Update:
For ISD 709 Faculty & Staff 10/8/20
From John Magas, Superintendent
Dear Colleagues,
This week I’m reminded of the power of collaboration in the face of challenge. Each day I’ve been part of and witnessed examples of students, parents, teachers, administrators, staff and community partners coming together to seek and create solutions to the complexities we face.
This is a monumentally demanding time for education, parenting and being a student. As we increase the intensity and rigor of instruction and ask each other to step up in new and different ways it can be stressful. I’ve seen people tear up in frustration. The saving grace in instances where someone felt knocked down and ready to give up, there have been vast numbers of hands reaching out to pick them up. The power and humanity of our Duluth Public Schools community is breathtaking.
That sense of community and collaboration is the engine driving massive shifts in how we serve students. It’s Link Crew teams in both high schools helping students bond and connect, despite the distance. It’s teams of counselors and social workers reaching out to students and families in need. We witness it as food service employees load buses with meals and facilities staff clean buildings to ensure the people within are safe. We see it as teachers and students use Google Meet to build skills through project based learning and as teachers work together to create engaging content and load it into our learning management systems.
It’s said that new teams go through four cycles - forming, storming, norming and performing. This means people come together, hit some road bumps, figure out the structures and rules and then, really knock it out of the park. In many ways, the collaboration of our student and staff teams are going through similar cycles as we seek to continuously improve.
I believe in our staff teams. I believe in our students and families. And I am certain that the spirit of working together will lift us beyond the challenges of today to the greatness that is just around the corner. Thank you for all that you are doing - it is truly an inspiration.
Sincerely,
John
If you have questions or thoughts about what's going on in our school district, email: Superintendents@isd709.org
$150,000 Grant to Address Digital Divide
Duluth Digital Inclusion Partnership representatives gathered at Denfeld High School this week to announce a $150,000 award to help families and students who are experiencing the digital divide due to COVID-19. Funds come from the Partnership for a ConnectedMN and were awarded to LISC Duluth.
"This funding is critical to balancing safety and education while serving Duluth students and families most impacted by the digital divide," said Superintendent John Magas. "The Digital Inclusion community partnership is helping to provide much needed resources, including reliable internet access and technology support, to those who need it most.”
Those in attendance included:
- Duluth Mayor Emily Larson
- Superintendent of ISD709, John Magas
- Pam Kramer, Executive Director of LISC Duluth (co-host of the Digital Partnership)
- Elena Foshay, Director of Duluth Workforce Development (co-host of the Partnership)
- Emily Edison, Executive Director of SOAR Career Solutions
- Student Representatives of Denfeld Community School Leadership
- Angel Nustad-Peluso, Director of Programs, Duluth Community Schools Collaborative
The Duluth Digital Inclusion Partnership began as conversations between community leaders about local needs due to disruptions from COVID-19. Community organizations working to help identify families facing digital barriers include Duluth Public Schools, Duluth Workforce Development, the Duluth Community Schools Collaborative, SOAR Career Solutions, and the TechUp program at Community Action Duluth, as well as many others.
Social Emotional Learning is Key
Social emotional learning is crucial, especially as we address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Connecting people, helping them feel safe, building relationship skills and support systems are vital components of effective teaching and learning.
During the October Committee of the Whole meeting we received an excellent presentation from Callie DeVriendt, MSW, LICSW. Callie is the ISD 709 Mental Health Partnership Coordinator and Social, Emotional, Behavioral MTSS Coordinator for Lincoln Park Middle School.
We heard an overview of training received by staff at the end of last school year; recognizing and supporting students mental health needs during distance learning; Tier 1, 2 and 3 Social Emotional Learning Supports; Co-Located Mental Health Partnerships and Additional Community Connections.
In addition, Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Happenings include:
- Check-in Buddy System
- Staff Restorative Support Circles at LPMS
- Team builders
- HDC providing group consultation opportunities for ISD 709 staff for anyone who wants to participate and sign up
- Social Workers, Counselors, SEL Specialists, MTSS Coordinators, Deans, Admin, etc. offering support to staff and teachers
Certified Staff, Professional Development Day
From Jen Larva, Interim Director of Curriculum
Planning is underway for our October 26 Professional Development day for certified staff.
The staff development committee reviewed exit ticket data from the September PD day and many staff were satisfied with our Back to School virtual learning structure.
We're excited to continue our virtual learning opportunities by introducing"709 Online." Our district is filled with staff that bring forth a wealth of knowledge and passion for teaching and meeting the needs of our students. 709 Online is all about having our teaching staff share their gifts and knowledge with colleagues.
Certified staff will engage in a full day of learning together. Here are some highlights:
- Continued Implicit Bias discussions with colleagues
- 709 Online: breakout sessions choices led by teacher leaders on topics being identified by teachers
- Digital Learning
- Relicensure Areas
- Foundational Early Childhood training on trauma impacts on communication
Bullying Prevention Month
MN Principals Week
Governor Tim Walz proclaimed October 5-11 as Principals Week! Principals lead our school communities to provide a high-quality education for each student in a welcoming environment. Thank you to our Duluth Public School leaders and all of Minnesota’s principals for their dedicated work for students.
View the Proclamation
#Inspire709 #ThankAPrincipal
www.ISD709.org
Thank You, Duluth Teachers
DHH Parent Newsletter
The Duluth Deaf/Hard of Hearing educational team is planning to send out a regular newsletter to keep families up to date with events and supports in our area, resources for deaf/hard of hearing and other important information. Need help, have a fun idea you'd like to share, or event coming up? Feel free to reach out to your child's DHH teacher anytime.
View the NewsletterISD 709 Staff COVID Web Page
There's a web page for ISD 709 staff where COVID information is and will be posted. It's an effort to put links to all the information coming at us in one handy spot. Is there a link you'd like to see added? Let us know at Info@ISD709.org.
You'll find links under "Helpful Information" on school and district websites and at the bottom of each web page under Staff Resources.
ISD 709 News
Thank You, Irving Community Club
A big thank you to the Irving Community Club for donating $3,000 to support technology needs at Denfeld! Angelo Simone delivered the check to Principal Tom Tusken. The school is putting it to good use satisfying a number of needs, including purchase of 30 webcams to support distance learning.
#Inspire709 #CommunitySupport
A Mystery Boat from Lakewood Elementary
Lynn BeBeau discovered this little wooden boat on a remote beach on Lake Superior near Marquette, Michigan and took these beautiful photos. Lynn and the Great Lakes Ship Watcher Facebook group would like to know more about when the boat was launched.
Inscribed on the bottom:
"I am traveling to the ocean. Please put me back in the water. Will you send information on your whereabouts to: Lakewood School
Room 116 & 118 5207 N. Tischer Duluth, MN (scribbled out zip code) 53304" No date.
If you have information email kathleen.kaufman@isd709.org
Students from Stowe Elementary spent time fishing through partnerships with the Gary New Duluth Recreation Center (GND REC) and the Duluth Police Department.
"With the pandemic it's really important to get kids outside," says Leslie Bucar, Site Coordinator for Stowe and Laura MacArthur Elementaries and Youth Director for GND REC. "It recharges their batteries, makes them better learners, better thinkers, builds resilience. The kids are loving it, I think they wish the fish would bite on every cast!"
Many thanks to GND Rec and the Duluth Police Department for providing this opportunity for children.
#Inspire709 #CommunityPartnerships
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