It’s hard to believe we’re
approaching yet another school year here in Minneapolis. Native
families will spend this month scrambling to hold onto remnants of
summer living while preparing their children for focusing on their
academics.
As the Family Engagement Coordinator
for Minneapolis Indian Education, I would like to extend an
invitation to connect with me about ways to help our children be
successful in school. I’m a Minneapolis parent myself. I
don’t claim to have all the answers, but I have a solid
understanding of how Minneapolis Public Schools work.
On behalf of the Minneapolis Indian
Education Department, I would like to extend the opportunity to
connect with me as the Family & Community Engagement Coordinator
to make your child’s school year successful. Being at school is far
more important for our Native students than their non-Native
counterparts. There is data that shows that in order to be successful
in school and graduate on time, Native families must make it a
priority to be in school on time every day. There are many community
resources to support you make attendance a top priority. The Division
of Indian Work, one of our community partners works with students at
Anishinabe Academy in the Be At School program, as well as the Check
& Connect project mentors who provide practices to support their
consistent attendance. Please feel free to connect with these
resources at Anishinabe Academy.
Another exciting offering this year is
Middle Schools with 10 or more Native students in their school will
have Native student groups that meet weekly to learn more about
Native culture and history, as well as meeting their fellow students
in the school. Families in Middle School, check with your school’s
Family Engagement Liaison to learn more about when these Native
student groups meet.
The Minneapolis Indian Education Parent
Committee will also be hosting our Fall Gathering sometime in
October. We will once again be offering informational sessions along
with educational activities for the students who attend. Lunch &
door prizes will also be available. Last year, we had craft
activities with the students as well as our portable planetarium so
students could experience star stories.
I encourage you to reach out to me as
we gear up for a new academic year in Minneapolis. Like our Facebook
page www.facebook.com/mps.indianed
Please feel free to contact me at the
Indian Education Department at 612-668-0612 or via email at
deanna.standingcloud@mpls.k12.mn.us I look forward to working with
you this year!
Sincerely,
Deanna StandingCloud
