I am so glad Alanna Oswald is on the Board. Everything that I missed for the decade I was off the School Board she can fill in with great detail. That means when I make some general comment that misses the mark I have Alanna there to get me back on track. Here is the content of a recent email from Alanna correcting bits and pieces of one of my posts:
Subject: Noteworthy clarifications
Just some items from your blog:— the district provides all after school transportation for school clubs and activities for elementary and middle schools. (At a cost to each individual school budget) Bus passes for the DTA are given to students in middle school who have missed the activity bus and still need a ride home AND ALSO have permission from a parent to ride the DTA home. If that’s not granted, someone comes to get the student, or if applicable, the principal gives the student a ride home in their personal vehicle. At Lincoln, the walk up and down the hill deters kids and adults from wanting to get to the bus line. The DTA has been unwilling to change their route to accommodate the walk. The community school is waiting for the current DTA head honcho to retire soon n see what his replacement might have to say.
— the Integration Specialist are NOT currently in a union. A couple unions are fighting over them, saying they have to be represented. I believe this order is more so to stop the harassment of the one they did not pick to represent them.
— it is FEDERAL LAW that any homeless declared student gets to stay at the school they were in when they became homeless. It’s the McKinney-Vento Act. It’s not that the district is doing anything special. They are required by federal law to do it.
— and if you want to greet the buses at Congdon, or any elementary school in Duluth, you probably want to get there by 7:25am. Most buses arrive between 725-730, because the kids need time to eat their free breakfasts before heading to class at 7:45am.
And I did make it to Congdon today before the busses arrived. I passed my neighbor waiting for the bus to Congdon and made sure to find and peek into his classroom. His teacher suggested that he give me a tour. He took my hand and showed me his locker the sandbox and the drinking fountain.
Principal Kathi Kusch-Marshall invited me to stay for an all school assembly. It was for the Lake Superior Challenge which will attempt to have all the children excercise the equivelent of walking around Lake Superior. I was even called up to introduce myself and tell who I was. I explained I was a “snow sculptor.” I thought saying I was on the School Board would sound boring. When the 585 children danced up a storm I joined them to set a good example. I think I traveled half way to Two Harbors.
Oh and one thing I learned this morning. Students who’s busses show up late can miss School Breakfast.
