Get Involved
Thank you for your interest in sharing your time and talents with our students and community! We have many ways to get involved. Some committees and volunteer opportunities are simply looking for passionate people willing to be involved, while others have bylaws and require more experience/expertise and approval by current members. If you have a particular interest or would like to join a committee, please contact the committee chair or contact person.
- Adventure Club Parent Advisory Committee
- American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC)
- Community Connect Committee
- Community Education Advisory Council
- Financial Advisory Council (FAC)
- Gifted & Talented Advisory Committee
- Interschool Council (ISC)
- Legislative Action Coalition (LAC)
- Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
- Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
- Volunteers In Partnership (VIP)
Adventure Club Parent Advisory Committee
Purpose of the Adventure Club Parent Advisory Council (PAC):
- Advise, recommend, and function--in cooperation with the administration of Adventure Club, the Executive Director of Community Education, and the Community Education Advisory Council--on issues relating to Adventure Club.
- Considers issues relating to program quality, communication, collaboration, use of community resources and program costs.
- Meets quarterly, and each Adventure Club program site is encouraged to have one representative on the PAC. The representative serves for one year, is responsible for attending PAC meetings and being a voice for all parents/guardians at their site.
Contact
Melissa Laatsch
Program Director for Adventure Club
763-504-5321
melissa_laatsch@rdale.org
American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC)
Parents/guardians of American Indian students are invited to join the Robbinsdale Area Schools American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC).
The AIPAC works to ensure American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable opportunities when it comes to their education and success within Robbinsdale Area Schools.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates
Meetings will be virtual for the 2021-2022 school year. Meeting links will be posted on the District website: rdale.org/calendar
Meetings will be held virtually from 4 to 5 p.m.:
- Dec. 17, 2021
- Jan. 12, 2022
- Feb. 9, 2022
- March 16, 2022
- April 13, 2022
Contact
For more information or questions about AIPAC meetings, please email the Robbinsdale American Indian Education team at:
Athena_Cloud@rdale.org
Community Connect Committee
Community Connect is a standing committee of the Robbinsdale Area School District and School Board. The committee usually meets about six times per school year. Regular meeting time is 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The charge of the Community Connect Committee is to recommend to the School Board and district administration involvement in interactions and events that support the Unified District Vision (UDV).
Community Connect researches and initiates community conversations that build relationships with targeted audiences to:
- Assure student success
- Connect with families, parents, and guardians of our students
- Foster awareness of the benefits of Pre-12 education
- Engage community members such as district residents and businesses
- Promote ongoing positive community connections
- Foster mutual support between the district and the community it serves
- Share key messages of the district
Membership is comprised of school board members, the Marketing & Communications Director, Achievement & Integration Program Director, Community Education Director and up to five community members.
A school board member will be designated as chair, who will prepare an agenda for each meeting based on input from committee members. The chair will be responsible for distributing the agenda and meeting summaries including action items. Meeting materials will be maintained by the School Board Administrative Assistant.
Unified District Vision goals to which the charge of the Community Connect Committee is aligned:
- Goal 1: Implement Policies and Practices that Open Pathways to Academic Excellence for All Students
- Goal 3: Engage Family and Community Members as Partners
Contact
David Boone
School Board Chair
David_Boone@rdale.org
2021-2022 Meeting Dates
- August 10, 2021
- October 12, 2021
- December 14, 2021
- February 8, 2022
- April 12, 2022
- June 14, 2022
Community Education Advisory Council
The Community Education Advisory Council is mandated by Minnesota law and serves to advise the Administration and the Board of Education about issues relating to Community Education and community services.
- The Council serves as liaison between the community and the school district in evaluating Community Education needs and providing input to promote and foster new programs.
- Members advise, guide, advocate and serve as ambassadors for the development and delivery of Community Education programs and act as key communicators to connect the community to Robbinsdale Area Schools.
- The Advisory Council helps shape the future direction of Community Education and provides leadership opportunities for members to connect on a regional and national level.
Contact
Anthony Williams
Executive Director of Community Education
763-504-8013
anthony_williams@rdale.org
2021-2022
Meeting Dates
- October 26, 2021
- December 7, 2021
- February 1, 2022
- April 5, 2022
- June to coincide with the Adult Academic Program Graduation
Financial Advisory Council (FAC)
The Robbinsdale Area Schools Financial Advisory Council (FAC) provides financial advice and support to the School Board and district administration, including evaluation of the district's economic conditions, development of future budget assumptions and review of the overall fiscal condition of the district.
Membership
Current School Board appointed FAC community members serving three year terms include:
Walter Gray, Earl Hoffman, Lennie Kaufman, Greg Kugler, O. Barry Rogers, Howard Schwartz and Terry Swanson.
Superintendent David Engstrom, School Board Treasurer John Vento, and Executive Director of Finance Ukee Dozier also attend.
Meetings
Meetings are typically held at the Education Service Center (ESC), located at 4148 Winnetka Ave. N., in New Hope, in the School Board chambers. All FAC meetings are open to the public.
2021-22 Meeting Dates
2021
Sept. 8 (Board work session)
Sept. 14
Nov. 9
2022
Jan. 11
Feb. 17 (this meeting will be held virtually)
March 29 (this meeting will be held virtually)
May 17 (this meeting will be held virtually)
June 7 (Board work session)
Meeting Information
Agendas
2021-22 Agendas and Materials
- Sept. 8, 2021 (School Board work session)
- Sept. 14, 2021
- Nov. 9, 2021
- Jan. 11, 2022
- Feb. 17, 2022
- March 29, 2022
- May 17, 2022
- June 7, 2022 (School Board work session)
2020-2021 Agendas and Materials
- July 14, 2020
- Nov. 10, 2020
- Jan. 12, 2021
- March 23, 2021
- May 11, 2021
- May 27, 2021
- Agenda and materials (to be posted)
Minutes
2021-22 Meeting Minutes
- Sept. 8, 2021 (School Board work session)
- Sept. 14, 2021
- Nov. 9, 2021
- Jan. 11, 2022
- Feb. 17, 2022
- March 29, 2022
- May 17, 2022
- June 7, 2022 (School Board work session)
2020-21 Meeting Minutes
Financing Education in Minnesota 2020-21
Publication of the Minnesota House of Representatives Fiscal Analysis Department June 2021.
Gifted & Talented Advisory Committee
The mission of Gifted & Talented education is aligned to our Unified District Vision, which is to inspire and educate all learners to develop their unique potential and positively contribute to their community.
2021-2022 Meeting Dates
Meetings will be virtual for the 2021-2022 school year. Meeting links will be posted on the District calendar: rdale.org/calendar
Contact
Jean Braun
Curriculum & Instruction
Jean_Braun@rdale.org
763-504-8176
Interschool Council (ISC)
Overview
The InterSchool Council (ISC) is a unique forum for collaboration between parent representatives, district staff, and community groups serving our mutual school families in Robbinsdale Area Schools (RAS) since 1967. The collaborative environment fostered by ISC cultivates district-wide community resilience and identity through idea exchange, parent engagement, and staff involvement. Participants in ISC explore questions to understand and share the context and perspective of decisions made and events held within our district. This council directly supports Goal #3 of the Unified District Vision by engaging families and community members as partners.
Purpose
The purpose of the InterSchool Council (ISC) is to provide
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opportunities to ask questions and understand current developments in the district
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opportunities for the district to provide background and foundational information for developments in the district while being open to questions
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opportunities to embrace our district diversity, engage in courageous conversations and challenge our beliefs and behaviors
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opportunities to identify and express the needs and wants of parent/family stakeholders regarding the district’s yearly operation
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opportunities to compare and contrast practices between parent groups and gather new ideas
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opportunities to network and share news between schools
Meetings are attended by our district’s Superintendent, David Engstrom, Cabinet Members, district staff, a school board representative, and others who give presentations on behalf of community organizations. Questions for district staff members or other presenters are encouraged to be emailed 3-5 days in advance so answers can be researched and prepared in time for the meeting.
Role of ISC Representatives
ISC representatives include parents from individual schools, programs, and affinity groups in RAS. These representatives can and are encouraged to act as communication liaisons between the district administration and their schools, groups, and boosters. Representatives attend their respective meetings to share meeting highlights and bring questions, concerns, and accomplishments back to the council.
Getting Involved
Guest speakers are frequently invited, providing information that affects our entire district. Past guests include district staff and representatives of Community Education, PRISM, African Career Education & Resource, Inc. (ACER, Inc), and The Seven Dreams Foundation. To truly embrace the diversity within RAS, ISC aspires to open the opportunities to educate ourselves about the many cultures within our communities.
If you wish to be a guest speaker at an InterSchool Council meeting, want to become an attending representative for your school or booster organization (or just want to listen in on a meeting), please contact the current Chair (Aiysha Mustapha) at rdaleisc@gmail.com. Translators can be available during meetings for some languages, as long as requests are made in advance. Please email Aiysha at least three days before meetings to ensure arrangements are or can be made.
Meetings have been held virtually since April 2020, usually on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
ISC continues to explore more ways to:
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Foster greater alignment with Unified District Parent Engagement Goal by looking at alternative dates, times, and locations to schedule meetings.
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Identify meeting themes and topics.
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Participate in and share the development of cultural and community celebrations.
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Communicate via virtual platforms to include parents who are unable to attend ISC meetings physically.
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Offer Educational Opportunities in the areas of:
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ACEs, Schoology, Naviance,
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Cultural Humility, Courageous Conversation Compass
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Include agenda topics that are current and relevant to attending representatives:
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School Cultural and Climate Specialists,
- Family and Community Engagement within the schools
- District enrollment and financial overview of the budget.
- Departmental budgets and goals.
Attribute Summary:
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Communication between members and up/down, to/from cabinet/parent/schools
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Under Superintendent
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Meets monthly during the school year
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Parent representatives by school/program, no application process
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Not legislated/mandated by any state or federal action
Contact
Aiysha Mustapha, Chair
rdaleisc@gmail.com
2021-2022 Meeting Dates
- September 15, 2021
- October 13, 2021
- November 10, 2021
- December 8, 2021
- January 12, 2022
- February 9, 2022
- March 9, 2022
- April 13, 2022
- May 11, 2022
Legislative Action Coalition (LAC)
The Robbinsdale Area Schools Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) is a non-partisan group of parents/guardians, students and community members that advocate for legislation that supports our students and community. Join us at the Legislative Action Coalition meetings. No experience is necessary, just a desire to make a positive difference.
For more information on how you can get involved with LAC, send an email to LAC@rdale.org or call 763-504-8028.
Contact
LAC@rdale.org
763-504-8028
2021-22 Meeting Dates
- October 19, 2021
- November 18, 2021
- December 16, 2021
- January 20, 2022
- February 17, 2022
- March 17, 2022
- April 21, 2022
- May 19, 2022
- June 16, 2022
Connect with us on social media
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
The Early Childhood Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a great way to give back to district early childhood programs, families and the community in the following ways:
- Work to support the school district’s early childhood programs and services to families.
- Discuss program policy, program services and parents’ perspectives on ways to improve quality and accessibility.
- Sponsor our ECFE Garage Sale, Book Fairs and fundraising initiatives.
- Work to inform other parents, legislators and community members about early education, school district issues and other community concerns that affect children and families.
Main Contact
Early Childhood PAC
rdale.ecfe.pac@gmail.com
Meetings
EC PAC members meet monthly during the school year. Child care is provided at no cost during meetings when meeting on site. Please call the ECFE office at 763-504-4170 or email rdale.ecfe.pac@gmail.com to let us know you'd like to join us at a meeting and see what we're all about!
Get Involved
How to get involved
- Come to a PAC meeting: Parents are welcome any time of the year to see what it's like. We'd love to meet you!
- Connect with us on social media: Stay in the know about PAC meetings, fundraising events, volunteer needs and upcoming events. Please join the conversation and share your own ideas with the group! See the back page for links.
- Volunteer to help at an event: We’re always looking for help to run the big events, especially the Garage Sale. See the contact information on the back to let us know if you’d like to help.
- Participate in school fundraisers: Throughout the year we’ll let you know when there is a seasonal fundraiser going on via your classrooms, social media, and/or the Friday early childhood emails.
*Booster Clubs, Parent-Teacher-Student Organizations (PTO) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) are separate entities from the school district. They are typically formed as non-profit organizations. For the full information on guiding principals go to our Booster-PTO-PTA Accounting and Operations page.
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)
Be informed • Build relationships • Make a difference
We are parents of students with special needs, school professionals, and community members dedicated to:
- Advocating for high quality programs & services
- Advising on special education policies, procedures & practices
- Assisting in identifying areas of improvement
- Encouraging good communication & support
There are many reasons to join SEAC!
- Learn how the special education system works in the school district.
- Learn information & skills that will help you become an effective advocate for your children and others.
- Meet other parents, school professionals & community members with similar goals.
- Sharing your unique perspectives & insights will help the school district work more effectively with families & improve outcomes for children.
If you would like to join SEAC, please complete an application.
Application for Membership (Spanish)
Contact
Sandra Goettl
Sandra_Goettl@rdale.org
763-504-8075
2021-22 Meeting Dates
- September 20, 2021
- October 25, 2021
- January 10, 2022
- March 14, 2022
- May 16, 2022
SEAC Resources
Minnesota Special Education Advisory Council - PACER-sponsored website is partially funded through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. Robbinsdale Area schools does not endorse the services or a product provided by this resource; it is offered as a convenience to families.
Meeting Archives
2020-21 Meetings
Meetings are typically held at the New Hope Learning Center, Flex Lab; 8301 47th Ave N, New Hope MN 55428. If you'd like to attend a meeting, please RSVP to Sandra Goettl at Sandra_Goettl@rdale.org or call 763-504-8075.
Click on the date to read the agenda
2019-20 Meetings
Meetings are typically held at the New Hope Learning Center, Flex Lab; 8301 47th Ave N, New Hope MN 55428. If you'd like to attend a meeting, please RSVP to Sandra Goettl at Sandra_Goettl@rdale.org or call 763-504-8075.
- September 16, 2019: Agenda
- October 28, 2019: Agenda
- December 9, 2019: Agenda
- January 27, 2020: Agenda
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March 9, 2020 - Canceled
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May 11, 2020 - Canceled due to COVID-19
Click on the date to read the agenda
Volunteers In Partnership (VIP)
Since 1975, community volunteers have been essential partners in our district's schools and programs by enhancing the learning experience of preschool through adult learners. Explore the priceless rewards of making a real difference in the lives of others.
*If you are the parent or legal guardian of a current student who attends one of our Robbinsdale Area Schools , contact your student's school or program directly for specific volunteer information and opportunities.
Contact
Community Education Office
763-504-6990
robbinsdaleareacommunityed@rdale.org
Cameron Goude
Program Director for Community Enrichment and Engagement
763-504-4905
cameron_goude@rdale.org
Mindy Potvin
VIP Program Specialist
763-504-6994
mindy_potvin@rdale.org