St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News |
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Important Information for all students |
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR NEXT WEEK:
There is no school on Friday, October 2 due to staff professional learning and development. Because of this, we WILL have school on Wednesday, September 30. Click here to see a complete schedule.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Wednesday will be an ODD day of instruction where students will have live class on 1st, 3rd, Advisory, 5th, and 7th periods.
- Thursday will be an EVEN day of instruction where students will have live class on 2nd, 4th, Advisory, and 6th periods.
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Superintendent Osei to Host Several Listening Sessions |
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As a part of the process to hear stakeholder perspectives, Superintendent Osei will be hosting Listening Sessions over the course of this school year for students, parents/guardians, and staff to better understand the impact of the implementation of the District's educational delivery models.
Upcoming Superintendent Listening Sessions
- Secondary Parent/Guardian Listening Session | Thursday, October 1 | 6-7:30 p.m.
- Student Listening Session | Friday, October 2 | 9:30-11 a.m.
- Staff Listening Session | Monday, October 12 | 4-5:30 p.m.
All of the listening sessions will occur virtually via Zoom and we will share links to these meetings on our district website a couple of days before the meeting.
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7th Grade Welcomes Joe Davis |
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7th grade students welcomed artist Joe Davis to their Language and Literature classes on September 24 and 25. Mr. Davis used a "chat storm" and "lightning poetry" to help students reflect on identity and to have "compassionate curiosity" for others. He also shared two of his own spoken word pieces!
Here are a few comments from students in the Chat:
"really good"
"Clap, clap that was awesome"
"Can he come again?"
"dang we got Tupac 2.0 over here"
"he was on fire!!!"
"that was AWESOME YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
"Thank you."
To see Joe's spoken word piece "Show Up" click here.
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Distance Learning Information |
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Parents and guardians----please read the following information regarding distance learning:
- Teachers have noticed more and more students have been turning off their cameras during live teaching sessions. We are strongly encouraging all students, if possible, to have their cameras on as much as possible. We want to be able to see them, have them see each other, encourage community and this allows the teacher to give quicker feedback when they are able to see their students. We do also recognize that there may be situations where a camera needs to be off and want to respect those situations. We appreciate your help with this.
- If a teacher is absent for a day, students will have a non-live, asynchronous learning activity to work on. In addition, that teacher may look to reschedule live classes to the following day. If that were to happen, that teacher would be communicating with their students to let them know. We recognize that rescheduling classes could be challenging for students and families, but if it means those students could attend a live class that otherwise would not happen, then this is worth it for them.
Jason Boll
Assistant Principal
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Opt-In to Distance Learning Form |
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Are you a parent/guardian looking to choose distance learning for your student(s)? Click here to find the opt-in form. One response is needed per student.
Please feel free to contact 952-928-6001 if you have any questions.
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As with all things this year, the annual St. Louis Park Middle School Spelling Bee is intended, but not guaranteed, to happen. David Burr, event organizer and teacher in the Language and Literature department, is hoping to host the first-round screening test after school on October 6 in the new Media Center classrooms, provided Covid restrictions allow that to happen. If Covid restrictions do not allow for gathering on October 6, there is a possibility that a screening test could happen virtually. More specific details will be provided as the event date approaches.
The screening test is a written, multiple-choice test that helps determine the top spellers in each grade. Generally, the top ten scorers from 6th grade, the top five scorers from 7th grade, and the top five scorers from 8th grade are invited to attend the SLPMS Spelling Bee, which is scheduled to be held on November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center classrooms (again, dependent upon Covid restrictions). The winner from this Bee may be invited to attend the Metro Area Bee held in March if one is held.
Students will be able to get a study packet for the screening test from their language and literature teacher’s Schoology site starting the week of September 14. Best of luck to all of our spellers!
David Burr
(952) 928-6375
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Message from the Social Worker and School Counselor |
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Did you know?
St. Louis Park Middle School partners with Relate Counseling Center and Park Nicollet NOW Program to provide children's mental health therapy services during the school day to middle school students. As we navigate into the school year with distance learning, services are provided via telehealth. Please reach out to your student's grade level dean, the school social worker or the school counselor to discuss this possibility for your child. You may be concerned if you have noticed a change in your child's appetite or sleeping, an increase in anger outbursts, avoiding activities they typically enjoy, becoming overly agitated, increased worry, self harming behavior and other concerning behavior changes. Please reach out if you have concerns.
Dean of Students:
(6th Grade) Gina Magnuson
(7th Grade) Randy Zutz
(8th Grade) Delana Brinkman
School Social Worker & School Counselor:
Kristen Engen-Routzohn (Social Worker)
Theresa Weber-Sexton (School Counselor)
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New Morning Community Ed Clubs |
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Visual Storytelling with Mr. Justin Cherrier
Join our very own Mr. Justin to learn all about how to make an impactful short film. Once you have the basics down, students will make their very own film which they will write, shoot, and edit before presenting it to an audience.
Two sessions available:
For A-K students: Mondays, Oct. 19-Dec 21, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314
For L-Z students: Thursdays, Oct. 22-Dec 17, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314
Pricing is on a sliding scale: $59/$69/$79/$89.
Click here to register now!
Hip-Hop Club with Mr. Deandre Adams
Mr. Deandre's hip-hop club program gives teens an opportunity to tell their stories, build community, and express their artistic visions through the music of hip-hop culture and the culture of the cipher.
Two sessions available:
For A-K students: Tuesdays, Oct. 20-Dec. 22, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314
For L-Z students: Fridays, Oct. 23-Dec. 18, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314
Pricing is on a sliding scale: $59/$69/$79/$89.
Click here to register now!
Open Gym with Mr. Dennis Joyner
Start your morning out right by joining Mr. Dennis for open gym time to play basketball and hang out with your friends.
Two sessions available:
For A-K students: Tuesdays, Oct. 20-Dec. 22nd, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Fieldhouse 2
For L-Z students: Thursdays, Oct. 22-Dec. 17, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Fieldhouse 2
Pricing is on a sliding scale: $39/$49/$59/$69.
Click here to register now
All programs are open for students in Grades 6-8 and are limited to 14 students. After the club is over students will have a chance to eat breakfast before school begins at 9:10 am.
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When the School Board voted in April 2019 to change school start and end times beginning in the Fall of 2020, the District also committed to form an "Out-of-School Time (OST) Taskforce" to help develop before and after school academic programs, enrichment and recreation opportunities, and childcare options for families.
The District's Youth Enrichment Program (YEP) has released the first slate of enrichment opportunities as a result of the work of the OST Taskforce. These offerings for K-8 students include a drawing class, chess club, Lego class, coding class, guitar lessons, and a puzzles & riddles escape experience.
Click here to download a one-page flyer with program information including class offerings, dates, times and costs. Visit www.slp.ce.eleyo.com to register for YEP offerings. Questions about YEP offerings can be directed to Kelleen O'Brion at [email protected] or 952-928-6399.
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Free Meals for Students, available at six sites |
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The NEW St. Louis Park Schools Family Tech Help site is located at https://slpfamilytechhelp.blogspot.com/. Please look here for solutions to common technical problems that you may have with a student device. If you are in need of additional, specific assistance, you can email a technician at [email protected] or leave a message at 952-928-6056.
In both cases please state the student name, school, grade, and provide device info, and contact phone or email. Both of these methods are checked on a regular basis during the school day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Any calls or emails made after 4:00 p.m. will be received and returned the next school day after 7:30 a.m.
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Other Helpful Information |
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Click here for the Distance Learning Schedule.
Click here for the Wednesday Schedule.
Click here for the Middle School Website. Go to parent resources for information on PowerSchool and Schoology. Go to student resources for information on PowerSchool and Schoology.
Download the 2020-21 St. Louis Park Public Schools Return to School Guide
Click here for the digital school calendar.
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Helpful information for families:
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Other opportunities in the district/community
New After School Fall Enrichment Classes
Navigating College Process
US-Dakota War
Click here to see the flyers.
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2020-2021 D.C. Trip:
1) The trip is open to current 7th AND 8th Grade students this year due to last year's trip postponement!
2) The $100 discount on registration has been extended through October 1 due to increased interest! There are 2 easy ways to register. Our Trip ID is 188262.
- Call WorldStrides Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899
3) If you'd like a registration packet, or would like further information about the trip, please contact David Burr at [email protected] or 952-928-6375.
4) If you are already registered, WorldStrides is offering an extended sign-up window for the Full Refund Program due to the ongoing Covid situation. You are able to register for the Full Refund Program by contacting WorldStrides Customer Service by October. 1.
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