St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
March 3, 2022
Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)
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Middle School Students and Families -
March is here and Spring Break is just a few weeks away! I am excited to be able to offer Virtual Coffee with the Principal once again this year.
Monday March 14 at 9:30 am for all current 6th, 7th and 8th Grade Families
Tuesday March 22 at 6:30 pm for all incoming 6th Grade Families
Zoom links and additional information will be sent out in next week's OT News.
Sent with highest regards,
Les
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MCA Testing Dates in April and May
- 4/19 1st through 3rd Hour -MATH
- 4/26 5th through 7th Hour - READING
- 5/3 1st through 3rd Hour - SCIENCE
Make-up Dates: 4/28 and 4/29
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Virtual Young Author's Conference |
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A number of SLP Middle School students have been attending the sessions virtually at the Middle School:
Blog Release - Viewed by students at school 2.23.22 Zarlasht Niaz - My Writing Journey
Zarlasht Niaz is a writer and organizer from Minneapolis, Minnesota whose work focuses on immigrants’ and womens’ rights. Her work is published in the anthology What We Hunger For: Refugee and Immigrant Stories about Food and Family. In 2019, she was a Mirrors and Windows fellow with the Loft Literary Center. Currently she is a founding member of the nonprofit Afghan Refugee aid as well as a C. Glenn Cambor fellow in the University of Houston’s Creative Writing MFA program in poetry.
...and....
2.24.22 Live Session (virtual) Danielle Daniel - Paint Pictures with Words
Good descriptive writing includes many vivid details that paint a picture and appeal to all of the reader’s senses. In this session, we will have fun discovering new ways to look at objects, places and characters.
Danielle is an actress, creative writer, teaching artist and storyteller. Her storytelling programs and workshops have been presented in Europe and the U.S. She is the author of a children’s book, The Ghost of Old Man Willie and three plays. Danielle’s workshops are fun and engaging.
..and...
2.25.22 Recorded Session: Heidi Grosh - Stop, Look, and See: Finding the Poem in Pictures
Poetry is all around us, if only we stop to look. This session will give you many ways to play with language, as well as some poetry writing recipes, so you can use your unique voice to paint what you observe with words.
Heidi Haavan Grosch spends her days empowering soon to be English teachers and loves to play with words through drama, singing, digital texts… and of course poetry! Originally from Minnesota, Heidi now lives on a Christmas tree and wildflower seed farm on a fjord in the middle of Norway.
Polly Richardson Baldwin, a student participating in the Young Author Conference, submitted a Haiku to be shared:
Once there was a bear.
The bear jumped in the river,
And made a big splash.
Elise Hogg, also a Young Author's Conference participant, submitted the following Haiku to share:
Platypi are cool
I would like one as a pet
I love them alot
Thanks to Andrew Letellier, language and literature teacher, for bringing this to our campus!
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St. Louis Park Public Schools 2022 Minnesota Student Survey
Our school district is inviting students in the 6th through 11th grades to participate in the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS). This survey is voluntary and has been conducted in schools across our state every three years since 1989. The survey is anonymous and confidential. The privacy of students is protected, as students do not provide their names, student identification numbers, or other personal information. No individual or their families can be identified. The results are reported on our students as a whole.
Questions on the survey are about many topics relating to young people’s lives. The survey asks about how well school is going, future plans, out-of-school activities, physical and mental health, relationships, substance use, and more. High school students are also asked about sexual behavior. This information is used by communities and schools to develop effective programs and provide better services for students.
The survey is administered online. Students will have the ability to read the questions or have the questions read to them through the technology they use to access the survey. The survey takes approximately 45 minutes, or one class period, to complete.
Our school district has informed parents of such surveys in the past and now federal law also requires us to notify parents of this school activity. The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) will be administered in our middle school and high school from April 4th through April 8th, 2022. You are welcome to review a copy of the survey at: https://mnstudentsurvey.org/instruments For additional support on how to review the survey, or if you have any questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Becca Starr, Assessment and Research Specialist at: 952-928-6022 or [email protected].
Students may also decline to take any part of the survey, or the whole survey, and are informed of that option by staff on the day of survey administration. If you do not want your student to participate in the Minnesota Student Survey, please know that we will be sharing links to a passive consent form/notice to parents by mid-March with a reminder that this survey will be administered in April. These forms will allow you to opt your student out of the survey.
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Last month the Middle School Site Council debuted the "Kindness Awards" during the lunch periods. Students are encouraged to nominate fellow students who have been spotted in an act of kindness towards the school or another student. Nominations are gathered on Mondays with certificates and a treat presented on Fridays.
February 22 winners:
Juliet Howe
Suwaydah Aden
Maddie Westlund
Seandara Davenport
Gavin Thompson
Liam McCoy
Dalia Ackerman
Congratulations to the winners! Thank you for making SLPMS a kinder place. Thank you also to the students who nominated them.
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The students and staff have enjoyed getting to know our Global Intern, Estefanny this school year! Estefanny has been assisting teachers and sharing the culture of Colombia in several classes. Scott and Sally Hagen and family have generously opened their home to Estefanny as a host family.
The middle school is excited to be bringing back TWO Global Interns for the 2022-23 school year! Global Interns are a great addition to our classrooms and make connections with many of our students, not only ESP students. Global Interns bring an exciting energy to the classroom and are eager to be involved in the SLP community.
We are looking for two host families for the fall semester (late August through the end of January) and two more host families for next spring (late January through the end of the school year in 2023). The main requirement is the intern must have their own legal bedroom. It is a great opportunity for your family to learn about another culture while introducing the Global Intern to Minnesota and our community in St Louis Park. You do not need to be an ESP family. All middle school families are welcome to host. There is no requirement for families to know Spanish as the interns are also fluent in English.
My family has had a great experience hosting in the recent years and created lasting friendships. Please reach out to me if you are interested or have questions. Karita Bentley at [email protected]
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Resource for School Anxiety |
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If your student is dealing with anxiety around school, this article from the Screenagers blog may be helpful.
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COVID Tests Available for Students and Staff |
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Rapid-result COVID antigen tests are now available at sites for both staff and students. Tests can be requested at the front office of a student’s school or staff’s primary work location.
Students that are not enrolled in St. Louis Park Public schools such as siblings, relatives, children of staff, will need to request a test from their school/school district or leverage other testing resources. Relatives of staff will also need to leverage local testing resources. More information on community testing options are listed below. Please contact Flower Krutina, [email protected], with questions.
Order Free At Home Tests Online
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. Go online to www.covidtests.gov and fill out a short form to order your tests today.
Additional Local Testing Options
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As we move into 2022, we're hoping you'll help provide treats for staff every couple weeks to show our support and appreciation. Some suggestions are fruit, muffins, bagels, granola bars, string cheese, yogurt, etc.
Please sign up at the link below if you are able to contribute.
Thank you!
Middle School Site Council
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Youth Enrichment Opportunities |
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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.
Spring Break Programming w/ Youth Enrichment Programs
Basketball Skills Academy w/ Twin Cities Elite Training & Development
Join us for individual and group skills training and scrimmaging with experienced coaches
March 29, 30, and 31
11 am-1 pm
St Louis Park Middle School Gyms
$70 (Scholarships available!)
Spring Break Camp
Need something to do over Spring Break? Come to Spring Break Camp and play video games, have open gym time, learn boxing skills, and play on the computer.
March 29, 30, and 31
10 am-2 pm (lunch will be served)
St. Louis Park Middle School
$115 (Scholarships available)
Questions about Enrichment Programs? Contact Kelleen at [email protected] or 952-928-6399
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