May 15, 2012 at 6:30 PM - Education Committee - Regular School Board Meeting

1. Informational Items 

1.A. Informational Presentations

1.A.1) After-School Programming Collaborative

Emily Serrano Rivera, United Way of Greater Duluth Director of Community Impact, and Paula Reed, United Way of Greater Duluth President, provided an overview on the collaborative effort to provide after-school programming to all Duluth Public Schools elementary schools beginning in the Fall of 2012.

1.A.2) 2012-13 Enweyang Ojibwe Language Nest Program at UMD

Brian McInnes, UMD Program Director, presented information on the 2012-13 Enweyang Ojibwe Language Nest Program, which is the continuation of a partnership between the Duluth Public Schools and UMD that began the Fall of 2010. The program involves the regular attendance of Duluth Public Schools kindergarten students at UMD where they participate in an Ojibwe language immersion program every morning from 8:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and in the Duluth Public Schools Kindergarten Program every afternoon from 12:30-3:30 p.m. 

1.A.3) The Minnesota Partnership for School Connectedness  Presentation

The Minnesota Partnership for School Connectedness (MPSC) is a United States Department of Education, Institute of Education Science (IES) funded initiative.  MPSC is an intercollegiate , interdisciplinary initiative partnering the University of Minnesota with diverse school districts throughout Minnesota to increase connectedness between sixth grade teachers and students and foster student engagement in learning.  Nicole Munthe and Susan Abrahamson shared their experience from this school year.

1.B. Grant Applications

1.B.1) Explore Fund Grant Application

Annette Petersmeyer, Alternative Learning Center teacher, has applied for an Explore Fund grant in the amount of $2,500.  If awarded funds will be used to support a summer program for REACH Program students.

1.B.2) Minnesota Power Foundation Giving Communities the Power to Shine Grant Application

Annette Petersmeyer, Alternative Learning Center teacher, has applied for a Minnesota Power Foundation Giving Communities the Power to Shine Grant in the amount of $1,600.  If awarded funds will be used support a summer program for REACH Program students.

1.B.3) Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant Application

Annette Petersmeyer, Alternative Learning Center teacher, has applied for a Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Grant in the amount of $2,000.  If awarded funds will be used to support a summer program for REACH program students.

2. Action Items

2.A. Presentation Items Requiring Approval

2.A.1) Overview of Recommended Duluth Public Schools Middle School Program for the 2012-13 School Year

Bill Gronseth and Ed Crawford presented an overview of the recommended Duluth Public Schools Middle School Program for the 2012-13 school year for review, discussion, and approval.

2.B. Resolution E-5-12-3012 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-5-12-3012 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards for the following organization:

Northland Foundation

2.C. Extended Trip Requests

The following extended trip requests are submitted for approval: 

East High School Physics students will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois on a field trip from May 3-5, 2012.  They will visit the Fermi Lab, Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science and Industry, Sears Tower, and the Navy Pier where they will tour Lake Michigan with Seadog Cruises.  The total cost of the trip is $12,550 and will be funded through student fees.

Instrumental and Vocal Program students from Denfeld High School will be traveling to Minneapolis, Minnesota on a field trip from May 25-27, 2012 to attend the Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Valley Fair, and a Minnesota Twins game.  The total cost of the trip is $23,500 and will be funded through student fees.

Fifth grade students from Nettleton Elementary will be taking a field trip to St. Paul, Minnesota on May 10-11, 2012.  They will visit the Minnesota History Center and participate in the Minnesota Science Museum Camp-in.  The total cost of the trip is $8,674 and will be funded with District funds and donations.

2.D. 2012-13 Continuation of Change in Contractual Day – Educational Audiologist
 
According to Article X, Section VII, of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between ISD 709 and DFT, deviation from the contractual workday or school day may take place if certain conditions are met.
 
For each of the past five school years, the School Board approved a change in contractual day for Educational Audiologist Linda Kalweit.  It is requested that approval be given for a change in contractual day for Linda Kalweit, with a workweek defined as up to forty hours and to include up to ten-hour days, as mutually agreed upon with the Director of Special Services, for the 2012-2013 school year.
 
This will allow Ms. Kalweit to accommodate the changing needs of the students and families that audiology serves, including evening hearing clinics, evening home visits for early childhood (deaf and hard of hearing) students, and for programming deaf and hard of hearing student amplification systems (personal FMs) after school hours so that students do not miss out on teacher instruction during the school day.  Laura Fredrickson, Director of Special Services will be present to answer any questions.

2.E. Diplomas

The following students have completed all high school requirements and should be awarded a diploma:

Michael W. Lindorff - June 5, 2012
Thomas G. Krause - June 5, 2012
Carde Darrell Bowens - June 5, 2012
Sieraia Student - April 19, 2012
Nathanael James Hergert - April 5, 2012
Megan Rae Lonetto - January 19, 2012
Tyerence Kelly - January 27, 2012