April 21, 2021 | Volume 1 • Issue 30
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A Message from Superintendent Osei |
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The week of April 10-16 was the 50th anniversary of the Week of the Young Child. This week is designed to highlight the work of early learning within schools, families, and communities. Although this year's celebration was overshadowed by the Derek Chauvin trial and the killing of Daunte Wright, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the contribution of our early learning educators and the positive impact they have on the lives of the students and families they serve.
I believe as a school district, city, and state there is a lot we can learn from our early learning educators, students, and families. The values that guide our early learning programming will be helpful to us in the coming days, weeks and months as we continue to make sense of everything that is happening around us in the wake of the Chauvin trial verdict. I appreciate the simplicity, yet the powerful nature of our Early Learning Program’s values.
In the Early Learning Program we:
- welcome each other;
- care for each other;
- stand up for each other; and
- protect each other.
As a school district, if we are able to engage in these simple yet powerful actions I am confident that we will not only survive during this time, but thrive as a school district and community. In St. Louis Park Public Schools, we remain committed to seeing, inspiring, and empowering each learner to live their brilliance in an environment that centers student voice and experience to create racially equitable learning that energizes and enhances the spirit of our community.
Thank you for your continued commitment and support of St. Louis Park Public Schools and please take care of yourselves and each other.
Astein
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Attention Fifth Grade Families: MS Rally Night is Thursday! |
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We are excited to welcome incoming sixth graders to the next chapter of their education in St. Louis Park Public Schools.
The Incoming 6th Grade Virtual Rally Night kicks off Thursday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. with a live welcome from Superintendent Astein Osei, Principal Les Bork, and Dean Delana Brinkman as they welcome you and your family to the Middle School.
The event will provide an overview of the school, its structure, and what you can expect as an incoming student. After this brief introduction, you will be directed to a menu of on-demand content for you to read, watch and interact with to become familiar with St. Louis Park Middle School.
Click here to access the Rally Night live welcome and on-demand content.
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Good News Regarding Healthy Meals for Children |
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The Biden administration on Tuesday issued an extension for free school lunch through 2022 as part of its effort to reopen schools safely amid the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allow school meal programs to resume serving FREE MEALS to students this fall and will extend the programs through the school year. It will still be important for families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits also known as the Free and Reduced Meals application to help generate additional funding to support students districtwide.
Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Reminder
Students who elected to remain in distance learning continue to be eligible for Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) funds. To be eligible, K-12 students must qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Students who chose to participate in distance learning this year will receive $130 for each month they were doing distance learning for at least 19 school days in the month and $75 for each month they were doing distance learning for between 11 and 18 school days. If you have yet to apply for these benefits, they can be retroactive to the beginning of the year.
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Ways to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine |
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WHERE TO LOOK:
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Sign up for the Vaccine Connector (mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/connector/connector.jsp). People who sign up are randomly selected for COVID-19 vaccinations through the Community Vaccination Program.
- Check or call online at: Pharmacies. Local and national chains are vaccinating people; Health care systems/clinics. At many places, you do not need to be a patient to get vaccinated there.
- Find COVID-19 vaccines near you with VaccineFinder (vaccinefinder.org/). You can sort by vaccine product.
- Check your county’s website or call them to see if they offer vaccination opportunities.
TIPS FOR GETTING A VACCINE:
- Check back often for new appointments. You may also have luck looking for appointments at a certain time of day or be able to join a waitlist.
- Know when appointments are released. Some sites release new appointments on a specific day or time; make a note to check in then. You can find this information on their website or by calling.
- Know which vaccination sites you are eligible for. Some sites are still prioritizing earlier eligibility groups.
- Preregister or have information easily available. Some sites let you enter some of your information before looking for an appointment for faster scheduling. Some sites only hold appointment for a short time. Turn on email or text alerts so you can schedule an appointment quickly if one becomes available.
- Be patient. As more vaccines become available, it will be easier to get an appointment.
VACCINATION OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS LIVING IN 55426 ZIP CODE:
Residents 16 and up are eligible to sign-up for vaccine appointments at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights if they live in the following zip codes:
Hennepin County
55343, 55344, 55369, 55404, 55405, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55414, 55415, 55418, 55420, 55422, 55423, 55425, 55426, 55427, 55428, 55429, 55430, 55443, 55444, 55445, 55454, 55455, 55467
Ramsey County
55101, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55106, 55107, 55109, 55113, 55117, 55119, 55126, 55127, 55128, 55130, 55144, 55146, 55155
Dakota County
55118, 55122, 55124, 55306, 55337
Anoka County
55433, 55432, 55421, 55448
Click here to download a two-page informational flyer about this vaccination clinic.
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District Announces Curriculum Changes Coming Fall 2021 |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools uses a three-year curriculum review cycle. In this process, teacher leaders measure previous success and determine next steps to achieve racial equity transformation in alignment with the strategic plan. The District is announcing curriculum changes coming in the Fall of 2021 in Math, Gifted/Talented Programming and World Languages and Cultures. Click here to learn more.
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Updated COVID-19 Dashboard |
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The dashboard will be updated every Wednesday and can be found on the District's COVID-19 News & Updates page at www.slpschools.org/covid19.
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High School Theatre Program to Stream Working: A Musical, April 23-25
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Based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working assembles a chorus of professionals whose toils and triumphs represent the backbone of this country. These small slices of life are told through stories and songs, featuring music by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, and James Taylor.
Due to COVID restrictions, the pre-recorded performance will be virtually streamed for $10 per viewing. Performances will be aired in real-time: April 23 and 24 at 7:00 p.m. and April 25 at 2:00 p.m. Click here to purchase streaming tickets in advance at. Tickets cost $10 per viewing. St. Louis Park Public Schools staff and students can purchase discounted tickets for $5.
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Support the Class of 2021 |
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Show support for the class of 2021 and the Park Public Schools and Community Foundation with a lawn sign! Proceeds from lawn sign sales will help make the 2021 Senior Party free for all students and will help fund future innovative classroom grants for St. Louis Park students for years to come.
Lawn signs are available for a $25 donation. Click here to order yours today!
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High School Prom is On: Save the Dates |
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St. Louis Park High School will hold separate Prom events for juniors and seniors this year due to the latest COVID-19 guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health on large gatherings.
Junior Prom | Friday, May 14 | 7-9 p.m.
Senior Prom | Saturday, May 15 | 8-10 p.m.
Both events will take place at the ROC. Tickets will be $10 and will be available online soon. More details will be forthcoming in the High School's 6425 newsletter.
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District Seeking Principal for Aquila Elementary School |
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Due to the retirement of Aquila Elementary School Principal Shelley Nielsen at the end of the 2020-21 school year, St. Louis Park Public Schools is seeking a new elementary principal. The position is posted internally for current staff to apply and externally for new leaders seeking to join the school district.
The school district is committed to a selection process that is both rigorous and objective. The selection timeline follows:
- April 5 - The Aquila Elementary School Principal position will be posted internally and externally. The position will be posted on the school district website and on external job posting sites through April 29.
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April 12-23 - The District will gather information from Aquila stakeholder groups (staff, students, parents and community members) regarding desired characteristics for the next principal. CLICK HERE for the characteristics input form.
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April 12-23 - Interested stakeholders are invited to sign-up to be part of the interview team. CLICK HERE to complete the Stakeholder Sign-Up Form
- May 5 - First round interviews with the Stakeholder Team.
- May 6 - First round interviews with the Stakeholder Team.
- May 13 - Second round interviews with the Stakeholder Team.
- May 20 - Final interview with Superintendent.
- May 24 - Final selection will consider evidence collected throughout the full selection process and be made by the Superintendent. The goal would be for the Superintendent to be able to bring a recommendation to the Board Meeting on May 24.
Updates will be shared throughout the process via school district communications channels.
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