Harambee Life | September 12, 2024

Hello Harambee Families,

I want to begin our Thursday newsletter by thanking you for trusting us with your student every single day. The safety of every staff and student is a responsibility that I do not take lightly.

When I was made aware of the online threat last night, my first reaction was sadness that this is the reality of our world. I then felt an immense amount of gratitude as our district policies and systems immediately surrounded Harambee and the two other impacted Roseville Area Schools with the support we needed to ensure our students were safe. There was continuous contact between our district leadership, law enforcement, and buildings. Though little information was known at first, we shared what we knew with families because we believe that you are an important part of your student’s education. Official communication during an emergency event is often managed by the district office. Please know that you are always able to reach out to me directly with questions or concerns.

Today felt like a very normal day at Harambee. Students arrived with smiles on their faces, ate breakfast, and got to the business of learning and growing. I saw staff lifting up students as they worked their way through math problems, students building community on the playground and in the lunchroom, and a district and community that surrounded our building with love. It was an awesome reminder that it takes a community, and a district, to run a school.

I am grateful for you and the partnership you provide as we work to support the learning and growth of all students.

Same team,

Principal Nathan

PickUp Patrol eliminates the need to write notes or make phone calls when changing your student's dismissal plans.

If you did not receive a registration link to your email on August 28, you can contact the Harambee front office at 651-379-2500 and we will send you the link.

For easy access, add app.pickuppatrol.net/parents to your phone's home screen.

Everyday you trust us with your student, and we take that responsibility seriously. The safety of all students and staff is a number one priority. We know that students will not learn if they don't first feel safe.

This year we will continue to use the Standard Response Protocol. As part of our effort to to familiarize students and staff with the Standard Response Protocol we will conduct the following drills this year: Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter. To learn more about the Standard Response Protocol you can watch this video.

Students and staff are NOT in danger when a drill is called. Students will be reviewing the Standard Response Protocols (SRP) for each specific drill in their classrooms and will be alerted the day before a drill.

Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to talk more regarding safety drills.

• Thursday, October 3 - Fall conferences start in the evening
• Friday, October 4 - Fall conferences, No School
• Wednesday, October 16 - Staff Development, No School
• Thursday, October 17 - Friday, October 18 - Fall Break, No School

Do you identify as Native American? Are you receiving messages from Gabriella Carroll, American Indian Education Program coordinator, or Savannah Rojas, Native American cultural liaison? If not, please contact Gabriella at gabriella.carroll@isd623.org or at 651-359-0572 to be included in Roseville Area Schools’ American Indian Education Program. The Roseville American Indian Education Program is a district-wide program with a goal of promoting cultural awareness, academic advocacy, and community connection for our American Indian students and families. The Roseville American Indian Education Program serves all Native American students regardless of tribal affiliation or blood quantum.

Local Psychologist Dr. Teresa Boatman will be offering a 3-part speaker series to parents and guardians of Roseville Area students in PreK through grade 12. The presentations are focused on the social-emotional needs of students. Dr. Boatman is a very engaging and relatable speaker with deep understanding of advanced students and their intellectual, academic and social-emotional needs. All parents are invited to participate in any or all of her presentations this year.

The first event will take place on Monday, September 16, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. It will be held in the Fairview Room at the Aŋpétu Téča Education Center (1910 County Rd. B West). Dr. Boatman will present from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. and an optional family connection time will run 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Sorry but childcare is not provided.

To learn more about this free event, please CLICK HERE.

Roseville Area Schools has implemented a new transportation routing system to improve the efficiency of our bus schedules for picking up and dropping off students. While this system is designed to enhance our transportation services, we ask for your patience as we address and resolve any initial issues.

If you need to request a change to a bus stop or if you no longer require transportation services, please email us at transportation@isd623.org or call us at 651-635-1638. Please be prepared to provide the following information:

• Student Name
• Student ID
• Reason for the request (for example, relocation, change in transportation needs)

Please note that we are processing requests as quickly as possible; however, any changes to existing bus stops will not take effect until after the first week of school.

You will receive updates and information about any changes via email, so please ensure that your contact details are current. This includes verifying that your most recent telephone number and email address are on file to ensure you receive all necessary communications promptly.

The safety of our students is our highest priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition.

Roseville Area Schools will continue to offer free meals for all students during the school day, including healthy breakfasts, lunches, and after-school "super" snacks. To ensure our meal programs remain effective and equitable, we are implementing some changes to our procedures, specifically regarding second meals and additional lunch servings.

Changes to Meal Procedures

Elementary Schools:

• Elementary students will no longer be able to purchase additional items such as entrées or sides. However, milk may still be purchased separately.
• We encourage students to make the most of our meal offerings by eating breakfast, utilizing the share cart, and enjoying the "all-you-care-to-eat" fresh fruit and vegetable options available with their lunch serving.

Secondary Schools:

• Secondary students may purchase additional entrées, sides, or milk if they have money in their meal account.
• To purchase additional items, students must check in at the designated cashier, receive a food tray, return to the serving line for the additional items, and check out at the designated register.
• Students with negative meal balances will not be permitted to purchase additional items.

We encourage all students to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch offerings, which include unlimited fruits and vegetables and access to the share cart. Secondary students also have the opportunity to enjoy free super snacks at the end of each school day.

Thank you for your understanding as we make these adjustments to better serve our students.

Dear Harambee Families,

The camping event scheduled for September 13th has been postponed. When we have a new date scheduled we will let everyone know. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Harambee PTO via email HarambeePTO@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Morgan Hanson

Harambee PTO President

Registration is open for fall 2024 swim lessons with Roseville Community Education! Sign up today - spots fill quickly. ⏰ We offer 9 levels of lessons for youth:

💧 Adult/Child Swim (ages 9 months+)

💧 Pre-K 1 and Pre-K 2 (ages 3 - 5)

💧 Level 1 - 6 (ages 5 - 14)

We also offer adult beginner lessons for adults and teenagers age 15+, and women-only swim lessons!

We recommend registering online for the best experience. To register, call 651-604-3770 or CLICK HERE.

Register your students for fall 2024 Youth Enrichment! We're offering an exciting lineup of camps, classes, and field trips for ages 0 - 14. Explore fun opportunities for Harambee students, such as:

🌀 Raider Youth Wrestling Club

🌀 Anime & Manga Card Quest with Kidcreate Studios

🌀 Elementary Coding & STEM Club with CSGA

🌀 Chess Club with CSGA

🌀 Drawing Palooza with Young Rembrandts

🌀 Science Magic with KidScientific

...and more! Scholarships are available - contact us for scholarship information. To register, call 651-604-3770 or CLICK HERE.

Donate personal care items to support the Roseville Area Schools Food Shelf! Your donations will help students maintain their health and hygiene, which can have a significant impact on their daily lives. Help us make a difference!

ITEMS NEEDED: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face soap, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, and menstrual products.

Collection bins are located at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center (1910 County Road B West in Roseville). We are accepting donations NOW through September 30th! Donations must be new, unused and in original packaging. Thank you for your contributions!

Looking for fun Roseville Area Schools apparel? 🤩 🔍 Choose from this selection of limited edition shirts! 👕 Your purchase will support Roseville Area Schools Community Education programs and services. 🎉

🔺 Heather black long sleeve ($20)

🔺 Heather red long sleeve ($20)

🔺 Gray short sleeve with school mascots ($15)

These shirts are a soft, comfortable tri-blend fabric (50/37/13 poly/cotton/rayon) in a unisex fit. Sizes are available in adult S - 3XL and youth S - XL.

Orders are due by October 4, 2024. ⏰ 🗓️ Shirt orders will arrive near the end of October!

CLICK HERE to place your order.

Attendance Line:

651-379-2595

Paul Ojambo, Health Assistant:

Paul.Ojambo@isd623.org

651-379-2506Health Office main line)

Sara Sturgis RN, Licensed School Nurse:

Sara.Sturgis@isd623.org

651-379-2504

Attendance:

Please report all absences and attendance information to the Harambee Attendance Line, 651-379-2595. Absences should be reported by 11 AM. Regular and on-time attendance is crucial for children's learning!

Medications:

If there are medications that need to be given at school, please email the nurse for more information, or stop into the Health Office. All medications (including things like Tylenol) need to be given through the Health Office. Please do NOT give medications to teachers -- the Health Office staff needs to confirm health conditions, paperwork, medications, and expiration dates.

Extra Clothing:

Please include a change of clothes in your child's backpack. Bathroom accidents and messes on the playground sometimes happen, so it's important for students to have a change of clothes available when necessary.