District News: An E-Newsletter for Roseville Area Schools Staff and Families

News for September 22, 2021
In today's edition of District News:
From the Superintendent
September 22, 2021
Good afternoon Roseville Area Schools families and staff,
While the last 18 months have been complex, there are also things that we learned and ways that we have grown. We learned that change can sometimes happen faster than we might think. We learned that learning can take many shapes and forms, and can happen outside the brick and mortar of a school building. We now know that we can do more with teaching and learning using technology than we all probably thought possible. Most importantly, we learned that together we can do hard things.
We are resilient.
I am so proud of all of our district employees and the many ways in which their work is essential, and often overlooked. Today I’d like to highlight the work of our technology team in Roseville Area Schools. During those 18 months, our team provided and supported more than 3,000 devices and 400 internet hotspots for students in grades K – 6, along with supporting the existing one-to-one device program for students in grades 7 – 12. Our team also supported intensive and broad use of instructional software and apps such as SeeSaw, Google Classroom and Schoology. Our technology team not only supported students and families, but all teachers and staff throughout the district. Student and family engagement has been strengthened to the best of our abilities due to the exceptional leadership of our district technology supervisor, Ms. Tina Clasen, and her incredible technology specialists. Thank you to all staff in Roseville Area Schools and a well-deserved electronic shout out to our technology team in 623!
Finally, I invite you to take a moment to watch our inaugural State of the District Address, which is available for viewing at your convenience on our district’s YouTube channel. It includes highlights of last school year and a preview of our vision for the future. It also includes an update on the building construction projects generously funded by our community in the 2017 building bond, an overview of the operating referendum going before voters this November 2, and heartwarming speeches from three of our current students. The voices of our students are so important to us, and it is a joy whenever we are able to hear them speak their truths.
Sincerely,
Jenny Loeck, Ed.D
Superintendent
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COVID-19 Updates
Keeping Our Schools Healthy
Students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms should stay home. Use this 623 Screening Tool to check for symptoms every day before coming to school. Testing is strongly recommended when someone has symptoms.
Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and begin quarantine.
Parents must notify the school health office or attendance line when their student is symptomatic or tests positive for COVID-19. Staff must notify their supervisor. Health services staff will contact you to review your information and help determine when you can return to school.
Quarantine is required for:
  • Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19.
  • Unvaccinated family household members of those who test positive for COVID-19.
  • Close contacts to a positive case who are unvaccinated and unmasked.
  • We will work with families to minimize the length of any quarantine and return healthy students to school as quickly as possible. 
Quarantine is not required for close contacts who: 
  • Are vaccinated and do not have symptoms.
  • Are unvaccinated, wore a mask and do not have symptoms and interacted with a COVID-19 positive case who also wore a mask. 
  • Have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days and do not have symptoms.
When the school or district learns of a positive case of COVID-19, we will work with the Minnesota Department of Health to determine any individuals who may be impacted and communicate with them about potential next steps. Notifications will be sent to the school community when there is a positive case at school. 
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State of the District Address
Watch Now: State of the District Address
We apologize to those who tried to tune in to our YouTube channel to watch the State of the District Address last evening. Technical issues disrupted the stream, but the complete program is now available to watch at your convenience!
Highlights of the address include:
  • Update on COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
  • Reflections on last school year and a preview of the year to come.
  • Three current students speaking about their experiences.
  • Update on building construction activities made possible by the 2017 building bond.
  • Overview of the upcoming operating referendum.
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Getting kids vaccinated for COVID-19 is the best way to keep them in school. Minnesotans 12 years of age and older are eligible.
Students Ages 12 and Up Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
We strongly encourage all students ages 12 and up to get the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible. Getting students vaccinated will help protect those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, like younger siblings. Minnesota's Vaccine Connector will help you find a location to access a vaccine and answer questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccine. 
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Referendum November 2
Become an Informed Voter
There will be two school funding requests on the November 2nd ballot: one to renew the school district’s operating levy, and one to increase it if voters first approve the renewal.
If voters approve both Question 1 and Question 2, the additional funds would be used to: 
  • Lower class sizes.
  • Invest in student mental health and social-emotional needs.
  • Maintain academic programs.
  • Expand career pathways to better prepare students for various careers after graduation.
  • Help maintain financial stability.
If voters only approve Question 1 but not Question 2, it would lessen major cuts but would prohibit addressing rising class sizes and result in less student support. This means:
  • A reduction in staff across the district.
  • A reduction of academic and co-curricular programs and transportation services.
  • An increase in athletic and activities fees.
  • Compromised ability to recruit and retain qualified staff.
  • Lack of contingency funds for emergencies.
  • Ongoing budget cuts.
Read more frequently asked questions.
There are lots of ways to learn more and become an informed voter before Election Day:
  • Visit www.isd623.org/levy2021.
  • Attend a virtual information session from the comfort of your own home: On October 6 at 6:30 p.m. You may participate via Zoom (link to join is posted here), where you can ask questions of the presenters, or watch via our district's YouTube channel. 
  • Email Levy2021@isd623.org
  • Call 651-635-1651 
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623 Today
Watch Your Mailboxes!
The Fall 2021 issue of 623 Today will be arriving in mailboxes shortly. Download an electronic copy now to read about back to school activities, health and safety protocols, operating referendum information, learn about the naming of the new Aŋpétu Téča Education Center, and Farm to School in our cafeterias. 
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Did You Know?
Roseville Area Schools has one of the lowest voter-approved operating levies of neighboring and comparable school districts, giving us less funding to support our schools, staff and students.
Learn more about what operating levies are for and why the school board unanimously approved placing requests to renew and increase our operating levy at www.isd623.org/levy2021.
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Grand opening celebration Tuesday, Oct. 5
You can vote early now until November 1.
Vote Early on School Issues
You don’t need to wait until November 2 to vote – you can vote from home by requesting an absentee ballot by mail! This fall, Roseville Area Schools residents will have the opportunity to vote for school board (five candidates for three seats) and whether to increase funding for our schools through a renewal and increase to our operating levy.
To vote by mail, simply download the absentee ballot application and complete and return it as noted on the back. Soon you’ll receive a ballot in the mail, which you complete and return in the envelope provided. Be sure to allow enough time so your ballot is received by Election Day.
You can also vote early in person. Learn about all the voting options, including where to vote if you wait until Election Day.
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School Nutrition Information
Meals will be Free of Charge all Next School Year, but families Should Still Complete the Application for Educational Benefits form
Even though meals are free through June 2022, all families are encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits, often referred to as the free and reduced-price meal form. You can complete the application online at frapp.isd623.org, or you may request a paper copy. Online applications are available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong. You can fill out a new form any time your family’s income changes.
This form not only determines benefits for students and families such as no-cost meals at school, but also provides free bus cards, discounted internet service, discounted/no-cost early childhood classes and scholarships for summer camps ad childcare centers, discounted field trips, standardized test fee waivers, and sports team scholarships and fee waivers.
It also impacts your school’s funding and the district’s budget including state and federal dollars that may be used for administration, social workers, family liaisons, and more! The results of these applications are crucial to funding for things like Title 1, compensatory revenue, and summer and non-school day meals.
Complete an application online today. 
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For more information about Roseville Area Schools visit isd623.org or email communications@isd623.org.
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1251 County Road B2 W
Roseville, MN | 55113 United States
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