St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
September 23, 2021
Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)


Tomorrow marks the end of our second full week of school. During this week we have had a lot of excitement and fun mixing it up between staff and students with the various dress-up days as a part of our Spirit Week activities; concluding with everyone wearing Park Pride clothing tomorrow. There has also been such a positive response to our only major fundraising activity for the year. I would like to give a special shout-out to Tracey Eichten and Julie Yakes for their leadership and support along with thanks to the many volunteers collecting envelopes and giving out over 100 prizes to students during lunch.

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you that I would be undergoing surgery September 27th and spend a few months home recuperating from it. Since then I have received many warm responses and well wishes for a speedy recovery. Receiving such support makes it easier for me to confidently deal with this medical issue. Thank you so much.

During my time away, Jason Boll, Assistant Principal, will lead the school as Interim Principal in my absence. Gina Magnuson, 7th Grade Dean will assume the Assistant Principal position and Derek Wennerberg, physical education teacher, will assume the 7th Grade Dean of Students position as well. 

I am very confident the people assuming these positions have the skills, experience, and desire to serve effectively all the St. Louis Park Middle School students and families.

In a "blink of an eye" I intend on being back serving this special community that has been my professional home for the past 37 years.

Sincerely,

Les Bork
Principal 
Spirit Week Assemblies
Upcoming Dates to Remember

  • Picture Day September 29, 2021 (see below)
  • NO SCHOOL Friday October 1, 2021
  • Math MAP testing Oct 18, 2021
  • Reading MAP testing Oct 19, 2021
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Did you know National Hispanic Heritage Month first began as a week-long celebration?
National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 because it coincides with the national independence days for many Latin American countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Mexico's national independence day follows on the 16th, while Chile's occurs on the 18th, and Belize's is on the 21st.

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and ends on October 15!
MAP Testing in October
Math MAP testing will be Oct. 18 periods 1-3. 
Reading MAP testing will be Oct. 19 periods 5-7.

Please make sure your student has a good night's sleep and eats breakfast on the day of testing. Please see the purpose of the MAP test below: 
Homecoming Schedule
Stakeholders are invited to help celebrate St. Louis Park High School's Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 24. A Homecoming parade will begin at 5 p.m. and will include the following streets around the High School: West 33rd Street, Dakota Avenue, W. Lake Street, and Library Lane.

The High School varsity football team will play Benilde-St. Margaret's at 7 p.m. at the High School Stadium (6525 Lake Street). Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Please remember the following rules if you are planning to attend the football game on Friday:

  • No backpacks or bags are allowed in the stadium
  • No outside food or pets are allowed
  • No re-entry after you leave the stadium
  • Any student in grades K-8 need to have a paying accompanying adult with them

Go Park!
Picture Day is coming....Wednesday Sept 29
Please order online at mylifetouch.com using our Picture ID EVTDTX9MX. If you need a paper order form please have your student stop by Student Services.
Important Reminders
Please remember that masks are required to be worn by all students (K-12) and staff when indoors with the exception of when individuals are eating breakfast or lunch. Masks are also required on school busses at all times.

Families are also reminded to keep students home when they are sick, including if they have any COVID-related symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
UPLIFT Mock Trial
Who: 8th Grade Students
What: Exciting opportunity for 8th graders to meet law students, practicing lawyers, and judges and to perform their own criminal mock trial.
When: Tuesdays, 4:00-5:15, October 5-March 8. The final trials will take place before real judges in the University of Minnesota Law School courtrooms.
Where: The LMC
Questions: Contact Catherine Ahlin-Halverson at catherine.ahlin@maslon.com or 612-672-8314.
Middle School Site Council
Spirit Week! Homecoming Week Fundraiser - Thanks for all your support. You can still turn your envelope in Friday to be entered for prizes!!

WHAT IS OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER AT SLP MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Direct Donation campaign aligned to Homecoming Week! 
100% money donated goes directly to SLPMS Site Council, a nonprofit (503c) organization, and is spent on all SLPMS students.
Spirit Week donations support enrichment programs: 

  • Grade Level Field Trip for every student (at no cost to parents)
  • School Supplies for students
  • Global interns that help out in all language classrooms 
  • Year-End Parties
  • And much more!

WHAT IS SITE COUNCIL? 
A group of parents/staff/administration dedicated to serving the school community, advising the administration and supporting the students through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, event planning and community engagement
Every parent/guardian is welcome to be on Site Council.  

SLPMS Site Council is a a nonprofit organization - 501 (c)3; All contributions are 100% tax deductible. And don't forget to check if your company has a corporate match!

WHY TIE INTO SPIRIT WEEK? 
PARK PRIDE IS A WONDERFUL THING, CELEBRATED ACROSS THE DISTRICT!
September timing aids in planning full year of events

WHAT IS OUR GOAL? 
$9,000 (typical year goal is $20,000. Due to pandemic, some funds remain from last 2 years)
Ask is $20 per family; every dollar counts and will be used for ALL students
As of Wednesday, we have raised just under $11,000! Thanks for your generosity!

We've also given out 21 prizes each day during lunch. And on Friday, we will give out 21 prizes + 3 grand prizes. The 3 grand prizes are Sony headphones, $50 cash and an SLP Orioles sweatshirt!  

Thanks for being all in!
Middle School Site Council

Bus Drivers Needed; Families Asked to Opt-Out of Transportation
Student work during Quarantine
It is possible that your student might have to quarantine at home due to a COVID exposure at some point during the 2021-22 school year. Teachers and staff at each of our buildings are committed to ensuring that students continue to learn while at home during those times of quarantine.

Click here to view detailed information by grade level (K-5, 6-8 and 9-12) on what school will look like for your student during quarantine.
Yearbook Sales
$37 ( If purchased by September 24th)
Sales will be done online at http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04145660 if your family decides to purchase one.
Youth Enrichment Opportunities
Enrichment Opportunities for Middle School Students
Community Education Youth Enrichment Programs (YEP) will have a line-up of both before and after-school programs available at St. Louis Park Middle School.

Morning Programming with Community Ed YEP
We are excited to pilot an initial round of morning programming for Middle School students. Below are the programs we will have available beginning in October. **Students will need to be dropped off at the Middle School for these programs.**

Flow yoga is the perfect class for beginners and people that are curious about yoga. We will take it slow and flow through different poses each week. The class is also perfect for someone that is familiar with yoga but wants to take it easy. 

When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 5-Nov. 11; 7:45-8:45 am 
Where? SLP Middle School Media Center Classroom 
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $59-$89 

Join Ms. Love to learn about the world of skateboarding! Beginners and experienced skaters welcome. **Students will be expected to bring their own skateboard, helmet, and any other necessary safety equipment.**

When? Thursdays, October 7-Nov. 18; 7:45-8:45 am
Where? SLP Middle School 
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $49-$79

Get to school early to make new friends, shoot around, and start your day off right! 

When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 5-Nov. 11
Where? SLP Middle School Field House 
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $39-$69

Learn about the game of golf after-school at SLP Middle School this fall! 
Mondays, Sept. 20-Oct. 25, 4-5 pm 
$169

Join the club and get into the game you love to play! 
Mondays, Oct. 25-Dec. 13, 4-5 pm 
$120

Questions about Enrichment Programs? Contact Kelleen at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6399