ISD 318 is pleased to announce that Ken Decoster has been named Bigfork School Principal. He will begin his duties on July 1, 2021. “Ken is dedicated to student success no matter what role he serves in. We are thrilled to have him step into this new role,” said Superintendent Matt Grose. “I feel confident that the students and staff in Bigfork will benefit from Ken’s experience.”
It’s been one year since our community schools were required to move to into distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, March 15, 2020, Governor Walz enacted his second Emergency Executive Order of the pandemic directing schools to “temporarily close to plan for a safe learning environment.” Last year’s move to distance learning highlighted the important role that schools play in supporting families. With the easing of restrictions, the spotlight may have moved on, but the need hasn’t changed.
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.”
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.
