We R All In Newsletter

Join us for the next event in our Equity in Education series as we discuss summer learning loss. Find out about summer programming available in our community – and how inexpensive or free activities can strengthen student academic skills.

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, at our next virtual Who Are Our Neighbors? event, scheduled for 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, guests will hear from some of our Asian and Pacific Islander neighbors and learn about their culture and contributions to the Robbinsdale Area Schools community and beyond.

On April 23, the district co-hosted its first traditional powwow in years at Armstrong High School, attracting more than 300 people. The celebration featured singing and dancing, a feast, and a celebration of Native American student graduates. The powwow also served as the district’s launch pad to American Indian Month, which is recognized in Minnesota annually in May.

The community is invited to join Robbinsdale’s American Indian Education Program for a special movie and game night, 5:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at Armstrong High School.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States. “An inclusive curriculum sends the message that everyone deserves to be reflected in it, treated with dignity and respect,” says John Groenke, executive director of student services.

Armstrong High School recently held its first cultural celebration highlighting spoken word poetry, a Native American dance exhibition and a performance by the African Empire dance group.

Robbinsdale Area Schools is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a national celebration that annually recognizes the historical and cultural contributions to society of people who identify as having Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent. 

April is a time to celebrate the rich culture and contributions of the Arab peoples to the United States as we observe National Arab American Heritage Month, first recognized nationwide in April 2021 by President Joe Biden. 

Currently, Robbinsdale Area Schools has 49 families who speak Arabic.

Until 2021, the annual recognition was known as Autism Awareness Month. But then the designation changed to Autism Acceptance Month. It's a simple but important revision.

The Autism Society of America announced the shift in terminology to inspire change in the lives of those with autism and their families, Christopher Banks, president and CEO of the Autism Society of America, told USA Today.  

Congratulations to Robbinsdale Armstrong High School junior Stella Wright, this year's Poetry Out Loud state champion. Stella will be representing the state at the national competition May 1.

Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country.

Our communities are always changing. New immigrants arrive, bringing with them new foods, languages, and traditions. With that in mind, Robbinsdale Community Education invites you to increase your understanding of your neighbors, their culture, history and experiences through a series of adult enrichment courses exploring Who are Our Neighbors?

The next event in this series, Fathers of Color in Education, will be held will held 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26. The virtual event is free of charge, and all are welcome.

As I wrote to all Robbinsdale Area Schools families last week, our district has embarked on a new strategic plan. Like the document adopted in 2014 and updated in 2018, the new plan will be centered in equity. 

But what does that mean? 

Every February across the country, we celebrate Black History Month. This year, Robbinsdale Area Schools is bringing to our community a series of videos showcasing students performing in culturally relevant ways.

National Women's History Month was established by presidential proclamation to draw attention to women in historical studies. One of the catalysts to the creation of this celebration is a women’s protest on March 8, 1857.

The Twin Cities and Robbinsdale Area Schools continue to welcome people of the Muslim faith to our communities and schools. Fowsiya Dahir and Aiysha Mustapha, both Muslim and members of the district’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team, recently spoke about the approaches they take to the holy month of Ramadan. 

Join us for a virtual panel discussion with local Indigenous women serving in leadership roles across the Twin Cities. Our panelists will share their stories and experiences as we highlight local women in recognition of Women's History Month.

Cooper High School hosted its first Black History Expo event last week featuring student art, performances, information booths and student black-owned businesses. The Cooper Student Council  planned and coordinated the event  in partnership with other student-led groups.

Our Indian Education department is hosting a powwow. We hope you can join us from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at Armstrong High School.

During the month of February, students across Robbinsdale Area Schools taste-tested various wild rice dishes during their lunch periods. Robbinsdale Area Schools chose wild rice as their food item of choice in February and chose a Native American-owned company, Red Lake Nation Foods.

The Robbinsdale Area Schools American Indian Education (AIE) and Achievement and Integration teams are ensuring that through their work they educate others and empower Indigenous voices and promote inclusion. One of the ways they are accomplishing this is through land acknowledgements.