Weekly Update
Duluth Public Schools News Jan. 28, 2022
From Superintendent John Magas
Dear families:
Last week, I spoke about the significant challenges that we are facing related to the Omicron wave, as well as our staffing shortages. We warned that there was some potential for a need to move one or more schools or grade levels to remote learning if needs increased, but that we were hopeful that this would not be needed.
Unfortunately, that need came to be as we had to move grade levels 3-5 at Laura MacArthur Elementary School to remote learning for the remainder of this week. Despite everyone’s best efforts, this was needed due to the significant number of staff positions that went unfilled.
I would again say that our intention is to continue in-person instruction, without interruption, at the remainder of our sites. Knock-on wood, but our absentee rates have declined a bit, although our needs remain very significant. We continue to be extremely vigilant, yet hopeful that the worst may be behind us.
With this said, it is still essential that we get the message out around the tremendous job that students and families are doing, as well as countless stories of people stepping up in so many ways. I specifically want to thank all of our paraprofessionals for everything they do. Gov. Tim Walz has declared Jan. 24-28 Paraprofessional Recognition Week, so be sure to thank a paraprofessional you know.
I had been contacted earlier in the week and asked to do an interview on “Fox and Friends” related to the shortages we are facing. In my interview Thursday morning, I tried to make it as clear as possible that this effort has not been about a single individual, or even a single group of us stepping up to do what we need to. It is truly about what we are ALL doing for the students of Duluth Public Schools. I am very proud of our district and community.
With deep gratitude and sincere appreciation, we thank you!
Sincerely,
John Magas
If you have questions or thoughts about what's going on in our school district, email
Paraprofessional Recognition Week
Gov. Tim Walz declared Jan. 24-28 Paraprofessional Recognition Week for the more than 20,000 paraprofessionals working in Minnesota schools and educational programs.
So be sure to thank a paraprofessional you know for all their hard work.
Local, State COVID Data
Detailed updates are available from the Minnesota Department of Health and St. Louis County Department of Health.
Minnesota Weekly COVID Report - Includes Cases in PreK through Grade 12 School Buildings by County
These numbers reflect positive COVID-19 cases by site. The total includes all self-reported positive cases based on the date the case was reported to the school district. Not every person who reported a positive case was in a district building while contagious.
Duluth School Board January meeting recording
The district has used the Meeting Owl Pro since moving out of Historic Old Central High School in October with no issues. Moving forward, technology will be running a secondary recording device as a backup.
Preparing In Case Temporary Remote Learning Is Necessary
Our public health officials agree that, at this time, students are safer in school than they are when schools are in distance learning for a variety of reasons. We will continue to remain in-person as long as we can safely do so.
At the same time, it's prudent for schools to make preparations and plans, should in-person learning no longer be safe and the need to move into temporary remote learning from home becomes necessary.
An overview of what temporary remote learning would look like is available online, and updates will be shared as necessary.
OVERVIEW: Preparing In Case Remote Learning From Home Is Necessary
Exploring SRO Effectiveness Community Report Back
Duluth Public Schools and Marnita's Table invite you to join us for small group conversations facilitated by the Marnita's Table team to share your questions, comments and concerns after exploring the results of our series of community feedback sessions and surveys about School Resource Officers and safety in Duluth Schools.
Monday February 7, 2022, 5PM - 8PM
Spirit Of The North Theatre (Fitgers)
600 East Superior Street, Duluth
Please RSVP
Questions? Call 612-275-1678
Yes! The event is free and open to the public.
Yes! Good food will be provided for everyone from vegan to carnivore.
Yes! All ages are welcome.
Yes! We aim to create a safer space for all to provide an unbiased and complete picture of what everyone needs for a safe and welcoming school and work environment.
Yes! Translation and other access accommodations will be provided if you let us know ahead of time.
We Need Substitutes!
Make a difference by becoming a Duluth Public Schools substitute, our schools need you.
Licensed and non-licensed, a variety of areas.
Questions? Email: noncerthr@isd709.org or call (218) 336-8722
Duluth Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer.
Adelle Wellens hired as new communications officer
Adelle Wellens started as the new communications officer at Duluth Public Schools Monday, Jan. 24. Some of you may know her by her maiden name of Adelle Whitefoot.
Adelle is originally from Michigan, but moved to Minnesota in 2014. She previously worked for Forum Communications Company, first at the Lake County News-Chronicle in Two Harbors and, most recently, at the Duluth News Tribune as the K-12 education reporter covering the district.
Adelle is a former journalist with skills in photography, graphic design, copy writing, proof reading and videography.
Adelle is replacing Katie Kaufman, who retired at the end of December. Please share all of your school's great news about students, teachers or anything else of interest. Adelle is also available to answer any communication related questions, internal or external, and is willing to help with any communication needs you have.
Contact Info:
O: 218-336-8735
C: 218-461-1970
Email: adelle.wellens@isd709.org
Call Out for Student Art
In The News
From WDIO:
One year after a devastating ski accident left him with a spinal cord injury, Mason Branstrator is reflecting and reviewing all that he's overcome. The senior at Duluth East High School just released a video on YouTube documenting his progress.
#inspire709 #GoHounds #DuluthEast
East High School students get CSWA certified
East High School students Parker Dallek, Gunnar Swanson and Charlie Worchester passed the associate level certification in Solidworks. They are now CSWA Certified and all plan on continuing in CAD for engineering.
This test usually is given after two years of college and they passed it in one semester of high school.
Reading with Mr. Rhino: Nearly five years of weekly storytelling
From Fox21 Duluth:
Jeff Reinemann, also known as, Mr. Rhino, brings his own collection of books weekly to Lakewood Elementary School. Many of them are from when his children were little, and some are new books that his wife picked up over the years.
From Duluth News Tribune:
Denfeld High School senior Hartley Bauer started using TikTok, a video-focused social networking platform, following the trends of the moment and checking out dancing and music clips. Last year, she drew a girl in a cyberpunk outfit. She turned that into a mini-tutorial and now she has nearly 173,000 followers and nearly 3 million likes.
Staffing issues in school districts
PHOTO GALLERY: West African Drumming, Dance and Storytelling at Lowell Elementary School
Duluth Community Education Course Catalog
Duluth Community Education provides opportunities for all ages through classes and activities serving people’s social, recreational, enrichment and academic needs.
We got your learning, social and growth opportunities covered whether it is the arts or a new hobby, technology savvy, cooking or dancing, hot topics and community issues, health, wellness and exercise, sports and nature, new languages, music exploration, all types of yoga, aqua fitness, swim lessons, and much more! In-person, live online or webinars…
Register for classes online using VISA, MasterCard or Discover.
View the Winter 2022 Online Catalog
Duluth Community Education: Building Bridges Through Lifelong Learning
Stay Connected
Email: info@ISD709.org
Website: www.ISD709.org
Location: 4316 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8700
Facebook: www.facebook.com/duluthpublicschools/
Twitter: @Duluth_Schools