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)

March 23, 2023

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. It is a significant holiday for many of our students. From March 23 to April 21, practicing Muslim students will be fasting from dawn until dusk (approx. 5:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m). During their daily fasts, students will not partake in any food or beverage, and celebrations often involve gatherings and prayers late into the night. Students may be more tired and hungry than usual, and we ask our school community to be patient, supportive and understanding. It’s also appropriate to say “Happy Ramadan, “Ramadan Kareem,” “Happy Mubarak,” “Ramadan Mubarak” if you wish to acknowledge the holiday. 

Middle School Families:

Happy Spring to all of you! As a reminder, next Thursday 3/30 is the last day of 3rd Quarter with a Grading day on 3/31. (No school on 3/31). We will be starting MCA testing when we return from Spring Break and I encourage SLP families to continue their learning and understanding about standardized tests before deciding to opt out. When students opt out of testing, they are marked as “not proficient” by the state, significantly lowering apparent proficiency and learning levels of our students and school. It impacts everything from students’ college-ready scores and understanding of academic progress to school enrollment and public perception. We will be talking to students and encouraging everyone to take the MCA tests and that we just want everyone to do the best job that they can on these assessments.

• Video: Clearing up the Confusion about Standardized Tests
• Read: What to consider before opting out of testing | Leer en Español | Af-Soomaali ku akhri

Thank you for your continued support of our entire Middle School community.

Jason Boll

Interim Principal

Staff vs. Student Basketball Game

Dr. Anton Truer Visit

Dr. Anton Treuer returned for his last visit to 8th graders on Friday, March 17. Students attended one of four sessions based on their Community Project supervisors. Dr. Treuer shared stories of youth action projects he has seen, and students told him their Community Project ideas. He gave us information about what to expect from Pow Wows, in case students attend on May 20th. After his performance, he taught students some greetings in Ojibwe and we sang “If you’re happy and you know it” in Ojibwe together! It was an active and fun learning experience for all. Students should have finished their Action Proposal on Wednesday, March 22 during Advisory. They should be working through their To Do list and taking action by April 11!

State Champs

6th grade girls’ traveling basketball team are state champs. So Proud!

• 3/31/23 - NO SCHOOL Grading Day

MCA Testing

Tuesday, April 18th, Reading MCA

Periods 1-3 A day

Tuesday, April 25th, Math MCA

Periods 1-3 B day

Wednesday, May 3rd, Science 8th graders

Periods 1-3 B day

Spring Conferences

Wednesday April 19 4-8 pm

Thursday April 20 4-8 pm

Friday April 21 8 am - 4pm. **Asynchronous Day of learning for students

7th Grade Field Trip

• An American Tale at the Children's Theater 5/31/23

We recognize that chemical use/abuse is a problem among youth and want to provide a few resources if your family is in need. Families need to contact their individual insurance provider for covered treatment.  Please feel free to reach out to social workers or the counselor at SLPMS if you have any questions.

Parent Information/Resources

Parent Info  (website with information) 

Treatment Options/Comprehensive Assessments

C.R.E.A.T.E.   (Minneapolis, Apple Valley) 

Nystrom & Associates  (Several Metro locations)

Hazelden  Hazelden (Plymouth) 

Clues Clues (St. Paul, services can be provided in Spanish)

Teen Challenge  Teen Challenge MN (Religious affiliation)

Fairview Fairview Hospital Adolescent Residential Program

Canvas Health (Several Metro Locations) 

Vaping Resources 

For parent and caregiver information, please click here.  The website offers support to parents and caregivers including how to assess your student’s risk and how to have conversations with your student. 

Hennepin County Vaping Information 

Free Quit Resources smokefree.gov or  teen.smokefree.gov

Project DIVA International primarily serves middle and high school Black girls within Minneapolis–St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs, ages 11-19, of a variety of economic statuses and backgrounds. Our leadership team focuses on peer to peer, group and individual year-long coaching with the leadership of professionals from all walks of life to develop personal relationships and long-term impact.

SLPMS is proud to have 16 girls that participated in this leadership group this year. We hope you'll join Project DIVA International to celebrate the growth and accomplishments of our SLP girls in their program this year! Families, friends and school staff are invited to attend this special event. The cost for the show is $20.00. All donations will go directly towards our programming.

Here's the direct EventBrite link to our event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/546671076907. Can't make it to the show but want to show your support? How about purchasing a Style Show T-shirt? The cost is $25.00 pay right online at: www.projectdiva.org (under our donate tab there is a shop option). If they purchase online for a girl, ask them to please include the girl's name and shirt size. Also, please note all shirts will be delivered to the girls the day of the show. If a girl doesn't make it we will get them to them through staff or drop them off at SLPMS. 

Spring Sports Starts March 27th!

Registration is open for all 6-8th graders and practice starts after school on Monday, March 27th for Spring Sports. Sports offered at the middle school are Boys Tennis, Boys and Girls Track & Field and 7th & 8th grade Girls Lacrosse. 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

Here is the link to the rehearsal schedule.  Please remember that this is a living document, meaning it changes based on the needs we see. Especially with last week's canceled rehearsals, please be checking the schedule often.

If you have rehearsal scheduling questions contact zumberge.lillian@slpschools.org 

or schmerler.jennifer@slpschools.org

Let’s welcome back our students!

We are looking for volunteers to line the entry way of the middle school, welcoming back students from the break, on April 10th at 8:50am. (Participants should plan on arriving a little earlier)This is the last long break from school, for this year, and what a great way to get the kids motivated for the first day back! 

Come dressed in Park pride, bring signs and be prepared to cheer the kids on as they enter the school building. If you are interested in being on the welcome squad, please contact Jen Exsted (kyleandjen@mac.com) or Katie Newton (katienewton_2@hotmail.com

Upcoming Adjustment for Lost Chromebook Charger Replacement

After Spring Break, students who lose a Chromebook charger and have already received one (1) due to loss, will be charged a $35 fee. Students will be allowed a one-time replacement for the first occurrence of a lost charger. Chargers that stop working or have a technical issue will be replaced for no fee, as per normal policy. If students require a replacement charger, they should make the request with the Library Media Center. The fee must be provided prior to receiving a replacement. Payment can be made via cash or check made out to St. Louis Park Public Schools. 

SLP-issued Chromebook chargers require a specific wattage to function properly and safely. Replacement chargers should only be purchased via the Library Media Center. An SLP-issued/purchased charger must be returned with the device when it is collected at the time of a student's unenrollment from SLP or at the end of 8th grade or 12th grade.

Beauty and the Beast Choir Performances

St. Louis Park High School Choirs will present Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" for their 2023 Gala Fundraising production. All performances will be held in the Middle School Performing Arts Center. Proceeds from the Gala are used to support the cost of choir tours.

Performance Schedule

• Saturday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday March 19 at 2:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 24 at 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m.

Free COVID Tests

We encourage families to pick up a COVID test before spring break from your school’s main office. Please note that the shelf life of BinaxNOW tests have been extended by 7 months. Add 7 months to the expiration date printed on the box.

Does your family use the City-District calendar?

Families and residents can pick up the printed City-District calendar at St. Louis Park City Hall and all St. Louis Park Public Schools schools. In the interest to be fiscally responsible, we'd like to understand if families find value in having the upcoming 2023-2024 calendar printed and available to them. 

Please fill out this 1 minute survey so we can better estimate the number of calendars to print. 

• English Survey
• Spanish Survey 
• Somali Survey

SLP Summer Program Opportunities for Youth



• Summer Learning Academy: academic and social emotional growth for rising 1-8th graders (English | Spanish | Somali)
• High School Credit Recovery: academic support to help students gain crests for graduation (registration will be available in April) 
• Summer Learning & Play: Enrichment/Day Camps and School Age Childcaremorning and afternoon fee-based camps for youth
• Kids Place Summer Program: nurturing all-day child care 5 days per week June 19-Aug. 18 from 7 am-6 pm (register through your account)

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