January 16, 2025

Creating Safe & Supportive Schools for Immigrant and English Learn Students: Toolkit and Additional Resources From the MN Education Equity Partnership, MnEEP

This toolkit was created by MnEEP to assist educators in their efforts to protect the rights of immigrant and EL students. We are grateful for the work of MnEEP and for sharing this toolkit for your use. 

I know that many of you have been looking for resources and here are additional links they provided:

• California guidelines: https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/bcj/school-guidance-model-k12.pdf

• New York City guidelines: https://infohub.nyced.org/in-our-schools/policies/immigration-guidance-for-schools

For families:

• California Know Your Rights: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Know%20Your%20Immigration%20Rights%5B88%5D.pdf

• Michigan Know Your Rights: https://michiganimmigrant.org/resources/advocate-library/127

For School Boards and city officials:

• Los Angeles School Board of Education "sanctuary district" language: https://www.lausd.org/cms/lib/CA01000043/Centricity/Domain/1057/Tab%2040%20-%20Res%20035.pdf

• Portland, Maine’s city ordinance: https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/33c0e8fb-d8ec-4b2b-a07f-8128d5052cb2?cache=1800  

Bills that are popping up to create more protections around schools

• California State Assembly Bill No. 49 that would inhibit federal immigration agents’ access to schools: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB49 

• California State Senate Bill No. 48 that would establish a one-mile “safe zone” around campuses: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB48

Your Guide to Navigating the Capitol

As you plan your regional day at the capitol, you may find this guide helpful.  I have shared previously, but believe it is worthy of sending to you again. Regional leaders please take note! Thanks to MASA Lobbyist Valerie Dosland for putting this together. Let’s hope the full legislature is in session soon, though the latest reports in the media suggest they may be out until February.

Congratulations to Elk River Public Schools!

As noted in AASA communication, “AASA and Sourcewell, AASA’s government cooperative procurement partner, proudly announce the recipients of the 2025 Helping Kids Mini Grants program. This year, $40,000 in funds have been distributed to 16 school districts across the country with specific needs. The funds will be used to improve learning in two ways - reimagining and advancing existing district infrastructure and making upgrades for flexible and contemporary educational facilities.” Elk River is one of the school districts awarded the mini grant. 

More Kudos-Compunter Science Related Grants Awarded!

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has announced new investments in computer science education through the K-12 Computer Science Education Advancement Grants, funded by the 2023 Computer Science Education Advancement Act. These grants, approved by Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Legislature, aim to expand access to computer science programs by supporting professional development, raising community awareness, and creating sustainable, equitable initiatives statewide.

Congratulations to the grantees: Bloomington Public Schools, Brainerd Public Schools, Bultum Academy, Eden Prairie Public School District, Goodhue Public School District 253, Kasson-Mantorville Public School District, Mahtomedi Public School District, Rochester Public School District, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District, Southeast Service Cooperative (partnering with Goodhue County Education District 61–6051, Kingsland Public Schools, Wabasha-Kellogg Public School District, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District), West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan Area Schools, and Wrenshall Public School District.

Code of Conduct

All attendees of the 2025 spring conference and subsequent MASA-sponsored events will be asked to agree to abide by MASA's new Code of Conduct. The code is modeled after one used by the National School Public Relations Association, NSPRA. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Leadership Matters!