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April 13, 2023

Aquila Family Meetings About Possible Boundary Changes

Tuesday, May 2 ~ 6:00-7:30 PM

Aquila’s enrollment coupled with increased programming needs have created constraints with the existing building capacity. St. Louis Park Public Schools is exploring ways to address these capacity challenges and would like to meet with families to explore a possible boundary change that, if approved, would move between 100-150 students to a new school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. 


The most likely boundary change options, which will be shared at the meeting, would balance the impact across grade levels, race, and capacity at each elementary school. 


Please join Superintendent Osei and other school leaders on Tuesday, May 2 to learn more about the possible boundary changes. This meeting will help answer questions from Aquila families and provide an opportunity for leaders to understand the impact of this possible change on families and what may be needed to ensure a successful transition, should it move forward. 


Spring Family Engagement Opportunities:


  • Aquila All Families Meeting ~ Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 6:00-7:30 PM, Aquila Cafeteria
  • Interpreters in Somali, Spanish, and Oromo


  • Aquila PTO Meeting ~ Monday, May 15, 2023, 6:30 PM, Aquila Cafeteria (if you are unable to attend the May 2 meeting)


While the meetings won’t be recorded, we will collect all questions and share an ongoing online FAQ with families after the meetings.


Aquila is a close-knit community and this possible change could be a significant change for families who transition to a new school, as well as the families who stay at Aquila without their fellow students and families who are part of our school community. We welcome family feedback before any decisions are made. We also invite families to view the February 28 School Board Meeting Video where the capacity challenges were discussed.




Greetings Aquila Community,


We are so thankful for our PTO, community, and High School volunteers that share their time, talents and joy with our students and staff. You enhance the experience for our students by giving each student individual love and attention. Thank you for helping us live our mission!



María & Olivia

Thank you to Deb Bohn one of our many AQ Volunteers. She supports reading stations, reads with students, and always is willing to jump in and help out.

Thank you to SLP High School students Javi, Anna, and Dylan for modeling

a love of math while

volunteering at Aquila.

Thank you to all the Aquila family volunteers like Sadeta who help at events and in the Cafeteria.


María Graver, Aquila Principal

952-928-6502 ~ graver.maria@slpschools.org


Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal

952-928-6508 ~ tolzin.olivia@slpschools.org

Key Dates

Thursday, April 13 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center - TONIGHT!

Wednesday, April 19 ~ Reading MCA - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades

Wednesday, April 19 ~ AQ PTO STEAM Night, 6:00-8:00 PM

Thursday, April 20 ~ Reading MCA - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades

Monday, April 24 ~ District Orchestra Festival

Tuesday, April 25 ~ Math MCA - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades (Note Date Change!)

Wednesday, April 26 ~ Math MCA - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades

Tuesday, May 2 ~ Aquila Possible Boundary Change Meeting, 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 4 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center

Wednesday, May 10 ~ 5th Grade Band & 4th/5th Grades Orchestra Concert - High School, 7:00 PM

Friday, May 12 ~ Carnival

Monday, May 15 ~ AQ PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 18 ~ Fourth Grade Elders' Wisdom Event at the Middle School, 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 25 ~ Second Grade Talent Development Showcase, 5:00-7:00 PM

Monday, May 29 ~ No School

Thursday, June 1 ~ Fifth Grade IB Exhibition, 6:00-8:00 PM

Thursday, June 8 ~ Last Day of School

Thursday, June 15 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center

Aquila Yearbook ~ LAST Chance to Purchase Online



Click here to order your Aquila Yearbook online.


Yearbook code: 1524823 

Must be purchased online.

Last date to order yearbooks is this Monday, April 17.

Cost of yearbook is $14.00

Orchestra Festival ~ Fourth & Fifth Orchestra Students

District Orchestra Festival ~ Grades 4-12

Monday, April 24

High School Gymnasium


*4th & 5th Orchestra students should arrive at 6:00 PM

*Concert begins at 7:00 PM


This concert is a showcase of our entire orchestra program in SLP, spanning grades 4-12.

It is an opportunity for our elementary students to perform in a large setting with all of the other elementary Orchestra students in the district. The Orchestra Festival includes

older grades performing more challenging music and highlights

the Orchestra offerings in Middle School and High School, including our Chamber Orchestras.


  • ALL 4th and 5th graders need to arrive at 6:00 PM for tuning, seating, and rehearsal, prior to the concert.  
  • Students need to bring their instruments, music, and a folding music stand from home. 
  • Concert attire for Orchestra concerts is formal black and white. Traditionally, this has meant black pants and a white shirt (button-up, polo, or t-shirt without logos), however students may choose to wear an outfit which is all black or all white, such as a dress, or a suit if they so choose. 


If you have any questions, please contact

Elementary Orchestra Teacher, Tim Binger at binger.timothy@slpschools.org

Pokémon Club

Do you love to play the Pokémon card game?

Join the Aquila Pokémon Club and battle your friends!

Learn new skills, develop your strategies, and have fun!


  • Wednesdays, beginning May 19 from 2:15-3:45 PM
  • No fee
  • Bring your own deck if you are able.
  • Students in grades 2-5 are welcome.
  • There will be a 12 student cap on this club.


Please email Parent Volunteer Christina Edstrom if your student is interested. christinaledstrom@gmail.com

Tool of the Week ~ Dancer


Each week, students and staff will focus on a tool that helps them with their social emotional well-being. This week's tool is called, Dancer.


  • Standing in Mountain, press one foot into the floor.
  • Bend your knee and hold onto your foot or your pant leg.
  • Reach out with your other arm.
  • Stay here for 3-5 breaths.
  • Come back to Mountain and repeat on the other side.

S.T.E.A.M. Family Night ~ Wednesday, April 19

Carnival Silent Auction Donation Information

To donate to the spring Carnival, please send a message to info@aquilapto.com

All donations are welcome!

Confirmation of donations is requested no later than Friday, April 21, 2023. 

Aquila PTO ~ Parent, Teacher Organization

The mission of the Aquila Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to enhance the educational experience of all Aquila students and support all Aquila community and staff through fundraising and community events. 

AQ PTO INFORMATION ~ LINKS:

*Website

*Facebook

*Send an email


GET INVOLVED ~ LINKS:

*Volunteer Interest Form

*Cafeteria Lunchroom Help Link

Community News ~ Seeds Feeds

District News ~ Show Your Support For 2023 SLP Graduates

Help celebrate our graduating seniors by joining a community-wide effort to show Park Pride for the Class of 2023. We invite families and community members to buy and display a lawn sign in your front yard or window for all to see ($25 each). 


Signs will be distributed Sunday, April 23 and Sunday, April 30 from 12:00-2:00 PM at the SLP High School parking lot near Door 1.


Please order by TOMORROW, Friday, April 14. Thank you!


Click here to order your sign today!

District News ~ Tuesday, April 18, School Board Listening Session


The SLP School Board invites families to join them for the upcoming listening session on Tuesday, April 18.


The listening session will be held at 6:30 PM in the High School Library Media Center. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and have a conversation with school board members.


It is important to note that this is not an official meeting and no official action will be taken.


Please be aware that the school board members will end the listening session 30 minutes after the posted start time if there are no stakeholders in attendance.

District News ~ Kids In The Park Program

The St. Louis Park Housing Authority is still accepting applications for the Kids In The Park Program.


Click here for the application and criteria.


Click here for the City of St. Louis Park Public Housing website.


The Kids In The Park program provides rent assistance to households with school-age children for up to four years. Participants receive a flat monthly rental assistance that decreases annually over the four-year period. Eligible households must have an income at or below 50 percent of the area median income; have one parent or guardian who works a minimum of 28 hours per week; live in rental housing in St. Louis Park; and comply with their lease requirements.


Families with disabled and elderly heads of household don’t need to comply with the work requirement. The program was developed in partnership with the St. Louis Park Emergency Program (STEP) and the St. Louis Park School District.

District News ~ SLP Athletic Hall Of Fame - Nominations Open!

Do you know someone who was a great athlete or coach for the Orioles? Or someone who has spent their life committed to Orioles sports? We are currently taking nominations for our next SLP Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet in the spring of 2024. The process only takes 2-3 minutes and you are welcome to nominate multiple people.


  • Athletes: To be eligible, the SLP athlete must have graduated from St Louis Park High School at least 10 years prior to being nominated, except in extraordinary circumstances as determined by the committee.
  • Coaches: An SLP coach that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, character and athletic achievement during his/her involvement at St Louis Park High School.
  • Lifetime Achievement: A person who has given meritorious service or has been a loyal friend and supporter of the SLP Athletic Program.


Click here for the Nomination Form - Due September 1, 2023






María Graver, Principal

Olivia Tolzin, Assistant Principal


8500 West 31st Street

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: 952-928-6500

Fax: 952-928-6466


graver.maria@slpschools.org

tolzin.olivia@slpschools.org

aq.slpschools.org

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