December 11, 2024 | Stories and News from St. Louis Park Public Schools

Step inside Central Early Learning Center in this Park and Learn episode featuring Travis Newell, a Preschool Educator for Kids Place.

Travis brings cultural competence and compassion to his work, fostering incredible relationships with students from all backgrounds. Watch how he creates a welcoming and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and empowered to learn!

Thank you for participating in the strategic planning process so far! We've had terrific engagement across the district, and we plan to continue to do more. Here are a few more upcoming opportunities that focus on the strategic plan.

• Dec. 11 from 5-7 p.m. – Virtual Community Engagement Session
• Register here
• Jan. 27 from 5-7 p.m. – In Person Community Engagement Session

Cops 'N Kids Holiday Event: Building Joy Together

Every year, 15 Middle School students (10 SLPMS students) is given a set amount of money and paired with a St. Louis Park Police Officer to help them buy holiday gifts for their families. After shopping at the St. Louis Park Target, the students and officers headed back to the police department for pizza donated by Park Tavern and to wrap their newly purchased gifts! The event is made possible through a partnership between the St. Louis Park Police Department, St. Louis Park Middle School, Target and Park Tavern.

St. Louis Park Middle School has always been a place of community and growth, and thanks to Zahra Mohamed, it’s becoming even more inclusive. 

Zahra, a former St. Louis Park Middle School student and a 2020 graduate of St. Louis Park High School, returned this year as an instructional assistant. Since she’s come back, Zahra has helped Muslim students feel comfortable and represented by creating a prayer room. 

“When I came back, I knew I wanted to help make Muslim students feel comfortable,” Zahra said. “The prayer room was something that I wished we had when I was a student here, so I wanted to make it happen for them.”

While all students are welcome to participate and pray in the space, the prayer room is used mostly by Muslim students. Read the full story on our website to learn how the space was established!

Starting in Fall 2025, St. Louis Park High School is making updates to its social studies curriculum to align with new state standards and better prepare students for the future. These changes include a new Advanced Placement course for freshmen and a revamped government course for seniors.

Want to know more about how these updates will impact our students and set them up for success? Click below to read the full story on our website.

• Park and Learn: Crafting Personal Identity and Purpose Through Keystone Design. Watch the video.
• Building Belonging at St. Louis Park Middle School.
• Progress Reports Revamped: A Comprehensive View of Student Development. Read the story.
• Park and Learn: Byte by Byte, Building Brilliant K-2 Minds. Watch the video.
• Get to know Superintendent Dr. Carlondrea Hines: Watch the video.
• St. Louis Park Public Schools: Been, Being, Becoming. Watch the video.