December 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Anti-bullying Initiatives Underway Within the Duluth Public Schools

Ron Lake, Climate Coordinator, and Catherine Nachbar, Students for the Future Advisor, along with Students for the Future representatives, presented information on anti-bullying initiatives that are underway within the Duluth Public Schools.

1.A.2) Students in Transition Presentation

Deb Wagner, Students in Transition Program Coordinator, presented information on the Duluth Public Schools Students in Transition Program.

1.A.3) Path to Aviation - Gilruth Continuum Program Presentation

Sandra Ettestad, President of the Duluth Aviation Institute, along with sixth grade Science teacher representatives, presented information on a collaboration between the Duluth Public Schools and the Duluth Aviation Institute to enhance our Science curriculum.  This collaboration will bring aviation into all Morgan Park and Woodland Middle School sixth grade Science classrooms through the Path to Aviation curriculum, which was successfully piloted with three-hundred students last school year.

1.A.4) Student Achievement Update

Dr. Foster presented an update on student achievement.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Minnesota Lake Superior Coastal Program Grant Application

Terry Cottingham, Stowe Elementary Principal, has applied for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program.  If awarded funds from this grant will support environmental programming at Stowe Elementary.

1.B.2) Northland Foundation Grant Application

Ed Schoenborn, Drop Out Recovery Coordinator, has applied for a grant from the Northland Foundation in the amount of $500.  If awarded funds from this grant will be used to offset the cost of GED Testing for those experiencing financial hardship.

1.C. Regulation 2055R - Quality Process

Revisions to Regulation 2055-R Quality Process are presented for informational purposes.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Recommended Middle and High School Course Offerings for the 2012-13 School Year

Assistant Superintendent, Bill Gronseth, and Ron Dougall, Curriculum Coordinator, presented recommended middle and high school course offerings for the 2012-13 school year including all recommended course content changes, dropped courses, and added courses.

2.B. ISD 709 Calendar 2012-13 School Year

Assistant Superintendent, Bill Gronseth, presented the recommended ISD 709 Calendar 2012-13 School Year for review and approval, which was reviewed and approved by the Quality Leadership Team on December 8, 2011.

2.C. Policy 6300 - Wellness Policy

Revisions to Policy 6300 Wellness Policy were presented for the first reading.

2.D. Resolution E-12-11-2958 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-12-11-2958 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organization:

-Northland Foundation          

2.E. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip request is submitted for approval:

Fifth grade students from Nettleton Elementary will be traveling to the Deep Portage Environmental Learning Center in Hackensack, Minnesota from January 11-13, 2012.  The total cost of the trip is $6,309 and will be financed through fund-raising activities.  The objective of the trip is for students to experience lessons guided by the Minnesota Grade Five Academic Standards in Science - Strand 4 - Life Sciences.  Students will participate in positive individual and team-based activities.

2.F. Diplomas

The following students have completed all high school requirements and should be awared a diploma:

-Steve Harmond Goines III - September 22, 2011
-Cody S. Berger - October 21, 2011
-Carrie A. Swor - November 10, 2011
-Zachary Grant Young - November 11, 2011
-Keith Murphy Graham - August 15, 2011