Red Lake Schools Newsletter

Elizabeth Graves, RLEC Grade 2 Teacher, was selected as the 41st Minnesota Indian Education Association (MIEA) Outstanding Educator of the Year. Way to go, Liz!

The RLEC PK-2 SLT presented at the 41st MIEA Conference. They shared how our PK-2 classrooms naturally integrate Ojibwemowin into their Morning Meetings. They are such an awesome team!

“Read to Soak Mrs. Amberg & Mrs. Swenson” reading challenge designed to celebrate growth, consistency, and comprehension. Each "water balloon" sticker is for 85% mastery on an Accelerated Reader quiz. This incentive focuses on effort and progress — not competition — and culminates in a fun dunk tank celebration in May.

The Intermediate Learning Community (Grades 3-5) welcomed Mr. Mark Mindt from the Spirit Lake Nation as a guest author/illustrator of KODA the Warrior (March 11). He worked with our learners to provide a positive, growth mindset. They also worked on their own books!

Here's a smiley photo of a student from our WinterFest Activity Day. Sleigh rides, sledding, snowshoeing, boot hockey, arts and crafts, and hot chocolate made for a day of fun in the sun.

Ponemah 6th-8th grade students attended the Red Lake Nation College Career Fair on March 25. This experience planted seeds for potential career options and future college opportunities.

Red Lake Middle School Students celebrated on Friday, March 20 by dancing into the weekend. Fun and pizza was had by all!

Our students have a challenge to take better care of our restrooms this year after we had excessive amounts of damage last year. Part of the money saved went towards our amazing DJ Jonny R and delicious pizza from Pizza Ranch.

Ms. Pfannenstein’s 8th grade science students researched and presented on the 5 types of renewable energy.

The students participated in a poster presentation at the 16th St. Louis River Summit held at the University of Wisconsin–Superior.

The poster focused on climate education and the resilience of Red Lake High School students.

Dr. Delana Smith presented on initiatives happening at the Red Lake Secondary Complex. The presentation included information on Check & Connect and Get Ready Gear Up and how the RLSC is customizing the programs to match the needs of our students.

Red Lake High School students participated in the Red Lake Nation College Career Fair in collaboration with the Get Ready Gear Up initiatives. The students were able to interact with many booths that included career and college opportunities to support them to be' Choice Ready' upon graduation.

22 Red Lake School District Staff showed up to celebrate and encourage the RLHS Robotics Team on the eve of their competition in Minneapolis. Their robot is impressive!

The Future Adventures class at RLMS supports students to become 'Choice Ready' upon graduation by exposing them to career opportunities. The course content includes interviews of Red Lake Tribal Members in various careers. This photo shares the interview of Sergeant Tianna English at Red Lake Detention.

29 Red Lake School District Staff stopped by the E-Gaming Lab to wish the team all of the luck at their state competition. They have ranked #2 in the Nation this school year!

Red Lake Schools was a sponsor of the Beltrami County Collaborative Winter Festival. The booth celebrated Ojibwe Language and Culture by sharing fairytales written in Ojibwe and English. Red Lake Nation College, Red Lake Nation Foods, and the Red Lake Agriculture Department joined us at the event.

This month 4th grade students at RLEC created Easter placemats to share with the elders who are served by the Red Lake Elderly Nutrition program.

Red Lake Schools is partnering with Oshkiimaajitahdah to present Families Engage monthly to families. The content helps support parents as their child's first, and most important teacher.

Chele Johnson, Stacie Parkos, and Glendoris Johnson

Orianna Kimbrell

Deanna Lasley, Luwana Lasley, Karrie Lasley

Several Red Lake Schools AIPAC members were able to attend a breakout session at MIEA presented by the 2026 AIPAC member of the year, Nicole Cobenais McMahon. Nicole is a Red Lake Member who represents School District #197 in the Twin Cities.

RLHS 11th grade student Zoey Morris has served as the student representative on Red Lake Schools AIPAC for the 2025–2026 school year. We appreciate her dedication as she balances this role alongside her academic and athletic commitments.

AIPAC participation has been strong this year, averaging 26 attendees with a high of 41 in October.

Pictured: Dr. Giniwgiizhig and Tim Lutz presenting--Tim shared in Ojibwemowin, with Dr. Giniwgiizhig transcribing in English.