For Attendance please email: hsattendance@slpschools.org | |
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Greetings!
Welcome to the final quarter of the school year! As we begin Quarter 4, I want to express my gratitude to our students, families, and staff for your ongoing partnership. Your collective effort has made this school year a meaningful and successful journey. This is a time to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and to stay focused on finishing strong.
As we celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. Honoring the diverse voices and contributions of Arab American students and families aligns with our mission to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all. Together, we continue to build a community grounded in respect, belonging, and shared success.
This quarter also marks the beginning of the testing season. Students will be engaging in MCA, IB, and AP assessments in the coming weeks. These exams are opportunities for students to demonstrate their growth and learning, and we are confident in their preparation. Support your student’s success by encouraging healthy test prep habits: getting plenty of rest, eating a nutritious breakfast, and arriving at school on time. We are here to support every learner through this busy season. Let’s keep up the momentum and finish the year with purpose and pride!
Take care, be well, and GO PARK!
LaNisha Paddock
Principal
| | | | TWO MORE STUDENTS JOIN REP. ILHAN OMAR’S YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL | |
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We’re excited to announce that in addition to high school junior Otoha Masaki, sophomore Hannah Levitt and junior Landon Goelz were also recently invited to join U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Youth Advisory Council.
Through this experience, they will engage in civic action, develop leadership skills, and gain understanding of the legislative process – all while shaping policies that affect young people across Minnesota.
LINK TO MORE INFO.
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April 14-18 SLPHS will be administering the MCA
We want to help staff, families, and students understand how these tests can benefit students and schools and how opting out can actually have unintended negative impacts.
The state uses proficiency data to help identify which schools need additional support and recognize those making fantastic progress. But when students opt out of testing, they are marked as “not proficient” by the state, significantly lowering apparent proficiency levels. It impacts everything from students’ college-ready scores and understanding of academic progress to school enrollment and perception.
There are a variety of beliefs about standardized tests.
Movements across the country have encouraged families to opt out without understanding the impact it has on students and schools. Some movements, for example, are based on the premise that standardized tests are racially biased against Students of Color. We acknowledge that some tests can be biased or used inappropriately to disadvantage Students of Color, however, through St. Louis Park Public School’s strategic plan for racial equity transformation, we remain committed to ensuring our testing practices benefit students. Ultimately, we believe these tests provide vital information on how the district as a whole is or is not providing rigorous instruction for all students.
We encourage SLP families to continue their learning and understanding about standardized tests. In the meantime, we want to share our beliefs about standardized tests:
- They are a small but important part of measuring the effectiveness of teaching.
- They help us understand what teaching strategies and practices are working.
- They help highlight classrooms and schools that are making fantastic progress, and where we need to continue to improve.
- They help hold SLP schools and our district accountable for high quality instruction aligned with state standards.
How standardized tests benefit students and schools:
- Students who take the tests receive a college-ready score that can save them time and money by not having to take remedial, non-credit courses at a MN State college or university.
- Schools, teachers, and caregivers can gain valuable information about how well a student is progressing academically.
- Teachers and school leaders receive information about areas of strength and gaps in our current curriculum, which then informs how educators plan lessons in math, reading, and science.
- Students who take the tests count towards the school's and district's overall state test results.
| | | | CLEARING UP THE CONFUSION ABOUT STANDARDIZED TESTING: HOW TESTING BENEFITS STUDENTS | |
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There are a variety of beliefs about standardized tests. Movements across the country have encouraged families to opt out without understanding the impact it has on students and schools. Ultimately, we believe these tests provide vital information on how the district as a whole is or is not providing rigorous instruction for all students.
We encourage SLP families to continue their learning and understanding about standardized tests. To find out more information please visit our website LINK here.
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MCA Testing
APRIL 14-18
FULLY CHARGED CHROMEBOOK
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Earth Day
CHANGE TO CHILL
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As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we're reminded of the interconnectedness of our well-being and the natural world.
Just as the earth requires care and conservation to thrive, our minds and bodies need attention and self-care to manage stress.
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April is also Stress Awareness Month, a timely reminder to prioritize our mental health.
By cultivating awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, we can take proactive steps to reduce stress and promote resilience.
Just as a seedling grows strong and healthy with nourishing soil and sunlight, we can nurture our mental well-being with mindfulness, self-compassion, and connection with nature.
Let's continue to work together to promote stress awareness and foster a supportive school community, where everyone can flourish like a garden in bloom.
For more information, check out: Stress Awareness and Relief
Barb Nelson
Counselor & Natural Helpers Advisor
nelson.barbara@slpschools.org
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| | Caretakers, need to set up your account for PowerSchool or Schoology? Or don’t remember your password? Click below for help. | | | | PARENT ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PEAC) | |
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Our Parent Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) Mission:
We partner to create a collaborative and inclusive learning environment for students, families and educators that fosters and embraces the brilliance of the St. Louis Park community.
| | | | Parents and Caregivers, welcome back from Spring Break. We hope you are rested and ready to help out where you can in our high school community! If you have questions, want to support one of the initiatives or would like to join the PEAC team, please send a note to slphsPEAC@gmail.com. | | | |
April 10
Mark your calendar for the last PEAC meeting of the year!
- Thursday, April 10 from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the High School.
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Support the Orchestra!
SLPHS orchestra is fundraising through this Monday, April 14 for a student trip to Hawaii the summer of 2026.
Traveling is so important for people, and these trips in high school stay with us for a lifetime.
To support families on this trip, please check out our coffee fundraiser with Driven or consider a direct donation. Some of these funds will also go towards instrument repair which is an expense students and staff often cover out of pocket.
Please give if you are able. It helps so much!
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Treats for staff on Tuesday, May 6 and beyond!
Let's show the staff we care and provide treats approximately every other week.
Sign up to show your support!
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Calling all Parents & Guardians of the Class of 2025!
💥Mark your calendars---April 27th 4-6pm at Steel Toe---Get your tickets today!
💥Want to get involved? Here are all the ways!
💥We need your support!
Check out the Senior Party Website!
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Roni Falck
Julie Yakes
Co-Chairs
Ben Schein
Treasurer
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Jen Beach
Communications
Anna Mulfinger
Committee support
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4th Annual Water Safety Festival
SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2025
St. Louis Park Community Education is partnering with the University of Minnesota's Aquatics program to promote this wonderful opportunity! Join us April 27th 2025 at the Jean K Freeman Aquatic Center to learn more about water safety through a day of FREE swim clinics, lessons, performances, activities, and games!
All ages welcome, children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a guardian.
Sign up for general admissions to the Water Safety Festival for a day of events, performances, and activities here.
If you are interested in transportation, please contact communityedsm@slpschools.org
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School Board Listening Session
TUESDAY APRIL 22, 2025
5:00 PM- 6:30 PM
School Board Listening Session on April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m.
Educational leaders from across Minnesota have shared feedback with the Minnesota Department of Education about the U.S. Department of Education letter.
The letter details information on Title VI and SFFA v. Harvard. While next steps are still being determined by MDE and the Attorney General’s office, we’d like to provide an opportunity for the SLP community to share their voices on this matter.
Please attend this listening session to share your thoughts! The listening session will be held in the school board meeting room (Room 21) at 6300 Walker Street on April 22 from 5-6:30 p.m.
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