Raider Reader for April 3, 2024

Congratulations to the members of the Roseville Area High School Speech Team, who shined bright at last night's 4AA Section Speech Tournament! Here's a glimpse of the results:

⭐️ Section Finalists: Rowan Sanders (6th place in Extemporaneous Reading), Hazel Bren (5th place in Extemporaneous Reading), Alexis Jendro (5th place in Informative), and Jamie Allen (5th place in Humorous Interpretation)

⭐️ Advancing to the State Speech Tournament on April 20: Logan Dam and Maya Hamilton (2nd place in Duo Interpretation) and Amaija Carlson (Section Champion in Discussion)

Let's continue to cheer them on as they prepare for the next level of competition!

As we emerge from the blanket of snow that enveloped us last week, and even with a dusting today, it's evident that spring is indeed on the horizon. Despite the lingering chill, there's a palpable sense of anticipation in the air as we prepare to welcome the season of renewal and growth.

With the arrival of spring comes a plethora of exciting opportunities for celebration within our school community. For our students, this season marks the beginning of culminating activities that showcase their talents, creativity, and hard work throughout the year. From art fairs to science exhibits, from concerts to plays, we will have a number of opportunities to watch our students shine.

At the same time, we will also be honoring the dedication and achievements of our staff who have reached significant milestones in their careers or are embarking on new adventures in retirement. We look forward to paying tribute to our colleagues.

Wishing you a spring filled with the spirit of celebration!

In Partnership,

Dr. Jenny Loeck
Superintendent

Don't Forget! There is no school for students on Wednesday, April 10. If you have a Friendship Connection contract and need non-school day care on April 10, please reach out to your site coordinator to see if space is still available.

🌟 Let's celebrate excellence! 🌟 In honor of National Assistant Principals Week, we extend our deepest gratitude to our remarkable associate principals in Roseville Area Schools. They work tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring our schools run smoothly and our students thrive. Thank you for your commitment to Roseville Area Schools! 🎉

Monday, April 8 is going to be an exciting day to look up, but it is important to do so safely! Even though we are not in the path of totality where the moon will completely obscure the sun, we will see about 75% of the sun covered. According to NASA, no solar eclipse is safe to look at without eye protection. Regular sunglasses are not enough protection to prevent the UV rays of the sun from damaging the cells in the back of your eyes.

In March, Roseville Area High School was honored to host MPR News journalist Angela Davis for her special North Star Journey Live program on ethnic studies classes in Minnesota classrooms! Among the highlights were insightful staff and student panels that included three RAHS educators (Amy Westland, Marlee Mfalingundi, and James Dawolo) and two RAHS students (Madisen Lo and Evelyn Savor).

Huge thanks to these incredible students and staff members for sharing their experiences and perspectives on ethnic studies at RAHS! Their insights into teaching and learning about diverse cultures have truly made an impact, and their hopes for the future of ethnic studies are inspiring!

Students in grades 4-6 at Harambee Elementary School enjoyed working with guest artist, Dr. Timothy Berry from the VocalEssence WITNESS program! The theme this year? "Leading with Love" – inspiring us all to be activists! Students got hands-on with drumming and stick pounding in the vibrant Gullah Geechee tradition with Dr. Berry! And that's not all! They'll soon be attending the Young People's Concert at Orchestra Hall, directed by the Melanie DeMore! DeMore calls her music "a weapon of mass connection."

In Roseville, we know that each student who walks into our schools is somebody's somebody. It’s our job to keep our schools as safe as possible. Circumstances may occur at the school that require families to pick up their students in a formalized, controlled release. This process is called a Reunification and may be necessary due to weather, a power outage, or if a crisis occurs at the school. The Standard Reunification Method is a protocol that makes this process more predictable and less chaotic for all involved. A reunification may occur at a different location than the school a student attends. If this location is another school, then those students may be subject to a controlled release as well.

Notification

Families may be notified in a number of ways. In Roseville Area Schools, most likely we would use our phone, email, and text message system that would send messages directly to families.

Family Expectations

If a parent or guardian is notified that a reunification is needed, there are some expectations that parents or guardians should be aware of. First, bring identification. That will streamline things during reunification. Second, be patient. Reunification is a process that protects both the safety of the student and provides for an accountable change of custody from the school to recognized custodial parent or guardian.

How Reunification Works

For students, the school asks that students be calm and quiet while waiting. Students may be asked to text a message to their parents or guardians. Students are also asked not to send other text messages either in or out of the school or reunification area. Keeping the cellular network usage at a minimum may be important during a reunification.

Reunification Cards

For parents/guardians, there are a couple of steps. If a parent/guardian is driving to the school, greater awareness of traffic and emergency vehicles is advised. Parents/guardians should park where indicated and not abandon vehicles. Parents/guardians are asked to go to the Reunification Check-In Area and form lines based on the first letter of their student’s last name. While in line, parents/guardians are asked to fill out a reunification card (see below). This card is perforated and will be separated during the process. Some of the same information is repeated on both the top and separated bottom of the card and parents/guardians are asked to complete all parts of the card. In the case of multiple students being reunified, a separate card for each student needs to be completed. The card is separated and the bottom half given back to the parent/guardian. From the Reunification Check-In Area, parents/guardians are directed to the Reunification Area. There, a runner will take the bottom half of the card and take it to the Student Assembly Area to get the student or students.

Interviews and Counseling

In some cases, parents/guardians may be advised that a law enforcement investigation is underway and interviews are necessary. In extreme cases, parents/guardians may be pulled aside for emergency or medical information.

A Plan of Action

Crisis recovery starts with the crisis, not after. Without a plan to reunite students and their families, we could exacerbate the stress and potential trauma of the crisis itself. We want our families to know that we have a Reunification Plan of Action, with the hope that we never have to use it.

Do you have nostalgic feelings for your senior prom? Or maybe you didn’t go to the prom at all, and would like to create your own special experience? Join Roseville Community Education for a night under the stars at our first Adult Prom event! Dig out your best attire and get ready to dance, party and relive the high school prom experience. Admission includes tasty appetizers, the dance, and an exciting photo booth! This is a great event for your friend group, or a romantic date night with your partner. Must be age 18+ to attend.

🗓️ Saturday, May 4, 2024 | 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

📍 Aŋpétu Téča Education Center

🌟 $30 per individual or $45 per couple

Join Roseville Community Education and Minnesota Fly Fishers for a one-day session to discover the enjoyment of fly fishing! Did you know that, in addition to trout and salmon, you can catch bass, sunfish, northern pike, and muskie on a fly? Or saltwater fish like redfish, bonefish, permit, and tarpon? You’ll finish the class knowing about fly rods and reels, lines and leaders, casting, fly selection, knots, safety, clothing and gear. Discover whether fly fishing is right for you!

🌟 Open to adults and teenagers ages 16+!

🌟 Children ages 10-15 are welcome with a parent/guardian.

🗓️ Saturday, May 18

⏰ 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Calling all young princes and princesses! Come visit with your favorite Island Princess from Oceania and live-action Mermaid Princess from under the sea. Enjoy character performances, character-led activities, dancing, sing-alongs, photo opportunities, a craft, and an afternoon of fun! Children are welcome to wear their favorite costumes or royal attire.

🗓️ Saturday, April 20 | ⏰ 2:00 - 3:30pm

📍 Aŋpétu Téča Education Center

🌟 $29 general admission / $40 VIP admission (limited space available!)

Adults: join this summer program with the Roseville Adult Learning Center and the Karen Organization of Minnesota to prepare for an apprenticeship in the trades! 🛠️ 🦺 🧰 There is NO COST to join! Get an overview of carpentry, masonry and electrical systems, basic hand and power tools, OSHA safety, and basic welding. Explore careers and network with employers. A high school diploma or GED is recommended for this program.

🗓️ Monday - Friday, May 28 - June 28, 2024

⏰ 8:30am - 12:30pm

Eligible participants are one or more of the following: immigrants or refugees or learning English as a second language, are the children of immigrants or refugees, are people of color and/or Hispanic or Latino, and/or are living in zip codes 55106, 55107, 55130, 55113, or 55119.

Interested? Complete this form to help us determine your eligibility! Questions? Contact Sarah Shapiro at 651-253-5918 or sshapiro@mnkaren.org. 📲