Important Information for High School Families |
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Message from Principal Paddock |
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"We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list."
-Michelle Obama
Greetings Park Community!
As we continue to navigate the newness of each day, I am reminded that we must find balance in all aspects of life whether school, home, work or leisure. Balance allows us to show up as our best selves and focus with intention on the things that matter in creating joy and meaning. It is easy to get caught up in the minutia of our daily lives, sometimes causing stress, anxiety, and doubt. The hustle and bustle of our daily routines can sometimes challenge our ability to put self first and find time to pause, reflect, and recharge.
This can take a toll on our physical and mental health and wellness. When we are not our best physically and/or emotionally it can impact learning. I challenge you to reflect on the day to day. What parts of your daily habits serve you positively and which ones might you leave behind in an effort to provide yourself the balance you deserve? I wish you a week of balance, good health and wellness.
Take care, be well, and GO PARK!
LaNisha Paddock, Principal
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ACTION NEEDED- Appropriate Masking |
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Our SLPHS community has observed concerning behavior with regards to students and masking. As COVID 19 cases continue to increase, we need to remind students and families that all students, staff and community members are expected to be masked as determined by SLP School Board policy when inside district buildings and on buses except when eating in designated lunch areas. As a reminder, your mask must cover your nose, mouth and chin at all times. Please help us keep our community safe against COVID 19.
NOTE: Staff will use a tiered-intervention approach with students that are found to be inappropriately masked and/or refuse to follow reasonable redirects. These interventions may include but are not limited to redirection, parent phone calls and/or meetings, student contracts, up to removal from the learning environment for students that have demonstrated chronic refusal to mask appropriately.
SLPHS is committed to keeping our students, staff and community safe from COVID 19 to the best of our ability. Please help us by having a conversation with students about the importance of masking.
Thank you for your support.
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As this school year has progressed, we have noticed an increase in student vaping in our restrooms. We know this is stressful to hear. As parents/guardians it is hard to know what to look for or where to start a conversation with your teenager around this topic. We want to help you become aware of it so that you can help us in preventing incidents in our school and among our SLPHS teenage population.
Basic Information: What is vaping?
Vaping can have several terms, but it is important to know that Juul, vapes and vape pens are all forms of e-cigarettes. The idea that most of these are filled with only flavors or steams is NOT true: in fact, one Juul pod often has the same amount of nicotine as 20 cigarettes. This makes vaping highly addictive. Juul pods also contain many other toxins, including marijuana, all of which can contribute to lung damage, impaired cognitive development, and can negatively impact mental health.
63% of teenagers who have tried vaping did not even know it had nicotine in it - the fun flavors they come in can confuse even those trying it. This is why it is so important for caregivers to know the facts in order to help teach our teens.
What are some signs?
Currently, 40% of all high school students have reported that they have experimented with vaping. It is hard to tell because it does not carry the smell of tobacco that cigarettes carry, which often gives away the habit.
A few clues as reported by the American Lung Association:
- Cutting back on caffeine suddenly
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Things around the house: vape pens (which can look like markers), new sweet scents in their room or on their clothes, discarded pods in the trash
How can I talk to them about this?
It can be difficult to start a conversation with our teens on difficult topics. Here are a few ideas on questions to ask, knowing you have to be prepared to listen, rather than just react.
Acknowledge to your child that you know vaping has happened at their school and to ask if they know anyone trying it.
Ask them if they have tried it.
Talk to them about the reality of addiction and the health impacts.
Ask them the reason behind why they are vaping - is it stress? Is it to meet friends? Is it for the fun flavors that they may not know have nicotine?
We are here to support and can provide resources to all students who may need to find ways to quit. We know some teenagers may have leaned on habits like vaping to get through the difficulties of this pandemic.
Our team of administrators and mental health workers are in the process of creating resources and support for students in tackling this dangerous habit. We are here to help and appreciate your partnership to keep our students as healthy as possible this school year.
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Parent Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) |
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Parents/Guardians,
We hope you'll join us for a PEAC (Parent Engagement Advisory Committee) meeting this Tuesday, January 11 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM via Zoom.
Hear from your Principal team on several topics:
COVID mitigation
End of semester grading policy
BARR, Park Connections and Student Supports in place
And more!
This is a great chance to hear about so many things happening at the High School as staff and administration work tirelessly to bring out the brilliance in every student!
Hope to see you there for this live Zoom event.
PEAC Co-Chairs
Lauren Weiser
Julie Yakes
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We just wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the grading system for this school year.
If you have been here the last couple years, due to Covid, the grading system has been adjusted to help support students.
We are back to our more traditional grading system of A, B, C, D.
These grades will be factored in your G.P.A.
This WILL earn credit towards graduation.
If you do earn an F/below 60%, we will continue with a NC (no credit) grade.
The F will be listed as an NC = no credit.
This will NOT be factored into the GPA and will NOT earn credit toward graduation.
The option of a Pass ‘P’ grade will still be available.
If students prefer they Pass/P grade over the A, B, C, or D grade
They need to notify the classroom teacher before the end of the semester.
Student still get credit for graduation
The Pass/P is not factored into the GPA
It’s important to think about post-secondary education with Pass/P grades on the transcript.
Pass/P grades will often be considered a C or D by colleges and universities.
Pass/P grades are less information for colleges and universities.
Pass/P grades can help take pressure off of the letter grade and allow for more energy towards the classwork.
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SLPHS Semester 1 Finals Schedule |
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Just looking ahead, the plan for the last week of the semester (January 24-27) is to have a regular school schedule. There will be no ‘Finals’ schedule as we have had in years past. Teachers may choose to have end of semester tests in their classes, so be sure to check with them for specific class plans.
Friday, January 28th is the end of semester grading day with no school for students. Second semester starts on Monday, January 31st. Please check Powerschool for the most up to date S2 schedule as there may have been changes to balance class sizes.
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Semester 2 Class Schedule |
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The following is a message from the Counselors regarding your Semester 2 class schedule:
Semester 2 schedules are available in Powerschool (desktop version – not in Schoology). Please review as this is the most accurate version of student schedules.
The Schedule Change Request Form (online google form) will be available starting Jan. 11th for students to request a schedule change. Counselors will continually review the requests and be in touch with students via email regarding any changes. The google form link will be posted on the Powerschool Login page as well as on the Counselors Schoology pages.
Schedule changes will be made for the following reason:
A wrong course appears
A course has been failed
A class is missing
There is a class conflict.
Please be advised there are no changes for teacher or time of day preference for classes.
Classes are still being balanced through Monday, January 31st, the first day of Semester 2, thus there still may be some changes to student schedules.
All students should access Powerschool to see their updated schedule on Monday, Jan. 31st to start second semester.
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2022 Step Up Application Now Available |
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Dear Youth and Community Advocates,
Step Up is a great opportunity for a young person to explore careers, gain job and life skills, and earn money and school credit. We aim to provide career exploration for over 1,600 young people each summer! We hope to count on your support and advocacy in spreading the word to youth about the exciting opportunity to participate in Step Up.
Step Up has two unique opportunities in 2022: Paid Internships and Paid Career Exploration
Step Up is offering two pathways for paid summer career development opportunities: paid in-person and remote summer internships, and a paid summer online Career Exploration Program for all participants who complete their assigned training and are not matched to an internship.
∙ Level 1 interns (14 or 15 years old by June 1, 2022) will be paid $12.75/hr
∙ Level 2 interns (16-21 years old by June 1, 2022) will be paid at least $15/hr.
∙ All participants – regardless of age – who complete the summer Career Exploration Program and are not matched to an internship can earn up to $600 and earn 0.25 elective academic high school credits.
Eligibility requirements
Step Up provides Minneapolis youth with paid opportunities including internships and online learning experiences. To be eligible, young people must:
▪ Be 14-21 years old by June 1, 2022
▪ Be eligible to work in the U.S. by June 1, 2022
▪ Not be in college (PSEO is OK)
▪ Live in the city of Minneapolis, and
Application deadline and support
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These Shining Lives January 14-16
Set in the 1920s, Melanie Marnich’s These Shining Lives chronicles the strength and determination of women considered expendable in their day, exploring the true story of women poisoned by their work at the Radium Dial Company. In the face of tragedy, these women discover the depth of enduring friendship and the courage to fight for justice against the company that knowingly put their lives at risk.
Performances of These Shining Lives are January 14 and 15 at 7:00 pm and January 16 at 2:00 pm. All performances will be held in the High School auditorium, located along the West 33rd Street entrance. Tickets: free with SLPHS student ID, $5 for all other students and senior citizens, and $7 for adults. Purchase advance tickets online at https://slphstheseshininglives.eventbrite.com or at the box office 30 minutes prior to the performance. Please note, masks are required inside the building.
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- January 17, NO SCHOOL-Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 28, NO SCHOOL- End of Semester 1-Grading Day
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