Good afternoon Roseville Area Schools Families and Staff,
This week our schools are recuperating from the difficult week we had following the death of Principal Brian Koland. I am filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support from our community and the way in which we have joined together to show our students that they are loved and cared for. The routines of teaching and learning, even amidst a pandemic, are providing comfort as we move forward together. I want to acknowledge the tremendous work and expertise provided by our school psychologists, social workers, counselors, nurses and health assistants who were instrumental in working with our educators throughout the week.
Staffing is a challenge currently facing every school district right now, and it comes at a time of great need for our students. If you or someone you know may be interested in working in any of our areas of greatest need, such as nursing/health services, nutrition services, substitute teaching, and maintenance/custodial services, please visit our Jobs website. We are also looking for volunteers who may be available to help our school teams as they do the complex and important work of educating students in an ongoing pandemic. Please reach out to your student’s school if you are interested in volunteer opportunities.
I’d like to remind families that we have COVID-19 home test kits available on request. If your student develops symptoms at school, we can send you home with a BinaxNOW test kit with parent/guardian permission. Your school will need your verbal permission prior to sending home a kit. Kits are also available for families to pick up in the main office if you have a student at home with symptoms. These tests are for when someone actively has symptoms, they are not an effective test for routine screening when someone feels well.
Please remember that November 2 is Election Day in Minnesota when district residents will vote on whether to renew and increase funding for our Roseville Area Schools. We have not asked our community to increase the operating levy since 2006. 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. You can get the facts in just three minutes by watching this video, including information about what will happen if the questions pass or if they fail. We have a wealth of information on our referendum website at www.isd623.org/levy2021. In-person early voting begins at the Ramsey County Library-Roseville on Tuesday, Oct. 26. Find details about hours and other options for voting.
Today is Unity Day, a day in which we show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. You may have seen folks wearing orange to raise awareness of the day, and also of October being National Bullying Prevention Month. PACER offers great resources and information for students and families about bullying prevention.
Finally, a reminder that there is no school on Thursday or Friday for the MEA break. I hope you have an opportunity to spend time with loved ones and enjoy the turning of the season.
Jenny Loeck, Ed.D.
Superintendent
