St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News

Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)

February 22, 2024

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Principal's Message

Dear Middle School Families,

This is a year where it definitely feels like spring early! Regardless of what the weather is actually doing, this is the time of year where our after-school activities start to shift. Winter sports are starting to wrap in the next few weeks for the season (if they haven’t already) and it is time to register for Spring Sports. Registration for Spring sports is currently open. You can access registration for spring sports here. There are a few high school spring sport options for students in grades 7 & 8 and those sports start sometime in March. Middle School Sports offerings include Boys and Girls Track and Field, Boys Tennis and Girls Lacrosse (Grades 7-8) and those sports all start on Monday, March 25.

In other news, our 8th grade students are deep into their Community Projects. The Community Project is an IB capstone project for 8th graders. Students will present their projects to the school (in classroom settings) on Wednesday, March 6th during 5th hour. If you have an 8th grade student, please do not schedule appointments for your student during this timeframe so that they are able to present. It will be an exciting day for our school as the whole school will be involved in this sharing of learning because 8th grade students present to 6th and 7th grade classes.

Thank you for your continued support of your student here at SLPMS!

In partnership,

Melissa Kalinowski

Upcoming Dates

Mar. 4 & 7 - Musical Theater Choir/Tech Design Class Performances - 7pm

Mar. 7 - District Band Showcase at the HS - 7pm

Mar. 15 - Asynchronous Learning Day for Students

Mar. 15 - Family Engagement Day - Individual Conferences with Teachers

Interdisciplinary Team Websites

Check these websites to see updates on what your student is learning in each course and important calendar events like tests and project due dates.

Middle School FAQs

Dear MS Caregivers,

If you are new(ish) to the Middle School or have general questions, please be aware that we have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on the MS website. Click here to access this informational page. Please give us a call, too, if you have questions that are beyond the scope of this page. Thank you!

Greetings 8th grade families:

The 8th grade students are not meeting with their Community Project supervisor this week. Students are giving practice presentations in Keystone/Design 8 on a person for Black History Month to get feedback on their presentation style as they get ready to work on Community Project presentations next week. All action for the Community Projects are due this Friday.

Please reach out to your students Keystone/Design 8 teachers as well as their Community Project supervisor with questions.

Mia Waldera

IB Coordinator

After School Spectators for MS Sporting Events

Due to limited space/capacity in our field house and for health/safety, we will need to limit the amount of spectators attending Middle School after school events. Spectators will be limited to parents/guardians of players playing in the current game. Staff, other family members, friends and students will not be allowed to attend games due to the limited space available.

2024-2025 School Year Registration

6th Grade Parent Registration Letter

Click here to view letter

7th Grade Parent Registration Letter

Click here to view letter

8th Grade Parent Registration Letter

Click here to view letter

March 15 Family Engagement Day

Mark your calendars! SLPMS teachers will be available for individual conferences on Friday, March 15th. Conferences will be held in teacher’s classrooms during the following times:

9:00-10:45am and 11:45am-4:00pm.

Student Handbook Updates

Please note an update to our personal electronics guidelines (most commonly referred to as the Cell Phone Guidelines.) Starting on Monday, February 12, over the ear wireless headphones will also be included in the personal electronics policy. Students should keep these items in their lockers or their backpacks. Students should not be wearing them throughout the day. Corded headphones may be used under teacher direction in the classrooms but should not be worn during passing times or during lunch.

Additionally, students choosing to bring their own sports equipment to school (i.e. basketballs, footballs, etc.) will need to keep these in their lockers or backpacks. They should not bring these items to Phy Ed classes or to recess as we provide these items for all students and personal equipment can lead to conflict.

Spring Sports Start March 25th

Registration is open for all 6-8th graders and practice starts after school on Monday, March 25th for Spring Sports. Sports offered at the middle school are Boys Tennis, Boys and Girls Track & Field and Girls Lacrosse. Registration and information can be found on the Middle School Athletics page on the Middle School website. If you have any questions please email Derek Wennerberg - wennerberg.derek@slpschools.org

Debate Team News

Congratulations to the SLPMS Debate Team! The SLPMS Debate Team attended their second tournament on Wednesday, February 21. The debate tournament was held at Central High School in St. Paul, and again was put on by the MN Urban Debate League. The SLPMS Debate Team had four partnerships (teams) competing this time with several wins. Five of our team members scored in the top thirty in our division for “Best Speaking” and received a medal. They are: Hannan Mohamed (30^th); Alexa Sims (28^th); Teressa Garcia (6^th); Sienna LoPesio (2^nd); and McKenzie Williams took 1^st place in our division. Two of our partnerships won two of their three rounds of debate and scored in the top 20 of our division: Keira Sangster & Cate Williams (17^th) and Teressa Garcia, Antionette Kamara, & Hannan Mohamed (7^th). The next debate tournament will be March 6^th and is being held on campus at the University of Minnesota. Congratulations again to all of the members for their hard work and weeks of preparation.

Locker Rooms Opening

Hello Middle School Families,

The locker rooms are going to be available to our Physical Education students starting Monday, February 26. What this means is that your child will be meeting in their locker room prior to class and at the end of PE class. If your child wants to have a locker, they can request one through a PE teacher in their locker room. If your child does not want a locker this year, they do not have to have one. They can leave their backpacks and other belongings in the locked locker room during class time. Next year, all students will be assigned a PE locker at the beginning of the school year.

Teachers will be supervising the locker rooms when they are open before and after class and they will be locked during class time. We are excited to share this news and are excited to be back in our locker rooms.

Please let us know if you have any questions as we transition back into our locker rooms on February 26.

Go Park,

The SLPMS Physical Education Teachers

Level Up

This week students participated in a “Level Up” lesson during Advisory Class about Career Exploration. Level Up lessons are monthly lessons provided by our School Counselors and School Social Workers.

Sixth grader classes played the alphabet game and brainstormed as many careers as possible. The goal was to expand each student's knowledge of possible careers and jobs available to them as they get older. Seventh and eighth grade students took a short interest inventory and made connections between their skills, interests and potential career opportunities.

We encourage you to continue this conversation at home. Here are some of the discussion questions from the lessons:

1 - When should students start thinking about careers? It’s never too early but also no pressure. This is the time of life to learn about options and explore ideas.

2 - Who has an idea of what they want to do for a career/job when they are an adult?

3 - DId anyone learn something new about themselves today? Anyone get a new idea for a possible career?

4 - What are other ways to learn about career/job options? Ask family members what they like about their jobs/careers. Think about favorite school subjects - what careers are related to them?

Girls Youth Lacrosse Clinic

Employment Opportunity

Looking for a way to support your community and make a difference in your child's school district? St. Louis Park Middle School has Special Education para professional job opportunities available. Para professionals provide support to students with a wide variety of disabilities. No evenings or weekends. Similar work calendar as your child's school calendar. Summers off, with optional employment opportunities if you should desire to work. If interested, please apply at slpschools.org/employment.

Donation Request

We are in need of pants/bottoms in sizes XS-L, gently used is accepted. If you are able to donate and have questions, please contact Abbie Mullen at mullen.abigail@slpschools.org or drop the donations off at the front office. Thank you for considering!

Redcross Babysitters Training (Ages 11+)

Youth Enrichment Programs (YEP) is excited to offer additional Red Cross Babysitters Traning classes for students aged 11-15! Below is the information about the upcoming class.

Created by industry-leading experts, the American Red Cross's Babysitting Basics class covers a wide range of information that can help new babysitters gain the skills and confidence needed to care for infants and children. The course includes information on:

How to care for infants and children
What to do in an emergency and how to stay safe
Choosing age-appropriate activities
Recognizing, understanding, and handling certain behaviors
Starting your babysitting business

The Babysitting Basics course culminates with a final exam. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a printable certificate that they can share with potential employers.

Dates: March 23 & 30

Time: 9 am-12:30 pm

Location: St. Louis Park Middle School LMC Classroom

Price: $119

Click here to register now!

Every Meal Weekend Food Program

Please click here for more information to sign up. If you have questions, please contact Kristen in Student Services: engen.kristen@slpschools.org or 952-928-6389

Washington DC Trip for 7th Graders

Attention all current 7th graders! You have an opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. this spring with your classmates.

Trip Dates: June 14-17, 2024

Price: $2274

Family members and dependents of current educators, the military, and first responders receive a 5% discount off the base trip price.

Deposit: $99 to secure your spot!

Our Registration Deadline is: March 1, 2024

Registration link: WorldStrides

Trip ID: 207712

Trip website : 2024 D.C. Trip

We have a lot planned for this trip and I hope you can join us.

Samantha Wyffels- I&S teacher

wyffels.samantha@slpschools.org

Site Council

District Communications

Home Athletic Events Expectations for SLP Schools

For all home High School athletic events where admission is charged:

Any child in 8th grade or below must be accompanied by a paying adult who is responsible for them, their behavior and their whereabouts at the event. The student must be in the bleachers unless with the accompanying adult.
No bags, backpacks or outside food/drink will be allowed in at home football games and there will be no reentry.
All tickets must be purchased electronically, either in advance, or at the event. There will be no cash options available. No refunds.
For football, admission will stop at the end of the third quarter.

Please purchase your tickets here: https://gopark.hometownticketing.com/embed/all

If you have questions, please reach out to Andy Ewald, Athletic Director, ewald.andrew@slpschools.org 952-928-6118

Welcome to Summer Learning Academy 2024!

We're thrilled to announce that this year's elementary summer learning program will be held at Peter Hobart Elementary from June 17 - July 25, running Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please note that the academy will be closed on district holidays: June 19, July 4, and July 5. To ensure a productive and enriching experience, breakfast and lunch will be provided daily. Registration will be open from March 1-31, with both online and paper forms available. Keep an eye out for flyers for more information on how to register your child for this exciting educational opportunity!

Provide Feedback on Superintendent Finalists: Community Q&A (March 2) and Finalist Interviews (March 13)

Attend and provide online feedback at the Community Q&A with Finalists on March 2 and the Finalist Interviews on March 13. Learn more about each opportunity or view the flier.

Key Dates

Feb. 21: School board determines finalists and finalizes interview questions
Feb. 28 and March 1: First round of interviews
March 2: Community Q&A with finalists, 1-5pm at Central Community Center
March 13: Second round of interviews and selection of the lone finalist, 3:30-7:30pm at Central Community Center
March 26: Board approves the employment contract

All meetings are open to the public.

Community Conversations - Minnesota Department of Education

Join the Minnesota Department of Education team on Thursday, February 29th for a high-powered, interactive and reflective conversation entitled “Redefining Our Role in Black Youth Mental Health.”

Exploring Self-love in the context of mental health involves fostering a positive relationship with oneself, practicing self-compassion, And prioritizing one’s well-being. Come learn, share and invest in the relationship with yourself.

Thursday, February 29, 5:30-7:30pm at the wonderful Capri Theater; 2027 West Broadway, Minneapolis, 55411. Parking is available next to the building.

Featuring: youth poetry, a youth panel, and hear directly how your mental health impacts youth and insight from a local educator.

Please be sure to ask them to register with the QR code on flier or: Registration - Community Conversation: Redefining Our Role in Black Youth Mental Health (office.com)

MASA Public Schools Week

This year, Public Schools Week will be celebrated February 26 to March 1, 2024. It’s a time when communities across the country will come together to celebrate, support, and champion public education. This week, we would like to especially thank our teachers and staff. The work they are doing every day directly contributes to the future success of our students and our community as a whole.

New ParkTV channels for SLP board meetings and other programming

ParkTV is updating its Comcast cable channels to include more high definition (HD) channels, while still maintaining standard definition (SD) viewing options. St. Louis Park Public Schools programming, including concerts, plays, school board meetings and sports, can now be viewed on HD Ch. 859 and SD Ch. 16. View the airing schedule.

Additionally, you can watch school board meetings and other videos on our Youtube channel.

In the Loop SLP Construction Update

View updates from Knutson Construction and St. Louis Park Public Schools about construction projects in the school district. November highlights include project milestones and progress for the High School and Middle School.

Fun Fact:The ceramic wall tile used in the new Tinker Space traveled over 1,500 miles to our jobsite from Mexico. This distance is the equivalent to over 6,000 laps around the new St. Louis Park High School Track!

View the construction updates webpage.

In the Loop: SLP Construction Newsletter