December 8, 2022

Kari Schwietering, Peter Hobart Principal

952-928-6602 ~ schwietering.kari@slpschools.org

Brian Massie, Peter Hobart Elementary Support Supervisor

952-928-6594 ~ massie.brian@slpschools.org

IB Inquiry Week of December 6th

Anne LaLonde Laux

IB Curriculum Coordinator

Thursday, December 22 - January 2nd ~ No School/Winter Break

Tuesday, January 3 ~ School resumes

Monday, January 16 ~ No School - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Friday, January 27 ~ No School

Friday, February 3 ~ No School - Districtwide Professional Development Day

Thursday, February 16th ~ Family Connections 2:30pm-6:30pm

Friday, February 17 ~ No School - Family Connections 7:30pm-3:30pm     

Monday, February 20 ~ No School - Presidents' Day

Download the 2022-23 Student Academic At-a-Glance Calendar by clicking here

December Letter Calendar

SLP District Article:

Why do so many SLP students opt out of testing?

St. Louis Park Public Schools has a significantly higher opt-out rate than our neighboring school districts. We want to help staff, families, and students understand how these tests can benefit students and schools and how opting out can actually have unintended negative impacts.

The state uses proficiency data to help identify which schools need additional support and recognize those making fantastic progress. But when students opt out of testing, they are marked as “not proficient” by the state, significantly lowering apparent proficiency levels. It impacts everything from students’ college-ready scores and understanding of academic progress to school enrollment and perception. 



It’s not that SLP students aren’t proficient, it’s that many are not testing. Movements across the country have encouraged families to opt out without understanding the impact it has on students and schools. Some movements, for example, are based on the premise that standardized tests are racially biased against Students of Color. Read more.

SLP District Article:

We recognize Inclusive Schools Week Dec. 5–11

During Inclusive Schools Week, it is important to commemorate the progress that schools have made in providing a quality education to an increasingly diverse student population including students who are marginalized due to disability, gender, socio-economics status, cultural heritage language preference and other factors. Inclusive Schools Week also provides an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else could be done to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. 

This year, the Inclusive Schools Week’s theme is “Unity within Community—Inclusion Around the World.” United we are stronger to focus on our common need—inclusive practices in our schools and in our communities.

Let us stand together to address the challenges of this time as we continue to address the needs of our children for schools where all children belong, thrive, and are supported by their teachers, peers, family members and neighbors. Let’s learn more about the work of other organizations and groups in our community and share ideas, resources and support. Let’s teach our children by our actions how to treat others, how to communicate and build relationships, and how to work in harmony to address our common needs. None of us are alone in our efforts to support inclusive practices. Working together we stand stronger as we move closer to that vision of an inclusive world in 2022!

Click here to view Governor Walz’s Inclusive Schools Week proclamation on the Minnesota Department of Education website.

SLP Online Meal Menus

My School Menus - English

My School Menus - Spanish

My School Menus - Somali

Cold Weather ~ Outdoor Clothing Reminder

Please remember students go outside for recess every day! Make sure they have outdoor clothing. Label all clothing.

Students will always go outside unless the regular temperature is below 0 degrees or the windchill

temperature is -10 degrees or below. We will watch the temperature to

keep our students safe.

We are always in need of gently used or new winter gear,

especially waterproof mittens/gloves.

If you are in need of winter gear, please contact our Social

Worker Georgia Miller-Kamara at kamara.georgia@slpschools.org

Kids Place Registration for Non-School Days

Kids Place is opening up registration for upcoming non-school days to families that do not currently have a contract with the Kids Place School Age Care Program.

School Release Days for Grades K-5 Kids Place is open for full-day fun from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on many non-school days.

The cost is $52 per day. The online registration deadline is two weeks prior to the date of he release day and the first day of Winter and Spring Break.

● Thursday, December 22, 27, 28, 29, 2022 – deadline to register December 8

● Friday, January 27, 2023 – deadline to register January 13, 2023

● Friday, February 3, 2023 – deadline to register January 20, 2023

● Friday, February 17, 2023 – deadline to register February 3, 2023

● Friday, March 31, 2023 – deadline to register March 17, 2023

● Monday, April 3, 4, 5, 6, 2023 – deadline to register March 17, 2023

Online registration for non-school days requires a 2022/2023 Kids Place School Age

Care Contract.*

*Families that are currently on the waitlist for after school care or just want child care

on non-school days will need to register online for a “Non-School Day only” contract

first: https://slpcommunityed.com/ then add the registration for the non-school days

at the student’s school location.

Afterschool Enrichment Opportunities for PH Students

St. Louis Park Community Education's Youth Enrichment Program (YEP) is excited to announce new afterschool enrichment opportunities. Transportation is available for all programs (requires advance registration). More information about transportation is in the registration links. 



Winter Youth Enrichment Club & Classes: 

Engineering for Kids Jr Engineering/STEM Club (Click to register)

The Engineering For Kids Jr Engineering/STEM Club brings fun, hands-on lessons every week to introduce engineering concepts at a young age.

Where:Aquila: Mondays ; Susan Lindgren: Wednesdays; Peter Hobart: Fridays; PSI: Thursdays

When: January 13-February 24; 2:15-3:15 pm

Who: K- 3rd Grade

Price: $129

Chibi Art Drawing Class (Click to register)

The students will learn how to draw kawaii (cute), Japanese-inspired chibi characters! 

Where:Aquila: Thursdays ; Susan Lindgren: Fridays; Peter Hobart: Tuesdays; PSI: Mondays

When: January 10-February 7; 2:15-3:45 pm

Who: K- 5th Grade

Price: $109

LEGO Club (Click to register)

Join us to spend the afternoon immersed in your own LEGO land.

Where:Aquila: Wednesdays ; Susan Lindgren: Tuesdays; Peter Hobart: Wednesdays; PSI: Mondays

When: January 18-March 22; 2:15-3:30 pm

Who: K- 3rd Grade

Price: Sliding Scale Pricing: $29/$39/$49/$59

Cooking Club (no bake edition) (Click to register)

Learn how to make new no-bake recipes each week while learning the basics of cooking, ingredients, and baking. 

Where:Aquila: Thursdays ; Susan Lindgren: Mondays; Peter Hobart: Thursdays; PSI: Tuesdays

When: January 19-March 23; 2:15-3:30 pm

Who:4th and 5th Grade

Price: Sliding Scale Pricing: $49/$59/$69/$79

Messes & Masterpieces with Kid Create Studio  (Click to register)

Create stunning masterpieces while using some of the coolest, messiest art techniques ever.

Where: Aquila: Tuesdays; Susan Lindgren: Thursdays; Peter Hobart: Mondays; PSI: Wednesdays

When:11/28-12/20/2022,  2:15-3:15pm 

Who: 5yo-12yo

Price:$79

Nailed it! With Kidcreate Studio (Click to register)

Just like on the popular TV show Nailed It!, we'll show you a final product and give you all the goods needed to recreate it.

Where: Aquila: Tuesdays; Susan Lindgren: Thursdays; Peter Hobart: Mondays; PSI: Wednesdays

When:1/23-2/16/2023,  2:15-3:15pm 

Who: 5yo-12yo

Price:$79

Grandmasters of Chess (Click to register)

New and returning students invited. Each Chess class follows four basic components: 

-Teach it!

-Practice it!

-Puzzle it!

-Play it!

Where: Aquila: Wednesdays; Susan Lindgren: Mondays; Peter Hobart: Tuesdays; PSI: Fridays

When:1/31-3/27/2023,  2:15-3:15pm 

Who: K-5th Grade

Price:$130

MARVELous Drawings Art Class (Click to register)

Kawaii styled superheroes coming your way! This style is so fun to draw, and great for beginners and kids.

Where: Aquila: Thursdays; Susan Lindgren: Fridays; Peter Hobart: Tuesdays; PSI: Mondays

When:1/21-3/27/2023,  2:15-3:15pm 

Who: K-5th Grade

Price:$109

Fencing (Click to register)

Join this fast growing Olympic sport. Each fencing class follows four basic components: 

-Teach it!...Hall of Fame Olympic Fencing Coach Ro Sobalvarro crafts our lessons and curriculum

-Practice it!...Students pair up and practice the fencing move or concept, rotate partners and repeat. 

-Move it!...Student then participate in fencing matches using only the moves taught so far. 

-Play it!...10-15 minutes each class students fence with multiple fencers at their skill level. All equipment provided. 

Where: Central Early Learning Center: Gym A

When: 6-7:00 pm *Various Dates 9/19-1/23/23. Check Website

Who: Available to students in grades 2-12

Price:$149

To view the Ultimate YEP Winter Guide with all of the winter offerings, click here.

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

STEP Holiday Toy Registration

In December, STEP provides new toys and Target gift cards to St. Louis Park Children. 

Registration for this program is November 21-December 12. Click here to register.

High Rates of Illness at School

Masks are Highly Encouraged. Stay Home When Sick and Slow the Spread of Illness

We are seeing unusually high rates of illness in multiple SLP schools, in particular, influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). These viruses can be easily spread through close contact when people cough, sneeze, and talk. 

Please help partner with us in an effort to prevent the spread of illness by following our illness guidelines:

Situations when your child should stay home:

• Fever of 100 degrees or more. The student should stay home for 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal without the use of fever reducing medication.
• Vomiting or diarrhea. The student is to stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
• Any uncontrolled cough.
• Rashes with unknown causes. Check with your family physician/clinic before your student returns to school.
• If feeling ill/unwell and the student is unable to fully participate in school activities.

If your child displays symptoms of influenza or RSV, you can reach out to your child’s health care provider to see if testing for these illnesses is recommended. For information about influenza and RSV please refer to the Parent Fact Sheets from Hennepin County

Public Health:

• Influenza information can be found HERE
• RSV Information can be found HERE

Thank you for helping to prevent the spread of illness!

Engineering Skyscrapers in Talent Development:

Native American History Assembly.

Student speaks during our Native American Heritage Assembly.

Having some fun in the snow at recess ❄️