Weekly Newsletter

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s):

Duluth Public Schools has the opportunity to use e-learning days this year to help with missing excessive school days due to bad weather. Please see below for information related to e-learning days.

What is an e-learning day?

• The district may move to an e-learning day during the school year when students cannot get to school because of bad weather.

How will I know if my child has an e-learning day?

• It will be shared through the same communication routes as traditional “snow day” alerts such as posted on our website, through the local news, or through district communication.

What will my middle or high school student be doing on an e-learning day?

• Your child will access prepared activities through each teacher’s Canvas classroom.

• The activities are tasks students can complete independently or with some adult support. These activities will not be new learning.

• Assignments must be completed within three days for positive school attendance.

• Please talk to your child’s teacher if your student has any special circumstances.

What happens if we choose not to participate on an e-learning day?

• If you choose not to participate for any reason, please contact the school so your child can be marked with an excused absence for the day.

• According to District policy #503, students with excused absences are required to make up all assignments missed as deemed appropriate by the classroom teacher.

Additional Information:

• The first 2 weather related school closure days will be traditional “snow days” with no e-learning.

• E-learning will begin on the 3rd “snow day” of the year. There can be up to 5 e-learning days per school year.

• Teachers will be available by email and/or phone via voicemail from 9:15AM-2:15PM on e-learning days.

As a reminder, the District will only move to e-learning if we have more than 2 weather related closures in any given school year.

If you have any questions about e-learning, more Information is included in the Student Handbook posted on the District's website.

Dear Families,

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing 18 or more days in a school year. Ideally, a student wouldn’t miss more than 9 days in a school year to stay on track, be successful and be engaged in their learning.

Starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, regular attendance is essential for students to gain the academic and social skills they need to thrive. Research shows that when students are chronically absent, they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school or graduate from high school.

The good news is that efforts to improve engagement and attendance can benefit our entire society. We all prosper when children and youth, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, neighborhood, economic status or family income, have the opportunity to gain skills and abilities that prepare them for success in school, work and life.

Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty. Find out if your children feel engaged by their classes, and feel safe.

If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers and school counselors for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.

Students are more likely to engage in learning and attend school if they feel safe, connected and supported.

If we work together we can make sure our students are an #AttendanceHERO — Here, Every day, Ready and On time!

Sincerely,

Anthony Bonds

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning and Equity

Dear Duluth Public Schools Families,

Free online tutoring for K-12 students is available through the CSS/ISD 709 Tutor Program. We have tutors in most grade levels and subjects. They have completed training and are ready to work with Duluth students!

Go to this web address: https://css709tutor.setmore.com/ to book tutoring appointments. Once there you will be able to choose the grade level needed, the content, the tutor and the time they are available. After you book a tutoring session you will receive an email with a Google Meets (video-conference) link. Use that link at the time of your appointment.

If you have any questions please feel free to email Beth LaVigne blavigne@css.edu

On Oct.13, 16 students from Ordean East, Denfeld, East, and Marshall High School embarked on an enlightening 8-day HBCU tour,(historical black colleges and universities) accompanied by visits to the National Civil Rights Museum, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Park.

These students were eager to learn about the rich history and culture of historically black colleges and universities, as well as the pivotal role these institutions played in the fight for civil rights. Along the way, they were able to immerse themselves in the powerful exhibits and interactive experiences at the museums, gaining a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of the civil rights movement.

The highlight of the trip was a visit to Martin Luther King Jr. National Park, where the students were able to pay their respects to the iconic leader and reflect on his legacy. The HBCU tour was a transformative experience for these students, broadening their perspectives and inspiring them to continue the fight for equality and justice.

Piedmont 5th Graders learned about air pressure first hand by traveling to the Stratosphere. We launched a weather balloon from school with our experiments on it. When it leaves Earth's atmosphere, it encounters low temperatures and about 1/100 of the air pressure here on Earth. The lack of air pressure makes the balloon expand to about the size of our classroom then it bursts and falls back to Earth.

It's been a pattern that each year people who don't know us are really willing to help us out--this year it was Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, last year the airport made us a no fly zone even though the FAA shut down our launch due to cloud coverage, the year before some retired loggers, etc. There's a really nice kindness and community feel that ends up unexpectedly coming with this project.

The students then make a YouTube video to share their experience:

Duluth East High School 10th, 11th, and 12th grade Academic Awards. These full-time East students earned a 3.8 or higher for the 2022-23 school year. Give them a huge congratulations for maintaining academic excellence.

Shout out to Adam Wisocki and Michael Engen for baking homemade cookies for all 300 students.

WHEREAS: Education is a lifelong journey, and school districts across Minnesota recognize and value the indispensable role of community education; and

WHEREAS: Community education promotes learning and programming for people of all ages, backgrounds, and needs. It serves as bridge, fostering connections and bringing people together to identify community needs and resources to empower and enrich the lives of our community members; and

WHEREAS: Community education is fueled by engagement from local community members and organizations who invest their time and efforts in uplifting and being involved in the learning journeys of others. The involvement of local communities is essential to the development of community education programs across the state.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim the Thursday, November 9, 2023, as: COMMUNITY EDUCATION DAY

Bentleyville has been brightening our lives in the northland for two decades! Come relive Bentleyville’s history at the Bentleyville 20th Anniversary exhibit at The Depot.

Join Nathan Bentley and his Bentleyville team for the official exhibit ribbon cutting and open house on November 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. Travel back through time walking through the mini-display of bygone Bentleyville decorations, lights, and signs. Relive some of Bentleyville’s biggest highlights and interesting history. And view 20 years of Bentleyville souvenirs and swag—and even the original Bentleyville sleigh!

We’ll have cookies and cocoa too. The Bentleyville exhibit will run from Nov. 14 to Dec. 31. Check The Depot and Bentleyville Facebook pages and websites for more info.

Studying to pass the Math GED? But, can't commit to a class? Try our free GED Live Lessons. Attend the lessons you need to learn.
In Person: Tues. 10:00-11:00
Online: Tues. 1:30 - 2:30
Available to all registered DAE students.
Not registered yet? Go to dae.isd709.org to get started!