Dear families,

With little snow on the ground and temperatures in the 40s, it’s hard to believe that it is February!

February is an important month, as we celebrate Black History Month, which is a time to reflect on the invaluable contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Together, let’s embrace the spirit of unity, understanding, and recognition of the profound impact Black leaders have had on shaping our country and our lives.

As we enhance our efforts relating to Advancing Equity, one of our three strategic focus areas, we have shared a broad array of instructional resources to support our educators regarding Black History Month.

Furthermore, February is also Career and Technical Education Month, a time dedicated to the importance of career-oriented learning in shaping the future of our students. By focusing on innovation and hands-on experiences, we pave the way for our students to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

We will be holding our annual Career and Technical Education showcase at 4 p.m. on Feb. 29 in the District Services Center (709 Portia Johnson Drive) cafeteria. Our upcoming referendum also focuses on CTE replacement cycles to ensure that we have equipment we need to prepare our learners for the future.

I encourage everyone to take part in the various events planned throughout the month. Let us strive together in fostering a learning environment that not only honors diversity but also equips our students with the skills and knowledge needed for their promising futures.

With great appreciation,

John Magas

Superintendent

Attention World Language Students and/or Bilingual Students in grades 10-12!

You are eligible to take the Minnesota Bilingual Seals tests this spring during the week of April 1st-5th. You can get official certification of your language skills to put on your resume and applications!

Here is more information:

• Tests will be administered at Denfeld, East, and ALC, week of April 1-5
• Tests may include listening, reading, speaking, and writing (varies by test)
• Most students will test in advanced world language courses. World language students who are nearing completion of level 3 and beyond may be good candidates! Ask your teacher if you think you are ready.
• Minnesota colleges in the MNSCU system will award credit based on student scores!
• The high school will apply for the official seal as the student prepares to graduate.
• Use Hometown Ticketing to register students for the test.

DENFELD REGISTRATION LINK

EAST REGISTRATION LINK

Cost: Students taking the Bilingual Seal Exams will incur a testing fee of $30.00 (If you have financial difficulty, please see your school counselor for assistance registering.)

Available Tests: Tests with an asterisk below are free due to a grant.

• American Sign Language
• *Amharic Arabic
• *Dakota / Lakota
• Dari
• French
• German
• Hebrew
• Hindi
• *Hmong
• Italian
• Japanese
• *Ojibwe
• *Oromo
• Pashto
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Russian
• *Somali
• Spanish
• Swahili
• Tamil
• Thai
• *Ukrainian
• *Vietnamese

See this link from the Minnesota Department of Education for more detailed information about MN Bilingual Seals testing

Talk to your world language teacher, your guidance counselor or EL teacher about taking your bilingual seals test!

During the district's World Best Workforce advisory committee meeting, many people gave feedback asking for the district to provide tips to support their children's literacy at home. This will be a weekly series that will run through the spring. We hope parents find it useful, and if there is anything specific you are looking for tips on, please let us know by emailing info@isd709.org with the subject "Tips for Literacy." We hope you enjoy this kick off video by Superintendent John Magas.

Duluth Public Schools will be partnering with Jostens Pix, a subdivision of Jostens specializing in school photography. The Jostens Pix team is committed to helping make the transition easy and smooth. The goal is to provide an easy picture experience for our schools, fast delivery of images and products, and keep things affordable and simple for our families. Jostens will also be assisting with our yearbooks with a local representative and new functionable student ID cards. That's just a "snapshot" more to come soon!

Learn more about Duluth Public Schools language immersion programs during an informational night Feb. 13 from 6-7 p.m. at Lowell Elementary School.

• Meet some Kindergarten teachers
  
• Learn about the advantages of immersion education
• Learn about the enrollment process
• Explore each of Lowell's two programs and their unique characteristics
• Network with other future immersion families
• Learn the transportation options

For More Information Contact:

Rachel Nett
Administrative Assistant
rachel.nett@isd709.org
218-336-8895 Ext 3081

Gabriela Theis
NVSI Coordinator
Gabriela.theis@isd709.org
218-336-8895 Ext.3275

National School Counseling Week 2024, “School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 5–9, 2024, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who “implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century."

We thank all of our school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

Duluth Preschool has been working hard to engage more fathers and father figures in our program. In October a swimming event was held at the YMCA, and in January an event was held at the Depot Train Museum. Dads from across the city have been coming to these special events!

Check out the amazing story below from The Lift about Lincoln Park Middle School student Miles Pham. What an amazing project!

Greetings,

During DNA’s third week of the FRC competition, significant strides were made. The team's prototypes were tested and reworked, to allow for better playability and design. With the drive base all wired up the programmers were able to start implementing code and testing out the new swerve modules the team purchased for this year, which will work pretty well with the 2024 FRC game “Crescendo.”

DNA's marketing and business team made progress toward their budget goal for upcoming competitions in Duluth and Denver. They secured a grant for a Bambu Lab Carbon printer, improving efficiency for quicker turnaround times and manufacturing essential components, particularly those on backorder. The new printer will also play a vital role in testing ideas and addressing broken parts on the robot.

We are very excited to be continuing the 2024 build season!To keep up with our progress, check out our social media sites.

• Facebook: Denfeld Nation Automation 4009
• Website: https://denfeldrobotics4009.org/
• Instagram: @dna4009

Thank you again for your support this year!

Congratulations to the Duluth East MSHSL One Act team who placed first in the sub-section prelims yesterday at Rock Ridge! Best of luck as they move forward to the section meet next week at Zimmerman! Go Hounds!

Getting started in one of our programs is easy! Adults ages 18 - 99+ can register online at dae.isd709.org. Once we receive your registration, someone from our office will call and email you to let you know how to complete your registration.