Community News
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

A Day in the Life of a Preschooler is an online opportunity for parents with children 3-5 years old.  This course will encourage parents to observe their children in new ways.  Learn more about the class and register by clicking here.
____________________

Enter Patch's "Deck the House" Contest For a Chance to Win $100,000 for Our Schools

Did you decorate your house for the holidays this year? Enter our "Deck the House" contest and you could win $100,000 for our school district, and/or $500 to pay your electric bills!  Click here for contest information.  

Upcoming Events
American Indian Education Program Culture Night

The American Indian Education Program will be hosting culture night on Tues., Dec. 18 from 6-8 p.m. at Sandburg Learning Center.  Culture Night is open to all community members, with the goal of providing a rich experience of American Indian cultural education.  Activities range from drum and dance to storytelling and beading.  
News Clips
Sun Post
School Board News
Robbinsdale Area School Board Meetings
The School Board of Robbinsdale Area Schools met on Monday, Dec. 17 for a work session and regular meeting.  
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to get important votes and other news live during the regular and business meetings. For more School Board news, click on Minutes, Podcast and Webcast below.
School Board Resources:
District News
Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families and community of Newtown, Connecticut.

United Way has set up the Sandy Hook School Support Fund through its Western Connecticut chapter. The fund will provide support services to the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy. Donations can be mailed to: Sandy Hook School Support Fund c/o Newtown Savings Bank 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470 or submitted online here.
______________________________________________________________

Cooper Teacher Imparts Wisdom for the Ages

Erin Herberg was a sophomore at Rocori High School during the deadly Cold Spring, MN shooting in 2003.  She tells her story in the hopes that prevention can be the focus for the future.  Click here to read Erin's story.
______________________________________________________________

Direct Line During Winter Break

There will be no editions of Direct Line the weeks of December 24 and December 31, 2012.  We'll return the week of January 7, 2013.  Winter break is from December 24 through January 4.  Classes will resume on January 7. Have a safe, happy and restful break and a very happy New Year!
______________________________________________________________

Armstrong Singers Spread Holiday Cheer

On December 12, Armstrong Chamber Singers sang at the Governor's Mansion - for the second time this season.  They also sang at the Holidazzle Parade on Dec. 2, which is fitting - because they are dazzling!


______________________________________________________________

Winter Weather Closing Information 

The winter season is here and snow is on the ground!  Decisions on school cancellations, late starts and early dismissals are always given careful consideration. When it is necessary to cancel school or start late, the decision is usually made by 5:30 a.m.  You can find information about school cancellations, late starts and early dismissals by going to www.Rdale.org, on our district Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/RobbinsdaleAreaSchools, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ISD281 , and also on the four major network television stations:  WCCO-TV (channel 4), KSTP-TV (channel 5),  

KMSP-TV (channel 9), and KARE-TV (channel 11).   

  School News
Forest Elementary Knows the Right "Direction" 
Forest Elementary staff have created a fantastic lip dub video featuring books, with music by One Direction.  It's on their You Tube channel and on the district's You Tube channel.  Take a moment to check it out! 

_______________________________________________________________

SEA Student-Directed Projects
Students at the School of Engineering and Arts (SEA) know that no idea goes unnoticed.  "Student-Directed Projects" (SDPs) are encouraged by all staff as a way to build critical thinking and problem solving skills, and to  recognized student initiative.  Recently, three fifth grade students -
 Samantha Hanlon, Emmy Libbesmeier and Alison Mlekoday - implemented an SDP called "Change to Change Lives", where they collected nearly $400 in change for the victims of Superstorm Sandy.  The students created the idea, the publicity, and were in charge of collecting and counting the money.  The money is being sent to the Salvation Army in New York.  Great job, girls!
______________________________________________
Armstrong High School Speech Team Begins Fundraising
 
The speech team at AHS has gone from seven members in 2009 to nearly 40 members this year.  Help their team continue their positive experience and success by donating to their online fundraiser.  From now until Jan. 16, for every $5 you donate to their program, you'll be entered in a raffle for a two-night North Shore getaway, or a $50 coffee bar gift card.  Click here to get to their fundraiser website.

______________________________________________________________

Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song a Touching Success

The fourth annual Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song at Forest Elementary was held on Thursday, Dec. 13 and was a way to creatively engage and inspire student learning.  The elders for this event were from Mexico, Jamaica, Lilberia and Scotland/Minnesota, and were parents or grandparents of fourth graders.  The Elders visited classrooms and shared their life stories with students, and the wisdom and advice they gave were transformed into songs performed by the fourth grade students for the honored elders and guests in a touching and inspirational performance. 
We're Proud
Leggo My Lego Team Tops Regionals
The First Lego team of Robbinsdale Area Schools, Leggo My Lego, took top honors at the regional First Lego League tournament on Dec. 2, placing first out of 32 teams and also winning a handful of other awards, including first place in head-to-head robot run, first in robot programming, first in robot design (they know their robots!), second in research and second in core values.  The team is made up of Plymouth Middle School students Drew Carlson, Parker ERickson, and Elise Gallup; Robbinsdale Middle School student Cole Ashley-Grochowski, Armstrong High School freshman Ben Gallup, and Providence Academy student Evan Condon.  The team is coached by Paul Gallup and Paul. Carlson.  It's off to state in February!  Congratulations and good luck!
_______________________________________________________________

KidPack Initiative Wins Innovation Award

Robbinsdale Area Schools, in partnerships with many faith and community partners in volved in the Weekend KidPack Program, is one of 18 to be recognized at the Local Government Innovation Awards Ceremony on Jan. 16 at the Humphrey Institute of the University of Minnesota.  KidPack was awarded the 2012 Innovation Award recognizing a local unit of government for innovation and creativity, out of a pool of 111 entries.  Click here to read more about this great recognition!