July 20, 2010 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Presentations 

1.A. Safe Routes to School Presentation

Amy Kaiser, Physical Education/Health Curriculum Coach, presented information on the Minnesota Department of Transportation Non-infrastructure Safe Routes to School grant, which was integrated into the Duluth Public Schools during the 2009-10 school year.  This grant award allowed for Bicycle and Pedestrian Education Curriculum training for Physical Education staff, education in the Street Crossing Safety Curriculum for all second and third graders, and sixth grade students received education in the Bike Safety Curriculum.  A 7’ x 20’ trailer to transport bicycles to the middle school sites, 30 bicycles, tricycles, cones, and signs for bicycle rodeos were also purchased.  SMDC donated helmets for the program.  OSHA approved Safety Vests were also purchased for crossing guards at each elementary school.
 
The Street Crossing Safety and Bicycle Safety curriculums will be sustained yearly as an integrated component of the Physical Education Curriculum. 

1.B. State Assessment Results

Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Performance, and Evaluation, provided an overview of the results from the State assessments administered this spring, including MCA-II, GRAD, MTAS, MTELL, TEAE, and MN SOLOM.  She also shared information on strategic planning for continued improvement.

1.C. Hase Family Scholarship

Karl Wasson of Wells Fargo provided an update on the Hase Family Scholarship.

2. Informational Items

2.A. Grant Applications

2.A.1) Minnesota Power Foundation Grant Application

Bonnie Wolden has applied for a grant from the Minnesota Power Foundation in the amount of $4,000.  If awarded funds will be used to support a Kindness Retreat for Lester Park's fifth grade students in November of 2010.  The Kindness Retreat, presented by Youth Frontiers, is designed to  address bullying and help a school build a more caring community.  Central and East high school students will be mentors during this day-long retreat.

2.A.2) EPA Grant Application

The City of Duluth (with the collaboration of Duluth Public Schools, St. Louis County, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Duluth Transit Authority, and the Housing Redevelopment Authority) has applied for a sustainability grant from the EPA.  If awarded funds will be used to support "Climate Showcase Communities."

3. Action Items

3.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

3.A.1) Study Island Presentation

This year the District has been examining programs that could be used to support learning in the areas of Reading and Math in our District's Afterschool Excel Program.  Study Island was selected as it is aligned to our State's Reading and Math standards, supports learning for our struggling students, as well as supports those who excel and need an extra challenge.  In addition to accessing Study Island at school, students may also access it from home or from the community.  Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation, and Performance, and a representative from Study Island were present to answer any questions.

3.A.2) Response to the Resolution of Concurrence/Non-concurrence Report

Bill Gronseth, Assistant Superintendent, will present the District's response to the 2009-10 Resolution of Concurrence/Non-concurrence Report being submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education and passed by the  Parent Committee on May 4, 2010. 

3.B. Resolution E-7-10-2791- Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-7-10-2791- Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organizations:

    1.  Northland Foundation
    2.  Minnesota Department of Education
    3.  St. Louis County Family Services Collaborative

3.C. Extended Trip Requests - None

3.D. Access to Internet Student Data - Non-District Employees

It is requested that the following organizations be granted access to the Student Information System to support District functions from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

    FACT (Fathers and Children Together)
    Chester Creek and Merritt Creek
    College of St. Scholastica - Education Talent Search
    College of St. Scholastica - Education Department (Student Teaching)
    Duluth Area Family YMCA
    Grant Community School Collaborative
    Men as Peacemakers
    Woodland Hills Academy
    MN Reading Corps
    University of Wisconsin-Superior - UWS Student Teaching
    Upward Bound

This will allow specific people associated with these organizations access to certain educational data maintained by the Duluth Public Schools.  The Superintendent will approve all individual access on a case-by-case basis. 

3.E. Policy 5085 - Student Discipline Policy

Recommended revisions to Policy 5085 - Student Discipline Policy are attached for the second reading.

3.F. Diplomas

The following student has completed all high school requirements and should be awarded a diploma:

    Thomas M. Monahan                    June 2, 2010

3.G. 2010 Graduates

It is recommended by administration that the official minutes include a certified list of graduates of June 2010 as submitted by the respective high schools.