St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News
October 7, 2021
Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)
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Dear Families:
As a large community with over 1,000 students, we try to highlight and value student voice, choice, and agency as much as we can. Last week in Advisory, students created the Rules and Beliefs that they want for our school community. Last Thursday I created a video talking about some of our basic community norms, and asking students to help identify what has gone well so far this year and what are some things that could be improved from their perspective.
On Monday, I met with two of our student leadership teams---our Rules and Policies team and our Community and Culture team. These teams are made up of 7th and 8th graders and I asked them to review all of the Rules and Beliefs that Advisory classes submitted. I also had them review student's thoughts regarding what has gone well and areas of improvement. I asked them to identify patterns, and themes that ultimately define and guide our school that all came from our magnificent student body. The student leadership teams are planning to have all of this completed by the end of next week. We'll then share it with our entire school community---students, staff, and families.
I also shared with our students and wanted to share with you that our community has continued to be harmed with unnecessary but intentional bathroom vandalism. This started in September with a social media challenge on Tik Tok, subsided some, but then has recently again started where we have many of our bathrooms actually closed because of damage. This is not a problem unique to just us, as some schools have had to go to bathroom escorts and limit all passes during class time. I challenged our students today to Be Better and Do Better as a community to avoid having to move to these more restrictive measures.
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
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Getting to Know....... Gina Magnuson |
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I am excited about the opportunity to be the interim assistant principal here at St. Louis Park Middle School. I have twenty one years of educational experience, eighteen of them being at the middle level. I was in the classroom for eleven years before I became a dean of students here at St. Louis Park Middle School. It has been an honor to call St. Louis Park Middle School home for the past thirteen years.
I am the mother of a high school daughter and a middle school son who keep me very busy with their activities all year round. When I am not cheering them on or ringing the cowbell, you will often find me exploring Mother Nature's beauty and hiking at a state or National Park with my family.
I look forward to continuing my experience here at St. Louis Park in this capacity. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Gina Magnuson
Interim Assistant Principal
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Upcoming Dates to Remember |
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National Hispanic Heritage Month
Key facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month
Pew Research Center September 9/2021
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The share of U.S. Hispanics with college experience has increased since 2010. About 42% of U.S. Hispanic adults ages 25 and older had at least some college experience in 2019, up from 36% in 2010. More Hispanic women than Hispanic men have attended college, though the share with some college experience or more increased among both Hispanic women (38% to 45%) and Hispanic men (33% to 39%).
Overall, the share of Hispanics with a bachelor’s degree or more education increased during this period, from 13% to 18%.
The number of Latinos enrolled in college also increased from 2010 to 2019, from 2.9 million to 3.6 million. In 2019, women made up a significantly higher share of Latino college students than men, 56% vs. 44%. (A gender gap in college enrollment exists among all racial groups.) Among all U.S. college students, the share of Latinos enrolled in college increased from 14% in 2010 to 19% in 2019.
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Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day
Monday, October 11
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St. Louis Park Public Schools stakeholders are invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday, October 11. This virtual event will feature Michael Charette, a member of the Red Cliff band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Charette, also known by the name Baapi Waagosh, meaning "Laughing Fox" in the Anishinaabe language, will share stories and play traditional Native American flute music.
Click here to join the Zoom anytime between 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 11.
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Math MAP testing will be Oct. 18 periods 1-3.
Reading MAP testing will be Oct. 19 periods 5-7.
Please make sure your student has a good night's sleep and eats breakfast on the day of testing. Please see the purpose of the MAP test below:
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Middle School Site Council |
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Thank you Middle School Families! Together we raised $12,500 in our annual fundraiser!
As a reminder, funds raised support all students via grade level field trips, backpack buddies, global interns, fun year end parties as well as staff appreciation and other items.
We've also dedicated some funds to move our Site Council committee work forward. The 3 committees parents and staff are collaborating on are Racial Equity, Mental Health and Communication. While these topics are broad, our parent/staff teams are diligently working to build something that will improve student lives and their Middle School education/experience.
Didn't get a chance to contribute and want to? You still can!
- Online at Venmo → @SLPMS-SiteCouncil
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Send a check with your student to turn in at front office - made out to SLPMS Site Council
SLPMS Site Council is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit education organization. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible
Thanks!
SLP MS Site Council
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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)
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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.
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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.
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Spelling Bee Goes Virtual in Round One
The first round of the Spelling Bee will take place online. Interested students will be able to log into their Language & Literature teacher's Schoology site starting Monday, October 11, and find a link to the online Round 1 Test.
Students should plan to complete the online Google Forms test in one session. The test will close Saturday, October 16. Please contact David Burr, Spelling Bee Coordinator, at [email protected] with questions.
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Current 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders, would you like to travel to Washington, D.C, this coming June with your friends? Registration is still open for this year's trip!
There are three ways to register:
2. Call WorldStrides at 1-800-468-5899
3. 7th and 8th Graders, mail in the registration form that was in your invitation packet.
Our Trip ID is 193112. For more information, contact David Burr via e-mail at [email protected].
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Student work during Quarantine |
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It is possible that your student might have to quarantine at home due to a COVID exposure at some point during the 2021-22 school year. Teachers and staff at each of our buildings are committed to ensuring that students continue to learn while at home during those times of quarantine.
Click here to view detailed information by grade level (K-5, 6-8 and 9-12) on what school will look like for your student during quarantine.
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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.
Morning Programming with Community Ed YEP
We are excited to pilot an initial round of morning programming for Middle School students. Below are the programs we will have available beginning in October. **Students will need to be dropped off at the Middle School for these programs.**
Flow yoga is the perfect class for beginners and people that are curious about yoga. We will take it slow and flow through different poses each week. The class is also perfect for someone that is familiar with yoga but wants to take it easy.
When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 5-Nov. 11; 7:45-8:45 am
Where? SLP Middle School Media Center Classroom
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $59-$89
Join Ms. Love to learn about the world of skateboarding! Beginners and experienced skaters welcome. **Students will be expected to bring their own skateboard, helmet, and any other necessary safety equipment.**
When? Thursdays, October 7-Nov. 18; 7:45-8:45 am
Where? SLP Middle School
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $49-$79
Get to school early to make new friends, shoot around, and start your day off right!
When? Tuesdays and Thursdays, October 5-Nov. 11
Where? SLP Middle School Field House
How Much? Sliding Scale pricing from $39-$69
Learn about the game of golf after-school at SLP Middle School this fall!
Mondays, Sept. 20-Oct. 25, 4-5 pm
$169
Join the club and get into the game you love to play!
Mondays, Oct. 25-Dec. 13, 4-5 pm
$120
Questions about Enrichment Programs? Contact Kelleen at [email protected] or 952-928-6399
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