St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
March 24, 2022
Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)
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Middle School Students and Families -
I am writing because after 37 years in the principal position at St. Louis Park Middle School I have made the bittersweet decision to retire from the field of education. I am looking forward to pursuing another professional vocation and having time to experience some bucket list adventures. This decision was not an easy one because of my deep connection to "The Park". I consider myself fortunate to have developed, over the years, as an educator in such a vibrant and supportive community; a community where education is valued as a top priority by students, staff, and families alike. In particular, I am humbled by the fact that parents/guardians have entrusted us with their children--many of which have attended St. Louis Park Middle School as students as well.
I have appreciated working side by side with the teachers, food service, district office staff, bus drivers, building support staff, custodians, and community education team to provide an amazing learning environment for our students all these years. I have been inspired by your incredible work ethic, desire to serve, specialized talent, and success-oriented attitude displayed helping today's youth.....tomorrow's leaders.
When I first came to SLPMS, I shared that my goal was to continue building on the strong culture, climate, and academic success of our school so that every student was prepared to take advantage of the opportunities and challenges that will come their way. Since then we have all worked together to further the strong legacy of learning and I am pleased to say that we have much to celebrate.
The district will begin a search for a new principal for St. Louis Park Middle School sometime after Spring Break--details to follow. I will be ready to help with the transition in any way I can.
I am proud of our students, grateful to the colleagues who have given so much of themselves each day for our kids, and thankful for the families who have partnered with me throughout the decades.
GO PARK GO!
Sent with Warmest Regards,
Les Bork
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- March 25 - TOMORROW NO SCHOOL
- March 28 - April 3, 2022 - Spring Break
- April 12 - Family Connect/Conferences (evening)
- April 13 - Family Connect/Conferences (all day)
- April 13 - Asynchronous Learning Day (details below)
MCA Testing Dates in April and May
- 4/19 1st through 3rd Hour -MATH
- 4/26 5th through 7th Hour - READING
- 5/3 1st through 3rd Hour - SCIENCE
Make-up Dates: 4/28 and 4/29
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Spring Family Connect/Conferences |
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We are excited to once again invite our families to participate in our Family Connect/Conferences.
Tuesday April 12 - 4 pm to 8 pm and Wednesday April 13 - 8 am - 8 pm
You will have an opportunity to sign up with your student's Advisory teacher through a SignUp Genius link.
A special edition of OT News on Monday, April 4 will have SignUp links as well as links will be posted on the Middle School website. Please know that you will have the option of either an in person or virtual conference.
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April 13 - Asynchronous Day of Learning |
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Wednesday, April 13 is a scheduled asynchronous learning day for students in grades 6-12. All assignments on that day will be available in Schoology. Teachers will post the learning for that day in Schoology by 8 a.m. and students will be asked to engage in that learning during the day on April 13.
There will also be a question or poll that will be part of each course that day and this is for attendance purposes. We'll be talking to students about this as well but please make sure they do this part so they get credit for doing their work and being "present".
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Rally Night - Incoming 6th Grade Families |
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MS Theater - Art Supplies Needed |
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Calling all families, calling all families! St. Louis Park MS is performing The Lion King Jr. in the month of May. With cast rehearsals beginning and stage crew meetings on the way, we are looking for donations of art supplies to help make this show a success.
● Paint
● Newspaper
● Paper bags
● Elmer’s art paste (or other papier mache adhesive)
● Paint brushes
● Drop clothes and tarps
If you are interested in donating any of the above supplies, please contact Mr. Drew Klitzke at
Thank you for your support.
Lil Zumberge, Jen Schmerler, Jess Edelheit, and Drew Klitzke
The Lion King - Crew Applications
Are you an artist? A builder? A makeup artist? Do you love the Lion King but are not interested in acting? Then we need YOU to join Crew!
Applications are being accepted until April 1 and crew meetings begin on April 11 after school.
Crew Meetings will be twice a week after school from 4-5:25. Performances are Thursday
through Saturday May 12-14. You can find the application to join Crew on Schoology.
Contact the Backstage Manager, Drew Klitzke, with any questions at [email protected].
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Register for Spring Sports |
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Online Registration is open for Middle School Spring Sports.
Girls & Boys Track and Field
Boys Tennis
7-8th Grade Girls Lacrosse
Spring sports will begin April 4.
When prompted to log in, you will log in with the same username and password you use to pay your students lunch account. If you need help creating your user account click here: Creating New Account
The following must be received by the Athletic Director before being able to participate in spring sports:
- Registration and payment (see above for instructions)
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Proof of sports physical exam (exam date can be found on Powerschool) given within the previous three years (which clears the athlete for full participation) on file in the Health Office. If the physical expires during the season, a new physical must be provided before the athlete may begin participation. A well child check-up or immunization records do not count as a sports physical. Click here to download the 2021-2022 Sports Qualifying Physical Examination Medical Eligibility Form.
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St. Louis Park Public Schools 2022 Minnesota Student Survey
Our school district is inviting students in the 6th through 11th grades to participate in the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS). This survey is voluntary and has been conducted in schools across our state every three years since 1989. The survey is anonymous and confidential. The privacy of students is protected, as students do not provide their names, student identification numbers, or other personal information. No individual or their families can be identified. The results are reported on our students as a whole.
Questions on the survey are about many topics relating to young people’s lives. The survey asks about how well school is going, future plans, out-of-school activities, physical and mental health, relationships, substance use, and more. High school students are also asked about sexual behavior. This information is used by communities and schools to develop effective programs and provide better services for students.
The survey is administered online. Students will have the ability to read the questions or have the questions read to them through the technology they use to access the survey. The survey takes approximately 45 minutes, or one class period, to complete.
Our school district has informed parents/guardians of such surveys in the past and now federal law also requires us to notify parents/guardians of this school activity. The Minnesota Student Survey (MSS) will be administered in our middle school and high school from April 4th through April 8th, 2022. You are welcome to review a copy of the survey at: https://mnstudentsurvey.org/instruments For additional support on how to review the survey, or if you have any questions about the survey, please contact Dr. Becca Starr, Assessment and Research Specialist at: 952-928-6022 or [email protected].
Students may also decline to take any part of the survey, or the whole survey, and are informed of that option by staff on the day of survey administration. These forms will allow you to opt your student out of the survey.
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Last month the Middle School Site Council debuted the "Kindness Awards" during the lunch periods. Students are encouraged to nominate fellow students who have been spotted in an act of kindness towards the school or another student. Nominations are gathered on Mondays with certificates and a treat presented on Fridays.
MARCH 14th winners:
Lucy Murray
Ruby Budda
Jordan Sanders
James Newton
Elin Magnuson
Luke Machalek
Claire Ikeman
Lucy Natzel
Wyatt Goodman
Asha Murugesan
Congratulations to the winners! Thank you for making SLPMS a kinder place. Thank you also to the students who nominated them.
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The students and staff have enjoyed getting to know our Global Intern, Estefanny this school year! Estefanny has been assisting teachers and sharing the culture of Colombia in several classes. Scott and Sally Hagen and family have generously opened their home to Estefanny as a host family.
The middle school is excited to be bringing back TWO Global Interns for the 2022-23 school year! Global Interns are a great addition to our classrooms and make connections with many of our students, not only ESP students. Global Interns bring an exciting energy to the classroom and are eager to be involved in the SLP community.
We are looking for two host families for the fall semester (late August through the end of January) and two more host families for next spring (late January through the end of the school year in 2023). The main requirement is the intern must have their own legal bedroom. It is a great opportunity for your family to learn about another culture while introducing the Global Intern to Minnesota and our community in St Louis Park. You do not need to be an ESP family. All middle school families are welcome to host. There is no requirement for families to know Spanish as the interns are also fluent in English.
My family has had a great experience hosting in the recent years and created lasting friendships. Please reach out to me if you are interested or have questions. Karita Bentley at [email protected]
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District to Send COVID Test Kits Home with All Students and Staff Ahead of Spring Break |
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To keep our schools and buildings safe after Spring Break, we strongly encourage all students and staff to get tested for COVID-19 before returning to school on April 4, regardless of vaccination status. We are excited to announce that St. Louis Park Public Schools is in a position to assist families and staff with this request. Before Spring Break, students and staff members will be sent home with two COVID-19 tests.
Click here to download a one-page flyer with full information in English.
Click here to download a one-page flyer with full information in Spanish and Somali.
Click here for BinaxNow test instructions in Somali.
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HELP US BUILD A COMMUNITY OF CARING THIS WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNING!!
Hey Middle School Families! Our kids have almost made it to Spring Break. Let's gather (What??? Can we do that? Yes we can!) in the main foyer and greet, cheer on, welcome ALL kids to the last couple days before Spring Break!
Wear your Park Pride (orange/white/black), make a sign that supports all students or just show up with a smiling face and words of encouragement! Masks optional if you are fully vaccinated.
Doors open for students at 8:50 and school starts at 9:10. Please park in the South lot or on the street in front of school - do NOT park in the bus parking lot.
Please sign up below if you can be there to show ALL students that even more adults are present and care!
Sponsored by Middle School Site Council Mental Health Committee
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Youth Enrichment Opportunities |
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Lovelace Craft Workshop
In partnership with Community Education Youth Enrichment Programs, this week a group of students from the University of Minnesota who started their own business, Lovelace Craft Workshop, came to teach 4 St. Louis Park Middle School Students how to code their own light-up board. The 4 students, Kamelah Mapp, Genesis Rivera, Igbayilola Samuel, and Ella Sarles put together their boards, then wrote the code telling each light when to light up and in what color. Showing their brilliance, the students quickly learned the code and created a beautiful light show!
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.
Spring Break Programming w/ Youth Enrichment Programs
Basketball Skills Academy w/ Twin Cities Elite Training & Development
Join us for individual and group skills training and scrimmaging with experienced coaches
March 29, 30, and 31
11 am-1 pm
St Louis Park Middle School Gyms
$70 (Scholarships available!)
Spring Break Camp
Need something to do over Spring Break? Come to Spring Break Camp and play video games, have open gym time, learn boxing skills, and play on the computer.
March 29, 30, and 31
10 am-2 pm (lunch will be served)
St. Louis Park Middle School
$115 (Scholarships available)
Questions about Enrichment Programs? Contact Kelleen at [email protected] or 952-928-6399
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