthly award celebrates Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools Community Education Services staff who are anchored in providing a strong foundation of community service, an innovative and supportive leader, a respectful team member, and committed to lifelong learning and excellence.

Here is what Trodee’s colleagues had to share:Trodee regularly does work above and beyond for the Circle of Friends program which displays her strong work ethic. She is a strong and positive role model for all teachers in our building. She always uses the Best Practices teachers should be doing with students. She has shown Laker Pride for over 20 years!

Trodee is a tremendous mentor for young teachers entering the field. She has a wealth of knowledge that she is always willing to share with our teammates to help make our program the best it can be. She has served on several building and district committees that support our students and families. Her dedication to the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools is evident in her years spent serving our children and supporting their families. That is the Laker Way!

During the Laker Pride portion of the March 11th School Board meeting, staff members from WestWood Elementary were recognized for their work in implementing Calm Corners schoolwide through the PrairieCare Grant Project that addresses the emotional well-being of students.

Calm Corners addresses the basic wellness of students and encourages them to explore, identify and utilize healthy emotional regulation strategies that work best for them when they are feeling upset or distressed in their classrooms. Calm Corners is implemented with manipulatives such as stuffed animals, breathing boards, art supplies, books, timers, weighted gear and comfortable bean bag chairs.

Variations of this idea are currently being implemented throughout all of our elementary schools.