St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
September 16, 2021
Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)


It has been a busy but exciting first week of school. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and patience shown this week as we have been navigating new spaces and new faces.

Tomorrow we will hold a kick-off assembly to mark the start of Homecoming activities as well as begin our Spirit Week Fundraising event. The festivities for both Homecoming and Spirit Week actually take place starting Monday, September 20th, and conclude on Friday, September 24th. 

I look forward to seeing you virtually at our first Site Council meeting next Wednesday from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.

Please continue to enjoy this beautiful fall weather.

Go Park Go!
Les Bork, Principal
Take a look inside the Middle School
Middle School students and families are enjoying a number of new spaces this year. Click here to view a Flickr photo gallery of more Middle School photos.
Upcoming Dates to Remember

  • Spirit Week Kick-Off Assembly TOMORROW
  • First Site Council Meeting September 22, 2021
  • Spirit Week September 20 - 24
  • Picture Day September 29, 2021 (see below)
Dress Up Days for Spirit Week
Monday: Comfy Day/PJ Day (Roll out of bed and come to school. Bathrobe and slippers are encouraged.)
Tuesday: Twin Day (Twin with a teacher or classmate.)
Wednesday: Different Decade Day (1890s to the 1990s)
Thursday: Sports Day (Dress like your favorite sports hero or dress up like the sport you play.)
Friday: Park Pride Day (Orange and black all day; go Orioles!)
Picture Day is coming....Wednesday Sept 29
Please order online at mylifetouch.com using our Picture ID EVTDTX9MX. If you need a paper order form please have your student stop by Student Services.
Important Reminders
Please remember that masks are required to be worn by all students (K-12) and staff when indoors with the exception of when individuals are eating breakfast or lunch. Masks are also required on school busses at all times.

Families are also reminded to keep students home when they are sick, including if they have any COVID-related symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, fever, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Middle School Site Council


Mission Statement
The mission of the Middle School Site Council is to serve the school community,
advise the administration, and support student enrichment through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, event planning, and community engagement.

Site Council Meetings:  
Who: Parents, Staff and Administration 

What: Support school community, receive live and timely info from principals, school board and department heads, have a voice at the table

Where: Virtual Zoom meetings
Click here to join meeting

When: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 7 times a year (we ask you to commit to being present for a minimum of 5 meetings.)

Meeting Dates:
September 22, 2021 February 16, 2022
October 13, 2021 April 20, 2022
November 10, 2021 May 18, 2022
January 12, 2022

Strategic Focus Areas 2021-22:  
The 4 areas we will dedicate meeting time to and work throughout the year:
Racial Equity
Mental Health
Communications
International Baccalaureate Self Study and Evaluation

All parents and guardians welcome!! If interested or have questions, please contact Julie Yakes at yakesmail@gmail.com or 612-210-5196

Volunteer Opportunities

Want to be alerted to various parent/guardian volunteer opportunities throughout the year (~5-10 emails annually)?

Please fill out this google form:

Note we will never sell your contact info.

Spirit Week! Homecoming Week Fundraiser

WHAT IS OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER AT SLP MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Direct Donation campaign aligned to Homecoming Week! 
100% money donated goes directly to SLPMS Site Council, a nonprofit (503c) organization, and is spent on all SLPMS students.
Spirit Week donations support enrichment programs: 

  • Grade Level Field Trip for every student (at no cost to parents)
  • School Supplies for students
  • Global interns that help out in all language classrooms 
  • Year-End Parties
  • And much more!

WHAT IS SITE COUNCIL? 
A group of parents/staff/administration dedicated to serving the school community, advising the administration and supporting the students through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, event planning and community engagement
Every parent/guardian is welcome to be on Site Council.  

SLPMS Site Council is a a nonprofit organization - 501 (c)3; All contributions are 100% tax deductible. And don't forget to check if your company has a corporate match!

WHY TIE INTO SPIRIT WEEK? 
PARK PRIDE IS A WONDERFUL THING, CELEBRATED ACROSS THE DISTRICT!
September timing aids in planning full year of events

WHAT IS OUR GOAL? 
$9,000 (typical year goal is $20,000. Due to pandemic, some funds remain from last 2 years)
Ask is $20 per family; every dollar counts and will be used for ALL students


WHAT HAPPENS DURING SPIRIT WEEK?
Every student receives Spirit Week Envelope to bring home Sept 17.
Students who return the Spirit Week envelope Sept 20-24 are entered into daily prize drawings, regardless of whether the family can contribute.
Return your envelope early to maximize your student’s chance for daily prizes

EVERY STUDENT COUNTS. EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS. WATCH FOR MORE INFO COMING HOME SEPTEMBER 17!

Thanks for being all in!
Middle School Site Council


Student work during Quarantine
It is possible that your student might have to quarantine at home due to a COVID exposure at some point during the 2021-22 school year. Teachers and staff at each of our buildings are committed to ensuring that students continue to learn while at home during those times of quarantine.

Click here to view detailed information by grade level (K-5, 6-8 and 9-12) on what school will look like for your student during quarantine.
Complete Forms Electronically
REMINDER: Complete the 2021-22 Required Forms
This year we are requesting that students, parents/guardians, and families complete the majority of the required forms for the school year electronically. Forms included are:

  • Annual Student Update (update contact information as well as student's health)
  • Student Meal Accounts
  • Application for Educational Benefits
  • Bus Information & Tracking
  • Student Digital Equity Survey
  • Technology Device Loan Agreement
  • Schoology (6-12) Use Agreements


Our goal is to increase efficiency for families by completing forms one time and electronically, eliminate the expense of printing and mailing forms, and reduce the environmental impact of paper and ink. We hope you find this helpful in preparing for the 2021-22 school year. And we ask for your patience as we implement this new process.

Click here to view the publication as an interactive flipbook in the publishing platform Issuu.
Click here to download the publication as a PDF.
Yearbook Sales
$37 ( If purchased by September 24th)
Sales will be done online at http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04145660 if your family decides to purchase one.
Spelling Bee
As with all things this year, the annual St. Louis Park Middle School Spelling Bee is intended, but not guaranteed, to happen. David Burr, event organizer and teacher in the Language and Literature department, is hoping to host the first-round screening test after school on October 14 in the Media Center classrooms, provided Covid restrictions at that time allow that to happen. If Covid restrictions do not allow for gathering on October 14, the screening test may be able to be completed online. More specific details will be provided as the event date approaches.
 
The screening test is a written, multiple-choice test that helps determine the top spellers in each grade. Generally, the top ten scorers from 6th grade, the top five scorers from 7th grade, and the top five scorers from 8th grade are invited to attend the SLPMS Spelling Bee, which is scheduled to be held on November 15 at 7:00 P.M. in the Media Center classrooms (again, dependent upon Covid restrictions). The winner from this Bee may be invited to attend the Metro Area Bee held in March if one is held.
 
Students will be able to get a Study Packet for the Screening Test from their Language and Literature teacher starting the week of Sept. 13. Best of luck to all of our spellers!
 
New this Year! Transportation App
Youth Enrichment Opportunities
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.

Morning Programming with Community Ed YEP
We are excited to pilot an initial round of morning programming for Middle School students. Below are the programs we will have available beginning in October. **Students will need to be dropped off at the Middle School for these programs.**

Flow yoga is the perfect class for beginners and people that are curious about yoga. We will take it slow and flow through different poses each week. The class is also perfect for someone that is familiar with yoga but wants to take it easy. 

When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 5-Nov. 11; 7:45-8:45 am 
Where? SLP Middle School Media Center Classroom 
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $59-$89 

Join Ms. Love to learn about the world of skateboarding! Beginners and experienced skaters welcome. **Students will be expected to bring their own skateboard, helmet, and any other necessary safety equipment.**

When? Thursdays, October 7-Nov. 18; 7:45-8:45 am
Where? SLP Middle School 
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $49-$79

Get to school early to make new friends, shoot around, and start your day off right! 

When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 5-Nov. 11
Where? SLP Middle School Field House 
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $39-$69

Learn about the game of golf after-school at SLP Middle School this fall! 
Mondays, Sept. 20-Oct. 25, 4-5 pm 
$169

Join the club and get into the game you love to play! 
Mondays, Oct. 25-Dec. 13, 4-5 pm 
$120

Questions about Enrichment Programs? Contact Kelleen at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6399





Mr. Les Bork, Principal
Mr. Jason Boll, Assistant Principal

2025 Texas Avenue South
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Phone: 952-928-6300
Attendance: 952-928-6394
Fax: 952-928-6383
Connect with us!