Post in Why did Ericsson become Northrup Elementary?

May 01 19:28 UTC

I sent an email inviting Dr. Alvig to join the forum.  Below is her response.

Glenn -- I'm sorry that you and other are having such a hard time with the
school choice.  It was so easy for us last year, even though we'd missed
cut-offs.  Hopefully the school district will get that straightened out.  I
agree that it certainly would be simpler if we had a school that we were
assigned to.  I hope everything works out for you and your children.

"Dear Wendy,

Thank you for your email.  It is always a pleasure to visit with you.

About 3-4 years ago, student enrollment at Ericsson Community School had
dropped to about 200+ students.  There was a half time principal assigned to
the building. Projections indicated that the downward trend in enrollment would
continue for the Ericsson Community school area.

Northrop Urban Environmental Magnet School at 46th and 16th, was full (about
300 students), and with a waiting list.  This was the situation over several
years.  The district wanted to respond to those parents waiting to get in to
Northrop Environmental and to support what was/is a great environmentally
focused program.  As a magnet school, boundaries were similar to those of
Dowling's and other magnet areas--broader than for local community schools
because magnets were to integrate diverse student learners around a central
learning theme.

And, there were students from the Ericsson Standish Nokomis neighborhoods whose
parents had chosen the Northrop Environmental School program attending Northrop
at the time--and also parents in these neighborhoods waiting to get into
Northrop Urban Environmental School at the time.  Thus, Ericsson was closed and
Northrop Urban Environmental was asked to move in. This was a MPLS School Board
decision.

The district moved Northrop Urban Environmental into the John Ericson building
during the summer of 2005.  it is now called Northrop Urban Environmental
Magnet School at Ericsson.

I hope this gives you the information you were seeking.  I would be happy to
attend a meeting or try to answer any other questions com up, Wendy, if you
would like to email them to me.  I get 80-100 emails a day so that might be the
fastest way to connect with me....  :)

Kathy Alvig"