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)

September 21, 2023

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Principal's Message

Dear Middle School Families,

We continue to build momentum for the school year. Assistant Principals finished the handbook presentation in every science class this week. All advisories participated in a Level Up activity this week. Level Up lessons are led by the counselors and social workers and occur once a month. These lessons focus on a wide variety of topics that are relevant to middle school students including cyber security and safety, chemical health, and topics related to mental health and social and emotional well-being. This week, Level Up was used to introduce all students to the front office and support staff that are available to support and assist students throughout the building throughout the day.

A reminder of a few upcoming calendar events. We do not have school on Monday, September 25th in observance of Yom Kippur. Friday, October 6th will be an asynchronous learning day for students. Expectations for learning this day will be shared with families and students closer to that date. While students are learning online, we will be hosting a family engagement day here at the middle school for caregivers to come into the building in order to meet all their student’s teachers, see the classrooms and learn more about what your student will learn in each class. Further details will be shared in the next two weeks of Oriole Times, but please mark your calendars for October 6th during the hours of 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm to come meet the teachers and staff!

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

In partnership,

Melissa Kalinowski

MAP Testing Information

Dear Families of our SLPMS students,

On Monday, October 16th during Periods 5-7 (1:30-3:52pm) and on Tuesday, October 17th during Periods 1-3 (9:05-11:30am), the entire student body will be taking the yearly MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) math and reading tests.

We are encouraging every student to take this test for the following reasons:

MAP tests shows individual student growth from year to year.
Every question is tailored to the individual student and where the student is academically.
Students get to show what they know as a reader, mathematician, and thinker.
MAP results show students, teachers, and staff what learning has already happened and what learning needs to be done.

We are discouraging any students from opting out of the tests. If you choose to opt your student out, please pick them up at 1:30pm on Monday, October 16th and drop them off at 11:25am on Tuesday, October 17th. We are asking this because we would like the whole building participating in and focused on showing our learning with minimal distractions. Please support us in this endeavor.

If you are interested in volunteering during MAP testing, please sign up here.

Monday, October 16th: Shifts 1:00-2:45pm and 2:15-4pm
14 for each shift with the opportunity to take double shifts
Tuesday, October 17th: Shifts 8:45-10:15am and 10:00-11:30am.
14 for each shift with the opportunity to take double shifts

General illness and COVID-19 Procedures

St. Louis Park Public Schools will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regarding COVID-19 during the 2023-24 school year. COVID testing is recommended for individuals with COVID symptoms. Tests are currently available at school. Students/staff testing positive for COVID-19 should stay home a full 5 days and return to school on day 6 if their symptoms have improved & they have been fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication. They should wear a mask through day 10. For more information on illness prevention and COVID-19 procedures visit: https://www.slpschools.org/about/departments/health-services

IB World School Updates

Calling all parents/guardians:

St. Louis Park Middle School is an International Baccalaureate World School. One of the benefits of being a World School includes association with schools internationally and gathering feedback regarding our campus and programming. As part of the regular evaluation process from the IB, last spring our school completed a self study related to the IB standards and practices. The final phase of our evaluation takes place on Oct. 3-5 with a virtual visit from 2 global evaluators. These three days will include a virtual visit of the school, virtual classroom visits and a variety of virtual conversations with the global team. One of the time slots for conversations is reserved for parents of our students. Please indicate if you have interest in joining that conversation and what support I can offer to you in preparation. We don't have the exact date and time for when that meeting will be scheduled but I will continue communication with those who are interested. For those responding, I'll be in touch with details. Thank you for your consideration.

My apologies, this link wasn't working last week...

Link to form if interested in participating

Mia Waldera

MYP IB Coordinator - at the Middle School

SLP MS Play Update -

The Redemption of Gertie Greene

Congratulations to all students who were cast in our play The Redemption of Gertie Greene! If your student was cast you should have received this email earlier this week. Our first rehearsal is after school on Wednesday. Make sure you have signed up for bussing if your student needs a ride home. If you need directions on how to do that, read the email message linked above. Reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] with questions.

School Wide Spelling Bee- an Enrichment Opportunity for all Students

Over 300 students have already taken The Spelling Bee qualifier test on Schoology! Is your student one of them? The qualifier can be found on your student's L&L teacher's Schoology page or by clicking on this link. Your student must be logged into their google account. The top 30 students will be invited to participate in the live Spelling Bee in the evening on Tuesday, October 17! Reach out to [email protected] with questions.

Park Select Choir

Spread the word to all of your fantastic students. We will be starting our Park Select Choir for grades 6-8 on Friday, October 13th at 8:05am. Students can register by visiting bit.ly/parkselectchoir, or by scanning the QR code to the left. This activity is open to all students, not just current choir singers. Thanks, and have a great week!

2nd Annual International Day of the Girls

You are cordially invited to our 2nd Annual International Day of the Girl event being hosted on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10am - 2pm at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis!

Our goal is to inspire and empower girls of all ethnicities toward seeing that they, too, can achieve the visions that they have for themselves and that they don't have to wait until they are 'grown' to do so!

The first hour of the day will be focused on highlighting our panel, guest and keynote speakers who are all middle and high school girls currently owning their businesses throughout the Twin Cities! The following three hours will be a steady flow of girls having fun at 'experiential booths' and patronizing throughout our 'Teen MarketPlace'.

We invite you to head over to our eventbrite -https://InternationalDayoftheGirlMpls.eventbrite.com - to register your favorite girl(s) and to share this information and link with girls and families that you believe will enjoy a day to celebrate girls!

Maslon UPLIFT Mock Trial Information

All 8th grade students are invited to consider joining mock trial! Mock trial is free. We meet after school on Tuesdays until 5:20 starting on October 10. 8th grade mock trial students will work with volunteer lawyer and law student coaches to learn about the courts and develop their own trial skills. In December, we will form mock trial teams that will work with their coaches to become the prosecution or defense lawyers in a criminal mock trial. On March 5, 2024, mock trial students will go to the University of Minnesota Law school to try their cases in the law school’s courtrooms before real sitting judges. Tell your students to watch for more information in their Individuals & Societies classes later in September! Registration for mock trial also will open later in the month. We hope to see your 8th grader at mock trial! Please reach out to Catherine Ahlin-Halverson, [email protected], or Lisa Lillie, [email protected], with any questions.

SLP Girls Lacrosse Clinic

SLP Girls lacrosse clinic for K-8th grades located at the SLP High School Stadium Turf Field. Come enjoy 2 hours of lacrosse practice, drills, techniques, and game play with our SLPHS Girls Lacrosse coaches and players! Each player will receive an exclusive t-shirt with registration, as well as gain more knowledge and understanding of the sport. Equipment will be provided if players do not own their own, just bring a mouthguard and water.

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: $49 to secure your spot!

Our Registration Deadline is: 4/20/23

Registration link: WorldStrides

Trip ID: 207712

Please join Ms. Wyffels ([email protected]) for an informational meeting on Wednesday, October 4th at 7pm at the Middle School to find out more about this exciting experience. This trip is only open to current SLP 7th grade students.

General Illness Guidelines

To protect yourself and prevent the spread of illness:

Wash hands often
Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth.
Clean/disinfect commonly used surfaces
Cough/sneeze into your sleeve
Stay up to date on vaccines
Stay home when you are sick

The following information is intended to help decide when a student should stay home:

Fever of 100 degrees or more. Stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without the use of fever reducing medication.
Vomiting or diarrhea. Stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
Any uncontrolled cough.
Rash for which you do not know the cause. Check with your family physician/clinic before sending the student to school.
If feeling ill/unwell and will not be able to fully participate in school activities.

When keeping your child home call the 24 hour school attendance line to report the illness at 952-928-6394.

COVID-19 Protocol

Students/staff testing positive for COVID-19 should stay home a full 5 days and return to school on day 6 if their symptoms have improved & they have been fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication. They should wear a mask through day 10.

Calculating return to school date:

Day 0 is the first day of symptom onset or when tested for COVID, if asymptomatic. Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms developed or when the test was collected.

Date of symptom onset is considered “day zero”: ___
Isolate a full 5 days
Return to school/activity on day 6: ___
Wear a mask through day 10

Communicable Disease Fact Sheets

COVID-19

Influenza

Strep Throat

Site Council

SLP Middle School Fundraiser and Spirit Week - October 9-13!

100% of the money donated goes directly to SLPMS Site Council.

We are a nonprofit organization that utilizes all proceeds on students and staff.

As a direct result of the money raised, we can offer enrichment programs, pay for

field trips, support staff appreciation events, fund the Global Intern program, host a grade

level end-of-year party and more!

More information will be provided as the week draws closer but we need parent/guardian support.

Please see the link below for a sign-up sheet. We will need people to collect the donations each

morning and pass out participation prizes during lunches.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054EA4A72BA0FF2-44445104-spirit/38388022#/

Thank you in advance for making this endeavor a huge success and ultimately providing

a rich experience for ALL the students and staff.

Please contact me with any questions.

Keith Richardson

Site Council Chair

[email protected]

(612) 462-9862

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, [email protected] 952-928-6118

Hispanic Heritage Month: Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept.15 to Oct.15, and provides us an opportunity to honor and recognize the significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino people in our society. It is with great appreciation of the resilience, creativity, and innovation of each individual and the gifts they bring to our school community.

Share your talents with us! Community Education is now hiring instructors for our Winter Season

Send us your application

Shout Out Loud Wellness Fair

We invite St. Louis Park Public School families to join us on Saturday, Sept 30 for a family-friendly event at the Rec Center--ROC in St Louis Park promoting mental health and wellness in our community. This event will run from 11am - 3 pm and is free for all. Watch great entertainment and interact with community organizations. Be sure to stop by the St. Louis Park Public Schools booth highlighting the unique role schools play in promoting mental health and social-emotional wellness. Visit https://shoutoutloudmn.com/ for more information.

Volunteer with St. Louis Park Public Schools!

We’re now accepting applications for a variety of assignments that fit your interests and time. If you travel for work, vacation, or over the winter months, you can still volunteer! Click on the link to learn about volunteer opportunities or to complete the online application form. All school volunteers are required to be familiar with School District Policies on Bullying Prohibition and Gender Inclusion. Please keep in mind that opportunities currently listed are subject to change.

Contact VISTA Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Aidan Cowley at [email protected] for more information. Apply now!