Robbinsdale Area Schools

RMS Weekly Newsletter: January 27-31

RMS Weekly Newsletter: January 27-31

Find past Newsletters here and read the current Newsletter below: 

Week of January 27 - January 31, 2025
RMS Weekly Information
RAS MISSION: The mission of Robbinsdale Area Schools is to inspire and educate all learners to develop their unique potential and positively contribute to their community.

RMS MISSION: The mission of Robbinsdale Middle School is to provide a safe and nurturing academic community that helps all students develop into principled, lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

We will prepare students to take initiative, participate in our global community, and to respect and value multiple perspectives.
Dept Updates Please Read
News You Can Use Semester 2 begins this week! Each student will receive new planners and schedules from their Advisory teachers.
Some schedules may change

Schedules are also available on IC

There will be a grade level expectations meeting soon



Your Robin’s Q2 grades will be available to view after 1/27/25!
View in-progress grades on Schoology anytime you wish

View Quarter 2 grades on Parent Portal

Parents, in order to view grades, please update your email address(es) and check to ensure you can log in to their IC parent portal at https://www.rdale.org/discover/technology Parent Portal Access
Get your new planners and schedules from your Advisory Teachers.
Admin We are noticing an uptick in device usage during school (phones, earbuds, headphones, etc). Robins will be reminded about our school and state statute regarding devices. They will also be asked to put their devices away and/or turn them into the office until the end of the day.

We are reminding students to remain in their classrooms until their bus is announced to stay warm. If they leave the classroom, they need to exit the building and wait outside in the cold. They should choose wisely…

Please wear appropriate clothing for winter weather! Our weather is ever changing. Please encourage your child to wear appropriate winter clothing when traveling to and from school and be prepared for variations in temperatures within our building.
Most have been doing great keeping their devices off and away during school hours. It’s the second semester. Be prepared to turn them into the main office if asked.
AVID AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) recruitment for the 2025-2026 school year will start in February. Students will receive information from in class presentations in ELA courses, Schoology, the newsletter, and advisory. Please check the district AVID webpage for information, resources, and the application: https://www.rdale.org/academics/avid
AVID Recruitment Timeline
February 18th: Applications are open - will be posted online in Schoology

March 7th: Applications are due

March 10th: Interviews will start

April 11th: Notify students of admittance status
Encourage your Robin to apply for AVID!
IB/MYP As we begin quarter 3, ask your student to reflect on the first half of the year. We ask this of them in school as reflection is an important part of the learning process.
In quarter 3 we will be focussing on the IB Learner Profile trait of “Inquirer.” As IB learners, we all need to strive to be inquisitive about the world in which we live. Encourage your learner to think of questions about what they are studying in their courses and about the world around them. We want their own questions to be a driving force in their learning!
Be an Inquirer
Indian Ed &
School Climate and Culture
Dakota and Ojibwe Languages Tables
Join Robbinsdale Area Schools American Indian Education for our monthly Dakota and Ojibwe language tables. Dinner will be provided. All levels of language speakers are welcome!


Please see the attached flyers for more details.


Language Tables Flyer 2425 Updated.pdf
If there are any questions, please contact ai_aie@rdale.org


Native American Culture & Craft Nights
Robbinsdale Area Schools American Indian Education Program hosts monthly Native American Culture and Craft Nights, offering a variety of culturally enriching activities, including:
Drum and Dance Class: Learn to sing, drum, and/or dance.

Sewing Class: Create your regalia, ribbon skirts, or ribbon shirts.

Beading Class: Learn how to bead your own jewelry or items.



For more information, please see the attached flyer.
Culture & Craft Nights Flyer 2425.pdf


If there are any questions, please contact ai_aie@rdale.org
Come learn with us! All are welcome!
Full Service Community School (FSCS) Join the Explorer Outdoor Nature Exploration Program
Registration Extended
Hurry Class is Filling Up

After School on Tuesdays
January 14–March 4, 2025
4:15–5:30 p.m.


Let’s embrace winter with:
Sledding
Snowshoeing
Woodworking
Skulls and furs
Animal tracking
Fire building and s’mores
And more!
Program materials and warm
winter clothing provided.
Depending on weather conditions, this program may take place indoors.
Registration is required. Register HERE


Mastermind Mondays- Tutoring

We are very excited to bring Tutoring Sessions to your scholars on Mondays after school from 4:15 PM- 5:30 PM. All scholars will receive a well-balanced snack to start the afternoon. All Tutoring sessions are FREE. We can't wait to see you there!

Registration is required. Register HERE




Winter Closet





Through our community partnerships, we are pleased to share that we have some winter gear available for those who may need it. Please feel free to reach out if you or someone you know could benefit from these resources.
As a Full Service Community School (FSCS), we focus on building strong partnerships and organizing resources to support students' overall development. Our goal is to provide a wide range of services, from academic support to health and social services, youth development, and community engagement, all to enhance student learning and strengthen families.
We want to emphasize that our schools serve as resource centers open to everyone. This means that all families, staff, students, and community members are welcome to access the support and resources available to help navigate challenges. Whether it's academic assistance, health services, or items like winter gear, we are here to help.
If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are committed to ensuring that all our families have access to the resources they need.
Full-Service Community Schools Team at
Nieshea Smith- Coordinator (763) 504-7566 or
Jasmine Ojo- Family Liasion (763) 504-3846
If you would like to donate new or gently used winter gear, please contact us to make arrangements. Your generosity can help support those who may be in need this winter season.
Students can be in more than one after-school activity! Come join the winter after school fun!

Tutoring is available on Mondays! Register below!
School Improvement Plan (SIP) RMS School Improvment Plan (SIP) from our school website Check out our plans for school improvement
Student Support KIDPACK: A free small bag of groceries is available for interested students each Friday who are signed up. Parents/guardians can sign up at any time during the school year. Please fill out the following short interest form. KIDPACK registration link Thank you!


RMS has two School Social Workers:
Kelli Clancy RMS School Social Worker for 7th and 8th grades
763-504-7553 kelli_clancy@rdale.org


Sandy Carlson-Kortebein RMS School Social Worker for 6th grade
763-504-4821 sandy_kortebein@rdale.org


We can assist with many concerns including mental health support and referrals, attendance, school adjustment, friendship, housing, family crisis and more. If your family is experiencing homelessness please let us know so we can assist and support.


RMS has three School Counselors:
6th grade: Ross Nelson ross_nelson@rdale.org 763-504-7512
7th grade: Tracy Burke tracy_burke@rdale.org 763-504-4876
8th grade: Bri Sauter bri_sauter@rdale.org 763-504-7520
Sign up for FREE KIDPACK MEALS here!

Feel free to reach out to our School Social Workers and School Counselors for assistance and resources.
RDALE District Information
Information from Rdale Important Links
Rdale Strategic Plan

Parent Affinity Groups
Attached you will find the dates and times of the parent affinity groups. We encourage you to share this information with your families. Parent Affinity Groups

Volunteer Request Link - Please consider volunteering at RMS! Complete the VIP Volunteer Request Form. We are receiving new volunteer applications daily. This form is only for NEW requests, previously active volunteers are automatically placed with teachers from last year. Our volunteers are excited to work with our students!


InterSchool Council (ISC)


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 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. For more information please click the link above or email Beccy Gerbur and Aiysha Mustapha at rdaleisc@gmail.com.


E-Learning Info - Parent Communication
Here is our district's e-learning plan, including how students will access assignments and lessons from home.

To ensure a seamless transition to e-learning days, The Technology and Media departments recommend that all students complete at least two activities on Seesaw or Schoology by January 10th (if they haven’t already.) This proactive measure will not only familiarize students with the platforms but also alleviate stress, enhance independence, streamline the transition for teachers, and identify potential technical issues early on. Teachers can submit screenshots (in Schoology or Seesaw) of the activity with student submissions as an exit ticket for completing.

Students should then log into their accounts at home, connect to their home Wi-Fi, and complete a simple activity. Encouraging parental involvement to assist students and address any technical difficulties can further enhance the effectiveness of this dry run.
We want you in our Parent Affinity Groups, sign up!


RMS still needs volunteers!




Join the ISC!
















E-Learning Info!