February 23, 2022 | Volume 2 • Issue 26
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February 21-25 is School Board Recognition Week |
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The Minnesota School Boards Association has set February 21-25 as Minnesota School Board Recognition Week to build awareness and understanding of the vital function elected school board members play in our society. St. Louis Park Public Schools is joining other public school districts from across the state to celebrate School Board Recognition Week to honor local board members for their commitment to St. Louis Park and its students.
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Feb. 21-25 is Public Schools Week |
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The National School Boards Association (NSBA) joins the Learning First Alliance (LFA), American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, National PTA and other supporting education organizations, in celebrating public schools during Public Schools Week, February 21-25, 2022.
Public schools educate nine of every 10 students. The great equalizer for children, they have lifted generations of people out of poverty and from middle to higher income, helping to set young adults on the path to a fulfilling life.
Public Schools Week honors the over 51 million students, 3.2 million teachers, and hundreds of thousands of specialists, administrators, and support staff working in public schools today.
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Feb. 23 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day |
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First established in 2017, the purpose of School Bus Driver Appreciation Day is to recognize school bus drivers for their efforts to go above and beyond in order to transport students to school every day in Minnesota. |
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COVID Tests Available for Students and Staff |
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Rapid-result COVID antigen tests are now available at sites for both staff and students. Tests can be requested at the front office of a student’s school or staff’s primary work location.
Students that are not enrolled in St. Louis Park Public schools such as siblings, relatives, children of staff, will need to request a test from their school/school district or leverage other testing resources. Relatives of staff will also need to leverage local testing resources. More information on community testing options are listed below. Please contact COVID Testing Coordinator Cassandra Knapik, knapick.cassandra@slpschools.org, with questions.
Order Free At Home Tests Online
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests now so you have them when you need them. Go online to www.covidtests.gov and fill out a short form to order your tests today.
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Additional Local Testing Options
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Schools Celebrate Twosday on 2/22/22 |
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Several schools took advantage of a rare palindrome on Tuesday to coordinate activities for students and staff around the date 2/22/22. |
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Girls Nordic Ski Team Places 4th at State Meet |
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The St. Louis Park girls Nordic ski team placed fourth out of 16 qualifying teams at the State Meet on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN. The State Meet performance came on the heels of Section 6 and Metro West Conference championship performances earlier in the season.
Sophomore Hanna Wilsey led the team by placing 19th in the individual pursuit standings with a combined time of 36 minutes and 19.2 seconds. Senior Victoria Schmelzle turned in a time of 36 minutes and 51.2 seconds to place 25th.
Sophomore Jersey Miller placed 33rd with a time of 37 minutes and 46.0 seconds. Sophomore Ayelel Meyen finished in 87th place with a time of 41 minutes and 33.1 seconds. Eighth grader Kaylee Crump placed 102nd with a time of 45 minutes and 2.9 seconds.
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High School Quiz Bowl Team Places 2nd at State Tournament |
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The St. Louis Park High School Quiz Bowl team placed second at the Minnesota High School Quiz Bowl League Playoffs on Feb. 17 at Burnsville High School.
In the 16-team field, the Orioles finished with a 4-2 record at the meet with their only two losses coming to the eventual state champions from Wayzata High School. The team recorded victories over Chanhassen, Minnetonka, Hudson, and Wayzata High Schools at the tournament.
St. Louis Park senior Truman Fillbrandt finished the tournament as the number one ranked individual when participants were ranked by points earned per 20 toss-up questions heard. Other team members include seniors Jacy Demcisak and Faduma Mohamed, sophomore Silas Cowell and freshman Julia Lorenzen
As a result of the 2nd place finish at the State Tournament, the team qualified for the 2022 High School National Championship Tournament, which will take place May 27-29 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Online Enrollment is Open for 2022-23 School Year |
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Families looking to enroll a student into St. Louis Park Public Schools for the 2022-23 school year should visit the Enrollment Center website to start the online process. To be eligible for Kindergarten in the Fall of 2022, your student needs to turn 5 by September 1, 2022.
In order to complete the online enrollment form, it will be helpful if you have the following documents saved on the device you are using to complete the form:
- Student's Birth Certificate
- Student's Immunization Record
- Proof of Residency (Utility Bill, Rental Contract, Purchase Agreement, etc.)
- Early Childhood Screening Record
Our Enrollment Center staff is ready to answer any questions you might have to help guide you through the process. Contact the Enrollment Center via phone at 952-928-6023 or via email at enrollment@slpschools.org.
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Children First Virtual Champions Breakfast is March 3 |
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Registration is open for the Children First Champions Breakfast on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 a.m. CLICK HERE to support Children First by registering or giving to support the Breakfast. You can also register by texting ChildrenFirst to 41444.
Students from Amos and Celia Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School will share their talents as you come in to the event and Superintendent Astein Osei and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan will set the stage with opening remarks. Children First has a lot to share about progress over the past year and community members will present a special activity based on the book “What the Road Said” by Cleo Wade. You will have an opportunity to think about how you might play a role in supporting community connectivity and children’s mental wellbeing in the coming year.
Children in St. Louis Park are truly in a time of unprecedented challenges. More than ever, Children First would be grateful for your support. Please register or support Children First by clicking HERE. Thank you for your commitment to our children and youth!
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Corrected 2022-23 At-a-Glance Calendar |
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Click here to download a corrected version of the 2022-23 At-a-Glance Calendar that was recently approved by the School Board. The previously published edition listed November 4, 2022 as a no school day for grades K-5 and a regular school day for grades 6-12. It is in fact a no school day for all students in grades K-12. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused. |
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School Board to Fill Two Seats by Appointment |
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On Thursday, February 10, School Board Chair Anne Casey accepted the resignation of Board Member Mary Tomback, effective February 23 (CLICK HERE to read the February 11 announcement).
Tomback's resignation leaves two open seats to fill on the board. With the appointment process for the seat vacated by Laura McClendon already underway, the Board has determined that it will select two of the current finalists to fill these vacancies.
The finalists are:
- Sarah Davis
- Jim Leuthner
- Virginia Mancini
- Bruce McLean
- Melissa Vogt
Finalist interviews will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday, March 2 and will be immediately followed by deliberation and selection by the Board.
Pursuant to state law, the applicants chosen by the Board will be sworn in and seated 30 days following the Board resolution officially appointing the applicants. This 30-day waiting period is mandatory under the law, providing the public an opportunity to petition against the selection of an appointee.
The two Board-appointed individuals will serve until a special election is held in November 2022 to determine who will serve the remainder of the terms. Ms. McClendon’s term expires December 31, 2023 and Ms. Tomback’s term expires December 31, 2025. The candidate filing period for the November 2022 special election will be communicated at a later date.
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Stay Home When You Are Sick! |
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