St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
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Calendar
- March 22, All school party, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- March 25, Spring sports start
Monday is a B day
Tuesday is an A day
Wednesday and Thursday is a B day
Friday is an A day
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School Start-End Times Updated March 15
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The School Start-End Times Project Team held its fourth and final meeting on Monday, March 4. The group reviewed stakeholder feedback for the four options they developed in February and selected their first and second choice options to recommend to the School Board. The Project Team delivered those recommendations in a presentation to the School Board on Monday, March 11.
The School Board is now asking for additional feedback from stakeholders before it begins to discuss the recommendations and take any action.
Feedback can be given online through
Thoughtexchange
or in person at the March 18 School Board Listening Session or the March 25 School Board Meeting.
Important upcoming dates are listed below:
- Monday, March 18 | School Board Listening Session | 6-7:30 p.m. | Susan Lindgren Media Center | Please note the time and location change due to a conflict with another event
- Monday, March 25 | School Board Meeting with Open Forum
- Monday, April 8 | School Board Meeting
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The spring school party is upon us! March 22 is the second all-school party of the year. We will be dancing, eating pizza and playing basketball from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the field houses and cafeteria. Tickets go on sale on Monday, March 18 during lunches and continue all week. Prices are $5 in advance, $6 at the door. All food and soda at the party will cost $1.
We want as many students to come as possible, but remember, if you have eight hours or more of in-school suspension or any out-of-school suspension, you cannot go to the party. If you are unsure about this, check with your grade level dean or grade level coordinator.
See you on the 22.
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International Skate Party
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The World Language Department celebrated another successful International Skating Party with their best attendance yet. There were 285 kids in attendance for a wonderful night of skating, great music and community. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible. We are already looking forward to doing it again next year.
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6th Grade Field Trip, March 14
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6th grade Field Trip - Minnesota History Center
On Thursday, March 14, 331 sixth graders, 25 teachers and staff, two Global Interns, and 28 parent chaperones visited the Minnesota History Center. This annual field trip is a supplement to the sixth grade curriculum of Minnesota History & Studies. During the day, students had the opportunity to explore the dangers of working on the Iron Range at the turn of the last century or what it was like to live in a soddy, learn about Minnesota's "Greatest Generation" and life in the 40s, and the culture of the Somalis living here in Minnesota.
In addition to their exploration of the exhibits, all students participated in one of the following Museum Lessons: Logging in Minnesota, Minnesota in the Civil War, They Chose Minnesota or Minnesota Invents. The Museum Lessons are led by Historical Society staff members using artifacts from the archives to help the students understand the history of our state even more.
We thank the Middle School Site Council for covering the cost of admission for this field trip for our students. Transportation costs were covered through a Legacy Grant from the State of Minnesota.
A big thank you goes to the 28 parents who gave time to chaperone our students yesterday. Without you, field trips like this would not be possible!
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On Wednesday, March 20, students at St. Louis Park Middle School are invited to participate in Away for a Day by leaving their cell phone at home (we encourage this option, if possible), in their locker or turned off or in airplane mode for most of the school day. Throughout the week at school the students will engage in activities and conversations about the experience and how the presence of personal devices and phones impacts our daily lives. Parents/guardians, please make a plan for this day with your students.
This is not a mandatory activity, and there is no penalty for students that do not wish to participate. Students who do participate in the activity will be eligible for a prize drawing. Please contact building administration if you have questions.
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The Student Action Team (SAT) is sponsoring a coin drive, through the WE Organization, to help raise money to purchase goats for villages in Kenya. $50 will buy one dairy goat for a family.
Starting on Monday, March 11, St. Louis Park students can bring in change to their OT teachers that will then be collected by members of the SAT at the end of each week. As an incentive, the first OT to $50 will get a cookie party and the OT that raises the most money overall, will get a pizza party. Their goal is to raise $500, or 10 goats, by March 29.
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SLPMS Spelling Bee
8th Grader
Amira Abidrahman
, our SLPMS Spelling Champion, took the online screening test for the Twin Cities Metro Area Bee on Feb. 5. Her score on the test allowed her to advance to the next round, which will be an oral bee held at the Neighborhood House at the Wellstone Center on Tuesday,
March 19.
We wish her all the best as she represents SLP!
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Frozen Jr., Update March 15
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Frozen Jr. Rehearsal Update
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Sign up now for Spring Sports, starts March 25
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St. Louis Park Middle School will be piloting an online registration and payment portal this spring. This is an exciting change which allows families to register and pay for middle school athletics digitally in a safe and secure way for sports.
Spring sports registration is now open for the following sports:
Girls' Lacrosse - 7th & 8th grade
Boys' Track - 6th-8th grade
Girls' Track - 6th -8th grade
Boys' Tennis - 6th-8th grade
The following must be received to the Athletic Director by March 25 for spring sports:
- Registration and payment (see above for instructions)
- Proof of sports physical exam (exam date can be found on PowerSchool) given within the previous three years (which clears the athlete for full participation) on file in the Health Office. If the physical expires during the season, a new physical must be provided before the athlete may begin participation. A well child check-up or immunization records do not count as a sports physical.
The first day of practice is Monday, March 25.
The season lasts approximately eights weeks. Practices are from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There is no after school activities on Wednesdays.
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Greetings, the St Louis Park Police Department is hosting our 2nd annual
“Jobs in the Park”
program. The City of St. Louis Park, Police Department, Parks & Rec, Maintenance, Nature Center, Human Resources Departments and Methodist Hospital (new this year) are all collaborating to find young adults (over 14 years of age) looking for summer employment. This event is tentatively scheduled for March 19-21, at the high school, from approximately 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. each of the three nights. Assistance will be provided in completing applications, interviewing skills etc. Please send any interested students to any of the School Resource Officers in the district for more information.
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National Spanish Exam, March 18 and 19
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Spanish Immersion Program
ESP-8
th
grade
National Spanish Exam - March 18 and 19.
The dates for taking the National Spanish Exam are approaching. The ESP-8
th
grade students will be taking the exam on the 18th and 19th of March during the Spanish class time (4th hour -first group, and 6
th
hour -second group).
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Africa Exploration Event, March 21
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On Thursday, March 21, the Middle School will be celebrating the beauty of the African Continent at our very first Africa Exploration event!
Come enjoy learning about different African countries through song, dance and presentations. This celebration will be joined by students of the African Student Association from the University of Minnesota and Alumni of the Afrika organization from Macalester.
WHEN
: Thursday, March 21
TIME:
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. - Students will be able to take the 4:30 p.m. bus home.
WHERE:
Middle School Library & Media Center
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Maslon UPLIFT Mock Trial
8
th
Grade Maslon UPLIFT mock trial students are preparing to try the criminal case of
State of Minnesota v. Langley Parker
on March 19 at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Law School. Students will have the opportunity to take a bus to the Law School on the afternoon of March 19, meet law students and professors, and then prepare for their mock trials in the courtrooms at the Law School. Family and friends are invited and encouraged to attend the trials at 6:00 p.m., which will be an exciting opportunity for the students to showcase their hard work and trial skills. Please contact Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, Maslon UPLIFT Director, with any questions.
Catherine.ahlin@maslon.com
or (612) 672-8314.
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Driver's Education
St. Louis Park Community Education Youth Enrichment Programs is now offering Teen Driver’s Education with Safeway Driving School right here at SLP Middle School. Classes begin Monday, April 8th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in the Media Center. Students who are 14 1/2 years old can enroll in the program. We will also have summer classes! Go to our website for more information and to sign up:
https://slp.ce.eleyo.com/course/4604/spring-2019/driver-s-education-with-safeway-driving-school
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Parent Education Workshops
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The high school is hosting parent education workshops on the first night of high school conferences, Thursday, March 21. They have opened up this opportunity to Middle School parents as well.
See the flier for details.
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“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin
Please consider making an investment by donating to the
Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Fund
to help a St. Louis Park graduating senior afford post-secondary education. The St. Louis Park Chapter of Dollars for Scholars is an all-volunteer organization that provides financial support to local students. Our
newsletter
explains more about our community program to help local students with college expenses. You can also check out our website at
www
.
stlouispark.dollarsforscholars.org
for more current information.
A Dollars for Scholars scholarship supports the St. Louis Park Children First initiative as it underscores community support for our children. Investing in the education of young people not only has an impact on their lives, but on the community as a whole. A small contribution from each household in your neighborhood will add up to a significant scholarship! Awards will be announced in May 2019. It is easy to make a donation. Just choose one of the following options:
Mail your donation to
:
SLP Dollars for Scholars
P.O. Box 16403
St. Louis Park, MN 55416-0403
Donate online by visiting our Website at:
and follow the easy directions for online donations
Thank you
for your generosity! If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Dollars for Scholars Neighborhood Organizing Committee.
Tammy McCanna
Chair – St. Louis Park Dollars for Scholars
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Please keep collecting your Box tops points. The last submission date of the year is coming up just after conferences. Box tops help raise money for field trips, binder buddies and our global intern programs!
Bring your points to school at any time and put them in the bin in the office.
You can find points on General Mills cereals, Kleenex brand, Progresso soup, Motts, Nature Valley granola bars and many more brands! Every point is worth $.10 and clearly they add up quickly.
Thanks for supporting our school programs!
Don't Forget your Food Shelf Donations!
Help us "fill the shopping cart" for the Middle School food shelf by dropping off food donations.
Top 10 Middle School Food Shelf Needs
:
1. Cereal
2. Fruit (pineapple, 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
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The Binder Buddies program serves over 100 students a quarter by replenishing school supplies and helping them organize their binders. We are completely out of binders! We are looking for school supply donations to keep this great program going. Please consider bringing donations to upcoming conferences. Donations can be dropped off in the field house. Amazon Prime members, to make things easier, we have created a Binder Buddies Wish List on Amazon. This is a convenient way to select items that are vitally needed for the program and have them sent directly to the school.
To donate to the Binder Buddies program through the Amazon Wish List:
- Click here.
- Select the item(s) you would like to donate
- When checking out, please select the middle school address for shipping
- Place your order
Thank you in advance for your donations!
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Looking for other opportunities? Check out these programs
YWCA Minneapolis Spring & Summer Camps
Teen Tech Workshops
Spring Youth Enrichment Programs
Heart of the Matter Community Discussion
Art of Sciences Summer Camp
Joy of the People Summer Camps
Spring/Summer Programs in SLP
Karate
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Boys' Basketball Summer Camps
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St Louis Park Boys' Summer Camp
St. Louis Park High School
July 8-11 and/or July 15-18
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Co-Ed Ultimate Frisbee Team
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St. Louis Park has a Co-Ed Ultimate Frisbee team for kids in 5th through 8
th
grade.
Practices for middle school students will be on Mondays and Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. at the middle school or a nearby park starting April 8. Practices for 5
th
graders will be on Fridays at 4:00 p.m. at Browndale Park. Middle school students are also welcome to come to Friday practices.
Many team members are brand new to the sport. No experience necessary!
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D.C. Trip, 2019 (current 7th Graders)
1. The final registration and payment deadline is
March 30
. Please contact WorldStrides directly at 1-800-468-5899 as soon as possible if you need to make changes to your payment schedule.
2. If you want to travel and haven't registered yet you can register through the WorldStrides website:
www.worldstrides.com/signup
. Our
Trip ID is 160201
.
3. Please try to attend our special guest speaker event! We have a former docent from the Holocaust Museum coming to chat with our group. He will be at the Middle School Media Center on
Tuesday, March 19, at 7:00 P.M.
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