The District Insider
Volume 8, Issue 2 | September 2020
Grand Forks Public Schools Receives $100,000 Grant from GE Foundation
Grand Forks Public Schools has received a $100,000 community response grant from the GE Foundation to support the school system’s “Smart Restart” initiative.
The funds will be used to retrofit spaces to better meet COVID-19 safety standards, which includes providing access to personal protective equipment (PPE), protective barriers, and sanitizing supplies. The grant will also provide funds to help students access remote learning classes and support professional development for educators.
“The greatest gift we can give our country is educating our future,” said Dr. Terry Brenner, superintendent of schools. “Within the COVID-19 pandemic framework, we have been faced with enormous financial challenges beyond our budget’s capacity. Through the generosity of the GE Foundation, we will be financially better positioned to absorb the extraordinary costs of personal protection equipment for students and staff, thereby continuing to focus general fund dollars on teaching and learning.”
GE Foundation is the philanthropic organization of GE. The foundation connects people with communities through financial gifts, leading on emerging issues, and convening community leaders.
LM Wind Power, a GE Renewable Energy business, designs and manufactures rotor blades for wind turbines, which includes a blade factory in Grand Forks.
“The entire GE family has come together to support COVID-19 response efforts around the globe," said Linda Boff, President, GE Foundation, and Vice President for GE. "We’re proud to be part of the Grand Forks community and are pleased to provide these critical funds to ensure the safe reopening of public schools for students and staff.”
The grant was facilitated by the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region, a nonprofit, community foundation that works to encourage a spirit of philanthropy.
“Preparing for a safe return to school is a top priority for our community, and we're delighted to have the compassion, connection, and support of the GE Foundation,” said Becca Baumbach, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region. “Through this collective effort, we know we will overcome many of the immediate challenges facing our schools and neighbors, and we fully believe in the strength and resolve of the students, their teachers, and the school staff across our region.”
Johnson Named North Dakota History Teacher of the Year
Lisa Johnson, history teacher at Red River High School, has been selected as the North Dakota History Teacher of the Year.
The National History Teacher of the Year is chosen from outstanding history teachers in each state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Department of Defense schools. The award is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
A panel of teachers, administrators, and scholars from North Dakota selected Johnson for her achievements in American history education.
As an award recipient, Johnson will receive a $1,000 award, certificate of recognition, archive of books and historical resources, an invitation to attend a 2021 Gilder Lehrman Teaching Seminar, and recognition at a future event.
“Lisa does a great job engaging students in the study of United States History by connecting the past with contemporary issues and events,” said Dr. Kris Arason, principal at Red River High School. “Students in her class are challenged to think critically about how history has influenced the world we live in today. Red River High School is extremely proud of Lisa for receiving this well-deserved award.”
As a state-level award recipient, Johnson is also one of 53 finalists for the $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year Award. Her award submission will now be reviewed by a national panel of judges. Ten finalists will be announced in late summer and the winner of the national competition will be announced in early fall.
Johnson is entering her 18th year teaching at Grand Forks Public Schools. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of North Dakota.
Johnson has served as the regional coordinator for National History Day in North Dakota from 2003-2005.
McNary Receives Fulbright Award
Aubrey McNary, lead teacher for the Adult Education Program, has been selected for the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) program.
The Fulbright TGC program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and created to increase mutual understanding and build long-lasting connections between people in the United States and other countries.
McNary is one of approximately 70 U.S. citizens who were selected for the program this year. Participants were chosen on the basis of academic and professional achievement, as well as record of service and demonstrated leadership potential.
“Aubrey is an excellent educator with diverse professional experiences working with students from varying backgrounds. Her experience and her role in our program perfectly match what this award is about; global community classrooms,” said Terry Bohan, principal at Community High School who also oversees the Adult Learning Center. “Aubrey has taught in Thailand and schools of varying sizes within the United States. While it doesn’t surprise me, I am very grateful that Fulbright TGC selected an individual who teaches in an adult education program as a member of their TGC program. I’m thrilled for her.”
Fulbright TGC is a year-long professional development opportunity for U.S. elementary, middle, and high school teachers to develop skills for preparing students for a competitive global economy. Fulbright TGC equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration.
Since its inception in 1946, the program has given over 390,000 individuals the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to important international problems.
Fulbright TGC is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Jerde Receives NDACTE Award
Shari Jerde, the business education and family and consumer sciences teacher at Community High School, has been selected to receive the Carl Perkins Community Service Award from the North Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education (NDACTE).
The award recognizes individuals who have used CTE to make a significant impact on their community and demonstrated leadership in programs and activities that promote student involvement in community service.
Jerde continually identifies and implements cross-curricular projects, partnering with community employers, and uses her classroom and skills to give back to the community through service projects.
In fall 2019, Jerde worked with her fashion design students and spearheaded a project to design, develop, fabricate, and install custom-built adaptive Halloween costumes for two students who use wheelchairs within the school system. The result was a Cinderella-themed carriage with lights and a Star Wars TIE Fighter.
“Shari believes strongly in connecting her classroom to the larger Grand Forks community and looks for opportunities to have service projects completed by her students. In addition, Shari supervises a Cooperative Work Experience program in the summertime, where students are utilizing their classroom skills while being employed in a variety of community businesses,” said Eric Ripley, executive director of career and technical education and technology at Grand Forks Public Schools. “She is well deserving of this recognition for her above and beyond efforts!”
The state award recipients were announced at the North Dakota Career and Technical Education professional development virtual conference, which was held on August 10.
Peterson Named Director of Summer Performing Arts Company
Allison Peterson has been named the Director of the Summer Performing Arts (SPA) company.
Peterson has worked in operations for SPA since August of 1997. She currently oversees box office management, student records, budget documentation and grant writing, and social media and website design for SPA.
She also oversees the Red River High School Theatre Guild and has served as the Red River High School extracurricular director of theatre productions since 2003. Peterson has worked at both Grand Forks Central and Red River high schools on productions in scenic painting, stage props and set building, as well as costume building.
Peterson was a Presidential scholar at the University of North Dakota and graduated summa cum laude. She holds a bachelor’s degree with a major in German, minor in English, and minor in secretarial studies and office administration.
Grand Forks Foundation for Education Awards Higher Education Scholarship
The Grand Forks Foundation for Education is awarding an $850 scholarship this summer to help an educator at Grand Forks Public Schools in their pursuit of higher education.
Sarah Boese-Noreen, a Red River High School teacher, is the recipient of this year’s UND Phi Delta Kappa Graduate Scholarship.
The Foundation for Education’s UND Phi Delta Kappa Graduate Scholarship supports educators who are pursuing graduate degrees in education at the University of North Dakota. This scholarship is intended to promote leadership potential, enhance leadership skills, and assist deserving graduate-level students with the completion of master’s or specialist degrees in education.
Phi Delta Kappa is an association of educators dedicated to high-quality education for all students. The association has served more than 500,000 educators in communities across the United States and abroad.
Jentz Named to National School Public Relations Board
Tracy Jentz, APR, communications and community engagement coordinator at Grand Forks Public Schools, has been selected as the next North Central Region Vice President for the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
Since 1935, NSPRA has advanced education through responsible communication and provides services to school leaders throughout the United States and Canada.
The NSPRA Executive Board furthers the purposes of the association and the study and teaching of public relations ideals, ethics, and unique features. The Executive Board assists in preparing programs for meetings of the association, authorizes committee appointments, and formulates policies for NSPRA programs and services. The Executive Board represents nearly 2,000 NSPRA members.
Jentz has been in her position at Grand Forks Public Schools for more than seven years and an NSPRA member throughout that time. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in sociology with a cognate in research methods, both from the University of North Dakota. She also holds the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) designation.
Jentz will begin her three-year term on October 1.
Thank you, Community of Grand Forks!
Thank you to Nicki Green and Sharon Lutheran Church for creating and donating 111 cloth masks to our pre-K and elementary students. We sincerely appreciate your donation!
Thank you to True Healing Massage, Yoga & Wellness for collecting school supplies!
Thank you North Star Quilters Guild for your generous donations of masks! The group sewed and donated over 100 masks on August 19th for students at Grand Forks Public Schools.
Gate City Bank generously donated hand sanitizer and highlighters for employees at Grand Forks Public Schools.
Tips from the Grand Forks Youth Commission
Job Openings
Intervention Title I Paraprofessional - Century Elementary School
Instructional Paraprofessional - Nathan Twining Elementary & Middle School
Custodian - Red River High School
Executive Assistant - Grand Forks Foundation for Education
Instructional Paraprofessional - Ben Franklin Elementary School
Custodian (part-time) - Grand Forks Central High School
Paraprofessional - Head Start
Early Childhood Special Education Paraprofessional - Nathan Twining Elementary & Middle School
Intervention Title I Paraprofessional - Lake Agassiz Elementary
Custodian (part-time) - Nathan Twining Elementary & Middle School
Paraprofessional - Nathan Twining Elementary & Middle School
Site Coordinator, ENCORE Program - South Middle School
Site Coordinator, ENCORE Program - Ben Franklin Elementary
Safety Officer - Red River High School
Custodian (lead night) - Red River High School
Coaching
- Assistant Cheer Coach - Red River High School
Upcoming Events
- September 1 - First Day of School for 10th-12th Grades
- September 7 - No School K-12 / District Office Closed (Labor Day)
- September 14 - Grand Forks School Board Meeting (6 p.m., location TBD)
- September 15 - Grand Forks Air Force Base School Board Meeting (location TBD)
- September 23 - Early Release (middle and high schools - 1 p.m.; elementary schools - 1:30 p.m.)
- September 25 - No School K-12 (professional development); MSEC closes at 4 p.m.
- September 28 - Grand Forks School Board Meeting (6 p.m., location TBD)
For Your Information
Mark Sanford Education Center Alternate Building Hours
This school year, on days when school is not in session, the Mark Sanford Education Center (MSEC) will be open from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. This includes:
- September 25 (Professional Development)
- October 22-23 (Administrative Convention)
- December 23, 28-31 (Holiday Break)
- January 18 (Professional Development)
- March 17-19 (Conference Trade Days / Break)