St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News



Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)

April 27, 2023

Dear Families:

I want to extend my gratitude to all of our students, staff and families for their efforts in making our second week of testing a success. It takes a great deal of time and planning to have all of the students test at one time. There was a great student turnout for both the MCA Reading and Math testing. The MCA Science test will be given next week on Wednesday, May 3, periods 1-3. This test is ONLY for 8th grade students but we'll be operating school with the same expectations for all students in terms of hallway/bathroom escorting. A big shoutout to LMC Specialist, Greg Holmbeck, for all his work in getting our students and staff ready for these important state assessments.  

Our 8th grade students presented their Community Projects this week. It was wonderful to hear how students can take their own learning and action and apply it to larger community issues. I am grateful for the work that Language and Literature and Keystone Teacher, Evelyn Lashley, put into coordinating these projects.

Best,

Jason Boll

Interim Principal

Wednesday May 3, 2023

Science MCA Testing 8th Grade ONLY Periods 1-3



** We still need Volunteers** If you are interested in volunteering during MCA testing, please sign up here.  

Rally Night for Incoming 6th Grade Students 6:30 - 8:00 PM

This is an event for families and students to:

• Explore the Middle School
• Meet 6th Grade Staff
• Learn about sports, clubs and activities
• Hear the MS Jazz Band



We look forward to seeing you there!

Honoring the Youth Powwow

Honor Band Festival Last Weekend

On Saturday April 22nd, 10 middle school students represented St. Louis Park in the CMBDA Honor Band Festival. The following students were nominated and selected to perform in an all-state festival to showcase their amazing musical talents. Bravo to these amazing students on a wonderful concert! Go Park Band!

Beginning Band Festival:

• Noah Danh, clarinet
• Liam Bardzinski, clarinet
• Cale Zerr, alto saxophone
• Lex Sheppard, trumpet
• Tenzin Phuntsok, trombone

Second Year Festival:

• Lillian Ray, clarinet
• Theo Cherne, percussion
• Keira Sangster, trumpet
• Ivy Lucken-Keyes, trombone
• Lana Rowan, percussion

The St. Louis Park Police Department is pleased to announce that Smart911 is now available in St. Louis Park. Smart911 is a free, easy-to-set-up, app-based technology that allows users to provide critical information to first responders and dispatchers in case of an emergency.

Through Smart911, individuals create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household, providing as much or as little information as they would like. The information in the Safety Profile is automatically displayed to 911 dispatchers when an emergency call is made, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information. 

“In an emergency, Smart911 will save time for those involved and has the potential to save lives,” said St. Louis Park Police Lieutenant Mikael Garland. “The information provided in a Smart911 Safety Profile enables our dispatchers to know exactly where we are going and who we need to help in a house fire or at the scene of a vehicle accident.”

Safety Profile information can include linking both home and work addresses to mobile phones, medical information (including mental health), number of people and pets in the home, vehicle details, emergency contacts and more. All information is optional, and the individual can choose what details they want 911 and emergency responders to have in the event of a life-threatening situation. Smart911 is private and secure, is only used for emergency responses and is only made available to the 911 system in the event of an emergency call. Individuals signed up with Smart911 also will be better prepared for emergencies in the 40 states and 1,500 cities that support Smart911, since their profile travels with them.

“The benefits this information provides on a 911 call from a cell phone are very important to our community, helping us to continue the delivery of service at the highest level,” said St. Louis Park Police Chief Bryan Kruelle. “Since cell phones don’t provide an address to the 911 dispatcher, a profile on Smart911 can speak for people when they are unable to, something that is crucial in an emergency situation when stress levels are high and seconds matter.”

Community members are encouraged to sign up for a Smart911 account today! Sign up for the program online at www.smart911.com or on the Smart911 mobile app (available in the Apple and Google Play stores).

For questions about the program, contact Lt. Mikael Garland at 952.924.2607 or mgarland@stlouisparkmn.gov.

The Little Mermaid Update

Click here to read important information about the next few weeks.

Click here to sign up to volunteer.

Click here to see the rehearsal schedule.

Reach out to zumberge.lillian@slpschools.org or schmerler.jennifer@slpschools.org with questions.

Purchase Tickets to The Little Mermaid!

The Little Mermaid will perform 4 shows on May 4, 5, and 6 at 7pm and a matinee at 1pm on Saturday, May 6.  Click here to purchase tickets. The ticket can be bought at the door with cash or check only.

Subscribe to Board Briefs

Do you want to receive highlights and happenings after each regular School Board meeting? Subscribe to the Board Briefs newsletter. View past Board Briefs here in English, Spanish, or Somali.

Idle-Free SLP Campaign

Happy spring! As you pick up and drop off your kids this year from schools or parks, you may notice some “Idle-Free SLP” signs. That’s because the City of St. Louis Park, in collaboration with Park Nicollet, launched a student-driven idling reduction campaign for cleaner air and healthier lungs. Idling, or running the engine while parked, can produce more tailpipe emissions per minute than driving and has been linked to asthma symptoms, heart and lung disease, cognitive issues, and premature death. Children are even more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because they breathe more air per pound of body weight and their respiratory systems are not yet fully developed. This makes idling near schools – one of the most common idling scenarios as parents wait to pick up their children – especially dangerous. Learn more and get involved by checkin

Recognitions

• Administrative Professionals’ Day (April 26)
• American Indian Education Month
• Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12)
• School Lunch Hero Day (May 4)

In the Loop SLP Construction Update

View updates from Knutson Construction and St. Louis Park Public Schools about construction projects in the school district. April highlights include project milestones and progress for the High School, Middle School, and Central project.

Fun Fact: Knutson & industry partners will be attending the SLP HS Trades Career Fair on May 11. Knutson will have a booth full of interactive activities & learning! View the construction updates webpage.

In the Loop: SLP Construction Newsletter

Middle School Cooking Club 

Join us to learn some basic cooking and baking skills by making a new recipe each week!

Wednesdays, April 19-May 24, 4-5:15 pm 

Sliding Scale Pricing: $39/$49/$59/$69

Click here to register now

Middle School Chess Club 

Join us to play the game you love each week! 

Mondays, April 10-June 5, 4-5 pm

$145

Click here to register now!

The Report Card: Newspaper Club 

We are looking for writers, designers, illustrators, or anyone interested in contributing to our newspaper: The Report Card. Students can join at any time. 

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:15 pm 

Sliding Scale Pricing: $10/$20/$30/$40

Click here to register now

Mr. Jason Boll, Interim Principal

Mr. Cam Muata, Interim Assistant Principal

2025 Texas Avenue South

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: 952-928-6300

Attendance: 952-928-6394

Fax: 952-928-6383

boll.jason@slpschools.org

muata.cam@slpschools.org

ms.slpschools.org