1.A. Assistant Superintendent's Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Assistant Superintendent Jeff Horton shared current information regarding implementation of district initiatives and school operations.

1.B. Curriculum and Instruction Report

The purpose of this report is to provide regular updates to the Education Committee regarding teaching and learning. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Gail Netland shared current information regarding the status of the work of the curriculum and instruction department.

1.C. Informational Presentations

1.C.1) Course Guide Update

Each year, the courses at the secondary level are reviewed by principals, counselors, content specialists and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction to make recommendations for changes to the course catalog and supplements. Director Netland provided an update regarding these proposed changes.

1.C.2) College and Career Readiness Update and ACT Results

Sumair Sheikh, ISD 709 College and Career Readiness Specialist, and Brad Vieths, ISD 709 Vocational Programs Coordinator, presented an update regarding College and Career Readiness as part of World's Best Workforce. Dr. Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Performance, also presented the most recent ACT results for ISD 709.

1.C.3) Check and Connect Program Update - TABLED UNTIL DECEMBER 2018

Sarah Laulunen, Check and Connect Program Coordinator, Dr. Tawnyea Lake, Director of Assessment, Evaluation and Performance, Jason Crane, Special Services Director, and Tonya Sconiers, Denfeld High School Principal, will present an update on the work they have done with regard to the 5 year grant from the Minnesota Department of Education to implement the Check and Connect program to increase graduation rates at Denfeld High School.

1.D. Grant Applications

1.D.1) Minnesota Historical Society Grant Application

Glenn Tracey, Ordean East Middle School teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Minnesota Historical Society in the amount of $500. If awarded, funds will be used to provide transportation for students to the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, MN.

1.D.2) Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation Grant Application

Sumair Sheikh, Alison Wood and Ed Lewis have submitted a grant application to the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation in the amount of $19,957. If awarded, funds will be used to pay for teacher FTE at Denfeld for Spring 2019, Summer curriculum development time for all four of the Pathways2Teaching staff and possibly fund teacher FTE for Fall 2019.

1.D.3) Essentia Health Grant Application

Callie DeVriendt, Lincoln Park Middle School, has submitted a grant application to Essentia Health in the amount of $101,925. If awarded, funds will be used to support restorative practices training and implementation at LPMS. Training would be provided for all teachers, specialists and paras in restorative practices foundations and restorative circles. Specialists would also receive training in restorative conferencing/harm repair.  Funds would also go towards sub costs so teachers could receive this training. Additional money would be utilized to consult with Mickelson Consultants for 5 years and to develop a RP strategic plan in partnership with them for LPMS.

1.D.4) Northland Foundation Grant Application

Tanya Jackson, Ordean East Middle School teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Northland Foundation in the amount of $5,000. If awarded, funds will be used to help support the annual 6th grade trip to JA BizTown.

1.D.5) Lloyd K. Johnson Grant Application

Tanya Jackson, Ordean East Middle School teacher, has submitted a grant application to the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation in the amount of $2,000. If awarded, funds will be used to help support the annual 6th grade trip to JA BizTown.

1.D.6) Education Minnesota Grant Application

Tanya Jackson, Ordean East Middle School teacher, has submitted a grant application to Education Minnesota in the amount of $1,500. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase a set of 12 Sphero Programmable Spheres with protective cases.

1.D.7) Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) Grant Application

Tanya Jackson, Ordean East Middle School teacher, has submitted a grant application to MCTM in the amount of $1,500. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase a set of 12 Sphero Programmable Spheres with protective cases.

1.D.8) 2018 Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association Garden Grant Application

Katie Scheufeli, Duluth Preschool, has submitted a grant application to the 2018 Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and National Head Start Association Garden Grant in the amount of $5,000 for the Head Start/YMCA Collaborative. If awarded, funds will be used to purchase garden soil and fertilizer,  a greenhouse to start plants, a gorilla garden dump cart and garden tools for little hands. Grant funds would also be used to host a master gardener at the "kick off parent night" and to help buy seeds and starter plants that are difficult to grow from seeds.

1.E. Regulations - NONE

2. Action Items

2.A. Resolutions

2.A.1) Resolution E-11-18-3594 - Resolution of School Board Supporting Form A Application to Minnesota State High School League Foundation

Attached is Resolution E-11-18-3594 - Resolution of School Board Supporting Form A Application to Minnesota State High School League Foundation, to support the District's application to the MSHSL Foundation for a Form A grant to offset student activity fees.

2.A.2) Resolution E-11-18-3595 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools

Attached is Resolution E-11-18-3595 - Acceptance of Grant Awards to Duluth Public Schools, to accept and approve grant awards from the following organizations:

Miller-Dwan Foundation
Northland Foundation

2.B. Extended Trip Requests

2.B.1) Minnesota Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) State Conference 2018

11th and 12th grade MN HOSA students from Denfeld and East High Schools traveled to the Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park, MN from November 1-2, 2018 to participate in the MN HOSA State Conference 2018. Students ran for the state officer positions and brought along voting delegates. The total cost of the trip was $454 and was funded with student fees and grant dollars.

2.B.2) MN HOSA State Officer Training and Spring Conference Planning

11th and 12th grade MN HOSA students from Denfeld and East High Schools traveled to the Marriott Northwest in Brooklyn Park, MN from November 9-10, 2018 to participate in the MN HOSA State Officer Training and Spring Conference Planning. The training prepares state officers for their position and provides instruction for teamwork, leadership and exploring their leadership techniques.The total cost of the trip was $454 and was funded with student fees and grant dollars.

2.B.3) MN HOSA Emergency Preparedness Camp

11th and 12th grade MN HOSA students from Denfeld and East High Schools will be traveling to Camp Ripley in Little Falls, MN to participate in the Minnesota HOSA MRC Camp/Workshop from November 29 - December 1, 2018.  They will take part in emergency preparedness lessons in authentic settings in the areas of CPR and First-Aid.  The total cost of the trip is $1,708 and will be funded with grant dollars and student fees.

2.B.4) MN HOSA 2018 Spring Leadership and State Competition

11th and 12th grade MN HOSA students from Denfeld and East High Schools will travel to St Cloud, Minnesota from March 71-March 30, 2018 for the 2018 MN HOSA Spring Leadership Conference and State Competition. This competition allows students to explore career opportunities in the health care industry to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare.The total cost of the trip is $6,447 and will be funded with student fees and grant dollars.

2.B.5) Wolf Ridge ELC - Lester Park Elementary

Students from Lester Park Elementary School will travel to the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN from March 15-17, 2019. This trip will provide students with an experiential learning opportunity, which will help them develop teamwork skills and provide a chance for personal growth. The trip is organized by parents, financed through fund raising activities and student fees and will take place outside of the regular school schedule.

2.C. Data Sharing Agreements

It is requested that the following organizations be granted access to the Student Information System to support District functions from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019:

Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan
Deed Vocational Rehabilitation Services

2.D. Diploma Requests

The following students have met all graduation requirements for the Duluth Public Schools and should be awarded a Diploma:

Rilee Marie Pallum - November 7, 2018
Zachary T. Lund - December 18, 2018

2.E. Presentation Items Requiring Approval - NONE

2.F. Policies - NONE

3. Future Items

Policy Updates
Check and Connect Program Update