Red Lake Schools Newsletter
Family Edition
Mino Zaagibagaa Giizis!
It is hard to believe that we are already in the month of May with fewer than three weeks left of our school year. And what a great school year this has been! I am so proud of all of our students for their part in a great school year! When students come to school to learn and to connect with their friends, teachers, and other school staff members, it results in a great year for everyone.
What are some of the successes we have experienced this year? One of our successes is the PBIS program which has resulted in many students learning the value of making good choices in school. Many students have received RISE or PRIDE tickets this year and have won or earned prizes and privileges because of these good decisions. At the Secondary Complex, we have seen great improvements in how our bathrooms have been treated this year. Unlike last year, when we had numerous cases of damage and vandalism, our students have shown responsibility (the “R” in RISE) in using the bathrooms.
Our “bathroom thermometer project” has shown that, for every week without damage in our bathrooms, we can save about $1,000. We have used some of those savings to hold celebrations with treats and activities for our students who have shown responsible use of the bathrooms. Here is a recent bathroom thermometer on a high school bathroom door showing how much we have saved as of the end of April. We recently used some of these savings to help send a number of high school students to a Twins game where they also had an opportunity to explore college fair exhibits. Be sure to read about this wonderful trip in the high school portion of this newsletter edition.
In addition, our Peer Leadership program has been successful in helping us build trusting peer relationships between students. This has resulted in many students feeling more connected to school than in previous years. When students feel connected to school, they look forward to being in school, and we see fewer absences. In addition, we have noticed that unlike in past years when we saw many students leave our district to attend other schools, we have been able to keep most of our students here all year. This is something to celebrate! Below is a picture of our peer leaders leading an activity with other students.
Finally, to top off a great school year, I am happy to report that our “We Love You Here” campaign and our after-school homework help programs have both been very instrumental in helping students stay on track in school and improve their grades. Even our seniors have taken advantage of the homework help program to help them stay the course and graduate. By the looks of it, we will have one of our largest graduating classes in a long time!
This has been a year to celebrate, and I have enjoyed working with our school staff and getting to know our students better this year! I am looking forward to an even better year starting next fall! Chi miigwech!
Red Lake Chemical Health Prevention Curriculum
Chi-miigwech to Karen Barrett and Red Lake Chemical Health for coming into our grade 2 classrooms from March 3 – April 24 to teach the Seven Grandfathers Curriculum Prevention Education of Drugs and Alcohol to our students. Pictured is Emma Huberty’s class.
Principal: Amanda Norman
Red Lake Fire Center Visit with Smokey Bear
Chi-miigwech to Alicia Lussier and Red Lake Fire Center for bringing Smokey Bear into our PK-2 classrooms to read to our students and educate them about fire safety. Pictured is Chelsey Messner’s class.
Intermediate Learning Community in Action
As part of the Intermediate Learning Community, we collaborate across grade levels, where learning is the constant and time is the variable. We meet learners where they are and team to support them all (pictured: Misaabe multi-age team at the BSU Rec Center).
Principal: Stephanie Amberg
Outdoor Learning
The Intermediate Learning Community engaging in an outdoor learning experience.
Fire Safety with Smokey the Bear
Smokey the Bear visited PK-2nd grade to share important fire safety information with students.
Principal: Aaron Jabs
95% Attendance Stars Shine in Quarter 3
Third quarter 95% or greater attendance students were recognized for their achievement.
Sugarbush Camp
7th Grade Visit to Sugarbush Camp in Ponemah.
Principal: Tracy Olson
Sugarbush Camp
7th Grade Visit to Sugarbush Camp in Ponemah.
RLHS Students Visit Washington DC
11 RLHS Seniors, with Sheila Horn and Kenny Bellino, participated in Close-Up in Washington, D.C., exploring the federal government and visiting sites including the National Museum of the American Indian, Holocaust Museum, the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, and national monuments.
Principal: Shelly Fredriksen
College & Twins Day: Learning, Teamwork, and Big-League Fun
April 29: Students explored 48 college exhibits in Minneapolis, then enjoyed a Minnesota Twins game. From great questions at college tables to cheering Charlie on the Jumbotron, they represented their school with pride, teamwork, and respect. A full day finished with pizza in Little Falls—no one left hungry!
Student T-Shirt Design Contest
Students are encouraged to submit PBIS t-shirt designs by May 8th for next year's Warrior's Rise shirts.
Principal: Delana Smith
Warrior's RISE Tickets
RLSC students are able to earn a Warrior's RISE ticket weekly for 80% attendance or better from Dr. Delana Smith. Keep coming to school!
Aaniin Red Lake Families,
You may have noticed more staff in the community and at events after school this past year. Red Lake Schools is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for family and community engagement. We hope to see you at events this summer and look forward to continued partnerships and relationship building in the coming school year.
Gigawaabamin,
Stacie Parkos
Community Service Project: RL Elderly Nutrition
This month 3rd grade students at RLEC created Spring placemats to share with the elders who are served by the Red Lake Elderly Nutrition program.
Cheer & Connect: RLHS Softball
Chi-miigwech to the 22 staff and many family members who came out to support our Lady Warriors Softball Team. The weather wasn’t ideal, but it was a good afternoon of connection and support.
RLHS Health Fair
Red Lake Schools hosted a booth at the Red Lake Comprehensive Health Fair at RLHS on May 1. Students engaged in Ojibwe conversation, responding to “Gizhawenimigoom omaa!” (We love you here!) with “Ingikendaamin!” (We know!).
