Summer Update:
For ISD 709 Faculty & Staff 7/22/21
From Superintendent John Magas
Dear Colleagues,
It’s surprising to see that we are already in the second half of July! I hope that each of you has had a much deserved opportunity to rest, relax, recharge, and connect with friends and family over these past few weeks.
Despite the slightly slower pace, there has been a lot of great district work going on behind the scenes. Between our expanded summer school offerings, planning for five days a week of in-person learning in the fall, property sale agreements, operational planning, transitional planning to move from Historic Old Central High School, and other endeavors, I am so thankful for the efforts of our teams.
As we look to the coming school year, I am more excited about education than I have ever been. After the challenges of the past two years, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to recalibrate and provide learning opportunities that are better than anything we have ever offered.
I could not be more proud of our students, staff, families, administration and community, not just for making it past the most challenging days of the pandemic, but also for the courage, creativity and spirit that you have shown in growing from what we learned through this experience.
With deep respect and appreciation,
John
If you have questions or thoughts about what's going on in our school district, email: Superintendents@isd709.org
Safe Learning Plan
The Safe Learning Plan provides current guidance for staff, programs, and outside organizations using ISD 709 sites during the 2021-22 School year.
The document was recently updated to reflect current plans as we prepare to welcome students back in September.
Subject to change based on future state, federal and local guidance.
IMPORTANT and TIME SENSITIVE!
Beginning August 1, all ISD 709 employees will be required to use a Google 2-Step Verification process to login to their district Google account (including email).
- This will help our district obtain cyber-liability insurance and help protect our data.
- Action is required on your part to set up the 2-step verification.
- Staff who have not set up the 2-step verification will be locked out of thier district Google account beginning August 1. They will need to contact the Technology Help Desk for a temporary login.
Please take a minute to learn more about this important and required change:
2021 Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year
Congratulations to Tracy Litman, Ordean East Middle School, named Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year by the MSSWA! School Social Workers provide a vital link between school, home and community. The Award recognizes individuals who reflect the highest professional standards, demonstrate creative leadership and service within the professional and the wider community. Ms. Litman will be formally recognized by the MN School Social Workers Association during a virtual ceremony this fall.
#Inspire709
Congratulations, Facilities Staff!
Congratulations to the following Facilities Staff who earned special licensure! They studied, took tests and received licensure during one of the most demanding years faced by our school community.
- Special Engineer: Tatyana Kudiabergenova, Erik Johnson, Lance Tucker, Dane Benson, Frederick Freel, Darrell Johnson, Anthony Guzzo, Brad Morberg
- 2nd Class:, Pat Shaw, Gerald Lefaive, Stef Regenold
- 1st Class: Ben Thompson
- Chief C: Stephen Kolberg
Ashbaugh partnered with Union leadership to purchase training books and develop a plan to encourage and support staff in pursuing this licensing.
"Our facilities staff have gone above and beyond in service to our schools," said Dave Spooner, Facilities Manager. "I appreciate the work of Heather Ashbaugh in mentoring staff and encouraging them to act as mentors in their own capacity. She respects the staff's input and knowledge, is available and responsive to staff inquiries. She brings vast amounts of knowledge in custodial processes gained through actual years of experience and education, her leadership and support of our facilities staff is appreciated."
#Inspire709
2021 NSPRA Golden Achievement Award
The Duluth Public Schools “We Can Northland” COVID campaign received a 2021 Golden Achievement Award from the National School Public Relations Association. The award recognizes exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement.
Many people who worked together to support this project, which included TV PSAs, social media PSAs, posters, newsletter articles and local press coverage. Participants in the campaign included students, teachers, coaches and administrators from Duluth East, Denfeld, Superior and Proctor High Schools; Duluth and Superior Mayors and Superintendents; St. Louis County and Duluth NAACP representatives and other community leaders.
This is the 5th National Golden Achievement Award for Duluth Public Schools. The district also holds a National Gold Medallion Award, the highest award presented by the NSPRA.
ESSER Fund Investments
Using a wide range of family, staff and community input, the Duluth school district is identifying and prioritizing use of ESSER funds. Funding allocations will need to be applied for and approved by the MN Department of Education. Allocations are for the 2021-22 school year only.
Identified funding priorities include, but are not limited to:
- Student Mental Health
- Academic Intervention
- Additional FTE Toward Class Size
- Attendance Support for Students, Families
- Professional Development
- Staff Recruitment and Retention
ESSER is the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund established by Congress. Means of gathering input into Duluth Public School's use of ESSER funds include family surveys, staff surveys, meetings with building and department leaders, feedback from other regional and similar size school districts, community partners, and local health official and other municipalities including the City of Duluth and St. Louis County.
2021-22 Operational Planning
The transition will require district-wide focus in all schools on:
Addressing student learning needs through our multi-tiered systems and supports
Addressing student social emotional learning and mental health needs through our multi-tiered systems and supports
Increasing knowledge and application of our Equity Framework
Implementation of our Blended Learning Initiative
The District will also need to focus on:
Development and implementation of a principal support framework
Renewed support of our Continuous Improvement Teams
Consistent and clear employee and public engagement
Skyward and Frontline software and processes
Consider needed changes in employee agreements
Consider relatively minor elementary school attendance area changes
HOCHS & Central Hill Project
The Duluth School Board entered into a $7.4 million dollar purchase agreement with Saturday Central Heights, LLC for a 52+ acre portion of the Central High School property on the top of the hill. Over the next year, the Duluth School District, Saturday Central Heights, LLC and the City of Duluth will work together to finalize the sale and redevelopment of the property.
“The Board unanimously approved moving forward with the purchase agreement,” said Jill Lofald, Board Chairperson. “This is an exciting next step which will be beneficial for our schools and our community.”
The sale and redevelopment of this property is the culmination of a plan put in place by the Duluth School Board in 2019 that included the sale and redevelopment of Historic Old Central High School, as well as the relocation of the district’s transportation and district services center. In October 2020, the school board approved a $3 million purchase agreement for HOCHS with Saturday Properties.
This plan to sell both properties was adopted by the board to create efficiencies within the district and to aid in the redevelopment of two important Duluth properties, allowing for the district to focus additional efforts on existing school facilities and student outcomes.
Help Students Learn A Career In Construction
The ISD 709 Construction Technology class seeks potential building projects in the line of sheds, garages or other possibilities for the 2021-22 school year.
Please contact the instructor Anthony.Leone@ISD709.org or leave a phone message at 336-8845 ext 4082.
Free Summer Tutoring Available
Free tutoring for K-12 students is available through the CSS/ISD 709 Tutor Program. We have tutors in most grade levels and subjects. They've completed training and are ready to work with Duluth students!
Click here 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.
- Once you book a tutoring session you will receive an email with the details of your appointment.
- Appointments are online. A link to the video conference session will be sent with the email.
If you have any questions please feel free to email Beth LaVigne blavigne@css.edu
Free Summer Meals for Children
Free Grab & Go Breakfast & Lunch Available to Students Through the Summer! Bagged meals available weekdays to students 18 years of age and younger. No paperwork necessary. Any student can pick up a meal at any location. Parents/Guardians can pick up the bagged meal without students present.
- Free grab & go summer meals run through August 20, 2021
Locations & time posted at ISD709.org/Food4Kids
Questions? 218-336-8707. This institution is an equal opportunity provider
ISD 709 News
Denfeld Students, Staff Host MN Governor Visit
Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and MN Education Commissioner Dr. Heather Mueller visited students and teachers at Denfeld High School.
Governor Walz helped time students taking part in a Science class project on acceleration, talked with the Denfeld football coach and made a stop in the historic Denfeld Auditorium.
The Governor, Lt. Governor and Commissioner saw first hand and talked about how investment in students this summer, and into the future, is more important than ever, as communities recover from the pandemic.
Many thanks to our state and local leaders, we appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about public education! Thank you, Dr. Marcia Nelson and the teachers, students and staff at Denfeld, for hosting the visit, and to MN Senator Jen McEwen, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, Council President Renee Van Nett, Duluth School Board Members and all who took part in the event.
Stay Connected
Email: info@ISD709.org
Website: www.ISD709.org
Location: 215 N. 1st Avenue East, Duluth MN
Phone: 218-336-8700
Facebook: www.facebook.com/duluthpublicschools/
Twitter: @ISD709News