May 25, 2022 | Volume 2 • Issue 37
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A Message from Superintendent Osei |
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I am angry and deeply saddened by the news of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Texas yesterday. As a parent of school age children, I send my children to school everyday with the expectation that they and the adults that have dedicated their lives to nurturing and supporting them will be safe. Last night as my children were asleep, I hugged and kissed them and could not stop thinking about the families in Uvalde, Texas who were not able to hug or kiss their children. I share in the heartbreak we are all feeling for the families who have lost a loved one due to this senseless act of violence.
School should and must be a place where students and staff are safe. As a school district, we implement a number of proactive measures to keep students and staff safe. We work to create a healthy and supportive school environment where students’ social and emotional needs are being met, we practice emergency preparedness drills so that students and staff know what to do in the case of an emergency, and we invest in our physical facilities to enhance the security of our schools. More than ever we have a collective responsibility as a community to protect our schools.
We know that children and teens will process this news in different ways. Staff are available at each of our schools to assist students who may need some extra support. We strongly encourage any students to stop by the office at any time if they are having a difficult time.
Below are a list of resources that may be helpful in talking to your students or child about the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
American School Counselor Association:
ColorinColorado (Bilingual Site) - 15 Tips
NCTSN - National Child Traumatic Stress Network (Note: You will need to download the Tip Sheet for best viewing):
Common Sense Media
ADL - Anti-Defamation League:
NASP - National Association of School Psychologists:
In community,
Astein
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Video Celebrating the Class of 2022 to Premiere on May 26 |
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A video celebrating the members of the Class of 2022 will premiere on the District's YouTube channel at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 26.
The video will include baby and senior photos, future plans, favorite memories and awards and scholarships earned by members of the class.
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August 9 Special Election Community Meetings |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools will host informational meetings related to the August 9 Special Election for the capital project levy and bond referendum.
- Thursday, May 26 | 7:30 p.m. | St. Louis Park High School - Room C350 (Meeting will be recorded)
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Monday, June 6 | 7:00 p.m. | Virtual via Zoom | Zoom Link
Stay Informed - Visit the Special Election Website
Stakeholders can access all of the latest information related to the August 9 Special Election by visiting the district website at bit.ly/Aug9SLP. Email any questions you have regarding the Special Election to communications@slpschools.org.
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May 24 School Board Meeting Highlights |
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The School Board held its regularly scheduled Business Meeting on Tuesday, May 24. See below for a few highlights from the meeting. Click on the title of each presentation to access video of the presentation on the District's YouTube channel.
St. Louis Park High School student-athletes Shantell Harden, Gabby Diaz, Christian Arteaga, Bennett Kouame, Marshawn Dunlap, and a special recorded interview with Salam Maher, shared their experiences from their independent study class, “Social Justice through Athletics”. This class was supported by caring adults from the high school and district leaders Dr. Alissa Case, Dr. Rebecca Starr, Dr. Silvy Un Lafayette, Andy Ewald, and Rob Griffin.
The Districtwide Math Curriculum Design Team provided a summary presentation for the school board of their work during the past four years. The Racial Equity Purpose of the team was that "all St. Louis Park students will see themselves as successful in math regardless of race or background". Click on the link above to hear how Race shows up in the Math Curriculum in St. Louis Park Public Schools.
The District's Digital Learning Team provided an update regarding the roll-out of the District's one-to-one device program.
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School Board Adopts Policy 103 - Racial Equity |
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The School Board unanimously approved Policy 103 - Racial Equity at its Tuesday, May 24 Business Meeting. The policy was created in alignment with the 2020-25 Strategic Plan for Racial Equity Transformation. The purpose of this policy is to “establish expectations and accountability measures for the District’s work promoting racial equity and developing culturally relevant learning environments in order to create an equitable and anti-racist school system that honors all children, families, and staff.”
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Elders' Wisdom Children's Song Celebrations Now on YouTube |
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The District's four elementary schools each held an Elders' Wisdom Children's Song (EWCS) celebration in the past three weeks.
EWCS incorporates the tools of community organizing, education, and celebration through storytelling in song and spoken word. At the heart, EWCS is an educational process called collective song-writing. It combines the collection of oral history, or oral literature, with the teaching of song-writing and poetry.
This year, through our Talent Development program, all fourth grade classes across the District participated in this amazing program, concluding with a performance showcasing their amazing talents and brilliance.
Each class adopted an elder from their community to tell his or her story. Each story was recorded, transcribed, analyzed and interpreted by students. Inspired by the life story of the elder, a song or spoken word piece was written and then performed by the class, for the community.
View the respective celebrations on the District's YouTube channel by using the links below:
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District Seeks Feedback on 2023-24 School Calendar Options |
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The District is seeking stakeholder feedback on calendar options for the 2023-24 school year. The calendar options include the addition of Yom Kippur on September 25, 2023 and Eid-al-Fitr on April 10, 2024. Below is a summary of key differences between options A, B and C to ensure we meet the required instructional days.
Option A – Adds three days to Winter Break (allowing a full two-week Winter Break) and then extends the school year by five days in June. School would end Thursday, June 13 for students and Friday, June 14 for teachers.
Option B – Deletes two Districtwide Professional Development days on December 1 and February 2 and allows for those days to be instructional days instead. The Professional Development days would become two virtual Professional Development days on non-instructional times instead (Presidents Day or over MEA on Thursday).
Option C – Shortens Winter Break and extends the school year by one day in June. This would end the school year on Friday, June 7 for students and Monday, June 10 for teachers.
Click on the blue colored links above to see a PDF of each calendar option. Click here to fill out a feedback form.
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Reminder: No School on Memorial Day |
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Central Early Learning Center Wings Project |
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Students at Central Early Learning Center each decorated a feather for our Wings Project. The purpose of the project was to create a collective work of art that promotes school pride, collaboration, and community.
This mural shows our students and families that many people are part of the Early Learning community to support them as they find their wings. Students were asked to consider, "What Lifts You?". Or, what causes you to be happy, to succeed, and to be you? What a stunning work of art we were able to create together!
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Central Early Learning Center - Fall Registration is Open |
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Central Early Learning Center, conveniently located at 6300 Walker Street, offers a wide variety of programming options for St. Louis Park's youngest learners, ages birth to five. Click here for a comprehensive overview of the exciting things that are happening in our school.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
Join us for separating and non-separating infant and toddler classes led by licensed Parent Educators. Click here to see our fall ECFE class offerings.
Early Learning Preschool
This program offers flexible half-day options for children ages 33 months - 5 years old. Click here to see our fall schedule and register.
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Grades 6-12 Summer School Details |
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Middle School Summer Learning Academy
Middle School Summer Learning Academy (SLA) students will participate in project-based learning. On the last day of SLA, families will be invited to the school to help students celebrate their successes this summer. Breakfast, lunch and transportation will be provided. Click here to sign-up for Middle School SLA
Where: Due to construction at the Middle School, Summer Learning Academy will take place at St. Louis Park High School.
When: June 20-July 21; Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (No school the week of July 4).
High School Credit Recovery
Credit Recovery is an opportunity for students to make up credits from failed classes during the 2021-22 school year. High School credit recovery will take place Monday through Friday, June 13-July 1 at St. Louis Park High School.
Students and families with questions about credit recovery can contact Omar Adams via email at adams.omar@slpschools.org. Students should visit with their counselor or fill out one of the following forms to sign-up.
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Transportation Changes Coming in 2022-23 |
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As a part of districtwide budget reductions, St. Louis Park Public Schools will be making several changes to student transportation for the 2022-23 school year. Transportation is a vital part of the day for many of our students and families. Reductions in transportation and other non-classroom areas will allow the district to reduce the impact of reductions on classrooms and programs. The transportation changes will result in budget savings of $325,000.
In the coming days, the district will begin to communicate with families who are impacted by these transportation changes. A summary of the changes is included below:
- Expanded no bus zones for students residing in St. Louis Park, including the establishment of a no bus zone for Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School.
- Condensed bus stops for secondary students.
- Expanded no bus zones for students who open enroll from Minneapolis.
- New elementary school boundaries for Minneapolis students.
- High school students and families will be asked to opt-in for transportation.
High School Opt-in Information
All grade 9-12 students will need to opt-in (register) for transportation for the 2022-23 school year. Several metro area school districts are using this practice to ensure that transportation service is running as efficiently as possible.
The district will require that you complete the 2022-23 Transportation Opt-In Form if your address is eligible for transportation and you wish to have school bus transportation for your student in 2022-23. If this form is not completed by August 1, 2022, no bus transportation will be routed for your High School student for the fall of 2022-23.
Important notes:
- The district will review ridership and drop students who are not riding for 10 consecutive days or more. Do not request transportation unless your student will ride the bus.
- The District will provide you the opportunity to add your student at the end of November and again at the end of March.
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Park Virtual Now Enrolling Students |
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Students and families interested in pursuing a virtual learning experience for the 2022-23 school year can now enroll in St. Louis Park's new Park Virtual program.
Park Virtual will provide a rigorous academic experience that is aligned to state standards while flexible to meet the unique needs of every student and family situation.
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The St. Louis Park HIgh School school store is holding a Year End Sale with all clothing and accessories 15% off. The sale ends Friday, June 3. You can order items online and pick them up the next day at the High School Main Office.
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