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The NDDPI is excited to announce the 2023 Family Engagement Grants have been awarded! The application was open through the month of January, 2023 for a grant period of February 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023.

The Family Engagement Incentive Grants were made available to schools and LEAs to increase family engagement in schools and communities by implementing and enhancing highly effective family engagement programs and activities to improve student academic achievement. With a larger than expected response rate of 32 applications being submitted, and limited funding, some difficult decisions had to be made by our scoring team.

Congratulations to these 13 North Dakota Public School Districts rising to the top in their efforts to connect with families and help students be the best they can be!

Family Engagement Grant Award Recipients

Public School District Submitted By Scope of Grant
Beulah Colleen Daley

Beulah will purchase a mental health centered curriculum with two assemblies (one student facing & one staff/parent/community facing), including a complete curriculum for student engagement and development, and content to offer for staff PD and family education.

Dickinson (Heart River and Prairie Rose Elementaries) Sherry Leavitt

A “Dive into Summer” Reading Carnival will be held to promote the summer reading program offered by the district and local library to encourage the love of reading and encourage families and students to read together. Funding will help purchase high-quality books for students to add to their home libraries.

Ellendale Valerie Jordan

Funding will provide an Artist in Residence Program Showcase at the Ellendale Opera House for families, Gateway to Science Mobile Unit take home STEM kits for families, and enhancement for their Fall Open House.

Grand Forks Taunya Schleicher, Courtney Davis

Grand Forks Public Schools will be providing cultural enrichment opportunities for local Native American students and families to impact well-being and increase graduation rate. This includes a series of sewing workshops offered by tribal elder to make ribbon skirts and shirts.

Jamestown Adam Gehlhar

Jamestown High School will provide Family Nights throughout the community, School Open House, Freshman Orientation, Parent Education Nights; Lunch and Learn sessions focusing on College/Career Pathways, High School Four-Year Plan, and Scholarships/Financial Aid; and Coffee with the Counselor to provide educational and mental health topics to parents.

Kulm Sarah Gackle

Kulm will hold monthly Community Education Events, with one event each quarter being replaced with a holiday themed, family-centered event.  Funding will assist with speakers and materials.

Minot Mark Vollmer

Each school building in the district and Minot Head Start will receive a share of the funding to support family engagement in August and September 2023. A list of approved activities includes, but is not limited to, Minot Area Discovery Center, Love and Logic Training, Family Night Out events, transportation costs, guest presenters, de minimis expense, & supplies.

New Rockford-Sheyenne Natalie Becker

Funding will provide materials for family-centered events including a Breakfast & Books event, a Student Showcase Pinewood Car Derby with families, a Family STEM Night, and enhancement to their Back to School Night.

North Sargent Ryan Moser

North Sargent will be establishing a BARR Family Engagement Committee and Back to School Day for families to facilitate family-centered opportunities such as meeting with teachers during the school day, highlighting programs through learning stations, and sharing about community programs with educational opportunities. In addition, they will be providing one family activity per quarter; Movie Night, Art Night, Lego Night, and Race Night.

Northern Cass Ashley Krinke

Northern Cass Public Schools’ objective is to increase access to literacy opportunities for young adults and adults in their communities with the goal to create a culture of literacy and connectedness through a Creative Writing Community Night, Community Book Study, and a Secondary Field Trip to the Fargo Public Library.

Solen Beth Houser

Solen Public Schools will focus on Buffalo Days, a week-long celebration of Dakota culture with focus on teaching traditional cultural practices and range of traditional ceremonies, including a buffalo hunt with families and food preservation skills. Gateway to Science On the Go will provide hands-on STEM activities for students and families to experience with Native American focus.

United Kayla Andersen

Funding will support a Book Walk where families and students walk to the local bank, read a section of the book and engage in activities at regular intervals.

Valley City Sheila Kriewald

Funding will provide Parenting Sessions, a Family Math Night, a Family Reading Night, STEAM kits, and advertising for the events.