Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Superintendent's Summary of the Red Lake School District #38 April Board Meeting

The Board met at the Ponemah School Complex on April 20h, for its regular meeting. Superintendent Lundquist shared the following information relative to activities underway improve achievement, attendance and enrollment:

• Discussed plans to institute two student school board members beginning with the 2016-17 school year

• Shared information regarding the upcoming "what's left" suicide prevention art exhibit, which is begin hosted in collaboration with Red Lake Nation College throughout the month of May

• Provided an update on the first meeting of the Tribal Education Department at which an Ojibwe Language Immersion and College Prep "school-within-a-school" options were discussed

Each of the buildings and district departments offered updates on their activities, including the following:

• At RLES a group of parents, students and teachers collaborated with the principals to develop a Compact to be used to strengthen communication and accountability between home and school. In addition the ECC received a School Grant for Healthy Kids: Physical Activity and Nutrition Award, which will focus on healthy activities for kids and families, nutrition education and healthy choices in the community.

• The Ponemah School hosted Parent Teacher Conferences on March 31st, where 60% of the parents attended. The year-end pow wow is scheduled for May 20th. The school's enrollment is up, with a total of 224 students enrolled preK-8.

• The Human Resources Coordinator has launched a wellness incentive for staff in which Fitbit activity trackers have been provided to most district employees; in exchange the employees will take part in a six-week walking challenge. In addition, she attended the HS Career and College Festival on March 24.

• The Middle School welcomed three visiting artists in the last month who engaged students in hoop dancing, spoken word activities, and stage performances. The school's sponsoring artist, Citizen Cope flew 12 students to Washington, D.C. to perform in a national promotional music video.

• At the High School three students successfully graduated from the Oshkiimaajitahdah welding program with top honors. Officer Richardson is continuing to plan for various summer mentoring activities in collaboration with the Home School Liaisons and multiple tribal agencies.

• The Facilities Director shared the district's plan to remove a number of spruce trees from the front lawn of the Secondary Complex. The tress are dead or dying and post a risk to the school buildings. In addition, the Director introduced the district's plans to implement the ALICE crisis intervention approach to the Tribal Council, and an invitation was extended to have tribal agencies involved in the summer training programs.

• The Special Services Director's report detailed the district recent selection for inclusion in the Pyramid Model Intervention project. Both the ECC and Tribal Head Start programs will be involved in this initiative which provides technical assistance and support to staff to deliver positive social and emotional support to students.

• The Food Service Coordinator continues to collaborate with the Tribe's Local Foods Initiative Strategic Planning Committee. She was also selected to participated in a Pilot Project through the USDA to serve as a mentor to other districts in need of assistance in managing their food service programs.

• The Transportation Director reported one individual has received a license to drive, and will start in Ponemah soon.

• The Parent Education Partnership Project, also known as Parents as Teachers, consultant hosted another workshop and continues to teach classes at Oshkiimaajitahdah.

• The Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (CIA) Department staff continue to move forward with their efforts to support professional development of teachers throughout the district, including efforts to provide for a full menu of "choice" options for Secondary Complex staff. The model has been very successful and will likely emerge as the district's model for quarterly all-staff meetings in the coming year.

• The Business Manager's report indicated the district is scheduled to begin mediation with Education Minnesota on May 11th. It also detailed a 19% increase in health insurance rates beginning July 1, 2016

In other business the Board ratified the 2015-17 contract with the Principals' Association, approved the hiring of Dustin Hinckley as Assistant Superintendent for Special Services, accepted a bid from Red Lake Builders, Inc. for the Ponemah Elementary School Roof Replacement Project, and approved numerous policy revisions.

Anne M. Lundquist, Ed. D.

 

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