Weekly Update
September 12, 2021
Building Hours: 7:45 to 3:45
Has Your Child Received a Chromebook Yet?
- Chromebook distribution continues this week during Period 1.
- If your child has NOT received a Chromebook yet, please complete this form. Without this form, your child cannot receive a Chromebook which is vital to complete their coursework.
- If your child still has a Chromebook from last year, please send it to school with them this week. They may turn it in in the Main Office.
All Families Should Complete This Form Even If They Don't Think They Qualify
Application for Educational Benefits Form: Families may qualify for reduced school activity fees, benefits and other discounts including free and reduced price lunch - and help provide important state and federal funds for Duluth's schools. All families should complete this form even if you think you don't qualify. Click here to fill out the application.
Hunter License: Expectations to Maintain Privileges
Monthly for parking permits and open lunch
Passing all classes
No more than 3 unexcused class periods (total - not per class & includes WIN)
No more than 4 unexcused tardies (total - not per class & includes WIN)
No more than 2 major and/or 5 minor Office Discipline Referrals (ODRs)
No assigned Out of School Suspensions (OSS) time
Quarterly or specified time frame for dances & events. Data for Fall Ball will be pulled October 20th:
Passing all classes
No more than 5 unexcused class periods (total - not per class & includes WIN)
No more than 6 unexcused tardies (total - not per class & includes WIN)
No more than 3 major and/or 8 minor Office Discipline Referrals (ODRs)
No assigned Out of School Suspensions (OSS) time
Busing Update from Superintendent's Newsletter this Week
As you may know, our school district experienced transportation challenges related to the first day of school. We are all doing our best to work through those challenges and greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of our families as we do so.
We are very fortunate to have a strong work force and value our Duluth Public Schools bus drivers, Voyageur bus drivers and our transportation staff.
While the majority of students are receiving transportation, we know that some families have been negatively impacted, having to temporarily find transportation for their children. We have expressed our regret and apologies for that inconvenience.
The follow list is a response to some frequently asked questions and has been shared with families:
The quickest way to check your child’s transportation status is in Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you need help with Infinite Campus please contact your school. If you have a stop location, route number and time listed in Infinite Campus, your child is signed up to receive transportation. If there’s no information, you are not signed up.
It’s possible your child’s route may change as we process requests and we want you to be aware as soon as possible. If your child is currently signed up for transportation, we ask that you please check your school bus routes in Infinite Campus the evening of Tuesday September 14 to verify the bus routes for Wednesday September 15.
If your child was a distance learner last year their busing information was not automatically rolled over for this school year. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to contact your school and have them help fill out the transportation form. The soonest transportation will be available to your student is Wednesday September 15. We apologize for the delay, and the need for you to temporarily transport your child.
If you have requested a route change, for daycare or after school care, the soonest it would be implemented would be Wednesday September 15.
Requests for route changes will take a minimum of 3 to 5 days to implement.
We are always working hard to recruit additional drivers, but like many districts throughout the country, we are facing a shortage. If you, or someone that you know, is interested in joining and serving with our great driving team, please visit our human resources website (linked here) to apply.
Oracle Yearbook Reminder and Information
Seniors: Your Grad Photo is Due October 31
Buy a Yearbook Now at the Lowest Price of the Year!
Guidance Office and Career Center Updates:
Credit Recovery Sign Up Night for 10th-12th Graders Wednesday
For Reference:
Safe Learning Plan
Health Screening Before Leaving for School
Families are asked to check temperatures and conduct home symptom screening before sending children to school. Recommended MDH Decision Tree
Families, please use the Student COVID Reporting Form for sharing the following COVID information with your school:
- Student tested positive for COVID-19 (lab confirmed case)
- Student experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and awaiting test results
- Student experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 but has not been tested
- Student's been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
- Student's household member experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19
Face Coverings Required When You Get to School
Duluth Public Schools continues to work closely with the St. Louis County Health Department,
monitoring infection rates and guidance. We are prepared to change practices and procedures if local COVID rates rise and guidance is clear that we should do so. At this time, will continue with the following:
● Masks required for all students age 2 and older, ISD 709 employees and the public unless
medically exempted, regardless of vaccination status.
● Children under 2 years of age or people of any age who are unable to tolerate wearing a face
covering because of a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability are not required to wear a face covering.
● Face coverings/masks are required for all students and staff on student transportation. This is a federal requirement and not a rule under the authority of the school district.
Hand Hygiene Practices When You Are At School
Please remember to wash your hands and or use hand sanitizer regularly throughout the day and especially before you eat.
Vaccinations
● Vaccinations for COVID-19 for those 12 and older are strongly recommended and encouraged,
but are not currently required by the school district.
● Vaccination clinics are being offered at Duluth East and Denfeld High Schools
● Additional vaccine clinics may be offered in partnership with our community health partners.
● Information on Saint Louis County vaccine clinics can be found here.
● The State of Minnesota’s vaccine locator can be found here.
DENFELD WILL HOST A VACCINE CLINIC ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 for 1st and 2nd doses of the Pfizer vaccine for ANYONE age 12 and over!!
What is Blended Learning?
Information regarding our Blended Learning Initiative is at ISD709.org/Blended Learning.
Blended learning enhances in-person learning by providing each student educational access to digital and online resources.
- In Duluth Public Schools, that access is provided through use of a district Chromebook, approved software and online services.
- The district provides a Chromebook for each student in our schools.
- Teachers and younger students (grades K - 5) use the Chromebooks to enhance in-person classroom activities.
- Teachers and older students (grades 6 - 12) use the Chromebook for in-person classrooom activities and students may also take the devices home for schoolwork.
Blended learning is not distance learning. Educational activities are primarily in-person, utilizing the Chromebook to access information, create classroom work and projects and to collaborate with other students and with the teacher.
Blended Learning is more than "1 Device Per Student." Blended Learning is when each student has a device AND there is a clear vision for how teaching and learning will fundamentally evolve due to district-wide standardized digital access, and a strategic plan to build capacity and sustainability. This strategic plan must address two core areas of need, District Operations and Classroom Transformation.
Infinite Campus Messenger Contact Preferences
- Log in
- Click on the person icon in the upper right hand corner
- Click on Settings
- Click on Contact Preferences
- Under Message Preferences indicate how you want to receive messages for each phone number (voice and or text) as well as what you receive by email.
If you don't have access to Parent Portal or if you have questions, please call Jodi Keller at 336-8830 ext. 2757.