St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News

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

October 20, 2022

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Principal's Message

Our first Coffee with the Principals' was a huge success! This was our first in-person coffee in a few years and it was great to see new and familiar faces. We spotlighted our Student Services area as well as introduced our two Social Workers and School Counselor. Thank you to all who attended and appreciate Ingrid Culp for providing the coffee and treats.

Our school year has gotten off to an incredible start with the building of a positive learning community as well as nurturing meaningful relationships. In our ongoing work in Restorative Practices we feel it is important to remind and reaffirm our values around unacceptable student behaviors. For further information please go to the Student Expectations on our website.

We had school wide MAP testing both Monday and Tuesday this week and appreciate everyone's effort in helping our student do their best. This could not have been done without the entire staff pitching in. We also appreciate all of our volunteers who helped us monitor the hallways and bathrooms during testing.

Have a restful MEA break!

Jason Boll

Interim Principal

Middle School Highlights

Upcoming Dates

Tomorrow Friday, October, 21 - No School MEA Break

Friday, November 4, 2022 - No School - Grading Day

Athletics Calendar

MAP Testing Makeup Dates

For those students who did not finish either test, we will be offering times next week, October 24-26, to come to the library media center to finish. For those students who were absent on either testing day, we will offer times to make up either test October 27-28.

Please email Greg Holmbeck directly at holmbeck.gregory@slpschools.org if you want to ensure that your student takes the tests. Please also email him with any questions.

Lunch Reminder

We are reminding families that we are not able to receive Take-Out delivery for student lunch. Our doors are secured for everyone's safety. We are also unable to accept the dropping off of fast food for student lunches. The lunch periods are a busy time in our building and we do not have the resources to deliver meals to individual students.

Girl's Basketball

Girls Basketball Starts October 31!

Registration is open for all 6-8th graders and practice starts after school on Monday, October 31st. Registration and information can be found on the Middle School Athletics page on the Middle School website. If you have any questions please email Derek Wennerberg - wennerberg.derek@slpschools.org

Adoption Group

Adoption Group: A place for adoptees (international adoption, domestic adoption, foster care adoption, kin/relative adoption, etc.) can come together with students of similar experiences for discussions, activities, and community.

The group is held during the school day. It will meet for a full class period, once a week over the course of 6-8 weeks. If you are interested in your student participating or have questions, please contact Abbie Mullen, School Social Worker at mullen.abigail@slpschools.org or 952-928-6325.

Quiz Bowl

Practice Sessions will be held on Wednesdays after school beginning on November 30th, 2022 in Ms. Lillie’s Classroom (2319).

Tournaments run from January to early May if we qualify for Nationals. There is usually one to two Saturday Tournaments in January, February, March, and April. Here is a link for Quiz Bowl Information and Sign Up.

Students need to be picked up by 5:15 or no later than 5:30. There is transportation available if you fill out an online form.

Enclosed is $50 to help cover the cost of entering teams in Middle School Tournaments (held on Saturdays). If you have a financial hardship, please contact one of our Academic Deans for a scholarship. Please make the check payable to St. Louis Park Middle School Quiz Bowl.

Purchase a Yearbook

Yearbooks are on sale! The cost is $42. Click here for purchasing link.

Every Meal Program

Weekend Food Bag Options: Families may choose from five options structured around the USDA MyPlate standards. All bag types contain 4-5 pounds of non-perishable food, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains. Bag types are identified by different colors of Every Meal logo.

Please contact Kristen Engen-Routzohn if you would like your student(s) to receive a weekly food bag and identify your student(s) first and last name and your food bag(s) selection. engen.kristen@slpschools.org / 952-928-6389

Please click here for a list of non-perishable items that are needed to keep our food shelf full.

District News

Recognize your principal

Let's recognize the brilliance and leadership of St. Louis Park Public Schools principals during the month of October! Send a note to your principal, and we'll share them at the end of the month! Alternatively, send an email, text message or call your principal!

Send a note

Nutrition Services Survey: Due October 31

We want to hear from you! The school nutrition staff in St. Louis Park Public Schools are focused on providing high quality meals and experiences to the students we serve every day. One of the ways you can help us is by sharing your feedback through a short survey. This is an opportunity for you to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. We encourage all middle and high school students and parents to please complete this short survey.

Career Pathways Advisory Board

If you enjoy helping students get career ready, check out the Career Pathways Advisory Board. This group of individuals bring together knowledge and abilities that represent a cross section of careers and experiences. The first meeting will be taking place on Friday, Nov. 11 from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at the High School. Find out how to join and learn more about the Career Pathways Advisory Board.

Child Tax Credit Information

Families with no income or low income could get at least $3,000 per child with the Child Tax Credit, plus $1,400 with the third stimulus payment - even if you have never filed taxes before and if you have not filed taxes this year.

Deadline is November 15, 2022: Tax documents are not required. If you want to claim additional money with the EITC, you will need your W-2(s) from your employer. Fill out this easy form on your computer or cell phone mobile in 15 minutes or less: getctc.org

More than 33,000 children in Minnesota could miss out on this money if their parent/guardian has not filed.

Mayor for a Day Essay Contest

What would our cities look like if kids were in charge? The League of Minnesota Cities is holding its annual essay contest to find out! Open to students who are in the fourth, fifth, or sixth grades this school year, entries for the 2022 Mayor for a Day Essay Contest can be emailed, submitted online, or postmarked by Dec. 12.

This year’s essay question is: Cities provide a variety of services and programs that make our lives better, including parks & rec, street maintenance, water and sewer, libraries, police, fire, and more! If you were mayor for a day, what would you do to make one of the services that your city provides even better? Contest information can be found at www.lmc.org/mayorforaday.

Three winning students will be chosen from among submitted entries. Each winning student will receive $100 and will have their essay published in a future issue of Minnesota Cities magazine. Winners only will be notified in early January.