St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
November 20, 2020
Calendar
November 25-27, No school, Thanksgiving Break
December 3 & 4, Student Material/Supply Pick-Up
Parent Survey Regarding Conferences
We are gathering feedback about the structure of conferences at SLPMS held on Wednesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 12. In the past, we have done arena-style (all teachers available in fieldhouses, parents/guardians wait in line to see the teachers). Due to COVID-19 we had to do something different so we had students present and lead their own conference with their family and Advisory teacher, and we are seeking your feedback on this experience. Here is the  link  to take the survey.
Student Material/Supply Pick-Up December 3 and 4
Parents/Guardians,
At the start of the year, we spent time getting supplies and materials ready for when you came with your student on September 8 or 9, so they were ready to go for Distance Learning. With Distance Learning now continuing into January, there are more supplies and materials that we need your child to have for the remainder of second quarter. On Thursday, December 3, and Friday, December 4, there will be a drive-up and we will bring your student's supplies out to you.  More details to come, but please save these dates. See you then!
Keep Your School Nurse Informed
Our Health Services Team is here to support staff and students - even during distance learning. Public health agencies at the state and county levels are overwhelmed with the current number of positive COVID cases and may not be able to answer questions in a timely manner. 

The Licensed School Nurse and Health Aide at the middle school can answer COVID/illness related questions, work through guidance given by the MN Department of Health, provide information on COVID testing sites, and assist with contact tracing and investigating. 

Do not hesitate to reach out with your own questions or to notify us of students who may need support at this time. Please call 952-928-6311 or email Julie Walsh at [email protected] or Jeanelle Rasmussen at [email protected] to report any illness during distance learning.
MAP Testing for all students continues on December 2
MAP testing will be on December 2 (reading), and make-up testing on December 9. The morning session will be from 9 a.m.-noon for students in periods 1-4 and the second session will be 1-4 p.m. for students in periods 5-7. Testing is being held on Wednesdays so no classes will be interrupted. The students’ language & literature teachers will be sending them the link and reviewing the testing schedule and procedures.
If there are questions please email Omar Adams [email protected]

Imtixaanka MAP wuxuu noqon doonaa Nofeembar 18 (xisaabta), Disembar 2 (akhris), iyo ku celinta imtixaanka oo ah Disembar 9. Fadhiga subaxda wuxuu ka bilaaban doonaa 9am, duhurkii  waa ardayda xiisadda 1-4, fadhiga labaadna wuxuu noqon doonaa 1 -4 galabnimo. Ardayda xilliyada 5-7. Imtixaanka waxaa laqaadayaa Arbacada sidaa darteed fasallada ma kala go'i doonaan. Ardayda 'xisaabta iyo luqadda & suugaanta macallimiintooda ayaa u soo diri doonta iyaga xiriiriyaha “link” waxaya eegi doonaan jadwalka imtixaanka iyo habraacyada. Haddii ay jiraan su'aalo fadlan emayl u soo dir Omar Adams [email protected] 

Los exámenes de MAP( por sus siglas en inglés), están planeados para el miércoles 18 de Noviembre (matemática), miércoles 2 de Diciembre (lectura) y exámenes de recuperación el 9 de Diciembre. La sesión matutina inicia de las 9 a.m.- a medio día, para estudiantes en los períodos 1-4 y la segunda sesión será de 1-4 p.m. para los estudiantes en los períodos 5-7. La razón por la que los exámenes serán llevados a cabo los días miércolesa, es por no tener clases esos días y los estudiantes pueden trabajar sin interupción. Los maestros de las clases de matemática y literatura & lenguaje estan a cargo de enviar los enlaces para repaso del horario del examen y procedimientos.

Si el estudiante tiene preguntas escriba a: Omar Adams [email protected]. Si los padres tienen preguntas escriba a:
Carmen Rudin [email protected]
Road Closure
There will be a road closure on Texas Ave at Cedar Lake Road on Monday and Tuesday November 23 and 24. This will be a FULL closure of this intersection to get the blacktopping completed in this area (currently a northbound lane is open).  The official detour route to get to the school would be Louisiana Ave to Wayzata Blvd to Texas Ave then south to the school. It is expected to be back to normal two way traffic on Wednesday November 24. 
Spelling Bee updated November 20
SLPMS Spelling Bee:
Round 2 participants, remember to complete the online test through Scripps National Bee by November 30. Thanks to those who have already completed it! Our winner will be announced in early December. Please contact David Burr if you have trouble registering: [email protected] or 952-928-6375.
Check out books from the LMC
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 LMC Book Check-out Instructions. 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. Please contact Greg Holmbeck, library media specialist, or Diane Vig with questions at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.
Happy Reading!!  
New Staff
Hi, my name is Dylan Bethke. I'm a graduate of Minnesota State University with a degree in Special Education. I am so excited to be here at the Middle School and hope to be here for many more years to come. I will be supporting students to achieve in the classroom and to reach their fullest potential.

I have a bulldog named Stella. Stella and I like to go on walks around the lake together and watch Star Wars. I also like to work out, paint pictures, play video games, and cook. My favorite book is Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, my favorite food is buffalo wings, my favorite musical artist is Tame Impala, and my favorite color is blue.
Site Council
Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please consider supporting SLPMS through Box Tops and Amazon Smiles!

Here is the link for you to help earn cash all year round for our school. https://www.boxtops4education.com/How-To-Earn

Click here for more information.

Scan Away! Thank you for supporting our school programs!
Keep your physical distance and shop Amazon! Please consider shopping through Amazon Smile and donating to St. Louis Park Middle School! 

Click here for information on signing up for Amazon Smile.

Just be sure to visit smile.amazon.com every time you normally visit Amazon to make sure your eligible purchases are having a portion of the price is donated to St. Louis Park Middle School.

REMEMBER, only purchases at smile.amazon.com support charity.
No Cost Covid Testng for All Minnesotans
MDH has now expanded their at-home saliva test program to all of Minnesota. 
 
MDH and Vault Health are offering this test to anyone at ZERO cost. Will ask for insurance information, but it is not required. Requests for tests can be made whether an individual is symptomatic or asymptomatic. 

Please go to this website for all the information (available in English, Spanish, Somalian, Hmong, and Vietnamese.)  

Test comes shipped to your home with complete instructions for the process. If a parent is ordering tests for their children, they will need to link the child to an email that is different from the parent's email.
Student Services
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) 
Attendance Reminder
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].
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 [email protected] 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.
Other Helpful Information
Click here for the Preparing for 6-8 Hybrid Learning Guide
Free meals for students, Click here for all the information.

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.

Download the 2020-21 St. Louis Park Public Schools Return to School Guide

Click here for the digital school calendar.
Click here for the SLP Communicator
Middle Years Newsletters
Helpful information for families:
Washington D.C. updated November 20
2021 D.C. Trip (current 7th and 8th Graders):
There is still time to sign up for this amazing travel opportunity! Our travel dates are June 12-15, 2021. Our Trip ID number is 188262. Registration is open through mid-March, and there are two easy ways to register:

1) Call WorldStrides Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899
2) Register online at www.worldstrides.com/signup

If you were signed up for last year's trip and canceled, but you're now wondering if you could still join us, good news! You can re-register by either of the two methods mentioned above as well.

Please contact David Burr at [email protected] or 952-928-6375 for more information.
District/Community News
Other opportunities in the district/community:

Keep Us Informed About Illnesses
Online Holiday Art Live Drawing Class
MS Virtual French Club
MS Soccer Club

Click here to see the flyers.