Tuesday, November 10, 2020 |
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Dear Families,
Last night the School Board voted to have all students go back to distance learning on Monday, November 23. The details are outlined below. The decision was a challenging one as Superintendent Osei expressed last night. As a district, we had hoped to fully transfer to full day hybrid and a Distance Learning Academy. Those plans and all the work are on hold for now, but will be revisited once we can return to in-person learning.
We recognize this shift in learning models is another challenge to an already difficult year. Although we understand the reason why we are being asked to go back to distance learning, we know this change impacts our families in different ways.
We will not be holding our virtual family connect times that were scheduled for tomorrow or next Wednesday. Our plan is to get more information on what a daily schedule in distance learning will look like, along with expectations by the end of this week
If you have any questions about the changes, please contact Shelley Nielsen or Olivia Tolzin.
Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal 952-928-6502
Shelley Nielsen, Aquila Principal 952-928-6508
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School Board Approved Safe Learning Plan Changes
*Beginning Monday, November 23 ALL Aquila students will move to distance learning until further notice.
*Aquila will stay in the current model of hybrid learning/times until Monday, November 23.
*The district is postponing the implementation of the Distance Learning Academy and full-day hybrid learning model which was going to start on Monday, November 16.
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Additional Information Regarding Learning Model Changes:
*If anyone wishes to keep their students home from school between now and the transition to distance learning due to health concerns should feel comfortable doing so and the school district will accommodate those requests. Families wishing to keep their student(s) home during this time should call their school attendance line (952-928-6507) and state that their child will be home from school as a preventative quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
*The School Board will re-evaluate the Safe Learning Plan on January 11, 2021.
*The Board also voted to authorize Superintendent Osei to transition students to distance learning at an earlier date without school board action, if necessary.
*Childcare for Critical Workers will continue at school sites during distance learning.
*The criteria below are used when the district makes decisions on switching models.
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USE THIS CALENDAR THROUGH FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 |
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Virtual Family Connect Times - Postponed until December |
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Grade level teachers will be holding Virtual Family Connect Meetings with families from their grade levels. These online meetings will give parents and caregivers a chance to ask questions and share experiences about distance learning.Teachers will share links to meetings closer to dates. These meetings will resume in December. |
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St. Louis Park Schools - Critical Outcomes |
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Elementary teachers and staff across the district continue to create meaningful learning engagements around the district's Critical Outcomes. The outcomes will be reviewed with district curriculum exploration, state standard review, and during current teaching model adjustments (distance and hybrid learning models).
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AQ PTO (Parent, Teacher Organization) |
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The Aquila PTO partners with families to enhance the education experience
of all Aquila students, families and staff!
PTO MEETING -- Virtual:
All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
For more information, please contact
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Wednesday, December 9
All food and drink purchases, including deliveries, will be donated
to the AQ PTO.
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AmazonSmile
When you shop at Amazon a portion of your purchases can be donated to the AQ PTO using this website.
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Familias Latinas High School SLP! All Schools! |
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Familias Latinas de nuestras escuelas, ahora ya tenemos una página de Facebook con información totalmente en español! Les invitamos a visitar y a darnos un me gusta.
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From the Aquila Health Office - Free COVID-19 Saliva Tests |
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The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is offering Minnesotans more and different options for COVID-19 testing by offering saliva testing in a growing number of locations across the state. The test is more comfortable than a nasal swab, and available at no cost to anyone who believes they need a COVID-19 test. Saliva testing is free and available to all Minnesotans who believe they need to be tested, with or without symptoms. Identification is not required. You do need to have an email address and phone number to receive your results. Insurance is not required. If you do have insurance, you will need to show your card. The test is completely free whether or not you have insurance, and you will not receive a bill. Saliva testing may not be right for those with low saliva production, such as children under age 4 or someone who has suffered a stroke.
Where:
Parking:
Free parking is available on the roof of the RiverCentre ramp. If that is full, metered parking is available in Rice Park. Click here for a map.
Entrances:
Skyway from the RiverCentre Parking Ramp, follow signs
Doors by the main RiverCentre sign at 175 W Kellogg Blvd, follow signs
Rice Park entrance on Washington Street near Herb Brooks statue, follow signs
Times:
Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Schedule an Appointment:
What to Expect:
*Wear a mask or face covering if you can.
*If you made an appointment ahead of time, you can show either your confirmation email/text or tell staff your name, birthdate, and address. Plan to arrive close to the time of your scheduled visit.
*If you did not make an appointment ahead of time, you can register at the event.
*Bring your insurance card if you have health insurance. The test will be 100% free whether or not you have insurance. If you do, we may ask your insurance company to help pay for your test.
How the Saliva Test Works:
*You must not eat, drink, chew or smoke anything for at least 30 minutes before taking a saliva test.
*A health care professional will tell you how to take the test, but you will do it yourself.
*You will spit into a funnel attached to a tube. Producing the required amount of saliva usually takes 10-12 *You will get your results in about 48-72 hours.
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Learning Ally National Competition - The Gr8 Reading Games |
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Aquila Elementary Students Win Learning Ally’s National Competition - The Gr8 Reading Games!
Last spring, we announced that students in Grades 2-5 had banded together as a team to win the Orange Division of the Gr8 Reading Games! We beat teams from Texas, New Jersey and Minnesota! In addition to being the Number 1 team, we had two Fifth Graders win the national grade level competition. They were the top two readers in the entire United States! Wow!
Randy - First Place
Jacob - Second Place
Each boy won the following prizes: A new Chromebook, headphones, backpack, pop-socket, orange team bracelet and a $100 Visa gift card!! Due to COVID, prizes weren’t delivered until early October. The winners are at the Middle School, so Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Hansen had the pleasure of delivering them to each boy at home.
All team members received Team Aquila Orange Bracelets identifying them as team members. Additionally, some members also received one or more of the following: backpacks, headphones, and pop-sockets.
Below are photos of some of the members of Team Aquila.
The 2021 Gr8 Reading Games will begin in January! If you are a Learning Ally reader at Aquila, keep an eye out for our communications regarding it. We are looking for a repeat!
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Randy and Family! First Place! |
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Gently used winter gear is available for Aquila students.
Families can contact Dana Baumeister, Aquila Social Worker,
at 952-928-6498 or baumeister.dana@slpschools.org.
STEP has a winter coat program going on until November 18th.
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An Elementary Family Handbook is available on each of the four elementary school websites under both the Parent Resources tab and the Find it Fast section.
The handbook includes important contact information, quick facts about each school, and important school board policies that impact students and families.
Near the end of the publication is the Consent for Release of Student Information form, as well as information regarding Peachjar and how weather related school closings will be communicated.
Click here to be directed to a website where you can download the Elementary Family Handbook.
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Click here to download the District's "Preparing for E-5 Hybrid Learning Guide". This publication is full of details about what the Hybrid model looks like for students and families.
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St. Louis Park Public Schools released its Return to School Guide for the 2020-21 school year. This guide contains important information about potential learning models (distance, hybrid and in-person), health and safety guidelines and protocols, and other general information on a variety of topics including transportation, school nutrition, childcare, arts, athletics, and much more!
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COVID-19 School District's Response |
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PLEASE NOTE:
Updates and information about the school district's response to COVID-19 can be found on the school district website at www.slpschools.org/COVID19. P lease bookmark this page and refer to it often.
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