Minnesota students return to class for a new school year

Principal Salma Hussein began her first day at Gideon Pond Elementary School in Burnsville on Tuesday by greeting pupils and their parents - in English and Somali.

About 40% of the south metro school's student body is Somali, Hussein said, and she recalls how much it would have meant to her to see someone who shares her background leading one of her schools.

"I want, for these little ones, to have that much sooner," said Hussein, who spent the last few weeks visiting students at home and attending ice cream socials at Gideon Pond to familiarize herself with her new community.

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-students-return-to-class-for-a-new-school-year/600204211/