Raider Reader | May 2, 2024
RAHS Student Places 2nd in Annual Congressional Art Competition
Roseville Area High School senior Rowan Sanders and junior Malia Tombaga were the high schoolβs two entries into the annual Congressional Art Competition for Minnesota's 4th congressional district, which covers nearly all of Ramsey County, and part of Washington County. The students' work was on display in the Atrium Gallery of the Schmidt Artist Lofts as part of the 2024 Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl, April 19-21.
Last Thursday, the winners of the competition were announced and Malia won 2nd place! Her artwork will now travel to Washington, D.C. and spend the next year in Congresswoman Betty McCollumβs Washington, D.C. office!
βIβm super proud of Malia and Rowan for sharing their amazing talents with the rest of the world!β says Paul Moeller, an art teacher at Roseville Area High School.
Community Advisory Committee Explores Local Support for Students, Schools & Staff
Today marked the final meeting for the 2024-2025 school year of our Community Advisory Committee, a collaborative effort that brings together the district, community leaders, businesses, and organizations in support of our schools, students, and schools. This year we have been exploring existing partnerships as well as brainstorming opportunities for future partnerships knowing our community has a wealth of people who stand ready to volunteer and give. Together, we've fostered an environment in which we share a commitment to a strong academic and social experience for our students.
The highlight of today's meeting was our opportunity to listen to three Roseville Area High School students β Zion, Som, and Reyna β speak about their experiences both in and out of school. Committee members also had the opportunity to ask the students how they believe partnerships have helped them as well as ways in which future partnerships might be structured to support student needs. I was SO PROUD of the students and how they advocated for themselves and their peers!
I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kathy Ramundt, the leader of Do Good Roseville, whose unwavering dedication and leadership has been instrumental in ensuring that both the community and district perspectives are represented and valued throughout our collaborative endeavors. Kathy's passion for our schools and her tireless commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships have been invaluable assets, enriching our collaborative efforts and strengthening the bond between our schools and the wider community.
Iβm excited about the future of this group, the ideas that are being generated, and what is possible.
In Partnership,
Dr. Jenny Loeck
It's National School Principals Day!
Today, let's take a moment to celebrate and appreciate the leadership, dedication, and hard work of our school principals. They inspire students, support teachers, and help shape the future of education. Thank you for all you do to make our schools safe, welcoming, and successful!
Friday, May 3 is School Lunch Hero Day
ππ₯ͺβ¨ Friday is School Lunch Hero Day. On that day, let's salute the real-life superheroes who fuel our students' minds and bodies every day! Remember, a nutritious breakfast and lunch aren't just mealsβthey're the building blocks for success in the classroom. Our School Lunch Heroes ensure every child has the nourishment they need to thrive and excel!
Keleny Named Associate Principal of Little Canada Elementary
After an internal and external search, listening to stakeholders, and a rigorous interview process, we are thrilled to announce that Michelle Keleny will be the next associate principal of Little Canada Elementary School!
Keleny comes from Saint Paul Public Schools where she has served as social worker coordinator for several years and has been leading the implementation of trauma-informed schools in the district. Prior to that role, as an elementary school social worker, she gained experience in PBIS, designing student interventions, and working with Special Education.
*NEW* Summer EBT Program Helps Families Buy Food During the Summer
Summer EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) is a new program to help families buy food for their school-age children during the summer. Families who qualify will get $120 for each eligible child to buy groceries during the summer. Children who get Summer EBT can still participate in other summer meal programs. Receiving Summer EBT will not affect children or familiesβ immigration status.
Summer EBT will be loaded onto an EBT card and mailed to your home. If eligible, you can use Summer EBT benefits to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other places that accept EBT benefits. Summer EBT is a convenient way for you to help your children thrive.
Many families will get Summer EBT automatically if they are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply for the program. For information and to apply for benefits, click below.
If you have questions, email sebt.mde@state.mn.us.
From the MDE: Survey about Accessing and Using Assessment Results
Do you have ideas about how the statewide assessment results, like the MCA, could be shared with the public and school and district staff?
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is beginning the process of redesigning the statewide assessment reports. This includes evaluating how student results are organized and communicated (including the labels like "does not meetβ or βexceeds" the standards, and what the reports will look like for new academic standards). The redesigned reports will be seen for the first time in summer and fall 2025.
Please click the link below and take the survey to share your experience. It should take no longer than 15 minutes. The survey is now open for submissions until May 19. Responses are completely anonymous.
Your voice is important to this process. We appreciate your time and consideration.
Please reach out to mde.testing@state.mn.us with any questions or concerns about the survey or feedback process.
Dang Places in Top 10 at DECA International Career Development Conference
RAHS students Andrew Barnes and Mina Dang participated in the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, CA, held April 27-30. (Dang and Barnes are pictured with coach Mark Jaspers.)
Congratulations to Dang for her remarkable achievement in securing a Top 10 finish in Apparel and Accessories Marketing! Her success reflects how skillfully she navigated a challenging competition format, which included a 90-minute exam and three role play scenarios evaluated by multiple judges. Likewise, Barnes deserves recognition for his outstanding performance in the Accounting Applications Series event, where he exhibited impressive skills and unwavering determination.
Together, their accomplishments highlight the spirit of #RaiderPride on the international stage!
ππΆπ₯ Parkview Jazz Band Takes 1st Place in Jazz Festival
Let's hear it for the Parkview Center School Jazz One band and director Joe Churchich, champions of the Middle School Big Band Division at the Eau Claire Jazz Festival for the second consecutive year! π·πΊ
Their stellar performance earned an almost perfect score of 96 out of 100 from one judge and a fantastic 91.5 from the other! π Plus, they aced it with perfect scores for Improvisation (25/25) and Presentation (10/10) from both judges! π
The following students received Outstanding Soloist Awards: Erynn Wold (alto sax), Spencer Gan (alto sax), Lena Gehrz (tenor sax), Sophia Stromstad (tenor sax), Phil Hug (flugelhorn), and Halina Tran (guitar).
ππ Award-Winning Author Visits RAMS! π
Alicia D. Williams, author of the award-winning book Genesis Begins Again, and her new release, Mid Air, inspired RAMS students with her powerful reading of excerpts from Mid-Air. Williams (pictured with 8th grade student Yazaria Byrd and RAMS teacher Lauretta Towns) is a dynamic speaker who engaged with RAMS students in a thought-provoking question & answer session.
"We are delighted that Ms. Williams took time out of her busy schedule to meet with RAMS students," said Melissa Weber-Sanders, a secondary media technology assistant at RAMS. "We would like to express our gratitude to Alicia D. Williams and Kelly Scanlan from Red Balloon Bookshop π for making this wonderful event happen for us!"
Honoring Earth Day: Harambee Students Make Wildflower Seed Bombs!
At Harambee Elementary School, students in kindergarten and 1st grade celebrated Earth Day by making wildflower seed bombs! πΈ πΊ πΌ After making the seed bombs together, the students planted them in the school's nature play space. πͺ΄ "We are hoping for some beautiful blooms this summer!" says kindergarten teacher Jessi McEwen.
π π³ Parkview Students Plant More Than 200 Trees in School Forest
Students at Parkview Center School celebrated Arbor Day and Earth Day by planting more than 200 trees in their school forest with E-STEM teacher Mary Sweeney! π± Parkview was gifted bare root seedlings from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to enhance the school forest. π² Students in 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th grades worked together to plant white oak, white pine, white spruce, and bitternut hickory trees. Thanks to the Parkview School Forest Committee for working to get the trees from the DNR and plan a fun day of planting!
Little Canada Students Build Cardboard ARTcade
Inspired by 9-year-old Caine, who created a cardboard arcade in his dad's auto shop, Little Canada Elementary students in grades 5 & 6 designed and built functioning arcade games in art class. Once the games were tested, students in grades K-2 were invited to visit the arcade, play games, and win prizes. The older students used their communication and leadership skills with the younger students by explaining games and partnering with younger students to select prizes.
"This is always a highlight of every Little Canada artist's art experience," explains art teacher Sarah Wolfe. "They learn to make functional sculptures, communicate more effectively, and have fun!"
Central Park Student Council Hosts Food Drive to Benefit RAHS Food Shelf
The Central Park Elementary School Student Council orchestrated a remarkable food drive, surpassing expectations and collecting an impressive 1,065 items π₯« to benefit the Roseville Area High School Food Shelf. Their dedication didn't stop at collection; students and staff also personally delivered and stocked the shelves, showcasing their enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference. ππ
Central Park student Nihan expressed it best, stating, "We love this tradition and we will look forward to coming back next year!"
RAMS Theatre Presents "Dorothy in Wonderland" May 9-11
Join us in the RAMS Theatre for a fantastically fun collision of Oz and Wonderland for all ages! Especially those young at heart! Itβs natural that Dorothy and Alice would become instant friends if they met. After all, theyβre both girls who want to return home from the fantasy worlds in which they find themselves.
Dorothy, Toto, and Oz Squad get caught in another whirlwind that sweeps them off to Wonderland, where they meet Alice, White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, March Hare, the Cheshire Cat, and many more! Itβs truly a mad adventure! And you thought the Wicked Witch of the West was bad? Now they face a dangerous new foe β the Queen of Hearts! At least Dorothyβs companions now have their brains, heart, and courage! Dorothy, Alice, and their friends join forces to defeat the queen at croquet, but will that be enough to return Wonderland to normal and get everybody back home?
Tickets are available at the door!
RAHS Drama Presents "She Skills Monsters" May 9-12
Led by Directors Kaitlen Osburn and Marie Finch-Koinuma and Student Director Nadia Richardson, Fight Director Mike Lubke, and Student Choreographer Ayana Churcher, more than 200 students are contributing their time and talents to this epic play! (Please note: She Kills Monsters is rated PG-13 for language, mature themes, and stage combat.)
ποΈ/β°: May 9-10 @ 7 p.m., May 11 @ 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., May 12 @ 2 p.m.
π: John J. Thein Performing Arts Center at Roseville Area High School
Concord Theatricals writes, "She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes stumbles upon Tillyβs Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sisterβs refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and β90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all."
Survey Feedback: Visitor Check-in Process
Recently the Roseville Area Schools District Safety and Security Team shared surveys with families. The purpose was to collect feedback from families about the communication they would like to receive about safety and security and violence prevention. The communication below is in response to the survey responses.
When visitors step onto Roseville Area Schools grounds, they're warmly welcomed and should check in at the office and sign in before proceeding further. This simple step ensures not only their safety but also the security of everyone in our school community.
Upon signing in, visitors receive a badge or name tag, a symbol of our commitment to knowing who's on campus at all times. This practice fosters a sense of reassurance, preventing unauthorized individuals from entering and maintaining an environment conducive for learning. Moreover, checking in at the office allows our dedicated staff to extend a helping hand, offering guidance or assistance as needed, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for everyone involved.
Ultimately, embracing this process creates a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere where safety and warmth go hand in hand.
Have You Heard of the Roseville Area Senior Program? π
Roseville Community Education offers classes, resources, groups, and activities specially designed for older adults through the Roseville Area Senior Program (RASP)! Some opportunities include:
π Meals on Wheels, a meal delivery service
π Card groups, such as partner bridge and drop-in bridge
π A lounge with coffee, books, puzzles, and computer accesss
π Free and inexpensive classes
π Foot care clinic
π Caregiver support group
If you or a family member might be interested in these opportunities or resources, visit isd623.org/rasp for more information! π²
Adults: Join Us for Enrichment Classes! βοΈ
Ready to discover a new hobby or gain a new skill this summer? Join us for a variety of Adult Enrichment classes in categories like art, cooking, finance, language, fitness, technology, and more! Upcoming opportunities include classes such as:
πΈ Line Dance to Barbie's "Dance the Night"
πΈ Introduction to Fly Fishing
πΈ Watercolor Painting
πΈ Adult Conversational Spanish
πΈ The Art of Sushi
School's Out Pool Party! π§ π€Ώ
Kick-start your summer by celebrating the end of the school year and making a splash in our pool at AΕpΓ©tu TΓ©Δa Education Center! Come enjoy a family friendly pool party with fun beach tunes and good vibes. Grab your towel and some friends to ring in summer vacation!
ποΈ Saturday, June 8
β° Times available from 10:00am - 3:00pm
π Choose the 45-minute time slot that works best for you!
ποΈ $8 regular entry or $15 party pack (entry + a goodie bag with goggles, toys, and more!)