In response to the unjust killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, our community has stepped up to comfort each other and offer support, create healing art and set up donation drives for communities greatly impacted by the protests.

Read Superintendent Chris Lennox's messages to Mounds View District families here:

• A message from the Superintendent, May 29
• Planning for fall 2020, June 5

These are a few examples of the work our schools and District community have participated in over the last few weeks.

• Highview Middle School art displays 
• Irondale High School donation drive
• Island Lake Elementary School donation drive
• March on Highway 96

Highview Middle School staff worked to create art to honor the recent events. 

Artists: 

• Mural: Lisa Skildum, art teacher
• Sidewalk art: Esther Fleigle, paraprofessional

A group of Irondale seniors spent their gradaution day collecting donations for those greatly impacted by the protest aftermath in Minneapolis. Seniors Elizabeth Bourassa, Ruwayda Abdullah and Beza Fessha led the efforts to collect toiletries, nonperishable food and more items to assist families in need.

Irondale's National Honor Society also started a donation drive in the last few weeks. They have been collecting donation items at the New Brighton Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 3-7 p.m. 

Mr. Ellefson, Island Lake fifth grade teacher, called on his fifth graders and their families to help residents in North and South Minneapolis affected by recent events. The fifth grade team collected food, diapers, toiletries and household supplies that will be donated to organizations within the communities.

On Saturday, June 13, hundreds of community members, including many Mounds View District students, peacefully marched in protest of the unjust killing of George Floyd and systemic racial injustice in America. The march toward Arden Hills City Hall began as protestors made their way down the closed Highway 96, concluding at the city hall where protestors listened to speeches, poetry and music led by black students.

Read more about the protest here. 

Photos courtesy of the Bethel Clarion.