Greetings Aquila Families!
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Hello Aquila Families,
It was a joy to see many of our Kindergarten, First and Second Grade students back in the building this week. We are looking forward to seeing our Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade students that are choosing the hybrid learning model at school next week! As a reminder, we do not have school tomorrow, Friday, October 2. It is a district-wide professional learning day for teachers. Due to the fact that we have a few shortened weeks in our school-year calendar, our district has adjusted those specific weeks to include some hybrid classes on Wednesdays. Please check the calendars on pages 6 & 7 in the “Preparing for E-2 Hybrid Learning” to get more information. See October picture below as well.
Our student drop-off and pick-up procedure is new this year. If you are dropping off or picking up your child, we are asking that you drive through the designated area in our west parking lot near the playground. Our staff will help ensure that our families and students connect prior to getting into a car. During pick up, stand outside your car door so our staff and students can visually see you. Once we have made a visual connection we will have the student walk to you. If you decide to park your car at the end of the day for pick up, please wait for your child in the large grassy area near the parking lot and garden.
I read a quote by an unknown author this week that speaks to how we are feeling. “Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching.” Shelley and I believe we are always learning. We are learning from your feedback, our students' feedback, and our teachers' feedback. As we are in the beginning stages of the hybrid model, we will need to continue to learn from what is working well and make adjustments as needed. Please continue to share your feedback through email, phone calls, and during our virtual family connect meetings (please see details below).
Thank you for your patience, grace, humor, perseverance, and flexibility during these first few weeks of school!
Here are a few pictures that capture the spirit of Aquila over the last week.
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In partnership,
Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal
Shelley Nielsen, Aquila Principal
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Welcome Aquila's Building Substitute Teachers
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Please welcome our three building Aquila substitute teachers who will be working
at Aquila the entire school year with all the classrooms and students.
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Emilie Greb is excited to be working at Aquila this year. She loves pizza. When not teaching, you might find her traveling to the Duluth/Grand Marais area or visiting the restaurant Old Chicago.
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Stacia Kalinoski has worked as a substitute teacher in St. Louis Park schools. She loves sspicy foods. She enjoyed a trip to New Zealand and likes sushi from Wakame.
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Bethany Lindvall has returned from living abroad. She loves Italian food and thinks Florence, Italy is a great place to explore. She likes the food at The Block restaurant in St. Louis Park.
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From The AQ Health Office - Angela Hansen & Heidi Galbraith
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COVID and School Attendance
It is critically important that staff, parents/guardians, and families do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. This role for staff, parents/guardians and families includes:
- Limiting potential exposure to COVID-19 by social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding large crowds.
- Watching for potential symptoms and staying home when sick.
- Getting tested when appropriate and staying home while waiting for test results.
While all are eager to return back to school and connect with others in our school community, staff, students, and families need to follow guidance about when they should NOT be in school. If you are sick, stay home and consider COVID-19 testing. If you have had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in your home or in other activities, stay out of school for the full 14 days of quarantine. By staying home when you are sick or have been exposed to a positive case, you are helping your community stay in school together.
Please click on the links below for further information:
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Immunizations
It is important for your student to stay current on immunizations, especially during this time. Staying up-to-date on immunizations is one important way to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Check now with your family doctor or clinic to see if your child has all the immunizations required for their age.
Central Clinic is now open. For general Central Clinic information, CLICK HERE.
➔ Will be open every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00-4:30PM
➔ Will only see patients for vaccine visits
➔ Will not be administering COVID testing at Central
➔ Will not be administering immunizations for patients who are positive for COVID symptoms
➔ Patients can continue to schedule phone visits for other medical needs as appropriate
➔ All patients and visitors must wear a mask
➔ Students are only allowed one adult guardian into their visit. Other visitors should remain outside the clinic
➔ All persons will be screened upon arrival
➔ Social distancing guidelines will be posted and the lobby arranged to support this effort
➔ When appropriate, the patient can be scheduled for a virtual phone visit
The St. Louis Park School District has joined the growing number of school districts throughout the state of Minnesota who strive for immunization compliance. If the student receives an immunization during the school year; send by mail, fax, or drop off at the school the documentation of the shot(s) received.
Minnesota Statutes Section 121A.15 requires children enrolled in a Minnesota school to be immunized against certain diseases, or file a legal medical or conscientious exemption. This form is designed to provide the school with information required by the law. Click here for more district health information.
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Aquila Grade Level Virtual Family Connect Meetings
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Grade level teachers will be holding Virtual Family Connect Meetings with families from their grade levels. These online meetings will give parents and caregivers a chance to ask questions and share experiences about distance learning.Teachers will share links to meetings closer to dates.
Wednesday, October 7
Kindergarten: 12:00-12:30PM
First Grade: 9:30-10:00AM
Second Grade: 11:00-11:30AM
Wednesday, October 21
Third Grade: 12:00-12:30PM
Fourth Grade: 9:30-10:00AM
Fifth Grade: 12:30-1:00PM
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FREE Meals Update - Beginning Monday, October 5
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NOTE CHANGES TO BEGIN MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
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Cohort Hybrid Learners (A) who attend school on Mondays/Tuesdays will pick up their food at school those days. On Wednesdays they can pick up their food at any of the four elementary school locations from 11:45-12:45.
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Cohort Hybrid Learners (B) who attend school on Thursdays/Fridays will pick up their food at school those days. On Mondays they can pick up their other food at any of the four elementary school locations from 11:45-12:45.
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Distance Learners (C) should pick up their free meals on Mondays and Wednesdays at any of the four elementary school locations from 11:45-12:45.
The District will also drop-off meals to seven St. Louis Park apartment complexes in designated neighborhoods, Monday-Friday. Note time changes.
Meal Drop-Off Schedule:
Era Apartments (Meadowbrook) | 11:15-12:05
Colonial Terrace Apartments | 11:15-11:35
Park Glen Apartments | 11:45-12:05
Oak Park Village Apartments | 11:15-12:05
Louisiana Court Apartments | 11:15-11:35
Rhode Island Chateau Apartments | 11:45-12:05
Courtyard/The Park Apartments | 11:15-12:05
Meals available by PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY for designated apartment complexes!
Menus on the Nutrislice website and mobile application are accurate and will reflect what is included in the grab-and-go bag meals.
While meals are currently free, it's still important for families to fill out a Free and Reduced Meals Application. This application can be filled out by families in a number of different ways including online through their Wordware or PowerSchool account or by filling out a paper copy.
If anyone has questions or needs more information about the St. Louis Park Public Schools Free Meals program, or needs assistance in filling out a Free and Reduced Meals Application, they can contact the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146.
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Fifth Graders - Join Band!
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5th Grade Families and Students:
It is not too late to sign up for band! If you are interested in joining band and already filled out an instrument interest form please look in your email for an email from Emilie Bertram, SLP Elementary Band Teacher, from September 21 or 22 with information on registration and band.
Please fill out this registration information by tomorrow Friday, October 2.
If you have not filled out any forms for band this year and are still interested in joining please email Emilie Bertram at: bertram.emilie@slpschools.org and let her know you are interested in joining band this year.
She is so excited to teach your students band this year and can't wait to get started!
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Aquila Library Media Center - Books
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If your students are participating in Hybrid Learning, please send any school library books they may have had at home since spring with them. If you are stopping by the school to pick up materials or food, feel free to drop the books off with school staff. We will begin book check out soon. More information forthcoming.
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AQ PTO (Parent, Teacher Organization)
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The Aquila PTO partners with families to
enhance the education experience
of all Aquila students, families and staff!
Upcoming events:
*PTO Meeting - Virtual - All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
Tuesday, October 13 at 6:15 PM
*Chipotle Fundraiser
October 26, 4:00-8:00 PM
For more information, please contact
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SLP Community Education YEP Presents Club Invention
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Club Invention, a program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, is coming to Aquila Elementary School this fall! Let your child’s imagination run wild while exploring connections between science, technology, engineering, and innovation.
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St. Louis Park Public Schools is excited to announce an opportunity for parents, families, students and neighbors to talk about race and racism, called the HOPE Speaks Project.
Parents and families of all races, and their children in grades 3-5, are invited to explore Honest, Open, Personal and Engaged (HOPE) conversations around race and racism.
Join us virtually for six Tuesdays, October 6 through November 17 from 6:30-9:00 PM. No class on November 3. Additional information about the Hope Speaks Project available by clicking here.
Questions? Contact Kelleen at
obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6399
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Family Technology Help Resources
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The NEW St. Louis Park Schools Family Tech Help site is located at https://slpfamilytechhelp.blogspot.com/. Please look here for solutions to common technical problems that you may have with a student device.
If you are in need of additional, specific assistance, you can email a technician at familytechhelp@slpschools.org or leave a message at 952-928-6056.
In both cases please state the student name, school, grade, and provide device info, and contact phone or email. Both of these methods are checked on a regular basis during the school day from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Any calls or emails made after 4:00 p.m. will be received and returned the next school day after 7:30 a.m.
Joanne Bongaarts, Aquila Library Media Specialist, is also available to support families.You can email her at bongaarts.joanne@slpschools.org or call 952-928-6494.
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PowerSchool Family Portal
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St. Louis Park Public School is excited to offer families a convenient way to access information about students and make online updates. One important yearly update is the "Annual Student Update." You can update phone numbers, emergency contacts, and more.
If you already have a Middle School or High School student in the district, you might already have an account. You can log in to that account to add information about your elementary student.You should have received a letter with an access ID and code for your elementary student.
Make sure to scroll down once you are in the account and look for the "Annual Student Update" button.
If you have questions, please contact the Aquila School Office at 952-928-6500.
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St. Louis Park Hennepin County Library - Open!
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Hours:
Sunday: 12:00PM - 5:00PM
Monday: 9:00AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Thursday: 12:00PM - 8:00PM
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St. Louis Park Public Schools released its Return to School Guide for the 2020-21 school year. This guide contains important information about potential learning models (distance, hybrid and in-person), health and safety guidelines and protocols, and other general information on a variety of topics including transportation, school nutrition, childcare, arts, athletics, and much more!
PLEASE NOTE:
This document will be updated frequently and maintained on the school district website at www.slpschools.org/COVID19...please bookmark this page and refer to it often for the latest updates and information about the school district’s response.
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