Weekly Newsletter
January 19, 2024
Dear families,
As I spend time visiting our schools and working with community members, I often think of the importance of collaboration.
Collaboration is a core value of our Strategic Plan and is defined as “working in partnership with staff, families, students and community.” This core is deeply rooted throughout our plan, and this year we have been focusing on family engagement.
Families made it clear in their Daily Desired Experience that they want a sense of belonging with the school community where they feel welcomed by school staff and other families and that their voice is heard and are informed through multiple communication methods. One way we have made steps to meet these desired experiences is by hiring a family and community engagement specialist, Shalon Monroe, who was recently featured in the Duluth News Tribune.
We’ve also recently implemented a new communication tool called ParentSquare to connect families to their schools. This new communication tool allows parents to directly message their child’s teacher and get updates from the classroom. You can find more information about the new tool later on in this newsletter. We hope it will allow parents and teachers to connect more easily.
But the biggest news of all is we now have a date for our 2024 Unity In Our Community! So save the date for Aug. 19, 2024, at Bayfront Festival Park. This event was created two years ago to bring our families across the district together in one place and give them access to as many resources as possible in one spot. While we had high hopes for this amazing event, we never expected it to double in size in just one year! Our number one Facebook post in 2023 was Maurices providing free clothes at the event.
Keep an eye out for more information on this year’s event as we get closer. We already can’t wait to see you there!
We are so excited to continue to strengthen our collaboration with families, students and staff; It is really the engine that drives our progress!
In partnership and with great appreciation,
John Magas
Superintendent
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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
Duluth Early Childhood and Family Education along with the Duluth Children's Museum hosts an event for pregnant and parenting teens, currently working on or interested in school, Monday, Jan. 29 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Come with you child, explore what the museum has to offer, and learn how children develop through simple play opportunities. Free dinner and museum entry will be provided.
Limited cabs can be provided. Contact Meghan to schedule a cab and RSVP for the event by calling or texting 218-269-7488 or RSVP by filling out a Google Form.
DNA started the 2024 FRC season strong, accomplishing many important tasks. The Field Build subteam built the “speaker” and “amp” field elements which are the competition scoring apparatuses. This is the fastest the field build subteam has put together the field apparatuses for testing the robot. The Mechanical subteam built the swerve drive chassis and started creating prototypes, finishing the week by having built three prototypes to test.
The DNA CAD subteam fully designed the swerve drivebase, working closely with the Mechanical subteam to design the prototypes in Solidworks. The Programming subteam set up a “VFPS (Visual Fiducial Positioning System)” so they can track their robot position with the QR codes positioned around the field.
DNAs Business subteam is continuing to work on reaching their budget so they can travel to Denver, Colorado for their second regional from March 20 to March 23. They are excited to be going to their second competition with FRC teams 5232 Talons, and 5690 Subzero.
We are very excited to be starting 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 Duluth East High School senior Juniper Kelly-Swing for receiving the Tamar Kaplan Award at the 2024 State Debate Tournament Awards Ceremony! It is awarded annually to a student of the Minnesota Debate community for their outstanding achievements in scholarship, service, and leadership. She will receive a $1,500 scholarship.
WHEREAS: Minnesota is home to more than 20,000 paraprofessionals who provide multiple services in our schools. Paraprofessionals offer support throughout the classroom that contributes to the success of students and their teachers; and
WHEREAS: The support and services provided by paraprofessionals are integral to student achievement. Paraprofessionals take on a wide range of responsibilities to meet the unique needs of the students in their care. Their dedication supports safe, effective, and engaging learning environments throughout Minnesota; and
WHEREAS: Minnesota’s Department of Education is committed to excellence in education and recognizes the important role that paraprofessionals play in ensuring success in our schools; and
WHEREAS: Minnesota celebrates the essential contributions of paraprofessionals during Paraprofessional Recognition Week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim January 21- January 27, 2024, as:
PARAPROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK in the State of Minnesota.
