Weekly Update
Duluth Public Schools News March 11, 2022
From Superintendent John Magas
Dear families:
So much of our time over the past two years has been spent focusing on the immediate internal needs of our district during the pandemic. It is also necessary to remember the importance of reaching out to, and collaborating with, the broader community, including our state leaders.
This week, I joined members of our team to advocate on behalf of Duluth Public Schools at the Duluth & St. Louis County Capitol Days. This citizen advocacy event was held in person for the first time in two years and was the 25th year that the Chamber of Commerce coordinated this opportunity to share the voices of education, governmental and business leaders with our elected officials.
With a $9.25 billion dollar state budget surplus, we believe that it is important that our legislators from throughout Minnesota clearly understand the learning needs of our students, staff and families as we finish the second full year of the pandemic. Obtaining vital resources to support our focus on unfinished student learning, social emotional, mental health and safety needs is vital to successfully closing the gaps that were caused and widened during this time.
Members of the School Board and administration met with individual lawmakers to advocate for our legislative platform, which can be found here.
In addition to these meetings, we heard from our local delegation, the Lt. Governor and many others for a legislative session update. It was also a wonderful opportunity for collaboration with local organizations, higher education and other community stakeholders.
I am hopeful that by proudly representing our district and our ongoing needs, that we will better position ourselves in serving our stakeholders in the months to come.
Finally, I hope that you have a great weekend as we set our clocks forward and enjoy the longer days.
Sincerely,
John Magas
If you have questions or thoughts about what's going on in our school district, email:
In The News
Duluth’s Wodny a double state champion
Duluth's Grant Wodny prevailed in a pair of thrilling finishes to make himself a double state champion at the Class AA state meet at the University of Minnesota.
Wodny won both the 200- and 500-yard freestyles, coming from behind and breaking his own school records in both instances.
Mason Branstrator is holding an auction to raise funds
An auction for a Duluth East athlete injured in a skiing accident aims to help with rehab costs.
Mason Branstrator, 18, was injured in January 2021, while skiing at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. He is paralyzed from the waist down.
Now, Mason is learning to walk again and the community is focusing on his recovery.
The auction will run until Monday, March 14, at 6 p.m.
Kids 5-11 years old have chance at $100,000 scholarship
Minnesotans can learn more about the Kids Deserve a Shot program, register for the scholarship drawing, and view official rules at Kids Deserve a Shot.
Local, State COVID Data
Detailed updates are available from the Minnesota Department of Health and St. Louis County Department of Health.
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. These numbers include at-home COVID-19 test kits.
The CDC and Minnesota Department of Health only report positive cases where the person was inside a school building while infectious. The department’s numbers do not include positive cases determined by an at-home COVID-19 test kit.
They do this because there is not a medical professional present to:
Confirm who is taking the test,
That the home test has not expired,
That a proper sample is taken and more.
The CDC and Minnesota Department of Health is also reporting numbers that are at least a week old. If you have questions regarding these numbers, feel free to send your questions to covidquestions@isd709.org.
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
Communications Officer Adelle Wellens
Email: adelle.wellens@isd709.org
Website: www.ISD709.org
Location: 4316 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8735