October 16, 2018 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. Assistant Superintendent's Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton shared current information regarding implementation of district initiatives and school operations.

1.B. Curriculum and Instruction Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gail Netland shared current information regarding the status of the work of the curriculum and instruction department.

1.C. Informational Presentations

1.C.1) North Star Accountability System Presentation - Part 2

The Minnesota Department of Education recently released the North Star Accountability System. Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Performance Dr. Tawnyea Lake shared an overview of the system and initial Duluth data at the September 2018 Education Committee meeting. This month, Assistant Superintendent Horton shared an overview of site data and update on schools' continuous improvement process.

1.D. Grant Applications

1.D.1) Miller-Dwan Foundation Grant Application

Ron Lake, Danette Seboe and Tonya Sconiers have submitted a grant application to the Miller-Dwan Foundation in the amount of $20,000. If awarded, funds will be used to further support implementation of the Sources of Strength program at Duluth East and Denfeld High Schools. Sources of Strength is a best practice youth suicide prevention project designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse.

1.D.2) Northland Foundation - Youth in Philanthropy Grant Application

Timothy Churchill, Ordean East Middle School, has submitted a grant application to the Northland Foundation-Youth in Philanthropy in the amount of $1,000. If awarded, funds will be used to support OEMS First Tech Challenge (FTC), a 6th to 8th grade, school based robotics team that is entering its 3rd year.

1.D.3) Boston Scientific Grant Application

Calvin Harris, Laura MacArthur Elementary School, submitted for and was awarded a grant from Boston Scientific in the amount of $650. Funds will be used to support a FIRST LEGO League robotics team at Laura MacArthur Elementary.

1.D.4) Northland Foundation Grant Application

Calvin Harris, Laura MacArthur Elementary School, submitted a grant application to the Northland Foundation in the amount of $1,000. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase Ev3 robots for the FIRST LEGO League robotics team at Laura MacArthur Elementary.

2. Action Items

2.A. Resolutions

2.A.1) Resolution E-10-18-3591 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-10-18-3591 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

Northland Foundation
Boston Scientific - High Tech Kids

2.B. Trip Requests

2.B.1) Extended Trip Request - Montgomery, AL

12th grade students from Duluth Public Schools traveled to Montgomery, AL from September 27-30, 2018, to visit various sites connected to the history of slavery and the civil rights movement. The objective of this trip was to broaden student understanding of the legacy of slavery and civil rights. The total cost of this trip was $4,000 and was funded by the Office of Education Equity and organized in partnership with the African Heritage Community and CHUM.

2.B.2) Extended Trip Request - Wolf Ridge ELC

Fourth grade students from Congdon Park Elementary School will be traveling to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN from October 26-28, 2018. This trip will provide students with an experiential learning opportunity, which will help them develop teamwork skills and provide a chance for personal growth. The trip is organized by parents, financed through fund raising activities and student fees and will take place outside of the regular school schedule.

2.B.3) Externally Sponsored Trip - West Yellowstone, MT

Bonnie Fuller-Kask, Duluth East High School Nordic Ski Coach, will travel to West Yellowstone, MT from November 16-24, 2018 with a group of Duluth Public Schools students as an externally sponsored event. This is an annual community trip run through Nordic Fitness and Adventures, LLC. Although this annual trip is not sponsored or funded by Duluth Public Schools, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has requested the Duluth School Board accept and approve any travel where the schools' team members and coach travel together in season.

2.C. Diploma Requests

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

Kenneth Sky Quade - June 30, 2011
Brittney Kabnpauj Yang - September 19, 2018
Thaddeus W. Breimon - September 25, 2018

3. Future Items

Policy Updates
Check and Connect Program Update