Winter 2024 The Raider Voice

FROM THE DISTRICT From the Superintendent

In January, I had the honor of welcoming Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and Education Commissioner Willie Jett to Edgerton Elementary School. Under the leadership of Principal Maura Weyandt, Edgerton epitomizes our district’s mission of Excellence, Innovation & Equity in All We Do!

During their visit, the trio not only served lunch to our students but also highlighted the remarkable success of the Free School Meals Program. By providing free breakfast and lunch for all students, this program has transformed the educational landscape by enhancing academic performance, overall health, and attendance through ensuring student access to nutritious meals.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Nutrition Services Supervisor Angela Richey and our Nutrition Services team for their exceptional work in crafting delicious, locally sourced meals, including the innovative Minnesota Thursday menu featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Thank you to our broader community for their continuous support of the students, staff, and families of Roseville Area Schools!

Dr. Jenny Loeck Superintendent

Board Members Take Oath of Office

At the January 9 school board meeting, three members of the Roseville Area School Board who were re-elected on November 7, 2023 – Todd Anderson, Mike Boguszewski, and Rose Chu – took their oath of o ce. In addition, the school board held its annual organizational meeting and the following roles were lled: Board Chair Todd Anderson, Board Clerk Rose Chu, and Board Treasurer Mannix Clark. Pictured at left are the members of the Roseville Area School Board: (back l-r) Kitty Gogins, Mike Boguszewski, Rose Chu (front l-r) Todd Anderson, Curtis Johnson, and Mannix Clark.

On the Cover: A 1st grade student at Harambee Elementary is playing a math game called Race to the Top. According to Harambee teacher Kristen Lonetree, “ e student is practicing his addition, graphing, and data tracking skills by rolling two dice, adding them together, and graphing/recording the data in the appropriate column. e number column that lls up rst is the winner!”

ROSEVILLE ROOTS

Celebrating Roseville graduates who have returned as staff members

Maddie Schlossmacher Class of 2014

Occupational erapist • Emmet D. Williams

“I have enjoyed reconnecting with teachers from my days as a student – and working in the same district as my mom has been an added bonus!”

Andrea (Fearing) Schmidt Class of 1999

Activities Director & Associate Principal • RAHS

“I was chosen by my 6th grade teacher, Mr. Moseman, to help him with a magic trick during our class Halloween party. I was pretty quiet, so him choosing me made me feel so seen. I’ll carry that feeling with me for the rest of my life.”

Linsey (Grindahl) Owen Class of 1997

Building Secretary & eater Director • RAMS

“I made great friends, had fabulous teachers, and wonderful classroom and after school activity experiences. I love that I am able to give back to the community that gave so much to me while I attended school in Roseville.”

Nyesha Brown Class of 2016

Student Support Clerical • Roseville Area High School

“Ms. Bierscheid gave me the application to be a part of AVID. She saw my potential as a young student and unintentionally gave me the best family I could have asked for.”

Moesha Whitehall

Class of 2014

Out of School Time Site Coordinator • RAMS

“Mrs. Holly Comer-Young taught Spanish at Roseville Area High School. She always helped me develop my Spanish-speaking skills and never gave up on me. I saw the care and desire to help students.”

Juli (Flesch) Fick

Class of 1979

Building Secretary • Emmet D. Williams Elementary

“Mr. Moseman, my 6th grade teacher at Central Park Elementary, had a wonderful sense of humor. He went out of his way to make sure that you felt comfortable in his room, but you knew what he expected from you. He made going to school enjoyable.”

Tazhanae Gant Class of 2018

Building Secretary • RAHS

“ e RAHS FACS department – Carly Kemp, Stacy Werner, Amy Bailey, and Julie Levine – changed my life in so many ways. I learned so much about myself and the person I wanted to be. eir kindness, support, and compassion goes unmatched.”

Lisa (Ohlsen) Pallo

Class of 1991

Academic Interventionist • Brimhall Elementary

“I have Raider pride! All four of my kids are attending or have graduated from Roseville schools as well.”

Kathy Casey Class of 1982

Health Assistant • Little Canada

“Page Stevens was our music teacher at Little Canada. e amount of work she put into our programs and concerts was amazing. To this day, she knows the names of students, where they sat, and who their siblings were.”

Anna Zbacnik Class of 1997

Media Specialist • Brimhall Elementary

“My fth grade teacher, Mrs. Kuhfeld at Brimhall, taught me to care about the earth. We got to do indepth projects surrounding the environment. It forever changed the way I look at waste and packaging.”

Tammy Gibson Class of 1989

Grade 4 Teacher • Parkview Center School

“It is and has always been fun to walk into the rooms I sat in as a student at Parkview or when I visit the high school or Brimhall Elementary School. My happiest memories were made in those schools.”

Sara (Steinmueller) Laine Class of 1998

Spark Lab STEM Specialist • Central Park Elementary

“I love all the relationships that I have built as a student, sta member, and now parent in Roseville. I feel like no matter which building I’m in, I have connections with the people who learn and work there.”

Students in Agustina Borré’s 3rd grade Dual Language Spanish Immersion (DLSI) class at Little Canada Elementary hosted an Alice in Wonderland / Alicia en el País de las Maravillas tea party! Guests enjoyed treats, costumes, projects, and a song the students learned in Spanish.

Our community shines with incredible care and generosity! Our sincere gratitude to the Roseville Police Department for hosting a drive to replenish the food shelf and toiletry pantry to benefit our students and their families.

FROM THE

AP Psychology students at Roseville Area High School unraveled visual mysteries at the Museum of Illusions! “We are grateful for the generosity of our families for supporting the kids in this unique opportunity to experience their learning in a new way!” says RAHS teacher Sara Mortel.

RAHS welcomed back AVID alumni to participate on AVID graduate panels. The grads spoke to current AVID students about their RAHS AVID experience, the college application process, how AVID positively impacts their college experience, and so much more!

At the end of an immersive research project that melded literacy, social studies, and media literacy, Brimhall Elementary’s 6th graders proudly presented their “Famous Faces” showcase featuring costumes and research honoring inspiring historical figures (like Frida Kahlo!).

During Power 20 Time, Kelly Tietz’s 2nd grade students at Edgerton Elementary work on increasing their reading fluency. One student reads a smaller passage while their partner is the “coach” and follows along. When the timer goes off, they count how many words the reader read and then switch roles.

NEWSROOM

Enjoy your meal! Have a great day! These were some of the caring messages students at Falcon Heights Elementary wrote on more than 1,100 bags they decorated as part of a Falcon Families project. The decorated bags will be used by Roseville Area Schools Community Education’s Meals on Wheels program.

The future members of the Class of 2037 joined district staff for so many exciting activities at Kindergarten Information Night…from dancing with the Teddy Bear Band to meeting our wonderful principals and teachers! We can’t wait for our new friends to start in September!

Third-grade students at Brimhall Elementary rocked the 3rd Annual Vocabulary Parade! After reading Miss Alaineus by Deb Fraiser, where a vocabulary test mix-up turns into a big adventure, the students put on their creative hats and crafted costumes that brought their favorite words to life!

Ubah Ali, a reporter for WCCO-TV, visited with 4th grade students at Parkview Center School and brought the magic of journalism to life! As the first Somali-American TV reporter in the Twin Cities, Ali shared her journey, answered questions, and encouraged the students’ inquisitive minds.

St. Paul-based Community Dental Care staff are visiting four Roseville schools this year as part of their ongoing effort to serve populations not traditionally served by dental clinics. In addition to placing free sealants on students’ newly emerged molars, dental staff are hoping to build trust and confidence so families will consider finding a dental “home” for ongoing oral health.

Students from Fairview Alternative High School’s AVID program regularly volunteer in the Early Childhood Special Education classes at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the older students to connect with and support the younger student. Everybody wins!

As one of five Minnesota schools to receive a grant to implement outdoor learning in kindergarten classrooms, Harambee Elementary School used the grant funds to purchase a variety of items for outdoor play and exploration including an outdoor A-frame, a water cascade, a mud kitchen, and outdoor tools for students to use.

Parkview Center School 1st grade teacher Jenny Eckman and her students presented to the Roseville Area School Board about lessons the students are learning through the Parkview Water Project. Eckman developed the lessons after applying for and receiving a NEA grant to study sea turtles at the Paquare Reserve in Costa Rica last summer.

FROM THE

Students at Central Park Elementary School put their creative minds to work as they designed, built, and tested moving toy cars using materials sourced from a “scrap market” filled with items that would have otherwise been thrown away. Each group brainstormed, sketched, built, and decorated their eco-friendly cars!

Congratulations to RAHS junior Robert Mechura, who competed in – AND WON – the 2023 Minnesota State Cross Country Class AAA Meet at the University of Minnesota’s Les Bolstad Golf Course. Mechura won with a time of 15:04.2. Congratulations!

Andrea Schmidt, the activities director and an associate principal at Roseville Area High School, was named the Activities Administrator of the Year by the Minnesota Interscholastic Activities Administrators Association (MNIAAA). Congratulations on this much-deserved statewide honor!

In December, more than 1,000 people attended RAHS Drama’s musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. More than 125 RAHS students were involved in the making of this show – as musicians, performers, and set designers. Thanks to Erik Lane, Matt Dehnel, and Mark Tinsley for their work on the production!

NEWSROOM

Students in Megan Ronnei’s science class at Fairview Alternative High School ran gel electrophoresis experiments on food dye to determine which food dyes are made of the smallest molecules. According to Ronnei, the lab “replicates how scientists use gel electrophoresis to separate DNA strands by size in cases of paternity tests or crime scene investigations.”

Students and staff at Emmet D. Williams Elementary read the children’s book The Circles All Around Us. Then, to celebrate the school’s “growing circle,” each classroom created circles and those classroom circles were connected to show how EDW is growing and strengthening its school community.

For over 30 years the Roseville Alpha Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa has given all school media centers a gift book. Alpha Delta Kappa member Janet Robb, left, is pictured presenting this year’s elementary selection (Knight Owl by Christopher Denise) to Central Park Elementary School Media Specialist Shawna Dees.

Registration materials and class options for 2024-2025 Pre-K are available at isd623.org/PreK.

Pre-K is for children who are ages 3 or 4 by September 1, 2024. Early Childhood Screening is required for participation in Pre-K. To schedule a free screening appointment for your child, call 651-487-4378 ext. 2 or email ecfe@isd623.org.

Did you know that the Roseville Adult Learning Center offers multiple levels of English Learner classes and a 40-credit English Learner Diploma? There is no cost or fee to take these classes! The classes can be especially helpful for immigrants, refugees, or anyone looking to strengthen their English skills. For more information, call 651-604-3553 or visit isd623.org/ralc.

RAHS Forensic Biology students learn how to use different forms of evidence in crime scene investigations. During the arson unit, the Roseville Fire Department presents a lesson on fire investigation and students investigate a mock arson event. For the culminating activity, students build their own structures, create storylines, set fire to the structures, and collect photographic evidence before, during, and after the burns.

CULTURAL LIAISONS

In Roseville Area Schools, our team of cultural liaisons provide an important link between schools and families with a focus on not only helping families understand the school culture but also school district sta understand the families’ cultures. ey provide communication bridges for sta and families at enrollment, conferences, early childhood screenings, IEP meetings, attendance, school performance concerns, and other times communication between school and family is necessary.

James Hoskins

African American Cultural Liaison & Paraprofessional Location: Edgerton

“My key role is being someone who resembles our students and it’s important to me that our kids feel supported and see black people making a di erence in schools.”

Hsar Htoo

Karen Cultural Liaison

Liz Gallegos

Latina Cultural Liaison

Locations: Brimhall, Central Park, Edgerton, Emmet D. Williams, Falcon Heights, Harambee, and Parkview

“I enjoy working with families and having them involved with school. I also enjoy building relationships and engagement.”

Locations: RAHS, RAMS, Central Park

“

e work of our cultural liaisons is paramount to meeting the needs of our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students and families. Our families trust them and our students depend on them for guidance and advocacy. As we continue to shape ourselves into a district that is not just responsive, but proactive in planning for the radical inclusion of our BIPOC students and families, our cultural liaisons are the necessary tool needed for this transformation.

“

-Delon Smith Director of Equity and Innovation

“I am happy to serve the members of my community who do not know how to navigate the school system, and don’t speak or understand English. I feel like I make Roseville Area Schools more diverse and that I help other people to understand the Karen culture.”

Veronica Martinez

Latino Cultural Liaison and Secretary

Location: Little Canada

“It is more than just helping families navigate school procedures. We invest time and are committed to our families to build trust and long-lasting relationships.”

Anthony Anderson

African American Cultural Liaison

Locations: Roseville Area High School, District-wide (on call)

“ e role of the cultural liaison is very important to the school district because we are able to break down cultural barriers, language barriers, and build positive relationships with several families. ”

Kowthar A. Ismail

Somali Cultural Liaison

Locations: Parkview, Roseville Area Middle School, Roseville Area High School, Fairview Alternative High School, and District-wide (on call)

“My key role in serving Roseville Area Schools is to advocate for our students and parents and also making sure families understand how the school system in the United States works.”

Maider Lee

Hmong Cultural Liaison

Locations: Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, Roseville Area High School, and District-wide (on call)

“Liaisons facilitate communications between families and students of our culture as well as support sta with preventative plans to reduce roadblocks to students’ success and families’ understanding.”

Indira Kharel

Bhutanese Cultural Liaison

Cecilia Martino

Latino Cultural Liaison

Locations: Roseville Area Middle School, Roseville Area High School, and District-wide (on call)

“It takes time and dedication to build long-lasting relationships with families. It’s about culture, not only language.”

Locations: Central Park, Roseville Area Middle School, Roseville Area High School, and District-wide (on call)

“I enjoy the feedback from families when they nally get the help they have been holding o asking for because they were unaware of the resources available to them. It’s rewarding when families tell me that I’ve lifted a heavy weight o their shoulders and helped them with not only language barriers but also to learn the di erent experiences of their child.”

Brando Rojas

Latino Cultural Liaison

Locations: Early Childhood, ECSE, Harambee, Parkview, RAHS

“My goal as a cultural liaison is to make sure that students know they can come safely to me with any issue and I can help them resolve it!”

Savannah Rojas

Native American Cultural Liaison

Locations: Buildings: Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, District-wide

“As a cultural liaison, I work to ensure our Native students and families feel heard and supported by our district, as well as helping preserve our roots by giving cultural lessons to all Native students.”

Mya Phyu

Karen Cultural Liaison

Locations: ECSE/Pre-K, Edgerton, Roseville Area High School Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, and District-wide (on call)

“My goal as a cultural liaison is educating the family to support their kids in their education by participating and engaging with the school.”

Not Pictured: Faustina Mullen is an African American cultural liaison who serves students and families at Roseville Area Middle School as well as district-wide as needed.

CHOOSE ROSEVILLE

“Being able to make a di erence in a student’s daily life or bring a smile on their face is what makes me feel great.”

“I have taken suggestions and direction from some wonderful colleagues. I learn every time I get to observe someone else teach.”

“I am extremely privileged and grateful to be a part of the Community Education team. … e engaged and dedicated professionals in our o ce are what I enjoy most.”

“I chose Roseville because I wanted more diversity in my classroom. I chose Roseville because I wanted to teach from more challenging and e ective curriculums.”

“I enjoy my work because people’s interests are always changing and evolving, and I have the opportunity to follow those leads.”

“I choose Roseville because there are teachers, principals, and administrators who are committed to racial equity in the education system and for all students and their families.”

“One of the things that still inspires me is helping students learn something new and seeing them feel a high level of accomplishment from it.”

“Every school year, season, and day provides something new at the school and to my position, and I have come to appreciate that very much.”

Chandra Pokhrel, Paraprofessional, Harambee Elementary

Steve Pawelski, Math Teacher, Roseville Area High School

Jacob Mack, Administrative Assistant, Roseville Community Education

Mee Moua, Grade 2 Teacher, Edgerton Elementary

Jenni Kostecki, Manager, Adult Enrichment Programming

Kim Tann, Paraprofessional, Harambee Elementary School

Ryan McCarthy, Building Engineer, Falcon Heights Elementary

Lonn Anderson, Special Education Teacher, Roseville Area High School

DLSI: Dual Language Spanish Immersion

Our Mission

Our Dual Language Spanish Immersion programs provide students with a solid education to become bilingual, biliterate, and multicultural leaders in our globalized society.

At Little Canada Elementary School

Our Dual Language Spanish Immersion program is a part of the Little Canada Elementary School community. e program is o ered as an option to any elementary student who lives within the school district or open enrolls into the school district. Students must apply to attend.

At Roseville Area Middle School

Students in the Dual Language Spanish Immersion program at Roseville Area Middle School will have three classes taught in Spanish: Spanish Language Arts, science, and social studies. e other ve classes will be taught in English: math, English, and elective classes. All classes are aligned with Minnesota State Academic Standards. By having classes taught in both languages, students will have the opportunity to continue to develop their academic language throughout their academic career.

At Roseville Area High School

e DLSI students at RAHS take three Spanish Language Arts classes during their academic experience. ese courses have the goal of guiding students toward the achievement of biliteracy, bilingualism, and ultimately, being comfortable in multicultural social, academic, and professional situations. e DLSI students have the opportunity to take the AP Spanish test and obtain the Bilingual Seal granted by the state of Minnesota.

For more information about Roseville Area Schools’ Dual Language Spanish Immersion program, visit isd623.org/learning/dlsi or call 651-434-8109.

Student Focus: DLSI Narrative Writing

After reading short stories, students in Roseville Area Middle School’s Dual-Language Spanish Immersion (DLSI) program were asked to write a narrative short story about an event in their lives. Following are three students who submitted short stories. To read the full essays, please click this QR code:

De Vacaciones a Cartegena de Indias

By Josué Bastardo

By Anneke Bue

Luna

Mi Historia

Mi Mundo en Vueltas By Joy

BUSINESS

& FINANCE

School district funding is highly regulated. Any funds Roseville Area Schools receives are either authorized by the Minnesota Legislature, the federal government, or approved by local voters.

School district budgets are divided into separate funds, based on purposes of revenue, as required by law. Roseville Area Schools’ funds are:

• General

• Food Service

• Community Service

• Building Construction

• Debt Service

•

• Internal Service

General Fund Revenue

e general fund represents the day-to-day expenses for the education of our students in early childhood through grade 12. It includes teachers’ salaries, instructional support, curriculum, nurses, guidance counselors, transportation, and more. e district’s 20232024 general fund revenue, which is funds we receive for our expenses, is $129.7 million. is pie chart represents where those funds come from.

General Fund Expenditures

e district’s 2023-2024 school year expenditures, which is how our budget is spent, is $127.8 million. is pie chart represents how we budget those expenses.

NUTRITION SERVICES

What’s On Our Tray?

Getting Local

anks to wonderful partnerships with local growers and ranchers we are able to feature Minnesota products on our breakfast and lunch menus not only on Minnesota ursdays but throughout the year. Following is the lineup of Minnesota ursday menus

January through May:

January 11

Turkey Bahn Mi, Pickled Watermelon Radishes, Carrots

January 25

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Roasted Red Potatoes

February 1

Swedish Mega Meatball over Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Lefse

February 15

Jerk Chicken Drumsticks, Caribbean Black Beans, Curried Rice

March 7

Philly Cheesesteak on a Hoagie, Roasted Potato Jojos

March 21

Biryani Chicken over Basmati Rice, Kachumber Salad

April 4

Chicken Yassa, Jollof Rice, Roasted Sweet Potato

April 18

Homemade Pizza (using local cheese and a homemade sauce)

May 2

Hmong Chicken Curry over Jasmine Rice

May 16

Pork Carnitas Burrito

A recent Minnesota ursday featured bison nachos (from Sleepy Bison Acres, in Sleepy Eye, MN), wild rice pilaf (from NativeWise LLC in Sawyer, MN), and the ree Sisters Salad. Sleepy Bison Acres and NativeWise are new producers for our district. Sleepy Bison uses regenerative agriculture techniques so their bison roam in their pastures. NativeWise is an Ojibwe-owned family farm that produces maple syrup, wild rice, and honey.

Now Featuring: Minnesota Thursday Videos!

For every Minnesota ursday, students have the opportunity to watch a video that introduce the menu, explain how the foods grow, highlight one of our farmers or producers, and provide age-appropriate nutrition information related to the menu.

Click here to view a video for Native American Heritage Month featuring Gabriella Carroll, American Indian education coordinator, and Savannah Rojas, American Indian cultural liaison.

Three Sisters Salad

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. butternut squash

5 Tbsp. olive oil (divided)

1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

2 C. fresh (or canned) corn kernels

½ small red onion, sliced Balsamic vinegar

Romaine lettuce

What are the Three Sisters?

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Toss diced butternut squash in olive oil. Distribute squash evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. Set aside to cool.

3. In a large bowl, toss together beans, corn, and onion, and dress with 3 Tbsp. olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste.

4. Serve immediately with lettuce or chill for 2-4 hours and then toss with lettuce.

This planting method involves intercropping corn, beans, and squash. First, corn is planted in well-fertilized mounds. Once the corn is four inches tall, beans are planted at the base of each stalk and squash is planted nearby. The corn provides a structure for the beans to climb, eliminating the need for poles or trellises. The beans add nitrogen to the soil, making this important nutrient available to the corn and squash. Meanwhile, the squash shades the soil, reducing evaporation and repressing weeds.

— e Sustainable Food Center

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

February 1

Registration opens for summer Youth Enrichment

February 3

Save the Date!

Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience

February 17

Spidermania Superhero Training

February 26

Did Someone Say Pool Party?

Roseville Area Community Education o ers youth birthday party packages at Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, and we’ve recently added on a pool party option! Along with exclusive access to our full gymnasium or 86-degree pool, your child’s party will have a private room for gifts and cake. Gym parties have a choice of basketballs, dodgeballs, soccer balls, or hula hoops and jump ropes to play with too. Packages start at $200 for 3 hours. To get started, call 651-604-3596.

We Deliver Fresh, Nutritious Meals!

Registration opens for Friendship Connection 2024-2025

March 1

Registration opens for April and May Youth Enrichment

March 4

Registration opens for summer Adult Enrichment

March 9

Raider Puzzle Palooza

April 20

Roseville Royal Ball

To register for these events and opportunities, call 651-604-3770 or visit isd623. ce.eleyo.com

Meals on Wheels delivers convenient, nutritious, high-quality meals to seniors and adults with disabilities in our community. Meals are available on a long-term basis or temporarily for those who are recovering from surgery or illness. is service can be incredibly helpful for older adults who nd it di cult to keep up with grocery shopping and cooking. e Meals on Wheels program also serves as a wellness visit from friendly volunteers and a way to connect older adults to other community services! If you or a loved one might bene t from this service, call 651-318-9091.

Get Ready for a Summer of Fun

Summer is the perfect time for youth to discover new hobbies, explore new places, and make new friends! Roseville Community Education is o ering a wide variety of Youth Enrichment camps and eld trips this summer for ages 4 to 14. Explore opportunities in art, coding, STEM, theater, music, and more! Registration opens on February 1, and you can nd all camp options at isd623.ce.eleyo.com once registration has begun. Scholarships are available — call 651-604-3770 to learn more.

Dear Roseville Area Schools Community,

As we begin a new year, we re ect on a busy and exciting 2023 and look ahead to the work we are continuing to do in 2024. e Roseville Area Schools Foundation (RASF) has been hard at work to raise money to support our schools in projects that align with our three focus areas, which are:

1. Funding district initiatives that eliminate opportunity gaps, enhance college and career readiness, and encourage social-emotional learning. e Foundation was honored to have the opportunity to partner with the district to help fund the expansion of AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) into the elementary schools. RASF wrote a check for $37,500 for the rst year of this three-year commitment and AVID was rolled out into 5th and 6th grade classes across the district.

2. Awarding sta grants to fund projects that align with our values and focus areas. We are excited to be able to o cially relaunch our sta grants program. We will begin accepting applications at the start of 2024 with funds to be distributed ahead of the 2024-2025 school year. Our grants committee has been hard at work to get this program back up and running and we are setting a goal to raise enough money to fund $50,000 worth of grants!

3. Providing support to the school district to ll gaps and meet emergency needs. is focus area began in 2020 and the Foundation will continue to partner with district sta who work directly with family emergency needs. Discussions are underway to develop criteria and a process for these critical funds.

e work RASF does is made possible by the generosity of our community. If you are interested in learning more about the Foundation or if you would like to nancially support our e orts, please visit www.rosevilleareaschoolsfoundation.org. As always, your donations are 100% tax deductible.

As we focus on broadening community support of Roseville Area Schools, we have open Board positions and volunteer opportunities. We welcome those interested in getting involved to apply at bit.ly/joinRASF.

ank you for your commitment and continued partnership. Together, we can do more to help all students reach their highest potential!

Roseville Area Schools

Independent School District 623

1251 West County Rd. B2 W. Roseville, MN 55113-3299

THANK YOU!

Supporting the Weekend Meal Program

Heartfelt gratitude to the amazing members of Centennial United Methodist Church! e church members support Roseville-based Every Meal in our schools. Every Meal provides nourishing food for students in need to power through the weekends. Volunteers are responsible for discreetly placing the food into recipient students’ backpacks every weekend.

Donating Art Supplies

Members from e Links, Incorporated hosted an art drive and collected funds to purchase more than $1,000 in art supplies to enrich the 7th grade art curriculum at Roseville Area Middle School. e Links, Inc, is an international, not-for-pro t corporation that consists of more than 17,000 professional women of African descent. In December, three members of e Links – Andriel Dees, Linda Middlebrooks, and Jasmine Brett Stringer Moore – visited RAMS to deliver the much-appreciated art supplies!

Engaging Students with Strategic Board Games

We have businesses. We have organizations. And then we have Dan Underbakke. Underbakke and his “lunch bunch” groups gather to play board games emphasizing strategic thinking and math skills. He also researches new games based on the students’ interests. Underbakke is a wonderful example of those individuals who consistently connect with our students via tutoring, activities, and other opportunities.

Coordinating the District Community Resource Room

e tireless volunteers from Roseville’s Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International are the driving force behind the success of the District Community Resource Room at Harambee Elementary School. is amazing space provides a treasure trove of winter outerwear, empowering district social workers to extend vital support to students and families in need.

Celebrating Our Community

Roseville Area Schools is so fortunate to have the tremendous support of local organizations and individuals. This support comes through in many ways – voter support of bond referenda and operating levies, fan support at local events, generous donations of time, talent & treasure, and volunteer support in our schools and programs. Keep an eye on social media, throughout the pages of this community newsletter, AND the district website for more profiles as we continue our effort to celebrate our wonderful community.