Rockford American INDIAN Parent ADVISORY Committee (AIPAC)
Rockford Area Schools works to strengthen and promote positive experiences and educational outcomes for American Indian students. American Indian students will reach their full potential within their school communities through meaningful, equitable, and targeted educational experiences that affirms and values their unique cultural identities.
With guidance from the Minnesota Department of Education's American Indian Education department, Rockford Area Schools has formed our local American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC). The work of the Rockford American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) formally began during the 2020-21 school year. The committee consists of parents and guardians of various Native American Indian ancestry, or affiliation. The committee elected two co-chairs, created goals and identified strategies and measures of success.
AIPAC is in need of more parent participation. If you are interested serving on the committee or helping in our efforts please reach out to Superintendent Dr. Jeff Ridlehoover at 763-477-9165.
Join us for the AIPAC (American Indian Parent Advisory Committee) Meeting
The role of the AIPAC committee is an important one in that input provided from students and families assists the school district in best supporting students and families in a wide variety of ways.
We will have our initial meeting on Wednesday, October 4, from 4:30 - 5:30 pm, in the Rockford Middle School Media Center. In an effort to increase attendance and make things easier on families, pizza will be served and child care will be available to those who request it. Besides, parents/guardians, and students, please feel free to invite extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even close friends) as we really want to meet you and listen to your stories.
Please use this form October 4th AIPAC Meeting RSVP to RSVP. Thank you for being part of Rockford Area Schools and know that your input is highly valued.
Goals
1: The AIPAC will provide each Native student with an age-appropriate Native-created resources (e.g., book, film, map, etc.) during the school year.
2: The AIPAC will work collaboratively with Rockford Area School staff to survey teaching and learning needs, consider resources, develop curriculum ideas, and answer questions of RAS students, staff, and families.
3: The AIPAC will coordinate monthly student and family meetings to discuss perceptions and perspectives of local and national people, places, and events related to American Indians.
AIPAC (American Indian Parent Advisory Committee) Membership
AIPACs must be primarily comprised of parents or guardians of American Indian students within the district, charter school, or tribal school. Other eligible committee members include American Indian secondary students, American Indian district staff, and American Indian community members. Additionally, family members of American Indian students, such as grandparents or older siblings, are also eligible to serve on this committee. Non-Native district staff may participate in the AIPAC meetings, but they are not permitted to be voting committee members, and should not be included on the AIPAC roster. District staff should not outnumber committee members at meetings.
REAMS staff and students were delighted to welcome a Native American drum and dance ensemble to school on Wednesday, May 10! The ensemble, named Hoka Hey!, includes local artists from across the Twin Cities that represent several nations, including Ho-Chunk, Dakota, Ojibwe, and Navajo among others. This experience for students and staff is in partnership with the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee (AIPAC) that includes students, parents and staff members of Rockford Area Schools.
Mr. Blackhawk was the leader of the event--he has children that graduated from Rockford Area Schools, and has grandchildren at REAMS. Students learned about history and tradition, music and dance, and the traditional hand-made clothing that performers were wearing during this ensemble.