Safe and Healthy LearnersLearning Support : 
MDE E-mail Updates
Current Topics
The Safe & Healthy Learners Team
The Safe & Healthy Learners team works through partnerships to ensure that K-12 students are safe and secure; have the skills to be healthy, resourceful and engaged in learning; and that the families, schools, and communities that support them have the information needed to nurture their healthy development.
Safe and Drug-Free Schools Deadlines
It is now time for Districts to complete their reporting requirements related to their 2007-8 Title IV Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program. Access the SDFS End of Year Report here. In addition, applications can be made for 2008-9 school year Title IV funds through the EMAP system. Both the EMAP Title IV application and the End of Year Report are due June 30, 2008.
Final reports of expulsions and suspensions must be entered into the electronic Disciplinary Incident Reporting System (DIRS) and certified by the building principal and the district superintendent by July 31, 2008 to meet state and federal reporting requirements.
Mini-Summit 2008 Locations Announced!
Minnesota’s Summit on Youth Development and Graduation, Inspiring New Action – Inspiring New Commitment, was hosted by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Alliance With Youth (MAWY) in December of 2007. As an extension of this event, grants were awarded to ten communities to host Mini-Summits in six regions of Minnesota. The overall goal of these Mini-Summits is to stimulate new and continued action to mobilize youth, families, schools, communities, and local government to support facilitating positive youth development and outcomes – including graduation from high school. For more information about the Mini-Summits and their locations, please contact cammy.lehr@state.mn.us .
SNAPSHOTS on Minnesota Youth
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Department of Public Safety (DPS) are are pleased to present a series of reports about Minnesota’s young people. Each quarter MDE and DPS will complete a Snapshot focusing on issues facing Minnesota youth.
Vol. 1, Issue 1 -The Basics
Vol. 1, Issue 2 - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Vol. 1, Issue 3 - School Safety
Minnesota School Safety Center
The Minnesota School Safety Center provides districts and their community-based partners with technical assistance and resources for violence prevention all-hazard safety planning for schools. The Minnesota School Safety Center is a joint project of the MN Departments of Education and Public Safety. For more information on the School Safety Center contact the staff: Wade Setter, Executive Director, 651-201-7485; Barb Fonkert, School Safety Specialist, 651-201-7428; Ali Anfinson, Research Analyst, 651-201-7443, Sheri Jacobs, Education Specialist, 651-502-7440.
Minnesota Receives Five-Year Coordinated School Health Grant
MDE has been selected as one of the new Coordinated School Health sites by the Centers for Disease Control. This award will provide the agency resources to develop a strategic plan to increase student health, ensure implementation of research-based resources in schools, and strengthen local partnerships between schools and public health. The goal is to enhance the health of K-12 students during school and out-of-school time programs. Targeted areas include coordinating efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention education, physical activity, nutrition and tobacco use prevention. This is a five-year award for $580,000 annually.