Melanie DeBay, Itasca Area Schools Collaborative Community Education Director, has been chosen as the Region 8 Community Educator of Excellence by the Minnesota Community Education Association (MCEA). She received her award at the MCEA National Winter Conference which took place virtually on February 17-18, 2021. Krystal Berg, Proctor-Hermantown Community Ed Director says “Melanie is always my go-to gal when I have questions, concerns, or need to have another perspective on a possible idea.”
School Board Recognition Week is February 22-26 and ISD 318 is joining all public school districts across the state to celebrate School Board Recognition Week, honoring local Board Members for their commitment. “It takes strong schools to build a strong community, and these men and women devote countless hours to making sure our schools are helping every child learn at a higher level,” said Matt Grose, ISD 318 Superintendent.
This winter, ISD 318 received a $150,000 grant to provide technology access, graphing calculators, and technology support for students. “The pandemic has brought more attention to inequities in access to technologies. We are grateful that the Blandin Foundation is willing to help us address those gaps,” said ISD 318 Teaching and Learning Director Sue Akre.
Rapids Rising and the GRIP Coalition will receive a Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant for $125,000 each year for the next five years. The grant will enable Rapids Rising and the GRIP Coalition to continue their work promoting positive community norms in our community. Rapids Rising and the GRIP Coalition work to reduce and delay underage alcohol and substance use by empowering young people and correcting misperceptions about use. Over the past five years, they have worked to help students make healthy choices about not using alcohol or illegal drugs.
