Get Involved

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.
 

2020-2021 Meeting Dates

Meetings will be virtual for the 2020-2021 school year. Meeting links will be posted on the District website: rdale.org/calendar

Meetings will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on these dates:

• Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020
• Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020
• Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021
• Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021
• Tuesday, March 16, 2021
• Tuesday, April 13, 2021
• Tuesday, May 11, 2021
   

 

Community Connect is a standing committee of the Robbinsdale Area School District and School Board. The committee usually meets about six times per school year. Regular meeting time is 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The charge of the Community Connect Committee is to recommend to the School Board and district administration involvement in interactions and events that support the Unified District Vision (UDV).

Community Connect researches and initiates community conversations that build relationships with targeted audiences to:

• Assure student success
• Connect with families, parents, and guardians of our students
• Foster awareness of the benefits of Pre-12 education
• Engage community members such as district residents and businesses
• Promote ongoing positive community connections
• Foster mutual support between the district and the community it serves
• Share key messages of the district

Membership is comprised of school board members, the Marketing & Communications Director, Achievement & Integration Program Director, Community Education Director and up to five community members.

A school board member will be designated as chair, who will prepare an agenda for each meeting based on input from committee members. The chair will be responsible for distributing the agenda and meeting summaries including action items. Meeting materials will be maintained by the School Board Administrative Assistant.

Unified District Vision goals to which the charge of the Community Connect Committee is aligned:

• Goal 1: Implement Policies and Practices that Open Pathways to Academic Excellence for All Students
• Goal 3: Engage Family and Community Members as Partners

 

The Community Education Advisory Council is mandated by Minnesota law and serves to advise the Administration and the Board of Education about issues relating to Community Education and community services.

• The Council serves as liaison between the community and the school district in evaluating Community Education needs and providing input to promote and foster new programs.
• Members advise, guide, advocate and serve as ambassadors for the development and delivery of Community Education programs and act as key communicators to connect the community to Robbinsdale Area Schools.
• The Advisory Council helps shape the future direction of Community Education and provides leadership opportunities for members to connect on a regional and national level.

The mission of the Comprehensive Arts Planning Program (CAPP) is to support Robbinsdale Area Schools arts programming by advocating for the importance of arts in school, promoting arts education, initiating arts events and partnerships, and creating opportunities for arts involvement in the community.

In 1985, Robbinsdale Area Schools was one of the first districts awarded a CAPP grant from the state arts board.  Four subsequent grants and continuing district contributions have made the CAPP Committee a consistent presence in Robbinsdale Area Schools for more than 25 years. Throughout that time, CAPP’s vision has remained consistent:  All the Arts for all the Students.​
 

CAPP committee goals

Goal 1: Promote a Comprehensive Arts Education for All Students
Goal 2: Communicate the Role of Arts Education in Our Schools
Goal 3: Strengthen Community Connections in the Arts
Goal 4: Advocate for Staff Development and Support in the Arts
 

Membership

The CAPP Committee consists of community members, parents/guardians, teachers, school board members and district administration.  We generally meet once a month from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Education Service Center at 42nd and Winnetka in New Hope.  We are always looking for members who have an interest in strengthening our arts education programs within Robbinsdale Area Schools.  

If you are interested or would like to be involved in our committee in another way, please contact CAPP Chair, Molly Olson for more information at Molly_Olson@rdale.org or 763-504-8033.

 

The Robbinsdale Area Schools Financial Advisory Council (FAC) provides financial advice and support to the School Board and Administration, including evaluation of the district's economic conditions, development of future budget assumptions and review of the overall fiscal condition of the district. 

Membership

Current School Board appointed FAC community members serving three year terms include: Gregg Fishbein, Lennie Kaufman, Greg Kugler, O. Barry Rogers, Howard Schwartz and Terry Swanson. The Superintendent, School Board Treasurer and Executive Director of Finance also attend.

Meetings

Meetings are typically held at the Education Service Center (4148 Winnetka Ave N, New Hope, MN, third floor boardroom). All FAC meetings are open to the public.

For the 2020-2021 school year, meetings will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teleconference information will be posted on the District calendar.

School Board Seeking FAC Applicants (Nov. 18, 2020)

The Robbinsdale Area Schools School Board is currently seeking applicants for the Financial Advisory Council (FAC). There is currently one open seat available (January 2021 – June 2022 term).

The purpose of the FAC is to provide financial advice and support to the School 
Board and Administration, including evaluation of the district's economic conditions, development of future budget assumptions and review of the overall fiscal condition of the district. The FAC generally meets quarterly. 

Preferred qualifications for applicants include a strong background in finance, economics, and/or accounting, along with experience in school finance and/or business and financial matters. Applicants must also declare no conflicts of interest.

Click here to complete the online FAC application. Contact Nichol Sutton, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and School Board, at 763-504-8012 or Nichol_Sutton@rdale.org for more information or if you have any questions. 
     
All applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2020.

The mission of Gifted and Talented Education is to integrate specialized programs, services and differentiated instruction so that all learners reach their full potential.
 

2020-2021 Meeting Dates

Meetings will be virtual for the 2020-2021 school year. Meeting links will be posted on the District calendar: rdale.org/calendar

Meetings will be held from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on these dates:

• November 19, 2020
• February 23, 2021
• April 13, 2021

Overview

The InterSchool Council (ISC) is a unique forum for collaborations between parent representatives, district staff and community groups serving our mutual school families in Robbinsdale Area Schools (RAS). 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 with the intent 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

ISC meetings provide participants an opportunity to network, share news, ideas, ask questions, and understand current developments while offering professional development opportunities for parent members, possibly with (and by) other parents. The meetings seek to provide RAS with an annual manifesto detailing the needs and wants of parents regarding the district’s yearly operation. Membership in this group allows participants opportunities to compare (and contrast) practices between parent groups and supporters, as well as gather new ideas. ISC works to embrace the diversity that exists across RAS. Meetings are attended by our district’s Superintendent, Dr. Carlton Jenkins, as well as district staff members, school board representatives and others who may be asked to give presentations on behalf of community organizations. Questions for district staff members or other presenters should be emailed in advance (preferably at least 3-5 days) so answers can be researched and prepared in time for the meeting.
 

Role

ISC representatives include parents from individual schools, programs and affinity groups in RAS. These representatives act as communication liaisons between the district administration and their own schools, groups, and/or 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 frequently invited, providing information which 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. In order to truly embrace the diversity within RAS, ISC aspires to open opportunities to educate ourselves about the many cultures within our community.

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 (Aiysha Mustapha) at rdaleisc@gmail.com. Translators are readily available during meetings for some languages; requests can be made for those not represented and needed during meetings. Please email ISC leadership at least three days in advance of meetings so arrangements can be made.

Meetings are usually held the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Education Service Center (ESC) Boardroom. The ESC is located at the corner of 42nd and Winnetka Avenue. 

ISC’s growth areas:

• Explore alternative dates, times and locations to foster greater alignment with Unified District Parent Engagement Goal
• Identify Monthly meeting Themes
• Encourage and share cultural celebrations; participate in the development of community events.
• Offer Professional Development ISC style; ACEs, Cultural Competency, Schoology, Naviance etc.
• Explore programs, roles and responsibilities:
• Cultural and Climate Specialists
• Behavior Specialists
• Departmental budgets and goals
• Topics current and relevant to attending representatives

The Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) is a non-partisan group of parents/guardians, students and community members who 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.

For more information on how you can get involved with LAC, send an email to LAC@rdale.org or call 763-504-8028.

2020 LAC Platform

Legislative Map of District 281

Be informed • Build relationships • Make a difference

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.

If you would like to join SEAC, please complete an application.

Application for Membership

Application for Membership (Spanish)