St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
September 18, 2020
A Message from the Principal
After spending a flurry of time preparing for distance learning during the month of August it is hard for me to believe that more than a week of school is now "under our belt". I do long for the hustle and bustle of students in our hallways and the chatter of all things important that are shared about the week, weekend, and life in general. I am pleased to hear about the productivity and engagement that is happening between students and teachers during the live sessions that have been planned and implemented thus far.

Before too much time has passed between the Advisory Sessions that were held between teachers and families I would like to share some preliminary results with you from the survey that was given to parents, students, and staff about the experience. Pre-COVID we used to have Back-to-School Night and on Friday, before Labor Day, 6th grade/new students orientation. These activities were replaced by our newly devised Advisory session where the parent/guardian and student had a scheduled time to get information, receive supplies, and ask questions.

Here are the preliminary results of the survey.

Parent Feedback:
83.6% agreed/strongly agreed - it was helpful
95% would like to do it again next year

Staff Feedback:
100% agreed/strongly agreed - it was helpful
91.5% would like to do it again next year

Student Feedback:
80.8% agreed/strongly agreed - it was helpful
78.8% would like to do it again next year.

If you haven't yet taken the opportunity to give us your thoughts; the survey is still open and we encourage you to do so. Please click here to fill out a brief survey regarding the advisory meetings.

I hope you enjoy the wonderful fall weekend and the beautiful colors that are starting to be shared by Mother Nature with us.

Les Bork
Principal
Important Attendance Information
Importance Attendance Information

We have all needed some time to transition to the new distance learning schedule. Hopefully, families have been able to establish a routine and students understand when they need to attend live class sessions.

As a reminder:
Mondays/Thursdays - attendance is taken during periods 1,3,5,7 and advisory.
Tuesdays/Fridays - attendance is taken during periods 2,4,6 and advisory.
Wednesdays - attendance is taken during advisory.

To excuse a student from attending one or more periods, a parent/guardian needs to call the attendance line at: 952-928-6394 or email: msattendance@slpschools.org. Students who are absent from class without a parental excuse will receive an unexcused absence in the class.

If you have any questions about attendance policies, please contact your grade-level dean.

(6th Grade) Gina Magnuson
(7th Grade) Randy Zutz
(8th Grade) Delana Brinkman
7th Grade Welcomes Joe Davis
7th Grade Welcomes Joe Davis!

We are excited to announce that 7th grade students have the opportunity to work with dynamic guest artist Joe Davis. This will occur Thursday, September 24 and Friday, September 25 during language and literature class.

Joe Davis is a nationally known artist, educator, and speaker who employs poetry, music, and theater as he works with students. Joe will be facilitating both conversation and writing related to this unit's key concepts: self-expression, identity, and relationships. By the end of this unit, each student will create a unique "Where I'm From" project, inspired by Joe's work. 

To see Joe's spoken word piece "Show Up" click here
Wednesday Schedule
We are hoping that your student's first week of middle school has been a good one. The purpose of this communication is to share information about our Wednesday schedule/student support periods during distance learning.

In Distance Learning, we have live classes twice a week and student support periods three times a week, including on Wednesdays. Students should be completing work on Wednesdays that they have received on Monday and Tuesday, and teachers may schedule meetings with students during Wednesday's student support periods or during the 1:32-3:52 p.m. afternoon time. All students will have Advisory class at the same time as other days, 12:58-1:28 p.m.. You will also see that student clubs/groups may be scheduled for this afternoon time as well. Wednesdays are also meant for our staff to have time to continue their professional learning as we all navigate distance learning and instruction for the first time.

All students will be having a third, live meeting scheduled by their teacher, for each class weekly. These meetings will happen during one of the three possible student support periods every week, and usually will be in a small group format scheduled by the teacher. These meeting times may change based on strategic and intentional grouping to best meet student needs. If a student needs extra help on something, please have them contact their teacher via e-mail. Their teacher will attempt to schedule that student into one of the student support times to provide that additional assistance.

Parents/guardians, please reach out to your child's teacher or front office if you see areas of concerns or have questions.

Jason Boll
Assistant Principal
Distance Learning Information
Parents and guardians----please read the following information regarding distance learning:

  • Teachers have noticed more and more students have been turning off their cameras during live teaching sessions. We are strongly encouraging all students, if possible, to have their cameras on as much as possible. We want to be able to see them, have them see each other, encourage community and this allows the teacher to give quicker feedback when they are able to see their students. We do also recognize that there may be situations where a camera needs to be off and want to respect those situations. We appreciate your help with this.  

  • If a teacher is absent for a day, students will have a non-live, asynchronous learning activity to work on. In addition, that teacher may look to reschedule live classes to the following day. If that were to happen, that teacher would be communicating with their students to let them know.  We recognize that rescheduling classes could be challenging for students and families, but if it means those students could attend a live class that otherwise would not happen, then this is worth it for them.  

Jason Boll
Assistant Principal
International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools focus on rigorous academics as well as developing attributes. One attribute that we're developing on our campus is that of being a "Risk-Taker". Here's the definition from IB:
"We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change."
This unique time in our history calls for us to develop this attribute. Please know that SLP MS staff are really demonstrating this attribute and value it in our students and community. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any new ideas and strategies that you believe would help us accomplish our district mission and the mission of IB. 

MYP IB Coordinator
Guess the Teacher
On the first day of school, 8th graders took a fun, "Guess the Teacher" Kahoot quiz during their math class.  Students were shown pictures of staff and teachers from when they were teenagers, and this reminded students that their teachers were once awkward middle schoolers too!  Here is just a sample: can you identify these 5 middle school teachers? (answers can be found farther down in the newsletter)
New Morning Community Ed Clubs
Visual Storytelling with Mr. Justin Cherrier

Join our very own Mr. Justin to learn all about how to make an impactful short film. Once you have the basics down, students will make their very own film which they will write, shoot, and edit before presenting it to an audience. 

Two sessions available: 
For A-K students: Mondays, Oct. 19-Dec 21, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314 
For L-Z students: Thursdays, Oct. 22-Dec 17, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314 

Pricing is on a sliding scale: $59/$69/$79/$89. 

Click here to register now! 

Hip-Hop Club with Mr. Deandre Adams

Mr. Deandre's hip-hop club program gives teens an opportunity to tell their stories, build community, and express their artistic visions through the music of hip-hop culture and the culture of the cipher. 

Two sessions available: 
For A-K students: Tuesdays, Oct. 20-Dec. 22, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314
For L-Z students: Fridays, Oct. 23-Dec. 18, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Room 2314

Pricing is on a sliding scale: $59/$69/$79/$89. 

Click here to register now! 

Open Gym with Mr. Dennis Joyner

Start your morning out right by joining Mr. Dennis for open gym time to play basketball and hang out with your friends. 

Two sessions available: 
For A-K students: Tuesdays, Oct. 20-Dec. 22nd, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Fieldhouse 2 
For L-Z students: Thursdays, Oct. 22-Dec. 17, 7:45-8:45 am, Middle School Fieldhouse 2

Pricing is on a sliding scale: $39/$49/$59/$69.

Click here to register now

All programs are open for students in Grades 6-8 and are limited to 14 students. After the club is over students will have a chance to eat breakfast before school begins at 9:10 am.  

Questions? Contact Kelleen at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6399 
YEP
When the School Board voted in April 2019 to change school start and end times beginning in the Fall of 2020, the District also committed to form an "Out-of-School Time (OST) Taskforce" to help develop before and after school academic programs, enrichment and recreation opportunities, and childcare options for families.
 
The District's Youth Enrichment Program (YEP) has released the first slate of enrichment opportunities as a result of the work of the OST Taskforce. These offerings for K-8 students include a drawing class, chess club, Lego class, coding class, guitar lessons, and a puzzles & riddles escape experience.
 
Click here to download a one-page flyer with program information including class offerings, dates, times and costs. Visit www.slp.ce.eleyo.com to register for YEP offerings. Questions about YEP offerings can be directed to Kelleen O'Brion at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6399.
Free Meals for Students, available at six sites
While the District is in a distance learning educational delivery model, students and families will be able to pick up FREE MEALS (breakfast and lunch) at any of our six schools on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
 
Families picking up meals on Mondays will be able to receive three days worth of breakfast and lunch meals. Families picking up meals on Wednesdays will be able to receive two days worth of breakfast and lunch meals.
 
The District will also drop-off meals to seven St. Louis Park apartment complexes in designated neighborhoods, between 1:00-2:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.
 
Meal Drop-Off Schedule:
Meadowbrook (Era Apartments) | 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Colonial Terrace Apartments | 1:00-1:20 p.m.
Park Glen Apartments | 1:30-1:50 p.m.
Oak Park Village Apartments | 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Louisiana Court Apartments | 1:00-1:20 p.m.
Rhode Island Chateau Apartments | 1:30-1:50 p.m.
Courtyard/The Park Apartments | 1:00-1:50 p.m.
 
Meals available by PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY for designated apartment complexes!
 
Complete the Pre-Order for Limited Meal Delivery form at http://bit.ly/slpfreemeals.
 
Click here to download a one-page flyer with complete information! 
 
Menus on the Nutrislice website and mobile application are accurate and will reflect what is included in the grab-and-go bag meals.
 
While meals are currently free, it's still important for families to fill out a Free and Reduced Meals Application. This application can be filled out by families in a number of different ways including online through their Wordware or PowerSchool account or by filling out a paper copy.
 
If anyone has questions or needs more information about the St. Louis Park Public Schools Free Meals program, or needs assistance in filling out a Free and Reduced Meals Application, they can contact the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146.
Family Tech Help
The NEW St. Louis Park Schools Family Tech Help site is located at https://slpfamilytechhelp.blogspot.com/. Please look here for solutions to common technical problems that you may have with a student device. If you are in need of additional, specific assistance, you can email a technician at familytechhelp@slpschools.org or leave a message at 952-928-6056.
In both cases please state the student name, school, grade, and provide device info, and contact phone or email. Both of these methods are checked on a regular basis during the school day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Any calls or emails made after 4:00 p.m. will be received and returned the next school day after 7:30 a.m.
Message from the Social Worker and School Counselor
Did you know?
St. Louis Park Middle School partners with Relate Counseling Center and Park Nicollet NOW Program to provide children's mental health therapy services during the school day to middle school students. As we navigate into the school year with distance learning, services are provided via telehealth. Please reach out to your student's grade level dean, the school social worker or the school counselor to discuss this possibility for your child. You may be concerned if you have noticed a change in your child's appetite or sleeping, an increase in anger outbursts, avoiding activities they typically enjoy, becoming overly agitated, increased worry, self harming behavior and other concerning behavior changes. Please reach out if you have concerns.

Dean of Students:
(6th Grade) Gina Magnuson
(7th Grade) Randy Zutz
(8th Grade) Delana Brinkman

School Social Worker & School Counselor:
Kristen Engen-Routzohn (Social Worker)
Theresa Weber-Sexton (School Counselor) 
Other Helpful Information
Click here for the Distance Learning Schedule.

Click here for the Wednesday Schedule.

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 Return to School Document.

Click here for the digital school calendar.
Middle Years Newsletters
Helpful information for families:
Spelling Bee
As with all things this year, the annual St. Louis Park Middle School Spelling Bee is intended, but not guaranteed, to happen. David Burr, event organizer and teacher in the Language and Literature department, is hoping to host the first-round screening test after school on October 6 in the new Media Center classrooms, provided Covid restrictions allow that to happen. If Covid restrictions do not allow for gathering on October 6, there is a possibility that a screening test could happen virtually. More specific details will be provided as the event date approaches.
 
The screening test is a written, multiple-choice test that helps determine the top spellers in each grade. Generally, the top ten scorers from 6th grade, the top five scorers from 7th grade, and the top five scorers from 8th grade are invited to attend the SLPMS Spelling Bee, which is scheduled to be held on November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center classrooms (again, dependent upon Covid restrictions). The winner from this Bee may be invited to attend the Metro Area Bee held in March if one is held.
 
Students will be able to get a study packet for the screening test from their language and literature teacher’s Schoology site starting the week of September 14. Best of luck to all of our spellers!
 
David Burr
(952) 928-6375
Answers to Guess the Teacher
Answers to the "Guess The Teacher" quiz (from left to right):
Katie Small, Rob Hansen, Michelle Stark, Pedro Reyes Garcia, and Abby Rose.
District/Community News
Other opportunities in the district/community

Navigating College Process
US-Dakota War
Live Online Video Game Coding & Art Classes
Metro Dining Cards

Click here to see the flyers.
Washington D.C. Trip
2020-2021 D.C. Trip:
1) The trip is open to current 7th AND 8th Grade students this year due to last year's trip postponement!
2) There is a $100 registration discount if you register before September 24. There are two easy ways to register.  Our Trip ID is 188262.
- Register online at www.worldstrides.com/signup
- Call WorldStrides Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899
3) If you'd like a registration packet, or would like further information about the trip, please contact David Burr at burr.david@slpschools.org or 952-928-6375.
4) If you are already registered, WorldStrides is offering a late sign-up for the Full Refund Program due to the ongoing Covid situation. You are able to register for the program by contacting WorldStrides Customer Service by October 1.