September 30, 2020 | Volume 1 • Issue 6
School Board Approves Revision to District's Safe Learning Plan
The School Board for St. Louis Park Public Schools unanimously approved a recommended change to the District’s Safe Learning Plan, as presented by Superintendent Astein Osei on Tuesday, September 29. 

Details of the plan include:

  • Students in Grades E-2 will start in a hybrid model on September 28;
  • Students in Grades 3-5 will start in a hybrid model on October 5;
  • Students in Grades 6-12 remain in distance learning; 
  • Offer full-time distance learning as a choice for families; and
  • Develop an elementary distance learning academy and move to a full-day schedule K-5 as soon as is feasible.  

The recommendation changes the course for Middle and High School students and continues their learning in a distance learning model instead of hybrid learning. Superintendent Osei cited numerous data points for the revised recommendation. He identified MDH and MDE recommendations regarding rising rates of COVID-19 in the region, as well as staff coverage concerns at the High School and Middle School, as the primary reasons for the change. Other considerations included student learning goals, staff preparedness, technology, and school operational readiness. Additionally, the District considered feedback from teachers and parents/guardians about their experiences with distance learning this school year.

A complete timeline has yet to be developed for implementation of an elementary distance learning academy and transition to a full-day schedule for Grades K-5. Understanding the significant amount of work to be done to prepare to implement a full-day schedule and a distance learning academy, the School Board stressed the sense of urgency in making these changes. 

Additional information added Wednesday, September 30:

For clarity, a "full-day schedule" means students will remain in cohorts A and B and attend school in-person two days a week, however, students would attend school from 7:45 a.m. until 2:15 p.m. instead of the 7:45-11:45 a.m. schedule that is currently in place. More information about when this change will be made will be communicated as soon as possible.

Another frequently asked question in the last 24 hours is when will District Administration and the School Board consider moving secondary students from distance learning to the hybrid model. The school district will continue to evaluate COVID data and conditions to determine the best educational delivery model for students in all grades; as well as student and staff safety conditions.

Click here to download the updated "Preparing for E-5 Hybrid Learning Guide".
Superintendent Osei to Host Listening Sessions for Various Stakeholder Groups
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. | Zoom Link 
  • Student Listening Session | Friday, October 2 | 9:30-11 a.m. | Zoom Link 
  • Levantando la Voz Latina con el Superintendente Osei - Familias de Primaria - a listening session for Spanish-speaking families | Monday, October 5 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Zoom Link 
  • Levantando la Voz Latina con el Superintendente Osei - Familias de Middle y High School - a listening session for Spanish-speaking families | Tuesday, October 6 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Zoom Link
  • Staff Listening Session | Monday, October 12 | 4-5:30 p.m. | Zoom link will be provided next week

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. NOTE: Check the District website (www.slpschools.org) for additional Superintendent Listening Sessions to be scheduled. In addition to the Spanish-speaking parent/guardian listening sessions we are working to create similar opportunities for our Somali families. 
Free Meals Continue to be Available at All Six Schools
Free Meals continue to be available to St. Louis Park Public Schools students at all six school sites. Please note that due to construction, meal pick up at St. Louis Park Middle School is in the back of the building.

Starting Monday, Oct. 5, for students in grades 6-12 and K-5 students who have chosen to remain in distance learning, free meals will be available at the six school sites on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. 

For students in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade who are participating in the Hybrid model, meal availability will depend on which cohort your student(s) are in.

Cohort A (Last names starting with A-K)

Monday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 

Tuesday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 

Wednesday: Meals for three days can be picked up at any of the six school buildings.

Thursday: No meals served today.

Friday: No meals served today. 

Cohort B (Last names starting with L-Z)

Monday: Meals for three days can be picked up at any of the six school buildings.

Tuesday: No meals served today. 

Wednesday: No meals served today.

Thursday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 

Friday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 

Delivery to Apartment Complexes Continues
The District will continue to drop-off meals to seven St. Louis Park apartment complexes in designated neighborhoods, between 1:00-2:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Please note that these meals will be delivered in mini-vans and NOT school busses. Also note that there will be no delivery of meals on Friday, October 2, as this is a No School/Professional Development day.

Meal Drop-Off Schedule:
Meadowbrook (Era Apartments).......................... 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Colonial Terrace Apartments................................ 1:00-1:20 p.m.
Park Glen Apartments.......................................... 1:30-1:50 p.m.
Oak Park Village Apartments............................... 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Louisiana Court Apartments................................ 1:00-1:20 p.m.
Rhode Island Chateau Apartments...................... 1:30-1:50 p.m.
Courtyard/The Park Apartments.......................... 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Meals available by PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY for designated apartment complexes!
Complete the Pre-Order for Limited Meal Delivery form at http://bit.ly/slpfreemeals.

Free and Reduced Meals Application
While meals are currently free, it’s very important for families to complete a Free and Reduced Meals Application to help ensure that the District can continue to provide this important service to our students and families. This application can be filled out by families in a number of different ways including online through their Wordware or PowerSchool account or by filling out a paper copy. If anyone has questions or needs more information about the St. Louis Park Public Schools Free Meals program, or needs assistance in filling out a Free and Reduced Meals Application, they can contact the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146.
Reminder: No School on Friday, October 2
Please remember there is no school on Friday, October 2 as teachers and staff will be engaged in a districtwide professional development day. Looking ahead on the calendar, there is also no school on October 15-16 due to the annual MEA Conference.
District Instructional Programs Advisory Council (DIPAC) Application Now Available
Parents/guardians interested in applying to be on the newly formed DIPAC, can now do so by clicking here. An overview of this new collaborative group is below:

PURPOSE
The purpose of the District Instructional Programs Advisory Council (DIPAC) is to develop a collaborative group of parents/guardians and students that support the accomplishment of the goals of the strategic plan by engaging in a review process of our curricular and instructional program offerings.

OBJECTIVES
  • To support the development of curricular and instructional programs that are anti-racist and promote racially equitable learning experiences for all students.
  • To bring together academic interests that support achievement for all students across the district.
  • To provide advice and insight to support the Superintendent in the development of curricular and instructional programs.
  • To review and provide feedback on District policies, practices, procedures and programs that impact curriculum and instructional programs.
  • To gather feedback from parents and students throughout the district regarding how to share decisions and progress of district Program Design Teams with the greater parent and student community.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY
DIPAC has the authority to make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding curricular and instructional programs. 

MEETING SCHEDULE
All meetings take place at the District Office (6311 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park) or virtually on Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
  • October 20, 2020
  • December 8, 2020
  • February 9, 2021
  • March 9, 2021
  • May 11, 2021 
  • May 24, 2021 (7:00 p.m. School Board presentation)

MEMBERSHIP
DIPAC membership is based on interest, not educational expertise. Members include up to two representatives from each elementary school and up to four representatives from each secondary school, one school board member, district teachers and administrators, and up to four high school students. The length of term is two years. Applications for potential members will be available via the district website and due on Friday, October 9th.

DIPAC will strive to reflect the racial, gender, language, and ability balance of the school district and will actively recruit participants from underrepresented groups, if at the end of the application process, we do not see an adequate response. The district Teaching and Learning team and the Superintendent shall work together to ensure underrepresented groups are equitably represented from across the school district. These appointments will be endorsed by Principals at each of the representative sites from across the school district.
Transportation Clarity for Critical Childcare Families
For Tier I [All] families receiving transportation, transportation is provided ONLY on the student's in person learning day (if requested). For example:

  • If your student is Cohort A, they could receive transportation at 11:45 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays (no transportation provided for this cohort Wednesday-Friday). 
  • If your student is Cohort B, they could receive transportation at 11:45 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays (no transportation provided for this cohort Monday-Wednesday). 
  • Families are responsible for their own transportation for distance learning days. 
  • No transportation is offered on Wednesdays. 
  • No transportation route is offered at 2:15 p.m.

If families are needing after school care, please contact Kids Place at Kidsplace@slpschools.org.
First Day of Hybrid Learning for Grades K-2
We were so excited to welcome back students from Cohort A in grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade today on Monday and Tuesday! We are looking forward to seeing students in Cohort B on Thursday!
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6311 Wayzata Blvd. | St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Phone: 952-928-6000 | Fax: 952-928-6020