St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
November 4, 2021
Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)
|
|
Dear Families:
It is hard to believe that the school year is already one fourth of the year complete as today is the last day of 1st quarter. Our teachers will be working on finalizing quarter one grades tomorrow and early next week. During this time Powerschool student and parent portals will be turned off until all grades are finalized and stored. We'll be turning on Powerschool portals back on Friday, November 12th where students and families can see their final quarter one grades.
We have several exciting and important events happening this month that I want to make sure you are aware of and some that you have on your calendar:
Student-led Fall Conferences are November 17th from 8:00am to 7:45pm and after school on November 18th, from 4:20pm-7:45pm. One of the many benefits of designing conferences in this way is that students take ownership of their learning. This is also a way to build stronger working relationships between teachers and families. Families will be choosing to meet with their Advisory teacher either virtually or in-person, and you will be sent a Sign-up Genius with time slot availability on next week's OT News.
For students, Wednesday, November 17 is a scheduled asynchronous learning day so we can hold our student-led conferences. Students will need to login to Schoology where each class will have an online learning activity, video, or lesson that they'll complete. Attendance on November 17th will be taken through Schoology and then transferred into Powerschool.
I also want to highlight the amazing field trip our 8th graders were able to take to REM5 Virtual Reality Lab this week. I was able to go with one of Mrs. Wyffels' Individuals and Societies classes and to see our kids experience this was awesome. I've included some pictures from the field trip below.
Continue to let us know if we can do anything further to assist your student in reaching their full potential and brilliance.
Sincerely,
Jason Boll
Interim Principal
|
|
Upcoming Dates to Remember |
|
- No School TOMORROW
- Asynchronous Day of Virtual Learning November 17, 2021
- Conferences November 17 and November 18, 2021
|
|
November 17 is an Asynchronous Learning Day |
|
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.
|
|
8th Grade REM5 Highlights |
|
David Burr, teacher at the middle school and coordinator of the D.C. Trip, e-mailed registered families on Thursday, Nov. 4. If you did not receive the e-mail, please contact him at [email protected] or 952-928-6375 as soon as possible.
|
|
Tardiness and Food Reminders |
|
We have recently observed an increased amount of tardiness on behalf of students. Students are expected to be in class on time, every period, every day in order to maximize instructional time.
As a reminder there is no food allowed to be brought out of the cafeteria and we discourage the dropping off of restaurant food for student lunch.
|
|
America Recycles Day Competition |
|
The Environmental Student Leadership team has entered SLP Middle School into the America Recycles Day competition and could win up to $2,000 for St. Louis Park Middle School – but we need your help!
The America Recycles Day competition 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 Nov. 1 and Nov. 30.
If St. Louis Park wins, 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 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.
|
|
8th Grade Algebra Highlights
8th grade Algebra students spent two days constructing bridges and testing their strength to collect data.
|
|
Quiz Bowl season has begun |
|
Free Weekend Food Program
St. Louis Park Middle School is happy to partner again with Every Meal (formerly The Sheridan Story). Every Meal provides SLP Middle School students with a food bag each Friday. There is no eligibility criteria. Please see the Brochure for more information. Please enroll here Every Meal Enrollment Form.
Contact Kristen Engen-Routzohn, School Social Worker with questions [email protected] 952-928-6389
|
|
Racial Equity Policy Feedback |
|
District Seeking Feedback on Racial Equity Policy
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, we knew that writing this policy was a priority to guide the school district’s work system wide.
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. Thought exchange 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.
|
|
Upcoming Listening Sessions |
|
Upcoming Listening Session Opportunities
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
|
|
Middle School to Host 5+ Vaccine Clinic on Monday, November 15
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.
High School to Host 12+ Vaccine Clinic on Saturday, November 6
In partnership with Hennepin County, St. Louis Park Public Schools will be hosting Pfizer vaccination events for individuals ages 12 and up. These point of distribution events will also support booster shots for eligible people ages 18 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 receiving a first dose will receive a $50 Visa gift card (while supplies last)
-
Register by using your phone to capture the QR code or click the following link: Vaccine Registration & Scheduling (hennepin.us)
Booster Information:
- Pfizer boosters will be available during both events (November 6 and December 4).
- Pfizer is the ONLY COVID vaccine approved for boosters at this time. People who received Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccines are not eligible for a booster at this time. NOTE: The Moderna vaccine was administered at the St. Louis Park High School vaccination event hosted last March for staff.
- 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.
-
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.
|
|
Girls Basketball Registration |
|
If you need help creating your user account (it is the same as your lunch payment account) click here: Creating New Account
Coaches:
6-8th Grade Girls Basketball: All 6th - 8th grade girls basketball players will be practicing and playing at St. Louis Park Middle School. We will be playing against other schools with two teams. A and B teams.
Participation Fee: $105
Sports Physicals: All athletes will need to have a current sports physical (not immunizations) on file at the Middle School before they will be able to participate. Physicals are good for 3 years.
Activity Bus and Transportation: Buses will leave the Middle School at 5:30 everyday after practice. If they have an event that lasts past 5:30 they will need to be picked up after the event at the middle school. We provide bus transportation to and from all away sporting events.
Season Length: The first day of practice is Monday, November 1. The season lasts approx. 8 weeks until the end of December. Practices are from 4:00 – 5:30 PM, Monday - Thursday. There are no after school activities on Fridays.
|
|
Congratulations to the winners of the first round of the SLPMS Spelling Bee! The following students are invited to participate in Round 2 of the Spelling Bee, which MAY be held on Monday, November 15 at 7:00 P.M. in the Middle School Auditorium (Covid restrictions permitting). Alternately, we MAY be able to do an online Bee provided by Scripps, the organization that runs the National Bee.
More details about Round 2 will be distributed as the event date approaches. The SLPMS Spelling Bee will determine our representative to the Metro Area Bee in March, if one is held.
The Top Spellers Are:
6th Grade-
1. Riley Berger
2. Agustina Jerney
3. Jordan Sanders
4. Samuel Webb
5. Polly Richardson Baldwin
6. Anjali Narais
7. Addison Martin
8. Riley Hicks
9. Radha Kelly
10. Nicholas Stokesbary
7th Grade-
1. Asha Ferran-Sapatnekar
2. Tono Coronado
3. Adrienne Krill
4. Rayna Kaufman
5. Allison Foster, June Zilka
6. Dahraan Ahmed
7. Jakai Foster
8th Grade-
1. Katherine Healy, Lily Nutt
2. Kathleen Cadigan
3. Danielle Lewis
4. Ashton Molitor
5. Addison Degen
|
|
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.
Yoga w/ Chaunte **FREE**
Tuesday mornings, 7:45-8:45 am
Thursday after school, 4-5 pm
Super Sports Club w/ T.Will Sports
*Dodgeball and Kickball*
Tuesday mornings, 7:45-8:45 am, 10/26-11/30
$78
Morning Open Gym
Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 7:45-8:45 am
$39-$69 (Sliding Scale)
Questions about Enrichment Programs? Contact Kelleen at [email protected] or 952-928-6399
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
