IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY

January 16, 2023

Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.

Dr. Martin Luther King (Speech at Glenville High School, 1967.)

As we honor the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I hope you have time to celebrate the brilliance that you contribute to our SLPHS commUNITY.  On this day, I encourage you to engage in reflection and care for yourself so you might be the best of whatever you are.

Take care, be well, and Go Park!

LaNisha Paddock, Principal

Congratulations to the student delegates who participated in the 2023 Youth in Government Conference from January 5th-January 8th. 

Youth in Government is a program where high school students get to serve as legislators, judges, attorneys, lobbyists, representatives, and other government officials in a mock government. They hold meetings throughout the fall to prepare for the four day student-run YIG Conference, which takes place at the Minnesota State Capitol and the Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis!

Seniors Isaac Israel, Amira Abdirahman, Sebastian Tangleson, and advisor Emma Engebretson started Youth in Government at SLPHS this year and formed a delegation that has already grown to 24 students! Please congratulate the students who participated in our first delegation!

Front Row: Adele Cormier, Paige Descarpentrie, Ingrid Kotnik, Dalia Falck, Jaiden Leary, Tess Machalek

Second Row: Alex Hoag, Abigail Oppegaard, Sarah Peterson, Saul Zis, Jude Sadovsky, Nathaniel Sternberg, Erik Lindell, Emma Engebretson (advisor), Juweriya Sherif

Third Row: Luca Alvarez, Muaad Abdi, Isaac Israel, Amira Abdirahman, Kevin Martinez Herrera, Sebastian Tangleson

*Not Pictured: Amira Fidow, Amran Dahir, Aneesa Dahir, Ismahan Mohamed

The SLPHS Support Staff would like to recognize and thank the Holiday Fair of Westwood Lutheran Church for their $1400.00 donation to students in need. The Support Staff manages an Equity Fund for student needs that come up during the school year. We appreciate their donation as it will make a difference for many students.

Staff News: Do you who on staff plays professional football?

Do you know who the newest member of the Minnesota Vixen Professional Football Team is? 

Our very own Kayla Ross, SLPHS Health teacher! Check it out here: Vixen Football

Kayla made the team several weeks ago and is now tasked with fundraising for all equipment and travel expenses. 

Want to help support Kayla? 

Check out: "Adopt-A-Vixen": https://www.mnvixen.com/player/22-shannon-russell/ 

Want to attend a game? 

First game is April 22, 2023 at Kuhlman Stadium in Edina. 

Congratulations, Kayla!

Natural Helpers will be hosting a ‘Chill Week’ outside of the cafeteria during lunches Jan. 17-20.  

Look for activities to de-stress before finals.

Got puzzles? The Puzzle Table in the Media Center is a hit! Students have completed all of the puzzles we have so far. It has been a great way for students and staff to be in community together and have conversation.

 If you have a puzzle that is around 500 pieces that you are willing to part with, please consider donating it to the Media Center. Thank you!

Caretakers, need to set up your account for PowerSchool or Schoology? Or don’t remember your password?  Please email tsuchiya.alison@slpschools.org for help!

Check out these new books from the Media Center! You can always put a book on hold in Destiny. Watch this video to learn how.

Have any books you are not reading anymore? Done with a book? Not interested in a book? Return it to the Media Center! We would love to have it available for other students to read.

Students are expected to attend school everyday during finals week. Tuesday and Wednesday will be extended periods for classes which need extended time for testing.

Thursday is designed for students to have a last chance to get work done, take tests if they were absent on Tuesday/Wednesday (learning lab will be available for make-up test taking by appointment - more details to come), and to have sometime of Joy at the end of semester 1 (we do not spend enough time celebrating success or achievements). All students are expected to attend school.

Semester 1 Finals Schedule  

Monday, January, 23th 

Regular M-T-Th-F schedule

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Period 1 - 8:25-9:55

Period 3 - 10:05-11:35

Period 5 

1st Lunch - 11:35-12:05

Class    12:10 -1:40

Class - 11:40 - 12:20

2nd Lunch 12:20- 12:50

Class 12:55 - 1:40

Class - 11:40- 1:10

3rd  Lunch 1:10- 1:40

Period 7 - 1:45-3:15

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 

Period 2 - 8:25-9:55

Park Connections - 10:05 -10:50

Action Wednesday - 10:55 - 11:35

Period 4 *Based on 4th hour teacher’s lunch

1st Lunch - 11:35-12:05

Class    12:10 -1:40

Class - 11:40 - 12:20

2nd Lunch 12:20- 12:50

Class 12:55 - 1:40

Class - 11:40- 1:10

3rd  Lunch 1:10- 1:40

Period 6 - 1:45-3:15

Thursday, January, 26th

Regular M-T-Th-F schedule - Finals Make-up day

The following is a message from the Counselors regarding your Semester 2 class schedule:

Semester 2 schedules are available in Powerschool (desktop version – not in Schoology). Please review as this is the most accurate version of student schedules.

The Schedule Change Request Form (online google form) will be available starting Jan. 16th for students to request a schedule change. Counselors will continually review the requests and be in touch with students via email regarding any changes. The google form link will be posted on the Powerschool Login page as well as on the Counselors Schoology pages.

Schedule changes will be made for the following reason:

1. A wrong course appears
2. A course has been failed
3. A class is missing
4. There is a class conflict.   

Please be advised there are no changes for teacher or time of day preference for classes.

Classes are still being balanced through Monday, January 30th, the first day of Semester 2, thus there still may be some changes to student schedules.  

All students should access Powerschool to see their updated schedule on Monday, Jan. 30th to start the second semester.

Student parking permits will be sold online for 2nd semester starting at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 17. Students will need to complete the Google Form at Https://bit.ly/SLPparking indicating the desire for a parking permit. Permits will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis and historically sell out quickly.

On Tuesday, January 24 by noon students will be notified that they have been assigned a parking permit. At that time, payments can be made online (preferred). The link will be provided in a confirmation email. Permits are $50 per semester. If payment is not submitted by Monday, January 31 at 8:00 a.m., the permit will be released to anyone on the waiting list. 

Once purchased, please print a receipt for the payment and have your student bring it to the front table by the lunchroom to pick up their parking permit. Students will need to have past due media center and instructional materials returned, and present a valid driver’s license to receive their permit. Vehicles without permits are subject to being towed. If you have questions/concerns or need to pay in cash or check, please contact Da’Naiyah Hunter at 952-928-6102 or Hunter.Danaiyah@slpschools.org.

MATH HELP

AND SCIENCE TOO

Room A202 (Learning Lab)  :  2nd-7th hour* & after school

*except for 7th hour on Fridays

Sign up in Student Support Time, if you haven’t used slp.studentsupporttime.com yet you’ll log in with google.

 slp.studentsupporttime.com  

After signing in, look in “Flex Spaces” in the menu on the left.

DURING YOUR STUDY HALL

(2nd-7th period)

1.  In “Flex Spaces” on Student Support Time, go to “Math Lab” 
2. Choose the correct session (2nd hour, 3rd hour, 4th hour, etc.)  
3. Show your study hall teacher you signed up on Student Support Time, that is your hall pass.
4. Come down to A202 and check in with Mr. Aaron within the first 5 minutes of class.

AFTER SCHOOL

(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday until 5:30)

In “Flex Spaces” on Student Support Time, go to “Oriole’s Nest After Hours” and sign up for the day.

Transportation home is available after school, use this form https://form.jotform.com/212168747279164

Space is limited, sign up sooner rather than later!  

Questions about the Oriole’s Nest - it is more than just math help -

contact Kaelyn … dagon.kaelyn@slpschools.org 

QUESTIONS?...

Contact Mr. Aaron at peterson.aaron@slpschools.com  or phone # 6073

Join us to learn about our paid apprenticeship or internship program for your junior or senior school year! Check out the two student flyers to learn more! 

Student Interest Flyer - Paid Apprenticeship (Engineering/Manufacturing)

Student Interest Flyer - Paid Internship (IT - not Genesys Works)

Student Interest for HVAC Apprenticeship (Heating Venting Air Conditioning) - LIMITED positions available.

C157 - Wed. January 18, 2023 at 9:45 am Information Session

Let us know you plan to attend: Work Based Learning Apprenticeship/Internship Meeting



Any questions, please contact Kara Mueller, mueller.kara@slpschools.org

SLP High School is offering an official administration of the ACT to all 11th grade students on Wednesday, March 8th 2023. The exam is free and no registration is necessary.

On March 8th, all 11th graders will be in school taking the exam. Students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will be asynchronous. Assignments will be placed in Schoology and students are expected to work from home. There will be optional in-person Orioles' Nest available for students in 9th, 10th, or 12th grade. Students will sign up for Orioles' Nest from the student support app and transportation will be provided. Orioles' Nest support hours will run similar to the ACT testing time of 8:25-12:30.

The ACT measures knowledge and skills in English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. 

• The district administered test will be online via TestNav and does NOT include the writing option. If you want to take the ACT with writing you will need to visit the  ACT site to register.
• The test begins at the start of the 1st hour - 8:25 am and will conclude by 12:30 pm for standard test takers.
• Students with test accommodations may receive extended test time. Details will be provided prior to testing.
• Transportation will be provided. Please check in next week’s 6425 for more information.
• Bag lunches will be available for students at their request (sign-up will be provided in your Park Connection classroom soon).
• Free test prep is available on the ACT webpage.  We encourage students to start preparing NOW!

Look for more information each week as we COUNTDOWN to ACT!

Follow these steps to access the course and practice tests:

1. Log into: https://mncis.intocareers.org

2. Username: slpcareers

3. Password: oriole

4. Under “New Users” Click on: Create "My MCIS"

5. Complete the “My MCIS” section (write down your username and password)

6. Log in with new username and password

7. Click on My Portfolio– Test Prep—College Entrance/GED/ASVAB Tests.

8. Click on Peterson’s ACT Practice Test or *Peterson’s *ACT Online Course

9. Repeat steps 6-8

*Peterson's ACT Online Course provides a customized study plan based on your needs, with flash cards,

practice tests, test preparation guide, etc.

Students from St. Louis Park High School have had great success using the free ACT Prep tool; we recommend

setting aside 1.5 hours per week using the ACT Prep Course and Practice Tests.

What is the ACT?

The ACT is a standardized test used as part of the college admissions and placement process.

Students who live in MINNEAPOLIS!

Apply now at www.StepUpMpls.org.



SUMMER Internship Opportunity (3 min video)

Step Up has two unique opportunities in 2023: Paid Internships and Paid Career Exploration 

Step Up is offering two pathways for paid summer career development opportunities: paid in-person and remote summer internships, and a paid summer online Career Exploration Program for all participants who complete their assigned training and are not matched to an internship. 

Level 1 interns (14 or 15 years old by June 1, 2023) will be paid $12.91/hr.

Level 2 interns (16-21 years old by June 1, 2023) will be paid at least $15.19/hr.

All participants – regardless of age – who complete the summer Career Exploration Program and are not matched to an internship can earn up to $600 and eligible participants may earn elective academic high school credits.

Eligibility requirements

Step Up provides Minneapolis youth with paid opportunities including internships and online learning experiences. To be eligible, young people must:

• Be 14-21 years old by June 1, 2023
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. by June 1, 2023
• Not be in college (PSEO is OK)
• Live in the city of Minneapolis, and
• Meet family income guidelines or other criteria
• Apply now at www.StepUpMpls.org.

It is common to begin the new year with big goals, visions, expectations, and ideas for yourself. However, even small changes in your routine can make a big difference in improving your mental health and well-being:

• Incorporating positive affirmations into your day can improve your ability to cope with difficult emotions. Some examples of affirmations are:
• “I am excited for the day!”
• “I am focused.”
• “I believe in myself.”
• Focusing on the positive aspects of life can help increase happiness while decreasing stress. One way that you can do this is by practicing gratitude and focusing on what you are grateful for. Try practicing this gratitude worksheet or using this gratitude-meditation-script.
• Getting enough sleep plays a huge role in your mental health and wellness. Consistently getting enough sleep may help you better deal with stress and anxiety, improve your immune system and memory, and boost your overall mood. Start prioritizing your sleep this year using this sleep tracker.
• Keeping yourself grounded and focused on developing these new habits in the new year can be difficult. When you feel the need to slow things down, try this head-to-toe relaxation meditation. 



The new year may bring a sense of pressure to become your “best self” by making all kinds of changes. But remember that you are enough as you currently are. We encourage you to think instead about how you can become a “better you” this year and build on who you are rather than change yourself completely.

Please see this flyer if you have an interest in attending Perpich Arts High School during your Junior and Senior year. Click here for Flyer

PEAC MEETING DECK AND BROADCAST:

The second PEAC meeting of the year occurred last Tuesday, January 10. If you couldn’t make it, please feel free to review the slide deck and recording of the meeting here:

PEAC MEETING RECORDING 1/10/23 

PEAC GOOGLE SLIDES

Save the date for the final PEAC meeting: 4/25/23 from 7-8 p.m.  

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE:

PEAC recently provided treat bags to all staff as we head into the waning days of Semester 1. Portions of a note from School Psychologist Dr. Dan Phillipe follow:

I wanted to share a quick collective thanks from staff for all the ways parents show their appreciation. Every other Tuesday, I get the chance to set up the donated treats and interact with teachers. It is a highlight to see staff beam with appreciation, astonishment even, at the generosity and thoughtfulness of our parents.  

If parents are looking for other ways to get in on the experience of showing appreciation, I'll put a quick plug into what I call "Employee Relief." When parents donate gift cards, I send out an email to staff to participate in a raffle encouraging them to engage in simple mindfulness/self-care activity. For example, last month, the prompt produced a simple New Year's greeting card that was shared amongst staff. Last year, we produced a staff electronic cookbook. Just two examples that incorporated 2-3 $10 gift cards. If parents are interested in donating $10 gift cards, the Sunshine committee and I can develop some fun activities that build on that generosity. Donations can be addressed to the Sunshine Committee or Dr Dan. 

Thanks again…It really is meaningful. 

SENIOR PARTY UPDATE:

NEXT MEETING:

All Senior parents are invited to attend a planning meeting this Sunday, January 22, 5:30 pm. at Park Tavern.  

Agenda:

• Next fundraisers 
• Money raised to date
• Updates on Spirit wear, Signs, Grants
• Community donation needs / progress
• Preliminary party planning for night of

SPIRIT WEAR FUNDRAISER:  

Order Spirit Wear here with a portion of the proceeds going toward Senior Party efforts to make this a free event for all seniors:

https://2023-st-louis-park-hs-senior-party-kick-off-fundraiser.square.site/

A couple asks:  

1. Join the Facebook group: SLP Class of 2023 Senior Party
2. Follow slpseniorparty23 on Instagram

Share the Mic Podcast with Suwaydah Aden, Erin Enright, and Ibtisam Ahmed whose climate action project inspired the Idle Free SLP Campaign

Seventh Graders Suwaydah Aden, Erin Enright, and Ibtisam Ahmed coined the term "Idle-Free SLP" during their Climate Action presentation last spring during science class. Their slogan and presentation have since served as inspiration for a new initiative in St. Louis Park to reduce carbon emissions in parking lots all across St. Louis Park. Listen to episodes 1-3 on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Missed the December episode? Listen or Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6satuElql-c&t=6s

Want to receive District emails and phone recordings in Spanish or Somali?

Families can now receive district-level communications (emails and phone recordings) in a preferred language such as Spanish or Somali. Some families currently receive messages in Spanish or Somali and may wish to receive information in English.

If you wish to update your language preferences, please contact your school and ask that the preferred guardian language be updated in our student information system (PowerSchool). This will ensure you receive district-level communications such as closures and emergencies in your preferred messages.

Whenever possible, we will do our best to ensure SLP phone recordings go out in your preferred language.

The School Board approved the 2023-2024 school calendar at the December 13, 2022 Board Meeting. Visit the calendar page on the website and click on the calendar for next school year (23-24).

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.