St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
May 24, 2019
Calendar
  • May 27, Memorial Day, No School
  • May 28, Spring Choral Concert, HS auditorium, 7 p.m.
  • May 31, Talent Show, MS, performance from 9-10:15 a.m. or 1-2:15 p.m. (both shows are the same)
  • May 31, Musical Theatre Performance 1, HS auditorium, 7 p.m.
  • June 1, Musical Theatre Performance 2, HS auditorium, 7 p.m.

Tuesday is a B day
Wednesday and Thursday is an A day
Friday is a B day

8th Grade Projects Expo Rescheduled
The 8th Grade Projects Expo has been rescheduled. We will get details out in next week's OT News with the new date and time for the community to be informed. Families directly involved, please look for an email from Ms. Waldera. 
City Road Construction Update by the Middle School
The City of St. Louis Park has been working on watermain and pavement replacement in the neighborhood just south of the school. The work started on 22nd Street on Thursday. The following are the updated statements we have received from the city which I am now passing on to you for your information.

From the City of St. Louis Park

1. 22nd Street will remain open during construction.
2. The 22nd Street entrance to the school will always be open - there may be periodic blockages as the work progresses, but they will avoid bus pick-up and drop-off times.
3. The grinding of the street will be complete by the end of Friday and will remain gravel for several days - through the end of the school year.
4. Curb/gutter will be removed next week.  
5. The main work will be on a storm sewer east of the school entrance off 22nd Street.
6. Restoration will be the final process and will occur sometime over the summer.

Questions may be directed to the following person at the City.

Thomas Leonhardt, Project Coordinator

Click here for updates from the city.
Talent Show
Hey hey hey...Next Friday, May 31, the talent show will be rockin' in field house one and two. 7th graders will attend the first show and 8th and 6th graders will attend the second show. The first show will run from 9-10:15 a.m. and the second show will be held from 1-2:15 p.m. Both shows are the same.
P lease sign in at the front office when you arrive.
Bouldering
Last Thursday, Ms. Bailey's OT took a field trip to Minneapolis Bouldering Project, a climbing gym WITHOUT ROPES, and challenged themselves on different courses with different levels of difficulty and skill. We had a blast while also learning something new!
Black and Proud: An Open Dialogue
On Thursday, May 23rd after school was a discussion called, Black and Proud: An Open Dialogue. This event was created to provide our Black students (African-American, African, Afro-Latino, Caribbean, Black Native, Bi-racial, etc.) with a safe space to discuss their experiences. We want to be intentional about what our students need. Often times as educators we know what the students need. However, as they are becoming independent individuals with their own ideas, values and standards, we must trust that they can speak to what their needs and desires are. They can take ownership for their academic careers. It was a casual, non-political conversation that reiterated an understanding that being Black in this country, state and their communities is a constant journey. We had about 35 students choose to participate in this discussion. Students were able to walk away feeling good about the upcoming school year as they make plans to make more of an impact in the SLP community. These students are igniting their leadership roles as we strive for a culture of inclusiveness and equity in our district. We are all in this together, and there is a place in our schools for every student to flourish. 
Adam Turman
Recently, Ms. Zielke's Painting and Illustration classes had a visit from Adam Turman, a professional artist,who lives in St. Louis Park. Mae Turman is a current 7th grader and her sister Ada is a freshman at SLP High School.

This taken from Adam's website:
"Adam Turman is an illustrator from Minneapolis, MN, whose bold style offers colorful takes on beloved landmarks and the great outdoors. Adam’s murals can be found throughout the Midwest, and his prints in private collections worldwide. He works with major brands, independent businesses, and private collectors to make art part of our everyday."

It was exciting for students to see his work and ask questions about his creative process. Many students were familiar with his work which can be seen around the Twin Cities. He has murals at The Guthrie and Target Field just to name a few.

We want to thank Mr. Turman for his time with our art students who had a chance to make real world connections to careers in art and be inspired by this gifted artist.
Lost and Found
All Lost and Found articles will be available in the front foyer on Thursday, May 30th and Friday morning on May 31st before school. After that time, all unclaimed clothing articles will be donated to STEP.  
End of the Year Parties, Sign up now!
End of the Year Party! 2019
Come and celebrate the end of the school year at SLP Middle School!
 
Volunteers are needed to help this day run smoothly and send students off to a great summer break. Click here to volunteer.
Global Interns
SLPMS has had another successful year with our two Global Interns, Catherine & Silvia! They have been a great addition to our classrooms and have made many connections with our students. They will both return home in June after the school year ends, so encourage your student to thank them and wish them safe travels in whatever language they have had the opportunity to work with them. We are now looking forward to another exciting year with two interns, Irene from Spain and Carlos from Columbia, who both speak Spanish, French & English. Both are incredibly excited to join our community and get involved! We are looking for two host families for this upcoming fall semester (approximately mid to late August until the semester break in January, 2020) and another two host families next spring (end of January, 2020 until they return home shortly after the school year ends). The main requirements are that the intern have her own legal bedroom and you have an interest in getting to know someone from another culture while encouraging them to learn about ours.If you are interested or have questions, please contact Miriam Gustafson at  cyrus.axel@yahoo.com .  
Summer School Information & Registration
Summer School provides a positive learning environment of enthusiastic staff and small class sizes. It is a free opportunity for students to strengthen reading and/or math learning and prepare for their next grade level as well as maintain their growth over summer. We offer free bussing, free breakfast, and free lunch.  Students can also win cool prizes. Click here for more information and a registration form .  If you have any questions you may contact your child’s teachers or dean of students. The Summer School coordinator is Lil Zumberge: 952-928-6376,  zumberge.lillian@slpschools.org
Site Council

Get involved in Middle School Site Council or in a volunteer role in 2019/20!
Top 10 Middle School Food Shelf Item Needs
Did you know our Middle School has a food shelf? We do! Can you help stock it? Below are the top ten most needed items. We have a shopping cart in the office to collect donations. Anytime you come to school for something, please consider dropping off a few items in the cart. Thank you!

Top 10 Middle School Food Shelf Needs:
1.   cereal
2.   fruit (especially pineapple and oranges)
3.   Ramen
4.   deodorant
5.   shampoo
6.  canned corn
7.   mini mac and cheese
8.   spaghetti o's (and similar canned meals)
9.   pancake mix (complete)
10. syrup

A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to Binder Buddies recently through the Amazon Wish List. Your generosity has greatly replenished many of our supplies for students. Sincere thanks to everyone who has participated in this giving.  

To donate to the Binder Buddies program through the Amazon Wish List:
  1. Click here.
  2. Select the item(s) you would like to donate
  3. When checking out, please select the middle school address for shipping
  4. Place your order
Thank you in advance for your donations!
District/Community News
Looking for other opportunities? Check out these programs
 Summer Safety Awareness
Northern Breezes Youth & Teen Sailing Day Camp
SLP Fire Open House
Stakeholders needed for Advisory Committee
Summer Explores K-8 Programs
SLP Girls Basketball Camp
13th Annual Parktacular Art Hunt
Wolfe Ridge Summer Camp
First Ever High School Drone Race
Teen Tech Workshop
State of the Community Event

Washington D.C.
2019 D.C. Trip (current 7th Graders):
Our pre-trip parent meeting has been scheduled for  Monday, June 3, at 7:00 P.M.  in the Middle School Media Center. We will be covering a lot of topics: flight times, airport details, meals, our itinerary, room assignments, and many more. Please plan to have  at least 1 adult  per traveling family attend, and students should attend if at all possible. Please contact David Burr at  burr.david@slpschools.org  or 952-928-6375 for more information.

2020 D.C. Trip (current 6th Graders):
We currently have 28 students signed up to travel on next year's trip, and there's definitely room for more! It's not too late to sign up; you can register through next March and still travel. There are 3 easy ways to register:


2) By calling 1-800-468-5899

3) By completing the registration form that was in your invitation packet.

Our Trip ID number is  175969 . Please contact David Burr at  burr.david@slpschools.org  or 952-928-6375 for more information.