May 9, 2024

Dear Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School Community:

It's been a great week for teaching and learning at our school!

Last Friday, our fifth graders had their first of two dance sessions with our artist-in-residence, Djenane Saint Juste, a choreographer, dance instructor, storyteller, and writer from Haiti. This is our third year collaborating with her, and she does an amazing job with our students! Our fifth graders also went to Westwood Nature Center on Tuesday.

Next week is Spirit Week leading up to our PTO-sponsored Carnaval.  We hope that you are able to join us for this fun community event! Our Amity interns are teaching a few dances to our students next Wednesday and Thursday through our physical education classes, and there will be an opportunity to dance at the Carnaval!

On Monday evening, our fourth graders, through the collaboration of Sra. Wieber and Sr. Davis (and many other PSI staff members), did an inspiring job at the Elder's Wisdom, Children Song Performance! Please see below for more information.

Thanks to our community for sharing notes, food, coffee, and treats with our staff this week for "Staff Appreciation Week!" Your kindness and generosity are appreciated! Yesterday was School Nurse Day, and we would like to acknowledge the many efforts of Danielle Carey, Licensed School Nurse! We are grateful that she and Julie Walsh, our PSI health aide, do such a great job to support our community!

Have a great week, and see you soon!

Corey Maslowski, Principal

Kelsey Clark, Elementary Support Supervisor

Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song Performance

Congratulations to our 4th grade students! They honored three community members with a fabulous performance of their original songs at the Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song celebration on Monday evening. We are so proud of them for all of the work that they did on this project over the past three months!

A recording of the performance can be found at this link.

Click here to see photos and additional video clips from the event.

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).

PSI Spirit Week 2024: May 13-17

Orchestra Demo Night

Click here to see the flyer in Spanish.

School District News

Wheelie Fun Community Bike Ride



The Sustainability Division at City Hall is hosting the second annual “Wheelie Fun Community Bike Ride” this year on Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m. from Dakota Park to Aquila Park. This will be a fun event with sustainability staff,  treats, games, and more.

Special Recognitions:

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month



Join us as we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in St. Louis Park Public Schools! During this month, we honor the rich cultural diversity and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

American Indian Education Month

During the month of May, we embrace American Indian Education Month at St. Louis Park Public Schools! This is a time to learn about the heritage and many contributions of Native American peoples. Students will deepen their understanding of indigenous history fostering cultural appreciation.

Jewish American Heritage Month

May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Explore and learn about the vibrant history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans throughout our nation's history.

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 is a Big Success!

A HUGE thank you to all of you who helped make Staff Appreciation week a success!  Don’t forget to print off and send back the fun questionnaire for your teachers. PSI Staff Appreciation

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. Please consider signing up for a short shift here: PSI Parents: PSI Carnaval 2024 (signupgenius.com) 

Spring Fundraising Drive

Check backpacks for the PSI PTO’s Spring Fundraiser Flyer.  If you are able to contribute, every amount helps.  We hope to welcome 8 Amity Interns from Spanish-speaking countries from around the world to the PSI community for the 2024-25 school year. Amity interns deepen the language and culture immersion for our children every day by collaborating with our classroom teachers. The administrative fees and work stipends are ~ $6,500 per intern. The Amity Intern Program is fully funded by the PSI PTO. 

Please donate online at: https://bit.ly/3vnR3q6 OR by check (payable to PSI PTO) using the envelope provided with the flyer sent home

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!