Update:
For ISD 709 Faculty & Staff 1/29/21
From Superintendent John Magas
Dear Colleagues -
Our first week of elementary in-person and secondary synchronous learning was very successful! We know that our staff, students, and families felt a mix of excitement and concern as the week began. I am both proud and impressed with the collaboration and hard work that allowed these opportunities to take place. We are also thankful for our educators who are supporting students who are continuing with distance learning.
Thank you, as well, to our families for preparing learners for safety expectations and to our students for their resilience and flexibility as we all learn to teach and grow in new and different ways.
We are also grateful to our community, as we have continued to reduce our COVID case rates week after week, thanks to everyone's vigilance and safety practices. We must continue to work together to minimize the risk of transmission. This is crucial to us moving forward with more in-person opportunities.
We’re working with our secondary leaders to update structures and plans for providing in-person middle and high school opportunities, based in part on what we’ve learned from our experiences with elementary hybrid and from other school districts. It’s vital that we continue collaboration with our teachers and other staff members, as well as the District Advisory Committee, to ensure that we are engaging stakeholders in the process. I am confident that the product we share will be the best possible plan to serve the needs of each learner.
Sincerely,
John
If you have questions or thoughts about what's going on in our school district, email: Superintendents@isd709.org
Thank You, Duluth Paraprofessionals
Governor Walz has proclaimed January 25-29, 2021 Paraprofessional Recognition Week. There are over 20,000 paraprofessionals in Minnesota working hard every day to make sure every child has the education they need to succeed in school and life. Paraprofessionals provide essential, supportive services to students and their families, especially during the pandemic
We appreciate everything you do everyday, many thanks.
Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month pays tribute to and celebrates the achievements and vital role of Black Americans throughout United States history. To celebrate Black History Month in February and throughout the year, Duluth Public Schools Office of Education Equity created a Google Classroom. Teachers, staff, students and families are invited to join, learn from and utilize the various learning activities.
Many thanks to Naawakwe aka William Howes, Office of Education Equity Coordinator, and Calvin Harris, Integration Specialist for this resource.
Upcoming: Committee of The Whole Topics
The remote meeting is scheduled for Tuesday February 2, 4:30PM and can be viewed here.
Blended Learning Update
Through CARES Act funds, our district purchased thousands of Chromebooks for student use during distance learning, enough for each student to have a device and to build blended learning into our curriculum. When approached in a holistic way, blended learning has the potential to greatly enhance teaching and learning and improve student outcomes. This initiative will require input from teachers, principals, staff, students, families, community.
Strategic Planning Update
Our school district is in the beginning stages of working to create a five-year strategic plan for Duluth Public Schools. This project will require input from teachers, principals, staff, students, families, community.
Elementary In-Person
This week elementary schools welcomed PreK-2 students who are taking part in in-person learning. Grades 3 to 5 will begin February 8.
It's a pleasure to see children in our schools and also a great responsibility. Principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, facilities, cafeteria, transportation, clerical staff, district leaders and many others have been working hard to prepare for this day, as have families.
We also appreciate the work of our distance learning teachers as they continue to support families who are choosing to keep their children home during the pandemic.
Many thanks to all as we move forward.
Update: Middle & High School In-Person Planning
As would be expected, we’re receiving questions about our middle and high schools and when we might be in a position to return to in-person learning, be it hybrid or full in-person. As you know from frequent board meeting updates, this is something we have been actively planning for many months and plan to share more information about in the near future.
- In December, upon release of the Governor’s guidance on returning to in-person instruction, we contacted the Minnesota Department of Health to schedule our mandatory consultation session on secondary learning models.
- At our meeting on January 4, we requested permission and guidance for a timeframe that would allow us to open in hybrid or in-person instruction for our secondary schools. We were told that we would need to wait and continue to monitor the situation, including the post holiday local COVID rates.
- As local COVID numbers continued to decrease, we set another consultation meeting for this week. We’re also working with our middle and high school leaders and will be communicating in the near future our next steps. It is important to give our students, staff, and families updates as we continue to move forward together.
Thank you for your continued support as we address the challenges of the pandemic.
Shout Out for Duluth Check & Connect
The results of Duluth's Check & Connect program were recently recognized by the state.
The following is from MN Department of Education State Implementation Specialist Ellen Nacik, and references a mention in the January 2021 SIG Network Newsletter:
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Dear Duluth Colleagues,
We hope you can take a moment to celebrate the accomplishments you all have created through your commitment to implement this work at a district level. It has resulted in the difference that made a statewide difference, and has been noticed nationally. We have been so very lucky to have you as partners in this work. Thank you. You guys genuinely rock.
Family Pandemic Food Support P-EBT
Information from the State of Minnesota:
Students who qualify for free/reduced price lunch may be eligible for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) to purchase food for days they are not in the school building.
- Families who receive P-EBT benefits last summer are NOT automatically eligible; eligibility is based on the current school year.
How can families prepare for 2020-2021 P-EBT?
There will not be an application process for 2020-2021 P-EBT benefits; eligible families will be issued benefits automatically.
- To receive benefits, your child must be enrolled in SNAP, the Minnesota Family Investment Program, or free or reduced-price school meals. Benefit amounts will be based on the time periods in which your child attended school through a distance- or hybrid-learning model. Your family’s eligibility for the 2020-2021 P-EBT program may be different from your eligibility for the 2019-2020 P-EBT program. While the state awaits USDA approval, there are steps you can take to ensure that the P-EBT process is as smooth as possible for your family.
- If your child does not receive MFIP or SNAP and is not enrolled in free or reduced-price meals, but you think they may qualify for free or reduced-price meals, submit an Application for Educational Benefits through your child’s school as soon as possible. If you have questions about the application, contact your child's school.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- If you did not receive a 2019-2020 P-EBT card but were notified that you were eligible, please complete the 2019-2020 P-EBT Help Form.
- If you are having a problem using a 2019-2020 P-EBT card, please contact EBT Edge by calling 888-997-2227 or visiting www.ebtEDGE.com.
- If EBT Edge is unable to resolve problems with your 2019-2020 P-EBT card, such as address changes or date of birth questions, please complete the 2019-2020 P-EBT Help Form.
MDE School Staff Vaccine Update
Thank you for your patience as the state works to make the COVID-19 vaccine available to educators and school staff as quickly as possible.
Over the first two weeks of the COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program, the state has learned a lot, including that it is important to get information about vaccination opportunities directly to the frontline workers, including health and safety information.
- Moving forward, the State of Minnesota will provide information directly to you about the COVID-19 vaccine by email and text message. Sign-up to receive these updates and be added to a waitlist for vaccine distribution through the link below. You must sign-up with your school email address, as this is how you will be identified and prioritized as a school staff member.
- Sign Up Here: Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Education & Child Care
- If you were able to secure a spot on the waitlist for week two of the pilot program, you do not need to fill out this form.
Governor Walz is doing everything he can to get more vaccines to Minnesotans and to prioritize our school staff. However, this process will take time. Minnesota has not received enough vaccine from the federal government to vaccinate all of Minnesota’s educators, school staff and childcare workers.
For more information on the Community COVID-19 Vaccine Pilot Program visit mn.gov/vaccine.
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Under a separate initiative, St. Louis County in cooperation with local health organizations may also be able to assist with vaccinations for educators. If you are contacted by email or phone by St. Louis County officials offering "short notice" vaccinations at local sites, please respond immediately if you would like the vaccination opportunity. Please remember to check your school email frequently for further notifications.
Free Staff COVID Testing Feb 10 & 24
- This includes teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, support staff, nutrition staff, bus drivers those working in-person in early childhood, child care or school-age care programs and others.
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***UPCOMING COVID SALIVA TEST DAYS***
- February 10, February 24
- Test dates to follow every other week
Testing Sites
9 Elementary Schools, 7:15AM-9:15AM and 1:15PM-3:15PM: If you work in an elementary, complete the test where your home office is located. .
Denfeld & Duluth East, 10:00AM - 1:00PM: Secondary, Residential, HOCHS, Facilities and Transportation complete the Saliva test at one of the two HS locations.
Please continue to take the Saliva test at the same site every two weeks. If an exception is needed contact your home health office or Crystal Diehl in advance to discuss options.
COVID Safety: AICHO
American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) Artists Respond to COVID
Resources include printable copies of coloring pages and informative posters designed by AICHO-affiliated artists.
"AICHO honors the resiliency of Native American people by strengthening communities and centering Indigenous values in all aspects of our work; we provide housing and supportive services while also managing arts, cultural, and food sovereignty initiatives in Duluth, MN."
Downloadable MaterialsCSS Tutoring Now Available
Free tutoring services are now available for students participating in distance learning through partnership with the College of St. Scholastica!
Here is a video tutorial on how to sign up for a tutor.
Here is the link to book a tutor.
Questions? Please contact the College of St. Scholastica.
COVID REMINDER For Families
SCREEN: Elementary families, please remember to screen your children or yourself daily for any symptoms before coming to school. Keep children home or stay home if there are any symptoms found per the MDH COVID Decision Tree.
REPORT: Please continue to report to your child’s school any COVID-19 symptoms, test results or quarantine status for your child. We track this information for attendance and follow the Decision Tree guidelines for when children may return to school.
For students experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms: Your student will be required to stay home from school for 10 days following the start of COVID-19 like symptoms unless documentation is given to your child's health office showing a negative COVID-19 test and/or a note from a health care provider stating that the student with symptoms has another illness that is not COVID-19 (e.g. an ear infection, a sinus infection, etc).
For siblings and household member of student experiencing COVID-19 like symptoms: Siblings and household members who attend or work at school will also have to stay home until negative COVID-19 test result or an alternative diagnosis is received. A longer quarantine for siblings and household members may be required if documentation of a negative COVID-19 test or alternative diagnosis is not received by your school health office.
We're Hiring!
As we look forward to students returning in-person, we're seeking to add to our roster of talented substitute staff. Substitutes make it possible for our students to continue learning in the classroom, they make a positive difference!
ISD 709 News
District Spelling Bee Success
The district spelling bee looked VERY different this year. Congratulations to all participants, as well as the winners who will be continuing on to participate in the (remote) regional spelling bee on February 4:
Grades 5 & 6
Hayley Dunker (Lincoln Park Middle School), co-champion
Lyla Ronkainen (Ordean East Middle School), co-champion
Yupeng Chen (Congdon Elementary), third place
Grades 7 & 8
Maxwell Harbson (Ordean East Middle School), co-champion
Madeline Singer (Ordean East Middle School), co-champion
Marielle Johnson (Ordean East Middle School), third place
#Inspire709
Duluth East Student Earns AAA Recognition
Crystal Kaczmarcyk, Duluth East High School, was selected to represent Region 7AA in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Academics, Athletics and Arts Award Program, congratulations! Among many activities, Crystal participates in Orchestra, Sterling Strings and serves as student vice president of the Orchestra program. She is a member of the Cross Country, Nordic Ski and Track teams and has earned an All-State Academic Award. Academically, Crystal maintains a 4.0 grade point average.#Inspire709
Denfeld DNA Robotics Team Gears Up for Competition
The 2021 build season is proving eventful and productive!
- DNA's game design team is working hard to finalize the theme and storyline for the FIRST Robotics Game Design Challenge.
- Team members are creating field pieces that are easily transportable and buildable.
- The programming sub team discussed the benefits of using joysticks versus a keyboard and how they can use that to their advantage in the Skills Challenge.
- The awards sub team continues to make significant progress on the FIRST Chairman’s Award, and surpassed their weekly Chairman’s goals.
- This week presentation sub teams formed to tackle various virtual presentations.
Check out DNA's social media sites and stay tuned for updates:
Facebook: Denfeld Nation Automation 4009
Website: https://denfeldrobotics4009.org
Instagram: dna4009
Twitter: @dna_robotics
Duluth East One Act Play
Good luck to this year's virtual One Act team at subsections. In a year that's been different and challenging these actors make the new normal look pretty amazing! The play will be presented virtually to the judges.#Inspire709 #GoHounds
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