Oriole Times News - September 9, 2021

St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News

September 9, 2021

Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)

Welcome back to the 2021-2022 school year to the graduating classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028. We are 1031 students and over 100 staff strong this year.

The first few days back at school were exciting for our students. Both students and staff had big smiles on their faces and there were many warm greetings exchanged between everyone who haven't seen each other over the long summer break (See the pictures below).

We also started our entire sports program yesterday under sunny skies.

Friday, September 17, we will hold a kick-off assembly for the start of the Homecoming activities we participate in and Spirit Week Fundraising event as well. The festivities for both Homecoming and Spirit Week actually take place starting Monday, September 20th, and conclude on Friday, September 24th.

The Oriole Times-News will come each Thursday with events, school activities, and notices of interest. We will be sending this E-Bulletin to the address you provided on the student update record. If you have questions about this, contact the front office at 952-928-6300.

Go Park Go!

Les Bork, Principal

First Day Images

Upcoming Dates to Remember

Spirit Week Kick-Off Assembly Friday, September 17
First Site Council Meeting September 22, 2021
Spirit Week September 20 - 24
Picture Day September 29, 2021

Middle School Site Council

Mission Statement

The mission of the Middle School Site Council is to serve the school community,

advise the administration, and support student enrichment through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, event planning, and community engagement.

Site Council Meetings:

Who: Parents, Staff and Administration

What: Support school community, receive live and timely info from principals, school board and department heads, have a voice at the table

Where: Virtual Zoom meetings

Click here to join meeting

When: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 7 times a year (we ask you to commit to being present for a minimum of 5 meetings.)

Meeting Dates:

September 22, 2021 February 16, 2022

October 13, 2021 April 20, 2022

November 10, 2021 May 18, 2022

January 12, 2022

Strategic Focus Areas 2021-22:

The 4 areas we will dedicate meeting time to and work throughout the year:

Racial Equity

Mental Health

Communications

International Baccalaureate Self Study and Evaluation

All parents and guardians welcome!! If interested or have questions, please contact Julie Yakes at yakesmail@gmail.com or 612-210-5196

Volunteer Opportunities

Want to be alerted to various parent/guardian volunteer opportunities throughout the year (~5-10 emails annually)?

Please fill out this google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd8d3ifA4b6oLFUCOm9QsrlMjZcrJCMoLJtNSyyp4tAPERwSw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Note we will never sell your contact info.

Spirit Week! Homecoming Week Fundraiser

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

WHAT HAPPENS DURING SPIRIT WEEK?

Every student receives Spirit Week Envelope to bring home Sept 17.

Students who return the Spirit Week envelope Sept 20-24 are entered into daily prize drawings, regardless of whether the family can contribute.

Return your envelope early to maximize your student’s chance for daily prizes

EVERY STUDENT COUNTS. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. WATCH FOR MORE INFO COMING HOME SEPTEMBER 17!

Thanks for being all in!

Middle School Site Council

Complete Forms Electronically

REMINDER: Complete the 2021-22 Required Forms

This year we are requesting that students, parents/guardians, and families complete the majority of the required forms for the school year electronically. Forms included are:

Annual Student Update
Student Meal Accounts
Application for Educational Benefits
Bus Information & Tracking
Student Digital Equity Survey
Technology Device Loan Agreement
Schoology (6-12) Use Agreements

Our goal is to increase efficiency for families by completing forms one time and electronically, eliminate the expense of printing and mailing forms, and reduce the environmental impact of paper and ink. We hope you find this helpful in preparing for the 2021-22 school year. And we ask for your patience as we implement this new process.

Click here to view the publication as an interactive flipbook in the publishing platform Issuu.

Click here to download the publication as a PDF.

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.

School Reminders

Please remind your student to come to school with a mask, lunch badge and a water bottle.

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 12 in the Media Center classrooms, provided Covid restrictions at that time allow that to happen. If Covid restrictions do not allow for gathering on October 12, the screening test may be able to be completed online. 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 7^th grade, and the top five scorers from 8^th grade are invited to attend the SLPMS Spelling Bee, which is scheduled to be held on November 15 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 starting the week of Sept. 13. Best of luck to all of our spellers!

Student Spotlight

The very talented Asha painted this beautiful canvas of books for Ms.Lillie’s Language and Literature classroom. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with the learners at St. Louis Park Middle School.

Asha Ferran-Sapatnekar - 7th grade

New this Year! Transportation App

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.

Before School Programming

When: 7:45-8:45 am, beginning on October 5th

What: Sports programming, Yoga Classes, and Skateboard Club

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Transportation: Students will need to be dropped off at SLP Middle School at 7:45 am

Pricing: will be on a sliding scale fee structure ranging from $59-$89 for the 12-week session (October thru December)

Registration information will be available next week

Golf Squad (Grades 6-8)

Learn about the game of golf after-school at SLP Middle School this fall!

Mondays, Sept. 20-Oct. 25, 4-5 pm

$169

Middle School Chess Club (Grades 6-8)