Your Partners in Learning
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Hello Peter Hobart families,
Last Monday night the School Board voted to have all elementary students go back to distance learning on Monday, November 23. The details are outlined below. The decision was a challenging one as Superintendent Osei expressed. As a district, we had hoped to fully transfer to full day hybrid and a Distance Learning Academy. Those plans and all the work are on hold for now, but will be revisited once we can return to in-person learning.
We recognize this shift in learning models is another challenge to an already difficult year. Although we understand the reason why we are being asked to go back to distance learning, we know this change impacts our families in different ways. We will not be making changes to classes and students will remain with their teachers as all students and staff shift to distant learning starting next Monday.
As we make this change and shift to distance learning, students and families should recognize that it will look similar to how we started school this fall, with some changes based on feedback and learning, to better meet the needs of our students. Our hope is that students and families will continue to partner with us, and together we will continue to create a better learning model to best educate our students at high levels while enhancing the spirit of all our learners.
As we begin enter this week, our final week of hybrid/in-person learning, I want to encourage students and families to continue to be present and in the moment. For it all that we know. Things are not what they were yesterday and they are not what they will be tomorrow. So let's encourage each other to live in the moment and continue to give each other grace and share the beautiful smiling eyes. Also know that we are working collaborative across grade levels and buildings and our plan is to get more information out to families on what a daily schedule in distance learning will look like, along with expectations by the end of this week.
If you have any questions about the changes, please contact Kari Schwietering.
STAY INFORMED
We encourage you to check the school district website as new information is always posted there. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Peter Hobart Office at 952-928-6600.
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Peter Hobart Proud,
Kari Schwietering ~ Principal
Chris Weaver ~ Elementary Support Supervisor
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School Board Approves Updates to Safe Learning Plan
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The School Board for St. Louis Park Public Schools voted to make changes to the District’s Safe Learning Plan at its Monday, November 9 meeting. The changes include:
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Postpone implementation of Distance Learning Academy and full-day hybrid learning model for students in grades K-5 that was scheduled to start on November 16.
- November 16 Middle School and High School students move to distance learning.
- November 23 Early Learning and Elementary School students move to distance learning.
- School Board to re-evaluate Safe Learning Plan at the January 11, 2021 meeting.
The Board also voted to authorize Superintendent Osei to transition students to distance learning at an earlier date without school board action, if necessary.
All sites E-12 will remain in their current learning models and capacities until transitioning to distance learning. This means that the Middle School will continue with its 50% capacity hybrid model plan and the High School will continue with its 25% capacity hybrid model plan through November 13. Elementary schools will continue operating under the hybrid model that sees students attend school half days, two days a week through November 20.
Childcare for Critical Workers will continue at school sites during distance learning.
“As we move to a more restrictive educational delivery model, I recognize the impact that this will have on our students, families and staff,” Superintendent Astein Osei said. “I know that many of our students, families and staff were looking forward to continuing in the hybrid learning model.”
“We’re living in an unprecedented global pandemic and we have to keep our students, staff and families safe,” Board Member Karen Waters said. “It’s frustrating for all of us...but we planned for this to happen and can dial-back to the distance learning model and do it well.”
Board Chair Mary Tomback shared that anyone who wishes to keep their students home from school between now and the transition to distance learning due to health concerns should feel comfortable doing so and the school district will accommodate those requests. Families wishing to keep their student(s) home during this time should call their school attendance line and state that their child will be home from school as a preventative quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are truly doing the best we can to balance everybody’s interest and keep everybody safe,” Chair Tomback said. “We continue to ask for your patience and understanding.”
Additional Information Regarding Learning Model Changes:
*If anyone wishes to keep their students home from school between now and the transition to distance learning due to health concerns should feel comfortable doing so and the school district will accommodate those requests. Families wishing to keep their student(s) home during this time should call their school attendance line (952-928-6507) and state that their child will be home from school as a preventative quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
*The School Board will re-evaluate the Safe Learning Plan on January 11, 2021.
*The Board also voted to authorize Superintendent Osei to transition students to distance learning at an earlier date without school board action, if necessary.
*Childcare for Critical Workers will continue at school sites during distance learning.
*The criteria below are used when the district makes decisions on switching models.
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A HUGE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF PH DIRECT!
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We Reached Our Goal of Raising $15,000 for Peter Hobart Direct!
We are so grateful for the amazing support given to our community, especially during these unprecedented times. Thank you to all those who donated, shared the post with others, brought in pennies for penny wars, and spread joy and positive energy about PH Direct! Every little bit helped. I am so proud of our community. Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff and community! #PHPROUD!
and our Venmo handle @Peterhobart-PTO.
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Listening Sessions with Superintendent Osei
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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 Listening Sessions:
November 17 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - English | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 934 2061 5183 | Passcode: 520346
November 17 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - Spanish | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 967 9287 9471 | Passcode: 029610
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PH Staff & Student Author's Showcase
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We are a community of creative, talented storytellers!
Calling all STUDENTS and STAFF! Please share your story!
Our theme for this year’s PH Staff and Student Author’s Showcase is: My journey has shaped who I am.
Please consider sharing how your life has shaped who you are, what makes you unique, and your purpose as you navigate life. Stories can be in the format of poetry, song, personal narratives, graphic novel - short story, or racial autobiographies.
Submissions are requested by Dec. 3rd.
Click the link below for more information
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Throughout the year, in grades K-5, we study various units of inquiry. Each unit lasts approximately six weeks. Each transdisciplinary theme is repeated each year, with an increasing level of rigor and complexity. Here is a look at our first units of the school year.
Who We Are - An inquiry into the nature of the self; beliefs and values; personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health; human relationships including families, friends, communities, and cultures; rights and responsibilities; what it means to be human.
3rd Grade - Many factors contribute to our identity.
How We Organize Ourselves - An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.
1st Grade - There are many ways to be part of a community.
2nd Grade - Communities function to meet the needs of their members.
How We Express Ourselves - An inquiry into the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs and values; the ways in which we reflect on, extend and enjoy our creativity; our appreciation of the aesthetic.
4th Grade - Creative Expression provides ways to communicate ideas and emotions.
Where We are in Place and Time - An inquiry into orientation in place and time; personal histories; homes and journeys; the discoveries, explorations and migrations of humankind; relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations, from local and global perspectives.
5th Grade - Movement challenges a population and changes perspective.
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Free Meals Program Information
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As the District begins to transition back to the distance learning model, free meals will continue to be available to students and families. The District will continue to utilize the six school sites as grab-and-go pickup locations on Mondays and Wednesdays between 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Please note that Wednesday, November 18 will be the last day that the Middle School will serve as a free meals distribution site due to the fact that the school kitchen is under construction. The High School and four elementary schools will continue to serve as distribution sites.
Elementary students who continue to attend school in the hybrid model the week of Nov. 16-20, will continue to have access to free breakfast and lunch meals on their in-person learning days. Anyone with questions about the District's free meals program can call the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146.
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Socio-Emotional Supports Available to Students
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This year we are excited to welcome back Cristina Silva Gleason as our part-time school counselor. Cristina is a native Spanish speaker who is available to meet with students one-on-one or in groups. She joins Michele Edwins, school social worker, and Katie Lail, school psychologist, in partnering with families to provide students with a wide-range of socio-emotional supports and services. In addition, Peter Hobart students have access to a number of community partners that provide virtual and on-site student socio-emotional services such as individual therapy as well as grief group counseling. Please do not hesitate to reach out to a member of the socio-emotional support team if you’d like more information about services available to your student.
Michele Edwins - School Social Worker
Cristina Silva Gleason - Counselor
Katie Lail - School Psychologist
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Familias Latinas High School SLP! All Schools!
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Familias Latinas de nuestras escuelas, ahora ya tenemos una página de Facebook con información totalmente en español! Les invitamos a visitar y a darnos un me gusta.
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MN Deptartment of Health Offers Free Saliva COVID Testing
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The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is offering Minnesotans more and different options for COVID-19 testing by offering saliva testing in a growing number of locations across the state. The test is more comfortable than a nasal swab, and available at no cost to anyone who believes they need a COVID-19 test. Click here for more information.
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The Peter Hobart PTO welcomes you to the 2020-2021 school year!
We know that while the year will look different, we still plan to stay connected and have a fun year!
Our next PTO meeting is Monday, January 25 from 6:30pm-8:00pm. It will be held virtually. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
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The 4th Wednesday of every month Parkway Pizza on Dakota Ave and Minnetonka Blvd donates 5% of all sales (including dine-in, carryout, and delivery orders) to Peter Hobart elementary school. Support our local pizza joint as they support our school!
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Box Tops: Download the Box Tops for Education app on iTunes or Google Play to earn money for Peter Hobart when purchasing products with a Box Top label on it. See BTFE.com for eligible products.
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Amazon Smile: Shop at smile.amazon.com and Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to the Peter Hobart PTO. Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know—same products, same prices, same service. Support our school by shopping at smile.amazon.com and select Peter Hobart PTO as your charitable donation organization
Stay connected to the Peter Hobart PTO through the Weebly Website at:
or on Facebook:
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Key School District Dates & Info
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- Tuesday, November 17 - Last in-person day for Cohort A
- Friday, November 20 - Last in-person day for Cohort B
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Monday, November 23 - Distance Learning for all Grades K-5 Begins
- Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27 -- NO SCHOOL Fall Break
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