News Release

For Immediate Release

March 13, 2023

Mentor Center Receives Award

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Mentor Center, a program at Grand Forks Public Schools, has been selected as a National School Boards Association (NSBA) 2023 Magna Silver Award winner.

The Mentor Center is a program for middle and high school students to receive academic support, social-emotional support, and enrichment. In addition to required academic time, daily programming includes a rotation of art, physical activity, mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and games.

The program was recognized for its commitment to innovation, solving a challenge with creativity and out-of-the-box strategies. Eighteen winners nationwide were selected by an independent panel of judges to receive this honor.

“For more than 25 years, the Magna Awards have recognized innovative school district programs,” said NSBA Executive Director and CEO Dr. John Heim. “Each of our winners exemplifies how school leaders and district staff have reinvented learning — and learning environments — for students, staff, and communities. We congratulate our winners and thank them for their hard work and devotion to the students they serve. We also hope these programs will provide information and inspiration to school districts facing similar challenges across the country.”

The award program is sponsored by NSBA's flagship magazine, American School Board Journal (ASBJ).

The Mentor Center will be highlighted in the April issue of ASBJ, set to be published online (www.nsba.org/asbj) on March 20.

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