Back to School Guide
Welcome back to the new school year!
As we embark on this journey together, our focus remains on empowering every student with opportunities for growth, creativity and curiosity. Guided by our strategic plan, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and academically engaging environment, where all students can thrive. We value collaboration with families, ensuring each child feels welcomed, supported and prepared for their future.
Let's make this year one of learning, achievement and connection. Welcome back!
2025-2026 Student Handbook Lincoln Park Back to School Guide
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
The 2025-2026 school year begins Tuesday, Sept. 2 for grades 1st-12th and Thursday, Sept. 4 for kindergarten.
BACK TO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSES
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STAY CONNECTED WITH PARENTSQUARE
Duluth Public Schools uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.
Here’s what you can do with ParentSquare:
- Receive messages from the school via email, text or app notification
- Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 p.m.
- Communicate in your preferred language
- Comment on school postings to engage with your school community
- Direct message teachers and staff
- Sign up for parent-teacher conferences
- Sign forms & permission slips, sign up to volunteer and more all from your desktop or mobile device
Questions? Email communications@isd709.org.
SUPPLY LISTS
Middle and high school supply lists are created by individual teachers and is determined by a student's schedule.
Picture Days
- Denfeld High School
- Aug. 27: 4-8:30 p.m.
- Sept. 16: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oct. 7: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Duluth East High School
- Aug. 20: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sept. 17: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oct. 15: 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Duluth Area Learning Center
- Sept. 30: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Nov. 4: 9 .m. to 3 p.m.
- Lincoln Park Middle School
- Oct. 1
- Nov. 5 (Make Up)
- Ordean East Middle School
- Sept. 29
- Nov. 3 (Make Up)
- Congdon Park Elementary
- Sept. 30
- Oct. 28 (Make Up)
- Homecroft Elementary
- Sept. 29
- Nov. 11 (Make Up)
- Lakewood Elementary
- Oct. 3
- Nov. 6 (Make Up)
- Laura MacArthur Elementary
- Oct. 8
- Nov. 6 (Make Up)
- Lester Park Elementary
- Oct. 1
- Nov. 5 (Make Up)
- Lowell Elementary
- Oct. 2
- Nov. 4 (Make Up)
- Myers-Wilkins Elementary
- Sept. 25
- Oct. 22 (Make Up)
- Piedmont Elementary
- Oct. 7
- Oct. 28 (Make Up)
- Stowe Elementary
- Oct. 9
- Nov. 7 (Make Up)
Duluth Public Schools will be partnering this year 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 purpose of this communication is to give some details about the program and what to expect.
FORMS
Educational Benefits Form
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Please fill out by Oct. 1 (no matter your family income) to help us get funding.
- Fill out the form in Parent Portal or by downloading and mailing in the physical form.
Blended Learning Form
- Required to be filled out for each student before they can receive their chromebook and access to email.
Photo Opt-Out Form
(Complete and return this form ONLY IF YOU DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION for your student to appear in possible school publicity images or videos, including postings on the school or district website.)
There are many activities and accomplishments that take place in our schools which Duluth Public Schools feel are positive, newsworthy and of interest to the community. Teachers and staff members use photos and videos for the purpose of highlighting student achievements or chronicling classroom and school activities. Those images may be used in informational newsletters, school brochures and marketing materials, school or district social media, school or district websites, TV stations, or newspapers.
If, for any reason, you do not want your child’s likeness to be used by Duluth Public Schools or the media, please fill out this form and return it to your child’s school office. A separate form is required for each child.
Transportation
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
All students are required to provide proof of immunization, or appropriate documentation exempting the student from such immunization as a condition of enrollment.
Exclusion from school will occur if immunizations, medical exemption or objection requirements are not met within 30 days of the start of the school year. For the 2024-25 school year, requirements must be met by Oct. 14, 2024.
If a parent/guardian is claiming an exemption for medical reasons that an immunization can not be received or because of conscientiously held beliefs, they must either submit a statement from a physician stating the immunization is not medically advised or submit a notarized statement, signed by the parent/guardian – or if the student is an emancipated person, by the emancipated person – stating that the student has not been immunized because of conscientiously held beliefs.
If the student’s school does not receive proof of immunization or exemption by Oct. 14, 2024, the child will be sent home from school and discharged from enrollment beginning Oct. 21, 2024. It will then be necessary for the parent/guardian to re-enroll the child after immunization requirements have been met before the child can return to school. If parents/guardians have any questions, please contact your child’s school nurse.
Please note that students entering kindergarten, 7th grade and 12th grade have age specific immunization requirements.
More information about required immunizations can be found at isd709.org/families/health-services.
Immunization Schedule and Record Form
Families are required each year to bring their child's annual health history form at the start of school.
- Annual Health History (Required if there are changes)
HEALTH FORMS
Students requiring emergency care plan(s) and/or medication(s) that need to be given during school hours will need one or more of the following forms completed. An emergency care plan created with and signed by your student’s provider will be accepted in place of the emergency plans listed here.
Prior to the beginning of each school year, emergency care plans and medication authorizations should be turned in to your child's school health office and reviewed with the Licensed School Nurse.
WHAT IS A PORT CARD?
A PORT CARD is an electronic library card that gives ISD709 students free access to Duluth Public Library resources without needing a physical library card and comes with no financial risk in the event of lost or damaged materials. Port Cards are for student use only.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PORT CARD?
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Access the Duluth Public Library's online resources from school, including ebooks, audiobooks and databases for research.
- Check out up to 5 physical materials (such as books, magazines, and toys) at a time for FREE.
- Check out a 7-day MN State Parks pass or a 4-person pass to the Lake Superior Zoo for FREE.
- Check out up to 10 ebooks or audiobooks at a time for FREE.
- No physical library card needed. Students can check items out with their student ID number!
- No financial risk.
How do students sign up?
All Duluth Public Schools student are automatically enrolled in the Port Card program, unless parents choose to opt their student out.
How do students log in?
Just use your student ID number and birthdate at checkout or online.
- Barcode: 21256600 + STUDENT ID NUMBER
- For 5-digit student ID numbers, add an additional zero before the student ID number
- Password: Birthday [MMDDYY]
How can I use my Port Card?
Use your Port Card to check out physical things like books, magazines, toys, language kits, puzzles, CDs, and DVDs.
You can also use your Port Card to access digital materials like ebooks, audiobooks, and library databases.
You can even use your Port Card to check out 4-person passes to the Lake Superior Zoo and 7-day passes to the Minnesota State Park.