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)

November 16, 2023

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Principal's Message

Dear Middle School Families,

Last Friday, we had the first Coffee with the Principal. We had a strong turnout where I was able to share with the parents who attended all of the support that we offer all students throughout the 4th hour period. In addition to having lunch during the 4th hour, students also meet in Advisory and are taught Executive Functioning lessons three days a week during their 4th hour class, taking advantage of this hour in the day because 4th hour class is 12 minutes longer than the other six classes of the day.

There is a different focus each quarter for the Executive Functioning Lessons.

1st Quarter Focus - Organization
Space and Materials
Tasks - Planning Ahead - Using a planner
Google Drive Folder
Sending an email
2nd Quarter Focus - Planning
Being on time and prepared
Planning for long-term projects
Growth Mindset
Goal Setting
Motivation
3rd Quarter Focus - Task Initiation
Task Initiation
Managing and sustaining attention
Flexibility
4th Quarter Focus - Discipline
Emotional Control
Mindfulness

To review the full presentation on 4th hour offerings, click here.

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

In partnership,

Melissa Kalinowski

Upcoming Dates

Nov. 16th	Student-Led Conferences 5-8 pm
Nov. 17th	Student-Led Conferences 9-12 pm and 1-4 pm
Nov. 17th	Asynchronous Learning Day
Nov. 22-24th	No School
Dec.7, 8, and 9th	Middle School Fall Play
Dec. 8	No School
Dec.11	Winter Choir Concert - Grades 6, 7 & 8 and Select Choir
Dec. 14	Middle School and High School Orchestra Concert
Dec. 18	Band 6 Winter Concert
Dec. 19	Band 7, 8 & Jazz Band Winter Concert

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 FAQ's

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!

Asynchronous Day Expectations

for Students Nov. 17th

Friday, November 17th is the second of four asynchronous learning days for the 2023-2024 school year. (Other days include Friday, March 15 and Friday, April 19.)

Asynchronous days are school days. Teachers will post 10-20 minutes of work for their class that students will complete online at home by 9:00am. Students will have until 3:00pm to complete their work for the day. Teachers will be taking attendance based on student completion of assigned tasks. Students will be marked absent if they do not complete the assigned work for that day.

Students should reach out directly to their teacher if they are encountering any issues or challenges completing the assigned work that day.

Greetings,

Our global evaluation team (Oct. 3-5) found many strengths in our program. Two of them in the area of Learning were:

1. The school plans and implements a coherent curriculum that organizes learning and teaching within and across the years of the program.

2. Teachers collaborate to design, plan and deliver the school's IB program.

Here's an example showing evidence of why this is a strength of our program. Pictured here are Tyler Northey and Malorie Cheline who are the two instructors for the Ceramics and Sculpture course. Tyler and Malorie spent a recent afternoon reflecting on their current units and design of an additional unit for the course. Embedding the Minnesota Arts State Standards was part of this work. The following Anchor standard was their focus: "Understand that artistic works influence and are influenced by personal, societal, cultural and historical contexts, including the contributions of Minnesota American Indian tribes and communities." Incorporation of artistic works from Minnesota tribes into an upcoming clay unit was exciting work, just further evidence of the strengths of our SLP Middle School program.

Mia Waldera

MYP IB Coordinator

Immunizations

Minnesota Statutes Section 121A.15 requires children enrolled in a Minnesota school to be immunized against certain diseases, or file a legal medical or conscientious exemption. This form is designed to provide the school with information required by the law.

A copy of the student's current immunization record must be on file, at school.

The St. Louis Park School District has joined the growing number of school districts throughout the state of Minnesota who strive for immunization compliance. This allows schools and local clinics working together to see that all students in our district are properly immunized to attend school.

SLPMS students who have not received all of their required immunizations by Wednesday, November 29th will not be able to attend school until:

An an updated immunization record showing that the student has received all required vaccinations is submitted to school OR
A legal exemption form confirming the student should not receive vaccinations due to a medical or non-medical reason. Non-medical exemptions are required to be notarized.

Students who return to school on November 29th without updated and proper documentation will be sent home until proper documentation is submitted.

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.

Click HERE if you are interested in learning more about Quiz Bowl.

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

Step Holiday Toy Registration

Cold Weather is Here

As the weather has turned, it is important that students dress warmly in order to go outside for Phy Ed class, and coming into school as this is often the coolest part of the day. Students who use a blanket as a jacket will be required to put their blanket into their locker. Blankets cannot be worn in Phy Ed class for warmth for safety reasons. It is recommended that students consider leaving a sweatshirt in their lockers as different parts of the building are often differing temperatures throughout the day.

American Sign Language Club

Ever wanted to learn more about American Sign Language? Join ASL Club to start learning something new with Ms. McQuiston!

When? Tuesdays beginning Nov. 14, 4-5 pm

Where? Room 147

Cost? Pick your price: $20/$30/$40/$50

Questions? Contact Kelleen at obrion.kelleen@slpschools.org

Yearbook News

Classes are kicking off! Sports and Clubs are getting back into gear. Before you get too busy, it's a perfect time to order your yearbook. Use the link to order your book today while the price is low.

https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04145660

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

Renewal Information for Families who use Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare Insurance

Keep your health. Keep your insurance. Learn more about renewing your Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare insurance. Visit mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage.

November is Native American Heritage Month

St. Louis Park Public Schools exist on the land of the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples. We acknowledge the Dakota and Ojibwe community, their elders both past and present, as well as future generations. We acknowledge that our school district was founded upon exclusions and erasures of many Indigenous Peoples, including those on whose land our school district is located. We commit to dismantling the ongoing legacies of colonial power and the district’s desire to support the ongoing work of local Indigenous communities to thrive in our schools. Especially this month, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month and honor the Indigenous students and families we serve in St. Louis Park Public Schools.

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

SLP Staff Directory

We’re pleased to announce that the new searchable online staff directory is now available to the public. You can search the directory by name, department, location, and position. For example, search keywords such as principal, nurse, or counselor. View the staff directory.

Mayor for a Day Essay Contest

The League of Minnesota Cities is once again encouraging our state’s 4th, 5th, and 6th graders to share ideas about how they would make cities better through submitting essays in the League’s “Mayor for a Day” essay contest. This year’s prompt is, “What would you do if you were mayor for a day?”

Contest information can be found at lmc.org/mayorforaday. Three winning students will be chosen from among submitted entries. Each winning student will receive $100 and will have their essay published in a future issue of Minnesota Cities magazine. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 12.

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.