November 3, 2021 | Volume 2 • Issue 12
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District Seeking Feedback on Racial Equity Policy |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools is seeking feedback from staff, students, parents/families and the community on a NEW Racial Equity Policy that was created in alignment with the 2020-25 Strategic Plan for Racial Equity Transformation. The purpose of this policy is to “establish expectations and accountability measures for the District’s work promoting racial equity and developing culturally relevant learning environments in order to create an equitable and anti-racist school system that honors all children, families, and staff.”
In the past year, the School Board Policy Committee worked collaboratively with the Superintendent, entire School Board and district leaders to write the new policy language with input and feedback on draft language from all stakeholder groups.
Public schools have historically-embedded systems and structures that disproportionately target and impact our black, brown and indigenous students in the area of discipline while not providing equitable educational environments. With our new strategic plan and the school board’s resolution on equity and anti-racism, and discipline data, writing this policy was a priority to guide the school district’s work systemwide.
To seek feedback on the FINAL DRAFT of this policy, the school district is conducting focused conversations with stakeholder groups and inviting feedback through Thoughtexchange. Thoughtexchange allows stakeholders to share thoughts, feedback, and ideas in an open-ended, confidential, and easy-to-use digital environment. After school board approval there will be education for teachers and staff and students and families for full implementation of this policy.
The school district appreciates your time and attention to this important work and is eager to hear your thoughts.
Parents/guardians, teachers, and staff should click here to participate in the Thoughtexchange.
Students should click here to participate in the Thoughtexchange.
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Upcoming Listening Session Opportunities |
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Stakeholders have a number of opportunities to attend listening sessions and share feedback with both the School Board and Superintendent Osei in the coming weeks.
Listening Sessions with Superintendent Osei
As a part of the process to hear stakeholder perspectives, Superintendent Osei will be hosting Listening Sessions this fall for students, parents/guardians, and staff. Listening Sessions will be held virtually via Google Meet.
November 8 | Somali speaking parents/guardians | 4:00-5:00 p.m. | Google Meet Link
November 8 | Spanish speaking parents/guardians | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Google Meet Link
November 16 | English speaking parents/guardians | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Google Meet Link
School Board Listening Session
All stakeholders are invited to attend St. Louis Park School Board Listening Sessions to ask questions and have a conversation with school board members. Up to three school board members will attend to listen to stakeholders. It 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.
November 16 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | In-person - location TBD
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Middle School to Host 5+ Vaccine Clinic on Monday, November 15 |
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In collaboration with Community Care Clinics of Minnesota, St. Louis Park Public Schools will be hosting a COVID vaccination clinic for students ages 5 and older at St. Louis Park Middle School from 4:20-7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 15, with second doses being given on Monday, December 6. Middle School students will have the option to receive a vaccine during the school day.
A printed consent form with a parent or guardian signature will be required for all students to receive a vaccine. Printed copies can also be found at your student's school. One form is required per student.
Click here to register your student for this vaccination clinic.
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High School to Host 12+ Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, November 6 |
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A reminder that we will be hosting Pfizer vaccination point of distribution events for eligible people ages 12 and up. If you are receiving a second dose or booster dose, please bring proof of vaccination. Event details:
- Dates: Saturday, November 6, 2021 and Saturday, December 4, 2021
- Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Location: St. Louis Park High School Fieldhouse - Door 15
- The vaccine is free and no insurance is required
- Individuals 18 and older receiving a first dose will receive a $50 Visa gift card (while supplies last)
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Register by using your phone to capture the QR code or click the following link: Vaccine Registration & Scheduling (hennepin.us)
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Booster Information:
- Pfizer boosters will be available during both events (November 6 and December 4).
- To be eligible for a Pfizer booster, individuals must be: 18 years of age or older, have received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine, and have received their second dose six or more months ago.
- Boosters are not eligible for the $50 Visa gift card.
Where else can I get a Pfizer booster right now?
- Hennepin County’s Public Health Clinic is offering booster shots. You can schedule an appointment by calling 612-543-5555 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The public health clinic is located at 525 Portland Ave S, Minneapolis on the 4th floor.
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You can also refer to Vaccine Locations / COVID-19 Updates and Information - State of Minnesota (mn.gov) to find community locations to receive a booster.
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Echo Student Newspaper Recognized Nationally
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Echo, the St. Louis Park High School student-run newspaper and news site, is once again being recognized on the national stage.
Echo has been named one of 65 National Pacemaker Newspaper Finalists by the National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA). Echo has been a National Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist every year since 2013 and is the only Minnesota public school to be named a finalist this year.
Additionally, Echo was named as one of the top 100 national student media publications during the last 100 years. NSPA awarded the distinction in honor of its 100-year anniversary to the top newspapers, newsmagazines, yearbooks, literary magazines and broadcast programs by tallying the number of Pacemaker and Pacemaker finalists won.
Seniors Henry Harper, Ayelet Prottas and 2020 graduate Talia Lissauer have been named finalists in the NSPA's Digital Story of the Year contest in the Photo Slide Show category for their work on last year's Justice for Daunte Wright walkout event.
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High School Theatre to Present "Anne of Green Gables:
A New Musical"
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The St. Louis Park High School Theatre Program will present "Anne of Green Gables: A New Musical" on November 12-14 and 19-21. Based on L.M. Montgomery's beloved book series, the Theatreworks USA musical adaptation follows Anne Shirley, an independent and inquisitive orphan girl. Anne arrives in Avonlea by mistake: the aging Cuthbert siblings intend to adopt a boy to help them manage the farm. Anne’s irresistible charisma soon wins over the Cuthberts and the entire community in this charming tale of finding love, family, and home.
Performances are November 12, 13, 19, and 20 at 7:00 p.m., and November 14 and 21 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens, and free with a student ID for all St. Louis Park High School students. Tickets can be purchased in person 30 minutes before each performance or online in advance. Please note, all attendees must wear masks while in the building.
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Three Elected to Four-Year Terms on School Board |
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Anne Casey, Abdihakim Arabow Ibrahim, and Mary Tomback were all elected to four-year terms on the St. Louis Park Public Schools School Board on Tuesday, November 2. Casey and Tomback were re-elected, while Ibrahim was elected for the first time. Ibrahim will replace current Board Member Karen Waters, who chose not to run for re-election after serving on the School Board since 2014.
Casey, Ibrahim and Tomabck will be sworn in at the School Board’s January 11, 2022 Study Session. Their terms will run through December 2025.
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Middle School Participating in America Recycles Day Challenge |
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The Environmental Student Leadership team at St. Louis Park Middle School has entered the school into the America Recycles Day Challenge during the month of November.
The America Recycles Day Challenge is a national contest between schools to collect the most used clothing to be given back to the community. Five winners will receive cash prizes for collecting the most clothes – measured in pounds – between November 1-30.
If the Middle School finishes in the top five, the Environmental Student Leadership team has decided to put the cash prize towards starting a school garden!
The Environmental Student Leadership team is asking students and families to chip in. Anyone with gently used clothes or shoes to donate can bring them to the clothing recycling bins located in the back parking lot of St. Louis Park Middle School, next to the soccer fields.
The 14th annual National Recycles Day Challenge is sponsored by USAgain, a for-profit company that offers a convenient, no-cost alternative to dispose of unwanted clothing and shoes by collecting unwanted items in its green and white bins.
Click here to watch a promotional video about the challenge created by the Environmental Student Leadership team.
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No School K-12 on Friday, November 5 |
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There is no school for K-12 students on Friday, November 5. It is a conference day for K-5 families and a grading day for 6-12 staff. Early Learning Preschool, ECFE, ECSE and Kids Place are all IN SESSION on Friday. |
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November 17 is an Asynchronous Learning Day for 6-12 Students |
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Wednesday, November 17 is a scheduled asynchronous learning day for students in grades 6-12, as both the Middle School and High School will hold family conferences on this date. All assignments on that day will be available in Schoology. Students will need to login to Schoology in order for attendance to be taken. More details will be made available soon explaining what this day will look like for students and families. Please watch upcoming editions of 6425 News and the Oriole Times, as well as next week's SLP Communicator for full details.
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District Hiring Multiple Positions |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools currently has a number of job openings in various departments. Click here to view current job postings.
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Reminder: Face Coverings are Required on Buses
and in Schools & Centers
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Please remember that masks are required to be worn by all students (K-12) on buses. Please be sure to send your students to the bus stop with a mask. Masks are also required to be worn by students and staff in district schools and centers when indoors with the exception of when individuals are eating breakfast or lunch.
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Keep Schools Open: Stay Home When You Are Sick |
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Families are also reminded to keep students home when they are sick, including if they have any COVID-related symptoms such as a fever, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or snell, muscle pain, chills, cough, runny nose/congestion, sore throat, headache or fatigue.
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