January 22, 2013 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Think Kids - Our Schools. Our Community. Our Future

Superintendent Bill Gronseth and District Climate Coordinator Ron Lake gave an update on the District's Strategic Planning initiative, Think Kids. Think Kids is an invitation to everyone throughout Duluth - parents, community and business leaders, teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and more - to participate in a community-wide discussion and decision-making process about the future of our schools.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) B-105 Service Learning Grant Application

Brenda Sederberg from Homecroft Elementary has applied for a B-105 Service Learning Grant in the amount of $165.  If awarded funds will be used to support Homecroft's third grade A Working Government...in School and in Our Community:  The Playground Rubber Collection Project.

1.B.2) Harbortown Rotary Community Grant Application

Unity High School students have applied for a Harbortown Rotary Community Grant in the amount of $1,500.  If awarded funds will be used to purchase an Elliptical machine for the Unity Weight Room.

1.B.3) Minnesota Power Foundation Youth In Philanthropy Grant Application from Northland Foundation

Students from Unity High School have applied for a Minnesota Power Foundation Youth In Philanthropy Grant from the Northland Foundation in the amount of $1,000.  If awarded funds will be used to support Unity's Healthier Futures Project, which is aimed at creating attractive and functional spaces for physical activity and life skills and providing curriculum that stresses life-long fitness and wellness practices for all current and future Unity students.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Resolution E-01-13-3073 Lester Park School Forest Designation

Lester Park staff and students, along with students from UMD presented information on their proposal to apply to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for School Forest Designation.  Attached is Resolution E-01-13-3073 Lester Park School Forest Designation designating the site as a school forest.

2.A.2) ISD 709 Calendar 2013-14 School Year

Assistant Superintendent, Eddie Crawford, presented the recommended ISD 709 Calendar 2013-14 School Year for review and approval, which was reviewed and approved by the Quality Leadership Team on December 13, 2012.

2.A.3) Recommended Middle School Course Offerings for the 2013-14 School Year

Assistant Superintendent, Eddie Crawford, and Middle School Principals, Denise Clairmont and Gina Kleive, shared information on recommended middle school course offerings for the 2013-14 school year including all recommended course content changes, dropped courses, and added courses.

2.B. Resolution E-01-13-3070- Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-01-13-3070 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

1. Northland Foundation
2. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation

2.C. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip requests are submitted for review and approval:

Fifth grade students from Nettleton Elementary traveled to the Deep Portage Learning Center in Hackensack, Minnesota from January 9-11, 2013 where they experienced lessons guided by the Minnesota Grade Five Academic Standards in Science and participated in positive individual and team-based activities.  The total cost of the trip was $4,635 and was funded through student fees, grant dollars, and fundraising activities.

Band and Orchestra students from Denfeld High School will be traveling to Washington, D.C. from April 5-10, 2013.  During their stay in Washington, D.C. they will be visiting the U.S. Capitol, the National Mall, the National Zoo, the Smithsonian, Mt. Vernon, art galleries, etc.  They will also attend an evening concert.  The cost of the trip is $500 per student and will be funded through student fees and Booster Club funds.

2.D. Joint Curriculum Review Process Agreement

Attached is the Joint Curriculum Review Process Agreement for Advanced Standing between Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) and the Duluth Public Schools for the Early Childhood and Educational Professions Program located at Denfeld.  Students completing and mastering competencies will receive advanced standing and earn two or three credits for the Foundations of Early Childhood Education course at WITC.

2.E. Diplomas

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

Courtney Rae St. Marie - December 7, 2012
Dillon Phillip Beyers - December 10, 2012
Jeffery Hicks - December 21, 2012
Grant Paul Everett - December 14, 2012
Xavier Jerome Josiah Petonquot - December 21, 2012
Gabriel L. Chips - December 21, 2012
Rhea Chantel Dawson - December 20, 2012
Alyssa Rae Morrin - December 12, 2012