October 10, 2024

Dear Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School Community:

It has been a fun week of teaching and learning at school! We are excited to meet with families next week for our "Fall Connect Times." This is a time to share and learn together about your child and to set goals for the year. We are grateful for your participation to support our students. We will not have classes next Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday due to "Connect Times" and MEA Break.

Tomorrow, we will have our first school party day. We are excited to be in community, and we ask you to plan accordingly, as there is no longer street parking available on Cedar Lake Road. We are unable to open the back parking lot for family parking during the day due to the many other activities occurring.

Wear orange on October 22 aligned with PSI Unity Day during National Bullying Prevention Month. Please see below for more information.

Take care, and thank you for sharing your children with us!

In partnership,

Corey Maslowski, Principal

Megan Paulis de Rangel, Assistant Principal

Stop by the Media Center during Fall Connect Times

During family connect times, you are invited to the library to visit Sra. VanDeWalker to check your child’s account or to ask any other questions you may have. 

PSI Garden Club Update 

The 3rd-5th grade garden club met again on Tuesday morning, and it's incredible how much we can accomplish in just 25 minutes with so many eager hands! This week, we planted garlic, tulips, daffodils, and crocus bulbs to prepare for beautiful spring blooms. A big thanks to everyone who joined us! 

Join us to spread mulch on Friday!

On Friday, Oct. 11, we'll be receiving a large load of mulch to help beautify our school gardens. Join us from 4-6 p.m. to spread mulch and share some pizza! If you'd like to participate, please contact Kylie Urriche at urriche.kylie@slpschools.org or Becky Nielsen at nielsen.rebecca@slpschools.org. Hope to see you there!



Follow our Facebook page for garden updates and more information: El Jardín de PSI.

PSI Celebrating Unity Day

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers,

We are excited to share with you that our PSI school community will be celebrating Unity Day on October 22, 2024 this year. Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month in October that promotes joining together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. It was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in 2011 and is now celebrated around the world.

Throughout the month of October, PSI classrooms will receive a lesson from Señora Dominguez, Social Emotional Learning Specialist and/or School Social Worker Dana Baumeister. Students will engage in knowing and understanding what bullying is while learning how to be an upstander and what proactive action can be taken!



We hope you’ll take this opportunity to talk to your children about bullying prevention and all the positive things we can do to make healthier communities. For more information on the history of Unity Day and its impact, please go to https://www.PACER.org/bullying/about/history.asp. 

Thank You,

Señora Dominguez and Señora Baumeister

October A-E Day Calendar

School District News

It’s More Than a Meal: Applications for Educational Benefits Supports Students and Schools  

Applying for educational benefits is essential for families as it directly supports students and the school community. Although Governor Walz signed the Free School Meals for Kids bill, it is important for all families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits application each year to qualify for non-meal related benefits like bussing and discounts on fees for activities, clubs and tests. Submitted applications also help school districts qualify for education funds and discounts. 

Applying for Educational Benefits can include free or discounted supports for: 

• Class labs
• Activity and supplies
• Sports registration
• High school testing fees (Advanced Placement (AP), PSAT)
• Field trips
• College applications
• Open enrolled transportation

Learn more about how to apply or contact Jodie Woelffer, School Nutrition Assistant, at woelffer.jodie@slpschools.org or call 952-928-6146. 

SLP Celebrates National School Lunch Next Week!



National School Lunch Week (October 14-18) gives us a chance to celebrate the important role school meals play in fueling student success. SLP is proud to offer nutritious and appealing lunches that support students' health and learning. We appreciate all of the work our Nutrition Services team does to keep students energized and focused with delicious school lunches.

Upcoming Important Days for Reflection and Celebration



October brings two important days for reflection and celebration. National Coming Out Day (October 11) honors those who embrace their authentic selves and support LGBTQ+ visibility. Indigenous Peoples' Day (October 9) recognizes and celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous communities, fostering respect and understanding of their diverse heritage.

Free Family Event

Join us for a Free Book Giveaway on Wednesday, October 16 from 2-6pm at Lenox Community Center.

PTO News

Scholastic Book Fair online ends TODAY

Did you miss the Scholastic book fair last week? Didn’t find the books you were looking for? Looking to purchase books for the upcoming holiday season? There’s still a couple days left to place orders online! Shipping is free on orders over $25. https://shop.scholastic.com/parent.../parent-store-2.html...

LEER-A-TÓN

Leer-a-tón is the annual read-a-thon to excite kids to read, raise awareness and funds for the amity program, and build community. Students set a reading goal, ask sponsors for donations, and read (mucho) between September 27-October 11. Send your student’s reading tracker back to PSI by October 15. 

Donate here: https://tinyurl.com/psileeraton

• Fundraising Goal: $25,000 (approx. $75 per student or $5/day of Leer-a-tón). 
• Place cash/checks in an envelope marked “Leer-a-tón” and return to the PSI in your child’s orange folder. 
• Checks payable to PSI PTO

This year, all students who return their reading tracker and participated in reading, will win a kids meal with ice cream. The class with the most participants wins a field trip (K-2: bowling, 3-5: Ice skating)! Read all 15 days to be entered to win more great prizes. 

Upcoming LEER-A-TÓN (read-a-thon) Events

• Friday, October 11: Last day of leer-a-ton 
• By October 15: Return reading tracker to PSI. Return cash/check donations or donate online

Fall Connect Time Staff Meals

Please sign up HERE to help provide meals to teachers and staff during Fall Conferences next week! There are still several items needed, thanks to those that have already signed up! Please drop-off at the PSI main office at the time listed.

Park Spanish Immersion Fundraiser 2024: Spirit Store

Need some new Park Spanish Immersion apparel? The Spirit store is open now through October 25! All orders are custom made for Park Spanish Immersion with no returns or exchanges, and a portion of the proceeds will go back to PSI. All items will be a school pick up or USPS shipping. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery. If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Kruger.

Rebecca Kruger at Dave's Sport Shop: rebeccamkruger@gmail.com | 612-790-6233

Click here to visit the spirit store.

Application to Host Now Open! Amity Intern - Spring of 2025

Each year PSI typically welcomes Amity Interns from Spanish speaking countries who assist our teachers in the K-5 classrooms. These interns are either pursuing or have recently completed a college degree with an education focus, and are between the ages of 20-30 years old. Amity interns live with PSI host families one semester allowing both an opportunity for greater language learning and cultural exchange. Please consider hosting an Amity Intern this spring. A unique and wonderful experience that can benefit your entire family. Plus, it's a great way to give back to the students, staff and entire community. Want more info? Contact us at psiamity@gmail.com.

Ready to sign up? Go to psiparents.ptboard.com, click Amity Interns to find the Host Family application. Fill yours out today! 

Thanks for considering this amazing opportunity!

Your Amity Coordinator Team,

Steve Kalpin

Darlene Kuykendall

Kelly Marinello

Kevin Russell

Community News

Free Latino ECFE Class

The Central Early Learning Center is excited to offer a free Latino ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) class on Tuesdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. for children ages 0-5! This multi-age class is led by a dedicated parent educator, two supportive paraprofessionals, and a Spanish-speaking cultural liaison. Join our class to:

• build a strong sense of community among Latino families
• discuss important parenting topics
• learn how to navigate school and community systems

The class provides a wonderful affinity space to connect, share experiences, and grow together as a community. Click here to register today! Questions? Call Carmen Rudin (952.836.7237), St. Louis Park Schools Multicultural Liaison, for more information.

Link: https://slp.ce.eleyo.com/course/ecfe/8435/2024-fall-ecfe-catalog/latino-ecfe

Attention Kindergarten Families: SLP Library Open House

Click here to see the flyer in Spanish.

Click here to see the flyer in Somali.