News for May 26, 2021

Vaccine and Testing Information
Get your kids vaccinated! Children ages 12 and older are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Clinic on June 9 for Anyone Ages 12+
Roseville Area Schools is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, where the Pfizer vaccine will be available to any person ages 12 and up free of charge. The clinic will take place at Parkview Center School on June 9, from 2 – 6 p.m. Minors must be accompanied by an adult in order to receive a vaccine. This clinic is not limited to students and their families; it is open to anyone seeking a COVID-19 vaccine. Lyft and Uber are offering free rides to COVID-19 vaccine sites.
Please watch for a survey from your students' school to help us anticipate the number of vaccines to have on-hand for the clinic. This will be a walk-in clinic, registration will not be necessary and vaccines will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. 
We strongly encourage all students ages 12 and up to get the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible. Getting our students vaccinated will help keep us on track for a school experience that resembles what we are used to and will help protect those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, like younger siblings.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in adolescents. Adolescents, like adults, may have some side effects after vaccination, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine or any other vaccines your child may need, talk to your child’s health care provider.
Other Ways Minnesotans Can Get Their Shot at No Cost:
  • Vaccine Connector: Sign up directly for an appointment at one of the state Community Vaccination Program locations at VaccineConnector.mn.gov.  
  • Vaccine Locator Map: Use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for providers who are offering COVID-19 vaccine to Minnesotans ages 12 and older.
  • Vaccine Finder: You can find COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, which allows you to filter by vaccine manufacturer and search for only Pfizer vaccine appointments.
  • Health Care Provider: You can also contact your child’s primary health care provider, local public health department, or a local pharmacy. 
Regular Testing is Important for All Students
We strongly recommend that all students get tested for COVID-19 every two weeks to help reduce the spread of COVID at school. Students who participate in sports or other in-person activities should take a COVID test every week. 
COVID-19 saliva testing is free and available to the whole family. If your student or other family members take a home saliva test, they can bring the completed test to the school health office the next day and we will deliver it to UPS for you.
Finance Update
Facts about Funding
With all the talk about federal COVID relief funds for schools and the delay in state funding decisions, it’s important to have the facts. 
The vast majority of funding for our schools comes from the state. When the state budget decisions are delayedas they are this year—it makes it increasingly difficult for districts to finalize their budgets by the required deadline of June 30.
Some finance facts:
  • For nearly two decades, state funding has not kept pace with inflation or increasing educational costs - if it had, we would have received an additional $4 million this year alone.
  • Critical special education programs cost the district nearly $10 million more than we receive each year from the state and federal governments, putting additional pressure on our operating budget.
  • Over the last eight years, we have cut our operating budget by $8 million, resulting in teacher cuts, increased class sizes and cuts to student and classroom support and administration.
  • While the federal COVID relief dollars for schools will help cover pandemic-related costs, they are one-time funds restricted to certain uses and timelines.
  • One-time funds are a helpful Band-Aid but don’t solve our long-term financial stability concerns.
While we are grateful for any and all resources provided to our schools by the state and federal governments, what we need is consistent, sustainable funding to maintain the quality programs that our students deserve and our communities expect
If state funding had kept pace with inflation since 2003, our school district would receive $503 more pers student, or more than $4 million this year alone.
Gifted and Talented Education Survey
Family Input Needed on Talent Development & Advanced Academics
A vision for talent development and advanced academics has been created for our schools, and we want to make sure that our new vision and services match the values and needs of our families. Your input is very important and we appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the survey we have created.
There is a two-minute video about the survey and cultural liaisons are available to assist families in survey completion. Read our vision statement for Talent Development and Advanced Academics in Roseville Area Schools.
Questions about the survey can be directed to trina.hira@isd623.org. Thank you for your time in providing feedback.
Benefits for Families
New Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is launching a temporary federal program, the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, to help eligible families pay for internet service during the pandemic. Under this program, families can receive up to $50 per month, or $75 per month if on tribal lands, credited toward broadband services. Additionally, families may receive a discount of up to $100 on a laptop, tablet or desktop computer. Households can qualify if they participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). Households with a child who was eligible for free or reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program in school years 2019-20 or 2020-21, including children who attended schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Eligibility Provision, are also eligible for the EBB program. For more information, please visit the new EBB website
News From Around the District
Members of the Class of 2021
Members of the RAHS graduating class of 2021 picked up yearbooks, caps and gowns in preparation for their June 5 in-person graduation ceremony. Congratulations, seniors!
American Indian graduates of the Class of 2021
Students and members of our American Indian Parent Advisory Committee joined school staff and district leaders at a ceremony honoring the 2021 American Indian Graduates of Roseville Area Schools. Graduates received a traditional Native quilt and stole to wear at graduation.
RAMS students with donated food items.
Parkview Center Students Learn about Monarch Butterflies Through Music and Dance
Students at Parkview Center School experienced a combination of arts and science with dance artist Karla Nweje in residence through COMPAS.org and a songwriting residence with 623's own Michael Deppe. Mr. Deppe is a teacher at Harambee and a guest artist during Harambee's intersession. 
As part of the Parkview Water Project grant through Capitol Region Watershed District, Parkview was able to bring Ms. Nweje and Mr. Deppe to first graders for virtual residencies to celebrate and extend our learning about the life cycles of aquatic insects. With Ms. Nweje, we have been using creative movement to act out the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly and compare it to the life cycle of the dragonfly. With Mr. Deppe, each first-grade class (in-person and Distance Learning Academy) met to share what they learned about Odonata (the class of insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies) and the importance of wetland, pond and lake habitats. 
Find out more about Karla Nweje and visit Michael Deppe's website to hear music he's written with Harambee students and other projects.
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