Back-to-School Edition | August 17, 2022

Greetings!

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year at St. Louis Park High School.  This year our learning community will focus on sustaining a positive culture and climate that uplifts the spirit of each learner.  Our goal is to support students, staff, and families in living out our SLP District mission, vision, and core values by building collaborative partnerships to empower the voices of our learning community.

Through high academic expectations our dedicated team of teacher-leaders, educators, support staff and administrators are committed to creating a student-centered learning environment that is both culturally relevant and responsive.  SLPHS will continue to cultivate safe, equitable, inclusive, and restorative spaces where students thrive both inside and outside of the classroom and can show up as their true and authentic selves.  

As summer quickly comes to a close, I am eager to once again be surrounded by the joy, light and laughter of our young people and the gift of their brilliance.  I hope you enjoy the last weeks of summer.  I look forward to another year of learning alongside you.

Take care, be well, and GO PARK!

LaNisha Paddock, Principal

Student Orientation

9th grade orientation is Thursday, September 1, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. We will kick off the event in the auditorium. After the gathering, students will meet with their Park Connections teacher and receive their schedules. Students will have a chance to find their classes and common locations in a Scavenger Hunt, as well as attend an Activity Fair. The fair will give students time to mingle, ask questions, and indicate interest in various clubs and activities. 

Bus information for 9th grade orientation is located here. This will include times and bus stop locations for orientation only. Return buses home will be departing the high school at 11:40 p.m.

Parents/Caregivers Orientation

Parents/caregivers are invited to a 9th grade orientation session on Thursday, September 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium. A virtual option will also be available with a link to be provided prior to September 1. Attendees will hear from key support staff, learn about the 9th grade academic program, and engage with experienced high school parents through a panel presentation. Optional school tours will be provided.

Grades 10-12: Park Connections Meetings - Thursday, September 1st from 8-10a.m. and 12-7p.m. Translation services can be provided if needed. Scheduling the meeting will take place through Student Support Time App. Email notification to set-up your meeting will be sent out August 24. If you don't have transportation please schedule a virtual meeting with your Park Connections teacher.

Every student will meet for 20 Minutes with a Park Connections teacher.

• Check-In: Review the 2021-22 school year and set goals for 2022-23
• Communication: Confirm student and family contact information and review opportunities for school-to home connections
• Students new to SLPHS pick up your school issued Chromebook! The Device Agreement must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to issuing your device.

Grade 9: Students will meet their Park Connections teacher and pick up their device during Freshmen Orientation from 8:30-11:30a.m. on September 1. 

In accordance with Minnesota Immunization Law (M.S. 121A.15), student immunization records must be up-to-date and on file with the Health Services Department. 

Mail or fax your clinic records to the High School Health Office (fax: 952-928-6113). Immunization requirements can be waived only when a legal exemption is on file with the school. Medical exemptions must be signed by a healthcare provider. Non-medical exemptions must be signed by a parent and notarized. A form is available from Health Services or through Public Portal.

Lifetouch will take school pictures for Grades 9-11 on September 9th in the small gym during their English class. You can purchase pictures online at mylifetouch.com and enter code: EVT7SJN7T. If you choose not to purchase a photo package, you should still have your picture taken in order to receive your student identification badge and to be included in the yearbook. If you are unable to get your picture taken, there will be make-up pictures on October 13th. Click here for more information.

Seniors will be submitting their own photos, from either a senior photo shoot or a recent picture that they select of themselves by going to slpechowan.com and clicking on the senior pictures link. The picture does not have to be professional.

Reminder…your school picture will appear in the yearbook. Please dress accordingly.

St. Louis Park High School will be holding grade level specific Virtual Family Nights in September for parents/caregivers of students in grade 9-12. During the events, we will discuss pertinent information relevant to each grade level. Watch 6425 NEWS and website for more information on Virtual Family Nights.

All parents/caregivers of students in grades 9-12 are invited to participate in the Parent Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC). There are three meetings scheduled throughout the year, and you may choose to participate in one or more of the meetings. PEAC members meet virtually with the principal and assistant principals to learn the latest updates about what is going on at the high school, share insights and connect with other parents/caregivers to help support students. This group supports teacher appreciation and conference meals. For more information contact PEAC co-chairs Julie Yakes and Lauren Weiser at slphsPEAC@gmail.com or Principal Paddock at paddock.lanisha@slpschools.org  

Meetings are held virtually from 7-8 p.m. on the following dates: 

• November 1, 2022
• January 10, 2023
• April 25, 2023

PowerSchool and Schoology are platforms that allow parents/guardians to view their student’s attendance, grades, class events and assignments online. PowerSchool is the primary source for attendance and grades for accuracy and most updated. You can sign-up for PowerSchool by contacting Abby Schrader, Building Operations Supervisor at schrader.abby@slpschools.org. If you are not signed up, you can do so in the front office during the school day, where you will sign the PowerSchool Guardian Access Policy Agreement.

Families will be asked to complete yearly back-to-school forms electronically this year. Families should watch for a communication from the District in the coming days with instructions on how to fill these forms out before school starts. These forms include:

• Annual Student Update
• Emergency and Health Information
• Technology Device Loan Agreement and Acceptable Use Form
• Application for Educational Benefits
• Student Digital Equity Survey
• Online Services Use Agreement
• And more! 

We encourage all families to fill out an application for educational benefits for the 2022-23 school year.

For the 2022-23 school year, USDA rules for school meals will return to pre-COVID guidelines. This means that families will need to pay for student meals unless they apply (see below) and qualify for educational benefits. If families complete the form and qualify, your child will be eligible for free or reduced priced meals and other educational benefits (described below).

How to Apply

The application can be filled out in a number of different ways including online through your Wordware or PowerSchool account, or by filling out a paper copy.

Download a paper copy: English | Español | Soomaali

If you need assistance filling out an Application for Educational Benefits, contact the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146.

If you decide to fill out a paper copy, return the completed form to:

6425 W. 33rd St.,

Attn: School Nutrition

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Families can also attach a completed form in an email and send it to woelffer.jodie@slpschools.org.

School Nutrition will not accept cash or checks on the serving line. We are asking parents/guardians to deposit funds in the Family Meal Account. Funds can be used to purchase breakfast and Lunch and ala carte items. You will have access through your PowerSchool account to add funds for purchasing meals and ala carte items. 

PowerSchool Public Portal provides a link to each student’s Wordware meal account where families can view student meal accounts and make payments online. The School Nutrition Department cannot accept cash or checks, so online payment is the only way to add money to student meal accounts. 

If you have your Student ID Badge from last year you will be using it to go through the Breakfast or Lunch line this year. You will be asked to scan your badge. You will also use your badge to purchase ala-carte items. If you did not receive a Student Badge last year, you will need to use your Student ID and enter that on the keypad when you go through the Breakfast/Lunch line or purchase ala carte items. Treat your lunch badge similar to your personal bank account. This badge should not be scanned or shared with your peers.

Students are expected to be in class on time, every hour, every school day. School is in session from 8:25 am to 3:15 pm.  Students with a first period class will be expected to report on time by the 8:25 am bell.  Any student that reports to school after 8:25 am will be marked tardy. Any student that reports to school after 8:30 am will need to report to the main office (enter Door 1) for a pass to class.  

*Students that have a study hall release/open hour or PSEO will need to check-in at the main office (enter Door 1) and have their permanent pass available before reporting to their assigned space.

Reporting Absences

For the 2022-2023 school year, if your student will be absent from school for any reason, please submit the attendance form (https://bit.ly/SLPHSAbsenceForm), on the website within 24 hours. Please be prepared to report the following information: student name, grade, date of absence, reason for absence and your name/relationship. Any absence not excused within 24 hours will remain unexcused. Students can not excuse themselves. 

Student parking permits will be sold online each semester. Starting at 8 a.m. on Monday, August 22, students can complete this Google Form to indicate their desire for a Parking Permit. Permits are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis, and sell out very quickly. On Monday, August 29 at 8 a.m., students will be notified if they have been assigned a parking permit. At that time, payments can be made online. The link will be provided in an email sent to the students SLP email account. They are $50.00 per semester. If payment is not submitted prior to September 7 at 8 a.m., permits will be released to the next student on the waitlist.

Once purchased, please print a receipt and have your student bring it to the Main Office to pick up their parking permit. Students will need to have all obligations met (i.e.media center, instructional materials and lunch balances) and present a valid driver’s license when picking up their permit. Cars without permits are subject to being towed. If you have questions/concerns, please contact Kiki Christensen at 952-928-6102 or christensen.kirsten@slpschools.org. 

Park Connections teachers will be reviewing the Student Handbook during the first weeks of school. The handbook will be available early September on the Park Connections Schoology page and SLP High School website. 

6425 Newsletter is a weekly email newsletter designed to communicate to parents and families timely information regarding schedules, events and news. New this year: We will be sending this electronic communication to you on Mondays based on the email address you provided to the school district in PowerSchool. If there are updates to your email address, please fill out this form or contact Abby Schrader, schrader.abby@slpschools.org.

Visitors will be limited to academically necessary beyond the front office.  If you would like to meet with a teacher during the school day or outside of the school day, please contact the teacher directly to make arrangements. If you need to pick up your child early, please come to the main office (door 1), and we will contact your student. 

Your student identification card will be used in multiple ways this year. You will need to present this ID to check in and out of the building, obtain library and technology materials, to get lunch and breakfast or purchase ala carte items, and take attendance in designated areas. Please carry it with you at all times.

The St. Louis Park Public Schools Transportation Bus Schedules will be available in the Traversa Ride 360 app (click here for directions) starting August 22. This information will include bus number, stop location, and stop times. If you have any questions or concerns please call the SLP Transportation Department at 952-928-6052 on or after August 22.

Students will be able to view schedules through Powerschool on Tuesday, August 30th at 3:00 PM (view schedules through Powerschool, not Schoology). Please know that classes will be balanced over the last weeks of August so students should check for their most up-to-date schedule on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Schedule change requests will be very minimal and must be made prior to Wednesday, September 14, 2022. All schedule change requests can be made through the Schedule Change Request link found on the login page of Public Portal beginning Wednesday, August 24. Please remember that schedules will only be adjusted for the following reasons: 1) A wrong class appears, 2) A level adjustment needs to occur, 3) A graduation requirement needs to be fulfilled. Unfortunately, schedule changes cannot be made for teacher choice or class time preference.

The ACT and SAT college entrance exams should be taken by late spring of the junior year. Many students will begin taking the tests earlier to allow time to retake the test for a chance to improve their score. Due to COVID-19, check with individual schools regarding ACT/SAT admission updates, many schools have moved to a ‘test optional’ status. The best way to prepare is to take practice tests. There are test prep books that can be purchased from most major book sellers. You can also find free test prep resources and a full-length ACT practice test in the “Test Prep” section of ACT.org.

Visit the SLP College and Career Readiness site for more information on testing and test prep. 

If you need to take or retake the SAT and/or ACT, check out their websites for dates and registration information. Registration should be completed online at: 

2022-2023 ACT www.act.org 

2022-2023 SAT www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org

All students in the junior class will take the ACT at SLPHS on Tuesday, March 8, 2023. Look for more information in the 6425 Newsletter. 

The PSAT will be offered on Wednesday, Oct 12, 2022 at St. Louis Park High School to juniors or sophomores who register for the exam. Registration and fee information will be available soon. The PSAT is to qualify students for National Merit Scholarships when taken during 11th grade. Juniors who are in the top third of their class and/or have over a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to take the test. Students in 10th grade who are in the top 25% of their class should consider taking the test as well as a practice for 11th grade. The PSAT can also be used as a practice test for the SAT. More information regarding college preparatory tests will be available in the 6425 electronic newsletter as it is made available. 

Incoming 9th graders and new students in grades 10-12 who would like a locker are asked to fill out the 2022-23 Locker Opt-In Form. Students will keep the same locker during their entire tenure at the High School. 

Incoming seniors that are on-track to graduate spring of 2023 will be eligible for guaranteed admissions in up to 43+ MN postsecondary institutions. OHE direct admissions provides waived application fees to participating MN colleges and universities with guaranteed admission. In early October, students will receive notification of their qualifying tier with the list of institutions they can apply for at no cost. More information will be provided as we head into the 2022-23 school year. For questions please contact Kara Mueller mueller.kara@slpschools.org.

Please visit gopark.org or click here for Fall, Winter and Spring offerings.

There is no school supply list for high school students. Students should utilize systems that work for them, either a folder and notebook for each class or some kind of 3 ring binder. If teachers have specific requests, they will let students know within the first week of school.

Clubs/Activities can change year to year depending on the advisors and/or student interest. Students can complete this Activities Interest Form to receive more information about specific clubs and activities that they might be interested in. Students can contact Abby Schrader at schrader.abby@slpschools.org for more information or if they have questions about clubs and activities at the High School. 

St. Louis Park Public Schools will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regarding COVID-19 during the 2022-23 school year.

Masking

St. Louis Park Public Schools will not require students or staff to wear masks to begin the school year. In accordance with district policy 808 COVID-19 Face Covering, students and staff will be required to wear a face covering if 5% or more of the students and/or staff who attend or work at their school site test positive for COVID-19. Students and staff can choose to wear a mask at any time. 

Guidance if Exposed

If you are exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19, the CDC currently recommends you take the following steps:

• Watch for symptoms for 10 days
• Wear a mask around others indoors for 10 days
• Test 5 days after exposure, or sooner if you have symptoms
• If you test positive, follow isolation guidance
• Take extra precautions for 10 days when around people more likely to get very sick

What If I Test Positive?

Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate for at least five days. If an individual tests positive but has no symptoms, they can end isolation after five days. If an individual tests positive and has symptoms they can end isolation after day five if they are fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving. A student or staff member returning to school after testing positive and isolating for five days will be asked to wear a mask on days 6-10.  

Data/Dashboard

The District will be publishing COVID-19 infection rate data on a weekly basis – with the exception of Winter Break and Spring Break – similar to how it has been reported the past two years. The information will be published in the weekly SLP Communicator e-newsletter as well as on the District website at www.slpschools.org/covid19. 

6425 West 33rd St. | St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: 952-928-6100 | Fax: 952-928-6113



Click here for St. Louis Park District Website.

Click here for Go Park, SLP's Athletics Website.

Click here for submitting HS Attendance.