September Newsletter
OUR FIRST AIPAC MEETING WILL BE:
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2024 @ 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Meal will be served at 5:00 PM
Location: Edison High School
700 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
If you need transportation to attend please click this LINK
If you have any questions, concerns, need assistance or would like to engage with other families please attend these meetings or contact Christine.
These meetings are open to ALL students, families and community members to attend. We welcome all to come talk about how we can create better opportunities for our American Indian students within MPS. Please contact Aliya Rivera Sullivan, Engagement, Education & Outreach Specialist for American Indian Families, at aliya.rivera-sullivan@mpls.k12.mn.us for more information or with any questions.
Agenda Items at each meeting will include the following topics/departments:
- MOA Pathway & Best Practice Site Updates & Opportunity for Questions (South, Edison, Sanford, NEMS, Anishinabe Academy, Center & Takoda) – NEW this year
- Special Education Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions – NEW this year
- Behavioral Referral/Suspension Updates & Opportunity for Questions - NEW this year
- Mental Health Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions - NEW this year
- Transportation Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions
- HHM Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions
- Family Engagement Department Updates & Opportunity for Questions
- District Parent Advisory Committee (DPAC) Update from the AIPAC representative
ALL meetings will be held VIRTUAL from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM for the remaining of the year. Here are some dates to future meetings:
Tuesday, October 15 - In person
Thursday, November 21 - Virtual
Thursday, December 19 - Virtual
Thursday, January 16 - In person
Thursday, February 20 - In person
Thursday, March 20 - Virtual
Thursday, April 17 - Virtual
Thursday, May 15 - In person
Thursday, June 12 - In person
AIPAC MEMBERS:
Lucie Skjefte, Red Lake, Parent
Andrea Reese, Leech Lake Ojibwe, Parent
Nation Wright, Leech Lake Ojibwe, Parent
Sarah Vinueza, Lower Sioux Dakota, Parent
Nellie Long, Winnebago from Nebraska & Pine Ridge Oglala, Parent
Nikki Farago, Seneca Nation, Parent
Daanis Chosa, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Parent
Kassie Benjamin, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Parent
Valentina Zaragoza, Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, Parent
Renika Love, Parent
Justin Cadotte, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Parent
Olivia Boswell, Three Affiliated Tribes Of ND, Parent
Sonja Fracisco, Comanche Nation, Parent
Jaiza Bresette, Red Cliff band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Student
Diamond, Ihanktowan, Student
Valencia-Wikaya, Comanche Nation, Student
Arabella Fracisco, Student
Ksinya Daniels, White Earth Ojibwe, Student
Aaron Hammerly, Northern Cheyenne & Turtle Mountain, Staff
Amanda Dionne, Community Member
Richard Boswell, Community Member
Districtwide Staff
MPS Enrollment
Jennifer Graff
jennifer.graff@mpls.k12.mn.us or call 612-668-1814
I am descended from Chief Maangozid (Loon’s Foot) of Fond du Lac through my mother, Joyce LaPorte. My pride and joy is my grandson Thane Cuoi Makwa and his dad, my son, Mykl, is my greatest accomplishment. MPS has been my employer since August of 2000. Various roles withing the Special Education arena but did have positions in North HS and Stadium View which were both very meaningful positions/places to work.
Do you know someone who is interested in attending MPS or do you personally need assistance in transferring schools? MPS now has Jennifer Graff, Student Enrollment & Retention Specialist, American Indian Liaison, who is available to work with any American Indian family that has enrollment, student placement questions or would like to request a new school for next year.
If you would like to explore school options click here
If your student is already attending a school in MPS and you are interested in moving schools, please complete this form
Districtwide Staff
Early Childhood
Melody Iron Eaglefeather
melody.ironeaglefeather@mpls.k12.mn.us
Han mitakupaye,
My name is Melody Iron EagleFeather and I'm an enrolled member of Standing Rock Tribe. I was born and raised in Minneapolis. I grew up going to Minneapolis Public Schools and have always wanted to contribute to my community in some way. I work as an Associate Educator in the Early Childhood and Family Education program. I invite all my Native relatives to join me and my amazing colleague, Teacher Priya, Thursday nights for our Families of Tradition class where we share a hot meal and discuss important topics regarding raising our children and their development. We also have fun activities for the children, including gym time.
I look forward to continuing my work for Minneapolis Public Schools and plan on getting my license soon.
Districtwide Staff
Aliya Rivera Sullivan
Engagement, Education & Outreach Specialist
aliya.rivera-sullivan@mpls.k12.mn.us or call/text 612-462-2660
Questions, concerns, or looking to connect with District staff but unsure where to start? Aliya Rivera is a resource within the District to provide navigation and district wide engagement support for American Indian families!
Districtwide
Office of the Ombudsperson
Mitchell Roldan
Director of the Ombudsperson
mitchell.roldan@mpls.k12.mn.us
612-668-0234
An ombudsperson is someone who listens to and investigates complaints or concerns about an organization. The Office of the Ombudsperson can assist families who have questions, concerns or complaints against MPS schools, programs, offices, and staff. The Ombudsperson is a neutral party who does not take sides.
They work with families, community members, and MPS to investigate complaints, clarify and resolve questions, and address concerns in an impartial and timely manner. The services of the Ombudsperson are free. The Ombudsperson is an objective third-party whose goal is to work with people who have a problem with MPS to find a solution.
Please click HERE if you would like to submit a concern.
American Indian Education
Family Engagement Coordinator
White Earth Nation
christine.wilson@mpls.k12.mn.us or call/text 612-715-0864
Want to learn more about how to get engaged with the Indian Education Department? Christine Wilson is an expert in the district wide support services in Indian Education. She is a key lead for several initiatives including the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC), American Indian Awareness & Family Involvement Week and the Attendance work group.
American Indian Education
Aquila Tapio
District Program Facilitator (Focus on Special Education supports)
Oglala Lakota
Aquila Tapio, Oglala Lakota, joins the American Indian Education Department as the District Program Facilitator (DPF) focusing on Special Education and MDE’s Dream Catcher Project. Since 2012, she has been at South High School as a Reading Intervention Teacher and Special Education Resource Teacher. Aquila graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1999 and went on to earn her special education teaching licenses and Master’s Degree in Education from Augsburg University. She and her husband have three children and live in South Minneapolis. Aquila enjoys creating beadwork, quillwork, and dentalium earrings, as well as, sewing ribbon skirts and star quilts. She is excited to begin her new position and to support students and families in MPS.
Welcome our new SSPA, KRIS!
Kris Winkelman (Lower Sioux Community)
He/Him/His
School Success Program Assistant, Indian Education
My name is Kris Winkelman. I grew up in South Minneapolis and attended Minneapolis Public Schools, graduating from the All-Nations Program at South High School.
I have been Dean at Roosevelt High School for the 2023-24 school year. Previously I was a paraprofessional for 5 years, the last four at Bdote Learning Center, a Dakota/Ojibwe Charter Immersion School in Minneapolis.
My tribal affiliation is with the Lower Sioux Community in Morton, MN.
In my free time I enjoy doing home improvements, spending time with my two dogs, video game collecting, football and cooking meals for family.
I am excited to start my School Success Program Assistant position with the Minneapolis Public Schools Indian Education Department. I like working within the Native American Community and feel I can identify with the many challenges students may have.
Join us for the Farm to School Community BBQ on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 4-6:30 p.m. at the MPS Culinary Center located at 812 Plymouth Ave N.
This free event offers an evening of good food, local farmers, and family fun and celebrates our commitment to supporting small to mid-sized farmers, serving fresh and locally grown food in our lunchrooms, and educating students and families about the importance of local food, agriculture, wellness and nutrition.
