The District Insider
Volume 10, Issue 6 | January 2023
Dahl Named ND Associate Principal of the Year
Dr. Gabe Dahl, Associate Principal at Grand Forks Central High School, has been named the North Dakota Associate Principal of the Year.
The award is given by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (NDASSP) and was announced on December 5.
“Dr. Dahl has been a consistent advocate for students during his time at Grand Forks Central, as well as a great support and educational leader for our teachers," said Principal Jon Strandell. "He puts students first in all of his work and ensures that his interactions with them are rooted in their learning and positive growth. We are proud of his career and this accomplishment as well as his dedication to Grand Forks Central and our culture of learning. Grand Forks Central is fortunate to have him as part of our leadership team."
Dr. Dahl has been an associate principal at Grand Forks Central High School since August 2011. He started his educational career at Red River High School in 2001, where he taught economics and global education. Dahl became the activities director at Red River in August 2007.
He earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education and social sciences at the University of North Dakota, where he also played baseball. He went on to earn a master’s degree and a doctoral degree in educational leadership, both from the University of North Dakota.
Dr. Dahl is now eligible for consideration to be the 2023 National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Assistant Principal of the Year.
Grand Forks Schools Receive VEX Robotics Grants
Grand Forks Public Schools has been awarded $38,500 in Grant for Innovation Awards from the North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education (CTE)!
Each elementary school will receive up to $2,000 for VEX Robotics Clubs. The middle schools will each receive between $2,000-$3,500 for VEX IQ Teams, and Grand Forks Central and Red River high schools will receive $3,500 for VEX EDR Teams.
“The continued growth and success of the competitive VEX Robotics clubs across the school system have been outstanding and a testament to the advisors within the participating schools for their efforts,” said Eric Ripley, executive director of CTE and technology. “These grants are extremely valuable in helping to support the clubs as they prepare and compete in the current season.”
VEX Robotics is an innovative robotics design platform that transforms STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning for students and their teachers. Students create and program robots to operate both by remote control and autonomously.
In VEX Competitions, teams of students are tasked with designing and building a robot to compete against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. The VEX Robotics projects encourage teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving among groups. VEX Robotics Competitions are the largest and fastest-growing robotics competitions in the world.
Grand Forks Central Announces New Head Softball Coach
Grand Forks Public Schools is pleased to announce Greta Tetrault has accepted the head softball coach position at Grand Forks Central High School.
“Greta has a wealth of experience as a softball player and coach from youth to collegiate levels,” said Tony Bina, athletic director at Grand Forks Central High School. “She has the ability to teach the game of softball but also understands the importance of building relationships and knowing each of her players' attributes to create both individual and team growth.”
Tetrault had previously served as a volunteer assistant coach at Minnesota State-Duluth and Northern State (S.D.) after her playing career at South Dakota State. To add to her coaching experience, Greta has coached many youth-level teams.
She is currently a kindergarten teacher at Wilder Elementary School.
MySPA Receives Community Service Award
MySPA, part of the Summer Performing Arts (SPA) Company, has been named the recipient of the Community Service Award from the Arc Upper Valley.
The Community Service Award is given to a person, family, or group who voluntarily contributes in a way that positively impacts the lives of people with disabilities. The recipient gives of their time and talent and positively influences the attitudes of others regarding the inclusion of people in every aspect of community life.
Two program participants, Nova and Kyanne Stringer, helped to present the award at the annual meeting.
The nominator included in their submission: “MySPA is the greatest thing in Grand Forks. It provides kids and young adults with disabilities a chance to truly shine on stage and sing and dance like every other actor at heart. With the guidance of this precious team, they have helped make a return back to 'normal' a little more fun for an often very vulnerable population, including kids with significant medical needs.”
Pictured (left-to-right:) Laurie Holcomb, Yvonne Kalka, Ruth Drake, LeeAnn Steckler, Nova Stringer, Kathy Englerth, Allison Peterson Deb Oatman, Kyanne Stringer (photographer: Katie Thora Photo).
Foundation for Education Awards $650 for Local School Project
The Grand Forks Foundation for Education, Inc. awarded $650 to help fund one staff development project at Grand Forks Public Schools using the Bjertness Staff Development Endowment.
In 2004, the Bjertness Staff Development Endowment was established in honor and memory of Echo Bjertness and Ben Bjertness. Echo and Ben were both long-time educators whose wish was to assist teachers in Grand Forks Public Schools in their growth as educators. The fund continues to grow thanks to monthly gifts from the Bjertness Estate until June 2020. The income from the endowed fund shall be used to finance one or more annual grants to educators in the Grand Forks Public Schools, for the purpose of developing or improving their teaching skills.
Sarah Harlow, Grand Forks Central High School, has been awarded $650 for her project, Conducting and Wind Music Symposium.
For further information on the project that was funded this year, please contact Foundation Executive Director Emilia Hodgson at 701.787.4866.
ARC Upper Valley Honors Tim Rygh
The late Tim Rygh (5th grade teacher, Century Elementary School) has been recognized as the Educator of the Year by Arc Upper Valley.
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes a teacher who demonstrates excellence in teaching students with disabilities by promoting inclusion of students into every aspect of the educational community, by actively involving the students and parents/guardians in the education process, and by positively influencing the attitudes of others regarding the education of students with disabilities.
Mr. Rygh passed away at the end of 2020 after battling COVID-19 and pneumonia.
One of Tim’s colleagues and good friends included in their nomination: “When I read what this award stands for, the person that comes to mind is Mr. Tim Rygh. He truly promoted the inclusion of all students, regardless of disability, in the classroom. He believed that the best way for students to achieve success was by involving all parties – students, parents, and other staff – in students’ education. The positive impact Mr. Rygh had on students with disabilities was immense! Because of his calm demeanor, expertise, and ability to connect with all, he was often times the 'go-to-person” at Century Elementary School. Staff members continuously sought him out for advice on how best to relate, connect, manage, and make a difference in the lives of all students.”
Long-time member Mary Jo Esslinger and Board President Erik Anthony presented his children, Brayden, Sophie, and Sadie, with the award at the annual meeting.
Pictured (left-to-right): Sadie Rygh, Brayden Rygh, Mary Jo Esslinger, Sophie Rygh, Erik Anthony (photographer: Katie Thora Photo)
Now Accepting Nominations: Certified and Classified Employees of the Quarter
Nominations are now open for the Certified and Classified Employees of the 2nd Quarter for the 2022-2023 school year.
The program aims to recognize excellence as accomplished by certified and classified employees of Grand Forks Public Schools. To be considered, the employee must be a valuable asset to the Grand Forks Public Schools community by completing their job duties to the highest standard and displaying a commitment to students/parents/guardians and the school/program/school system.
Nominations are being accepted now through January 5, 2023.
For more information, including links to the online nomination forms, please visit https://www.gfschools.org/Page/9431.
A Season of Giving
Last month, the Empire Arts Center delivered a box of toys to Grand Forks Head Start, along with a check for $175. Pictured above are Tommy Hoffarth, former student and event manager at the Empire, Laura Foss, family services coordinator at Head Start, and Matthew Ternus, director of development and marketing at the Empire.
Sounds of the Season
A job well done to the Valley Middle School Royals who sang at the University of North Dakota-North Dakota State University mens' basketball game during the December holiday break.
Examples of Excellence
- Congratulations to the following teachers on receiving mini-grants from CF Industries: $900 for Sara Tezel and Community High School; $290 for Nancy Greenwood and Grand Forks Central High School; $410 for Lindsay Fugleberg and Red River High School.
Now Hiring!
Upcoming Events
- January 3: School Resumes K-12
- January 9: Grand Forks School Board meeting (Mark Sanford Education Center, 6 p.m.)
- January 13: End of the 2nd Quarter (middle/high Schools)
- January 16: No School K-12 (professional development); District Office Closes at 4 p.m.
- January 17: Grand Forks Air Force Base School Board meeting (Nathan Twining Elementary and Middle School, 12 p.m.)
- January 18: Early Release (Twining/middle/high schools: 1 p.m., elementary schools: 1:30 p.m.)
- January 23: Grand Forks School Board meeting (Mark Sanford Education Center, 6 p.m.)
Description of the image above: Grand Forks Public Schools. Middle School Art Show. Located at the Myra Museum, 2405 Belmont Road. Valley Middle School on January 3 from 5-7 p.m., Schroeder Middle School on January 5 from 5-7 p.m., South Middle School on January 5 from 5-7 p.m.