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)

October 26, 2023

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Principal's Message

Dear Middle School Families,

I hope that everyone had a rejuvenating long weekend this past weekend! Prior to the long break, we had two successful days of MAP testing. We appreciate your support of your student in taking this important assessment. The data is used by instructional staff to help inform our instruction, ensuring that areas where students need additional exposure and practice are covered as well as using the information to help us learn about each student where their strengths and genius are.

We are entering the last week of quarter one. First quarter ends on Thursday, November 2nd with no school on Friday, November 3 for teachers to work on progress reports that day. Please review current PowerSchool grades with your student to ensure that they are not missing any work as we end this first quarter of the school year. Information will be shared in next week’s issue on conferences that are scheduled for the evenings of November 15th & 16th and during the day on November 17th.

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

In partnership,

Melissa Kalinowski

Upcoming Dates

Nov. 2nd	End of Quarter
Nov. 3rd	No School - Grading Day
Nov. 10th	Coffee with the Principal 9:00 am
Nov. 15th	Student-Led Conferences 5-8 pm
Nov. 16th	Student-Led Conferences 5-9 pm
Nov. 17th	Student-Led Conferences 9-12 pm and 1-4 pm
Nov. 17th	Asynchronous Learning Day

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.

IB World School Updates

Greetings!

I had the opportunity to participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) school evaluation that is currently going on at Susan Lindgren Elementary School this week. Susan Lindgren Elementary is one of the five SLP schools that are IB World Schools. SLP High School is also hosting their evaluation team this week. Peter Hobart is the final SLP School to host their evaluation team which is next week.

At Susan Lindgren, I was one of the team members who walked the virtual evaluator around the 5th grade classrooms as instruction and learning was going on. There were so many things to celebrate in the classrooms I visited, it was exciting to host the evaluators as they participated in the classrooms.

All IB World Schools have the central tenet of "Learning". Here's what we work to live up to in all of our IB World Schools in St. Louis Park:

"Learning in the IB community celebrates the many ways people work together to construct meaning and make sense of the world. Through the interplay of asking, doing and thinking, this constructivist approach leads towards open, democratic classrooms. IB students and teachers are lifelong learners, independently and in collaboration with others. Learning communities in IB World Schools engage in cycles of inquiry, action and reflection that lead to deeper understanding and a lifetime of learning. Learning is the central tenet, as well as the outcome, of developing purpose, culture, and environment in IB schools." - IB Programme standards and practices

IB Coordinator,

Mia Waldera

waldera.mia@slpschools.org

Halloween Reminders

Students should not wear costumes to school on Halloween Day (Tuesday, October 31.) Students should also not bring candy to school to distribute on that day or the days after.

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!

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.

Girls' Basketball Starts Oct. 30th

Registration is open for all 6-8th graders and practice starts after school on Monday, October 30th. 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

Join the Enviromental Green Team!

Does your student care about our environment and want to make a difference through action? Then the Environmental Club is for them! Student-driven action, guest speakers, field trips and partnerships with community members are all goals of the club! Let's amplify the student voices in our community!

When: We will meet after school on Wednesdays during the school year from 4p-5:15p. (*Note that the first few weeks students will need their own transportation, but can get a bus pass if needed) If your student also plays a sport/theatre/music, they can always come for the first part of the meetings and leave for practice.

Cost: FREE

Where: We will meet in Room 205 - Mrs. Setten's Room

Please reach out to Ms. Swenson or Ms. Setten if you have any questions.

Email:

swenson.ellyn@slpschools.org

setten.mehgan@slpschools.org

We hope to see you there!

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

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.

SLPMS Spelling Bee Winner Crowned

Congratulations to all 26 students who participated in the Spelling Bee. It was great to see their brilliance in action. Thanks to all the friends and family who came to support the spellers- it was a great crowd. We went a record 16 rounds! 8th grader, Olivia Reyes took home the win with the 16-letter word “perpendicularity.” It felt incredible being in community and watching all the kids shine.

Red Cross Babysitters' Training (Ages 11+)

Youth Enrichment Programs (YEP) is excited to once again start offering 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 activities that are age-appropriate
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: Saturdays, November 4 & 11

Time: 9 am-Noon

Location: St. Louis Park Middle School LMC Classroom

Price: $119

Click here to register now!

Maslon UPLIFT Mock Trial Information

Maslon Uplift Mock Trial begins after school on Tuesday, October 10th. Students will gather in Ms. Lisa Lillie's classroom (2319) where attorneys & law students will be there to create this extraordinary experience for our 8th grade students who signed up.

Students will need to either sign up for the Activity Bus (which leaves here around 5:25 pm) or arrange pick up with an adult. Here is a link for the bus. Once transportation receives this form, students will be issued a laminated bus pass that they will need to board the bus.

We are so grateful to be able to bring this opportunity to our students! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Catherine Ahlin-Halverson or Ms. Lisa Lillie.

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

As we journey through this academic year, we'd like to remind everyone of the core principles that guide our endeavors at St. Louis Park Public Schools.

St. Louis Park Public Schools sees, inspires, and empowers each learner to live their brilliance in an environment that centers student voice and experience to create racially equitable learning that energizes and enhances the spirit of our community.

We believe in:

The brilliance of ourselves and others. Everyone has the capacity and responsibility to foster the growth and brilliance of others.
Authentic community engagement. Engaging and supporting our employees, families, and communities will enhance the healthy development of each learner.
High expectations. Instilling and upholding high expectations empowers students and staff to higher levels of achievement.
Collective responsibility. Embodying the collective and urgent responsibility of anti-racist practices enriches a work and learning environment and community.
Persistent effort. Through persistent effort we will create anti-racist schools and academically successful learners.
Racial consciousness and cultural competence. Racial consciousness and cultural competence are essential to each person’s ability to be a catalyst for change.
Advocacy for equity. Everyone has equal intrinsic worth and we will advocate for the historically marginalized.

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

Mayor for a Day Essay Contests

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.

Contest information can be found at lmc.org/mayorforaday. We encourage you to share this link with the elementary schools in your city and consider publishing it on your city's website as well as the next issue of your city newsletter. We have also shared contest information with your city’s mayor.

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. If a student from your city wins, we are happy to share ideas on public recognition you can consider in your own community.

Kindergarten Welcome

Join us for Kindergarten Welcome on Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Principals will share about each school, and find out more about departments and services that will be a part of your educational journey.

Find out more at slpschools.org/kindergarten

Eat Donuts and Learn More About Park Public Schools & Community Foundation

On Thursday, Nov.16, 2023, between 7 - 9:30 a.m., at Angel Food Bakery, learn more about the Park Public Schools & Community Foundation (PPS&CF) and the amazing work being done in our community and schools with grants made possible by the Foundation and our generous donors.

Every year, the PPS&CF raises funds and makes grants to teachers in our district in grades pre k-12 for projects that inspire and enhance our students’ education. In the 2022-23 school year alone, the Foundation was able to make grants totaling over $55,000! Examples include paying for new play equipment for preschoolers; a potter’s wheel and slab at the Middle School; exciting field trips to bring classroom learning to life; a mobile makerspace; a kindness rocks garden project; innovative instruments combining engineering and music; and cutting edge technology bridging the physical education and science curriculums at the High School.

Learn more

Aquatics is Hiring - Earn Extra $

October is National Farm to School Month!

Join us and thousands of schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities and organizations across the country as we celebrate food education, school gardens and lunch trays filled with healthy, local ingredients. Read more about some of our local partners!

Button: https://www.slpschools.org/default-board-post-page/~board/district/post/national-farm-to-school-month