March 2, 2023

District News:

Possible Boundary Adjustment to

Address Capacity Challenges At Aquila

On February 28, the School Board discussed a process and timeline for examining a possible boundary adjustment to reduce building capacity challenges currently being experienced at Aquila Elementary School. 

Aquila’s enrollment coupled with increased space needs for programs (enrichment/talent development, ML, special education, adaptive PE, etc.) has created challenges for our community to equitably access curricular programming. We will examine whether Peter Hobart and Susan Lindgren elementaries could welcome additional learners, as both sites are currently under ideal student capacity.

This spring, St. Louis Park Public Schools will engage Aquila families and staff in community meetings to discuss the building capacity challenges and possible action. There will be an update to the school board about possible impacts at the June 13, 2023 School Board meeting. Any boundary adjustments would go into effect in the 2024-25 school year.

We encourage Aquila families to watch the February 28 School Board Meeting Video where the capacity challenges were discussed.

Astein Osei, Superintendent

952-928-6003 ~ osei.astein@slpschools.org

María Graver, Aquila Principal

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

Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal

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

Thursday, March 2 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center TONIGHT!

Wednesday, March 8 ~ Career-A-Plooza

Thursday, March 9 ~ SLP District Band Concert, 7:00 PM (Band students arrive early at 5:20 PM)

Friday, March 10 ~ AQ PTO BINGO Night, 6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 15 ~ AQ PTO Free Family Tech Talk, Online Event - 8:00 PM

Monday, March 20 ~ AQ PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM

Tuesday, March 21 ~ Kindergarten Welcome, 5:30 PM (For incoming Kindergarteners Fall 2023)

Friday, March 31 --- Friday, April 7 ~ No School

Monday, April 10 ~ School Resumes

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

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

Thursday, May 4 ~ Fourth Grade Elders' Wisdom Event at the Middle School, 6:30 PM

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

Friday, May 12 ~ Carnival

Monday, May 29 ~ No School

Thursday, June 1 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center

Thursday, June 8 ~ Last Day of School

Attendance Line Reminder ~ 952-928-6507

It is important that you call into our attendance line each day that your child is not attending school. Please call 952-928-6507 each day your child will be staying home due to illness or other reasons. Please state your child's name, teacher's name, dates of absence, and reason for absence. Thank you!

FEBRUARY - I LOVE TO READ MONTH HIGHLIGHTS

Special Classroom Reading Days!

Book Door Decor

Click here!

Books & Cocoa Book Swap

Author's Night ~ Nekima Levy Armstrong

Mystery Readers

Click here to access links to all the Mystery Reader clips for I Love To Read month

that students enjoyed at Aquila.

Author's Night ~ Stacy Bauer

Aquila Loves To Read

Dress Up Day

Fifth Grade Parents & Guardians ~ Middle School Gathering

The St. Louis Park Middle School invites incoming 6th grade families to come and be in community with Interim Assistant Principal Cam Muata and Interim Principal Jason Boll on Friday, March 17 at 9:15 AM in the Performing Arts Center at the Middle School.

SLP District Band Showcase ~ Thursday March 9

Important Information for Fifth Grade Band Students & Families

Fifth Grade Band students are expected to be at the rehearsal and the concert on Thursday, March 9.

WHERE: St. Louis Park High School Field House - Enter Door 15

WHEN: 5th Grade Rehearsal starts at 5:20 PM, Concert Starts at 7:00 PM.

WHAT TO WEAR:

*Top: White or Black (No words or images if possible)

*Bottom: Dark or Black

WHAT TO BRING: Instrument, Concert Music, Music Stand (If you own one).

If your student is unable to attend the concert, please let Emilie Bertram know as soon as possible.

Emilie Bertram: bertram.emilie@slpschools.org

BINGO Night ~ Friday, March 10 - 6:00 PM

Volunteers needed for BINGO NIGHT! Click here to sign up to help! Thank you!

Tool of the Week ~ Tree With Eagle Arms

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 Tree With Eagle Arms.

• Standing in Mountain, press one foot into the floor.
• Standing on one leg, prop your other foot up or place it below or above the knee.
• Give yourself a hug or wrap one elbow under the other. Squeeze in.
• Focus your eyes on one spot.
• Stay here for 5-10 breaths.
• Repeat on the other side.

District News ~ Kindergarten Welcome!

If you or someone you know has an incoming kindergartner, be sure to check out the Kindergarten Welcome on Tuesday, March 21.

Doors will open at 5:30 PM and the presentation and activities will start at 6:00 PM.

Kindergarten Welcome is a great opportunity for 2023-24 kindergarten families to meet your school's principal and teachers, explore your school building, enjoy fun activities, learn about before- and after-school programming, and complete your enrollment process.  

5:30 PM - Registration tables and student led tours

6:00 PM - Presentation and classroom activity

6:30 PM - Breakout rooms

Golf Day in Fifth Grade Physical Education Classes At Aquila

Boys and Girls St. Louis Park High School Varsity Coaches Dan Becker and Freddie Boyle enjoyed teaching a golf lesson to some of our students this week.

Click here for a quick clip.

Golf is a wonderful sport our students can participate in that promotes lifetime physical well being. Students are eligible as seventh graders to play golf for the high school during the spring season. 

LOCAL GOLF OPPORTUNITIES:

Three Rivers Parks:

*Girls Only Golf Camps, click here.

*First Tee Program, click here.

*Scholarships available, click here.

Brookview Junior Programs:

*Golf Academy, click here.

Top Golf Spring Academy:

*Golf Lessons, click here.

Youth On Course:

Youth On Course is a great, cost effective opportunity to play golf during the spring/summer/fall. For a $30 annual fee, players ages 6 - 18 can play many courses, including regulation courses, around the metro area for $5 or less per round!

*Join Youth On Course, click here.

Thank You ~ Booster Enterprises

District News ~ Summer Learning Academy

Summer Learning Academy for

Rising 1-8th Grade Learners

Registration is Now Open!

Summer Learning Academy is a free program that promotes student growth and exposes learners to social and emotional development and cultural awareness through the engagement of academics, enrichment and physical activities. Learners will also be exposed to on-site and off-site field trip/experiential learning to enhance the overall summer experience. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Aquila PTO ~ Tech Talk: Wednesday, March 15

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

*Parkway Pizza Night: Tuesday, March 8

GET INVOLVED ~ LINKS:

*Volunteer Interest Form

*Cafeteria Lunchroom Help Link

*BINGO Night Volunteer SignUpGenius

District News ~

Want to become a substitute teacher in St. Louis Park Schools?

Our substitute teacher partner, Teachers on Call, is hiring exceptional people who would like to be substitute teachers! Are you wondering what becoming a substitute teacher entails? Becoming a sub requires a license through the state of Minnesota (requires bachelor’s degree or higher). You can still join if you are not licensed yet. We will briefly go over the requirements to become a substitute and send out information for you to get started. Join our virtual event to learn more about the process. 

Become a Sub Webinar:

https://calendly.com/jilr608/want-to-be-a-substitute-teacher

When: Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

What: An informal event to meet with Teachers on Call recruiting staff and learn more about the positions they offer.

District News ~ Summer Fun at Kids Place

Join in the fun at Kids Place this summer!

As part of St. Louis Park Public Schools, we share the district’s mission to provide children a safe, nurturing environment that energizes and enhances the spirit.

Kids Place Summer Program 2023 Grades K- 5

June 19 - August 18, 2023

Location: Susan Lindgren Elementary

Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

20 or more days: $53 per day

15-19 days: $57 per day

Sign into your online account to register: https://slp.ce.eleyo.com

Online Registration Window: March 1 - March 31, 2023!

Schedule changes allowed through May 19, 2023

For more information, click here.

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