Red Lake Schools Newsletter
Family Edition
Boozhoo nindinawemaaganidog. Tim Lutz indizhinikaaz. Chi ogima Miskwaagamiwizaaga'igan Gikinoo'amaadiwigamigong endow.
(Greetings my friends and relatives. My name is Tim Lutz. I am the superintendent of Red Lake School District.)
Niminwendam ayaayaan omaa noongom ji dibaajimoyaan enakamigak Namebini-giizis omaa Miskwaagamiwizaaga'igan Gikinoo'amaadiwigamigong.
(I am happy to be here today sharing with you my February report about what’s happening here in Red Lake School District.
Inga gagwejitoon ji ojibwemoyaan eta go minik gashkitooyaan. Enigok ninanda-gikendaan ojibwemowin. Naaningodinong niwanichige. Zhawenimishig gishpin wanichigeyaan.
(I will attempt to speak only in Ojibwemowin. I am working hard to learn the Ojibwe language, but sometimes I make mistakes. I ask your indulgence if I make mistakes.)
Geyaabi minosemagad owe gikinoonowin. Gaawiin niibowa gaa-miigaazowaad. Nawaj ani-mino-izhiwebiziwag. Nawaj gaye gaa-abiwag imaa endaso-giizhig.
(We continue to enjoy a good school year. The number of conflicts and fights are down, and student behavior and attendance continue to be good.)
Mino-anokiimagadoon waasamoowinike-waasechiganan, miinawaa waasamo-boozi-odaabaanan.
(Our solar panels are working well, and our electric buses are running well.)
Chi miigwech bizindawayaag! Gigiwaabiman minowaa ayaangwamizin.
(Thank you for listening to me. I’ll see you later. Take care.)
Solar Project
ISD #38 has received grants for 3 solar panels – 1 at Ponemah School; 1 at RLSC; and 1 that will be installed at RLEC this spring.
Electric Bus Project
ISD #38 has had a great experience with 2 new electric school buses and will take delivery of 3 new electric buses soon!
Peer Leaders
The high school Peer Leader program helps students make connections with other students. The program has helped improve the positive climate throughout the Secondary Complex.
Reading SMART Goals
Our PK-2 students at RLEC started their 2nd 60-day SMART Reading Goal on January 12. ALL PK-2 classrooms met the 1st 60-day SMART Reading Goal and celebrated with cookies and flashlight reading.
Principal: Amanda Norman
Winter Storytelling
Devery Fairbanks from Red Lake Nation College visited our building on January 9, 2026, for Winter Storytelling with our School Readiness students.
Ojibwemowin Instruction
At Red Lake Elementary, our learners receive 30 minutes of live Ojibwemowin instruction 4 days a week. Our teachers are learning alongside our 3-5 learners!
Principal: Stephanie Amberg
Voice & Choice
The Intermediate Learning Community strives to provide a learner-centered environment. One such component is giving learners voice and choice in their learning.
- Partner reading - one of the learner choices during small group English Language Arts time.
- Choice of physical activity - yoga!
95% or Better Attendance for 2nd Quarter
We had 39 students with 95% or greater attendance for 2nd quarter. That would be approximately 26% of our student population that misses 2 days of school or less for the 2nd quarter.
Principal: Aaron Jabs
Honor Roll
A or B honor roll in grades 6-8
Snow Day, Make-Up Day, Fun!
We rotated through the Mini-Theater to listen to a storyteller, Stephen Dow, and spent time in our advisory groups, setting goals for 3rd quarter and having a little fun!
Principal: Tracy Olson
Round Dance on January 19, 2026.
This was our first Round Dance and we learned about the differences between a Round Dance and a Pow Wow. So many staff and students danced together!
Students Presenting Learning: Women in History Class
Students confidently shared their research and PowerPoint presentations with their classmates.
Principal: Shelly Fredriksen
Students Presenting Learning: Women in History Class
For many students, this was a first step outside their comfort zone—and something to be very proud of.
New Year, New Goals Event: January 20
Get Ready, Gear Up is a college and career readiness initiative that empowers students to explore postsecondary options, build essential planning skills, and make informed choices about their future after graduation.
Principal: Delana Smith
New Year, New Goals Event: January 20
Check & Connect is an evidence-based mentoring program that builds relationships to improve student engagement, attendance, and persistence in school.
My name is Stacie Parkos. Many of you may know me as a first grade teacher at the Red Lake Elementary Complex. This year, I moved into a new role as the district’s Family and Community Engagement Specialist, a position created to reflect Red Lake Schools’ commitment to strengthening family and community partnerships.
I am pleased to share some of the engagement efforts and initiatives that have already taken place this school year, along with upcoming opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support our students together.
Chi-miigwech for being an important part of our Red Lake Schools community!
Cheer & Connect
Cheer & Connect events invite staff from across the district to come out, support our students, and build meaningful connections with families in a fun, community-centered setting. The response has been incredible—33 staff joined Volleyball, 33 supported Football, and 45 attended the RLSC Holiday Concert to cheer on students and connect with families.
Upcoming Cheer & Connect Events:
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February 19: Lady Warriors Basketball – Cheer & Connect
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February 24: Warriors Basketball – Cheer & Connect
We hope to see you there—bring your school spirit and your family!
Community Partnership in Action
Red Lake Schools proudly partnered with the Red Lake Agriculture Department to support families during the Thanksgiving season. School staff donated meal kits to complement the department’s Thanksgiving Food Distribution. On November 24, eleven Red Lake School District staff members and RLHS Peer Leaders volunteered to help distribute 400 meals to community members. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to caring for and supporting Red Lake families.
Community Connection at Treat Street
Eleven Red Lake School District staff volunteered at the Red Lake Schools booth during Treat Street, handing out candy, “We Love You Here” mechanical pencils, and 700 books to kids and families.
Community Voice in Action: AIPAC
Community members suggested adding an additional AIPAC meeting in the Ponemah community, and that idea quickly became a reality. Ponemah School hosted the meeting on December 10, creating another opportunity for families and community members to share their voices and perspectives.
Chi-miigwech to the 76 participants who have taken part in AIPAC so far this school year—your engagement and input continue to strengthen our work together.
Staff Recognition by Our Student-Athletes
The Lady Warriors and Warriors Basketball teams nominated staff members who have made a difference in their lives and learning over the years at Red Lake Schools. These staff members will be recognized on February 16 during the double-header games vs. Bagley.
NEW ECFE Evening Class
Families and community members shared a desire for an evening ECFE option. Based on family survey feedback, a new monthly evening ECFE class will begin February 4 and will be held on the first Wednesday of each month through May.
