December 1, 2023 | Stories from St. Louis Park Public Schools

The SLP Communicator, published monthly, centers the stories and voices of students, staff, and our community. District-level news and information will be shared in school newsletters.

SLP Curriculum seeks to be inclusive and reflect the diversity of our students and families

Learn about Alternative Instructional Materials

As we strive to maintain rigorous academic standards and to provide opportunities for students to achieve their brilliance while feeling safe, included, and engaged in their learning journey, our commitment to fostering a positive and respectful educational environment continues to be a priority. 

In recent years, teachers, students and families have experienced a number of significant academic changes, for example, the adoption of new math curriculum and instructional framework, the expansion of elementary talent development to every student, the introduction of Ojibwe, Spanish, and Arabic in elementary International Baccalaureate schools, new elementary literacy curriculums, and phasing in honors-level literacy for all at the middle school. 

Every instructional area in our district undergoes a three year curriculum review and design process. Each curricular area is revisited every five years. Our curriculum review and design process ensures that our district is in alignment with the strategic plan for racial equity transformation, Minnesota state standards, and the Minnesota Department of Education’s 10 Commitments to Equity.

Parent and Caregiver Engagement in Curriculum Development

St. Louis Park Public Schools created the District Instructional Programs Advisory Council (DIPAC) to engage in a review process of curricular and instructional programs. The council, which consists of parents/caregivers, supports the development of instructional programs that are anti-racist and promote racially equitable learning experiences for all students and make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding curricular and instructional programs. We highly encourage all caregivers to participate in this process by being a member of DIPAC.

We understand that families may have diverse perspectives and preferences when it comes to the curriculum, reading materials and literature topics covered in the classroom. To address this, St. Louis Park Public Schools’ policies and procedures provide information on how families can consider alternative instructional materials.

If you come across any classroom materials that you have questions about, we encourage you to have conversations with your student’s teacher and/or principal. We also encourage families to review the following school board policies:

This policy addresses parental curriculum review

This policy and below procedure addresses the selection of textbooks and instructional materials and the procedure to request alternative instructional materials

This policy addresses teaching about controversial issues

Requests for Alternative Instructional Materials

Families can pursue alternative instructional materials by completing the form available on our website and sending it to their teacher or school principal. The form is designed to gather the necessary information to better understand your specific preferences and work collaboratively to answer questions and to find suitable alternatives.

Request for Alternative Instructional Materials Form

• English
• Spanish
• Somali

We deeply appreciate the partnership of families in creating an educational environment that respects the needs and humanity of each student. Your input is valuable in shaping a curriculum that reflects the diverse perspectives within our school community. 

Hometown in the City: Fardowsa Mohamed

Fardowsa Mohamed is now a senior at St. Louis Park High School. She took a Certified Nursing Assistant course and learned about business throughout DECA. Learn more about Fardowsa's experience and the teachers who have inspired her!

Navigating the Winter Blues: Understanding and Coping with Seasonal Depression

Anya Panday is a junior at SLPHS and an intern with the communications department. As the Editor-in-Chief of the SLPHS student-run newspaper, Echo, she is committed to the representation of student voice within the district. As an intern for the communications department, she develops a story for each SLP Communicator to incorporate student voice into the district’s communications.

I know that I struggle to stay motivated and positive during the turbulent months of November - March. As a high-achieving student who does a lot of extracurriculars, it’s always hard to find motivation to work and regulate the stress caused by my workload. When it’s cold and gray outside, I find myself feeling more pessimistic and closed off from the world. It becomes harder to get work done, which only amplifies the stress I feel from my workload. I’m not the only high school student that feels this way, so I decided to ask a few questions of my peers. 

With the pressure of rigorous academics, maintaining friendships, participating in an endless amount of extracurriculars and sports, along with the looming presence of deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life, high school is often a challenge for teenagers. Teenagers constantly struggle with mental health and stress regulation, especially when it comes to school work, and this struggle gets worse as the weather gets colder. 

Junior Alicia Mainjeni said she also experiences challenges with school and work load during winter. Mainjeni is involved in many extracurriculars, including theater, DECA, Echo, and more.

“In my high school experience, I’ve noticed that I get more and more anxious around winter time,” Mainjeni said. “Seasonal depression has been a very prominent part of my life throughout high school and it makes me feel drained and unmotivated.”

Along with the “seasonal blues” caused by cold weather, students also have to face the stress of finals season toward the end of January, a time period characterized by being the coldest portion of the year. By the time finals roll around, it often feels as though it’s been winter for 100 years. Trying to study for rigorous finals while also balancing homework and extracurriculars becomes even more of a challenge when all you want to do is stay in bed. 

Junior Alyssa Johannes said she felt similarly about the negative feelings that come up toward school during the colder months. Johannes is also an involved student, and she is both in Echo and a stage manager for theater.

“As a student, the winter is always a struggle,” Johannes said. “There’s always so much to do in each class, and there’s never enough motivation or time in the day to do everything you need to do. The added work in combination with the weather and the overall feelings of stress and frustration makes school so much harder.”

It can be hard to cope with the changes around winter, but you can make it easier by getting enough sunshine, connecting with those around you, and taking time to rest. Johannes said she feels the most supported when those around her make it known that they are there for her.

“I think the best way to support students with seasonal depression is to continuously be there for your kids or your peers when they need help,” Johannes said. “Students are going to feel stressed with the upcoming season and increasing class work, and having someone to help you if you need it can help alleviate some of that stress and depression.”

Mainjeni said teachers at St. Louis Park High School can help support their students by recognizing how their students are feeling and attempting to form deeper connections with them.

“If teachers at Park would be willing to be more reflective of their material, recognize student behavior, and focus on forming connections with students, Park could potentially relieve many of the stressors students have due to more attentive staff,” Mainjeni said.

Along with support from teachers and peers, students value support from their families. I know that when I’m struggling with seasonal depression, it helps to have my family there to support me. If you notice your student struggling during the winter, it can help to gently encourage them to go outside or get some movement in; however, be understanding if they just want to lay in bed sometimes. Rest is just as important as movement or nature, especially when teenagers are often sleep deprived and up late. Overall, while winter is a challenging time for many students, it is easy to alleviate some of that stress by forming a supportive and caring community of trusted adults and peers.

It can be hard to cope with the changes around winter, but you can make it easier by getting enough sunshine, connecting with those around you, and taking time to rest. Johannes said she feels the most supported when those around her make it known that they are there for her.

“I think the best way to support students with seasonal depression is to continuously be there for your kids or your peers when they need help,” Johannes said. “Students are going to feel stressed with the upcoming season and increasing class work, and having someone to help you if you need it can help alleviate some of that stress and depression.”

Mainjeni said teachers at St. Louis Park High School can help support their students by recognizing how their students are feeling and attempting to form deeper connections with them.

“If teachers at Park would be willing to be more reflective of their material, recognize student behavior, and focus on forming connections with students, Park could potentially relieve many of the stressors students have due to more attentive staff,” Mainjeni said.

Along with support from teachers and peers, students value support from their families. I know that when I’m struggling with seasonal depression, it helps to have my family there to support me. If you notice your student struggling during the winter, it can help to gently encourage them to go outside or get some movement in; however, be understanding if they just want to lay in bed sometimes. Rest is just as important as movement or nature, especially when teenagers are often sleep deprived and up late. Overall, while winter is a challenging time for many students, it is easy to alleviate some of that stress by forming a supportive and caring community of trusted adults and peers.

Superintendent Search Update

At the November School Board meetings, the School Board engaged in initial conversations about the superintendent search, including sharing their hopes and dreams, reviewing key documents such as the superintendent job description, policies related to the superintendent and superintendent-school board working relationship, and learning about search services from the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA). The School Board also reviewed sample communications and engagement strategies that emphasize student voice, and multiple racial and cultural perspectives.

The School Board expressed a strong commitment to a search process that builds trust through transparency, consistency, communication and a strong engagement process, especially with our diverse communities.

On November 28, the School Board approved partnering with MSBA for superintendent search services. Students and families can expect to learn more about the search process and engagement opportunities in the coming weeks and months.

The School Board will meet on Dec. 12 and 19 to continue their conversations about the search process. School Board meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. in Room 55 at Central Community Center (6300 Walker St.) The meetings are also live-streamed on the district's Youtube Channel.

Safeguarding Digital Spaces: Cybersecurity Strategies for SLP Schools

Information Technology (IT) provides computer and technology devices to nearly all students and staff in the district, and implements safeguards to protect against cyber security threats. In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring the safety and security of students and staff is a top priority for SLP Schools. Some common threats include phishing and malware, and with threats on the rise, the IT team has adopted a multi-tiered cybersecurity approach to protect against potential risks. 

“Several strategies are employed to keep students and staff data safe on district assigned devices. Many of these strategies are transparent to the user, but this comprehensive strategy encompasses individual devices, district networks and services, as well as cloud-based partnerships,” shared Tom Marble, director of information technology.

Included in the IT plans are strategies for device and network security, internet controls, and continued partnership work to reduce the risk of cyberthreats. In addition to the strategies detailed in the IT security plan, there are many ways to mitigate the individual risk of cyber attacks. Updating devices regularly and exercising caution with emails and file sharing are a few ways individuals can protect themselves. Utilizing secure passwords and storing devices in a secure environment can also prevent others from accessing personal information.



IT Security Strategies 

Device Security: Protecting the Front Line

To safeguard data on district-assigned devices, a variety of strategies are employed, many of which operate seamlessly in the background for users. Key measures include:

• Data Encryption: Utilizing encryption on staff devices prevents unauthorized access in case of loss or theft.
• Malware Protection: Software agents installed on devices act as a shield against malware and viruses.
• Software Restrictions: Preventing the installation of unauthorized software is a critical step in securing devices.
• Regular Updates: Keeping all devices up-to-date with the latest software versions is essential for addressing potential vulnerabilities.

Network Security: Building a Fortified Backbone

The district's wired and wireless networks serve as the essential infrastructure for all services. Key elements of network security include:

• Firewall Protection: A robust firewall between the internal network and the internet acts as the first line of defense, blocking thousands of threats hourly.
• Content Filtering: This tool not only shields students from inappropriate content but also identifies and blocks malicious code on websites.
• Data Encryption: Wireless networks transmit data securely through encryption.
• Segmentation: Networks are segmented to allow only authorized traffic on specific segments.

Internet - Cloud Security: Navigating the Cloud Safely

As many services reside in the cloud, partnerships with cloud service providers are crucial for security and privacy. Notable features include:

• Google Workspace Audit: A recent audit by an external security expert confirmed SLP Schools' adherence to best practices in the Google environment, surpassing national standards.
• Data Exchange Assurance: Secure data exchanges between internal and external systems are a top priority.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA is mandatory for critical systems, adding an extra layer of security.
• Daily Backup: The entire Google domain is backed up daily, ensuring data recovery capabilities.

Partnerships: Strengthening Defenses Together

Acknowledging the escalating threats in the digital realm, SLP Schools has forged partnerships with cybersecurity firms. This collaborative effort involves:

• Continuous Monitoring: An alliance with a Minnesota-based cybersecurity firm facilitates around-the-clock monitoring of internal networks and cloud infrastructure, bolstering prevention and response capabilities.

Though the effort to prevent a cyber attack is a collective effort, through the implementation of these strategies, SLP Schools aims to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness while creating a safer digital environment for all students and staff.

December Dates

6300 Walker St. | St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Phone: 952-928-6000 | Fax: 952-928-6020