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 27, 2022

It is hard to believe that is November already! The end of first quarter has arrived and we will have tomorrow Friday November 4, as a Grading day. During this time Powerschool student and parent portals will be turned off until all grades are finalized and stored. We'll be turning on Powerschool portals back on November 11 where students and families can see their final quarter one grades. 

 In addition, we will have student led conferences in a few weeks. Students have already begun working in their Advisory classes on the content that will be shared with your during their conference time. One of the many benefits of designing conferences in this way is that students take ownership of their learning. This is also a way to build stronger working relationships between teachers and families.  Families will be choosing to meet with their Advisory teacher either virtually or in-person, and your student's Advisory teacher will email a Sign-up Genius link with time slot availability on November 10. Links will also be available on the website at 5 pm on Monday November 7.



I would also like to make you aware that Randy Zutz, our 6th grade Dean will be out for most of 2nd Quarter on a medical leave. Randy has built relationships with so many of our families over the years and we wish him a speedy recovery.  We will be announcing his temporary replacement shortly.

Student-led Fall Conferences will be held on November 16 and November 17 from 4 - 8pm and November 18 from 8 am to 4 pm. *Asynchronous Learning for students**

For students, Friday, November 18 is a scheduled asynchronous learning day so we can hold our student-led conferences. Students will need to login to Schoology where each class will have an online learning activity, video, or lesson that they'll complete. Attendance on November 18th will be taken through Schoology and then transferred into Powerschool.  

I also want to highlight the amazing field trip our 8th graders were able to take to REM5 Virtual Reality Lab these past two weeks. We are so grateful that our students have this opportunity and we will be sharing pictures in next week's OT news.

Continue to let us know if we can do anything further to assist your student in reaching their full potential and brilliance.  

Sincerely,

Jason Boll

Interim Principal

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

Thursday November 10, 2022 - Spelling Bee Championship 6:30 pm

Performing Arts Center

Student Led Conferences:

• Wednesday 11/16 Evening
• Thursday 11/17 Evening
• Friday 11/18 All day **Asynchronous day of learning**



The school year has gotten off to a fantastic start, and I have enjoyed getting to know the students. I have been amazed at their energy levels, inquisitiveness and sense of humor! 

I wanted to reach out to the MS community and let them know that unfortunately, I will need to be off of work beginning today, November 3, through the duration of the second quarter as I am undergoing treatment for a medical condition. 

While the Administration is looking for someone to step into my role temporarily, please contact Cam Muata, Interim Assistant Principal at 952-928-6304. I look forward to my return and thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Randy Zutz

This past week, all of the 8th grade Individuals & Societies classes took a field trip to REM5 virtual reality laboratory here in St. Louis Park.  The purpose of this field trip was to "visit" Africa through the use of Google Earth VR and the Within 360º goggles. This field trip was the culmination of their interdisciplinary unit between I&S and Science, and the Solar Suitcases the students built that are being sent to Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in Uganda. 

The students visited the Sahara Desert, flew over the Nile River, visited an Egyptian pyramid, before seeing just how vast Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement is.  The Within 360º goggles allowed the students to “immerse” themselves into Africa. This learning experience was made possible through a grant from the St. Louis Park Public Schools Foundation.

Hello Middle School Families!

Site Council will be providing a meal for staff on Thursday, November 17th to show our support and appreciation. In addition to Jimmy John's sandwiches, we have created a Sign Up for additional items. Please take a look and see if you can sign up! We understand everyone is busy so we also have a Venmo account if you would like to donate, any amount is greatly appreciated! 

Here is the link for the Sign Up Genius-

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E48ABA92BA4F85-slpmsteacher1

or Venmo @SLPMS-Site Council *note "Staff Meal"

Reminder: Site Council Meeting Wednesday November 9, 6:30 pm via Zoom

The Middle School Staff is always very grateful and for the amazing support our SLP community shows them! Thank you in advance for your support!

MS Site Council

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

The SLP MS Spelling Bee will be held this upcoming Thursday, November 10 at 6:30pm in our Performing Arts Center.  23 students are taking a positive risk and competing in our in-person Bee. 

Check back next week for the winner who will have the opportunity to participate in the Metro Area Spelling Bee.  Email edelheit.jessica@slpschools.org

Crew offers a lot of creative outlets for those who don't necessarily want to be on stage. Many crew positions are available. You must be logged into your google account to fill out the crew application. Crew applications are due Saturday, Nov. 5. The official crew list will be posted outside room 238 and the theater on 10-8. Reach out with questions to schmerler.jennifer@slpschools.org 

Be sure to sign up if you are interested in participating in Quiz Bowl this year. Two tournaments have already been scheduled:

Saturday, January 21st, 2023 

Saturday, February 25th, 2023. 

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

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.

Are you a 7th or 8th grader interested in joining the High School Gymnastics team? Learn about the team and how to join by clicking HERE.

Contact Coach Dawn Thielen slpgymnastics@gmail.com with any questions. 

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

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.

Free Walk-in Clinic for all St. Louis Park Public Schools Students

Did you know that all children from birth through high school can go to the Central Community Clinic for free? There’s no appointment needed, just walk in!

• Well-child care
• Immunizations 
• Evaluation and treatment of acute illnesses
• Sports physicals
• Adolescent health care

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays

Hours: 1:00-4:30 p.m.

Location: Central Clinic is located at Door #7

Contact: Call 952.933.1100 or email centralclinic@parknicollet.com

Dental Care: Low cost dental care is also available at this location on the first Friday of each month from 8:00-5:00 p.m. Call Children's Dental Services at 612.746.1530 to make an appointment.

Important: This clinic does not manage chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder or depression, but can provide referral information when additional care is needed. The clinic does not have X-ray or facilities to care for significant injuries.

Central Clinic’s mission is to reduce barriers to health care for the children and youth of our community. Central is an independent clinic, staffed by doctors from Park Nicollet--Creekside clinic. Learn more.

November is Native American Heritage Month

St. Louis Park Public Schools exist on the land of the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples. We acknowledge the Dakota and Ojibwe community, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We acknowledge that our school district was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous Peoples, including those on whose land our school district is located. We commit to dismantling the ongoing legacies of colonial power and the district’s desire to support the ongoing work of local Indigenous communities to thrive in our schools. Especially this month, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month and honor the Indigenous students and families we serve in St. Louis Park Public Schools.

Reminder: COVID-19 Guidance

St. Louis Park Public Schools will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regarding COVID-19 during the 2022-23 school year. View the MDH Guidelines/Flowsheet and the CDC Isolation guidelines 

• Masks: Students and staff will be required to wear a face covering if 5% or more of the students and/or staff who attend or work at their school site test positive for COVID-19. Students and staff can choose to wear a mask at any time.
• 
  
• What If I Test Positive? Stay home for at least five days, isolate yourself from others and wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. Isolation may end after five days, and students and staff may return to school on day six if your illness symptoms have improved, you are fever-free without fever reducing medicine for 24 hours, and are able to wear a well fitted mask on days 6-10. If a person was asymptomatic and then developed symptoms after testing positive, the 5-day isolation period starts over, with the start of symptoms being day zero.
• 
• Guidance if Exposed: Students and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine.
• 
  
• COVID-19 Dashboard:  We publish COVID-19 infection rate data on a weekly basis – with the exception of Winter Break and Spring Break. The information will be published weekly on our website.

Visit the COVID-19 Information webpage for more information.

Chess Club 

Any level of player is welcome to join our Chess Club! 

Mondays, Oct. 24-Dec. 12, 4-5 pm, Media Center Classroom 1 

$145

Newspaper Club 

Enjoy writing, illustrating, interviewing, photography, graphic design, or editing? Join our student-led newspaper The Report Card. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:15 pm beginning Oct. 11

Sliding Scale pricing: $10/$20/$30/$40 (pay what best fits for you)

Girls on the Run-Heart and Sole 

Welcome GOTR to the Middle School-an incredible program which offers an inclusive place of belonging. The team will run a 5K at the end of the season

Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-5:30 pm, beginning on September 12th

$175 (financial aid-pay what you can option available) 

NEW **Middle School Archery with Westwood Hills Nature Center

Head over to Westwood Hills Nature Center after school to learn and practice archery. Students will need to get to Westwood on their own. 

Wednesday, November 9th

4:30-6:00 pm 

Sliding Scale Pricing: $5/$10/$15/$20

Click here to register now!

Questions or Club Ideas? Contact Kelleen O'Brion at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6399

Mr. Jason Boll, Interim Principal

Mr. Cam Muata, Interim Assistant Principal

2025 Texas Avenue South

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: 952-928-6300

Attendance: 952-928-6394

Fax: 952-928-6383

boll.jason@slpschools.org

muata.cam@slpschools.org

ms.slpschools.org