September 24, 2020 | Volume 1 • Issue 5
District Moves to Hybrid Model on September 28 for E-2
Beginning September 28, students in grades E-2 will return to school in a hybrid model, with a combination of learning at school and from home, following the state’s data-driven plan to safely reopen schools based on county case rates of COVID-19. As schools reopen, we will continue to prioritize a safe learning environment for students, teachers, staff, families, and the greater community.

Click here to download the District's "Preparing for E-2 Hybrid Learning Guide". This 30-page publication is full of details about what the Hybrid model will look like for students and families.
Superintendent Osei to Host Thursday Listening Session for Elementary School Parents and Guardians
Superintendent Osei would like to invite elementary parents/guardians to participate in a listening session on Thursday, September 24 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the listening session is to hear about your experience in distance learning to start the school year and to gather information about your needs as we consider educational delivery models moving forward. 

The listening session will occur via Zoom. You can access the meeting by using the following link:


Meeting ID: 915 5706 5829
Passcode: 8KhxUv

If you are unable to participate in the listening session on Thursday, Superintendent Osei would still like to hear from you. He can be reached via email at osei.astein@slpschools.org or phone at 952-928-6003.
Changes to Free Meals Program Starting September 28
Starting Monday, September 28, when students in grades Kindergarten through second grade move to the Hybrid model, there will be changes to how students receive free meals from the School Nutrition Department. 

For students in grades 3-12, who will still be in a distance learning model, free meals will still be available at the six school sites on Mondays or Wednesdays, but the pickup times will change to 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. 

For students in grades Kindergarten through second grade, meal availability will depend on which cohort your student(s) are in.

Cohort A (Last names starting with A-K)
Monday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 
Tuesday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 
Wednesday: Meals for three days can be picked up at any of the six school buildings.
Thursday: No meals served today.
Friday: No meals served today. 

Cohort B (Last names starting with L-Z)
Monday: Meals for three days can be picked up at any of the six school buildings.
Tuesday: No meals served today. 
Wednesday: No meals served today.
Thursday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 
Friday: Breakfast meals can be picked up in a designated location and eaten in the student’s classroom or another designated location. Lunch will be picked up in a designated location and taken home to eat. 

Cohort C (Families who have chosen to remain in distance learning)
Monday: Meals for three days can be picked up at any of the six school buildings.
Tuesday: No meals served today. 
Wednesday: Meals for two days can be picked up at any of the six school buildings.
Thursday: No meals served today.
Friday: No meals served today. 

Delivery to Apartment Complexes Continues
The District will continue to drop-off meals to seven St. Louis Park apartment complexes in designated neighborhoods, between 1:00-2:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Please note that these meals will be delivered in mini-vans and NOT school busses. Also note that there will be no delivery of meals on Friday, October 2, as this is a No School/Professional Development day.

Meal Drop-Off Schedule:
Meadowbrook (Era Apartments).......................... 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Colonial Terrace Apartments................................ 1:00-1:20 p.m.
Park Glen Apartments.......................................... 1:30-1:50 p.m.
Oak Park Village Apartments............................... 1:00-1:50 p.m.
Louisiana Court Apartments................................ 1:00-1:20 p.m.
Rhode Island Chateau Apartments...................... 1:30-1:50 p.m.
Courtyard/The Park Apartments.......................... 1:00-1:50 p.m.

Meals available by PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY for designated apartment complexes!
Complete the Pre-Order for Limited Meal Delivery form at http://bit.ly/slpfreemeals.

Free and Reduced Meals Application
While meals are currently free, it’s very important for families to complete a Free and Reduced Meals Application to help ensure that the District can continue to provide this important service to our students and families. This application can be filled out by families in a number of different ways including online through their Wordware or PowerSchool account or by filling out a paper copy. If anyone has questions or needs more information about the St. Louis Park Public Schools Free Meals program, or needs assistance in filling out a Free and Reduced Meals Application, they can contact the School Nutrition Department at 952-928-6146.
District Instructional Programs Advisory Council (DIPAC) Overview
PURPOSE
The purpose of the District Instructional Programs Advisory Council (DIPAC) is to develop a collaborative group of parents/guardians and students that support the accomplishment of the goals of the strategic plan by engaging in a review process of our curricular and instructional program offerings.

OBJECTIVES
  • To support the development of curricular and instructional programs that are anti-racist and promote racially equitable learning experiences for all students.
  • To bring together academic interests that support achievement for all students across the district.
  • To provide advice and insight to support the Superintendent in the development of curricular and instructional programs.
  • To review and provide feedback on District policies, practices, procedures and programs that impact curriculum and instructional programs.
  • To gather feedback from parents and students throughout the district regarding how to share decisions and progress of district Program Design Teams with the greater parent and student community.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY
DIPAC has the authority to make recommendations to the Superintendent regarding curricular and instructional programs. 

MEETING SCHEDULE
All meetings take place at the District Office (6311 Wayzata Blvd St. Louis Park) or virtually on Tuesdays from 4:30 - 6:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
  • October 20, 2020
  • December 8, 2020
  • February 9, 2020
  • March 9, 2020
  • May 11, 2020 
  • May 24, 2020 (7:00 p.m. School Board presentation)

MEMBERSHIP
DIPAC membership is based on interest, not educational expertise. Members include up to two representatives from each elementary school and up to four representatives from each secondary school, one school board member, district teachers and administrators, and up to four high school students. The length of term is two years. Applications for potential members will be available via the district website and due on Friday, October 9th.

DIPAC will strive to reflect the racial, gender, language, and ability balance of the school district and will actively recruit participants from underrepresented groups, if at the end of the application process, we do not see an adequate response. The district Teaching and Learning team and the Superintendent shall work together to ensure underrepresented groups are equitably represented from across the school district. These appointments will be endorsed by Principals at each of the representative sites from across the school district.
Sept. 20-26 is National Adult Education & Family Literacy Week
September 20-26 is National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week. This week is a chance to raise public awareness about the need for and value of adult education and family literacy. Thank you to our Adult Program staff for your passionate dedication to teaching our adult students in St. Louis Park.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan and State Rep. Youakim Visit High School
Lieutenant Governor and 1997 St. Louis Park High School graduate Peggy Flanagan and State Representative Cheryl Youakim made a visit to St. Louis Park High School on Thursday, Sept. 17 to learn about the District's free meals program and to help pack meals for students. 

Lieutenant Governor Flanagan and State Rep. Youakim also had time to visit with High School Principals Wendy Loberg, Jessica Busse and Todd Goggleye to talk about successes and challenges to the start of the school year. 
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6311 Wayzata Blvd. | St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Phone: 952-928-6000 | Fax: 952-928-6020