Elementary School Handbook

Robbinsdale Area Schools is committed to supporting the academic success and cultural identity of American Indian students through its federally funded American Indian Education Program.

Families who have a child who is American Indian or Alaska Native, or who may be eligible through a parent or grandparent are encouraged to complete the confidential Title VI (ED 506) Student Eligibility Certification Form. Completing this form is voluntary but helps the district receive federal funding to provide services and programs for eligible students.

Students may also qualify for Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) services. Examples of services and supports may include:

• Basic school supplies
• Extracurricular programs and activities
• Cultural enrichment opportunities

The American Indian Education Program offers a variety of supports, including:

• Academic assistance
• Cultural activities, field trips, and monthly Culture Nights
• Dakota and Ojibwe language opportunities
• Post-secondary planning and advocacy
• Special education support
• Connections to community resources
• Fall Round Dance, Winter Storytelling, Spring Powwow, Graduation Honoring Ceremony 
• Culturally relevant classroom resources and instruction

For more information or to request an ED 506 form and/or JOM form please contact the Robbinsdale Area Schools American Indian Education Program.

If you have any questions or concerns related to American Indian Education, please reach out to Beth Tepper, Director of Educational Equity, at beth_tepper@rdale.org or 763-504-8026. 

American Indian Parent Advisory (AIPAC)

Parents and families are encouraged to participate in and attend our monthly American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) meetings. For more information or to get involved, please contact our AIPAC Chair, Cathy Estrada, at Cathy_Estrada@1123@yahoo.com. 

Use this link to learn more about our American Indian Education Program.

All families are encouraged to complete the Application for Educational Benefits every school year.

Even though school breakfast and lunches are free for all students in Minnesota, applying for educational benefits is still crucial for families. Educational Benefits helps schools receive important funding for programs, including academic support and classroom resources, and it can unlock additional opportunities like fee waivers for activities, college applications, and testing.

By completing the application, families ensure their schools and communities are fully supported. 

Steps for the Application for Educational Benefits

1. Visit LINQ Connect.
2. Confirm Robbinsdale Area Schools is in the box under General Information. Click Next.
3. Follow the instructions to complete your online application.

4. An eligibility notice letter will be sent out via USPS mail or email within 10 business days. 

If you would like a paper copy of the application for educational benefits, available in English, Hmong, Spanish, and Somali, or if you have questions, please call 763-504-8050 or email NutritionServices@rdale.org

Robbinsdale Area Schools recognizes that daily attendance is critical to academic achievement. Regular attendance is essential to your child's success in school, and as a parent or guardian, you play the most important role in making that happen. It's our goal to work with students, families, and the community to support regular attendance and improve academic achievement for every child.

One of the best things you can do each day is make sure your child arrives at school rested and ready to learn.

Children who are healthy should be at school every day it's in session. Children who are ill should stay home — see "Is My Child Well Enough to Go to School?" for guidance.

Most children miss no more than six days of school a year due to illness. If a chronic health condition is keeping your child out of school more often, please reach out to your school nurse for support.

If you have questions about the attendance policy or need further assistance, please call your school office — we're happy to help.

This link to learn more about attendance.

Student participating in elementary band will have the opportunity to share their learning through school-day performances and an evening community concert.

To help simplify scheduling and reduce conflicts during the busy spring conference season, the elementary band and orchestra program will follow a new concert format.

Each elementary school will continue to host its own school-day band/orchestra concert. In addition, students will participate in one combined evening concert.

Please mark the appropriate concert date on your calendar and avoid scheduling conflicts on these evenings.

Combined concert for Northport, Lakeview, Forest, Neill, Fair Pilgrim

• When: Monday, March 8, 2027
• Where: Cooper High School Auditorium

Combined concert for Meadow Lake, RSI, SEA, Zachary Lane

• When: Wednesday, March 17, 2027
• Where: Armstrong High School Auditorium

We look forward to celebrating our students' hard work and musical growth with families and our school community.

Elementary schools follow the Robbinsdale Area Schools Wellness Plan. Therefore, we do not allow edible birthday treats during the school day for health, well-being and learning of each child.

Party Invitations

Birthday party invitations for personal parties should not be distributed at school. By adhering to this procedure, we avoid hurt feelings and friendship dilemmas. Please handle the distribution of invitations outside of the school environment.

Due to data privacy laws, contact information for other families may not be shared from the school.

Students, families and community members are encouraged to complete this form to report a bullying incident. An incident can also be reported by letting a staff member know. 

Use this link to access the Bullying Incident Form

Use this link to read Policy 514: Bullying Prohibition

We are committed to providing a safe experience for students who ride district school buses. 

School bus schedule information is available via your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account a few days before the first day of school. Eligible students in grades K-12 will have information with the student's bus number, pick-up location and pick-up/drop-off times. 

The district is responsible for students who are riding the bus. If you do not see school bus information in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal before the first day of school:

1. You live within the walk zone of your attendance area school,
2. Your child is attending a school in the district that is outside of your attendance area and is not a magnet school; or
3. You have a high school student who travels to and from school via independent means and you have opted out of district transportation. Only students who are eligible for bus transportation to the school they are attending will be able to ride the bus to that school.

If you need help logging in, visit our Tools for Families page for step-by-step guides demonstrating how to access Infinite Campus Parent Portal, and how to find your students bus information. Videos are available in English, Spanish, and Somali.

Use this link to learn more about Student Transportation.

My Ride K-12 Bus Tracking

Robbinsdale Area Schools uses My Ride K-12 to give families easy access to student transportation information.

Features:

• View your student’s bus route details and updates
• Access information from both desktop and mobile app
• Share student transportation access securely with other family members or caregivers
• Receive notifications directly from the district when logged into the app

How to Get Started:

1. Go to myridek12.tylerapp.com in Chrome or download the My Ride K-12 app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Create an account using your email address, then confirm your registration through the confirmation email.
3. Search for Robbinsdale Area Schools as your district and link your student(s) using the required district information.
4. Once your student(s) are linked, you’ll have access to bus route and stop information.

💡 Tip: Stay logged in on your mobile device to ensure you receive important transportation notifications.

We know families have had to adapt to new tools more than once, and we are sorry for the inconvenience. We appreciate your patience as we continue to improve how we share transportation information.

For support with registration, usernames/passwords, or questions about your student’s bus stop, please contact the Transportation Department at transportation@rdale.org.

If you would like to make a request to change your student's bus stop, please review the information below and complete the bus stop change request form:

• Any changes to bus stops will happen after Nov. 1, unless it is a safety concern.
• It may take up to 14 days for changes to take place after requested.
• Buses will not travel into cul-de-sacs, dead-end streets or other areas where the driver cannot safely maneuver the bus. Most private roads are also excluded (i.e. apartment complexes and home associations). These roads are typically not built to the same standard of a public road. Issues such as vehicle weight, road width, congestion, snow clearing, etc., prevents their use. An exception to this may be a bus that is transporting students with disabilities on our special education system. All students, regardless of age or grade who reside in these areas will need to walk to the assigned bus stop regardless of distance.
• Availability of sidewalks is not part of the criteria used in establishing bus stops. Much of the Robbinsdale School District attendance area was designed without sidewalks.
• Buses drive by many students’ homes every day. The bus driving by doesn't warrant adding/changing a bus stop. Visibility from the home to the bus stop is not part of our criteria for establishing bus stops. Bus stops are collection points in neighborhoods. Statistically, bus stops are safer at the corner than in front of your home. House stops are not only less safe, they are simply not practical for typical busing operations. Again, our special education system would be the exception. We strongly encourage families to walk with and supervise their student at the bus stop as well as meeting their student at the bus stop at drop off.
• We are unable to establish stops based on personal circumstances such as employment, daycare, siblings or medical circumstances of another family members.

Use this link to access the In-District Bus Stop Change Request

Based on the administrative procedure 524.1 AP: Internet, Technology, and Cell Phone Acceptable Use and Safety Part 3 of Robbinsdale Area Schools School Board Policies, the following building-level cell phone procedure is designed to support student focus and academic success.

Robbinsdale Area Schools: Building-Level Personal Device Policy

I. Purpose and Rationale to create a more focused learning environment, reduce digital distractions, and promote face-to-face social interaction, Robbinsdale Area Schools establishes these procedures for student possession and use of cell phones and personal devices.

II. Definitions "Personal electronic communication devices" include, but are not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, and other wearable technology such as “smart glasses.”

III. Usage Guidelines

• Instructional Time: All devices must be silenced and put away (in backpacks, lockers, or designated storage areas) during all instructional classes.

  • Designated storage areas are established by school personnel in classrooms and/or offices that ensure the device is silenced and not immediately accessible during unauthorized times.

  • When staff deems that a device is not silenced and put away by the student, staff will utilize and enforce a designated storage area.

• Authorized Times: 

  • High school students may use devices during designated passing periods and lunch. 
  • Middle and elementary schools shall have a "personal device-free school day" where devices are prohibited from the first bell until the last.

• Prohibited Areas: Devices are strictly prohibited at all times in private spaces, such as restrooms and locker rooms.

• Educational Use: Teachers may explicitly permit device use in the classroom strictly for "educational purposes only".

IV. Storage and Responsibility

• Students who bring devices to school are responsible for ensuring they are turned off and stored in designated areas during prohibited times.

• The school is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal electronic devices.

V. Exceptions

• Special Services: Students with specific needs identified in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), 504 plan, or Health Plan may be granted exceptions. These students should contact their teachers to discuss authorized use.

• Emergencies: Parents needing to communicate emergency information to students during the school day should contact the main office rather than the student's personal device.

VI. Consequences for Violations If a student is found using a device during prohibited times, the following graduated disciplinary actions will occur:

1. First Offense: Verbal warning and a requirement to put the device away.

2. Second Offense: Device is confiscated by staff and returned to the student at the end of the class period or school day. If the device confiscated is determined to be a “burner,” “dummy” device, or someone else’s devices, intended to deceive school personnel into thinking that the student’s actual device has been confiscated, step three in the process will be bypassed and school personnel will move directly to “Fourth Offense” process as well as considered insubordination.

3. Third Offense: Device is confiscated and stored in the main office. A parent or guardian must come to the school to pick up the device.

4. Fourth Offense: A conference will be held with administration to create a formal "device plan." Further violations may be treated as insubordination under the District Code of Conduct.

The Robbinsdale Area Schools Nutrition Services Department is dedicated to providing meals and snacks that are high quality, healthy and well-balanced, providing students the nutrition they need to be successful at school. Our department's services include breakfast, lunch and after school snack programs.

Free breakfast and lunch - thanks to Minnesota's Free School Meals program!

Robbinsdale Area Schools participates in Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school.

Use this link to learn more about Nutrition Services including School Menus, Meal Pricing, and Student Pin Numbers.

Special Diet Accommodations and Milk Substitutions

Families who have students with special dietary needs should contact the school nurse and Nutrition Services Assistant Director, Brianna Smith at 763-504-8048. Accommodations will be made whenever possible. Additionally, Robbinsdale Nutrition Services makes reasonable substitutions to meals on a case-by-case basis for students who are considered to have a disability which restricts their diet.

Robbinsdale Nutrition Services is not required to accommodate special dietary requests that do not constitute a disability, including requests related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference.

To request a special diet for your student,  the Special Diet Request form must be completed by a licensed physician, physician assistant or certified nurse practitioner. If asking for a food to be omitted and substituted, please make sure numbers 1, 2 and 3 are complete or we cannot accept the form.

Drop off or mail completed forms to the Education Service Center, Attn: Brie Smith, 4148 Winnetka Ave. N, New Hope, MN 55427. Forms can also be faxed to 763-504-8971, Attn: Brie Smith.

Milk Substitutions

MN State Statute 124D.114 requires schools to provide one of these alternatives for a student with lactose intolerance if the parent has requested an alternative, in writing:

• Lactose reduced milk, lactose free milk or soy milk meeting specific guidelines
• Milk fortified with lactase in liquid, tablet, granular, or other form
• Milk to which lactobacillus acidophilus has been added

Juice or water cannot replace milk in the National School Lunch Program. 

For more information, please see the Minnesota Department of Education's website. If you have any questions, please call our Nutrition Services Assistant Director, Brie Smith, at 763-504-8048.

Fresh Fruit and Veggie Snack Program (FFVP)

FFVP provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day.

The goal of the FFVP is to create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, expanding the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience, increasing children's fruit and vegetable consumption, and making a difference in children's diets to impact their present and future health.

The FFVP snack time is an ideal teaching opportunity for nutrition education with the children. Please continue to talk with your student about the healthy choices they receive at school.

Under the compulsory education law, students between the ages of seven and 17 are required to receive instruction each year. Children under age seven who are enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade are also subject to the law.

Minnesota statutes, section 120A.22 – Compulsory instruction Subdivision 1. Parental responsibility. The parent of a child is primarily responsible for assuring that the child acquires knowledge and skills that are essential for effective citizenship. Subdivision 5. Ages and terms. (a) Every child between seven and 17 years of age must receive instruction unless the child has graduated. Every child under the age of seven who is enrolled in a kindergarten program shall receive instruction. Except as provided in subdivision 6, a parent may withdraw a child under the age of seven from enrollment at any time. Subdivision 6. Children under seven. (a) Once a pupil under the age of seven is enrolled in kindergarten or a higher grade in a public school, the pupil is subject to the compulsory attendance provisions of this chapter and section 120A.34. (b) In a district in which children under seven are subject to compulsory attendance under this subdivision, paragraphs (c) to (e) apply. (c) A parent or guardian may withdraw the pupil from enrollment in the school for good cause by notifying the district. Good cause includes, but is not limited to, enrollment of the pupil in another school, as defined in subdivision 4, or the immaturity of the child. (d) When the pupil enrolls, the enrolling official must provide the parent or guardian who enrolls the pupil with a written explanation of the provisions of this subdivision. (e) A pupil under the age of seven who is withdrawn from enrollment in the public school under paragraph (c) is no longer subject to the compulsory attendance provisions of this chapter.

Robbinsdale Area Schools recognizes the importance of families and teachers working together. Families and teachers communicate and build relationships at conferences. There are two reporting conferences during the school year. Please come prepared with any questions you have regarding your child’s education and social adjustment. This is also an opportunity to meet with art, music, physical education, band, orchestra, EL, special services teachers.

To protect families from expenses that may occur due to theft or accidental damage while the device is in the care of your student,  we encourage you to purchase a Device Protection Plan (DPP) for each student each year. The cost for the DPP is $25 per school year per student. The cost is $5.00 per year per student for families who qualify for educational benefits. If you have questions about the DPP coverage, please contact media center staff at your student’s school. Families can purchase the device protection plan through the Infinite Campus store.

Use this link to access more information regarding District Technology including the Family and Student Technology Handbook.

Students, parents, guardians, and school staff who would like to make a formal complaint regarding school discipline can do so using this form.

Next steps

• A district representative will reach out to the person making the complaint.
• A local investigation will begin within 3 school days of receiving the complaint. 
• Issuance of findings and conclusions will be shared. 
• A corrective action plan will be created and applied if the discipline policy has not been implemented appropriately or are being discriminately applied.
• This complaint form cannot be used as an appeal to a suspension.

Use this link to access the Discipline Complaint Procedure Form.

If you are dropping off an item such as lunch, homework or instruments, go to the office and a school staff member will deliver the item to the classroom, or call the child to the office at an appropriate time.

Early Childhood Screening is a free and simple check of how your child is growing, developing and learning. Early childhood screening is required for kindergarten and most preschool enrollment.  

• Online at rdale.ce.eleyo.com. 
• Call 763-504-4180

Use this link to learn more about Early Childhood Screening.

On an e-Learning Day:

• Families will receive directions from their school/teachers via email, Seesaw (K–3), and/or Schoology (4–12).
• Teachers and licensed staff will be available during normal school hours via email or voicemail.
• Students are expected to complete assigned learning tasks.

Use this link to read more details on e-Learning days.

Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale) is dedicated to student, staff and visitor safety in our schools and district facilities. In addition, we work hard to ensure schools and facilities are welcoming spaces for all.

A school emergency can take a number of forms including an environmental event such as a chemical spill or gas leak; a weather emergency such as a tornado warning; or a threat such as an intruder in or near the school. 

The district works to develop and evaluate procedures in the event of an emergency, and the nature of an emergency dictates the kind of response school officials will put in place to ensure the safety and well being of students and staff. 

Exterior doors other than main entrances are locked during the school day. A visitor management system is used to prevent unwanted visitors from entering our buildings, and to track those coming and going. 

Use this link to learn more about the District's Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Rdale has a variety of resources available to help support families.

For families with a child between birth and 3rd grade you can access Parent Support in the district.  Our district licensed parent educators are available for a free one to one visit by phone, email, google meet, or in person at New Hope Learning Center.  

Schedule a visit online, call 763-504-4170 or email ECFE_281@rdale.org for more information.     

Family and Community Engagement Specialists, also known as the FACE team work to support district equity work, host family engagement events and provide various types of support with things like enrollment, transportation, technology and more. Our staff also assist with parent support at home, interpretation support and connect families with community resources.

Our FACE team leads our Parent Affinity Groups, where district families connect with other parents and learn about changes happening in the district. They also facilitate parent workshops that guide and teach families ways to engage with their student’s schools.

 To access a variety of resources in the community, you can work directly with the administrator or social worker at your child’s school or review these links below:

• Community Resource Guide 
• Educational Resoureces
• Food Banks and Food Resources
• Housing Resources
• Social-Emotional/Mental Health Resources
• Technology and Internet Access Resources
• Other Resources
• Winter Coats and Hats
• Resource Guide for Immigrant Families

We understand that families may occasionally plan vacations during the school year. To support student learning and accurate attendance records, families should follow the procedures below:

• Family vacations are considered excused absences when communicated to a school administrator prior to the student leaving for the vacation.
• Vacation absences will still be counted toward a student's cumulative absences.
• Families should notify the school as early as possible and provide the dates the student will be absent.

As part of our commitment to providing meaningful and engaging learning experiences, students may participate in school activities such as walking field trips, special events, and classroom enrichment activities.

For field trips that take place off campus, families will receive a permission form in advance. Students must have a signed permission form to attend off-campus field trips; verbal permission cannot be accepted.

When a fee is required for a field trip or activity, no student will be denied the opportunity to participate due to financial concerns. Families needing assistance with costs should contact their child’s teacher or principal.  

Volunteers are often needed to support field trip experiences. All chaperones must complete the required Raptor visitor screening process by signing in at school before being approved to chaperone. This process should be completed at least two weeks prior to the field trip date and again the day-of the field trip. Volunteers must wear a school issued ID badge while supporting school activities. 

We have many ways to get involved. Some committees and volunteer opportunities are simply looking for passionate people willing to be involved, while others have bylaws and require more experience/expertise and approval by current members. If you have a particular interest or would like to join a committee, please contact the committee chair or contact person. 

American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC)

Parents/guardians of American Indian students are invited to join the Robbinsdale Area Schools American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC).

The AIPAC works to ensure American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable opportunities when it comes to their education and success within Robbinsdale Area Schools.

Meetings are held at the ESC on the 2nd Monday of the month, from 5-7 p.m.

Contact: Beth Tepper, Director of Achievement and Integration, beth_tepper@rdale.org

District Curriculum Advisory Committee (DCAC)

The District Curriculum Advisory Committee (DCAC) is a parent, community, and staff group required by Minnesota law to ensure active community participation in planning and improving the instruction and curriculum in the district. It serves as an important platform for collaboration between the district, parents, and the community.

Members share their perspective on important educational initiatives, help guide district decisions regarding curriculum and programs, and support the continuous improvement of our schools to benefit all students.

If you are passionate about education and want to contribute to the success of our district, please consider applying to join DCAC by contacting your school principal, or Becky Brodeur, Executive Director of Academics, Student Success, and Achievement, at becky_brodeur@rdale.org.

Financial Advisory Council (FAC)

The purpose of the Robbinsdale Area Schools Financial Advisory Council (“Council”) is to provide financial advice and support to the Robbinsdale Area School Board and senior administration that is consistent with the mission of the district. The Council is accountable to the School Board of Robbinsdale Area Schools.

Contact: Kristen Hoheisel, Chief Financial Officer, kristen_hoheisel@rdale.org

Interschool Council (ISC)

The InterSchool Council (ISC) is a unique forum for collaboration between parent representatives, district staff, and community groups serving our mutual school families in Robbinsdale Area Schools  since 1967. The collaborative environment fostered by ISC cultivates district-wide community resilience and identity through idea exchange, parent engagement, and staff involvement. Participants in ISC explore questions to understand and share the context and perspective of decisions made and events held within our district. This council directly supports Goal #3 of the Unified District Vision by engaging families and community members as partners. 

Purpose

The purpose of the InterSchool Council (ISC) is to provide

• opportunities to ask questions and understand current developments in the district

• opportunities for the district to provide background and foundational information for developments in the district while being open to questions

• opportunities to embrace our district diversity, engage in courageous conversations and challenge our beliefs and behaviors

• opportunities to identify and express the needs and wants of parent/family stakeholders regarding the district’s yearly operation

• opportunities to compare and contrast practices between parent groups and gather new ideas

• opportunities to network and share news between schools.

Role of ISC Representatives 

ISC representatives include parents from individual schools, programs, and affinity groups in RAS.  These representatives can and are encouraged to act as communication liaisons between the district administration and their schools, groups, and boosters.  Representatives attend their respective meetings to share meeting highlights and bring questions, concerns, and accomplishments back to the council.

Getting Involved

Guest speakers are often invited, providing information that affects our entire district.  Past guests include district staff and representatives of Community Education, PRISM, African Career Education & Resource, Inc. (ACER, Inc), and The Seven Dreams Foundation.  To truly embrace the diversity within RAS, ISC aspires to open the opportunities to educate ourselves about the many cultures within our communities.

If you wish to be a guest speaker at an InterSchool Council meeting, want to become an attending representative for your school or booster organization (or just want to listen in on a meeting), please contact the current Chair (Toby Breuch) at rdaleisc@gmail.com.  Translators can be available during meetings for some languages, as long as requests are made in advance. Please email Aiysha at least three days before meetings to ensure arrangements are or can be made. 

Questions for district staff members or other presenters are encouraged to be emailed 3-5 days in advance so answers can be researched and prepared in time for the meeting.

Meetings alternate monthly between virtual and in-person, usually on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

ISC continues to explore more ways to:

• Foster greater alignment with Unified District Parent Engagement Goal by looking at alternative dates, times, and locations to schedule meetings.

• Identify meeting themes and topics.

• Participate in and share the development of cultural and community celebrations.

• Communicate via virtual platforms to include parents who are unable to attend ISC meetings physically.

• Offer Educational Opportunities in the areas of: 

  • ACEs, Schoology, Naviance,

  • Cultural Humility, Courageous Conversation Compass

• Include agenda topics that are current and relevant to attending representatives:

• School Cultural and Climate Specialists, 

  • Family and Community Engagement within the schools
  • District enrollment and financial overview of the budget. 
  • Departmental budgets and goals.

Contact: Toby Breuch, Chair at rdaleisc@gmail.com

Legislative Action Coalition (LAC)

The Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) is a non-partisan group of parents/guardians, students and community members that advocate for legislation that supports our students and community. Join us at the Legislative Action Coalition meetings. No experience is necessary, just a desire to make a positive difference.

How to support LAC

• Reach out to local lawmakers by phone, email or sending a letter by mail.
• Attend a LAC meeting and learn more about current advocacy efforts. 
• Join the LAC, we always welcome new members.

Use this link to learn more about LAC.

Rdale Wellness Committee

Rdale's Wellness Committee is meant to encourage participation from the general public and the school community, including staff, parents and families, students and administrators to assess compliance with the wellness policy, review progress and establish goals.  

Every public school district is required to have a wellness policy, which guides the district's efforts to establish a school environment that promotes students health, well-being and ability to learn.  The wellness policy requirement was established by the Child Nutrition and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004 and further strengthened by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (HHFKA). 

Contact: Anh Tran at anh_tran@rdale.org

Policy Committee

To ensure district policies are comprehensive, legally compliant, and effectively implemented, the following review and approval process will guide the development, revision, and adoption of policies.

Contact: Amy O'Hern, Executive Director of Human Resources at amy_ohern@rdale.org

Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)

We are parents of students with special needs, school professionals, and community members dedicated to:

• Advocating for high quality programs & services
• Advising on special education policies, procedures & practices
• Assisting in identifying areas of improvement
• Encouraging good communication & support

There are many reasons to join SEAC!

• Learn how the special education system works in the school district.
• Learn information & skills that will help you become an effective advocate for your children and others.
• Meet other parents, school professionals & community members with similar goals.
• Sharing your unique perspectives & insights will help the school district work more effectively with families & improve outcomes for children.

Contact Justin Flesher at justin_flesher@rdale.org

In order to attend school in Minnesota, students must show they've had the required immunizations, or must file a legal exemption with the school.

Check to see if your child has the required immunizations:

• https://www.health.mn.gov/people/immunize/basics/readycc.pdf
• https://www.health.mn.gov/people/immunize/basics/readyk12.pdf

If you have questions or need help with immunization resources, please contact your child's school. 

Use this link to the Health Services webpage to learn more. 

Indoor Air Quality

The District has developed and implemented a comprehensive Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan. This plan outlines the district’s policies and procedures for identifying and addressing IAQ concerns. The plan is available for review electronically by request or during regular business hours at the District Office:

Robbinsdale Area Schools District Office
4148 Winnetka Avenue N
New Hope, MN 55427

To ensure high standards of air quality, the District’s health and safety consultant, IEA, conducts annual IAQ assessments in all school buildings. During these assessments, key factors such as ventilation, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide are evaluated or measured. Any findings that fall outside of normal parameters are addressed promptly using appropriate internal and external resources.

If you have questions about indoor air quality, please contact the District IAQ Coordinator listed below.

Hayley Heidelberg
Director of Risk Management
Robbinsdale Area Schools
Phone: 763-504-8135
Email: hayley_heidelberg@rdale.org

Robbinsdale Area Schools is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

Asbestos

In accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), Robbinsdale Area Schools is required to annually notify parents, guardians, teachers, and employee organizations of the presence and management of asbestos-containing materials in our school buildings.

Asbestos Management Plan Availability
An Asbestos Management Plan has been developed for the district. This plan details the location of asbestos-containing materials (ACM), inspection findings, response actions, and ongoing monitoring activities. The plan is available for review electronically by request or during regular business hours at the District Office:

Robbinsdale Area Schools District Office
4148 Winnetka Avenue N
New Hope, MN 55427

To schedule a review, please contact the designated Asbestos Program Manager - Director of Risk Management listed below.
Hayley Heidelberg
Director of Risk Management
Robbinsdale Area Schools
Phone: 763-504-8135
Email: hayley_heidelberg@rdale.org

Summary of Recent Activities
As required by law, Robbinsdale Area Schools conducts periodic surveillance of all known or assumed ACM every six months, as well as re-inspections every three years by a certified asbestos inspector.

Robbinsdale Area Schools is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

To help keep all students and staff safe, Robbinsdale Area Schools works to minimize the use of latex products because some individuals have severe latex allergies.

Latex balloons are not allowed in our schools, as they can trigger serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Mylar (foil) balloons are permitted because they do not contain latex.

If you are unsure whether a balloon contains latex, please do not bring it to school.

If your child has a latex allergy, please notify the school nurse or your child's principal so we can help provide a safe learning environment.

The District conducts testing of drinking water fixtures used for consumption (e.g., drinking fountains and kitchen sinks) every 5 years to identify any potential lead contamination. Water samples are collected and analyzed by certified laboratories following regulatory protocols. When elevated lead levels (above the action level of 5 parts per billion, per Minnesota guidelines) are detected, affected fixtures are promptly removed from service and appropriate remediation steps are taken, such as fixture replacement or installation of filtration devices. Retesting is conducted to confirm that lead levels are reduced to safe levels before fixtures are returned to service.

Whenever possible, please schedule appointments outside of the school day. Leaving school early means students miss valuable instruction.

• Leaving up to 59 minutes before dismissal is recorded as an early release.
• Missing 1–up to 4 hours of the school day is recorded as a partial-day absence.
• Missing 4 or more hours of the school day is recorded as a full-day absence.

Five early releases equal one partial-day absence, and ten early releases equal one full-day absence. Early releases and partial-day absences accumulate toward a student's attendance record and may count toward unexcused absence totals under Hennepin County Be@School guidelines.

When possible, families should make arrangements so it is not necessary for school personnel to administer a medication to a student. However, there are cases when a student’s health could be compromised by not getting medication during school hours. When sending any prescription or non-prescription medication to school each year, families must send:

1. Written permission (English Spanish) authorizing personnel to administer medication. 
2. A written order from the physician indicating the necessity of any medication, including how often it can be given. The physician may fax the order to the school. 
3. The medication must be in the original labeled container. For prescription medication, the pharmacist will supply a duplicate labeled container so one can be kept at home, and one can be kept at school. Each container should have the pharmacy phone number, student’s name, physician’s name, medication’s name, dosage, time to be given and route (oral, inhaled, etc.). 

Use this link to the Health Services webpage to learn more. 

Students participating in elementary orchestra will have the opportunity to share their learning through school-day performances and an evening community concert.

To help simplify scheduling and reduce conflicts during the busy spring conference season, the elementary band and orchestra program will follow a new concert format. Each elementary school will continue to host its own school-day band/orchestra concert. In addition, students will participate in one combined evening concert 

Please mark the appropriate concert date on your calendar and avoid scheduling other conflicts on these evenings.

Combined concert for: Northport, Lakeview, Forest, Neill, Fair Pilgrim

• When: Monday, March 8, 2027
• Where: Cooper High School Auditorium

Combined concert for: Meadow Lake, Zachary Lane, RSI, SEA

• When: Wednesday, March 17, 2027
• Where: Armstrong High School Auditorium

We look forward to celebrating our students’ hard work and musical growth with families and our school community.

Important student information can be found in the Parent Portal including student ID numbers, transportation information, grades, attendance, and the ability to pay for items such as the device protection plan and fines.  

• Parent Portal accounts were created for most families when your student(s) enrolled in Robbinsdale Area Schools.
• For you to access these tools, the school district needs a current email address on file.
• Please email our support staff if you have any questions or need access: registrar@rdale.org. Or, if you forgot your username or password, you can request a reset. Enter your username, click next and choose reset password.

Families and staff members may request to receive advance notice of specific pesticide applications, where required by law.

For more information or to request notification, please contact:

• Hayley Heidelberg
  Director of Risk Management
  Robbinsdale Area Schools
  Phone: 763-504-8135
  Email: hayley_heidelberg@rdale.org

Students will recite the pledge of allegiance in school at least one time per week led either by the teacher or over the school announcements.  

Students who do not wish to participate may elect not to do so.  Students and school personnel must respect each individual's choice.

Use this link to view Policy 531: Pledge of Allegiance.

Robbinsdale Area Schools is dedicated to proactive environmental health practices and continues to monitor and address radon to ensure a safe indoor environment for everyone in our schools.

The district monitors for the presence of radon gas in accordance with guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In accordance with best practices, radon testing is repeated every five years or when significant renovations occur that may affect air movement or building structure. The next round of radon testing is scheduled for November 2026. If radon levels exceed 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is the EPA action level, the district implements mitigation measures such as improved ventilation or sealing of foundation cracks. Retesting is conducted after any mitigation to ensure effectiveness. 

Radon test results and records of any mitigation efforts are available by request at the Education Service Center by contacting the Director of Risk Management. To obtain more information, please contact the Director of Risk Management listed below.

• Hayley Heidelberg
  Director of Risk Management
  Robbinsdale Area Schools
  Phone: 763-504-8135
  Email: hayley_heidelberg@rdale.org

Students will go outside daily for recess unless it is raining or the temperature is less than 0 or 10 below zero with wind chill.  Please dress your children appropriately.  On the days when indoor recess is called, students will be in their classroom engaged in planned supervised activities.

All students are expected to attend recess unless there is a medical reason that includes a note from a doctor. Please send the note to the school health office. 

On occasion, you may have to take your child out of class for a short period of time before the end of the school day.  If you know this is the case, please call the school office as early as possible so we have adequate time to inform the classroom teacher and your child of the change. 

When it is time to pick up your child, come to the office and ask the office staff to send for your child.  No child will be allowed to leave their classroom early without clearance from the school office. For the safety of our students, a state or government issued ID will be asked for identification purposes.  We can only release students to those authorized per your student contact information as parent/guardian or emergency contacts.  

Students are expected to make up all work missed as a result of lateness and or absences.  An early dismissal is considered a partial day and follows the same attendance guidelines and policies.    

If your child will be absent due to a reason other than illness, parents should contact the school office and your child's teacher prior to the absence.

The school district shall neither promote nor disparage any religious belief or nonbelief. Instead, the school district encourages all students and employees to have appreciation for and tolerance of each other’s views.  

Following our district’s attendance guidelines, students are allowed a reasonable number of excused absences to observe religious holidays within their traditions.  

For more information see the attendance information or the following board policies.  

Link to policy 609 (Religion and Religious and Cultural Observances) and policy 102 (Equity Policy)

Students will receive a formal report card at the completion of Quarters 2, 3 and 4.  Report cards will be accessible on the parent portal 1 week after the completion of each quarter. No paper report cards will be sent home, unless requested by a parent/guardian.  

Families should also refer to the Report Card Companion for their child’s grade level in order to better understand what achievement level descriptors align with each reporting item.

Preparation is the key to effective response in the event of an emergency.

Emergency drills help keep our students and staff prepared to respond quickly, calmly and safely to a number of situations.  All schools are required to conduct at least 11 drills annually:

• Five fire evacuation drills
  • The first of these drills occur within 10 days of the start of the school year
• Five safety drills (hold, secure, lockdown)
• One tornado drill
• In addition, elementary school students who ride the bus will also hold one bus evacuation drill a year

Adventure Club, the childcare program of Robbinsdale Area Schools, is open from 6:30am until school start time, and from school release time until 6pm on regular school days. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade may enroll.  Adventure Club welcomes students and families of all abilities and will provide reasonable accommodation to aid in the success of students in our program. 

Adventure Club partners with county daycare financial assistance (CCAP) In Hennepin County.  Please call 612-348-5937 to see if you qualify.

Use this link to learn more about Adventure Club.

Sometimes Robbinsdale Area Schools may be forced to close school or shift to an e-Learning Day because of extreme temperatures or significant snow.

When these kinds of severe weather conditions occur, the safety and well-being of students and staff is the district’s priority.

Robbinsdale Area Schools typically cannot offer two-hour late starts as a way to mitigate extreme weather conditions due to the challenges this creates for many district families.

Decisions on school cancelations are always given careful consideration and will be made as quickly as possible to give families enough time to make alternate childcare plans. Before making a decision to close school or activate an e-Learning Day, the superintendent consults with key staff and monitors the forecast to make the best decision for students, staff and families.

Use this link to read the full Weather Closing Guide.

Students may not use scooters, skateboards, in-line skates or roller tennis shoes on school property during the school day.  

If  a family chooses to have their child scooter or skate to school students should be wearing a helmet and not using the items during the school day.  

The school is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items.

According to Minnesota statutes, school lockers are the property of the school district. At no time does the school district relinquish its exclusive control of lockers provided for the convenience of students. Inspection of the interior of lockers may be conducted by school officials for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant. 

The personal possessions of students' belongings  within a school locker may be searched only when school administrators have a reasonable suspicion that the search will uncover evidence of a violation of law or school rules. As soon as practicable after the search of a student’s personal possessions, the school official must provide notice of the search to students whose lockers were searched unless disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation by police or school officials. 

School desks are the property of the school district. At no time does the school district relinquish its exclusive control of desks provided for the convenience of students. Inspection of the interior of desks may be conducted by school officials for any reason at any time, without notice, without student consent, and without a search warrant.

Use this link to read more about Policy 502: Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions, and Student's Person.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities, and guarantees them a Free And Public Education (FAPE). Students with a disability are to be provided the same opportunity to benefit from education programs, services and activities as their non-disabled peers. This statute is regarding equal access to educational opportunities for students with medical or mental health impairments. 

Section 504 not only prohibits discrimination in providing educational services, but also prohibits discrimination in the form of harassment because of the disability and in the form of retaliation, intimidation, coercion or threats for reporting discrimination based on an individual’s disability. Section 504 provides accommodations within the general education setting. It does not provide specialized educational services. 

In order to be eligible for Section 504 protections, a qualified individual must have (1) a physical or mental impairment (2) that substantially limits (3) a major life activity. All three criteria must be met. The determination of whether a student has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity must be made on the basis of an individual inquiry. 

If there is reason to believe because of a qualifying disability your student needs accommodations, please contact your student's school. School 504 Coordinators are available in each school.

Special Education is specialized instruction specific to a child at no cost to families. To receive special education services, children must meet specific criteria set by the State of Minnesota and the Federal Government.  

We offer a wide range of service delivery models.

The Special Education department includes but are not limited to: Speech and Language Pathologists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Developmental Adaptive Physical Education (DAPE) Teachers, Work Experience Coordinators, Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists.

Special education teachers, related specialists, general education staff, students, and parents/guardians all are members of the IEP team.

During their elementary years students will engage in assessments both for the district and for state and federal expectations.  

District Testing: Rdale uses the FASTBridge Screener on all students K - 5 to gather information on their needs and growth in both reading and math.  

Students in grades K & 1 will complete Early Reading and Early Math assessments.  These tests are administered one on one with your child’s teacher.  They measure students  overall ability and critical skills in early reading and math.

Students in grades 2 - 5 will complete a reading and a math test which are computer adaptive tests that measure broad reading and math skills. 

The FASTBridge tests are designed for universal screening to identify students at risk for academic delays and to inform teachers as they differentiate instruction for all students. It is also used to predict performance on state assessments. 

State Testing: Minnesota’s statewide tests are objective, standardized measures of student achievement on academic or proficiency standards. Students, families, teachers and administrators use statewide test results as part of a comprehensive system for evaluating learning.  

MCAs: The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessment, Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS)/Alternate MCAs, are the statewide tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota's academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students take one test in each subject. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility criteria may take the MTAS/Alternate MCA.

The list below shows tests by subject and the grades they are given:

• Reading: MCA or Alternate MCA - (grades 3-8, 10)
• Mathematics: MCA or MTAS - (grades 3-8, 11)
• Science: MCA or Alternate MCA - (grades 5, 8, and once in high school)

WIDA/ACCESS: The WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS for ELs are the assessments developed by the WIDA consortium and administered to English learners in order to measure progress toward meeting Minnesota’s standards for English language development, developed by the WIDA consortium. Most English learners will take the WIDA ACCESS for ELs, but English learners who received special education services and meet the participation guidelines may take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS for ELs.  

Student Participation

Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.31, subdivision 4a, requires the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to publish a form for families to complete if they refuse to have their student participate in state-required standardized assessments. MDE has a guide which provides some basic information to help families make informed decisions that benefit their child, their school and community. To receive the guide and refusal information please reach out to your school's assessment coordinator. 

The district testing calender can be found on the website.  This provides the windows of time testing needs to be completed.  Your child’s school will communicate more site specific testing dates throughout the school year. 

Students are considered tardy when they miss up to one hour of school at the beginning or end of day.  

A partial or half day absence is logged when a student attends some of the school day, but misses more than 1 to but less than 4 hours of school.  

Tardies and partial day absences follow the same attendance guidelines for what is considered excused or unexcused.  If your child is out for an appointment with a medical provider it is always a good practice to ask for a note to provide the school to document the reason for the absence.  

Five (5) tardies or early releases equal one partial day absence. Ten (10) tardies or early releases equal one full-day absence. Tardies and partial-day absences accumulate toward cumulative and unexcused absence totals and are reported according to Hennepin County Be@School guidelines.

Robbinsdale Area Schools provides every student in grades K-12 access to a digital device. The device connects students with classroom learning activities and educational opportunities, and personalizes learning experiences for each student. The digital device is usually an ipad for students in Grades K - 2 and a Chromebook for students in grades 3- 5. 

Devices provided to students are the property of the district and are intended for educational uses only.

Title I is a federally-funded program through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The purpose of the legislation is to provide additional opportunities for students to meet grade-level expectations outlined in the Minnesota Academic Standards.

For a school to qualify for Title I funding, a certain percentage of its students need to be eligible for education benefits. Title I schools are required to write yearly plans to address specific needs. These plans are based on needs identified through a comprehensive needs assessment with input from students, families, staff and members of the community. 

Use this link to learn more about Title 1.

In order to maintain an appropriate environment for learning, students should not bring items to school that are hazardous or may cause a nuisance. These items include, but are not limited to, toys, trading cards, electronics and fidgets.  If you have a question about whether an item should be brought to school, contact school administration.

The school is not responsible for lost, traded, stolen or damaged items, no matter their value, that should not be in school according to this guideline.  

Items that pose a nuisance or cause disruption may be confiscated by school staff and returned at a later time. There may also be additional discipline as determined by school administration.

For information about bringing cell phones and wearable technology to school see our Cell phone policy. 

The District has developed a variety of tutorial videos to help families navigate district technology resources including accessing infinite campus (parent portal), instrument rental, purchasing items through the campus store, checking grades, assignments and attendance, as well as transportation.  

Use this link to visit the tools for families page on our website for all of these tutorials.

Early childhood screening is required for kindergarten and most preschool enrollment. Vision and hearing screening is  one of the requirements of early childhood screening prior to your child entering kindergarten.  

In the years after kindergarten Rdale does not screen students annually, but does stay in alignment with the MN Department of Health recommendations and staffing availability.

Rdale warmly welcomes visitors and volunteers to our schools.  

In order to maintain safe facilities, the district has partnered with Raptor, a visitor management system that enhances our school security. This system is used to prevent unwanted visitors from entering our buildings, and to track those coming and going.

What this means:

• Visitors will be asked to provide a government-issued identification (ID) when entering a district building. This includes parents/guardians and community volunteers.
• The ID is scanned and the system quickly prints a visitor badge that includes a photo, the name of the visitor, time and date. 
  • IDs are only scanned once. Visitors will be looked up in the system for subsequent visits.
• Visitors will also be asked to check out when leaving the building.

Please keep in mind, according to district policy A “visitor” is any person who enters a district property except for enrolled students, and people who are assigned to work at the facility or are otherwise authorized by an administrator to enter the facility.”  This includes parents/guardians of our students. Visits must be “consistent with the health, education and safety of students and employees, are conducted within the procedures and requirements established by the school district, and maintain a school environment that is safe for students and employees and free of activity that may be disruptive to the student learning process or employee working environment.  

Link to visitor policy

LInk to visitor policy AP

"Walk zones" are established for each school. Students who live in the walk zone of their enrolled school are not eligible to ride the bus. 

Elementary students who live within 0.8 miles of their enrolled school are considered in the walk zone and are not eligible to ride the bus.

Our elementary schools offer foundational learning for students based on the Minnesota state academic standards. This foundation is purposefully designed to provide learning in academic and social-emotional areas which will prepare students to be career, articulated skilled trades and college ready.

We embrace culturally relevant teaching and learning and strive to create authentic learning experiences for our students where they can see themselves in the learning and feel empowered to learn as much as they can to make the world a better place. 

Our elementary students receive instruction in:

• Literacy and Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Music and Art
• Physical Education
• Media and Technology
• Health
• Social-Emotional Learning

To learn more about the specific standards your child will be learning you can also review the Report Card Companion for your child’s grade level.