May 2, 2024

Dear Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School Community:

We hope that you are having a good week! We had approximately 300 people attend the PTO-sponsored pizza and movie night (Encanto) at the Middle School last Thursday! We posed some questions related to how community was demonstrated in the movie, and how each of us can use our talents to support the community. We encourage you to ask your children about how their sparks/talents benefit our community!

Also, on Thursday, our first graders shared their brilliance during the DrumSpeak event, a collaboration between our first grade classrooms and music class. The students learned about Afro-Colombian history, musical connections, rhythmic patterns, and focused learning. Each class participated in drum patterns and sang a song. It was fantastic to see!

We are looking forward to seeing the fourth graders' share learning at this year's Elders' Wisdom, Children Song event at the St. Louis Park Middle School Performing Arts Center on Monday at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome! Please see below for more information.

Thank you for being members of our community, and thank you for sharing your children with us!

Corey Maslowski, Principal

Kelsey Clark, Elementary Support Supervisor

Cartonera Project



We are gearing up for our annual Cartonera Writing Project (May 31). In preparation for this event where every student shares a published book, we will need help sewing. It really only requires a sewing machine and the capacity to sew a straight(ish) line. If you are willing and able to assist in this way, please let Kara Scheid know (scheid.kara@slpschools.org).

Elders' Wisdom, Children's Song Celebration on May 6

The fourth grade Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song community celebration is soon! The fourth graders are now working with Sr. Davis and Sra. Wieber to put the finishing touches on their songs. They are excited to share their learning with the PSI community.

Sra. Ruff's class will honor Sr. Curtis Coats, a former PSI parent who works in cyber security and as a mentor for youth. Sra. Giraldo's class will be honoring Sra. Bev Caruso, a social worker and PSI grandparent who lives in our community. Srta. Casey's class will honor Sr. Bill Starr, an army veteran and lawyer who is also a PSI grandparent.

All families are invited to join us as the fourth graders honor these elders in a community celebration on Monday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. 

at the SLP Middle School. 

Fourth grade students should arrive at the Middle School at 6:00 p.m. for a short practice before the performance.

Volunteers needed! We need a few volunteers to help with the mini rehearsal when students arrive at 6:00.  Contact Sra. Wieber at wieber.kimberly@slpschools.org to volunteer.

K-5 A-E Specialist Calendar

In our SLP elementary schools, our specialist classes rotate on an A, B, C, D, E day schedule. We do this so that students do not consistently miss classes on a particular calendar week day. Please see the May/June rotation schedule.

PSI Spirit Week 2024: May 13-17

School District News

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 and Data Center.

Fun Fact:The SLP Data Center has roughly 43 tons of steel used for the structure. That weight is equivalent to roughly 17 Knutson work Trucks!

View the construction updates webpage.

In the Loop: SLP Construction Newsletter

Updated Calendar for the 2024-25 School Year



On April 30 the school board approved an updated calendar for the 2024-2025 calendar that includes October 3, 2024 as a non-student day in observance of Rosh Hashanah (Jewish holiday). To ensure the district meets the required student days, we will add an additional school day to the following school year (25-26). We will also add a staff day on June 9. The last day for K-11 students will still be June 6, 2024. View the updated 2024-2025 calendar.

Administration developed this updated calendar after the 2024-2025 calendar was initially shared and community members had questions related to a school board recommendation to accommodate holidays when our students would likely be missing school. We appreciate the community voices who shared this feedback. 

With the intent to honor and respect the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of students and families, the school board will continue to be thoughtful in the planning of future school calendars. We appreciate your understanding and support of the calendar changes as we strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment within St. Louis Park Public Schools.

Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10



Thank you teachers! May 6-10 is Teacher Appreciation Week, so here's to the educators who inspire, guide, and empower us every day! Thank you for all you do for our students, families and community. Your dedication shapes the future one lesson at a time.

Kids Place Registration 2024-2025

We’re pleased to announce our school year registration window for Kids Place School Age Care, welcoming participants in grades K-5! Registration window: April 9 - May 3, 2024.  

Register at slpcommunityed.com/kids-place or scan QR code

• Click on “Online Registration”

• Sign in or create an account

• Select “Explore All Programs”

• Select Kids Place Childcare

• Choose “Registration”

• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program

The S-EBT program provides families with school-aged children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals at $40 per month per child ($120 total) during the summer months to purchase healthy foods with funds on EBT cards. Minnesota will provide eligible students with a one-time summer payment of $120.00 per child on their S-EBT card.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 authorized a permanent, nationwide S-EBT program for eligible families beginning in 2024. The program will be a joint effort between the MN Department of Education (MDE), the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) and MN Information Technology Services (MNIT). 

St. Louis Park Schools is reaching out to families that may qualify for this Summer Benefit. Families that know they receive Free or Reduced Benefits will NOT need to do anything. The S-EBT card will be mailed to you automatically. If you are not sure if you have qualified or need help completing the Free and Reduced Benefits application, please contact the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146 or email woelffer.jodie@slpschools.org

Please submit applications by May 15, 2024 to qualify for the S-EBT.

PTO News

Staff Appreciation Week Notes to Teachers

Kids say the darndest things!  We've put together this template for you to complete with your kids at home.  It's as easy as 1-2-3:  1) Just print this page, 2) complete the questions, and 3) send it along in their folder next week as a fun surprise for your student's teacher!  This will be a great addition to the treats and meals that are being offered below. 



PSI Staff Appreciation

Staff Appreciation Week Is Coming Soon!

Let's say a big "thank you" to the staff at Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School by participating in Staff Appreciation Week! Staff Appreciation Week will be held May 6-10. We plan on showering the staff with special treats, meals, and small gifts throughout the whole week.  Donations for food items are requested here in this Sign Up Genius link.

Please make note of the date and time your donation is needed. There are 75 staff members in the building to treat each day.

Thanks everyone for thinking of our wonderful PSI staff! 

For any questions, please reach out to one of the parent organizers:

Katie (katienewton_2@hotmail.com), 

Melissa (melhoag@yahoo.com),

Molly (mollycarpenter76@gmail.com),  

Beth (ekalpin@gmail.com), and 

Annalise (saza0009@gmail.com)

Carnaval Volunteers Needed



The biggest party of the year is right around the corner.  PSI’s Carnaval will be on May 18th from 12-2:30.  There will be food trucks, bouncy houses, games, crafts and a DJ!  We’ll need volunteers to help things run smoothly.  Sign up for a shift here: PSI Parents: PSI Carnaval 2024 (signupgenius.com) 

Application to Host Now Open!  Amity Intern - Fall of 2024

Each year PSI welcomes eight Amity Interns from Spanish speaking countries who assist our teachers in the K-5 classrooms. 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 for a semester! We need fall host families for our wonderful incoming interns next year. This is 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? Please check out the FAQs or email us at psiamity@gmail.com.

Ready to sign up?  Email us at psiamity@gmail.com or fill out this application and we’ll reach out to you!