64 SECONDS to Learn Up To 25 THINGS about St. Louis Park High School
October 23, 2020
January 29, 2021

Important Websites for High School Families

1: From the Interim Principal
Greetings SLP Families,

FINISH STRONG was our motto for the week. Our students pushed it into high gear to complete assignments, projects and make-up tests as our first semester came to an end today.  Teachers are assessing all student work and computing final semester grades.  Parents may access student grades in the Parent Portal on Friday, Feb. 5 at 4:00 p.m.  If you don’t know how to access the Parent Portal in PowerSchool, please call Abby Schrader, Admin. Asst. to the Principal at 952/928-6106.  She is happy to help you.

We are excited for the renewed energy that a fresh start can provide at mid-year in high school.  Second semester starts Monday morning, and it’s an opportunity to start fresh and start strong.  With everything we have all learned throughout this unusual year, I am extremely hopeful for our students.  Please remember, any student is welcome to come into our Oriole’s Nest Study Hall in our cafeteria and Learning Lab any day of the week.  You are welcome here!

As you know, we are making preparations for a 50% hybrid return on February 22.  If you wish to make a change in the learning model you selected this fall, please fill out the change form on the link below between now and February 4.  All families may choose to stay in distance learning or attend school in our 50% hybrid model.  Details of the hybrid model will follow in days to come.  Here is the link to the change form:  HIGH SCHOOL CHANGE FORM  Note:  You do not need to submit a change form if your student is not requesting a change.

Congratulations to seniors Dahlia Krebs and Josh Krueger for being named as candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.  This program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our Nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.  Students do not apply for this honor and high schools do not nominate them.  Each year, over 4,500 candidates are selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and 600 semi-finalists will be named in April.  Winners have traditionally been honored in June as guests of the US Department of Education and the Commission, and enjoy an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC.  Best wishes, Dahlia and Josh as you move forward in this program.
Kindly,

Wendy Loberg
Interim Principal
2: Success In the Oriole's Nest This Week
This week, we celebrate Ciera Skelly, gr. 12, as our Success in the Nest student.  Ciera learned about The Nest from her dad and has been coming for about a month and a half.  She loves doing her school work in The Nest because, “It’s a quiet, studious environment away from my brothers.”  She went on to say that coming into school in our Oriole’s Nest has inspired her to stop procrastinating and start doing her school work.  Her grades are strong, and her hard word has paid off!  Way to go, Ciera!
 
If you want help raising your grades, please check out this link How to Get Assistance at SLP High School, and come on into the Oriole’s Nest. Assistance is available virtually or in-person. All students are welcome. Masks and social distancing required.  
3: Distance Learning Change Form - Secondary Transition
The School Board for St. Louis Park Public Schools unanimously approved changes to the District’s Safe Learning Plan at their meeting on Monday, January 25. St. Louis Park Middle School and High School will transition back to hybrid learning in a rolling start approach (see timeline below) or continued distance learning. 
 
Approved plan changes and the Secondary Transition Timeline include:
 
  • January 26-February 4: High School students/families can select to change learning models to continue distance learning or return to school in the hybrid learning model. 
 

  • February 18-19: No School for students in grades 6-12 to allow for transition days for teachers and staff to prepare for the transition to hybrid instruction at fifty-percent capacity.

  • February 22: All Middle School students in grades 6-8 and High School students in grade 9 and grade 12 will return to school for hybrid learning at fifty-percent capacity.

  • March 8: High School students in grade 10 and grade 11 will return to school for hybrid learning at fifty-percent capacity.

Transitioning to hybrid for secondary students is contingent on the Hennepin County COVID-19 case rate data meeting the safe learning model parameters and expectations of 29 or less cases per 10,000 and the school district’s ability to successfully meet all of our local educational delivery model considerations.

4: Superintendent Osei Upcoming Listening Sessions
As a part of the process to hear stakeholder perspectives, Superintendent Osei will be hosting Listening Sessions over the course of this school year for students, parents/guardians, and staff to better understand the impact of the implementation of the District's educational delivery models. 
 
February 1 | Students | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Zoom Link
 
February 16 | Parents/Guardians - English | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Zoom Link
 
February 16 | Parents/Guardians - Spanish | 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Zoom Link

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

Just a reminder as there are still last minute changes going on with the master schedule - students should follow the schedule that is on Powerschool Monday, Feb 1.

2021 Semester Two Schedule Change Form (Form available through Thursday, Feb.4th)
 
Counselors will continually review the requests and be in touch with students via email regarding any changes. The google form link is 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
6: Material Pick up Information
Materials are available for pick up at High School from 8:15 - 3:30 starting February 1 through February 5.

When picking up materials please enter through Door 1. There are different sites where materials are being picked up if a student has requested a different location.

All books need to be scanned by staff before taking home. Please remember to wear a mask.
7: What are IB Classes?
Questions about IB at the high school?Contact Jenny at [email protected] & follow @slp_ib_dp on IG
8: Purchase Your Yearbook by January 30th!
Yearbook sales end January 30th! Purchase one now on www.slpechowan.com for your student to remember this unique and interesting school year. Get yours today, because after January 30th, there will be NO more sales.
9: Echo
After spending many hours on Zoom throughout the past few weeks, we are so proud to publish our first newsmagazine for the 2020-21 school year. Up until now, Echo has designed and printed in a newspaper format, but we are so excited to show our new design. With a longer shelf life and more room for creativity, we knew doing a newsmagazine this year was our best option. Our cover and in-depth story features an interview with director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and member of President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisory board, Michael Osterholm, about the safety of COVID-19 friend pods. Click here to view the newsmagazine. 
10: PEAC (Parent Engagement Advisory Committee)
Hello Parents, 

Want to support our amazing staff? Please sign up to deliver Teacher Treats each Tuesday. We've heard from several staff that go to the building and they are filled with gratitude at this small gesture. As one teacher said, "It lifts me up!"
 
 
Thanks for your generosity!
PEAC - Parent Engagement Advisory Committee
11: School Nutrition Meal Pick Up
Meal pickup schedule:

  • Monday & Wednesday 11:45am-12:45pm

Breakfast and lunch is available for students in the building daily.
12: Sno Daze/ DAY 102
Get Ready… DAY 102 Sno Daze is on the way

Sno Daze is being rescheduled to when we are back in hybrid, starting the week of February 22nd! Woohoo!

Get Ready… Instead of DAY ONE, we are doing a restart of school on DAY 102!! We will have a week of spirit week dress codes, fun outdoor socially-distanced and masked activities like winter relay races, a hot chocolate concoction contest, and a snowman building contests. We will also host our first ever virtual watch party of the SLP v. Hopkins Hockey game!! Stay tuned for more details...
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13: Used Book Giveaway
Used book giveaway! From Monday through Friday next week, you'll see carts of former media center books in the hallway that are free to a good home. Some are a bit tattered, some are donations, some are duplicates we no longer have space for, but ALL of them are looking for a reader like you! So when you come pick up your school materials for semester 2, grab a few extra books to fill your bag. Happy reading!
14: Young Women Take Action
This week a group of young women demonstrated strength and poise as they presented facts around sexual harassment and the impacts that recent social media posts have had on individuals. 
From the group: As young women in our current society, we are constantly criticized and objectified while staying silent. So we decided to speak up. We need to take action against sexual harassment and the objectification of young women and girls. This was just the first step. We will continue to fight this fight our entire lives and hope you will join us.
15: Virtual Senior Meeting Information
Ms. Busse, Ms. King and Greg Whittle will be hosting your second virtual senior meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 10th during Park Connections (11:45-12:45). The virtual link to this meeting is meet.google.com/jdk-bksa-xdi. An invite will also be sent to each senior student school email address. 
16: 2021 Step Up Application Now Available
2021 Step Up Application Now Available!
                                                          
Dear Youth and Community Advocates,
 
Step Up is a great opportunity for a young person to explore careers, gain job and life skills, and earn money and school credit. We aim to provide career exploration for over 1,600 young people each summer! We hope to count on your support and advocacy in spreading the word to youth about the exciting opportunity to participate in Step Up.
 
Step Up has two unique opportunities in 2021:
 
Paid Internships and Paid Career Exploration In response to COVID-related limitations for young people and employers in 2021, Step Up is offering paid in-person and remote internships, and a new 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, 2021) will be paid $12.15/hr
·      Level 2 interns (16-21 years old by June 1, 2021) will be paid at least $14.25/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 earn 0.5 elective academic high school credits through the online career exploration program.
 
Who is Eligible?
Step Up provides Minneapolis youth with paid opportunities including internships and online learning experiences.
 
  • They are 14-21 years old by June 1, 2021;
  • They are not in college (PSEO is OK); and
  • They live in the City of Minneapolis
  • Meet certain income guidelines or other criteria (see www.stepupmpls.org for details)
 
Please encourage eligible students to apply at www.stepupmpls.org.
 
Deadline to Apply!
The applications are open and available now. Youth must apply at www.stepupmpls.org by midnight on Monday, February 15, 2021.
 
If young people need additional support to complete the application, they can reach out to Step Up using the information below.
 
How you can promote Step Up:
  • Distribute this digital flyer and video link to your youth.
  • Provide regular announcements about the application deadline, where and how to apply.
  • Publicize application deadlines in newsletters and social media.
 
Interested in becoming a Step Up Employer?
The 2021 Summer Employer Pledge form is also available now. Submit your 2021 pledge here.
 
You can find detailed information about the Step Up program in this Community Advocates Guide. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting Step Up and the young people of Minneapolis!
 
Sincerely,
Theresa Stets, Step Up Youth Services Manager
AchieveMpls
Office: 612-455-1561 |Cell: 612-229-5217
 
Pronouns: she/her/hers
17: FREE Virtual College Fair(s)
Over 500 Colleges, 1500 Zoom Sessions - FREE Virtual College Fair(s) Spring 2021 Schedule

Students may attend as many fairs as they wish! Click to see a list of colleges that will be at each fair. Additional colleges will be added throughout the spring.

CLICK ON DATE BELOW FOR SCHEDULE/ REGISTER

Quick how-to video and quick start guide and to sign up at virtual college fairs.org
18: My DECA Story
Meet Tashia Johannes, as a junior, she decided to join DECA, a business club that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Here's her why. 
 
Why DECA
  • Taking Personal Finance launched my love into the business world
  • Joining DECA allows me access into the business world without having to wait to enroll in more business classes
 What DECA Means to My Future
  • Gives me an opportunity to stand out in the future 
  • Gives me professional skills in a more casual environment 
  • Prepares me to know careers
Business Classes Taken
  • Personal Financial Management 
  • Accounting 
Come experience what Tashia is talking about, our next virtual meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 8:30am. Follow us on Insta for more updates @slpdeca 
19: Special Opportunity for Juniors
Alternate Entry to the 2022 National Merit® Scholarship Program 

National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) conducts the National Merit Scholarship Program, an annual nationwide academic competition for high school students. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) is the route of entry into the National Merit Scholarship Program. If you did not take the 2020 PSAT/NMSQT (offered in October 2020 and January 2021) due to illness, emergency, or other extenuating circumstance (including school closures) and you meet all other program entry requirements, you must follow the instructions specified in the link below to enter the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

20: Genesys Works Internship Program (Juniors ONLY)
Our school partners with Genesys Works, a paid internship program!  JUNIORS (Class of 2022) Only! Application Deadline is March 7
What is Genesys Works?
  • A program to gain professional and business technology skills while gaining college credit during summer training (8 weeks - 5 days a week - 4 hours a day)!
  • A paid internship where you could make $15,000 your senior year of high school at a 12-month internship at a major corporation like, Target, Medtronic, Cargill or 3M!
  • A support system where you receive post high school planning support and high school credit (2 credits) - can be used as your 5th class and you will be excused from school after 4th hour to go to your internship site.
  • Genesys Works Frequently Asked Questions
  • New this year, you can NOMINATE students here: Student NominationLink  
For questions or additional information contact Genesys Works at [email protected] or Mrs. Mueller, SLPHS Career & College Coordinator, [email protected]
21: Work Based Learning Opportunity
St. Louis Park High School has partnered with GPS Education Partners and Gustave A Larson with Work Based Learning opportunities and experiences.
If your student is thinking or wanting to learn more about a career
in any of the below fields:
  • Supply Chain Distribution
  • Engineering
  • HVACTechnician
  • Warehouse & Logistics
  • Customer Service
  • Marketing
Please complete the interest survey and/or the online
application
  • Interest Survey - so we can create and coordinate Work Based Learning opportunities for our students.
  • Online Application for a paid Youth Apprenticeship/Internship with GA Larson, Plymouth MN. Must be 16 and older to apply.

 
If you have any questions, please contact Kara Mueller, Career & College Coordinator/CTE Coordinator, m[email protected]
22: Junior Fun Information
Current questions from Juniors are around the ACT Test

Please view videos from Ms. Cosgrove (also on Schoology & in students’ Connections Folder)

Test date information. When to take? Registration & Deadlines

Test Fees. Writing vs non-Writing costs. Fee Waivers

ACT or SAT, and my opinion about scores during the pandemic

Free electronic ACT practice booklet.
Includes a full-length ACT, as well as very detailed scoring procedures.

Free Test Prep through MCIS and directions on how to access.
This includes a practice test and an online prep course that also has practice tests.

Registration link to register at ACT.org
Allow at least 30 minutes to complete the online registration.

SLP will give a full ACT at the High School!  

Test optional growth since 2005 - 2020 (pandemic response).
23: German 2 and 3 Cooking Class Info
Liebe Leute in German 2 and 3:



Wednesday, February 3, 4:30-5:30 pm. 
Maximum 12 students, minimum of 5. 

Bring deinen Appetit! Und die Familie! 

24: Notice of Exclusion for Immunization Non-Compliance
St. Louis Park Public Schools requires compliance with the Minnesota State Immunization Law (M.S. 121A.15). In anticipation of high school students returning to in-person learning, your student must be up-to-date on immunizations, or provide the appropriate legal exemption form. Your student will not be able to attend school in-person until the appropriate documentation is provided.

If you have questions please contact the Health Office at 952-928-6108 contact Susanne Otos at [email protected] or Anjonette Scott at [email protected].
Student Spotlight!