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Distance Learning
Thank you, families, students, staff, have a great summer!
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Providing Education During Closure
Taking care of students' physical and emotional well-being is of the utmost importance. Distance learning activities may help establish a daily schedule and a sense of normalcy for students, along with continuing their education. We commit to ensuring each and every child in our school system has access to the opportunity and support they need to learn essential content and skills while at home.
What is our method of distance learning?
All students PreK-12 have access to a curriculum packet. Grades K-5, this is by grade level. Grades 6-12 is by course and compiled based on each student's schedule.
How often will these packets come out?
We are planning on a weekly scheduled release. This may change as circumstances change.
How do students get access to this packet?
Students have two methods of access. It is up to the student/family what is best for them. There is no penalty to choosing either option.
Method one: Access the curriculum packet digitally via Class Dojo (Prek) or Google Classroom (K-12). Requires internet access.
Method two: Access the curriculum packet in paper via a site or hub (K-12). PreK via mail.
If a student has internet access, but no device, can they still use Google Classroom?
Yes. If a student has access to the internet, the family can apply to their school to receive a district Chromebook on loan to use during distance learning.
My student was receiving special education, English learner, or other types of support. Will that continue?
Yes, but it may look different. To reduce the potential spread of illness, no in person interaction is permitted. The teacher that provides this service will reach out with ways this can continue in a distance learning plan.
How can I contact my student’s teacher if I have a question?
Teachers can be reached through their district phone extension, district email, or Google Classroom. Teachers will have online office hours and will check email and voicemail at least 3 times daily.
How can packets be returned by students and families?
Packets can be returned the same way they are distributed.
Method one: Submit the packet digitally via Google Classroom.
Method two: Drop off the packet at a hub or site. Look for the designated drop box.
Access and Relationship. Access to common learning. Access to interaction with a licensed teacher. Access to educational and social emotional support. Access to a sense of stability and connection. We commit to ensure each and every child in our school system has access to the opportunity and support to learn essential content and skills during the potential school closure period. This is and will remain our primary focus for the duration of distance learning.
Duluth Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program: Supporting our Duluth Preschool partners, community child care/preschools, caregivers and families by using the values and principles of Embedded Learning Opportunities. By using learning experiences to integrate into daily routines we can enhance children’s overall development. ECSE Practitioners will work with families, caregivers and our preschool/ child care partners to identify relevant activities to work toward the accomplishment of children’s IFSP outcomes/ IEP goals.
How to support the use of Embedded Learning Opportunities:
- Centers of Excellence for Young Children with Disabilities: INSPIRE ACTION-Intentional within Routines.
- Head Start guidance on enhancing inclusion using embedded learning opportunities
- Using the DEC Recommended Practices
- DEC Recommended Practices
Duluth Preschool: Will provide students with regular instruction through Class Dojo to enable parents to assist their children in learning experiences that focus on the whole child. For families without access to the internet or phones, hard copies will be mailed.
- Teaching teams will provide daily recorded messages to children and post ideas for extending those lessons.
- Parent education and the availability of community resources will be posted and updated regularly by staff.
- Every effort will be made to stay in touch with every family. Fees will not be charged for the distance learning period.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE): Parents currently enrolled in classes will be contacted by ECFE Early Childhood and/or Parent Educators via methods such as a personal phone call, email, text, post card, etc.
Additionally, parents will be provided with hands-on activity ideas that they can readily do at home with typical household items, along with parenting education information (hand-outs, reflective questions and other parenting resources). Fees will not be charged during this distance learning period.
Additional resources posted regularly on the Duluth Early Childhood Programs Facebook page.
Teachers are working collaboratively by grade level to provide engaging at home learning opportunities.
Instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Arts and other content areas, adapted by licensed teachers and curriculum specialists for distance learning.
Families and teachers will check in with each other at least once a day. It could be by phone, email or Google classroom. A check in might simply be a phone call to indicate all is well, no help needed. It might be a longer conversation to answer questions and provide direction.
Our middle school students continue their progress in core courses and electives. Students will be engaged in a variety of activities designed by teams of teachers.
Instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Arts and other content areas, adapted by licensed teachers and curriculum specialists for distance learning.
Families and teachers will check in with each other at least once a day. It could be by phone, email or Google classroom. A check in might simply be a phone call to indicate all is well, no help needed. It might be a longer conversation to answer questions and provide direction.
High school students continue their learning through activities designed to keep them on track for graduation.
Instruction in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Arts and other content areas, adapted by licensed teachers and curriculum specialists for distance learning.
Families and teachers will check in with each other at least once a day. It could be by phone, email or Google classroom. A check in might simply be a phone call to indicate all is well, no help needed. It might be a longer conversation to answer questions and provide direction.
Our Special educators are working closely with your child's general education teachers to support your child's learning with their general education coursework.
In addition, they are preparing for the likely changes to IEP service plans due to distance learning expectations.
- For families who do not have home computers for such access, the District will have some Chromebook support available to support instructional engagement. More information on this check out process is coming soon.
- If at any time you have questions about your child’s plans and programming as we move forward, please reach out to your case manager, your building principal, or the special education leadership team.
- ISD #709 Special Education Distance Learning Plan
Jason Crane, Director of Special Services - jason.crane@isd709.org
Jackie Ward, Assistant Director of Special Services - jackie.ward@isd709.org
Classroom teachers developed the curriculum packets to ensure classroom materials will be as accessible as possible and EL teachers have developed unique instructional activities as part of their services. EL students have also been prioritized for Chromebook access to allow for visual/audio support.
MCA/MTAS: No additional MCA and MTAS tests will be administered for the remainder of the 2019–20 school year.
ACT: The district will not administer the ACT Plus Writing during the 2019-2020 school year. If you submitted payment, you will be refunded. Timelines for refunds will be communicated as information becomes available.
AP: The College Board has made some adjustments to the 2020 AP Exam schedule and implemented new processes in order to support students at this time. The College Board will move to an online administration of the AP exams scheduled for May 2020. Students will take a 45-minute online exam at home using any device they have access to use. The College Board will continue to update AP Coordinators with the details of how we will move forward. As updates occur, we will pass those on to students registered for AP exams via email. College Board will not charge a $40 fee for cancellations.
Accuplacer: There will not be any administration of the Accuplacer this school year.
Duluth Public School Counselors, Psychologists, SEL Interventionists, and Social Workers, continue to provide services during Distance Learning. Please contact your school for more information.
Duluth Public School District has plans in partnership with community co-located mental health providers to provide alternative options for students to continue receiving mental health therapy services during school closure.
If your child/student is receiving therapy services through an existing agency this school year, please reference that agency's information below regarding how to schedule an appointment, what options they have available for appointments, and whether services will continue.
The following is a list of the mental health agencies that were co-located at each school site this year:
Denfeld High School
Nystrom & Associates
Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health
Lincoln Park Middle School
Human Development Center
Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health
Northwoods Children’s Services (day treatment)
Ordean East Middle School
Arrowhead Psychological Clinic
East High School
Arrowhead Psychological Clinic
Laura MacArthur Elementary
Northwood Children's Services (outpatient services & day treatment)
Lowell Elementary
Northwood Children’s Services (outpatient services)
Piedmont Elementary
Northwood Children's Services (outpatient services & day treatment)
Myers-Wilkins Elementary
Human Development Center
Northwood Children’s Services (day treatment)
Homecroft Elementary
Human Development Center
Lester Park Elementary
Human Development Center
Congdon Park Elementary
Human Development Center
Lakewood Elementary
Human Development Center
Stowe Elementary
Human Development Center
Information from Mental Health Partners
Nystrom & Associates:
"Our providers will be collecting the most current and accurate contact information for students and their parents/guardians. We will be letting students and families know that we are able to conduct phone sessions and that we can work with them to schedule times for these to happen. At this time, our providers have the option to meet with students and families in their homes if both parties are comfortable doing so. This may change based on this pandemic and therefore we are encouraging phone sessions in the meantime. We will communicate any changes in the appointment process to you promptly.”
Arrowhead Psychological Clinic:
“We are able to accommodate students at our 715 E Central Entrance clinic location. Christina Wallin has openings Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays at APC. Student/guardians please give them a call and they will try to get your child/student in as soon as possible. They typically have daily cancellations, that they can work students into their schedule for, including “in-person visits” or teletherapy “video sessions” over smartphones/laptops/tablets. They have begun offering teletherapy more intensively recently to assist with social distancing needs. They are also offering weekend and evening teletherapy sessions. They can be reached at 218-723-8153.”
Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health (therapy services for Native American students):
“For any students currently seeing Fond du Lac School-Linked Mental Health please contact Rochelle Goodrich, MSW, LICSW, LADC, the Fond du Lac Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, and she will inform you of services available. She can be reached at 218-878-2134. School-Linked Mental Health staff will also be reaching out by phone to current clients.”
Therapeutic Services Agency (therapy services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing students):
“Students currently receiving services from TSA can call their therapist, Karen Sheldon, at 218-343-8847 to discuss and arrange for services via telehealth or at an alternate location. TSA recently opened an office in Duluth where clients could go to continue their services. This office is by appointment only. If a guardian wants to initiate services for their student, they can call Jacqlyn Davoll at 218-343-6196 to make a referral.”
Northwood Children’s Services School-Based Day Treatment:
“Northwood Children’s Services will be temporarily closing day treatment services in our school-based programs. Students that were a part of day treatment programming at Lincoln Park Middle School, Myers Wilkins Elementary, Piedmont Elementary, and Laura MacArthur Elementary will not be receiving services during the closure of district 709 schools. Northwood Day Treatment Staff will notify families as changes and plans for re-opening programs occur.”
Northwood Children’s Services Outpatient Services:
“Northwoods Outpatient Services will be located at their Community Services Building, 714 West College Street Duluth. They can provide telehealth therapy, skills sessions, and diagnostic assessments. They will not provide transportation to appointments at the Community Services Building, it's up to the parent/guardian to provide. Outpatient Services Staff will be reaching out to parents/guardians to discuss options for appointments. You may also contact Amy Fullerton at 218-213-8602 to set up an appointment.”
Human Development Center:
“HDC therapists will be able to meet with clients for individual therapy sessions at their HDC offices at 1406 East 2nd Street Duluth. If students need to schedule an appointment, guardians can contact 218-624-5683 or intake at 218-728-4491. Therapists will continue to reach out to existing clients regarding appointments and scheduling. They are also considering telehealth options for therapists to provide computer/phone based therapy.”
The following is a list of the mental health agencies that were co-located at each school site this year:
Denfeld High School
Nystrom & Associates
Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health
Lincoln Park Middle School
Human Development Center
Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health
Northwoods Children’s Services (day treatment)
Ordean East Middle School
Arrowhead Psychological Clinic
East High School
Arrowhead Psychological Clinic
Laura MacArthur Elementary
Northwood Children's Services (outpatient services & day treatment)
Lowell Elementary
Northwood Children’s Services (outpatient services)
Piedmont Elementary
Northwood Children's Services (outpatient services & day treatment)
Myers-Wilkins Elementary
Human Development Center
Northwood Children’s Services (day treatment)
Homecroft Elementary
Human Development Center
Lester Park Elementary
Human Development Center
Congdon Park Elementary
Human Development Center
Lakewood Elementary
Human Development Center
Stowe Elementary
Human Development Center
Information from Mental Health Partners
Nystrom & Associates:
"Our providers will be collecting the most current and accurate contact information for students and their parents/guardians. We will be letting students and families know that we are able to conduct phone sessions and that we can work with them to schedule times for these to happen. At this time, our providers have the option to meet with students and families in their homes if both parties are comfortable doing so. This may change based on this pandemic and therefore we are encouraging phone sessions in the meantime. We will communicate any changes in the appointment process to you promptly.”
Arrowhead Psychological Clinic:
“We are able to accommodate students at our 715 E Central Entrance clinic location. Christina Wallin has openings Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays at APC. Student/guardians please give them a call and they will try to get your child/student in as soon as possible. They typically have daily cancellations, that they can work students into their schedule for, including “in-person visits” or teletherapy “video sessions” over smartphones/laptops/tablets. They have begun offering teletherapy more intensively recently to assist with social distancing needs. They are also offering weekend and evening teletherapy sessions. They can be reached at 218-723-8153.”
Fond du Lac School Linked Mental Health (therapy services for Native American students):
“For any students currently seeing Fond du Lac School-Linked Mental Health please contact Rochelle Goodrich, MSW, LICSW, LADC, the Fond du Lac Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, and she will inform you of services available. She can be reached at 218-878-2134. School-Linked Mental Health staff will also be reaching out by phone to current clients.”
Therapeutic Services Agency (therapy services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing students):
“Students currently receiving services from TSA can call their therapist, Karen Sheldon, at 218-343-8847 to discuss and arrange for services via telehealth or at an alternate location. TSA recently opened an office in Duluth where clients could go to continue their services. This office is by appointment only. If a guardian wants to initiate services for their student, they can call Jacqlyn Davoll at 218-343-6196 to make a referral.”
Northwood Children’s Services School-Based Day Treatment:
“Northwood Children’s Services will be temporarily closing day treatment services in our school-based programs. Students that were a part of day treatment programming at Lincoln Park Middle School, Myers Wilkins Elementary, Piedmont Elementary, and Laura MacArthur Elementary will not be receiving services during the closure of district 709 schools. Northwood Day Treatment Staff will notify families as changes and plans for re-opening programs occur.”
Northwood Children’s Services Outpatient Services:
“Northwoods Outpatient Services will be located at their Community Services Building, 714 West College Street Duluth. They can provide telehealth therapy, skills sessions, and diagnostic assessments. They will not provide transportation to appointments at the Community Services Building, it's up to the parent/guardian to provide. Outpatient Services Staff will be reaching out to parents/guardians to discuss options for appointments. You may also contact Amy Fullerton at 218-213-8602 to set up an appointment.”
Human Development Center:
“HDC therapists will be able to meet with clients for individual therapy sessions at their HDC offices at 1406 East 2nd Street Duluth. If students need to schedule an appointment, guardians can contact 218-624-5683 or intake at 218-728-4491. Therapists will continue to reach out to existing clients regarding appointments and scheduling. They are also considering telehealth options for therapists to provide computer/phone based therapy.”
For Distance Learning, Duluth Public Schools created 8 SEL activities for students across our district. Each activity has information to read and think about, a note to parents and caring adults, and activity options to apply the information. SEL Activities are included in each printed packet and uploaded to Google Classrooms.
Teachers Available Daily
- 9:00AM-10:30AM and 1:30PM-3:00PM
- Staff available through email, scheduled phone and online meetings
- Teachers checking email and voicemail at least three times each day.
- Students and families can contact us at any time; we'll get back to you within 24 hours.
Paper Curriculum Packets
- List of Pickup Locations, Times
- Please contact your teacher or school if you have questions.