We Meet at Noon on Thursday

February 24, 2022

For Those Attending in Person

Plated Meal

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Resource Development Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland

 

Thanks to the support of Rotary Club of Duluth #25, in the spring of 2019 the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland began providing mental health services and support in the Clubs. Their initial programming goals were to integrate the mental health staff into the Clubs and create dialogues that helped to remove the stigma attached to mental health-related issues.

 

Through the positive relationships with focused mental health counselors on-site and the support of trusted staff, they have worked to create a safe environment for youth to get help and remove barriers to accessing these much-needed services. As the pandemic changed our world and the way we interact, the need for mental health support services for our youth has only continued to grow.

 

At present, the program has up to three mental health interns from local universities and colleges and established relationships for outpatient services with four local mental health providers. They also recently added a full-time Behavioral Health Coordinator position to oversee the program and its imminent growth in the coming years.
 

By Steve Yorde

 

President Chana Stocke called the meeting to order by inviting everyone to stand and sing “America the Beautiful.”  Good plan on such a cold and sunny Duluth day, but today the piano decided not to cooperate.  Foiled by mechanical issues, (it could have been frozen), Past President John Baumgarten and President Chana Stocke simultaneously decided to go with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.  The 4-Way Test was up next, followed by Past President Branden Robinson’s poignant Rotary Reflection.  “We are blessed to live in a community that values education at all levels.  But the true value of education comes not from the acquisition of knowledge, but rather the implementation of that knowledge.”  

 

Past President John Baumgarten

 

With no visiting Rotarians, guests, or self-reports, President Chana Stocke provided an update on the recent Board discussion concerning dues that are in arrears.  If you receive a letter, please review it carefully and contact Past President Elaine Hansen or President Chana Stocke with any questions.

 

Past President and Marshall School alumnus Past President Branden Robinson introduced today’s speaker, Jamie Steckart, the new Head of School.  A proud native of Wisconsin, Jamie is a graduate of Ashwaubenon High School, UW-Madison and he earned a graduate degree from the University of Minnesota.  He is licensed in Minnesota as a teacher, principal and superintendent.  This well-qualified young leader introduced his vision for the upcoming school year: the launching of The Forest School on Marshall’s 42-acre campus in the center of Duluth. 

 

Jamie Steckart

 

The program will focus on environmental education, literacy, science, numeracy and the arts for students ages 4 through fourth grade.  He acknowledged there are many nature-based programs in Duluth area pre-schools, yet the demand remains high. According to Jamie, Marshall Forest School students will spend up to 50% of their time outdoors with teachers who are well equipped to support the physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth of each student.  The curriculum is based on the latest scientific research on how these young students develop and learn.  And to fill the 150 slots available, Marshall Forest School has taken a bold step by cutting tuition in half to assist and encourage students who are within walking distance of Marshall. 

 

 

 

To augment this new direction, he is seeking the community’s philanthropic help, as well as corporate sponsorship underwriting, in providing need-based scholarships.  There are already 130 applications submitted for next fall.  He reported there are 20,000 student prospects in a 30-mile radius around Duluth and Superior.  He discussed Wisconsin’s educational voucher program which provides $9,000 per student attending Wisconsin private and public schools.  While not available in Minnesota, Jamie sees this as an essential component from a societal standpoint, particularly as a step toward broader and more equitable access to quality education.  Today’s students want personalization and attention to what’s ahead in their learning and development.  Marshall provides that option for students of all ages through its strong 15:1 student-teacher ratio, small classrooms, personalized learning environment, and nimble programs like The Forest School.      

 

President Chana Stocke concluded the meeting with the 50-50 drawing, won this week by the presenter of the Reflection, Chair of the Day and Past President Branden Robinson!

   

 

(L to R Jen Berry, Director of Advancement

 at Mashall School with speaker Jamie Steckart, Past President Branden Robinson