As the start of the school year approaches, the Lake Superior School Board has been working to bring added support to address the academic, emotional and social needs of LSSD students. Pam Carlson has taken the position as Literacy Lead and will be working in all district schools to support students and teachers and boost literacy skills under the guidelines of the READ Act. The overarching goal of the READ Act is to give students the support they need to develop the necessary skills that will enable them to read at or above grade level as they navigate through their school years. Carlson will be overseeing training for teachers, as required by the READ Act and will be helping teachers plan instruction and track improvements in student reading abilities at the classroom level.
Dr. Tawnyea Lake, PhD, has been hired by the district with a grant from the Minnesota Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MnMTSS) Initiative. MTSS is an approach that schools around the country are using. The MTSS framework helps school staff identify struggling students early and apply intervention strategies quickly by addressing student academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs. Under grant parameters, Lake will be working in the district for the next two years and will oversee implementation of the framework and professional development and training for staff.
Rachel Jackson will be joining the administrative team at Two Harbors High School as Assistant Principal. She comes to the LSSD from the Duluth public school system where she worked for 27 years as a Math Teacher, Dean and Assistant Principal.
William M. Kelley, Principal Dan Johnson and Rachel Clark gave the School Board an overview of the Restorative Practice work that is ongoing in district schools. Restorative Practices are drawn from the traditions of Indigenous people and communities of color and support the development of clear communication skills, community building, and problem solving. When harm is done in the community, like through bullying, Restorative Practices can be employed to help repair relationships and return integrity back to the community. Schools that have implemented Restorative Practices around the country have seen an increase in positivity in the school climate and have developed alternatives to dealing with disruptive behavior which reduces suspensions and expulsions.
Two Harbors High School Teacher and Pride Club Advisor, Liz Smith, spoke briefly with the Board about the Two Harbors Pride Celebration that was held on July 13th at Thomas Owens Park. Smith expressed appreciation to the businesses and residents who showed up to give support to LGBTQ students and their families. She spoke of how important it is for members of the LGBTQ community to be seen and supported in their home town. Americans who are members of traditionally marginalized communities can understand how meaningful that support is and all of us who believe in the importance of respecting, valuing and ensuring equality for all, can celebrate the fact that we live in a community where everyone is welcome.
Students and parents should know that the School Board voted to add an “Away For The Day” cell phone policy to the district’s Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy. Cell phones, smart watches and other electronic devices often create a huge distraction in schools and can have negative impacts on student engagement and learning. The Board also approved an agreement of cooperation for girl’s swimming between William Kelley, Two Harbors and Marshall High Schools.
The next LSSD School Board meeting will be held on September 10th at 6 PM at William M. Kelley School.
