Superintendent: Taking Ourselves Into a New Year of Potential and Possibility

The beginning of a new school year is always full of energy and possibility—and this year, that energy feels especially powerful. As we welcome our students, staff, and families to the 2025-26 school year, I’m filled with excitement about what lies ahead for Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale).

We’re entering this year with a deep commitment to our students, a renewed focus on our priorities, and a bold sense of momentum to improve our district now and into the future. Our district theme for the year—Take Yourself On: Believe, Belong, Become—speaks to the courage and growth we hope to inspire in each of our students and staff. It’s a reminder that learning is not just about what we know—it’s about who we are becoming.

This theme takes on even greater meaning as we step into a year filled with both uncertainty and opportunity.

Take Yourself On is an invitation to lean into who we are and who we want to be. We know the path ahead won’t always be easy, whether you're navigating new academic challenges, adjusting to change, or working through tough decisions. But within each of these moments is a chance to grow. We want every student and staff member to believe in their ability to succeed, feel a deep sense of belonging in our schools, and become confident, resilient individuals ready to shape the future. This theme calls us to be intentional, reflective, and brave—together.

This also builds upon our district’s strategic plan, which continues to center around five core priorities:

• Academic Achievement — ensuring every student experiences meaningful, rigorous, and culturally responsive learning;
• Student Engagement and Wellness — creating learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and designed for the whole child;
• Collaboration and Partnerships — strengthening the relationships that connect our schools with families and the broader community;
• Staff Investment and Impact — supporting and celebrating the people who make our schools thrive;
• Equity — which remains the lens through which all our work is viewed and measured.

These priorities are not just words on a page—they guide our daily decisions and long-term planning. As we move forward, you’ll see these priorities reflected in everything from how we support student learning to how we invest in staff development and build community connections.

One of the most exciting parts of the year ahead is the continued work of Reimagine Rdale: Vision 2030, our community-wide effort to shape the future of learning in our district. Over the past several months, students, staff, families, and community members have shared ideas and hopes about what school could be. Their feedback is helping to guide our Vision Team as they explore innovative ideas for programming, facilities, and student success.

This work is big, and it’s also deeply personal. Whether you’re a kindergartner walking into school for the first time, a high school senior stepping into your final year, a teacher preparing your classroom, or a parent trusting us with your child’s future, you are part of this journey. And we’re honored to take it with you.

Let’s make 2025-26 a year where we believe in ourselves and each other. Where every student feels like they belong. Where each of us, students, staff, families, and community members, is empowered to become the best version of ourselves.

Here’s to a great year ahead. Let’s take ourselves on—together.