March 2, 2022 | Volume 2 • Issue 27
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A Message from Superintendent Osei |
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On February 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the COVID-19 Community Levels to serve as a new framework for COVID-19 monitoring and prevention strategies. This guidance is recommended for all communities, including school, child care, and other youth settings, to use in determining when to apply mitigation practices such as face coverings and physical distancing. The CDC’s K-12 guidance webpage has been updated to link to the new Community Levels guidance.
Throughout the pandemic we have followed not only the CDC’s guidance, but also the guidance of our state health organization, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Staff at MDH met Monday morning to discuss the updated guidance from the CDC and will issue new guidance that aligns with these CDC changes.
We anticipate that later this week we will be hearing from MDH regarding the updated guidance. Once we receive the updated guidance from MDH, we will make a recommendation to the Board to revise Policy 808 - Face Coverings to reflect the new guidance.
We will be discussing Policy 808 at the School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 8. We am prepared to make a recommendation to the School Board to align our policy and practice with the MDH updated guidance once we receive it from the state.
In community,
Astein
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Introducing Park Virtual: A Virtual Learning Option for 2022-23 |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools is pleased to announce that Park Virtual, a K-12 virtual learning experience, is being developed for the 2022-23 school year. 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. Similar to in-person instruction, Park Virtual students will 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.
This online learning environment utilizes the St. Louis Park Public Schools staff and curriculum with an international focus at all levels. Advanced Placement and concurrent college-level courses will be available at the high school level.
Enrollment Interest Form
An enrollment interest form has been created to collect information from families who are interested in enrolling their student(s) in Park Virtual and/or receiving more information about this virtual learning option.
Please use this form to join our mailing list. We will use this data to determine interest and the needs of families, and will communicate our plans this spring.
Save the Date! Virtual Informational Session
The District will host a virtual informational session regarding Park Virtual at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21. More information regarding this event including the Zoom link will be available soon.
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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, knapik.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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Storiole Having Pre-Sale on New Shirt Designs |
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The Storiole, the student-run school store at St. Louis Park High School is having a pre-sale on new Black Lives Matter and Park Pride shirts (see photos below). Order yours today before prices increase on March 11. Click here to shop online.
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Aquila Elementary Celebrates Read Across America Week |
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February 28-March 4 is Read Across America Week - an annual celebration established by the National Education Association to help get kids excited about reading. Aquila Elementary School is celebrating the week with a number of activities including mystery readers, "caught you reading" prizes, a read out, book door decor, and estimation jars.
The Kids Place staff at Aquila also decided to join in the fun by combining reading and art as they read the book "Shaking Things Up" and decorated the following bulletin board:
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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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School Board to Fill Two Seats by Appointment |
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The St. Louis Park Public Schools School Board is interviewing finalists for its two current vacancies at a special meeting tonight, Wednesday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m., in Room 115 of the Lenox Community Center.
The Board is interviewing five finalists including Sarah Davis, Jim Leuthner, Virginia Mancini, Bruce McLean and Melissa Vogt. The Board plans to deliberate and make two selections immediately following the final interview. The two appointees will be communicated to St. Louis Park Public Schools stakeholders on Thursday, March 3.
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.
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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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March is Women's History Month |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools proudly asks stakeholders to join us in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. |
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