Message from the Principal
January 15, 2020
Winter Wonderland
I hope this message finds your family doing well. So far the incidents of flu and bronchitis have been pretty limited at school. I am thankful we are fending off the strains of viruses I have been reading about in the paper.
During this weekend ahead, we will have no school on Friday for students so teachers can prepare report cards for the first semester. We will not be in session on Monday and hope that your family can take part in celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. around our Twin Ports community.
Conferences are coming soon. We will be meeting with families to review report cards and set second semester goals on February 6 and February 13 (two consecutive Thursday nights).
Please see additional notes in this message regarding the boundary study, superintendent search and other upcoming events that are available to your family.
I am grateful to each of you for your partnership in your child's learning journey. I love our wonderful hilliside school.
Stay warm and stay well.
Mrs. Worden
Principal
Calendar of Events
January 20 - NO SCHOOL - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
January 21 - Parent Advisory Meeting 5:15 pm in cafeteria
January 27 - CIT - Continuous Improvement Team Meeting 2:30
January 29 - Family BINGO Night 4:30pm
February 3 - Compass (After School Programming) Begins
February 4 - Terrific Tuesday (After School Programming) Begins
February 6 - Parent - Teacher Conferences 3 - 7 pm Book Fair Open in Media Center
February 7 - Leader of the Pack Assembly - Families of students selected will be notified
February 13 - Parent - Teacher Conferences 3 - 7 pm Book Fair Open in Media Center
An Opportunity to Serve
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We’re inviting families to become more involved in our school leadership team, which is called the Continuous Improvement Team or CIT. The team includes building administration, teacher leaders, and parents/guardians. Its purpose is to improve student achievement for all learners. CITs also focus on equity. Our team meets once per month on a Monday afterschool for 1-2 hour(s).
We encourage you to consider joining our school CIT to help with this important work. Please contact Mrs. Worden if you’re interested in learning more. New CIT members will receive introductory training from the district.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Amy Worden, Principal and Jeff Horton, Assistant Superintendent
Attendance Update
Early Childhood Screening - Calling All Four and Five Year Olds
Superintendent Search - Your Feedback is Needed
On behalf of the Duluth School Board, we invite your advice and support as we work to identify the next leader for our public schools. Your input is vital to finding a successful candidate. Please feel free to take part in the Survey, and/or the Community Focus Group.
Online Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RP3YBHG
Closes at 12 Noon January 24, 2020
Community Walk-In Focus Group
Monday, January 27, 2020
5:30pm - 6:30pm
Denfeld High School Commons
4405 N 44th Ave West
Timelines, links and other information related to Duluth’s Superintendent Search are available at www.ISD709.org/district/Superintendent-Search
Achievement and Integration Plan - Your Ideas Needed
Click here to complete survey!
As we begin the process of developing the new 3-year Achievement and Integration (AI) Plan we would like your feedback. Please share your input, ideas, and needs as well as what you value for each of the areas in the current plan. If there is something listed that you are unaware of, feel free to leave that section blank or contact us with questions.
We truly value your ideas, and we are asking for honest feedback (positive or negative) There are rules and guidelines for how AI funding is spent, but we value your input and perspective and want to use that in hopes of providing the most effective supports we can.
Any of the "Other" sections are available for any new programs/strategies you'd like to add for consideration in the new AI Plan.
Boundary Study
Community Invited to Review ISD 709 Draft Boundary Scenarios, Provide Feedback Via Survey and Community Meetings
The Duluth School District is seeking community review and input regarding possibilities for adjusting school attendance areas. It’s part of an ongoing process to identify adjustments that would help ensure enrollment numbers are appropriate for the capacity of each school.
In October and November, community and staff representatives participated in work sessions and focus groups, providing ideas and feedback. The School Board and public received draft scenarios based on that work.
Three more scenarios are the result of further research and community input. Community members are encouraged to review detailed information and provide input via an online survey and two community meetings.
· Community Information & Online Survey: Survey available now through 8AM February 3, 2020 at www.ISD709.org/district/isd-709-boundary-project
· Community Meetings January 22-23: Facilitated by Cooperative Strategies, a firm with expertise in helping school districts gather data, analyze and draft boundaries for public consideration. Includes presentation of scenarios, impact and opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback. The same information is provided at each meeting.
January 22, 2020 6:00PM - 8:00PM: Duluth East High School, 301 N. 40th Ave East
January 23, 2020: 6:00PM - 8:00PM: Denfeld High School, 401 N. 44th Ave West
The Duluth School Board is tentatively scheduled to review information and consider possible adjustments in February or March. The earliest any changes would take place would be September 2020.
Update on Influenza
During the week ending January 4 (Week 1), surveillance indicators showed wide geographic spread of influenza in Minnesota. Although no school outbreaks have been reported in our area to date, the best offense is a good defense when comes to limiting the spread of influenza. Here is some basic information to keep in mind during the flu season.
INFLUENZA IS A RESPIRATORY DISEASE caused by a virus that attacks the nose, throat, and lungs. It is NOT THE SAME AS THE STOMACH FLU.
INFLUENZA SYMPTOMS include fever, dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, and body aches. These symptoms usually begin suddenly and may be severe enough to stop your daily activities.
PROTECTION is best through vaccination. Even if you or your children haven't been vaccinated against influenza yet, you can get it anytime during the flu season, which typically runs from October through April.
Attached you'll find the Minnesota Dept. of Health Influenza Symptom Screening Tool for Parents. This questionnaire and instructional guide will answer; "When should I keep my child home and for how long?"
NOTE: When calling to report a sick child, it is important to tell the school that your child is home with influenza-like illness.
WHAT WE'RE DOING AT SCHOOL - We continue to promote proper hand hygiene, and covering coughs/sneezes with a tissue or sleeve. Students and staff who become ill during the day will be isolated from others and sent home. Students and staff can return to school 24 hours after their fever (of 100 F or greater) is gone without fever reducing medication (e.g., Tylenol or Advil).
Please see this information from the MN Department of Health on Influenza in Schools.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Dan Vaught RN, BA - Licensed School Nurse
2019-20 Yearbooks
Yearbooks feature our K-5 students.
$16 - Credit/Debit accepted online ---Cash/checks accepted at school
Lifetouch Yearbooks - YbPay - https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/
Myers Wilkins Elementary (11730720)
Myers-Wilkins is a diverse school with a wonderful staff and great opportunities!
We encourage each family to be actively involved in their child’s education. Support comes in many ways. Families and caregivers can become active with our family advisory group, volunteer in the classroom once or twice a month, or simply designate a special time each night to talk about your child’s day and spend 15 minutes reading together. Our Wednesday folders are a great tool for school and home connections.
Email: amy.worden@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/myerswilkins-elementary/index
Location: 1027 North 8th Avenue East, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8860
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Isd709.org/
Twitter: @MyersWilkins