Across our nation, state and right here in Duluth, leaders are working to understand and address one of the greatest risk factors impacting student achievement - poverty.
Much research has been and continues to be done regarding the chronic and acute stressors, safety/health issues and social-emotional challenges children and families living in poverty may experience over time that more financially stable families do not. When students are hungry, have ongoing health or safety issues or are preoccupied with fears and uncertainties that often accompany life in poverty, they may experience difficulty learning. Studies indicate more secure living conditions and greater access to a wide range of enriching experiences and activities increase the likelihood a child will be successful in school.
Developing full-service community schools is one way communities across the country are addressing the significant needs of children living in poverty. Community Schools are created through strong partnerships between community organizations and school districts. Such programs seek to connect students and families with the academic, social and health services necessary to provide a more stable environment and result in improved educational outcomes.
Over the years, the partnership between Duluth's own Myers-Wilkins Elementary and the Myers-Wilkins Collaborative has become a community school model for school districts across the state and country. You can learn more about the Myers-Wilkins Collaborative and how to support their work at www.mwcsc.org.
Recent Minnesota legislation builds on their success and provides grants to expand this work throughout the state. Lincoln Park Middle School is one such grant recipient. Step by step, they're developing partnerships to further address the needs of their families and school community and support academic success for students.
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In that spirit, our schools continue to serve children throughout the summer through extra opportunities for learning and support. Access to healthy meals is a part of that work. Children 18 years of age and younger are welcome to receive breakfast and lunch at no charge now through Aug. 26 at the following sites:
● Lester Park Elementary, 5300 Glenwood St.
● Lowell Elementary, 2000 Rice Lake Road
● Myers-Wilkins Elementary, 1027 N. Eighth Ave. E.
● Piedmont Elementary, 2827 Chambersburg Ave.
● Laura MacArthur Elementary, 720 North Central Ave.
● Stowe Elementary, 715 101st Ave. W.
● Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. Third St.
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● Denfeld High School, 401 N. 44th Ave. W.
● Also available: brown bag lunches at the Lincoln Park Boys & Girls Club, 2407 W. Fourth St.
No paperwork is necessary, funding is provided through the USDA. Adults accompanying their children may purchase a meal for $3.80. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. Please share this information with families you know who may be interested.
