St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
March 10, 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 -
As I reflect on all that is going on in our world today, I am in a place of gratitude for all the positive energy that has been created these past few weeks by our students and their commitment to participate in activities such as Mock Trial, Quiz Bowl and Band Showcase. We have many upcoming events and activities detailed below which will further ignite the passions of our students.
Sent with highest regards,
Les
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- Tonight - District Band Showcase SLP High School 7 pm
- March 14, 2022 - Virtual Coffee with the Principal (see below for details)
- March 22, 2022 - Virtual Coffee with the Principal for Incoming 6th Grade Families (see below for details)
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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Coffee with the Principal |
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Please join us for Virtual Coffee with the Principal on Monday March 14 from 9:30 - 10:30 am.
Join Zoom Meeting
- Meeting ID: 871 7716 6586
Attention Incoming 6th Grade Families: Please join us for Virtual Coffee with the Principal on Tuesday March 22 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
- Meeting ID: 895 8461 9103
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A huge congratulations to all of the 8th grade SLPMS Students who participated in Mock Trial this year! With the support and coaching of UPLIFT, a legal institute for teens, our 8th graders prepared an entire trial to take to court in front of real judges on March 8th.
Students prepared Direct Examinations, Witness Statements, Cross Examinations and Openings and Closings with their teams and performed as both Lawyers and Witnesses.
A big thank you to Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, the Director of Maslon Uplift and our amazing Coach.
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The 6th grade Language and Literature teachers worked collectively during the day on Wednesday, March 9th. They are refining their upcoming unit on "Mirrors and Windows". In International Baccalaureate World Schools, collaborative teams design their units based on state standards and IB criteria. We leaned into embedding culturally responsive pedagogy as we designed and decided upon common summative assessments, formative assessments, and decisions related to the culture and environment of classrooms. They expanded their collaboration with racial equity coaches, the library media specialist and the IB coordinator.
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Virtual Young Author's Conference |
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The virtual Young Author's Conference continues....
Ty Chapman – The Courage to Tell Your Story
Middle School participants watched this LIVE event on March 3rd at 4:30pm at the Middle School. Together we worked on brainstorming new characters, presenting our characters with compelling challenges to overcome, and generating new stories that participants can continue to hone later.
Ty Chapman’s recent accomplishments include being named a Loft Literary Center Mirrors and Windows fellow, Mentor Series fellow, and being longlisted for Button Poetry’s 2020 Chapbook Contest. His debut picture book Sarah Rising is set to release in May 2022, through Beaming Books.
Many Middle School students attended and enjoyed creating group Haikus and stories with compelling challenges, including training anteaters to not eat ants. (inside story to this)
Thanks to Andrew Letellier, language and literature teacher, for bringing this to our campus!
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SLPMS Quiz Bowl sent 7 teams to the DeLaSalle Tournament this past Saturday.
Our 8th Grade Team A missed qualifying for Nationals by only one spot. We had a 6th grade student individually score the 3rd highest in the 7th grade competition. One of our 6th grade teams placed Runner Up in the Championship Round of the 7th Grade Division. We have a young team this year which is exciting. I believe with experience, we will be sending more students to Nationals in the future. SLPMS students represented us all at Park demonstrating good sportsmanship and kindness. So proud of them!!
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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.
A final look at the Boys and Girls Middle School Basketball season.
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Washington DC Trip Update |
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2022 D.C. Trip (Current 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders)
1. Families that are registered for the trip should have received an email update from David Burr, trip coordinator, this week. If you are registered for the trip and did not receive the update, please contact Mr. Burr at [email protected]. Also, the final payment deadline is March 31. If an extended payment plan would be convenient for your family, please call the WorldStrides Payment Desk at 1-855-442-0695. Our Trip ID is 193112.
2. If you are in 7th, 8th, or 9th Grade and are interested in the trip but have not yet registered, please do so by March 31! That is the final registration deadline. You can register online at www.worldstrides.com/signup. Our Trip ID is 193112. If you'd like more information about the trip, please contact David Burr at [email protected].
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St. Louis Park Celebrates National School Social Work Week |
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March 6-12, 2022, is National School Social Work Week, an opportunity for schools, communities, and partners to acknowledge and recognize the impactful work social workers do to support students, families, and their communities. The theme for National School Social Work Week 2022 is “Time to Shine.” The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) believes that school social workers shine brightly for their students, families, and school communities. Shining hope. Shining understanding. Shining respect.
We are so grateful for our two wonderful social workers: Kristen- Engen Routzohn and Abigail Watts.
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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 of such surveys in the past and now federal law also requires us to notify parents 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. If you do not want your student to participate in the Minnesota Student Survey, please know that we will be sharing links to a passive consent form/notice to parents next week with a reminder that this survey will be administered in April. 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 1st winners:
Naomi Stevenson
Cash Loken
Jamell Hester
Da'Miya Mason
Rylie Bohn
Caitrin Armstrong
Cooper Laska
Hayzael Austin
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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"Chorus Line " Performances |
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Stakeholders have two remaining opportunities to support the St. Louis Park HIgh School Choirs as they present their Gala Fundraising Performances of "A Chorus Line: High School Edition." Performances will take place in the new Performing Arts Center at St. Louis Park Middle School at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12.
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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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COVID Tests Available for Students and Staff |
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Rapid-result COVID antigen tests are now available at sites for both staff and students. Tests can be requested at the front office of a student’s school or staff’s primary work location.
Students that are not enrolled in St. Louis Park Public schools such as siblings, relatives, children of staff, will need to request a test from their school/school district or leverage other testing resources. Relatives of staff will also need to leverage local testing resources. More information on community testing options are listed below.
Order Free At Home Tests Online
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. Go online to www.covidtests.gov and fill out a short form to order your tests today.
Additional Local Testing Options
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We are hoping you'll help provide treats for staff every couple weeks to show our support and appreciation. Some suggestions are fruit, muffins, bagels, granola bars, string cheese, yogurt, etc.
Please sign up at the link below if you are able to contribute.
Thank you!
Middle School Site Council
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Youth Enrichment Opportunities |
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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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