November 10, 2021 | Volume 2 • Issue 13
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A Message from Superintendent Osei: The Importance of Kindness |
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This Saturday, November 13 is the international observance of World Kindness Day. World Kindness Day was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement. I am sharing this with you because now more than ever practicing kindness is important for everyone's mental, social, and emotional health. When we practice kindness towards ourselves and others we position ourselves to experience positive mental and physical changes. This occurs through lowering stress levels and increasing the body's production of hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin, which are important in promoting feelings like happiness, joy, and love.
I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for ways to lower stress and find joy in all that I do. As we continue to navigate through this pandemic and enter into the winter months this will be more important than ever. The impact that demonstrating generosity, kindness, or concern for others has on a person and also the positive effect it has on my overall well-being never ceases to amaze me.
I continue to be thankful for our school community and for the care that we demonstrate to one another. We have a very special school community in St. Louis Park. In my experience, I have never encountered a community that is as caring and supportive as SLP. What makes our community so special are each of you and our brilliant students.
Please take some time to invest in our community this weekend. You can do this by doing something for yourself, sending an uplifting message or sharing a compliment with someone, or doing whatever is on your heart to spread kindness throughout St. Louis Park Public Schools.
Thank you for your commitment to St. Louis Park Public Schools and for the care that you have shown to our school community. Collectively we will accomplish great things for every student in our district.
With much appreciation,
Astein
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Save the Dates: Kindergarten Information Nights
for the Class of 2035
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Do you have a student or know of a family who has a student who will be eligible to start Kindergarten in the Fall of 2022? Save the dates to attend two virtual Kindergarten Information Nights on November 30, 2021 and December 2, 2021.
The event on Tuesday, November 30 will focus on the Kindergarten experience at the District's three neighborhood schools (Aquila, Peter Hobart and Susan Lindgren) that offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme curriculum. The event on Thursday, December 2 will focus on the Kindergarten experience at the District's Spanish immersion school, Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School.
Click here to complete the Enrollment Interest Form to ensure you receive all of the 2022-23 enrollment information, mailings and emails.
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A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Lance "Doc" Strickland |
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St. Louis Park High School alumni and friends are invited to gather at the High School Auditorium from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23 to celebrate the life of longtime music teacher Dr. Lance "Doc" Strickland, who passed away in March of 2020.
Former students of Doc will be gathering to play music and tell stories about the inspirational teacher and good friend who we lost last year. Alumni planning to perform at the event include Steven Anderson, Abbie Furmansky, Dan Israel, Dan Wilson, Matt Wilson, Jeremy Ylvisaker, and many others.
Organizers are asking for a free-will donation at the door that will benefit the High School Music Department. Anyone with questions about the event can contact organizers by emailing lancestricklandmemorial@gmail.com.
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High School Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent |
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Wednesday, November 10 is National Signing Day, the first opportunity for high school athletes in many sports to sign National Letters of Intent.
Four St. Louis Park HIgh School athletes made commitments to continue their academic and athletic careers at various colleges and universities on Wednesday.
Alma Beaton (upper left) will play soccer at the University of Minnesota, Selam Maher (upper right) will play basketball at Smith College, Kristofer Hokenson will play baseball at the University of Minnesota, and Emelia Johnson will play lacrosse at Morningside University. Congratulations to all four!
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Winter Afterschool Enrichment Opportunities
for Elementary Students
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St. Louis Park Community Education's Youth Enrichment Program (YEP) is excited to announce new winter afterschool enrichment opportunities. Below are two brand new clubs beginning in December. Transportation is available for both programs (requires advance registration). More information about transportation is in the registration links.
Passage to Planet ROG engages children in an exciting journey through space to a distant planet. Through a series of challenging missions, from establishing an outpost to making clay sculptures, students practice creativity, collaboration, and communication as they develop solutions to explore this new place and then return home to Earth.
Where: Aquila: Mondays; Susan Lindgren: Tuesdays; Peter Hobart & PSI: Thursdays
When: 2:15-3:40 p.m.
Who: Available to students in grades 1-5
Sliding Scale Pricing: $49/$59/$69/$79
Do you want to learn more about the organizations and services in your community? Do you like helping out in any way you can? If yes, then Community Service Club is for you! Join just to research, put together, and carry out community service projects, big and small!
Where: Peter Hobart & Susan Lindgren: Mondays; Aquila: Tuesdays; PSI: Wednesdays
When: 2:15-3:40 pm
Who: Available to students in grades 3-5
Sliding Scale Pricing: $29/$39/$49/$59
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Thursday, November 11 is National Community Education Day |
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Thursday, November 11 is National Community Education Day. St. Louis Park Community Education seeks to enhance the quality of life of St. Louis Park stakeholders through lifelong learning and empowerment of people. The department supports lifelong learning at every level with programs for infants through senior citizens. Visit www.slpcommunityed.com to learn more about program offerings.
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November 8-12 is National School Psychology Week |
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November 8-12 is National School Psychology Week and is intended to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive. St. Louis Park Public Schools has a dedicated group of school psychologists that work tirelessly to improve the wellbeing of students in our schools. |
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Upcoming Listening Session Opportunities |
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Stakeholders have a number of opportunities to attend listening sessions and share feedback with both the School Board and Superintendent Osei in the coming weeks.
Listening Sessions with Superintendent Osei
As a part of the process to hear stakeholder perspectives, Superintendent Osei will be hosting Listening Sessions this fall for students, parents/guardians, and staff. Listening Sessions will be held virtually via Google Meet.
November 16 | English speaking parents/guardians | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Google Meet Link
NEW: November 18 | Somali speaking parents/guardians | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Google Meet Link
School Board Listening Session
All stakeholders are invited to attend St. Louis Park School Board Listening Sessions to ask questions and have a conversation with school board members. Up to three school board members will attend to listen to stakeholders. It is not an official meeting and no official action will be taken. Please be aware that the school board members will end the listening session 30 minutes after the posted start time if there are no stakeholders in attendance.
November 16 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | In-person - Middle School Library Media Center
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Middle School to Host 5+ Vaccine Clinic on Monday, November 15 |
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In collaboration with Community Care Clinics of Minnesota, St. Louis Park Public Schools will be hosting a COVID vaccination clinic for students ages 5 and older at St. Louis Park Middle School from 4:20-7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 15, with second doses being given on Monday, December 6. Middle School students will have the option to receive a vaccine during the school day.
A printed consent form with a parent or guardian signature will be required for all students to receive a vaccine. Printed copies can also be found at your student's school. One form is required per student.
Click here to register your student for this vaccination clinic.
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High School to Host 12+ Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, December 4 |
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A reminder that we will be hosting Pfizer vaccination point of distribution events for eligible people ages 12 and up. If you are receiving a second dose or booster dose, please bring proof of vaccination. Event details:
- Date: Saturday, December 4, 2021
- Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Location: St. Louis Park High School Fieldhouse - Door 15
- The vaccine is free and no insurance is required
- Individuals 18 and older receiving a first dose will receive a $50 Visa gift card (while supplies last)
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Register by using your phone to capture the QR code or click the following link: Vaccine Registration & Scheduling (hennepin.us)
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Booster Information:
- Pfizer boosters will be available during both events (November 6 and December 4).
- To be eligible for a Pfizer booster, individuals must be: 18 years of age or older, have received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and have received their second dose six or more months ago.
- Boosters are not eligible for the $50 Visa gift card.
Where else can I get a Pfizer booster right now?
- Hennepin County’s Public Health Clinic is offering booster shots. You can schedule an appointment by calling 612-543-5555 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The public health clinic is located at 525 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis on the 4th floor.
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You can also refer to Vaccine Locations / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov) to find community locations to receive a booster.
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High School Theatre to Present "Anne of Green Gables:
A New Musical"
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The St. Louis Park High School Theatre Program will present "Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical" on November 12-14 and 19-21. Based on L.M. Montgomery's beloved book series, the Theatreworks USA musical adaptation follows Anne Shirley, an independent and inquisitive orphan girl. Anne arrives in Avonlea by mistake: the aging Cuthbert siblings intend to adopt a boy to help them manage the farm. Anne’s irresistible charisma soon wins over the Cuthberts and the entire community in this charming tale of finding love, family, and home.
Performances are November 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 7:00 p.m., and November 14 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens, and free with a student ID for all St. Louis Park High School students. Tickets can be purchased in person 30 minutes before each performance or online in advance. Please note, all attendees must wear masks while in the building.
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November 17 is an Asynchronous Learning Day for 6-12 Students |
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Wednesday, November 17 is a scheduled asynchronous learning day for students in grades 6-12, as both the Middle School and High School will hold family conferences on this date. All assignments on that day will be available in Schoology. Students will need to login to Schoology in order for attendance to be taken. |
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District Seeking Feedback on Racial Equity Policy |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools is seeking feedback from staff, students, parents/families and the community on a NEW Racial Equity Policy that was created in alignment with the 2020-25 Strategic Plan for Racial Equity Transformation. The purpose of this policy is to “establish expectations and accountability measures for the District’s work promoting racial equity and developing culturally relevant learning environments in order to create an equitable and anti-racist school system that honors all children, families, and staff.”
In the past year, the School Board Policy Committee worked collaboratively with the Superintendent, entire School Board and district leaders to write the new policy language with input and feedback on draft language from all stakeholder groups.
Public schools have historically-embedded systems and structures that disproportionately target and impact our black, brown and indigenous students in the area of discipline while not providing equitable educational environments. With our new strategic plan and the school board’s resolution on equity and anti-racism, and discipline data, writing this policy was a priority to guide the school district’s work systemwide.
To seek feedback on the FINAL DRAFT of this policy, the school district is conducting focused conversations with stakeholder groups and inviting feedback through Thoughtexchange. Thoughtexchange allows stakeholders to share thoughts, feedback, and ideas in an open-ended, confidential, and easy-to-use digital environment. After school board approval there will be education for teachers and staff and students and families for full implementation of this policy.
The school district appreciates your time and attention to this important work and is eager to hear your thoughts. The Thoughtexchange will close at Noon on Friday, November 12.
Parents/guardians, teachers, and staff should click here to participate in the Thoughtexchange.
Students should click here to participate in the Thoughtexchange.
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Reminder: Face Coverings are Required on Buses
and in Schools & Centers
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Please remember that masks are required to be worn by all students (K-12) on buses. Please be sure to send your students to the bus stop with a mask. Masks are also required to be worn by students and staff in district schools and centers when indoors with the exception of when individuals are eating breakfast or lunch.
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Keep Schools Open: Stay Home When You Are Sick |
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Families are also reminded to keep students home when they are sick, including if they have any COVID-related symptoms such as a fever, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or snell, muscle pain, chills, cough, runny nose/congestion, sore throat, headache or fatigue.
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