November 17, 2015 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Course Registration Process for 2016-17

Dr.  Michael Cary, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented an overview of the course registration process for the 2016-17 school year.

1.A.2) MN PreK-3 Leadership Series Presentation

Five of our elementary schools are participating in the MN PreK-3 Principal Leadership Series, a comprehensive, five day series that supports elementary level principals in improving their school's readiness and the alignment  of policies and practices across the birth-to-age eight learning continuum.  Assistant Superintendent, Amy Starzecki, presented an overview of this series.

1.A.3) Spanish Immersion Program

Crystal Goldman, Immersion Specialist and ELD Coordinator, gave an overview of the Spanish Immersion Program to be implemented for the 2016-2017 school year. The overview included information on the immersion program model, goals, curriculum, language development, benefits of immersion, and the site location.

1.B. Grant Applications - (None) 

1.C. New Regulation 611R - Home Schooling - Shared Time

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies administration is sharing new Regulation 611R - Home Schooling - Shared Time for your information.

2. Action Items

2.A. 6111 - Home Schooling - Deletion 

In moving to the MSBA Model Policies administration is recommending the deletion of Policy 6111, which will be replaced by Policy 611.  This is recommended for a first reading.

2.B. New Policy 611 - Home Schooling

Attached is MSBA model Policy 611 - Home Schooling for the first reading.  This policy would replace the current policy number 6111.

2.C. Extended Field Trip Requests

Duluth Public Schools eleventh and twelfth grade Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)  will be traveling to the HOSA Leadership Conference at Camp Ripley in Little Falls, Minnesota on December 4-5, 2015 for State Officer Training.  The total cost of the trip is $582 and will be funded through student fees and grant dollars.

Fifth grade students from Lakewood Elementary will be traveling to Wolf Ridge Environmental Center in Finland, Minnesota from February 8 - 10, 2016.  During this event students will participate in six classes lead by environmental educators both indoors and out.  These classes will be focused around Minnesota Science Standards and building positive self-concept.  The total cost of the trip $7,930 and will be funded with student fees.

2.D. Resolution E-11-15-3310 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-11-15-3310 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant award from the following organizations:

- Northland Foundation
- Southern St. Louis County Family Services Collaborative
- Northland Foundation
- Northland Foundation
- Ordean Foundation
- Northland Foundation

2.E. Addition of Aerospace Physics Course for the 2016-17 School Year

Aaron Salmela, Science Curriculum Specialist, and Brad Vieths, Coordinator of Career and Technical Education, presented information on the addition of the elective course Aerospace Physics for the 2016-17 school year.

2.F. Addition of Fab Lab II Course for the 2016-17 School Year

Brad Vieths, Coordinator of Career and Technical Education, presented information on the recommended addition of the elective course Fab Lab II for the 2016-17 school year.

2.G. Addition of Fab Lab III Course for the 2016-17 School Year

Brad Vieths, Coordinator of Career and Technical Education, presented information on the recommended addition of the elective course Fab Lab III for the 2016-17 school year.

2.H. Diploma Requests

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

Jamarr LaVell Harkins - October 29, 2015

2.I. Addition to Certified List of 2015 Graduates from the Area Learning Center

It is recommended by administration that the official minutes include the following students as graduates from the Area Learning Center on June 5, 2015.  Their names were unintentionally left off the official certified list of 2015 graduates from the Area Learning Center.

Ethan Cole
Jovonne Garland
Kassidi Henry

2.J. Data Sharing Agreements

It is requested that the attached Data Sharing Agreement for the following organization replace the original Agreement that was approved by the Duluth School Board on September 22, 2015 to support District functions from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016:

- The Regents of the University of Minnesota Through Its Duluth Campus Upward Bound Program

3. Future Items

- Elementary Specialists' Overview Presentation - Additional Elementary Programming
- Middle School Programming Presentation
- Presentation on The Role of Integration Specialists