St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News |
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Following the School Board's decision on Tuesday, September 29 to have students in grades 6-12 remain in distance learning, Middle School fall sports have been cancelled.
If you have already registered for Middle School fall sports, a refund will be issued. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Derek Wennerberg at [email protected].
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6-12 Students Remain in Distance Learning |
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The School Board for St. Louis Park Public Schools unanimously approved a recommended change to the District’s Safe Learning Plan, as presented by Superintendent Astein Osei on Tuesday, September 29.
Details of the plan include:
- Students in Grades E-2 will start in a hybrid model on September 28;
- Students in Grades 3-5 will start in a hybrid model on October 5;
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Students in Grades 6-12 remain in distance learning;
- Offer full-time distance learning as a choice for families; and
- Develop an elementary distance learning academy and move to a full-day schedule K-5 as soon as is feasible.
The recommendation changes the course for Middle and High School students and continues their learning in a distance learning model instead of hybrid learning. Superintendent Osei cited numerous data points for the revised recommendation. He identified MDH and MDE recommendations regarding rising rates of COVID-19 in the region, as well as staff coverage concerns at the High School and Middle School, as the primary reasons for the change. Other considerations included student learning goals, staff preparedness, technology, and school operational readiness. Additionally, the District considered feedback from teachers and parents/guardians about their experiences with distance learning this school year.
A complete timeline has yet to be developed for implementation of an elementary distance learning academy and transition to a full-day schedule for Grades K-5. Understanding the significant amount of work to be done to prepare to implement a full-day schedule and a distance learning academy, the School Board stressed the sense of urgency in making these changes.
The District also continues to gather feedback about distance learning from stakeholders in Listening Sessions with the Superintendent. Completed and upcoming listening sessions are listed below:
Elementary Spanish Speaking Parents/Guardians
Monday, October 5 / 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Secondary Spanish Speaking Parents/Guardians
Tuesday, October 6 / 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Staff
Monday, October 12 / 4:00-5:30 p.m.
NOTE: Check the District website (www.slpschools.org) for additional Superintendent Listening Sessions to be scheduled.
St. Louis Park Public Schools will continue to update staff, students, parents/guardians, and the community regularly throughout the development process through our regular channels.
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Superintendent Osei to Host Several Listening Sessions |
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As a part of the process to hear stakeholder perspectives, Superintendent Osei will be hosting Listening Sessions over the course of this school year for students, parents/guardians, and staff to better understand the impact of the implementation of the District's educational delivery models.
Upcoming Superintendent Listening Sessions
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Levantando la Voz Latina con el Superintendente Osei - Familias de Primaria - a listening session for Spanish speaking families | Monday, October 5 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Zoom Link
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Levantando la Voz Latina con el Superintendente Osei - Familias de Middle y High School - a listening session for Spanish speaking families | Tuesday, October 6 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Zoom Link
- Staff Listening Session | Monday, October 12 | 4-5:30 p.m.
All of the listening sessions will occur virtually via Zoom and we will share links to these meetings on our district website a couple of days before the meeting.
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2020-2021 SLPMS Spelling Bee
The Round 1 screening test will be a VIRTUAL test this year due to the current Covid circumstances. Starting Tuesday, October 6, students that wish to participate will be able to access the Google Form Screening Test through their Language & Literature teacher's Schoology page. The test will need to be completed by the evening of Friday, October 9; access will be turned off on Saturday, October 10. We are asking that only the students themselves take the test; no outside help should be provided.
The approximately top ten scorers from each grade level, based on this screening test, will be invited to Round 2, which is an oral Bee usually held in November. More details will be provided about that event as the date approaches. Please contact David Burr at [email protected] or 952-928-6375 for more details.
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Professional Learning Day |
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Greetings!
We are an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. As part of that global network of schools, we undergo an evaluation process on a regular basis. This year we are in a year of self study. Our responsibility is to reflect on the standards and practices of World Schools and see how we measure up. One area we are reviewing is the IB learner profile. The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.
Today, October 2nd, is a professional learning day for the Middle School, with a focus on preparing for hybrid learning. As a staff/campus we collectively and independently engaged in learning today through a variety of means.
Here are five of the top attributes we were demonstrating today:
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Inquirer: We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning throughout life.
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Knowledgeable: We develop and use conceptual understanding and exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
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Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
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Risk-Takers: We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
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Reflective: We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
We value developing and displaying these attributes, here's some pictures of the staff in action, learning! :-)
Mia Waldera
MYP IB Coordinator
Cell 952-457-4195
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Douglass Butler (Individuals and Societies teacher) and Mia Waldera (IB Coordinator)
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Some of the members of the Middle School Leadership team. |
Here is the 8th grade Algebra PLC working on our CARE document and lesson plan. |
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6th grade science teachers: Ms. Payne, Ms. Felder, Mr. Plantz and Ms. Setten |
Science teachers: Ms. Englund, Ms. Setten and Ms. Small |
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Science teachers: Ms. Englund and Ms. Small |
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National Hispanic Heritage Month |
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Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.
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Families are reminded that all student absences must be reported to the attendance office to be excused. You may phone, 952-928-6394 or email, [email protected].
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Message from the Social Worker and School Counselor |
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Did you know?
St. Louis Park Middle School partners with Relate Counseling Center and Park Nicollet NOW Program to provide children's mental health therapy services during the school day to middle school students. As we navigate into the school year with distance learning, services are provided via telehealth. Please reach out to your student's grade level dean, the school social worker or the school counselor to discuss this possibility for your child. You may be concerned if you have noticed a change in your child's appetite or sleeping, an increase in anger outbursts, avoiding activities they typically enjoy, becoming overly agitated, increased worry, self harming behavior and other concerning behavior changes. Please reach out if you have concerns.
Dean of Students:
(6th Grade) Gina Magnuson
(7th Grade) Randy Zutz
(8th Grade) Delana Brinkman
School Social Worker & School Counselor:
Kristen Engen-Routzohn (Social Worker)
Theresa Weber-Sexton (School Counselor)
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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 [email protected] 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.
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Other Helpful Information |
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Click here for the Distance Learning Schedule.
Click here for the Wednesday Schedule.
Click here for the Middle School Website. Go to parent resources for information on PowerSchool and Schoology. Go to student resources for information on PowerSchool and Schoology.
Download the 2020-21 St. Louis Park Public Schools Return to School Guide
Click here for the digital school calendar.
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Helpful information for families:
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Other opportunities in the district/community
Young Entrepreneurs Academy
Animal Humane Society Shelter Vet Camp
Game Design/Coding & Graphic Design/Art Class
Project Soar Fall 2020
Teen Tech STEM Club
Ninetendo Switch Tournament
QuaranTeen SciFi Fantasy Book Club
Click here to see the flyers.
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