October 20, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) First Witness Presentation

The First Witness Child Advocacy Center and Duluth Public Schools partnership brings a number of services to students, families, and educators.  Each fall First Witness presents the Safe and Strong Program, which is developmentally appropriate instruction that focuses on body safety, to elementary students.  First Witness also supports individual families and provides consultation to educators intervening with students and families.  First Witness Child Advocacy Center Staff presented an overview of services provided to our community, a report of program activities from last year, and what to look forward to this year from First Witness.

1.A.2) Mental Health Overview

Mike Meyers, Mental Health Coordinator, and Ron Lake, Climate Coordinator, gave an overview of mental health initiatives and partnerships across our district and in our community.

1.A.3) Early Childhood to Kindergarten Transition and Alignment Presentation

Pam Rees,  Director of Head Start, and Jay Roesler, Director of Community Education, presented information on Early Childhood to Kindergarten transition and alignment initiatives - past, present, and future.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Out-of-School Time Grant Applications

Brenda Vatthauer, Principal at Lincoln Park Middle School, and Stephanie Heilig, Principal at Myers-Wilkins Elementary School, are each submitting a grant through the Minnesota Department of Education to support Full Service Community Schools. Myers-Wilkins currently facilitates out-of-school time programming and family enrichment programming through a partnership with the non-profit Myers Wilkins Community School Collaborative. For the first time ever the Minnesota Department of Education has funds available to expand and replicate similar programs. Applications are required to be submitted separately however Lincoln Park Middle School and Myers-Wilkins have worked together to articulate a model to expand programming and develop a pipeline across our schools to support Full Service Community Schools. Each school is applying for $50,000. The applications will be submitted on October 13th with awards expected in late November. 

1.B.2) Ordean Foundation Grant Application

Deidre Quinlan, Habitat Coordinator, has applied for a grant from the Ordean Foundation in the amount of $40,000.  If awarded funds will be used to support the Duluth Public Schools Habitat Program.

2. Action Items

2.A. Data Sharing Agreements

It is requested that the following organization be granted access to the Student Information System to support District functions from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016:

Luther College

2.B. Resolution E-10-15-3303 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-10-15-3303 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant award from the following organizations:


State of Minnesota - Head Start
Essentia Health Corporate Contributions - Habitat
Northland Foundation - Washington Family Center
Northland Foundation - Congdon Park
Northland Foundation - District-wide
Northland Foundation - District-wide
Northland Foundation - District-wide
State of Minnesota - Head Start
St. Louis County - District-wide
MSHSL Foundation - East

2.C. Policy 6140.10 - Co-Curricular Activities Participation Fees

Attached are recommended revisions to Policy 6140.10 - Co-Curricular Activities Participation Fees for the second reading as a result of the addition of Lacrosse becoming a Duluth Public Schools varsity sport. 

2.D. Policy 6111 - Home Schooling  (This Item has been tabled to a future meeting.)

Charlie Leibfried, Federal Programs Coordinator, will present revisions to Policy 6111 - Home Schooling for the first reading. 

2.E. Diploma Requests

The following students have met all graduation requirements for the Duluth Public Schools and should be awarded a Diploma:

Samantha A. Inman - September 13, 2015
Anna K. Campbell - September 15, 2015
Deja Wishart - September 28, 2015
Joshua D. VanDell - October 6, 2015
Hannah Sue Houle - September 18, 2015

2.F. Extended Field Trip Requests

Fifth Grade students from Myers-Wilkins Elementary will travel to Deep Portage Learning Center in Hackensack, Minnesota from February 8-10, 2016.  They will be involved in experiential science, inquiry, and community/team based activities through each day at Deep Portage's student centered facilities.  The total cost of the trip is $5,463.60 and will be funded with student fees and grant dollars.

Eleventh and twelfth grade Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) from Denfeld and East High Schools will be traveling to the Holiday Inn in East St. Paul, Minnesota from November 12-13, 2015 to participate in the Minnesota HOSA Fall Conference.  During the conference they will run for state officer positions.  They will also take part in lessons in leadership, parliamentary procedures, and career development.  The total cost of the trip is $1,464 and will be funded with student fees and grant dollars.

Eleventh and twelfth grade Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) from Denfeld and East High Schools will be traveling to Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota to participate in the Minnesota HOSA MRC Camp/Workshop from November 19-21, 2015.  They will take part in emergency preparedness lessons in authentic settings in the areas of CPR and First-Aid.  The total cost of the trip is $1,464 and will be funded with grant dollars and student fees.

Business Professionals of America (BPA) students in grades nine-twelve from Denfeld and East High Schools will be traveling to the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis, Minnesota from October 31-November 2, 2015 to participate in the BPA Fall Leadership Training where they will partake in a variety of leadership opportunities.  The total cost of the trip is $789 and will be funded with student fees.

Duluth Public Schools Indian Education students will be traveling to the 2015 Minnesota Indian Education Association (MIEA) Conference at the Shooting Star Casino and Hotel in Mahnomen, Minnesota from November 3-6, 2015.  This educational opportunity will help students increase their leadership skills. They will participate in activities such as the Ojibwe Quiz Bowl and Hand Games.  They will also attend JIEA Youth Day at the Circle of Life School where they will participate in games, traditional activities, teachings, and group activities.  The total cost of the trip is $1,225 and will be funded through the Duluth Public Schools Indian Education Department.

3. Future Items

- Elementary Specialists' Overview Presentation - Additional Elementary Programming
- Middle School Programming Presentation
- Presentation on The Role of Integration Specialists
- Course Registration Process for 2016-17
- Career Center Presentation
- Policy 6111 - Home Schooling