September Newsletter

To support and strengthen increased educational outcomes for American Indian students by promoting culturally responsive instruction, family and student engagement and partnerships with MPS departments, schools and the broader community.

American Indian students are empowered to reach their full potential through educational experiences that value their cultural identities.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2024 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Meal will be served at 5:00 PM

Location: Edison High School

700 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

If you need transportation to attend please click this LINK

If you have any questions, concerns, need assistance or would like to engage with other families please attend these meetings or contact Christine.

These meetings are open to ALL students, families and community members to attend. We welcome all to come talk about how we can create better opportunities for our American Indian students within MPS. Please contact Aliya Rivera Sullivan, Engagement, Education & Outreach Specialist for American Indian Families, at aliya.rivera-sullivan@mpls.k12.mn.us for more information or with any questions.

Agenda Items at each meeting will include the following topics/departments:

• MOA Pathway & Best Practice Site Updates & Opportunity for Questions (South, Edison, Sanford, NEMS, Anishinabe Academy, Center & Takoda) – NEW this year
• Special Education Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions – NEW this year
• Behavioral Referral/Suspension Updates & Opportunity for Questions - NEW this year
• Mental Health Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions - NEW this year
• Transportation Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions
• HHM Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions
• Family Engagement Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions
• District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) Update from the AIPAC representative

ALL meetings will be held VIRTUAL from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM for the remaining of the year. Here are some dates to future meetings:

Tuesday, October 15 - In person

Thursday, November 21 - Virtual

Thursday, December 19 - Virtual

Thursday, January 16 - In person

Thursday, February 20 - In person

Thursday, March 20 - Virtual

Thursday, April 17 - Virtual

Thursday, May 15 - In person

Thursday, June 12 - In person

AIPAC MEMBERS:

Lucie Skjefte, Red Lake, Parent

Andrea Reese, Leech Lake Ojibwe, Parent

Nation Wright, Leech Lake Ojibwe, Parent

Sarah Vinueza, Lower Sioux Dakota, Parent

Nellie Long, Winnebago from Nebraska & Pine Ridge Oglala, Parent

Nikki Farago, Seneca Nation, Parent

Daanis Chosa, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Parent

Kassie Benjamin, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Parent

Valentina Zaragoza, Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, Parent

Renika Love, Parent

Justin Cadotte, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Parent

Olivia Boswell, Three Affiliated Tribes Of ND, Parent

Sonja Fracisco, Comanche Nation, Parent

Jaiza Bresette, Red Cliff band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Student

Diamond, Ihanktowan, Student

Valencia-Wikaya, Comanche Nation, Student

Arabella Fracisco, Student

Ksinya Daniels, White Earth Ojibwe, Student

Aaron Hammerly, Northern Cheyenne & Turtle Mountain, Staff

Amanda Dionne, Community Member

Richard Boswell, Community Member

MPS Enrollment

Jennifer Graff

jennifer.graff@mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612-668-1814

I am descended from Chief Maangozid (Loon’s Foot) of Fond du Lac through my mother, Joyce LaPorte. My pride and joy is my grandson Thane Cuoi Makwa and his dad, my son, Mykl, is my greatest accomplishment. MPS has been my employer since August of 2000. Various roles withing the Special Education arena but did have positions in North HS and Stadium View which were both very meaningful positions/places to work.

Do you know someone who is interested in attending MPS or do you personally need assistance in transferring schools? MPS now has Jennifer Graff, Student Enrollment & Retention Specialist, American Indian Liaison, who is available to work with any American Indian family that has enrollment, student placement questions or would like to request a new school for next year.

If you would like to explore school options click here

If your student is already attending a school in MPS and you are interested in moving schools, please complete this form

Early Childhood

Melody Iron Eaglefeather

melody.ironeaglefeather@mpls.k12.mn.us

Han mitakupaye,

My name is Melody Iron EagleFeather and I'm an enrolled member of Standing Rock Tribe. I was born and raised in Minneapolis. I grew up going to Minneapolis Public Schools and have always wanted to contribute to my community in some way. I work as an Associate Educator in the Early Childhood and Family Education program. I invite all my Native relatives to join me and my amazing colleague, Teacher Priya, Thursday nights for our Families of Tradition class where we share a hot meal and discuss important topics regarding raising our children and their development. We also have fun activities for the children, including gym time.

I look forward to continuing my work for Minneapolis Public Schools and plan on getting my license soon.

Aliya Rivera Sullivan

Engagement, Education & Outreach Specialist

aliya.rivera-sullivan@mpls.k12.mn.us or call/text 612-462-2660

Questions, concerns, or looking to connect with District staff but unsure where to start? Aliya Rivera is a resource within the District to provide navigation and district wide engagement support for American Indian families!

Office of the Ombudsperson

Mitchell Roldan

Director of the Ombudsperson

mitchell.roldan@mpls.k12.mn.us

612-668-0234

An ombudsperson is someone who listens to and investigates complaints or concerns about an organization. The Office of the Ombudsperson can assist families who have questions, concerns or complaints against MPS schools, programs, offices, and staff. The Ombudsperson is a neutral party who does not take sides.

They work with families, community members, and MPS to investigate complaints, clarify and resolve questions, and address concerns in an impartial and timely manner. The services of the Ombudsperson are free. The Ombudsperson is an objective third-party whose goal is to work with people who have a problem with MPS to find a solution.

Please click HERE if you would like to submit a concern.

Christine Wilson

Family Engagement Coordinator

White Earth Nation

christine.wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us or call/text 612-715-0864

Want to learn more about how to get engaged with the Indian Education Department? Christine Wilson is an expert in the district wide support services in Indian Education. She is a key lead for several initiatives including the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC), American Indian Awareness & Family Involvement Week and the Attendance work group.

Aquila Tapio

District Program Facilitator (Focus on Special Education supports)

Oglala Lakota

aquila.tapio@mpls.k12.mn.us

Aquila Tapio, Oglala Lakota, joins the American Indian Education Department as the District Program Facilitator (DPF) focusing on Special Education and MDE’s Dream Catcher Project. Since 2012, she has been at South High School as a Reading Intervention Teacher and Special Education Resource Teacher. Aquila graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1999 and went on to earn her special education teaching licenses and Master’s Degree in Education from Augsburg University. She and her husband have three children and live in South Minneapolis. Aquila enjoys creating beadwork, quillwork, and dentalium earrings, as well as, sewing ribbon skirts and star quilts. She is excited to begin her new position and to support students and families in MPS.

Kris Winkelman (Lower Sioux Community)

He/Him/His

School Success Program Assistant, Indian Education

kris.winkelman@mpls.k12.mn.us

My name is Kris Winkelman. I grew up in South Minneapolis and attended Minneapolis Public Schools, graduating from the All-Nations Program at South High School.

I have been Dean at Roosevelt High School for the 2023-24 school year. Previously I was a paraprofessional for 5 years, the last four at Bdote Learning Center, a Dakota/Ojibwe Charter Immersion School in Minneapolis.

My tribal affiliation is with the Lower Sioux Community in Morton, MN.

In my free time I enjoy doing home improvements, spending time with my two dogs, video game collecting, football and cooking meals for family.

I am excited to start my School Success Program Assistant position with the Minneapolis Public Schools Indian Education Department. I like working within the Native American Community and feel I can identify with the many challenges students may have.

Indian Education currently has twelve School Success Program Assistants located at Elementary Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools. They provide American Indian Affinity & Culture groups. If you would like to connect with any of the SSPA's please click the corresponding link for contact information and which school they are located:

To see a full list of site specific American Indian affinity groups click HERE

This year the American Indian Education Department created a calendar for the 2024 - 2025 school year. This calendar will reflect events that are going on within the department and the broader community. This calendar is updated daily. Please click the link for most recent information.

This is the MPS 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR for you to keep up to date with days off, holidays and breaks for your student/s.

Please click the LINK to view lunch menus for your student/s. It is organized by Preschool, Elementary, Middle School and High School.

Join us for the Farm to School Community BBQ on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the MPS Culinary Center located at 812 Plymouth Ave N.

This free event offers an evening of good food, local farmers, and family fun and celebrates our commitment to supporting small to mid-sized farmers, serving fresh and locally grown food in our lunchrooms, and educating students and families about the importance of local food, agriculture, wellness and nutrition.

If you or someone you may know have a interest in sharing a opportunity on this section please email Aliya Rivera -Sullivan at aliya.rivera-sullivan@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Now taking emails to be featured in the newsletter for October until September 27th, 2024.