March 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items - These items are provided for informational purposes only and no action is required.

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) Assistant Superintendent's Report

As part of her monthly report, Assistant Superintendent Amy Starzecki highlighted efforts in teaching and learning across ISD 709. Updates were shared regarding implementation of District initiatives to support teaching and learning.

1.A.2) Farm to School Program Update

With the culmination of the USDA Farm to School Grant in December 2016, and the recent support of Essentia Health to carry forward Farm to School efforts, Renee Willemsen, Healthy Northland Farm to School Education Coordinator, provided a project update to share the many ways that Farm to School is benefiting student health while providing cross-discipline learning opportunities.

1.A.3) 2015-16 Graduation Data and Check and Connect Program Update

Dr. Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Performance, presented information on the 2015-16 Graduation Rates for the Duluth Public Schools, which was released by the Minnesota Department of Education in February 2017. Mike Meyer, Check and Connect Program Coordinator, Jason Crane, Special Services Director, William Howes, Office of Education Equity Coordinator, Edye Howes, American Indian Education Coordinator, and Tonya Sconiers, Denfeld High School Principal, presented information on the work they have done with regard to the 5 year grant from the Minnesota Department of Education to implement the Check and Connect program.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund - Early Childhood Outdoors Grant

Laurie Melby, Myers-Wilkins Head Start, has submitted a grant application to the Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund in the amount of $1,980. Early Childhood Outdoors project is designed to provide winter outdoor gear in order to make winter outdoor education possible for young children. This would be accomplished through the provision of snowsuits and winter boots for students to wear daily during outdoor education, exploration and play during winter months.

1.B.2) Minnesota Department of Health - Asthma Friendly Schools Mini Grant

Kelly Piette, Myers-WIlkins Elementary, has submitted and received a grant in the amount of $1,500 from the Asthma Friendly Schools Mini Grant Program offered by the Minnesota Department of Health's Asthma Program. Funds from this grant will support an event for students or students and parents to learn about asthma and asthma self-management.

1.B.3) Duluth Public Schools Endowment Fund - DAPE Grant

Leigh Ann Viche, ISD 709 DAPE teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Duluth Public School Endowment Fund in the amount of $500. If awarded, funds from this grant will be used to purchase projector equipment for Duluth Public Schools' gymnasiums. There are currently no Smartboards or projectors in our gyms. 

1.C. Regulations - NONE

1.D. Other Informational Items

1.D.1) Externally Sponsored Trip Request

Jon Flaa, Lee Kruger, and Kim Kruger, Duluth East High School, will travel to Italy and Greece from April 1 - 9, 2017, with a group of Duluth Public Schools students as an externally sponsored event. The Acknowledgement That The Trip Is Not Sponsored By The School District forms have been completed, signed and submitted to the Office of the Assistant Superintendent by the parent(s)/guardian(s) of all traveling students along with the Externally Sponsored Trip form signed by Danette Seboe, Duluth East High School Principal.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence 2016-17

Edye Howes, American Indian Education Coordinator, presented the Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence Report for review and approval. The Resolution of Concurrence and Non-Concurrence is submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education on behalf of the Duluth Public Schools American Indian Education Programs Parent Advisory Committee.

2.B. Policies - NONE

2.C. Grant Awards

2.C.1) Resolution E-03-17-3435 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-03-17-3435 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve the grant awards from the following organizations:

Minnesota Department of Health

2.D. Extended Field Trip Requests

2.D.1) Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center - Congdon Park Elementary

Fourth grade students from Congdon Park Elementary School will be traveling to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota from March 29 - 31, 2017.  This trip will provide students with an experiential learning opportunity, which will help them meet the Minnesota state standards in Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education, develop teamwork skills, and provide a chance for personal growth.  The total cost of the trip is $15,622 and will be financed through fund raising activities and student and chaperon fees.

2.D.2) SkillsUSA Conference and Competition - Culinary Arts

Duluth Public Schools Culinary Arts students will travel to the SkillsUSA Conference and Competition in Bloomington, MN from March 31 - April 2, 2017. During this event, students will compete with other students in the Culinary Competitions. Contestants will demonstrate their knowledge and skills through the production of a four course menu in a full day of competition. Through competition, the students will put into practice the curriculum that has been taught in the Culinary Arts program in the Duluth Public Schools. This competition also offers opportunities for scholarships for the winners.

2.D.3) Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center - Lowell Elementary

Fourth grade students from Lowell Elementary will travel to to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minnesota from April 26 - 28, 2017. During this event, students will participate in classes lead by environmental educators both indoors and out. These classes focused on Minnesota Science Standards, team building and building positive self confidence. The total cost of the trip is $8,100 and will be financed through fund raising activities and student and chaperon fees.

2.E. Diploma Requests

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

Terent Deville Talbert - February 17, 2017
Natasha Marie Lindberg - February 28, 2017
Mason Patrick Linn - March 2, 2017
Nathan Andrés Krutzig - March 10, 2017
Wyatt William Page - March 10, 2017

2.F. Data Sharing Agreements - NONE

2.G. Other Action Items - NONE

3. Future Items

Language Immersion Update
Families in Transition Program Update
Policy Updates