By Chuck Friedbauer

Facebook, Twitter, cellphones, and texting; whether in a car or not, today’s teens expect to be able to stay electronically connected to anyone at anytime.

“Texting is a big part of our life, so it’s hard to put away the phones when we get in a car,” said Chaska High School senior Olivia Duenow.

Here's a recent video of local sixth-graders getting the virtual Ellis Island experience.

Ethan Lynn Herman, 12, of Carver, died on Dec. 30.

Herman was born April 2, 1998 and lived in Carver with his parents, Jeff and Vicki Herman and sister, Brooke.

By Unsie Zuege

It’s amazing what people can do when they find a common cause.

Students at Chaska Middle School East raised $4,106.35 in four days in order to spread Christmas cheer and goodwill among seven local families as well as assist the Toys for Tots program.

Two weeks ago, nearly a dozen students representing the student body gathered to describe how they raised the funds to help local families celebrate Christmas by filling their wish lists.

Guardian Angels School in Chaska recently honored the following middle school students for achieving honor roll during the first trimester of school.

Principal’s List (All grades average to 95 percent or above with no grade below a 90 percent): Rebecca Baker (7), Shea Braden (7), Andrew Fraser (8), Zac Gallus (6), Tim Kaufhold (6), Jenny Miller (7), Anna Perrill (8), Christopher Pohlen (8), Megan Schierman (7), and Samantha Smed (8).

By Chuck Friedbauer

Some robots are, well, too robotic for students to bond with. But Clover Ridge Elementary students didn’t have that problem with a 6-foot tall, 600-pound robot named GEMO.

“I thought GEMO was cool and really nice, in a human kind of way,” said fourth-grader Jacob Stuhr. “Most aliens you see on TV are mean.”

By Chuck Friedbauer

Year two of the District 112 secondary program redesign is underway. Now, the district has turned to enhancing its elementary programs as well.

District officials have completed the early, investigative stages of what improvements they’d like to make in the local elementary school programs. “From the beginning, we’re searching to create an inspirational learning environment for children,” said Cathy Gallagher, District 112 K-12 curriculum coordinator.

It might be the only 600-pound, 6-feet-tall robot to visit Chaska.

It might also be the only robot to visit Chaska that has co-starred on “Rocky IV,” appeared on “Days of Our Lives” and “Punk’d,” performed at the White House, and been parodied on “Family Guy.” (Brian: “Stewie get these stupid ’80s robots out of here.”)

At 9:30 a.m., Dec. 8, “Gemo” will appear at Clover Ridge Elementary School, courtesy of Sage Technology Group.

By Mollee Francisco

Students in Chaska High School’s special education program are learning just what it takes to run a small business, including what happens when your product starts to take off.

Earlier this month, Eastern Carver County Schools posted a video on its Facebook page introducing Pride Biscuits. Since then, demand has been steadily growing for the student-made dog treats.

“People have been really supportive of the program,” said teacher Erica Bossert.