October 6, 2021 | Volume 2 • Issue 9
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Collective Responsibility |
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Thank you for your continued support of our District's mitigation strategies. During the past couple of weeks we have seen an increase in positive cases and in a couple of instances have seen transmission in classrooms amongst students who were identified as close contacts. This morning we met with a team of epidemiologists from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to review our mitigation strategies. During the meeting, the epidemiologists were supportive of our current practices and suggested adding additional testing opportunities for students and staff.
We are in the process of finalizing our application for the Minnesota COVID-19 Testing Program grant through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). If we receive the grant dollars we will be looking to expand testing opportunities for all students and staff. We recognize that regular COVID testing can help identify new cases early which helps to slow the spread of the virus. As we work to expand testing opportunities for students and staff, we ask that you help us sustain in-person learning opportunities by doing the following things:
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keeping your student home if they are sick or are displaying symptoms;
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making sure that students come to school everyday with a mask;
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reminding students of the importance of handwashing and respiratory etiquette; and
- promoting vaccination for students ages 12 and up.
On November 6, in partnership with Hennepin County we will be hosting a vaccine point of distribution for people ages 12 and up. This event will also support booster shots for eligible people ages 18 and up.
Please continue to hold yourself and each other to high expectations regarding compliance with our mitigation strategies. Our ability to sustain in-person learning this school year is dependent on everyone doing their part.
Thank you for your support of St. Louis Park Public Schools and I continue to believe that successful implementation of our mitigation strategies will go a long way in helping us prevent the spread of COVID in our schools.
In community,
Astein
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NOW AVAILABLE: BinaxNOW Rapid Tests for
ELEMENTARY Students
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Based on information from the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Education, the BinaxNOW test kits are scheduled to arrive for Middle School and High School students in November. Instructions for students and families to access the test kits will be shared upon their arrival.
COVID SYMPTOMS AT SCHOOL
If a student develops COVID symptoms at school, they will be sent to the health office and their emergency contact will be called to pick up the child. Students will be sent home with a BinaxNOW test kit containing two tests and instructions in English and Spanish. These tests will be completed at home. The results are rapid (15 minutes) and the parent/guardian will call the school health office to report the result to the health aide or nurse where they will receive further information as to whether or not they have to quarantine and for how long.
COVID SYMPTOMS AT HOME
If a student is at home and is showing symptoms of COVID, a parent or guardian can pick up a BinaxNOW test kit from school to administer at home. The BinaxNOW test kit contains two tests and instructions in English and Spanish. The results are rapid (15 minutes) and the parent/guardian will call the school health office to report the result to the health aide or nurse, where they will receive further information as to whether or not they have to quarantine and for how long.
Additional information on BinaxNOW Rapid Tests is available here:
Additional local testing opportunities for students and families are listed below:
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In partnership with Hennepin County, St. Louis Park Public Schools will be hosting Pfizer vaccination events for individuals ages 12 and up. These point of distribution events will also support booster shots for eligible people ages 18 and up. If you are receiving a second dose or booster dose, please bring proof of vaccination. Event details:
- Dates: Saturday, November 6, 2021 and Saturday, December 4, 2021
- Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Location: St. Louis Park High School Fieldhouse - Door 15
- The vaccine is free and no insurance is required
- Individuals receiving a first dose will receive a $50 Visa gift card (while supplies last)
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Register by using your phone to capture the QR code or click the following link: Vaccine Registration & Scheduling (hennepin.us)
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Booster Information:
- Pfizer boosters will be available during both events (November 6 and December 4).
- Pfizer is the ONLY COVID vaccine approved for boosters at this time. People who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines are not eligible for a booster at this time. NOTE: The Moderna vaccine was administered at the St. Louis Park High School vaccination event hosted last March for staff.
- To be eligible for a Pfizer booster, individuals must be: 18 years of age or older, have received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and have received their second dose six or more months ago.
- Boosters are not eligible for the $50 Visa gift card.
Where else can I get a Pfizer booster right now?
- Hennepin County’s Public Health Clinic is offering booster shots. You can schedule an appointment by calling 612-543-5555 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The public health clinic is located at 525 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis on the 4th floor.
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You can also refer to Vaccine Locations / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov) to find community locations to receive a booster.
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Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, October 11 |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools stakeholders are invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, October 11. This virtual event will feature Michael Charette, a member of the Red Cliff band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Charette, also known by the name Baapi Waagosh, meaning "Laughing Fox" in the Anishinaabe language, will share stories and play traditional Native American flute music.
Click here to join the Zoom anytime between 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 11.
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Native American College Fair Information |
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St. Louis Park High School students are invited to participate in the 2021 Native American College Fair. The Native American College Fair was started in 2013 as a way to bring colleges, universities and training programs to Twin Cities Native youth and their families. This fair provides a setting that allows students to have meaningful conversation with representatives about college life, courses and admission & financial aid requirements.
The 2021 Native American College Fair is a website based virtual college fair. The website will launch on Friday, October 8. The 2021 Native American College Fair will provide information regarding pre-college programs, colleges, universities, and financial aid opportunities, as well as videos from current Native college students and professionals, and a panel on food sovereignty & sustainability.
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District Hiring Multiple Positions |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools currently has a number of job openings in various departments. Click here to view current job postings.
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Access Traversa Ride 360 Today |
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Have you downloaded the new Traversa Ride 360 app on your smartphone? The Traversa Ride 360 app allows you to...
- See Bus Stop Location & Scheduled Times.
- Track Route Information - Inactive routes will provide the student’s scheduled stop time. Once the route is actively running, the time displayed in the app will update based on traffic delays to reflect the actual anticipated arrival time of the bus.
- Be Alerted to Route Delays in Two Ways - The app updates route times as the bus moves through the route. And, if your child’s bus is delayed, the Transportation Department will use the app to send a notification to parents/guardians.
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Reminder: Face Coverings are Required on Buses
and in Schools & Centers
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Please remember that masks are required to be worn by all students (K-12) on buses. Please be sure to send your students to the bus stop with a mask. Masks are also required to be worn by students and staff in district schools and centers when indoors with the exception of when individuals are eating breakfast or lunch.
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Keep Schools Open: Stay Home When You Are Sick |
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Families are also reminded to keep students home when they are sick, including if they have any COVID-related symptoms such as a fever, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or snell, muscle pain, chills, cough, runny nose/congestion, sore throat, headache or fatigue.
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