St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News |
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January 13, Site Council, 6:30 p.m.
January 15, Pet Photos due
January 18, MLK, Jr Day, No School
January 26, Coffee with the Principal, 4-5 p.m.
January 28, End of quarter
January 29, Grading Day, No School
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Distance Learning Schedule Updated January 8 |
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In November we asked for your feedback on the current distance learning schedule. We also gathered input from teachers and students. Some consistent themes emerged across all three groups of stakeholders.
With regard to priorities, all groups believe:
- It is important to have live classes with direct instruction from teachers.
- Students and teachers need access to small groups or one-on-one time in order to provide learning support.
- Assignments and due dates need to be organized and clearly communicated.
- Teachers should have an awareness of the amount of time on screen for students.
After reflection, the Middle School leadership team addressed these priorities and concerns through revisions to the distance learning schedule. For the sake of consistency and organization, the main structure of the schedule will remain the same, including daily class start-times. However, we added some designated time for students to check and connect with their teacher. These check and connect times can be used for small groups, one-on-one times with teachers, completing assignments individually, or time away from the computer.
Students received more specifics about these revisions during advisory time this week. If you have questions, check with your child. They should be able to clarify expectations.
Click here to see the schedule.
Hope the winter break was wonderful for you and your family.
Welcome back.
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SLPMS Spelling Bee
After a difficult series of competitions that included three rounds of online testing and a total of 33 contestants, the SLPMS representative to the Metro Area Bee will be Boluwatife Adeuga. Our runner-up was Arun Ferran-Sapatnekar. The winning word was “camalote.” Congratulations to all students who participated in this year's Bee!
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Boluwatife Adeuga and Mr. Burr |
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Arun Ferran-Sapatnekar and Mr. Burr |
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Yearbook Updated January 8 |
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Due to the pandemic, there is an unusually limited supply of yearbooks this year. We have only 400 available this year. If you have not already ordered, now is the time to secure a copy for your student. Your order can be placed online at Jostens.com.
We’re here to share some exciting news with you regarding the 2021 yearbook. Guess what? You’re officially on the yearbook staff! Yes, you read that right! This year, more than ever, we ask that you join us in helping to create the book.
Due to continued distance learning, we will be reaching out to parents and teachers to help submit photos for the yearbook. This year’s story will still be told, and we are working hard to make a very creative and unique yearbook.
So, this is our ASK….
When you see an email in regard to the yearbook, please open it! Complete the Google form requesting information and pictures. Super easy!
We are creating a separate school Google yearbook account to gather this type of information This account is labeled: [email protected]
In addition, we will also be collecting selfie portraits for the book via images.jostens.com with USER ID: 416083950. More details to come soon.
Please keep a watchful eye out for these photo and selfie portrait requests throughout the year right up until March 1. Requests will come with speed with short turnaround deadlines for each request.
The Google forms we send to you will promote a unique theme or concept on what we are trying to cover in the yearbook. Great content and student coverage are important to us!
*Take photos of ANYTHING that happens in your home that connects back to our school, whether virtually or in-person.
*Try to capture CANDID moments. By candid we mean non-posed photos.
*We want to feature any students who are doing something awesome such as Molly is getting her new puppy today or Johnny was accepted to a really cool sports program.
*Student organizations definitely deserve some love: help us gather memories of meetings, practices or virtual events.
*Calling all athletes: we are talking about school sports or extracurricular sports. Share your stories and photos!
*If you, or another parent you know takes pictures at student events, please email us.
This yearbook is unique in that it will be created by the whole school. Thank you in advance for being a part of this historic year. Don’t forget to reserve your copy at www.jostensyearbooks.com
Sincerely,
St. Louis Park Middle School
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New Academic Support Sessions Start Next Week |
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Starting Monday, January 11, our building substitute, Ms. Gutz, begins hosting Academic Support study sessions for students looking for help with math and writing assignments. Each study session will be offered twice per week.
Every 30 minute session is open to all students to join as they are able. These are optional, but highly recommended as we all continue to navigate school during a pandemic.
The days and times for each study session are listed below:
Math / Pi Math Study Session Mondays and Thursdays
10:08-10:38 a.m. (after 2nd hour check-in)
(Meeting ID: 920 9142 4350; Passcode: 436309)
Writing Study Session Tuesdays and Fridays
10:56-11:26 a.m. (after 3rd hour check-in)
(Meeting ID: 921 6068 7172; Passcode: 052833)
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Being Organized & Fighting Procrastination Sessions Start Next Week |
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Starting Tuesday, January 12, our building substitute, Ms. Gutz, will begin hosting sessions on Being Organized & Fighting Procrastination. There will be five topics total and each topic will be offered twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Every session is open to all students to join as they are able. These are optional, but highly recommended as we all continue to navigate school during a pandemic. The link and Zoom meeting information for all sessions is the same and is as follows:
(Meeting ID: 959 0022 0739; Passcode: 589643)
(Meeting ID: 984 3084 4247; Passcode: 706262)
All sessions are offered twice on Tuesdays and Fridays:
9:20-9:50 a.m. (after 1st hour check-in) and
1:42-2:12 p.m. (after 5th hour check-in
Tuesday, Jan 12 The Basics: how organization and procrastination are
related; establishing routines; avoiding distractions
Friday, Jan 15 Using Your Planner
Tuesday, Jan 19 Setting Up Your Work Space
Friday, Jan 22 Planning Your Work (Where Do I Start?)
Tuesday, Jan 26 Communicating with Teachers; Taking Notes
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New Time for Google Meets for Students |
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Mr. Justin, Mr. Dree and Mr. Dennis launched Weekly Google Meets that take place on Mondays , Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:20 p.m.-12:50 p.m. These meets will give the students a chance to hangout with one another as well as us. Students will have the chance to talk about distance learning and how they feel about it, how things are at home and how they are doing when it comes to their mental health. Below we have attached a link to a four minute video we made for the kids explaining Google Meets and what it entails. Google Meets started on Monday, December 14. We also attached a google doc explaining in detail everything there is to know about the project.
Click here for more information.
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Community Project Information for 8th Graders |
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Community Project Update for 8th grade families:
Students have been working on brainstorming Community Project ideas during advisory and beyond. They should be in the process of deciding if they are working alone or with one to two others and what their topic will be. Project work will soon be underway!
As students reflect on the events around us, sometimes staff are hearing that students feel stuck or angry because they are "just" kids in a world going through a variety of pandemics. We believe in and value the power of voice in our students. The Community Project is about students taking action and using their voice. Students can do action in a variety of ways:
1. research
2. advocacy
3. indirect action
4. action
If your child is still unsure of a direction for their Community Project, please brainstorm together about the power of their voice to "do something" to benefit themselves and others.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Mia Waldera
International Baccalaureate Coordinator
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The next Site Council meeting is January 13 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
If you have a topic you would like to raise with the Site Council (school administration, teachers, and parents), the last 10 minutes of every meeting (7:50 - 8:00pm) are an "open forum."
If you are interested in joining, please email [email protected] to request the Zoom link.
The remaining meetings this year are: January 13, February 17, April 14, and May 12.
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Photo With Your Pet! Win a Prize! |
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Hey middle school students!
Have a great study pal that hangs out with you while you do homework? Wish you had a pet to keep you company? Here's a chance to showcase you and your pet and win a fabulous prize. Click here for directions.
- Take a photo of you and your pet (or you and your dream pet).
- Put the photo into a google slide including your full name, grade, and pet's name.
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Submit the slide to [email protected] by Friday, January 15.
- Slides will be compiled and shared in Advisory and OT news. All submissions will be put in a drawing for fabulous prizes.
Here are some ideas from a few teachers and staff.
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January Listening Sessions with Superintendent Osei |
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Click here for the details and the link.
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On Monday, December 21, Sra. Romero and Srta. Payne's Spanish 6 classes had a special guest in their virtual classes. Sra. Romero's niece, Mariana, visited us from Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, Colombia, where she just finished 6th grade. Students shared their likes and dislikes with Mariana and asked her some questions, too. Mariana even shared her bass clarinet! ¡Muchas gracias Mariana! |
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Centro Tyrone Guzman Group Starting January 20 |
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Latino groups start Wednesday, January 20.
Centro Tyrone Guzman is a non-profit organization in south Minneapolis that supports Latine* families and collaborates with the community of St. Louis Park. This is a 9 week group on Wednesdays from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. via Zoom. Facilitators will guide more focused conversations on themes of identity, traditions and cultures, prominent figures, being Latine* in Minnesota, the current environment and short discussions on sexual health content at the end of each session. Click here for the Permission Slip.
Please contact School Social Worker, Kristen Engen-Routzohn at 952-928-6389 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
El grupo del Centro Tyrone Guzman vuelve en enero. ¡Más detalles próximamente!
Centro Tyrone Guzman group starting in January 20.
Raices, el programa de Jóvenes de Centro Tyrone Guzman trabaja con jóvenes Latines* en los grados 6-12 a través de una amplia gama de programas integrales dentro y fuera de la escuela que enfatizan el apoyo académico, la identidad personal y cultural, la salud, el bie- nestar y el desarrollo del liderazgo. El objetivo del programa es promover comportamientos saludables, fortalecer a las familias y apoyar a les jóvenes para que logren un futuro exitoso.
Please contact School Social Worker, Kristen Engen-Routzohn at 952-928-6389 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click here to see the flyer
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School Board Approves 2021-22 School Calendar |
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The School Board approved the 2021-22 School Calendar at its December 14, 2020 Business Meeting. Click here to download a one-page 2021-22 At a Glance Calendar. Stakeholders are reminded that the most updated information regarding calendars is available on the district website at www.slpschools.org/calendars.
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Check out books from the LMC |
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Check out books from the St. Louis Park Middle School library media center! Students can check out books and pick them up "curbside" (in the front entrance foyer). Book requests and holds can be made via our Destiny Catalog online. Instructions for how to request and hold books can be found here. We have many new books and thousands upon thousands of great middle school books both in English and Spanish. Students can check out books for pleasure reading and/or for school assignments using our new system.
Also, any overdue books need to be returned before new books can be picked up (or these books can be renewed for another two weeks by requesting this by email). Thank you!
Happy Reading!!
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Community Education Classes |
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Virtual Family Cooking Class with Seeds Feeds
Join us for an informal cooking class, where we will cook, learn new recipes, and answer your cooking and nutrition questions. We will discuss how to modify recipes based on your tastes and the food available. At the same time, we will have an opportunity to build a community, discuss food security, access, and barriers to healthy eating, and take action to break down barriers so all our neighbors can be food secure.
Recipes will be emailed two weeks ahead of time, so there is time to grocery shop. There is also an option for groceries needed can be picked up or delivered.
Ages: for 5th-8th graders with their families
Dates: Sundays, January 17, 31, February 7, and 21. OR March 7, 21, April 11, and 25.
Cost: $50/family. Scholarships are available!
Click here to register now.
Middle School Drone Team
Join the Middle School Drone Team! By joining the team you will get to:
-Build a drone and learn to fly it.
-Practice flying using simulator software.
-Three team races vs another local team.
-Entry into the YDSC May Madness tournament to crown MN State Champions.
Initial Practices will be on Wednesdays, January 13, 20, and 27 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. At these practices, we will learn about Drone Racing, practice and build our drones, and learn about the competition. We will plan to practice twice a week beginning in February, days TBD depending on the team's schedules.
All in-person activities will follow all safety protocols by being socially distanced, mask-wearing, and our team will have limited spots. Students will be able to practice at home and have the option to compete in online competitions.
Pricing is on a sliding scale (with scholarships available). For more information and to register click here.
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Families are reminded that all student absences must be reported to the attendance office to be excused. You may phone, 952-928-6394 or email, [email protected].
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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.
Click here for the digital school calendar.
Click here for the SLP Communicator
School Social Worker & School Counselor:
Kristen Engen-Routzohn (Social Worker)
Theresa Weber-Sexton (School Counselor)
Dean of Students:
(6th Grade) Gina Magnuson
(7th Grade) Randy Zutz
(8th Grade) Delana Brinkman
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Other opportunities in the district/community:
Virtual Cooking Class
private Piano Lessons
Lennox Foundation Fundraiser
Self Care 101
Seeds Feeds Winter Classes
Study for Teenage "Night Owls"
Softball Registration
Summer Camp & Teen Leadership Programs
Help Provide Revenue for All Learners
2021-22 Student Calendar
Middle School Drone Team
Click here to see the flyers.
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