Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

At Susan Lindgren we will be celebrating the brilliance of our black students and their families and all that they bring to our amazing learning community. We will be sharing their beauty in a bulletin board display and well as other displays around the building. We will end this month with an all school assembly on Monday, February 27th at 9:00 AM. more information to follow very soon.

One of our very own Third Graders, Julien Munson, was interviewed and part of an article in the Star Tribune Newspaper on Large Machines. Way to go Julien! Inquiry Learning at it's best!

CLICK HERE to link to the article

Susan Lindgren School Community requests no Valentine's

Store Bought or Handmade Valentine's.

On Valentine's Day our school community does not exchange cards or have classroom celebrations . Please do not purchase or make cards for your child to pass out at school to their classmates. We know that each family may have their own traditions connected to this day at home, but at school we do not. As always, we value friendships and caring for each other every day. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Spotlight Kids the Susan Lindgren musical theater program is hosting a Parent's Night Out as a fundraiser for this season. On February 10th from 5-8 PM you may drop off any kid who is potty trained to Susan Lindgren. They will play games, do crafts and eat dinner while you go out to enjoy some time. We are asking for a suggested donation of $20/kid, please feel free to donate as you see fit. Sign-up for this amazing opportunity here. 

We could not do the wonderful things we do at our school without all of you and your never-ending support. We are a village and family for all of our 428 learners! 

Your Proud Partner in Learning,

Clarence Pollock

Principal

The Hanson Family put together two amazing bulletin boards in our main foyer. Their creativity, teamwork and thoughtfulness are wonderful! Thank you to the entire Hanson Family especially Bea and her sister Matilda who is now a sixth grader!

Key Dates for Families



• TONIGHT Thursday, February 2nd - First Semester Progress Reports send home is student backpacks

• Friday, February 3 - No School- Districtwide Professional Development Day
• Monday, February 13 -



• Thursday, February 16th - Family Connections (Conferences) 2:30-6:30 PM

• Friday, February 17 - No School- Family Connections (Conferences) 7:30AM - 3:30 PM

• Thursday, February 16 and Friday February 17- Book Fair in the SL Media Center during Family Connections

• Monday, February 20 - No School - Presidents' Day Holiday

Festival of Nations was a SUCCESS! 

What a wonderful turnout of Susan Lindgren families, teachers and staff at last week’s Festival of Nations! It took a village of people - families to showcase their cultures, volunteers to lead activities, and more families to participate! As one parent commented, “As I watched all the kids dancing in the gym I was grateful for the Susan Lindgren community and all that it stands for.” Make sure to check out the slideshow from the night, capturing the energy and fun! 

Another big thank you to the Festival of Nations Committee including multilingual staff Carmen Rudin, Rebecca Phalin, and Elizabeth Guzman, and parents Sarah Scott, Kelsey Ankeny, Heather McDonald, and Meghan Aanenson for their effort planning this inaugural event! If you have interest in joining the Festival of Nations committee, please contact susanlindgrenpto@gmail.com.  

Calling All Bookworms – 

The PTO is thrilled to share that we will be once-again hosting an in-person book fair through Scholastic! The kids love the book fair, and this year we are lining it up with the Teacher/Family Connect Meetings in effort to make it as easy as possible for your family to check it out.

• Date: Thursday, February 16th 2:30 PM - 7:00 PM and Friday, February 17th 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• Location: Susan Lindgren Media Center
• Forms of Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card

We need volunteers to make this event a success! Please consider volunteering for one of the 90 minute shifts here - Book Fair Volunteer Sign Up. Volunteers will be responsible for checking out books and processing payments. If you have questions about volunteering, please reach out to Greta Hanson (glekern@gmail.com) or Allison Yem (allison.yem@gmail.com). Volunteers are welcome to bring their children to help, as long as there is an adult with them.

Contributions for Staff Appreciation Due by Feb. 13

Thanks to all who have signed up to support teacher and staff appreciation during Teacher/Family Connect Meetings Feb 16-17 through donations of financial contributions, food, or your time.  There are still slots left for all opportunities- check them out and Sign up here! For planning purposes, please sign up for food or financial donations by MONDAY, February 13.  If you have any questions, contact Aimee Munson (612-385-8881) or Tara DiNicola.

Math Night- Friday, March 10, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.! 

Math Night is Back! Hosted with Mathnasium, join us for a fun night of math games in the Susan Lindgren gym. Contact Emily Hynes (emily.hurm@gmail.com) or Francie Steich (francie.streich@gmail.com) with questions.  

Save the Date- Online Silent Auction 

March 18 - March 24, 2023

Susan Lindgren PTO will host its first-ever Online Silent Auction!  Families will have a chance to contribute to the auction, as well as bid on a variety of items or experiences.  

Items could include anything from:

•  gift certificates to local restaurants, tickets to local sporting events, a weekend stay at a cabin, or private tour to a local brewery!

Experiences (hosted by and for SL families) might include:  

• attend a family kickball and pizza night, an evening of wine and cheese pairings, food trucks and fun, or an afternoon ice skating at the ROC.

More details coming SOON- and let us know if you have any ideas or items/experiences you’d like to contribute: susanlindgrenpto@gmail.com! 

A Look Ahead….

Wed., Feb. 15 - Susan Lindgren’s Parkway Pizza Night 

Tues., Mar. 14 - PTO Meeting, Media Center, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Wed., Mar. 15 - Parkway Pizza Night 

Fifth Grade Band Students are expected to participate in the annual SLP District Band Showcase on Thursday, March 9. Fifth grade students will start rehearsing at 5:20 PM before the concert which starts at 7:00 PM.

Arrive:

5:20 PM Students should arrive in enough time to set up their stand, instrument, music

Where:

St. Louis Park High School - Field House (Large Gymnasium)

Wear:

Top: white or black (no words or images if possible)

Bottom: dark color or black

Bring:

Instrument, concert music, music stand (if you own one)

Please let me know if you have questions, don't have a music stand, or need assistance getting to the high school at 5:20 PM. Encourage your student to practice at home. Please check your emails for practice videos.

Thank you for your support,

Emilie Bertram, Elementary Band Teacher

bertram.emilie@slpschools.org

Fundraisers:

Gotsneakers?: We would truly appreciate a donation of any sneakers (tennis shoes) that you are going to be getting rid of this year. Please bring them to the front office of Susan Lindgren or send with your student to drop off. Please see the attached document to learn more about Gotsneakers. 

Chipotle: Mark your calendar: March 7th 4-8 PM any purchase from Excelsior Blvd. (by Park Nicollet) Chipotle will give Susan Lindgren Spotlight kids 30% of the sales. You will need to bring the upcoming flyer either electronically or in hard copy. 

Donations: 

Snacks: We will be serving approximately 100 students snacks twice a week for 17 weeks. Any donations of snacks would be greatly appreciated. Please send snack donations to the front office. Here is a Sign Up Link for Snack donations.

Carpentry Supplies: If you have a connection or extra construction materials at your residence please let us know. We will be constructing sets and will need all of the supplies to make that happen. Email: Meg Schauer: schauer.meg@slpschools.org 

Fabric: If you have a connection or extra fabric at your residence please let us know. We will be constructing costumes and will need all of the supplies to make that happen. Please email so we can give you more specifics of what we are looking for. 

Email: Meg Schauer: schauer.meg@slpschools.org 

UPDATE for Susan Lindgren Spotlight Kids: 

The first dates of rehearsal will be 1/10/23 and 1/12/23.

We are excited for this opportunity and greatly appreciate any and all support! If you have any questions or concerns please reach out.

Sincerely,

Ms. Schauer schauer.meg@slpschools.org (Director)

Mr. Thomas thomas.joseph@slpschools.org (Musical Director)

Ms. Bertram bertram.emilie@slpschools.org (Choreographer) 

Ms. Nelson nelson.robin@slpschools.org (Producer) 

Virtual Incoming 6th Grade Information Night

Join us on Thursday, February 2 at 6:30 PM. TONIGHT!

ms.slpschools.org/incoming-6th-grade-families

During the virtual event, students and families will be welcomed by school leaders, receive details about online registration, and participate in breakout rooms to learn more about St. Louis Park Middle School. View the flyer.

We will host in-person events for students and families this spring.

We invite families to take a short survey to help us better understand your communications preferences, as well as your understanding and support of St. Louis Park Public Schools’ strategic direction. This survey will help inform how we can strengthen authentic communications to energize and enhance the spirit of our community. 

Family Survey: English | Spanish | Somali - complete by February 8. The survey is anonymous and will take 5-10 minutes to complete.

Time for Summer Activities - Registration Opens Mar 1, 2023

Summer Learning Academy, Summer Learning and Play, and Credit Recovery.

Elementary School

June 19-August 4 - Summer Learning Academy

June 19-Aug 17- Summer Learning and Play

Middle School



June 19-July 28 - Summer Learning Academy (Rising 6-8th grade students)

High School

June 12-30 - Credit Recovery

For more information visit slp.thatscommunityed.com

Central Community Clinic

The Central Community Clinic is a free, walk-in clinic for children from birth to high school who live or go to public or private schools in St. Louis Park. Central Clinic's mission is to reduce barriers to healthcare for the children and youth of our community. 

Services are no-cost and include: 

• treatment for acute illness and injuries
• well-child/baby check-ups
• immunizations and vaccines (for uninsured/Medical Assistance/MNCARE)
• sports and camp physicals
• sexual health care

Interpreters can be arranged by calling ahead of time. At this time, Central Clinic is not able to administer Covid vaccines.

Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1:00-4:30 p.m. 

Location: Central Community Center - 6300 Walker Street - Door 7

Contact: Call 952-933-1100 or email central clinic@parknicollet.com

Dental Care

Low cost dental care is also available at this location. Call Children's Dental Services to make an appointment at 612-746-1530.

The Central Clinic was founded in 1996 as a response to the Children First initiative. The clinic is funded by a grant from the Park Nicollet Foundation, staffed by doctors from Park Nicollet Creekside Clinic, and governed by an advisory council.

Somali Central Clinic Flyer

Spanish Central Clinic Flyer

Early Childhood Screening

The state of Minnesota requires all children to complete an Early Childhood Screening before entering kindergarten. The screening is most valuable at age 3.5 years old.

Early Childhood Screenings:

• include a vision, hearing, and developmental assessment as well as an opportunity to discuss any circumstances that you feel may affect your child's learning readiness. 
• identify any areas in which your child may benefit from early childhood services before they enter kindergarten
• can connect families with appropriate resources and programs to best support their child
• take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete

Screening results can be submitted to any public school in the state of Minnesota. Click here to register your child for a screening at the Central Early Learning Center (6300 Walker Street). Call 952-928-6774 or email Jenna Reynolds (reynolds.jenna@slpschools.org) with questions. 

Clarence Pollock, Principal

Arsenio Richardson, Elementary Support Supervisor

4801 West 41st Street

St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Phone: 952-928-6700

Fax: 952-928-6713

pollock.clarence@slpschools.org

https://sl.slpschools.org