The District Insider
Volume 9, Issue 7 | February 2022
Grand Forks Public Schools to Participate in Giving Hearts Day
Grand Forks Public Schools, through the Grand Forks Foundation for Education, will participate in Giving Hearts Day on February 10.
Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online fundraiser for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota. The event is hosted by the Dakota Medical Foundation, the Impact Foundation, and the Alex Stern Foundation.
Grand Forks Public Schools is raising funds for “The Giving Tree,” our internal pantry for school social workers and employees to access at any time for critically needed items.
“The Giving Tree is a godsend for our Grand Forks Public School social workers. We are able to help families in need quickly, no paperwork or time needed. Often, we aren't aware of the hardships some of the families we work with face until the need is dire,” said Alisa Bowman, school social worker. “Every family has experienced a time when things fall apart for a while. The Giving Tree provides a net to help our students and families get on their feet and lets them know help is accessible and people care.”
Gifts $10 or greater may be matched thanks to the generous funding of the Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation and Grand Forks Scheels.
“We are so grateful for the continued support from the Monique and Jocelyne Lamoureux Foundation and Scheels,” said Emilia Hodgson, executive director of the Grand Forks Foundation for Education. “They know how important it is for our most at-risk students to feel seen and valued.”
For more information, please contact Hodgson at 701.787.4867 or ehodgson290@mygfschools.org. The donation webpage can be found http://www.givingheartsday.org.
The longest-running giving day in the country, Giving Hearts Day has helped participating charities raise more than $112 million since its founding in 2008.
Note: Pre-giving is now available. Click on the button below to schedule your Giving Hearts Day gift today!
Fifteen Students Named State Nominees for U.S. Presidential Scholars Program
Fifteen Grand Forks Public Schools seniors have been named state nominees for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
Nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars program are:
- Elizabeth Corcoran, Red River High School
- Sarah Hong, Red River High School
- Tanner Johnson, Grand Forks Central High School
- Dylan Kiley, Grand Forks Central High School
- Angelica Knudsen, Red River High School
- Gabrielle Linder, Red River High School
- Carson Mathre, Red River High School
- Emily Nelson, Red River High School
- Grace Nelson, Grand Forks Central High School
- Owen Reilly, Red River High School
- Tanner Schiller, Red River High School
- Carter Schmisek, Grand Forks Central High School
- Boyuan Zhang, Grand Forks Central High School
Nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in Career and Technical Education (CTE) are:
- Caitlin MacKenzie, Red River High School
- Madeline Stangl, Grand Forks Central High School
Established in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program recognizes and honors distinguished graduating seniors across the nation. In 2015, the program was extended again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.
A committee of qualified individuals experienced in secondary and post-secondary education will evaluate the candidates on their academic achievement, personal characteristics, leadership and service activities, and an analysis of their essay.
Each year, up to 161 students will be chosen as Presidential Scholars, including at least two North Dakotans.
All 2022 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be selected by the Commission and will receive the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
Makovsky, Rodriguez Receive Employee of the Quarter Awards
Jana Makovsky and Jared Rodriguez have been selected as the classified and certified employees of the 2nd quarter at Grand Forks Public Schools.
Makovsky (certified) and Rodriguez (classified) each received a plaque from the Grand Forks School Board on January 24. In gratitude for their impact on the school system and students, Makovsky and Rodriguez will also receive a $200 monetary award from the Grand Forks Foundation for Education.
Created in 2019, the purpose of the award program is to recognize excellence as accomplished by certified and classified employees. To be considered for the award, the employee must be a valuable asset to the school community by completing their job duties to the highest standard and displaying a commitment to students/parents/guardians, as well as the school/program/school system.
Makovsky is a 1st/2nd grade combination teacher at Phoenix Elementary School. In his nomination, colleague Kyle DeWitt wrote, “Jana was asked to transition from many years of being a resident teacher mentor back into the classroom. She did so with grace and professionalism. What makes this transition special is that she went into a 1st and 2nd grade combo class. Not only was she asked to return to the classroom, but she was also asked to prepare a room, and deliver curriculum and instruction for two separate grade levels. She is solid in her classroom routines and gets to know her students on a personal level.”
In his nomination, parent Andrew Miller noted, “from the day we met her at the open house we could tell that Jana was a model teacher. Through her teaching and actions with students, Jana embodies what I hope every teacher strives for. She is attentive, personable, and passionate. She makes sure my son feels safe and displays her pride for working in this school district every day.”
Rodriguez fulfills many roles at Discovery Elementary School, including Early Childhood Special Education paraprofessional, lunchroom paraprofessional, and bus monitor.
In a nomination written for Rodriguez, parent Jordan Anderson said, “Jared is so patient with our daughter. He is so empathetic. He truly cares about the students he serves and the parents. On the first day of school, I was nervous about how my four-year-old would do as this hadn’t been in her routine all summer. We walked into the school, she yelled ‘Jared!’ and ran straight to him. Jared is always able and willing to communicate how her day went and anything that was challenging. To have a professional build a relationship like that with your child is the best feeling.”
The nomination period for the classified and certified employees of the 3rd quarter will open in February.
Notice of Election: Grand Forks Public School District #1
Notice is hereby given that the Grand Forks Public School District will hold its election on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, for the purpose of electing five (5) members of the School Board, to serve terms of four (4) years each, and to determine whether a record of the school board proceedings must be published in the official newspaper of the district (NDCC 15.1-09-31). The election will be held in conjunction with the State Primary Election at the polling places and times established by Grand Forks County.
The Board positions up for election are currently held by Doug Carpenter, Christopher Douthit, Jacqueline Hassett, Shannon Mikula, and Bill Palmiscno.
Information from the North Dakota Secretary of State on running for a school district office is found here.
Candidates interested in seeking election to the Grand Forks Public School District School Board must complete and sign the Candidate Filing Form and Statement of Interests and submit both documents to the School District Business Manager at the Mark Sanford Education Center, 2400 47th Ave. S, Grand Forks, ND 58201, no later than 4 p.m. on April 11, 2022.
The required documents are also available for pick up at the Mark Sanford Education Center.
The North Dakota School Boards Association is hosting a free Lunch & Learn webinar titled, “So, You Want to be a Board Member?” on March 16, 2022, at 12 p.m. To register, visit this website.
Playing with Moxie
Middle and high school students spent hours working with and learning from The Moxie Strings in preparation for the 2022 All-City Orchestra Concert, which was held on January 20. The Moxie Strings duo includes Alison, who performs on a newly-invented electric cello, and Diana, who plays a contemporary 5-string violin (photo courtesy Emilia Hodgson).
Sources of Strength
Students in Britta Meza's class at J Nelson Kelly Elementary spent time with Kimberly Novacek (counselor) on a Sources of Strength lesson regarding positive friends. 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 (photo courtesy Novacek).
What's Your Name?
Check out these Egyptian cartouches created by students in Justin Johnson's class at Elroy Schroeder Middle School. Cartouches are ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic name plates that are shaped like an oval with a horizontal bar at the base.
Tying It Together
A job well done to the Red River FBLA chapter! Their most recent community service project was creating tie blankets for the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC). FBLA is a professional organization for students interested in pursuing business careers. The mission of FBLA is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experience.
Examples of Excellence
- The Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) partnered with Xello to support a series of publications that highlighted strong education and business partnerships in CTE from across the nation. The collaboration between Grand Forks Public Schools and Northrop Grumman was recently featured and highlighted several initiatives including VEX Robotics, high school mentoring program (HIP), and fiscal support provided to advance and strengthen STEM-based education. Executive Director of CTE and Technology Eric Ripley, Red River High School VEX Robotics Advisor Joey Ostgarden, and recent graduate Broden Diederich (RRHS, '21) provided contributions to the article.
Job Openings - Come Join Our Team!
Administrative
- High School Athletics Director - Grand Forks Central High School
- High School Athletics Director - Red River High School
- Business Manager
Certified
- Summer School Teacher - Middle School Level
- Summer School Teacher - High School Level
- School Psychologist Intern
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher - Discovery Elementary School
- Special Education Teacher
- Create a Teacher Application
- Teacher - Century Elementary School
- EL Teacher
- School Counselor
- School Psychologist
- Special Education Teacher (part-time) - J Nelson Kelly Elementary School
Support Staff
- Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional - Ben Franklin Elementary School
- School Nurse
- Career Coordinator - Grand Forks Central High School
- Cook - Century Elementary School
- Security Officer - Grand Forks Central High School
- Mental Health Therapist
- Title I Interventionist Paraprofessional - Ben Franklin Elementary School
- Mental Health/Social Emotional Learning Specialist
- Instructional Paraprofessional - Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School
- Title I Interventionist Tutor - Century Elementary School
- 504 Paraprofessional - Elroy Schroeder Middle School
- Elementary Level Paraprofessional
- Secondary Level Paraprofessional
- Resource Educator - Red River High School
- Library Paraprofessional - Discovery Elementary School
- Instructional Paraprofessional - Grand Forks Central High School
- EL Paraprofessional - Discovery Elementary School
- Native American Tutor
- Float Paraprofessional - Head Start
- Snow Removal (on-call)
- Substitute Custodian Application Pool
- Custodian Application Pool
- Lunchroom Paraprofessional Pool
- Cook Application Pool
Substitute
Upcoming Events
- February 9: Early Release (Nathan Twining/middle/high schools: 1 p.m., elementary schools: 1:30 p.m.)
- February 14: Grand Forks School Board meeting (tour (open to the public) of Grand Forks Central High School, 5:30 p.m.; regular meeting at the Mark Sanford Education Center, 6:30 p.m.)
- February 15: Grand Forks Air Force Base Meeting (12 p.m., Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School)
- February 18: End of 2nd Trimester (elementary schools)
- February 24-25: No School K-12 (Professional Development); district office closes at 4 p.m.
- February 28: Grand Forks School Board meeting (tour (open to the public) of Phoenix Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.; regular meeting at the Mark Sanford Education Center, 6:30 p.m.)
Please note: March 9th was erroneously included as an early release day on the 2022 City of Grand Forks calendar. March 9th is not an early release day this year.