This year, due to construction, the festival will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center instead of Orchestra Hall. But great music will still abound! Hear the music of Mozart performed by the symphony orchestras and concert choirs of both Armstrong and Cooper on Mon., Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dr. Matthew Mehaffey, Associate Professor of Music at the University of Minnesota, will be the guest conductor.
Tickets can be purchase at both Armstrong (763-504-8807) and Cooper (763-504-8507) high schools and at the Education Service Center (763-504-8000). Adults $10, students $5. A shuttle bus will be available from Cooper for $3/person. Reserve your seat!

Enjoy an evening of great music Friday, Nov. 9, from 7 - 9 p.m. in the Cooper High School Auditorium featuring Cooper's Marching Hawks along with live performances by The Shady Oak Groove Society, WCCO Blues Band, and legendary Liverpool rocker Joey Molland (formerly of Badfinger). Don Shelby, will host the evening's event. Advance tickets are $15 each, $20 at the door. Seating is general admission. Click here to order tickets for this must see event or call 763-504-8543.Summer classes are held at Armstrong High School in the left Balcony of the auditorium.
These classes are open to anyone in the area!
June 11-22, Class times: 9-12 noon or 12-3 p.m.
July 9-20, Class times: 9-12 noon or 12-3 p.m.
Aug. 6-17, Class times: 9-12 noon or 12-3 p.m.
Summer classes held at the Winnetka Learning Center are open to anyone in the area!
June 11-26, Class time: 5-8 p.m.
Details: Dates of program are June 18-21 and June 25-29. Meet between 8:30-9 a.m. at Winnetka Learning Center in New Hope. Parent pick up is between 2-2:30 p.m. Transportation to service sites included in fee ($75/week - scholarships available). Bring a lunch. Make a difference in your community (service hours available).
- Participate in teambuilding challenges
- Discover your personal leadership style
- Learn to set goals and achieve them
- Make a difference in your community (service hours available)
School (RMS) student performers on March 16 to present a special concert performance titled "The Evolution of African-American Music."
The performance, which features music from 17th century Africa through modern times, will be the culmination of a week-long residency by Henry at RMS. Students will learn about the influence of African-American music on American culture and confront real issues of racism and prejudice through direct discussion and exploration.
"The Evolution of African-American Music" will take place on Friday March 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the RMS auditorium. Call 763-504-4800 for more information.
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The vote followed opening statements by Superintendent Aldo Sicoli and a presentation on the nearly year-long analysis by Jeff Priess, Executive Director of Business Services. Had the board not voted to approve the recommendation, the district would have “seen deeper future cuts which would also result in the loss of jobs,” explained Superintendent Sicoli.
The analysis compared the current system of transporting students, including routes to schools outside of the neighborhood attendance areas, with the same routes provided by contracted services. The analysis used very conservative estimates and showed average increases of other districts using First Student Services, the company that provided the most favorable proposal to the district. The district will continue to own the bus fleet for the first four years of the contract.
All Board members contributed statements explaining their vote. The final vote was 5-2 in favor of contracting transportation services.
Click here to read Robbinsdale Area Schools Contracting Transportation Operations Frequently Asked Questions.
Infinite Campus is the communications tool that district families use for information about grades, attendance, assessments, schedules and more. Families need to have an active Campus Portal account to access the data, and need a connection (WiFi or 3G) for the initial data download. Once the data is downloaded, however, the app can be used without a network connection.
Notifications can be sent to devices as changes occur, such as updates to homework or grades. It’s convenient, it’s private, and best of all, it’s free.
Parents can access directions on how to download the app by clicking on “Parent Portal” at the top of the page.
A public email account has been created to solicit feedback on the proposal to have the CHS auditorium named after Mr. Jones-Hermerding. You can weigh in on the proposal by emailing Key_Communicators@rdale.org and give your opinion on this naming, or you can suggest a name to be considered as well. The district will be taking feedback on this until March 17th, and any action on the naming of Cooper High School would take place later in the spring.
Three Robbinsdale Armstrong High School students are headed to the state meet in their respective sports after strong finishes at their sections over the weekend. Max Mason finished third at sections in diving and qualified for the State meet on March 1st - 3rd at the University of Minnesota.
Wrestlers Justin Wheaton (220 pound) and Matt Koch (152 pound) won their sections and will compete at the state Wrestling meet, March 1st - 3rd at the Xcel Center. Good luck!
AHS Senior Named 2012 Triple A Winner

Anna Hjerpe, a senior at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School,has been honored by the Minnesota State High School League withthe Region 6AA Triple A (AAA) Award. This is an award given to students for their outstanding accomplishments in academics, the arts, and athletics.
Anna will be honored as the Region 6AA Triple A Award winner during ceremonies at the Boys' State Basketball Tournament on March 24.
Armstrong Quiz Bowl Team Headed to Nationals

Congratulations to the Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Quiz Bowl team. Because of their strong fifth place finishes in both the University of Minnesota Quiz Bowl Invitational Tournament in December, and the Minnesota High School Quiz Bowl League Finals on February 16th, they are headed to the National Academic Quiz Tournament in Atlanta, Georgia, later this spring. Pictured from L-R: Dave Wixon, Duncan Mincks, Alina Dain and Patrick Palony
The fifth place finish in the League finals was out of 108 teams participating from 36 schools.
The 27th annual Robbinsdale Area Schools Spring Orchestra Festival will be held at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 3 in the Robbinsdale Cooper High School Gymnasium.The event features more than 500 orchestra students from throughout the school district, including 4th, 5th and 6th grade orchestra students and the Robbinsdale Armstrong and Robbinsdale Cooper High School Chamber Orchestras.
Guest conductor, Dr. Ruth Lin from Gustavus Adolphus College, will work with students as a big group on Saturday before the show. Students have been rehearsing works by Handel, Greig, Offenbach and U2 during January and February at their individual schools to prepare for this event.
This event showcases our talented young orchestra students who are able to begin orchestra district-wide in fourth grade. There is no charge for the performance.
Sat., Feb. 11 - Glazing
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Robbinsdale Middle School, 3730 Toledo Ave. N., Robbinsdale
Adults and children age 5+ are invited to work together with local artists to make clay bowls and donate them to “Empty Bowls,” an effort to fight hunger in our community. Stop in for a short time or spend the morning perfecting your bowl. Meet new friends, learn an artistic skill, and serve your community all at once! Join us for one or both Saturdays. This bowl making event is sponsored by a grant from Generations United. For more visit www.emptybowlsrobbinsdale.org or call 763-504-6990. No registration needed.
Read on for more upcoming bowl making opportunities.
Empty Bowls - Pottery Class
Become part of our community effort to create bowls for the Empty Bowls fundraiser on March 15, 2012. Join district art teacher, Joan West-Talbot to build two ceramic bowls by hand. One bowl will be donated to Empty Bowls and the second you will keep. Get creative making your bowls at the first class and experience glazing at the second class. No experience necessary. All class proceeds except for actual expenses will be donated. Your bowl can be picked up at the Winnetka Learning Center after they have been fired.
Robbinsdale Middle School, 3730 Toledo Ave. N, Robbinsdale
Monday, February 6 and Monday, February 13, 6:30-7:45 p.m., $25
Empty Bowls - Felted Vessels
Talk about two birds with one stone: Learn the art of 3-D wet felting, create a vessel of bright or natural colors and sculpt it to any shape you can imagine. Make a vessel to donate to the Empty Bowls fundraiser to fight hunger and take home materials to make one of your own. Material fee of $20 payable to instructor. Bring 3 hand towels and a plastic bag.
Winnetka Learning Center, 7940 55th Ave. N., New Hope,
Tuesday, March 6, 6-9 p.m., $29
To register for the above two classes visit: http://www.robbinsdaleareacommunityed.com/insight/registry/classlist.asp?catID=1039
Cooper junior Collin Brown finished fifth at the Section 4AA Tournament held on January 6th and 7th at Blaine High School. This marks the third consecutive year that Collin has qualified for the tournament. The Cooper team extended its streak to eight straight years of qualifying students to the tournament, and marks the fourth longest active streak of consecutive years that any school has qualified students. In those eight years, Cooper has qualified twelve students, won the state tournament in 2007, was a runner-up in 2008, and finished in the top four three other times. “The success over these past eight years has been remarkable and would have not been possible without the extremely dedicated students and assistant coaches I work with every day,” said Head Debate Coach DJ Brynteson.
Robbinsdale Armstrong sophomore Andrew Urevig showed his skill quite well through two days of debate and finished in third place to earn his spot at the tournament. His qualification marks the first time in Armstrong High School history that a student has qualified for the MSHSL State Debate Tournament, but the program there is still young. “This is an unbelievable accomplishment for Armstrong Debate,” explained Brynteson, who coaches teams at both schools. “The program is still young and is still building, so to be able to accomplish so soon is fantastic for the school and for the program, and bodes well for the future. It really is a team accomplishment.” The Armstrong team is also coached by Chyenne Thibodo and Robert Cegla.
The tournament will be held on the campus of the University of Minnesota on January 13 and 14. This will be the 110th anniversary of the tournament, which started in 1902. For more information about the state debate tournament, contact DJ Brynteson at 763-458-4702, or www.armstrongdebate.com.
Grade 8 families and students are invited to Registration Night at Armstrong High School and at Cooper High School on Thursday, January 12, 2012, 7 p.m. ![]()
Guidance counselors will be on hand to answer your questions. Learn about course offerings for AVID, International Baccalaureate and Pre-Advanced Placement; understand the registration process.
The recommendation to the Board was made upon extensive work of the Magnets/Partnerships Sub-committee, which was convened from May 2010 through July 2011. The work of this sub-committee was discussed at School Board Work Sessions on December 13, 2010; January 10, 2011; February 14, 2011; and August 8, 2011.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is a very rigorous academic framework grounded in research and best practices in critical thinking and inquiry, two skills that are essential for success in the 21st century. The district added the Arts (A) in STEAM to reflect its deep commitment to and recognition of the arts as a critical component of education. Next steps will include the development of the STEAM model, and measures to promote a student body that is representative of the district’s enrollment. The magnet school will have slots available for students outside of the district as well.
The district has identified February 13, 2012 as the date for a parent information night regarding the STEAM magnet. More information, including application forms, will be made available once they are finalized. For more information, go to www.rdale.org or you can contact Tia Clasen, Marketing and Communications Director, at 763-504-8029.
Regular meetings will still be held on the first and third Mondays of the month. However, the first Monday meeting will be shorter and a work session will follow. On the third Monday of the month, the Board will host its public listening time, a change from the current schedule that has the first Monday of the month as a public listening time.
To view the changes for the rest of the 2011-2012 school year, go to www.rdale.org and click on “District” and then “School Board”.
Nominations will be accepted from November 15th through December 14th, 2011, and anyone can nominate a teacher – students, parents, administrators, colleagues, and community members. Self-nominations are also accepted. The nomination form can be found at www.rftonline.org, and by clicking here. Paper copies of the nomination form can be found in the main office of all elementary, middle and high schools and programs, including Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), and Creative Play Preschool. Paper copies of nominations can be submitted to Val Potter at the RFT office, which is at 2960 Winnetka Avenue North, Suite 100, Crystal, MN 55427.
All teachers who teach pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, hold a Minnesota teaching license, have completed at least three full years of teaching by the nomination deadline and intend to teach in the 2012-2013 school year are eligible for this prestigious award. This person will represent Robbinsdale Area Schools at the state Teacher of the Year program. The winner of the state program is advanced to the national level, where the winner of the National Teacher of the Year is recognized by the White House and represents phenomenal teachers across the country.
Students and their families will now be able to access schedules, grades, assignments and attendance using the Infinite Campus Mobile Portal. It’s a free, universal app that gives students and parents the same access to their data using an iOS device, such as iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Families need to have an active Campus Portal account to access the data, and you will need a connection (wifi or 3G) for the initial use of the application, including user authentication and initial data download. Once you’ve downloaded the data, however, you can use the app without a network connection.
“I hear from families all the time that they want their students’ information at their fingertips,” explained Tia Clasen, the district’s Marketing and Communications Program Director. “Speaking as a parent myself, this is a wonderful and convenient way to keep connected with schools.” Notifications can be sent to devices as changes occur, such as updates to homework or grades. It’s easy for families with more than one student in the district; simply select the name of the child whose information they wish to see. It’s convenient, and it’s private.
The access code can be obtained via the Infinite Campus Portal. Right now the app is for iOS systems only; Infinite Campus is looking into a possible app for android operating systems. Go to www.rdale.org and click on the Parent Portal icon on the homepage for more information or by clicking here.In addition to the two performances, more than 400 band students from grades 7-9 in the Robbinsdale Area Schools, along with the All-District Band students, will work with the Dallas Brass during the two-day residency. The original plans called for a one-day residency, but were changed to a two-day event so that the experience could be offered to more students. “Going to the two day event allowed us to involve 200 more band students, and the opportunity for the Dallas Brass to perform for all fourth grade students district-wide,” explained Madeline Elmhirst, band instructor at Robbinsdale Middle School. “Also, more community members will get the chance to see this great ensemble.”
The Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical assemblies. The Dallas Brass concert, American Musical Journey, incorporates a full complement of brass and percussion for an engaging musical travelogue through American history. Music will be selected from the masters – Copland, Bernstein, Gershwin, Berlin, John Williams, Sousa; various American styles will be represented as well: Dixieland, swing, folk, patriotic, and pop.
According to the founder of the Dallas Brass, Michael Levine, “a Dallas Brass concert is intended for the entire family. Our goal is to entertain and enrich by playing great music.” This prestigious band has played with premiere orchestras and at places such as Carnegie Hall, the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the band has also traveled overseas. It has performed for presidents and shared the stage with the likes of Bob Hope and members of CBS’ “The Early Show”, and has released six recordings. The members of the Dallas Brass has strong dedication to working with young musicians, publishing two books of original small ensemble music for middle school and high school students. Inviting students to join them in concert for a selection has become a Dallas Brass trademark.
Tickets are $15.00 each. For more information about the Dallas Brass, visit www.dallasbrass.com.
Robbinsdale Area Schools' 38th Annual Fall Music Festival takes place on Monday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Tickets are available at both Armstrong and Cooper box offices during the school day ($10 general admission, $5 students) and at Orchestra Hall the evening of the performance.
Family Preview Nights are:
Thursday, November 3, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
10635 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN
763-504-8800, www.ahs.Rdale.org
Thursday, November 10, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Robbinsdale Cooper High School
8230 47th Ave. N, New Hope, MN
763-504-8500, www.chs.Rdale.org
Family Preview Nights offer the opportunity to learn about rigorous course options – Advanced Placement at Armstrong and International Baccalaureate at Cooper – meet teachers, learn about AVID and other 9th grade support systems, athletics and activities, and have questions answered.
Both Armstrong and Cooper have historically been ranked as some of the top high schools in the nation because of their comprehensive and well-established International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs.
Armstrong High School also had one student who was designated as a National Merit Outstanding Participant. Haylee Kochar-Mack scored in the top three percent of all Black Americans who submitted their PSAT scores for consideration.
“These seven students, along with our National Merit semi-finalists, are representative of the hard work and dedication we see every day at Armstrong,” commented David Dahl, principal. “We know that they will succeed in college and beyond. We are very proud of them.”
Seniors Ryan Shellberg and David Wixon from Armstrong High School were recently named National Merit semi-finalists. Less than one percent of high school seniors earn this prestigious honor.
That equipment includes additional updated cameras with higher visual resolution to help thwart trespassers on school property and also unauthorized entry to school buildings. The equipment will be installed beginning in October.
“Safety is the first and foremost concern for all students and staff,” stated Brian Koch, Robbinsdale Area Schools’ Program Director for Safety and Security. “We are pleased to partner with Plymouth Police Department in these grant activities which will further advance the District’s existing safety and security plan.”
Plymouth law enforcement is an active partner with both schools in crime prevention efforts that enhance community education and build strong trust throughout the city of Plymouth. This safety and security equipment will assist in that partnership between schools and patrols to continue to keep Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and Plymouth Middle School safe and focused on learning.
For more information, please contact Brian Koch at 763-504-8139.
Preparing students for college and career is something Robbinsdale Armstrong High School takes seriously. Over the last seven years, approximately 30 former Armstrong accounting students have gone on to major in either accounting or finance at colleges and universities across the country. Recent graduates are finding a friendly job market for their skills. Deloitte & Touche, one of the top four accounting firms in the world, has a former Armstrong alumni on staff, two alumni who have accepted jobs prior to their senior year in college, and another who has accepted an internship. Other Armstrong alumni have gone on to work for Cargill, Medtronic, TCF Bank, and Piper Jaffray.
Tim Moreau, Armstrong High School Accounting teacher and certified public accountant (CPA), knows how important his subject matter is. Ten years ago, he came to teaching from the corporate finance and accounting field, having spent ten years in that field as well. “I think accounting class is essential for any student interested in business, particularly those pursuing a business degree,” stated Moreau. “But there’s an often-overlooked benefit for students as well: they learn the importance of working within a structure and paying attention to detail. I’m very proud to see so many students following the accounting and finance path and experiencing success in what they are doing.”
According to Payscale’s 2010-11 College Salary Report, the average starting salary for college graduates with an accounting degree is $44,600. Accounting jobs always land at or near the top on lists of best careers; the same occurred this year, with Yahoo! Jobs naming accounting as one of the best business jobs of 2011.
In an economically challenging time when schools are making hard decisions about what courses they can offer, Armstrong is on the right track.
School began on Tuesday, September 6th. If you are new to the district and/or your student is new to the district, we encourage you to call your attendance area school to register your student at least three weeks prior to the start of the school year. You will be required to show proof of residency, most recent grades/transcripts, updated immunizations and, in case of kindergarten, early childhood screening results. Click on the following link for more information about registering for school. Welcome to Robbinsdale! We are so glad you’re part of our family!
Armstrong has a long-standing tradition of welcoming exchange students into the school, helping them become an integral part of the school and the community. “Armstrong High School has shown an outstanding commitment to offering a global education. By welcoming exchange students into the classroom, Armstrong has created new and unique learning opportunities not just for the exchange students, but for the American students and faculty as well,” stated Dan Sodervall, President of EF Foundation.
Local International Exchange Coordinator Terri Nacey presented this award to Jamie Dukowitz, who heads the exchange program at Armstrong. “Our EF students have asked me personally to thank Jamie Dukowitz, for his dedication, guidance and concern shown throughout the year for all the exchange students. His caring attitude shown, helped make each and every student feel more comfortable in their new environment. Jamie is a true ambassador.”
Since 1979, EF Foundation for Foreign Study has matched over 100,000 students from around the world with host families from the United States.
Jay Matthews, a columnist for the Washington Post, developed the criteria which Newsweek used since 1998 to prepare its “America’s Best High Schools” list. After the sale of Newsweek by the Post last year, Matthews, who used the same criteria to develop the High School Challenge list for the Washington, D.C. area schools, moved the list to washingtonpost.com. The list attracted 21 million page views in the first week of its appearance last year, and was anticipated to do the same this year. The criteria take into account numbers of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
The list also posts an “Excellence and Equity Rate”, which is the percentage of all graduating seniors, including those who never took an AP course, who had at least one score of 3 or above on at least one AP exam sometime in high school. This was a metric invented by the College Board, who oversees the AP program. The Challenge Index is designed to identify schools that have done the best job in encouraging all students, not just the top students, to take college-level courses and tests. “Students of all readiness levels can and will benefit from challenging curriculum and assessments that better prepare them for post-secondary success,” stated Superintendent Aldo Sicoli, “and our district is taking that belief seriously. The payoff for students is tremendous.”
This past year, Robbinsdale Area Schools was named to 2011 National AP Achievement List, one of less than 400 districts nationwide to be named to that prestigious list, for both increasing the number of students taking AP exams and increasing the number of passing scores on those exams.
Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:
1. Forest Elementary—8:30am Breakfast/11:30am Lunch, (Monday-Friday), July 13- August 19, 2011
2. Neill Elementary—8:30am Breakfast/11:30am Lunch, (Monday-Friday), July 13- August 19, 2011
3. Meadow Lake Elementary—8:00am-9:00am Breakfast/11:30-12:30pm Lunch, (Monday-Friday), July 13- August 19, 2011
4. Eden Park--1:00pm Lunch/4:00pm Snack, (Monday-Wednesday), June 20-August 17, 2011
5. Noble Elementary—9:30-10:30am Snack, (Monday-Friday), June 18- August 12, 2011
Childhood hunger is a growing concern even in the Twin Cities suburbs. Over 40% of the people served at food shelves are children. One in five Robbinsdale Area Schools (RAS) households simply don’t get enough to eat. They often go whole days without food, skip meals, or eat smaller meals at some point during the year. Hunger contributes to poor academic performance and disruptive classroom behavior. Missed meals also increase tardiness and visits to the school nurse. How does Empty Bowls help? Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger through events centered on a simple meal of soup and bread. Initial participants, in this case RAS students and community members, create and donate ceramic bowls to be used for the meal. Participants attending the event make a cash donation for the bowl and meal and are reminded of “empty bowls” in their community and around the world.
All proceeds will go to NEAR and PRISM food shelves. NEAR and PRISM help families obtain the groceries they can’t afford to purchase on their own and work to feed low-income children in the summer when they don’t have access to meals at school. During 2010, NEAR and PRISM food shelves together distributed 655,000 pounds of food to area families.
For more information on ways to participate, please contact Empty Bowls volunteer Sharon Plemling at
763-544-8182. For more information about SDEF, visit our web site at www.sevendreamsfoundation.org.
Lauren Griffin, a junior at Luther College and 2008 graduate of Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, was one of ten students in the Lutheran College Consortium selected to be Nobel Peace Prize Scholars for Summer 2011.
She and her fellow nominees will participate in a summer study institute at the International Summer School of the University of Oslo in Norway. The Peace Scholars Program intersects with the work of several Norwegian peace organizations and is designed to deepen students' understanding of peace, justice, democracy and human rights.
Lauren was also a participant in the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize Forum on March 4, a unique annual event sponsored by the Norwegian Nobel Institute that brings diplomats, scholars, and the general public together to share in dialogue on the dynamics of peacemaking and the underlying causes of conflict and war.
The international kick-off to this competition was on January 8th. That’s when Chad Perkins, the Phoenix’s advisor, and his team of 15 students learned what they needed to design. They got six weeks to design and build a robot, and one day to test it at the arena and make modifications before entering it into the competition. “This is the fourth year we’ve had a team,” explained Perkins. “We’re building this team slowly and deliberately in order to be successful.”
In addition to Perkins, a mentor engineer is involved as well. Mike Kniffer worked with the team, adding ideas and feedback to what the students were designing and ultimately building. “His involvement is invaluable,” said Perkins. “It’s great to have a mentor in the engineering world to work with our kids.” The team is made up of students in grades 9-12, but most are underclassmen, and two are women, “which is wonderful,” added Perkins.
The team has two sponsors this year, General Mills and SICK, a company that designs sensors. The sponsors help financially with entrance fees and money for materials that go into building the robots. The competition uses an exciting “sport-type atmosphere” to embrace science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The competition is intense, exciting and fun - and kids learn. 89% of the First Robotics Competition alumni reported an increased understanding of the role of science and technology in everyday life. 70% reported an increased motivation to do well in school. 88% of competitors went on to college. Participants also learn skills that will lead to great career opportunities in a variety of exciting fields. The team finished 19th this year, and that’s with a robot malfunction before the first match, which they were then unable to play. They won five matches and lost three. “The team did a great job,” reported Perkins. “We look forward to next year.”
For more information on FIRST, go to www.usfirst.org.
The AP Achievement List is made up of all school districts that are simultaneously expanding opportunity and improving performance. “This is exactly what we are doing,” stated Superintendent Aldo Sicoli. “We are providing opportunity for students to both excel now and prepare for the future. We are very proud of this accomplishment, and look forward to an even greater increase in the future.”
Many U.S. school districts have focused on expanding access to AP courses as part of a strategy for fostering college readiness. Helping more students learn at a higher level and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all members of the AP community, from AP teachers to district and school administrators to college professors. “Participation in college-level AP courses can level the playing field for underserved students, give them the confidence needed to succeed in college, and raise standards and performance in key subjects like science and math,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “The AP Achievement List districts are defying expectations by expanding access while enabling their students to maintain or improve their AP Exam scores.”
Inclusion on the list is based on certain criteria, including examination of three years of AP data, from 2008 to 2010; increase in participation in and access to AP by at least 4 percent in large districts and 7 percent in medium districts; and a steady or increasing percentage of exams taken by African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino students. “These districts are living proof that when access to AP is provided for the range and breadth of prepared and motivated students, districts can achieve even higher learning outcomes for their students – and the opportunity for so many more to earn college credit and placement,” said Trevor Packer, vice president of the College Board’s AP Program.
The complete AP Achievement List can be found at www.collegeboard.org
About the Advanced Placement Program
The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. Through more than 30 college-level courses, each culminating in a rigorous exam, AP provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both. Taking AP courses also demonstrates to college admission officers that students have sought the most rigorous curriculum available to them. Each AP teacher’s syllabus is evaluated and approved by college faculty from some of the nation’s leading institutions, and AP Exams are developed and scored by college faculty and experienced AP teachers. AP is accepted by more than 3,800 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of successful AP Exam scores. This includes over 90 percent of four-year institutions in the United States. In 2010, 1.8 million students representing more than 17,000 schools around the world, both public and nonpublic, took 3.2 million AP Exams.
"I Started Out Singing" was commissioned by choir director Patti Arntz in honor of Teresa Benjamin, a music teacher in Robbinsdale Area Schools who died of breast cancer in 2003. The piece was composed for the choir by Jocelyn Hagen, a Minneapolis composer whose career has included over forty commissions and the prestigious McKnight Artists Fellowship. But it's a personal connection to the district that made Hagen the ideal choice for the commission. Before she launched her distinguished career as a composer, she was a student teacher at Sonnesyn Elementary School and Robbinsdale Cooper High School.
Other choirs performing at the Feb. 27 event include the Twin Cities Youth Chorale, the Minneapolis Youth Chorus, the Allegro Choral Academy, and the Chamber Singers from Armstrong and Cooper High Schools. The concert will take place at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 18500 County Road 101 in Maple Grove on February 27 at 2:30 pm. Admission is free and open to the public.
For more information about the concert, contact Patti Arntz at 763-504-7350.
As the category awards were announced, the strong focus on the arts in Robbinsdale Area Schools was evident: among the winners this year are unique works by Jade Marchiniak of Armstrong High School and Haley Pfeilsticker of Cooper High School.
The show includes art in a wide variety of media, including paintings, graphite pencil drawings, photography, ceramics, and more. Artwork is chosen for inclusion in the exhibit and for special recognition based on technical quality, originality, and creativity.
The NHCC High School Art Exhibition is currently open for viewing in the Joseph Gazzuolo Gallery at North Hennepin Community College, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until March 4. Admission is free.
Luke, Heather, Lyndsay and Reba are among 16,000 Semi-finalists from across the country who will be considered for 8,400 scholarships worth a total of $36 million to be offered this spring. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors were selected as Semifinalists last fall.
The awards are presented by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that partners with businesses and colleges to honor the nation's scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.
You have the right to opt out of the check conversion process by submitting a letter or e-mail to the address below. You may request to apply this right to all checks involving your account. To do so, you must clearly state this and provide the checking account number in your letter or e-mail.
Jon Norrbom, Controller
Robbinsdale Area Schools
4148 Winnetka Avenue North
New Hope, MN 55427
Email: jon_norrbom@rdale.org
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Jon Norrbom at (763) 504-8042

Landing in the town of Illyria after a shipwreck, Viola pretends to be a man and begins working for Duke Orsino. Orsino sends the disguised Viola to woo Olivia for him, but thinking Viola is a man, Olivia falls in love with her. The disguised Viola, enamored with Orsino's strong emotions, falls in love with him. Meanwhile, Viola's identical twin brother Sebastian comes to town looking for his sister and people begin to get the two people mixed up!
Twelfth Night is a hilarious case of mistaken identities and love triangles featuring Samantha Spalding as Viola, Alyssa Laansma as Olivia, Myles Majors as Orsino, Zachary Gibbs as Sebastian and a host of other talented actors in Armstrong High School's production of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
Performances are November 11, 12, and 13 at 7 p.m. $4 for students and seniors. $6 for adults.
Cooper High School Theater Department presents Thoroughly Modern Millie

A high-spirited musical romp that has all of New York dancing the Charleston. It's the zany new 1920's musical that has taken Broadway by storm! Taking place in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of young Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life for herself. It's a New York full of intrigue and jazz - a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever.
Based on the popular movie, the stage version of Thoroughly Modern Millie includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers featuring Tawny Steinmeyer as Millie, Scott Ragan as Jimmy Smith, Jillian Higbe as Miss Dorothy Brown and a whole stage of talented actors, musicians, production and stage hands.
Performances are November 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on November 13. $4 for students and seniors. $6 for adults. Box office 763-504-8535.
Robbinsdale Middle School Theater presents Agatha Rex

Based on the ancient Greek play Antigone, playwright Lindsay Price has moved the story from the city of Thebes and placed the characters at modern day Thebes High School. And instead of ancient decrees and burial rights, Agatha Rex centers around a restrictive dress code and the ruthless principal, Dr. Creon (played by Aaron Dillard). Agatha Rex, a comedy in two acts, is about a student at a strict private school that has a military feel to it. Agatha (played by Layla Moehring) is a girl who stands up for her beliefs and for what is right, regardless of the consequences. The story takes a turn for the worse when Agatha's two brothers, Paul (played by Jordan Papenfuss) and Elliot (played by Bryce Tukes-Thompson) decide to violate the school dress code. As student council president at Thebes High, Agatha vigorously defends her brother Paul, who is unfairly punished while her brother Elliot is let off the hook. Based on her actions, she could be expelled, or worse: lose an important scholarship.
Thirty students have been working for the past month to bring Agatha Rex to life and another twenty five backstage technicians have been drawing up plans and gathering materials.
The play runs November 18, 19, 20 at 7 p.m., and a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, November 20 as well.
Tickets are $5 for the general admission and $3 for RMS students and can be purchased at the door.
Family Preview Nights are:
Thursday, November 4, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
10635 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN
763-504-8800, www.ahs.Rdale.org
Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Robbinsdale Cooper High School
8230 47th Ave. N, New Hope, MN
763-504-8500, www.chs.Rdale.org
Family Preview Nights offer the opportunity to learn about rigorous course options – Advanced Placement at Armstrong and International Baccalaureate at Cooper – meet teachers, learn about AVID and other 9th grade support systems, athletics and activities, and have questions answered.
Each school is ranked among the top 1500 schools in the nation by Newsweek Magazine because of the number of students taking college-level coursework. Robbinsdale Area Schools is one of the “Best 100 Communities for Music Education” in the nation because of its instruction in orchestra, band and choir.
A Smaller Learning Communities (SLC) grant of approximately $4.25 million has been awarded to Robbinsdale Area Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. No other school district in Minnesota was awarded a SLC grant.
The five-year grant provides resources for a number of key programs within Robbinsdale Armstrong and Robbinsdale Cooper high schools, including:
* Implementation of a College Readiness Initiative;
* Implementation of the Response to Intervention program;
* Expansion of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Cooper;
* Expansion of the pre-Advanced Placement program at Armstrong;
* Providing time for Professional Learning Communities;
* Expansion of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program;
* Support classes in math and reading;
* Purchasing curriculum in support of all of the above.
The SLC grant program was created by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) to support smaller learning community structures within large public high schools to improve student achievement. Multiple studies by researchers including SLC specialist Kathleen Cotton have linked the implementation of smaller learning communities to improved achievement, greater equity, a greater sense of affiliation and belonging, improved safety and order, improved attendance, better preparation for higher education, more satisfied teachers, and a more diverse curriculum.
Robbinsdale Area Schools is one of 28 districts nationwide to receive the SLC grant. Funds will be made available for use beginning in the current academic year.
"The goals of this project are to increase student achievement, increase the number of students taking rigorous courses, and increase the number of students who are prepared to succeed in post-secondary education and career without need for remediation," said Brenda Damiani, AP and AVID Coordinator at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and lead author of the grant proposal.
A high percentage of students already take International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Armstrong and Cooper which is why both high schools are among Newsweek magazine’s top 1500 (6 percent) high schools in the nation.
The USDOE awarded the Robbinsdale district an initial $1.3 million, with a total grant award of $4.25 million. Each year additional funds will be released dependent on standard district reporting and availability of funds.
For more information, contact Brenda Damiani at 763-504-8735 or brenda_damiani@rdale.org.
It is with great sadness that we share with you the news that Barbara A. Lehman passed away on Sunday, September 26 after a long battle with cancer. She was 66 years old.
Barb began her teaching career at Sandburg Junior High in 1967, then moved on to Plymouth Junior High for 20 years and Robbinsdale Cooper High School for 13 years.
All of us at Robbinsdale Area Schools extend our condolences to the Lehman family during this difficult time.
Barb has been recognized by many of the organizations she has come in contact with this past year, beginning with the renaming of the Cooper stadium in September 2009. Since then, she has been the subject of recognition by her alma mater, The College of St. Catherine, and her high school, Derham Hall in St. Paul. Within the last two weeks, Barb attended a recognition event at Derham.
From the time she was a student at Derham Hall, Barbara Lehman knew her interest lay in teaching and coaching.
After graduating from The College of St. Catherine, Lehman began her teaching career at Sandburg Junior High in 1967, then moved on to Plymouth Junior High for twenty years, where she was voted "Best Teacher" by the students an astonishing 18 years in a row.
In 1988, Lehman continued on to Cooper High School as a coach for alpine skiing, basketball, speed swimming and girl’s golf. In 1993 she was promoted to athletic director for the high school, a post she held for seven years before retiring in 2001.
During her tenure as the first female athletic director in the school's history, Lehman developed high speed swimming programs and intramural programs for volleyball and basketball, spearheaded initiatives for improved facilities, and devoted much of her energy and time working for gender equity in high school athletics.
Shortly after her retirement, Lehman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer which metastasized to her brain. She continued treatment on and off for more than six years.
Lehman had been active in retirement, serving as Robbinsdale Area Schools’ wellness coordinator and consultant and coaching boys' golf at Cooper until 2008. She remained involved in the Minnesota State High School League and received a Special Merit Award from the Classic Lake Conference in 2007.
In 2009, the Robbinsdale Area School Board voted unanimously to rename the stadium at Robbinsdale Cooper High School after Lehman. The dedication of Barbara A. Lehman Stadium took place on September 4, 2009 at the Cooper football home opener.
Click here to view the slideshow of the 2009 Robbinsdale Cooper High School Stadium Dedication
See a story on Barb at St. Catherine's web site
Funeral Information:
Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 9100 93rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park. Visitation 4-8 PM, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM, Thursday at Evans-Nordby Funeral Home, 6000 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Center. Visitation also 1 hour prior to mass at church.
Click here to read the full obituary in the Star Tribune.
These scholastically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards, worth over $36 million, that will be awarded nationwide next spring. Less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors are selected as semifinalists.
To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling several requirements. About 90 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will be selected as Merit Scholarship winners, earning the Merit Scholar title.
Awards are presented by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that partners with businesses and colleges to honor the nation's scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence.
For more information, contact Jeff Dehler at 763-504-8029.
A concerted effort to expand the Advanced Placement program at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School is showing dramatic results. One hundred sixty-seven AHS students earned the "AP Scholar" designation this year, the most by far for the school in a single year. The breakdown by category:
AP Scholars (75) — Scored 3 or higher (out of 5) on three or more AP exams;
AP Scholars with Honor (28) — Average 3.25 or higher on all AP exams taken, AND scores of 3 or higher on 4 or more of these exams;
AP Scholars with Distinction (47) — Average 3.5 or higher on all AP exams taken, AND scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more of these exams;
National AP Scholars (17) — Average 4 or higher on all AP exams taken, AND scores of 4 or higher on 8 or more of these exams.
CLICK HERE to see the list of AP Scholars.
This achievement is only the latest in a series for Armstrong's AP program. Since 2006, enrollment in Pre-AP and AP courses has increased 75 percent, AP participation by students living in poverty has increased from 5.62 to 10.37 percent of all AP students, and participation by students of color has increased from 13 to 17 percent of all AP students.
The number of AP exams taken at Armstrong has also increased since 2006, from 730 to 1115 exams, with over 1300 projected for May 2011. Despite the rapid growth, exam passing rates (3 or better) have held steady in the 62-65 percent range.
"Rigorous coursework is a crucial part of preparing students for post-secondary education," said district superintendent Aldo Sicoli. "Such a high number of AP Scholars is an encouraging sign that our efforts, and the efforts of the students, are paying off."
Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP exams. More than 1,400 institutions award a full year’s credit to students presenting a sufficient number of qualifying grades.
The College Board is an association of 4,500 schools, colleges and universities which administers Advanced Placement exams, as well as the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT college entrance exams.
For more information, contact Armstrong High School Advanced Placement Coordinator Ali Wilson at (763) 504-8825.
The Plymouth-New Hope Little League team finished a brilliant season with a run at the Little League World Series title in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.The team, which includes many students from Plymouth and Robbinsdale Middle Schools, won the Midwest Regional championship in Indianapolis on August 14, defeating South Dakota's Canyon Lake team 8-3. Just days later they were off to Williamsport for the big event.
Plymouth-New Hope was only the sixth team in Minnesota history to reach the Little League World Series. The team fell in a 10-8 nail-biter to the Southwest U.S. champions from Texas on August 20, then to the team from Auburn, Washington on the 22nd.
Coaches, parents, and players alike were thrilled with the experience. "They get one shot at this in their life and to be able to get there, it's a very special thing," said head coach John Vecere.
Click here to read more about their fabulous season.
Admission to Highview is a 2-step process. Call 763-504-8700 to attend an Information Meeting on one of the following dates: Mondays, August 16, 23, 30; Tuesday, September 7 and subsequent Mondays throughout the school year.
Please call 763-504-8700 for further information.
A fun, inspiring, free two-day event, the Empower Me Tour Twin Cities, comes to the Minneapolis Convention Center on August 14-15. Planners expect 30,000 middle and high school students and families as well as education professionals to attend during the weekend to “Get the Edge and Get to College”.Students, parents, teachers, principals and superintendents are invited to workshops, presentations, forums and national/local celebrities all focused on college readiness and working together to close the achievement gap.
In addition, there will be a heavy focus on health and wellness, financial literacy, etiquette, self-esteem building and more. There will be student reporters, student volunteers, student performers, a special “Kitchen” with student chefs – “Kids Who Cook”- a community garden, great food, back to school shopping and more.
“Our goal is for all in attendance to leave inspired and empowered to strive and work even harder towards academic excellence,” said Sharom Smith-Akinsanya, area development director of UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Minneapolis, which is organizing the event.
The event is hosted by the City of Minneapolis, Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Minneapolis and St. Paul Public Schools. For more information on this important back to school event, please visit www.empowermetour.org/mpls.
Adapted softball
The Robins adapted softball PI (physically impaired) team won its third state championship in the past four seasons. The team is made up of students from Robbinsdale Armstrong and Cooper, Hopkins and Mound-Westonka. Read more at the Star Tribune by clicking here.
Varsity players include:
| Robbinsdale Cooper High School Ethan Brenna Keith Breding Erin Nickell |
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School Raymond Kennedy Joey Besner Andy Madson Michael Madson Alex Orozco |
Andrew Dubisar, Plymouth Middle School, and Mariah Lilja, Cooper, are also participants.
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School - Boys’ Baseball
Head Coach: Brian Sobiech
Assistant Coaches: Grant Vann, Josh Johnson
Student Manager: Jake Gray
Team:
| Dylan Jorgenson Daniel Peters Brian Vomhof Jackson Goihl Kurt Jantscher Ryan Hassler Tyler Johnson Erik Ruhland Jacob Damiani |
Nicholas Brugnoli Wade Lindholm Michael Willman Matthew Ripka Dylan Barth Andrew Favaro Alexander Beers Josh Cisewski Joe Lewis |
Robbinsdale Cooper High School - Track and Field
Colleena Coleman
Richard Wilhite
Larry Frazier
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School - Track and Field
| Dominique Thompson Laura Begin SydRisha Floyd Brooke Riches Jazzmin Williams Sheridan Rasmussen Emily Danielson Suzanna Adams |
Ryan Queenan Nathan Johnson Lars Egge Daniel Badhwa Paul DeSalvo Matt Wallin Patrick Hayden |
Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows:
1. Northport Elementary 9:45 a.m. Snack, (M-F), July 26 - Aug. 13
3. Minnetonka Heights, 11:30 a.m. Lunch and 2:30 p.m. Snack, (M-F) June 14 - Aug. 6
5. Forest Elem., 8:30 a.m. Breakfast and 11:30 a.m. Lunch, (M-F),
| In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 800.795.3272 (voice) or 202-720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. |
The nominees this year for Robbinsdale Armstrong were Zachary Nelson and Lyndsay Gusek, both of whom compete on the Falcon Varsity Track Team. To qualify for the award, students must have a GPA of B or better and participate in MSHSL-sponsored athletic and fine arts activities. Rounding out the "A" for arts, Zach plays viola and Lyndsay plays flute in Armstrong ensembles.
Lyndsay, who has also been named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship competition and a candidate for the United States Presidential Scholars Program, went on to win the 6AA Regional Triple "A" Award and will now advance to consideration for the Minnesota state award. Four students per year are selected for this honor, which includes a $1,000 annual scholarship for four years.
The state winners of the Triple "A" Award were announced at the Boys' State Basketball Tournament March 23-26 at Target Center and Williams Arena.
• Noble Elementary School for the Mathletes competitive mathematics program;
• Meadow Lake Elementary School to fund the Listen Up program;
• Forest Elementary School for a project using BrainPOP.com to enhance and support social studies and science curriculum;
• Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program for the Kindle Reading Project;
• Lakeview Elementary School to fund the Netbooks-based "Power Up" program;
• Robbinsdale Adult Academic Program for the STAR Enrichment and Expansion Program;
• Plymouth Middle School to fund improvements in technology in 7th grade math classrooms;
• Robbinsdale Cooper High School for the Peer Leadership Coaching Program;
• Early Childhood Family Education and Eden Park Apartment Community in Brooklyn Park to fund a community literacy program.
This year represents a record dollar amount of grants funded by the Seven Dreams Education Foundation, thanks in large part to donations by district employees to the annual Charitable Giving Campaign. “It’s amazing to see the teachers’ and students’ reactions when we surprise them to award their grant,” said Debbie Fitzsimmons, president of the Seven Dreams Education Foundation. “Students in the district will directly benefit through innovative, hands-on learning opportunities the teachers identified in their proposals. On behalf of the board of directors, I’d like to thank all the staff who sent proposals, the grant committee that chose the winners and the community members who participated in the prize patrol.” Grant recipients were later recognized at a reception on May 12 prior to the Seven Dreams Education Foundation’s annual meeting.
The Seven Dreams Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit education fund that supports Robbinsdale Area Schools. It was founded by community members, parents and education professionals of the Robbinsdale school district. The Seven Dreams mission is to help the learners of Robbinsdale Area Schools succeed by funding innovative education initiatives that enhance individual skills and experiences. Funds are raised through individual donors, RAS employees, community organizations and businesses. Grants are awarded annually to teachers and other education professionals in our district who strive to cultivate student success through hands-on learning opportunities.
For more information about the Seven Dreams Education Foundation, visit www.sevendreamsfoundation.org or call Debbie Fitzsimmons at 763-504-4088.
Click here to see a picture slideshow of the recipients!
second place in the Junior Individual Performance category at the Minnesota State History Day competition on May 1. As a result of her achievement, she will advance to the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland June 13-17.The celebration features an alumni choir conducted by past AHS Choral Directors Richard Edstrom, Hal Wildung, Dennis Jewett and Bruce Becker. Cantori, Chamber Singers, and Concert Choir will perform for the alumni choir and join them in a combined performance.
Highlights of the choir's history include concert tours to Boston, Chicago, and Europe, a 2005 concert at Carnegie Hall, participation in several invitational choral festivals, and commissions and premieres of works by composers including David Dickau, Paul Oakley, Jerry Rubino, Dale Warland, and Tim Takach.
"This is a tremendous celebration of our heritage and our program’s legacy," said current Armstrong choir director Stephanie Trump, "but more than that, it will steer our future by keeping us mindful of our past successes." Armstrong's choral success is one of the reasons why Robbinsdale Area Schools was named one of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education" by the American Music Conference.
The day begins at noon with a social hour and welcome for alumni, followed by an alumni choir rehearsal. The event will culminate with a 4 p.m. Grand Concert. Alumni will also have the opportunity to tour the school and view a slide show representing the program's 40-year history.
Tickets are $25 for alumni, $15 for concert and reception alone, and $15 for graduates from 2006-2009. Online payment at www.armstrongchoir.weebly.com using PayPal. Limited tickets for alumni at the door will be $30. For more information, contact Stephanie Trump at 765-504-8857.
The story concerns a con man whose attempts to fleece the residents of River City, Iowa with promises of a boys' marching band are complicated when he falls in love with the town librarian. Since the 1957 Broadway premiere and 1962 film adaptation, the show has seen thousands of professional and amateur productions nationwide.
Directed by Jeff Redman, the RMS production features Duncan Schulte as "Professor" Harold Hill; Anna Hendrix as Marian the Librarian; Tali Rose as Mrs. Paroo; Adam Brady as Marian's shy, lisping brother Winthrop; Hunter Froehlich as Charlie Cowell, the anvil salesman who tries to expose Hill's con; David Larson as the pompous Mayor; and Anna Kruskop as the Mayor's wife, Eulalie Shinn.
"Rehearsals have been going great," says director Redman. "This is the first musical of the newly-combined Robbinsdale Middle School and it has been a lot of fun. With a 51-member cast, we really fill that stage. Students have been working hard for months, designing costumes and the sets as well as taking care of all the marketing and promotions for the show. The students never cease to amaze me with their commitment to theater."
The Music Man will be performed at the Robbinsdale Middle School auditorium on April 29, 30 and May 1 at 7 p.m. and May 1 at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students. For more information, contact Jeff Redman at 763-504-4857.
A consultant to the district will facilitate these meetings and no other school or district staff will be present. We hope you will take advantage of this important opportunity to give our school valuable feedback and ideas on how we can foster a school climate where all students and parents feel welcomed, valued, and safe. Please contact John Cook, Assistant Principal at Armstrong High School if you would like to attend. He can be reached at 763-504-8804 or by email at John_Cook@rdale.org
![]() Pictured are some of Ms. Lindstrom's social skills class students. Back row, left to right: Se'Anna Johnson, Malik Smith, Gavin Bothwell, Sam Knopik. Front row: Sandi Lindstrom, Devon Oppegard, Zach McComm'as. |
The students sprang into action, collecting donations to purchase supplies for the shelter. To promote their project during the week of March 22, they created announcements, made posters, and sponsored two "Hats and Hoods for Helping" Days during which PMS students could pay a dollar to wear a hat or hood during the school day.
Thanks to their dedication, six boxes of items and $300 in cash donations were presented to the shelter. “This all required looking outside of what was in it for them,” Sandi added. “There were no prizes other than the pride of helping out others just because it felt good.”
“Home Free was so impressed with the service project that the students did,” said Kari Hitchcock, volunteer coordinator for the shelter. “Caring for the community is so important, and these students set a great example.”
The larger message of empathy was not lost on the project participants. As one student said in the morning announcement, "You never know if it could be you living there someday."Students were asked to describe in 200 words or less how they fit into the picture of what it is to be an American. Excerpts from their winning essays:
"I do not like the typical idea of what an American should be...I fit into America by being able to have the right to stand out." Tasha Johnson, junior, Armstrong High School (AHS)
"I represent the Hmong and will prove that we are part of something. Just a step through the dark night, just a short distance to go, we would step it, and reach to the moon.” Jangchee Vang, junior, AHS
"I will always be that African girl who came to America as an immigrant…I may look like any other black girl, but I'm not." Peaches Peah, junior, AHS
![]() |
| Wlegie Swen, AHS junior |
"Being in America, I'm counted as a girl…who can grow up into a strong woman regardless of her past experiences." Wlegie Swen, junior, AHS
"Statistics say that since I'm 16 and African American that I should be pregnant and be on my way of dropping out of school…I refuse to be a statistic.” Sid'Reshia Floyd, junior, AHS
![]() |
| Alexia Martinez Avila, PMS 6th grader |
The winning essays were published in the print or online versions of the two papers and at www.threesixtyjournalism.org on Census Day, Thursday April 1.
Click here to read the story in the Star Tribune.
Click here to read the story in the Pioneer Press.
More than 40 residents of the Robbinsdale Area School District advocated for public education with legislators at the Minnesota State Capitol February 23.
The legislative kick-off event was hosted by the district’s Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) and was held in a Capitol conference room with legislators stopping by to speak with the group. Legislators included Senators Ann Rest, Mindy Greiling, Ron Latz and Terri Bonoff and Representatives Sandra Peterson, Lyndon Carlson and Mike Nelson.
“We wanted to send the message that public education is critically important to our community,” said Kami Aho, co-chair of the LAC and a parent in the district, “And that our community wants the same opportunities available to our children that we had.” Co-chair Jon Miners added, “These are difficult times for our state, but that should remind us even more that investing in our kids and our schools is a vital investment in our future, one we can't afford not to make.”
Residents asked the legislators to not cut education when balancing the budget this year. But legislators were careful to highlight the magnitude of the state’s $1.2 billion deficit. Balancing the budget “across the board” would require an 8.1 percent cut to all state services, according to Carlson, who chairs the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives, and a 14.5 percent cut if education was held to no increase or decrease next year.
“The pressure on the legislature needs to come from the public and from our constituents,” said Rest. Nelson said communication from constituents was vital, from e-mails and letters to attending legislator’s town hall meetings and speaking with legislative candidates who are campaigning.
Residents shared stories of their experience in the Robbinsdale district with legislators. About a half dozen parents with young children in tow, advocated for the importance of Early Childhood Family Education. Peterson agreed, saying, “We cannot shortchange our future.”
Some parents spoke about their students’ transition to new schools after the district reorganized last year. Jenny Holte’s daughter moved from Pilgrim Lane Elementary School to Sonnesyn Elementary School. She said her daughter “immediately got excited about her new school, and was immediately embraced” by the Sonnesyn community. As a parent, Holte said the transition has been challenging, but the class sizes are much improved, and she hopes they won’t go up too high next year. At a recent meeting, the Robbinsdale school board approved class sizes for next year that will increase by one student at the elementary level, on average, next year, and by 1.5 students at the secondary level. The board will also make significant adjustments to administration and districtwide services in order to balance the budget.
The Legislative Action Coalition is a group of community members established by the Robbinsdale Area School Board to be an advocate for the district and the learners, families and communities it serves. Information is at www.Rdale.org - click on Legislative Information, or contact Andrea Wiley at 763-504-4087 or andrea_wiley@rdale.org.
New Hope, Minn. (February 9, 2009) - The school board of Robbinsdale Area Schools narrowed the list of budget adjustments proposed for the 2010-11 school year at its Feb. 8 work session. The board preserved elementary programs including full day kindergarten; visual art specialists; instructional assistants; all-district choir, band and orchestra; and orchestra and band. At the middle school level, students will retain the ability to take two music options, such as choir and band, during the year.
Despite budget adjustments, increased efficiencies and additional revenue from an operating levy referendum, Robbinsdale Area Schools, like many school districts statewide, expects to make budget adjustments for the 2010-11 school year. Recent budgetary improvements have been offset by frozen state funding - the source of the majority of the district’s revenue, decreasing revenue due to declining enrollment and increased costs.
Superintendent Aldo Sicoli and Lonnie Smith, executive director of business services, presented a preliminary list of possible budget adjustments that could be adopted by the school board to balance the budget. After reviewing each of the items, board members indicated which of the items are priorities in keeping with the Strategic Plan and should be removed from consideration for reduction for next year.
The majority of budget adjustments will be in administration and other districtwide programs with some increase in average class size. Reductions at each level could be approximately:
- $3.3 million from districtwide services,
- $200,000 to $300,000 from the elementary school level,
- $500,000 to $800,000 from the middle school level, and
- $600,000 to $900,000 from the high school level.
Two Public Meetings on Robbinsdale Area Schools’ budget will be held to get citizen feedback on the proposed budget adjustments.
- Wed., Feb. 10, 7 p.m. at Robbinsdale Middle School, 3730 Toledo Ave. N., Robbinsdale or
- Wed., Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m. at the Education Service Center 3rd floor board room, 4148 Winnetka Ave. N, New Hope.
The board is expected to make a decision on student-to-teacher ratio for the 2010-11 school year at its Feb. 17 meeting. The board could finalize additional budget adjustments by March 1.
More information is available at www.Rdale.org.
Budget Adjustment Proposal 2010-2011 (Feb. 9)
New Hope, Minn. (February 2, 2009) –The Seven Dreams Foundation has received a two-year grant from Cargill, Inc. in support of the AVID academic success program of Robbinsdale Area Schools. The $202,000 grant will support one classroom each at Robbinsdale Armstrong and Robbinsdale Cooper high schools and at Robbinsdale and Plymouth middle schools.
Currently in its fourth year in the district, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program designed to help academically average middle and high school students prepare for and succeed in colleges and universities. Students in the program commit themselves to improvement and preparation for college through a rigorous program of instruction in academic "survival skills" and college level entry skills.
The AVID program started in Robbinsdale Area Schools in 2006-07 and currently serves students in grades 7-12. AVID targets academically average students (GPA of 2.0-3.5) and places them in advanced courses, while supporting them in the AVID elective.
This is not the first time Cargill has offered its support for the program. In 2008, Robbinsdale's AVID program received a $130,000 two-year grant from the company.
“This grant signifies Cargill's ongoing commitment to AVID. It will allow Robbinsdale Area Schools to grow and strengthen its AVID programs so that all students are prepared for college eligibility and success,” said Erica Gullickson, AVID Coordinator at Armstrong and author of the grant.
For more information click here or contact Erica Gullickson at (763) 504-8784 or erica_gullickson@rdale.org.
Hennepin County and Minnesota Visiting Nurses Agency will be providing H1N1 flu shots to all children, youth and adults at the times and locations listed below.
Vaccinations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. A parent or guardian must accompany any child and sign a consent form at the dispensing site. Booster doses will be available to children 6 months through 9 years of age who received initial doses at least three weeks prior. There will be no charge for these H1N1 flu shots. Those with health insurance should bring their policy cards so administrative costs may be billed to insurance.
For more information:
612-543-4161
www.hennepin.us/h1n1
Upcoming H1N1 flu shot clinics
Tuesday, Feb. 2
-- Minneapolis – Hennepin County Century Plaza, 330 S. 12th St., Room G101, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
-- Minnetonka – Hennepin County Ridgedale Service Center, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, 2 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 3
-- Minneapolis - Century Plaza, 330 S. 12th St., Room G101, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 4
-- St. Anthony - Community Center, 3301 Silver Lake Road, 3 to 6 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 5
-- Maple Plain - Orono Discovery Center, 5050 Independence St., 2 to 6 p.m.
-- Brooklyn Park - Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave. N., 5 to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 9
-- Shorewood - South Shore Center, 5735 Country Club Road, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 10
-- Plymouth - Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th Ave. N., 10 a.m. to noon
-- Crystal - Community Center, 4800 Douglas Drive N., 2 to 5 p.m.
-- Hopkins - ResourceWest, 915 Main St., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 11
-- Mound - Gillespie Center, 2590 Commerce Blvd., 1 to 3 p.m.
-- Orono - Long Lake Fire Station, 340 Willow Drive, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday, March 1
-- Rogers - Fire Station #1/Community Center, 21201 Memorial Drive, 4 to 7 p.m.
New Hope, Minnesota — Minnesota's budget woes continue this year due to fewer jobs and lower wages. The state’s revenues have dropped below previously forecasted levels, leaving a current deficit of $1.2 billion. These deficits are estimated to grow to $5.4 billion over the next biennium.
John Gunyou, former state finance commissioner for Gov. Carlson and current city manager for Minnetonka, will present a public forum titled "Facing our Fiscal Challenges" on Tuesday, April 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hennepin County Brookdale library, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center. The event is FREE and hosted by the Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) of Robbinsdale Area Schools.
The Legislative Action Coalition is a group of parents and community members established by the Robbinsdale Area School Board to be an advocate for district students and families.
For more about the LAC, go to www.Rdale.org and click on Legislative Action Coalition, or contact Andrea Wiley at 763-504-4087 or andrea_wiley@rdale.org.
Last year, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was selected as FedEx Ground Player of the Year. The award included $25,000 for the Safe Kids program affiliated with the winning team—in this case, Safe Kids NW Metro Minneapolis. Some of the funds were used to make significant pedestrian safety improvements at Plymouth Middle School and Neill Elementary School.
This year, Vikings players are among the finalists in both award categories – Ground (Peterson once again) and Air (quarterback Brett Favre).
“We are the only NFL team to have players in both categories," said Safe Kids NW Metro Coordinator Alison Pence. "If both Favre and Peterson win the award this year, that would mean an additional $50,000 for Safe Kids NW Metro Minneapolis to make pedestrian safety improvements in this community!"
The final awards are based on an online poll that ends Friday, January 29. "We hope people will take a minute to go online and vote," added Ann Garland, health services director for Robbinsdale Area Schools. "Voting more than once is allowed. We really hope to bring this money back to the NW Metro area again!"
Go to www.nfl.com/fedex to add your vote for Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson. For more on the Safe Kids coalition or the FedEx grant program, contact Alison Pence at Alison.Pence@NorthMemorial.com or 763-520-4145.
New Hope, Minnesota— The Legislative Action Coalition (LAC) of Robbinsdale Area Schools will host a public forum titled "Advocacy—YOU Can Make a Difference!" on Thursday, January 21 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Winnetka Learning Center.
Led by Kim Kang, Public Policy Director for the PACER Center, this forum will help participants developing their skills as legislative advocates. Questions such as Why is advocacy important?, Why I should get involved?, What advocacy techniques are most effective?, and How can I develop and use my own story as an advocate? will be addressed.
"Participants will walk away knowing a variety of ways in which they can advocate for themselves, their children, their schools and their communities through the legislative process," said LAC chair Andrea Wiley. "No experience is necessary—just a desire to make a difference!"
The Legislative Action Coalition is a group of community members (both parents and non-parents) established by the Robbinsdale Area School Board to be an advocate for our public school district and the learners, families and communities it serves. The PACER Center was created in 1977 by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents and families facing similar challenges.
The Winnetka Learning Center is located at 7940 55th Ave N in New Hope. Click here to download flyer.
For more about the LAC, go to www.rdale.org and click on Legislative Action Coalition, or contact Andrea Wiley at 763-504-4087 or andrea_wiley@rdale.org.
| Discover is a community eNewsletter published by the Robbinsdale Area Schools Community Relations department. It is sent out via email to students, parents, and community members once a week on Wednesday afternoons. The newsletter includes News Releases, News Clips, School Board News, Web Updates, We're Prouds, and Just the Facts; everything you received before, but now combined as a single news source. Receiving Discover will help you to stay informed and become a citizen ambassador who shares information and provides community feedback. |
Robbinsdale, Minnesota—For the 12th year running, climbers from Robbinsdale Area Schools will join in the Climb for a Cure on February 6, powering up 1,280 steps of the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis to raise money for cystic fibrosis (CF) research. In the lead will be Robbinsdale Middle School (RMS) band director Madeline Elmhirst, who suffers from CF and has pledged to raise $40,000 for research this year to celebrate her 40th birthday.
Elmhirst and fellow teacher Ken Habel have been leading the RMS part of Team 281 for all twelve years. Approximately 100 RMS students, staff, and family members participate each year, raising over $74,000 in all for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). Districtwide, total participants number over 200 and raise approximately $15,000 each year for CFF.
In the 1950s, few who contracted CF would survive to attend elementary school. Today, thanks to advances in research and treatment, the median age of survival is 37 years.
"I think the CFF is one of the best organizations today," says Elmhirst. "Besides receiving the highest ratings for financial efficiency in non-profit fundraising each year, the CFF has kept their vision very clear - anything short of a cure is not good enough."
Sponsored by Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP, the 29th Annual Climb for a Cure will be held Saturday, February 6 from 9:30am to 12:30pm at the IDS Center in Minneapolis. Go to www.cff.org/LWC/MadelineElmhirst to make a donation toward Elmhirst's birthday pledge or to register for the climb. For more information, contact Madeline Elmhirst at 763-504-4868 or madeline_elmhirst@rdale.org, or Kara Schlosser, Director of Special Events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, at 651-631-3290.
Click the links below to see webcasts of school board meetings, concerts, and other events, such as commencements and Legislative Action Coalition programs.
Webcasts Schedules
School Board Meeting Calendar
Concerts Fall/Winter Schedule
Other Commencements, Legislative Action Coaltion events
Math, Reading and Writing GRAD testing for July 12, 13 and 19 is postponed.
The state government shutdown does not affect regular summer school. Summer school will continue as planned.
If you have any questions regarding GRAD re-tests, please contact the district’s Department of Research, Evaluation and Assessment at 763-504-8103 or 763-504-8114.

Congratulations to the Robbinsdale Armstrong Girls Rugby Team who earned their second State Title in a row defeating Orono 5-0 on June 5. Girls Rugby is a club sport where students can earn a letter for participation.
Registering for high school is a big deal! Guidance counselors will be on hand to answer your questions. Learn about course offerings for AVID, International Baccalaureate and Pre-Advanced Placement; understand the registration process.
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Robbinsdale Armstrong High School’s Supermileage team has once again posted a strong finish in the annual Supermileage Challenge at Brainerd International Raceway on May 17-18, finishing in third place for modified class vehicles.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Technology Education Association, the competition pits high school teams from around Minnesota against each other to produce the most fuel-efficient vehicle. Each team builds a one-person vehicle with a single cylinder four-stroke cycle engine with the goal of maximum fuel efficiency per gallon, then competes against other vehicles at the Brainerd event, driving laps around the three-mile track at 15-30 miles per hour.
The vehicle driven by the Armstrong team averaged 483 miles per gallon (mpg), with a high mileage run of 537 mpg. Pictured above left to right are Scott Theriault, Kristen Stresemann, Brandon Stresemann, Chevenne Hassan, Sam Albert, Jason Peterson and Sam Struck.
The 2008 competition represented a high point in Armstrong's Supermileage history when their Stock class car took first place by more than 125 mpg with an average overall fuel efficiency of 529.88 mpg.
Gullickson has worked with BestPrep, an education-based nonprofit, at Robbinsdale Armstrong for more than 3 years, enhancing the education of her students. Gullickson said, “BestPrep has enhanced our AVID Program and made my job much easier! I am able to help my students make relevant connections between school and the business world as a result of BestPrep programs.”
Gullickson received her Teacher of Excellence Award at BestPrep’s 34th Annual Luncheon, held May 19, 2010, at the Nicollet Island Inn Pavilion. More than 425 individuals joined BestPrep at the luncheon honoring the educators, students, and volunteers from the business community who have contributed to making BestPrep the premier educational nonprofit organization in the state.
The event featured a keynote address by featuring Martha Rossini Olson - AKA "Sweet Martha" - of Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar. Martha, a St. Paul native and former educator, inspired and entertained with her entrepreneurial success story.
BestPrep offers five innovative programs to educators and students across Minnesota; Classroom Plus, eMentors, Minnesota Business Venture, The Stock Market Game™ and the Technology Integration Workshop. Founded in 1976, BestPrep annually reaches more than 75,000 students and teachers statewide. For more information about its programs and services, contact BestPrep at 763-398-0090, or visit www.bestprep.org.
After walking the stage at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in June, senior Nikka Shipp will travel to Chicago to address 2,000 teachers at the AVID Summer Institute conference in July, sharing her remarkable story of personal transformation. She’ll be the only student from Minnesota to address one of the eight AVID conferences held nationwide this summer.
Nikka credits AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a system to prepare students in the academic middle for four-year college eligibility, with her success. "By the time I reached AVID, I had attended 14 different schools," fleeing problems that included an abusive father. "I hung around the wrong group of kids and skipped classes."
Nikka came to Armstrong and joined AVID as a sophomore. After an uncertain start, she raised her grades, became involved in student clubs, and succeeded in five Advanced Placement classes. AVID coordinator Erica Gullickson asked her to submit one of her written assignments for the speaker competition. "And now," says Nikka, "I’m going to Chicago!"
Nikka has been accepted to North Dakota State, University of Minnesota, Crookston, and Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Wherever she goes, she will bring with her a $20,000 college scholarship from Dell.
Nikka finally sees a clear path toward her career of choice. "Because of AVID," she says, "I’ll be the lawyer that I always wanted to be."
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School's theatre season continues with a production of Stephen Sondheim’s fractured fairy-tale musical Into the Woods on February 19-20 and 26-27 at 7:00 pm.
Sondheim and librettist James Lapine have assembled a cast of well-known fairy tale characters, each with a twist. There's an ambivalent Cinderella, a bloodthirsty Red Riding Hood, a Prince Charming with a roving eye, and a rapping Witch—all of whom learn to be careful with what you wish for.
The Armstrong cast features an experienced cast and crew including seniors Dan Lightfoot as the Baker, Bethany Englund as the Baker’s Wife, Jamie Marshall as Jack, Emily Garren as Cinderella, Rose Keeffe as Jack’s Mother, Katie Miller as Rapunzel, Jon Erik Haines as Cinderella’s Prince, and juniors Alyssa Laansma as the Witch and Jessie Erickson as Little Red.
Seating is reserved and ticket prices are $6 for students and $8 for adults. In addition to regular showtimes, a free senior citizen matinee will be performed at 3:00 p.m. on February 24.
The Armstrong box office is open 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information and reservations, call 763-504-8852. Robbinsdale Armstrong High School is located at 10635 36th Ave N in Plymouth. For more on the production, contact director Jenny Lovitt at 763-504-8871.
- Wed., Feb. 10, 7:00 p.m. at Robbinsdale Middle School, 3730 Toledo Ave. N., Robbinsdale or
- Wed., Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m. at the Education Service Center 3rd floor board room, 4148 Winnetka Ave. N, New Hope.
Superintendent Aldo Sicoli and Lonnie Smith, executive director of business services, will provide an update on proposed adjustments and invite feedback from community members.
More information about the 2010-2011 budget is available at www.Rdale.org. Send an email to Lonnie_Smith@rdale.org with questions or comments on the budget.
Gordon received his award, including a cash prize of $5,000, for an essay describing a situation in which his personal ethics played an important part in the resolution of a problem. Gordon chose to describe classroom ethics and the various ways in which students respond to ethical challenges.
"I was flabbergasted when I got the call saying my essay had been chosen as one of two winners among 150 applicants," Gordon said. "I didn't really think at first that there was anything that special in what I had written. Ethics shouldn't be a hard thing to do if you are an ethical person. But when I think about it, the essay itself points to the fact that most people don't really think that much about ethics beyond rule-following or a code of silence. So maybe the fact that I do think about it was enough to stand out."
Gordon plans to use the cash award to help pay for college. He has so far been accepted at the University of Wisconsin Madison and Tulane University in New Orleans. He plans to study political science, business, economics, or international studies.
The BBB Student of Integrity Scholarships, sponsored by TruStone Financial, are awarded each year to two high school seniors who demonstrate, through essay, their understanding of integrity and how they apply it to their lives.
The awards were presented at the Minnesota History Center on October 28.
Instead, this year's campaign represented the highest level of giving ever for Robbinsdale Area Schools. A total of $59,910 was raised, up 7 percent from 2008. The percentage of employees contributing increased from 36 percent to 42 percent, and the Seven Dreams Foundation received a record contribution amount of $21,165.
In the course of reporting to the school board on the successful campaign, Executive Director of Community Education Al Ickler, a co-chair of the campaign, presented several campaign awards. The award for "Most Improved Campaign" went to Robbinsdale Middle School, where staff participation increased by one-third, per capita giving increased by $30, and total contributions increased by more than $2,000.
The "Campaign of Excellence Award" went to Meadow Lake Elementary School, which had the highest average per capita giving of $90 and increased their total donations by $1,177 from last year.
The "Above and Beyond Award" went to the employees of New Hope School for raising more than $500 in additional funds through a silent auction.
In addition to district employees, Ickler said, "I want to thank my co-chair Mike Peterson, along with Linda Kemper, Phyllis Hankerson, and Jennifer Bridgeman for their work as well as all businesses that supported the campaign by contributing campaign incentives."
| The Robbinsdale Armstrong Concert Choir has been invited to perform as the guest solo choir for the Eighteenth Annual Clearwater Honor Choir Festival in the Gantner Concert Hall at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Saturday, October 10. The Armstrong Concert Choir's performance culminates a two-day festival with performances by four choral ensembles from UW-Eau Claire and the Clearwater Festival Honor Choir, an ensemble of the top vocal musicians from high schools in the Upper Midwest. The choral program at Armstrong involves approximately 500 students, one quarter of the student body, in six curricular and four extra-curricular ensembles. The Armstrong Concert Choir, one of two top auditioned choirs, consists of 80 juniors and seniors who earned their seats through a competitive audition. The choir tours annually, traveling in recent years to Florida, New York, Kansas City, Boston, Chicago, and central Europe. Earlier this year, the choir was featured as a solo choir at the St. Olaf Choral Day, the Concordia Choral Festival, and in the Dorian Invitational Festival. For more information about the Robbinsdale Armstrong Concert Choir, contact choral director Stephanie Trump at 763-504-8857. |
ATTENTION ALL SENIORS: CAP AND GOWN DAY IS TODAY DURING ALL LUNCHES! You MUST be cleared from THE LIST before you are allowed to pick up your cap and gown. This means NO colored marks behind your name on THE LIST posted outside the bookkeeper’s office.
AHS IS HOSTING A MOVIE SCREENING AFTER SCHOOL TODAY: “The Cabinet of Dr. Calagary” is a silent German expressionist film often considered one of the greatest horror movies of the silent era. The movie screening is today after school in room 113. All are welcome – the unique and strange are encouraged!!!
ATTENTION SOPHOMORES INTERESTED IN COLLEGE POSSIBLE: All application materials are due at the College Possible office in the media center on Monday, April 15 – this is the final deadline!
THERE IS A “RELAY FOR LIFE” BAKE SALE this Wednesday and Thursday during all lunches. Then on Friday bring money for root beer floats! It’s a great way to raise money for cancer and you get a great tasting snack!
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
FOOD DRIVE: Bored? Home alone? With friends? Doesn’t matter! Grab some hands and find some canned goods to donate. We will be accepting nonperishable food items every Advisory day beginning April 3 to May 1. Whether it’s one can or 10, bring it all. The Advisory class that collects the most donations gets an awesome prize! Help the unfortunate and let the games begin!
DO YOU LOVE TO DANCE? Do you want to perform at football game halftime or possibly compete next winter? We are looking for girls with past dance experience who want to have fun, work hard, and support their school! Tryouts are April 15 through 18 after school. Please sign up in the activities office. See Ms. LaTendresse for more information.
STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT PASSED THE GRAD MATH TEST will receive a pass on Thursday during first period. Please bring your calculator and headphones for the test.
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FALCON WRESTLERS who placed in the section tournament! 5th place – Ricardo Martos, 4th place – Brandon Lundeen and Eddy Gonzalez, 3rd place – Zach Rygg and Eric Madson, and qualifying for the state tournament with a 2nd place finish is Hutton Adams. Way to go, Falcon wrestlers!
STUDENTS AND STAFF – PLEASE RETURN ALL YELLOW SCHOOL CALCULATORS to the math department so we can continue to make them available for student use during the school day. Thank you!
All students: Advisory period will run from 7:20 - 7:55 a.m. Period 1 will start at 8:00 a.m.
THERE ARE SOME NEW NOVELS to check out in the Media Center. Come in and take a look! The books are on two carts in the center area.
ATTENTION McLEOD’S WORLD HISTORY CLASSES: Please bring your textbooks to class today!
STEP TEAM: Turn in your money for your t-shirt. You will not step without it!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROBINS ADAPTIVE SOCCER TEAM who captured the State Championship. Awesome season!
FRESHMEN BOYS TRYING OUT FOR BASKETBALL: If you are staying after school today, you need to go to Mr. Miller’s room 256 to wait until 5:00 p.m. tryouts.
SENIOR GRADUATION PACKETS: Seniors, if you did not receive your graduation packet to order announcements and your cap/gown, please stop by the main office to pick up a packet. Graduation orders should be made on-line by Thursday, November 15.
STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TRAVELING TO COSTA RICA NEXT SUMMER: There will be a parent and student informational meeting tonight in room 320 at 7:00 p.m. See Ms. Kneeland in room 320 with questions.
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Karoke – Cafeteria
Salsa Dancing – Auditorium
Bingo – MRC
Flag Football – Turf
Quiz Bowl – Room 255
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Volleyball – Main Gym
Basketball – Auxiliary Gym
Build Your Own Birdhouse –
Room 175
African Drumming – Room 206
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Thursday: Class Color Day Friday: School Spirit Day
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Karoke – Cafeteria
Salsa Dancing – Auditorium
Bingo – MRC
Flag Football – Turf
Quiz Bowl – Room 255
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Volleyball – Main Gym
(sign up in activities office; up to 8 people per team)
Basketball – Auxiliary Gym
Build Your Own Birdhouse – Room 174
African Drumming – Room 206
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HOMECOMING T-SHIRTS ARE FOR SALE for $10 during all lunches by the bookkeeper’s office.
Thursday: Class Color Day
- Freshmen: Yellow
DOOR DECORATING IS TAKING PLACE IN ADVISORY. The winning advisory gets a special treat.
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Karoke – Cafeteria
Salsa Dancing – Auditorium
Bingo – MRC
Flag Football – Turf
Quiz Bowl – Room 255
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Volleyball – Main Gym
(sign up in activities office;
up to 8 people per team) Basketball – Auxiliary Gym
Build Your Own Birdhouse – Room 174
African Drumming – Room 206
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CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
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Tuesday: Neon Day
Wednesday: Twin Day
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Thursday: Class Color Day
Friday: School Spirit Day
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Thursday: Classic Color Day
Friday: School Spirit Day
Wednesday: Twin Day
Thursday: Class Color Day
Friday: School Spirit Day
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
GOLF SECTIONS: Congratulations to Jon Maiers, Cole Soffa and Brent Relopez for qualifying for the second day at the golf sections yesterday. Jon and Cole shot 78 and Brent shot 83 to qualify. Good luck tomorrow!
ATTENTION SENIORS:
ACADEMIC AWARDS ARE IN THE MAIN OFFICE. The last day to pick yours up is this Friday!
SENIOR PARTY: The last chance to drop off your registration and payment for the senior party is today. Come visit the registration table at the college signing.
IT’S AVID WEEK AT ARMSTRONG!
STATE TESTS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION will be given Tuesday and Wednesday, April 17 and 18: 9th grade – writing, 10th grade – reading, 11th grade – math. Testing ends each day at 9:30 a.m. Seniors will be given a late start both days. Classes begin at 9:35 a.m. Andrus
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
TEACHER/STUDENT QUIZ BOWL RESULTS: Congratulations to Ms. McLeod, Mr. Schreifels, Mr. Hohenstein and Mr. Hasapopoulos who defeated the Quiz Bowl Team by a score of 245-240, winning for the third straight year and putting the series at teachers 7, students 4!
THE MEDIA CENTER HAS SOME NEW BOOKS TO CHECK OUT! There are many “Manga” titles, as well as other works of fiction. The books can be found on two book carts in the media center.
SENIORS: TODAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR TURNING IN YOUR LOGO DESIGN FOR THE ALL NIGHT SENIOR PARTY! The winner attends the party for free. The top five designs will be voted on by your peers, and the winning logo will be used on the party t-shirts, badges and other items. For specific details, go to www.ahsseniorparty.net. Gotsch
SENIORS, THE PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE U OF M – TWIN CITIES is December 15. If you do not apply by this Thursday, December 15, it is extremely difficult to get accepted. Please see your counselor with questions.
SENIORS: HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THE LOGO FOR THE ALL NIGHT SENIOR PARTY! The winner attends the party for free. The top five designs will be voted on by your peers, and the winning logo will be used on the party t-shirts, badges and other items. The deadline to submit your artwork is Friday, December 23. For specific details, go to www.ahsseniorparty.net.
THERE IS A MATH TEST PREP SESSION after school today in room 345. Come and expand your testing skills.
THE STUDENT EQUITY TEAM will meet on Thursday, December 15, after school in room 346. It is important to come to the meeting to get information about the January overnight conference.
SENIORS, THE PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE U OF M – TWIN CITIES is December 15. If you do not apply by this Thursday, December 15, it is extremely difficult to get accepted. Please see your counselor with questions.
SENIORS: HERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE THE LOGO FOR THE ALL NIGHT SENIOR PARTY! The winner attends the party for free. The top five designs will be voted on by your peers, and the winning logo will be used on the party t-shirts, badges and other items. The deadline to submit your artwork is Friday, December 23. For specific details, go to www.ahsseniorparty.net.
HAVE A VERY SAFE, RESTFUL AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
CAREER CENTER/COLLEGE/MILITARY VISITS – Students need a pass from the Guidance Office or a teacher in order to attend Career Center events. Military visits are conducted in the cafeteria commons area during all lunches.
PANORAMIC PICTURES FOR SENIORS are in. Pick yours up in the main office.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ROBINS PI ADAPTED SOCCER TEAM with an 18-1 win over Wayzata last night, claiming their sixth consecutive North Conference Championship. The Robins will look to finish off an unbeaten season on Wednesday at home against Mounds View a 4:15 p.m.
SENIOR GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENT AND CAP & GOWN ORDER FORMS are due in the main office by Thursday, November 3.
Robbinsdale Armstrong High School



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