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From the Office of the Superintendent 5/15/20
Weekly Briefing for ISD 709 Faculty & Staff
Dear Colleagues,
Driving through town, watching and reading local news, you see signs of Duluth high school graduation everywhere. Our stadiums shining on Monday nights, Hunter Pride Community-wide signs, #GreyhoundStrong signs, surprise deliveries to the doors of seniors, a drive thru event at Duluth East, students donning cap and gown, walking across our high school stages to have photos taken.
All of this to honor the Class of 2020, finding new ways to commemorate the significant milestone of high school graduation, while keeping ourselves and each other safe.
These events were developed by people who care deeply about students. It's the work of teachers, staff, administrators, volunteers and families. All of you have full plates to which you've added even more to make these celebrations happen.
Many thanks to all who are helping the Class of 2020 through this extraordinary time and helping make extraordinary memories.
Kind regards,
Bill
If you have questions or thoughts about what's going on in our school district, email: Superintendents@ISD709.org. Twitter: @billgronseth
Congratulations, 2020 Gold Star Teacher Nominees!
We have outstanding teachers in the Duluth Public Schools. This virtual event honors all teachers and this year will lift up several inspiring middle and high school teachers.
The final Gold Star Teacher Award recipient will be announced live during the event, they'll receive $5,000 from the Goldfine Family and the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.
Nominees:
- Doug Antonich, Ordean East
- Kim Olson, Duluth East
- Ed Lewis, Denfeld
- Katie Britton, Lincoln Park
- Scott Forbort, ALC
- Barb Paquette, Residentials
2020 Gold Star Teacher VIRTUAL Award Ceremony
Wed May 27, 2020 7:00PM
Live Streamed on the Duluth Public School Board's YouTube Web Page
This is the 14th year for the Gold Star Teacher Awards.
Troy Tuve is a bus driver for Duluth Public Schools, delivering meals and curriculum packets each day. "It's good to see everybody, kids like to see the bus driver, they like to see food. We get a lot of thank yous, people saying they appreciate it," says Tuve.
Like other ISD 709 staff, Tuve says it'll be good to go back to a normal schedule, whenever that may be. "We miss 'em, we miss having kids on the bus, familiar faces you get to see every day. We're usually the first and last faces they see, so if they're having a bad day and if you can make their day better it's nice to do that."
"The dedicated drivers, bus aides and transportation staff of ISD 709 have gone above and beyond during this unsure time," says Steve Johnson, Transportation Manager. "They have a strong desire to help the community and more specifically the children they come to care for so fervently."
Many thanks to Duluth bus drivers and transportation staff for their support of children, families and our community.
#Inspire709 #RockStars
ISD 709 News
Denfeld and Duluth East High Schools are preparing for Virtual Graduation Ceremonies which will be broadcast on WDSE-TV8. Both schools are scheduling graduating seniors to come to school in cap and gown and have their photos taken on the school stage with a limited number of family members or guests present as part of the pre-production.
#GreyhoundStrong #DenfeldStrong
Celebrating Denfeld Class of 2020
Teams of teachers and staff ventured out into the community, delivering celebratory signs, caps & gowns to Denfeld High School seniors. WDSE-TV8 followed some of the deliveries, too, getting footage for the Denfeld Virtual Graduation Ceremony. News media were also on hand, WDIO-TV produced a video with music.
#Inspire709 #HunterPride #DenfeldStrong
Members of the Duluth East HS Class of 2020 participated in a drive-thru event to receive their caps & gowns, honor awards, yearbooks, gifts and more.
#Inspire709 #GreyhoundStrong
Support for Duluth Preschool Families
See how the community and teaching teams came together to provide Duluth Preschool families supplies, friendly faces and a whole bunch of love!#Inspire709
Duluth East Students Receive Mrkonich Award
The Mrkonich award is named after Minnesota Football Coaches Hall of Fame member Joe Mrkonich, a teacher and coach at East from 1963-1987. It is given to athletes who have lettered in a sport, kept up their grades, shown good citizenship, and have been involved at East, and in the community. Congratulations to Maj-Lis Helmer, Aubrie Guenther, Evan Leonidas, and Noah Winesett as the recipients of the 2020 Mrkonich Award!#Inspire709
Signs on Grand Avenue, supporting the Denfeld Class of 2020. Community support means everything to students, many thanks!
Thank you, Leah Hamm, for the photos.
#Inspire709 #DenfeldStrong #CommunitySupport
www.ISD709.org/Denfeld
Laura MacArthur Teacher, Staff Hold Parade for Students
“It is our nature to be with kids, it’s not our nature to be away from kids so to be with them and see them today was an awesome experience. We love each other and we’re like a family. When new people come to our school we say welcome to the Laura MacArthur family because we are the eagles, we soar together.”KQDS-TV21
#Inspire709 #EaglesSoar
www.ISD709.org/Laura-MacArthur
Congdon Park Elementary Virtual Spirit Week
Students and staff took part in Sports/Jersey Day.
Sharing the fun event when we're apart.
W - Wacky Wednesday (wacky hair/clothes/socks)
Th - Beach/Hawaiian Day
F - School Spirit Day/Blue & White Day
Duluth East Boys Basketball Take a Turn as Virtual Boy Band
Freshman assistant coach Zach Duket posted a video Friday of the team lip-synching to "I Want It That Way."
Team spirit!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