St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News |
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January 15, Pet Photos due
January 18, MLK, Jr. Day, No School
January 19, 9th Grade Information for 8th graders, 6:30 p.m.
January 26, Coffee with the Principal, 4-5 p.m.
January 28, End of quarter
January 29, Grading Day, No School
January 29, Picture Day and Second Semester Supply Pickup
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Important Information for 8th Grade Families |
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Greeting families and future 9th grade students,
Coming up is registration for Virtual HIgh School Incoming 9th Grade Preview NIght,
Tuesday, January 19 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Families in St. Louis Park will be receiving a postcard inviting you to this event. By registering you will receive two reminder emails the day of the event with a link of how to join the live virtual event via Zoom. During the virtual event, students and families will be welcomed by school leaders and participate in breakout rooms to learn more about St. Louis Park High School.
Breakout rooms will feature:
• Student Panel
• Academic Department Chairs
• Counselors & Multicultural Liaisons
• Athletic Director & Staff
• Activities Advisors
• And more!
We hope to see you there!
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Distance Learning Schedule Updated January 8 |
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This week students started the new schedule. Background: 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. For the sake of consistency and organization, the main structure of the schedule will remain the same, including daily class start-times. However, we added some designated time for students to check and connect with their teacher. These check and connect times can be used for small groups, one-on-one times with teachers, completing assignments individually, or time away from the computer.
If you have questions, check with your child. They should be able to clarify expectations.
Click here to see the schedule.
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Target Transition Date for Secondary Students |
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This message was sent to families today.
Good afternoon,
The purpose of this communication is to share information about the target transition date to a hybrid learning model for secondary students and staff at SLP Middle School and High School. Based on my meetings with our MDE and MDH Regional Support Team, members of our district’s COVID-19 Planning Team, and district stakeholders, I will be recommending a February 22, 2021 target transition date for secondary students.
Please note: this is only a recommendation at this time and will need to be approved by the School Board at the January 25 School Board meeting.
This target transition date is subject to change pending School Board approval and our ability to meet our Educational Delivery Model Considerations. Specifically, the health and safety consideration will be key in the implementation of this target transition date as we are expected to follow the protocol and parameters listed in steps one through five of the Safe Learning Plan to determine our timeline for moving to a less restrictive model. This means that the cases per county data would need to be lower than 30 cases per 10,000 for us to move secondary students to a hybrid learning model.
Over the next couple of weeks staff will be working to:
finalize saliva testing procedures for secondary staff;
facilitate a leave of absence process for secondary staff;
fill open positions created by the leave of absence process and other positions based on needs;
finalize a plan for rolling start (determine grade levels that will return to school first);
facilitate a change process for students and families to transition between hybrid and distance learning; and
finalize the dates for transition/planning time (2 days).
I will be sharing more information about this target transition date and our planning/preparation at the January 25 School Board meeting.
Next week, I will be hosting listening sessions for parents/guardians and students. I have provided information below about those upcoming sessions. The listening sessions are designed to allow me to hear stakeholder perspectives and to better understand the impact of the implementation of the District's educational delivery models.
January 19 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - English | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 934 2061 5183 | Passcode: 520346
January 19 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - Spanish | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 967 9287 9471 | Passcode: 029610
January 20 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Students | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 918 6822 7793 | Passcode: 965140
Thank you for your continued support of St. Louis Park Public Schools and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions. I can be reached via email at [email protected] or phone at 952-928-6003.
Respectfully,
Astein Osei
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The Athena Honor Ensemble is a unique music performance opportunity that showcases young female musicians from around the globe! This unique virtual event will include clinics and workshops led by renowned Athena faculty which will provide supplementary music and leadership opportunities for young women. Selected musicians will:
- Create a final, recorded performance to be premiered online this spring.
- Participate in master classes and empowerment sessions with trusted Athena Music and Leadership faculty.
- Develop leadership skills through mentoring opportunities and social-emotional learning activities.
With that being said, the following SLPMS students were nominated and accepted to participate in this year's Athena Honor Ensemble.
- Erin Eichten, clarinet, 6th grade
- Allie Foster, clarinet, 6th grade
- Nora Johnson, clarinet, 6th grade
- Brooklynne Patterson, alto saxophone, 6th grade
- Madeline Peterson, percussion, 6th grade
- Sylvie Richardson, alto saxophone, 6th grade
- Renee Dominguez, clarinet, 7th grade
- Maddie Grecco-Rosen, clarinet, 7th grade
- Kayleigh Bishop, percussion, 7th grade
- Maggie Tight, flute, 7th grade
- Kateri Trebnick, flute, 7th grade
- Kylie Kaiser, flute, 7th grade
- Isabel Schmidt, flute, 7th grade
- Ellanor Foreman, trumpet, 7th grade
- Lydia Anderson, clarinet, 7th grade
- Alexandra Coronado, percussion, 8th grade
- Julia Lorenzen, percussion, 8th grade
- Jasmine Schmoll, flute, 8th grade
- Amira David, alto saxophone, 8th grade
Please join me in congratulating them on being accepted for this amazing performance and leadership opportunity. They will be excellent representatives of the SLP community, and I am so proud of them!
Roy Pienaar
Band Director
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School Photo and Supply Pickup January 29 |
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Lifetouch will be taking student photos on January 29. Also on the 29th, we will be conducting second semester supply pickup. More details will be shared with families in the near future. |
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Academic Support Sessions |
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Looking for some extra help in math and writing assignments? Ms. Gutz can assist. Academic Support study sessions for students looking for help with math and writing assignments is available. Each study session will be offered twice per week.
Every 30 minute session is open to all students to join as they are able. These are optional, but highly recommended as we all continue to navigate school during a pandemic.
The days and times for each study session are listed below:
Math / Pi Math Study Session Mondays and Thursdays
10:08-10:38 a.m. (after 2nd hour check-in)
(Meeting ID: 920 9142 4350; Passcode: 436309)
Writing Study Session Tuesdays and Fridays
10:56-11:26 a.m. (after 3rd hour check-in)
(Meeting ID: 921 6068 7172; Passcode: 052833)
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Being Organized & Fighting Procrastination Sessions |
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Organizing help is available from Ms. Gutz who is hosting sessions on Being Organized & Fighting Procrastination. There are three sessions left and each topic will be offered twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Every session is open to all students to join as they are able. These are optional, but highly recommended as we all continue to navigate school during a pandemic. The link and Zoom meeting information for all sessions is the same and is as follows:
(Meeting ID: 959 0022 0739; Passcode: 589643)
(Meeting ID: 984 3084 4247; Passcode: 706262)
All sessions are offered twice on Tuesdays and Fridays:
9:20-9:50 a.m. (after 1st hour check-in) and
1:42-2:12 p.m. (after 5th hour check-in
Tuesday, Jan 19 Setting Up Your Work Space
Friday, Jan 22 Planning Your Work (Where Do I Start?)
Tuesday, Jan 26 Communicating with Teachers; Taking Notes
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Community Project Information for 8th Graders
Updated January 21
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Students have been working on brainstorming Community Project ideas during advisory and beyond. It's very important that students decide if they are working alone or with one to two others in the next few days. Also, developing their ideas and which community that they are choosing to serve, are decisions needed ASAP. Project work will soon be underway!
As students reflect on the events around us, sometimes staff are hearing that students feel stuck or angry because they are "just" kids in a world going through a variety of pandemics. We believe in and value the power of voice in our students. The Community Project is about students taking action and using their voice. Students can do action in a variety of ways:
1. research
2. advocacy
3. indirect action
4. action
If your child is still unsure of a direction for their Community Project, please brainstorm together about the power of their voice to "do something" to benefit themselves and a community of their choice.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
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. Click here for directions.
- 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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Interested in shooting sports? The Minnesota High School Clay Target Season is just around the corner. This opportunity is available to students in grades 7-12.
If interested, email Coach Plantz at:
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Centro Tyrone Guzman Group Starting January 20 |
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Latino groups start Wednesday, January 20.
Centro Tyrone Guzman is a non-profit organization in south Minneapolis that supports Latine* families and collaborates with the community of St. Louis Park. This is a 9 week group on Wednesdays from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m. via Zoom. Facilitators will guide more focused conversations on themes of identity, traditions and cultures, prominent figures, being Latine* in Minnesota, the current environment and short discussions on sexual health content at the end of each session. Click here for the Permission Slip.
Please contact School Social Worker, Kristen Engen-Routzohn at 952-928-6389 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
El grupo del Centro Tyrone Guzman vuelve en enero. ¡Más detalles próximamente!
Centro Tyrone Guzman group starting in January 20.
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.
Please contact School Social Worker, Kristen Engen-Routzohn at 952-928-6389 or [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click here to see the flyer
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School Board Approves 2021-22 School Calendar |
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The School Board approved the 2021-22 School Calendar at its December 14, 2020 Business Meeting. Click here to download a one-page 2021-22 At a Glance Calendar. Stakeholders are reminded that the most updated information regarding calendars is available on the district website at www.slpschools.org/calendars.
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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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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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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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Other opportunities in the district/community:
8th Grade Families
The Newscaster
Virtual Cooking Class grades 5-8
Private Piano Lessons
Lennox Foundation Fundraiser
Self Care 101
Seeds Feeds Winter Classes
Study for Teenage "Night Owls"
Softball Registration
Summer Camp & Teen Leadership Programs
Help Provide Revenue for All Learners
2021-22 Student Calendar
Middle School Drone Team
Click here to see the flyers.
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