St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
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A Message from the Principal
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It Is hard to believe this is the final copy of Oriole Times News for the 2019-2020 school year. In this edition, I want to take this opportunity to recognize all the adults in our learning community for the support given to our students this year.......instructional assistants, teachers, custodial, food service, administrative assistants, health service, parents, other adult mentors, bus drivers, etc. You truly live the phrase "pay it forward". I believe we will live in a better society because of the work you do today and the commitment you will continue to show our youth tomorrow.
The 2019-2020 School Year went from business as usual to one in March where many of the things we took for granted were turned upside down. For three quarters we all went physically to school as we have always done. It was difficult in the fourth quarter to completely change our practice and gauge the impact of our teaching practices on your children. Thrust into this situation we all tried our best. We know if distance learning continues improvements will need to be made. You granted us the grace we asked for. You partnered with us on the teaching and taking care of our students, your children.
We are unsure of what the future brings. We continue to be optimistic, though. Know that the middle school staff is with you willing to support your child on their academic needs whatever situation is before us in September.
To our 8th graders, we will be watching you from afar as 9th-grade students in high school this fall. Thank you for your leadership here, I know you will make us proud over there. To our current 6th and 7th grade students--as you move up a grade we expect you to fill the void in leadership lost by our students moving on. We know you are up to the challenge and look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Les Bork
Principal
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Coffee with the Principal
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Middle School Principal Les Bork will host "Coffee with the Principal" virtual meetings on June 15 and July 6. This is a perfect time for parents/guardians to ask questions or give feedback about the Middle School and have a conversation with Principal Bork. A
link
to the Google Meet for each meeting will be posted the day of the meeting.The following dates and times have been set for "Coffee with the Principal" virtual meetings with Middle School Principal Les Bork.
June 15 | 7-8 p.m.
July 6 | 12-1 p.m.
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Click
here
to see greetings from SLP teachers and staff.
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8th Grade Presidential Awards
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Deans and Counseling Corner
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Dear students and families,
This is not the way we imagined finishing the 19-20 school year. The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic forced us into distance learning and separated us physically. More recently our city, state, and country have been devastated by the senseless murder of SLP resident, George Floyd, on a Minneapolis street.
This is a stressful time. Be kind to each other, take care of each other, and ask for help when needed. This is not a time to ignore your mental/emotional health. We’ve updated our resource list. There are organizations ready to provide support - many of them are free.
This resource list also includes crisis support as well as food and housing resources:
We are anxiously waiting for guidance about the structure of school in the fall. Whether we are back in our building or continuing with distance learning, we will be ready to support you and help with the transition in September. We encourage you to keep your minds engaged over the summer. Summer school is an option:
MS summer school registration
Read A LOT. Research, explore, think, create, play, reflect.
We wish you a peaceful, safe, healthy summer break.
Your MS support staff
Theresa Weber-Sexton (School Counselor)
Kara Fahey (Social Worker)
Delana Brinkman (7th Grade Dean)
Gina Magnuson (8th Grade Dean)
Randy Zutz (6th Grade Dean)
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Summer School Information
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Summer school is a great opportunity to continue learning over the summer in the subject areas of math, reading and science. Summer school will be in session from July 6-August 6, Monday through Thursday, in a distance learning format
from 8 a.m. to noon.
There will be live interaction with a teacher. Please sign up on the link below:
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Summer 2020 Free Meals Program
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Click
here
to see the flyer.
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4th Quarter Distance Learning Grading Information
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During distance learning we have continued with our usual grading practices; students are graded on an IB rubric on their assignments and these are averaged into an overall letter grade. We wanted to continue with these familiar practices in order to keep communication as clear as possible between families and teachers in the midst of so many other changes. However, there are two significant changes. First, teachers have been encouraged to be flexible and allow grace for students who are struggling to adjust to the new model of learning for whatever reason, including accepting late work, minimizing the number of assignments given, and focusing on only the essentials. Second, no student will receive a final quarter grade of an F. Students who have not completed course work to put them in the A-D range will instead be given an NG, standing for NO GRADE. In addition to these changes to grading, please note that 4th quarter grades will not be counted toward students’ cumulative GPA.
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Final 4th quarter grades and comments will be posted on Friday, June 12th at 3:30pm for parents and students to review. PowerSchool's parent portal is currently closed for grades and comments to be stored and saved.
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Yearbook Update:
The year end tradition of receiving and signing yearbooks is a special day for our students. This year, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, we are unable to experience the thrill of cracking open that book and remembering the year with our friends.
Many families have been wondering and asking about when the yearbooks will be available. As of now, we do not have an accurate shipping date. Jostens Publishing has been working overtime to print and deliver to thousands of schools, working out of one plant. Our best and most current guess at delivery is late June When we have confirmation of delivery we will announce their arrival and our plan for distribution.
For those who have not ordered a yearbook, there are
88
copies left to be bought. On June 6 you will be able to order online. The site is monitored for orders so that it is closed when all copies are sold.
IMPORTANT!
If you are not sure if you have ordered a yearbook you are encouraged to check your order status at this link,
jostens.com
before ordering.
We are unable to refund for duplicate orders.
Online orders extend through JUNE 22, 2020!
YEARBOOK SIGNING IS NOT CANCELLED!
School may have been cancelled but yearbook signing has not. The tradition continues. Jostens has created Digital Yearbook Signing: Social Distancing Edition.
All students
, regardless of whether they have ordered a yearbook or not, have the opportunity to create free digital pages, invite their friends to sign and print them out to have forever.
To get started, visit
www.jostens.com/yearbooks
and click away! It's easy and fun. Digital signatures can be personalized with fonts and stickers.
Have a safe and happy summer!
Thank you for your kindness and support. #slpstrong
Please email
Lisa Becker
if you you have any questions.
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Schoology Open Until June 30 for Students
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Schoology is going to remain open for students to access learning activities throughout the month of June. Access will be closed starting on July 1st.
Teachers will not be checking for assignments or grading anything that gets submitted
, but since students are able to keep their school issued chromebook through the summer, this will allow students to access learning and activities they either weren't able to get to and other content that is available in their Schoology courses.
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Returning Library Books and Textbooks
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Books (library, textbooks, language and literature, etc) that belong to the school can be dropped off in two locations: at PSI in Entry #2 there is a blue bin marked "Middle School Books" and at the HS in Entry #1 there is a table for "Middle School Books." You will be able to drop off books Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Chromebooks should be kept for the summer. If parents/students want to return their chromebook they need to contact our district Tech Department.
Summer Learning Academy learners and other students that have a St. Louis Park Schools Chromebook over the summer may request assistance with technical problems by emailing
[email protected]
or calling 952-928-6056 and leaving a detailed description of the issue, student and parent name, and contact information.
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Mrs. Paul's Design 6 & Digital Illustration Students
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Mrs. Paul's 'Design 6' and 'Digital Illustration' students explored Native American artists. They then were able to choose their favorite artists and look deeper by selecting one of their artworks to critique. This was done with African artists, Asian arts and book illustrators as well.
One of their last assignments (character illustration critique) during distance learning was to create an original multimedia artwork and critique their own artwork. Here are some of the art pieces. I love all the creative variety. I wish I could show the critiques that go along with each piece of art but that would overflow this newsletter, but I've included one as an
example
. I hope these works of art bring some joy.
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Click
here
to see more student work.
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Videos from Mr. Myszkowski Classes
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I'm attaching a 'virtual choir' song from my section of 6th Choir, that I already shared with students & their families. Some submitted video,some audio, thus some school pictures are in the mix. Click
here
to view. I'm also including one of the musical theatre choir's full videos, since they weren't able to perform their scenes publicly. Click
here
to view.
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Mr. Binger's Chamber Orchestra Video
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At the end of April, I had reached out to the kids in my Chamber Orchestra (a mixed-age after school group), to see if they would want to try and do a distance-orchestra video. Just before quarantine, we were getting to the point where we had this song learned, and performable. I gave them some instructions and a final date for submitting their performances- May 25th. Click
here
to enjoy.
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Interested in Girls' High School Soccer?
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Interested in cross country? We are a go for having summer practices. We will be starting June 15th at 8 a.m. Practices will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8 a.m. for the month of June location of practices will vary and are TBD. We are currently updating our website at
www.slpxc.com
to provide more summer information.
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Transition to the HS for 8th Grade Students/Families
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Your student was given access to a google slide presentation with information regarding high school and 9th grade to support them in their transition. The presentation has been shared in their advisory class. Below is a link, if they missed it in their advisory class. Please be aware, you will need a SLP email address to view the link (encourage your 8th grader to login to their email and view it with them).
Link:
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Important Information for 8th Grade Students/Families
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Freshman Orientation - Class of 2024
At this point, we are moving ahead as if we will be starting school in the fall (until more information is available from state leaders). Freshman Orientation is planned for Wednesday, September 2, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., with a parent orientation that evening at 7 p.m. Students will get their class schedules, be able to tour the building and attend the Activity Fair to learn about all the great things going on at SLPHS. More information regarding both these events will be in the back to school mailing in August.
Barb Nelson
9th Grade Counselor, St Louis Park High School
Google Voice Number 612-562-9760 - Spring 2020 during Distance Learning
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Looking for other opportunities? Check out these programs
YEL Online June Classes
Skyhawks Summer 2020
St Louis Park Mountain Bike Team
Click
here
to see the website.
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DC Trip 2020/2021
In conjunction with WorldStrides, Mr. Burr decided to postpone this year's DC Trip to June of 2021 and join them with next year's trip to create one
LARGE
7th and 8th grade trip! Registration is still open if you'd like to travel in June of 2021 and you'll be a
7th or 8th grader next school year
. Please contact David Burr at
[email protected]
for more information. There will also be a parent information session held next fall.
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Support the Class of 2020
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The St. Louis Park Public Schools Foundation is launching a community-wide effort to celebrate our seniors. Show your Park Pride for the class of 2020 by planting a lawn sign in your front yard for all to see!
The Class of 2020 will finish its senior year at home, instead of cruising the halls with friends, attending prom, starring in one final performance or playing in one last game.
Your donation will help fund future innovative classroom grants for St. Louis Park students for years to come.
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