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 7, 2023

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Principal's Message

Dear Middle School Families,

We are off and running! The first days have gone well here with students connecting with one another and staff! Thank you to all families who came to Family Connect last Thursday. In particular, our 6th grade students were much more comfortable navigating the building and their schedules after meeting their advisor and experiencing the space before the first day.

Your support as parents has been instrumental in a successful start to our new Cell Phones Away All Day expectations, and few students have had their phones out at all. The flowing conversation during the lunch hour has been a joy to behold.

As a reminder, due to our locker rooms being under construction until after Winter Break, all students will need to store their backpacks in their school lockers during Phy Ed class. If your student is having trouble with their locker, please encourage them to report the issue to the office as soon as possible. We will have temporary locations for students to store their backpacks until their locker issues are resolved. We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve these issues as quickly as possible!

Lastly, as I mentioned over the course of the summer, we have had some changes to our Front Office structure that is directly related to our re-launch of Interdisciplinary Teams. This document will help you determine what team your student is assigned as well as which Assistant Principal, Counselor and Social Worker are assigned to support your student.

Again, thank you for your support in a successful start of the year!

In partnership,

Melissa Kalinowski

Middle School Highlights

Dear Middle School Families,

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Cam Muata will officially serve as a 10-month assistant principal at St. Louis Park Middle School (SLPMS). We know staff, students, and families are excited to have Mr. Muata continue on the leadership team. His focus in the upcoming school year will be supporting student academics and behavior.

Mr. Muata has over 23 years experience as a successful educational leader serving as Instructional Assistant, Classroom Teacher, Coordinator, Childcare Provider and Instructional Coach. Most recently, Mr. Muata served as an interim assistant principal at SLPMS and Racial Equity Instructional Coach in SLP previous to that.

Mr. Muata’s leadership values include building capacity in learners specifically relating to racial equity and disrupting the status quo. His expertise is in being open to new experiences and the development of improvement of self and others in multiple environments. Ultimately, his passion lies in encouraging himself and others in not limiting themselves to the narratives that can be imposed by society.

Mr. Muata received his Educational Specialist degree from Minnesota State University - Mankato.

Please join me and the entire St. Louis Park Public Schools community in thanking Mr. Muata for continuing his leadership at SLPMS.

Sincerely,

Melissa Kalinowski

Principal

IB World School Updates

Greetings!

St. Louis Park Middle School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. We were authorized to become a World School in 2016. During the 22-23 school year we began the process of an International Baccalaureate evaluation that will continue into the fall this year. One of the benefits of being part of an IB World School is that we are part of a global network of schools and receive feedback on our programming. There will be a global team of evaluators virtually visiting our campus coming up October 3rd - 5th. We are the first of the schools in the district to host this visit but all the International Baccalaureate Schools in the district will be hosting evaluation visits during the month of October. We offer the IB program that is designed for students in middle grades, our program is called the Middle Years Programme of the IB. One of the aspects of their virtual visit is to have a conversation with our parents. Please consider being available to join a conversation during the virtual visit window. We (the Middle School) are looking forward to sharing what we do with the evaluation team and getting their feedback. Please look for future communications from me, I'm the IB Coordinator for the Middle School. The best way to reach me is to email me at [email protected].

Looking forward to our future partnerships,

Mia Waldera

MYP IB Coordinator - at the Middle School

School Wide Spelling Bee- an Enrichment Opportunity for all Students

We are so excited to announce the 2023 SLP MS Spelling Bee. Students will have access to the qualifying test from September 18- October 2. The qualifying test is 46 questions and will be found on the Schoology main feed and your L&L teacher's website. The top 25-30 students will be invited to participate in the SLP MS Spelling Bee in the evening on Tuesday, October 17. See Ms. Edelheit in room 106 with questions.

Fall Play Auditions

All students are invited to audition for our Fall Play. Auditions will be held after school next Tuesday and Thursday for those who can get a ride home at 5:20. Students who cannot get picked up can audition on Wednesday. Students who want to audition should sign up through the google form on the Schoology main feed. Make sure your student includes their caregiver's email information. Reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] with questions.

We hope to see your student at auditions!

Jazz Band - Directed by Mr. Pienarr

Jazz Band is a club for current members in a SLPMS music class. Jazz Band will center around learning the art of performing jazz music with emphasis on proper style, improvisation and historical importance of jazz icons and musicians. The SLPMS Jazz Band performs at the winter and spring band concerts each year, along with performance opportunities outside of school. Jazz Band is an audition-based group, in which you students can find out more information by speaking to Mr. Pienaar ([email protected]). Jazz Band Registration will take place later in September or early October, in which Mr. Pienaar will send out to the community when registration opens.

Middle School Club Fair

Do you want to get involved in a school club but you don't know which? Come to the Middle School Club fair!

Before school on Monday, September 11 and Tuesday, September 12, and after school on Wednesday, September 13, tables will be set up in the foyer with information. Students can sign their name on an interest sheet to receive more information on the clubs.

Don't see one you like? Put ideas on the suggestions page! See you Monday and Tuesday!

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.

Site Council

The mission of the Middle School Site Council is to serve the school community, advise the administration, and support student enrichment through fundraising, volunteer recruitment, event planning, and community engagement. Through the generosity of this incredible community, the actions and commitment of the Site Council members and the support of the entire school staff and administrators, we saw this mission statement come to life. The first Site Council Meeting of the 2023-2024 School Year will be Wednesday, September 13th from 6:30-8:00pm. The meeting is virtual. If you are interested in joining Site Council, please contact:

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

Free School Meals for Kids Program in SLP

Beginning July 1, 2023, state legislation approved the Free School Meals for Kids Program. Each student will receive one free breakfast and lunch daily. For meals to qualify for the Free School Meals for Kids Program, students will need to follow the guidelines detailed below or they will need to use funds from their student meal account.

Breakfast

Students must choose at least 3 items to be counted as a reimbursable meal.
Breakfast must include a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their breakfast.

Lunch

Students must choose at least 3 components to be counted as a reimbursable meal.
Lunch must include a choice of a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable.

A la carte

A la carte items are considered any additional items beyond the school provided meal, this includes seconds or additional milk.
Purchase of a la carte items will require students to maintain funds in their meal account to cover the cost of these items.
Purchases (such as milk) by students who bring a home lunch will be charged as an a la carte item.

Account Balance

Returning students may still have a balance in their account. Students may use the remaining balance to purchase a la carte items (at elementary schools this includes extra milk or additional meal items such as fruits and vegetables; at secondary schools there are additional a la carte choices). Additionally, remaining balances would remain with students to be used as they advance to the middle and high school. Students who have more than $10 in their meal account can contact Jodie Woelffer to receive reimbursement. Alternatively, families can donate funds to cover the cost of accumulated unpaid meal balances. To donate all or a portion of your student’s meal balance, contact Jodie Woelffer. Get in contact with Jodie at 952-928-6146 or [email protected].

School Nutrition does not accept cash or checks on the serving line for purchase of a la carte items. If you would like to add funds to your student’s account, please deposit funds electronically into the Family Meal Account. Access your Family Meal Account through PowerSchool to add these funds.

Pop Your Trunk Flea Market

Don't miss a chance to sell your wares at the Pop Your Trunk Flea Market in the parking lot at Lenox Community Center! The cost is $15 per space - each space consists of two parking spaces wide by one parking space long. Registering today for your spot. Line up will start at 7am in the upper parking lot. At 8am we will begin assigning spaces and cars can enter to set up their space. You will receive more information the week of the event.

Saturday, September 16, 2023 (rain date: Saturday, September 23)

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lenox Community Center, Parking Lot

6715 Minnetonka Blvd

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Movies in the Park

Join us for a free outdoor movie event, only two more dates remaining; Saturday, September 9 and Saturday, September 16ct the School Board at any time by emailing [email protected].

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!