St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News |
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December 23-January 1, Winter Break, No School |
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Updated Distance Learning Schedule |
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In November we asked for your feedback on the current distance learning schedule. We also gathered input from teachers and students. Some consistent themes emerged across all three groups of stakeholders.
With regard to priorities, all groups believe:
- It is important to have live classes with direct instruction from teachers.
- Students and teachers need access to small groups or one-on-one time in order to provide learning support.
- Assignments and due dates need to be organized and clearly communicated.
- Teachers should have an awareness of the amount of time on screen for students.
After reflection, the Middle School leadership team addressed these priorities and concerns through revisions to the distance learning schedule. These changes will be rolled out in January, 2021. For the sake of consistency and organization, the main structure of the schedule will remain the same, including daily class start-times. However, we will add some designated break times which can be used for small groups, one-on-one times with teachers, completing assignments individually, or time away from the computer.
Students will receive more specifics about these revisions during advisory time in January. Parents can expect more details as well in January, via email and OT News.
Please note that all plans are subject to change per the Governor's Safe Schools plan and changing COVID numbers.
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St. Louis Park Middle School Yearbook Staff welcomes you to the 2020-2021 school year! Wow! What a year!
We’re here to share some exciting news with you regarding the 2021 yearbook. Guess what? You’re officially on the yearbook staff! Yes, you read that right! This year, more than ever, we ask that you join us in helping to create the book.
Due to continued distance learning, we will be reaching out to parents and teachers to help submit photos for the yearbook. This year’s story will still be told, and we are working hard to make a very creative and unique yearbook.
So, this is our ASK….
When you see an email in regard to the yearbook, please open it! Complete the Google form requesting information and pictures. Super easy!
We are creating a separate school Google yearbook account to gather this type of information This account is labeled: [email protected]
In addition, we will also be collecting selfie portraits for the book via images.jostens.com with USER ID: 416083950. More details to come soon.
Please keep a watchful eye out for these photo and selfie portrait requests throughout the year right up until March 1. Requests will come with speed with short turnaround deadlines for each request.
The Google forms we send to you will promote a unique theme or concept on what we are trying to cover in the yearbook. Great content and student coverage are important to us!
*Take photos of ANYTHING that happens in your home that connects back to our school, whether virtually or in-person.
*Try to capture CANDID moments. By candid we mean non-posed photos.
*We want to feature any students who are doing something awesome such as Molly is getting her new puppy today or Johnny was accepted to a really cool sports program.
*Student organizations definitely deserve some love: help us gather memories of meetings, practices or virtual events.
*Calling all athletes: we are talking about school sports or extracurricular sports. Share your stories and photos!
*If you, or another parent you know takes pictures at student events, please email us.
This yearbook is unique in that it will be created by the whole school. Thank you in advance for being a part of this historic year. Don’t forget to reserve your copy at www.jostensyearbooks.com
Sincerely,
St. Louis Park Middle School
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Google Meets for Students |
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Mr. Justin, Mr. Dree and Mr. Dennis launched Weekly Google Meets that take place on Mondays from 8:20-9:00 a.m., Wednesdays from 12:20-12:50 p.m. and Fridays from 8:20-9:00 a.m. These meets will give the students a chance to hangout with one another as well as us. Students will have the chance to talk about distance learning and how they feel about it, how things are at home and how they are doing when it comes to their mental health. Below we have attached a link to a four minute video we made for the kids explaining Google Meets and what it entails. Google Meets started on Monday, December 14. We also attached a google doc explaining in detail everything there is to know about the project. There is a link for Monday and Friday and a link for Wednesday.
See you all online!!
Click here for more information.
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Community Project Information for 8th Graders,
Updated December 18
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Update for 8th grade families,
The SLP MS 8th grade students' capstone project is called the Community Project. Students take action in the form of personal research, advocacy, indirect or direct action. The 8th grade students have been introduced to this project during advisory time the past few weeks. They are also being asked to independently work on a few things that are posted on their Schoology advisory page. Once students identify their project they can collaborate in groups of up to three students. Their group members may be any 8th grade student and they don't have to be in the same advisory as their project will be done virtually.
Please let us know if you have any questions about this project. We encourage students to continue their thinking about it over winter break.
Mia Waldera
International Baccalaureate Coordinator
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Photo With Your Pet! Win a Prize! |
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Hey middle school students!
Have a great study pal that hangs out with you while you do homework? Wish you had a pet to keep you company? Here's a chance to showcase you and your pet and win a fabulous prize.
- Take a photo of you and your pet (or you and your dream pet).
- Put the photo into a google slide including your full name, grade, and pet's name.
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Submit the slide to [email protected] by Friday, January 15.
- Slides will be compiled and shared in Advisory and OT news. All submissions will be put in a drawing for fabulous prizes.
Here are some ideas from a few teachers and staff.
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Screenagers: Next Chapter Follow-Up |
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January Listening Sessions with Superintendent Osei |
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Click here for the details and the link.
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Centro Tyrone Guzman Group Coming in January |
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El grupo del Centro Tyrone Guzman vuelve en enero. ¡Más detalles próximamente!
Centro Tyrone Guzman group coming in January. More details soon!
Raices, el programa de Jóvenes de Centro Tyrone Guzman trabaja con jóvenes Latines* en los grados 6-12 a través de una amplia gama de programas integrales dentro y fuera de la escuela que enfatizan el apoyo académico, la identidad personal y cultural, la salud, el bie- nestar y el desarrollo del liderazgo. El objetivo del programa es promover comportamientos saludables, fortalecer a las familias y apoyar a les jóvenes para que logren un futuro exitoso.
Raíces, Centro Tyrone Guzman’s Youth Development Program works with Latine* youth in grades 6–12 through a broad range of holistic in-school and out-of-school programs emphasizing academic support, personal and cultural identity, health and wellness, and leadership development. The program’s goal is to promote healthy behaviors, strengthen families and support youth to achieve a successful future.
Click here to see the flyer
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Check out books from the LMC |
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Check out books from the St. Louis Park Middle School library media center! Students can check out books and pick them up "curbside" (in the front entrance foyer). Book requests and holds can be made via our Destiny Catalog online. Instructions for how to request and hold books can be found here. We have many new books and thousands upon thousands of great middle school books both in English and Spanish. Students can check out books for pleasure reading and/or for school assignments using our new system.
Also, any overdue books need to be returned before new books can be picked up (or these books can be renewed for another two weeks by requesting this by email). Thank you!
Happy Reading!!
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2021 Space Camp Scholarship |
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Click here for more information.
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Every Meal (formerly The Sheridan Story) launched their Winter Meal Program, providing Minnesota children and families easier ways to get the food they need. Over 50 locations throughout the Twin Cities now have meal bags available for free with no qualification requirements. Locations include local libraries, YMCAs, fire stations, faith communities, schools, businesses, and recreation centers.
The Middle School has food remaining from the Girl Scout Food Drive. If you would like to access this resource, please email or call Kristen Engen-Routzohn, social worker, to coordinate pick up. Items include: family meals, commonly requested items and feminine hygiene products.
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Community Education Classes |
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Virtual Family Cooking Class with Seeds Feeds
Join us for an informal cooking class, where we will cook, learn new recipes, and answer your cooking and nutrition questions. We will discuss how to modify recipes based on your tastes and the food available. At the same time, we will have an opportunity to build a community, discuss food security, access, and barriers to healthy eating, and take action to break down barriers so all our neighbors can be food secure.
Recipes will be emailed two weeks ahead of time, so there is time to grocery shop. There is also an option for groceries needed can be picked up or delivered.
Ages: for 5th-8th graders with their families
Dates: Sundays, January 17, 31, February 7, and 21. OR March 7, 21, April 11, and 25.
Cost: $50/family. Scholarships are available!
Click here to register now.
Middle School Drone Team
Join the Middle School Drone Team! By joining the team you will get to:
-Build a drone and learn to fly it.
-Practice flying using simulator software.
-Three team races vs another local team.
-Entry into the YDSC May Madness tournament to crown MN State Champions.
Initial Practices will be on Wednesdays, January 13, 20, and 27 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. At these practices, we will learn about Drone Racing, practice and build our drones, and learn about the competition. We will plan to practice twice a week beginning in February, days TBD depending on the team's schedules.
All in-person activities will follow all safety protocols by being socially distanced, mask-wearing, and our team will have limited spots. Students will be able to practice at home and have the option to compete in online competitions.
Pricing is on a sliding scale (with scholarships available). For more information and to register click here.
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Keep Your School Nurse Informed |
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Our Health Services Team is here to support staff and students - even during distance learning. Public health agencies at the state and county levels are overwhelmed with the current number of positive COVID cases and may not be able to answer questions in a timely manner.
The Licensed School Nurse and Health Aide at the middle school can answer COVID/illness related questions, work through guidance given by the MN Department of Health, provide information on COVID testing sites, and assist with contact tracing and investigating.
Do not hesitate to reach out with your own questions or to notify us of students who may need support at this time. Please call 952-928-6311 or email Julie Walsh at [email protected] or Jeanelle Rasmussen at [email protected] to report any illness during distance learning.
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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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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.
Click here for the digital school calendar.
Click here for the SLP Communicator
School Social Worker & School Counselor:
Kristen Engen-Routzohn (Social Worker)
Theresa Weber-Sexton (School Counselor)
Dean of Students:
(6th Grade) Gina Magnuson
(7th Grade) Randy Zutz
(8th Grade) Delana Brinkman
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2021 D.C. Trip (current 7th and 8th Graders)
If you're interested in learning more about this year's trip and you'd like an information packet mailed to you, please e-mail David Burr at [email protected]. Registration is open through March of 2021!
2022 D.C. Trip (current 6th Graders)
We held a fairly well-attended parent information Zoom session on Tuesday, Dec. 8. If you are interested in learning more about this travel opportunity and weren't able to attend Tuesday's meeting, please contact David Burr at [email protected].
There are two easy ways to register for your trip (Trip ID 193112):
2) Call WorldStrides Customer Service at 1-800-468-5899.
Registering by Dec. 15 earns you a $125 discount!
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Other opportunities in the district/community:
Code Championship
Online Chess Club
Hope Speaks Project
Community Education January Classes
Fastpitch registration
Study for Teenage "Night Owls"
Winter Sock Sale
Draw On! Drawing Class
Community Education Gift Certificates
Click here to see the flyers.
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