January 26, 2022 | Volume 2 • Issue 22
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January 24-30 is Paraprofessionals Recognition Week |
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Governor Tim Walz has proclaimed January 24-30, 2022 as Paraprofessionals Recognition Week in the State of Minnesota. Click here to read the Governor's full proclamation.
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District Faces Budget Reductions
Will Reduce Expenditures by 10% for 2022-23 School Year
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St. Louis Park Public Schools, along with many other school districts across the state, has experienced an enrollment decline over the past couple of years. This enrollment decline, coupled with funding not keeping up with inflation, will require the district to reduce expenditures by 10 percent heading into the 2022-23 school year. This reduction will align budgets to current revenue and continue work towards actualizing the school district’s mission.
Over the past couple of years, the school district has been able to mitigate the revenue shortage by using fund balance - or savings - and federal pandemic relief dollars for continuing operations and to close the budget gap. We are at a point with our revenue and expenditures that we are no longer able to use fund balance to mitigate revenue shortages.
Yesterday, Governor Walz announced his budget priorities centered on children and families, including investments in early childhood and K-12 education (click on the link above for details). State legislators will need to address education in addition to many other funding concerns statewide. With the uncertainty of the outcome of the upcoming legislative session, the District cannot wait to take action on the 2022-23 school year budget.
These are challenging times for school districts nationwide. By leaning into our core values, putting students at the center of our decision-making, and exercising care and concern for all stakeholders, St. Louis Park Public Schools will continue its tradition of excellence.
For more information…CLICK HERE to view the January 25 Budget Reduction Presentation to the School Board from Director of Business Services Patricia Magnuson.
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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 Flower Krutina, krutina.flower@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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Upcoming Vaccine Event for Ages 5+ |
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In partnership with Hennepin County, St. Louis Park Public Schools will be hosting a Pfizer vaccination event for people ages 5 and up. Boosters will be available to individuals ages 12+ whose second vaccine dose was administered five months prior. If you are receiving a second dose or booster dose, please bring proof of vaccination. Event details:
- Dates: Saturday, February 5, 2022
- Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Location: Aquila Elementary School
- The vaccine is free and no insurance is required
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Save the Date: Virtual High School Registration Information Nights |
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St. Louis Park High School will host Virtual Registration Information Nights for parents and guardians on Wednesday, February 9.
The session for parents/guardians of incoming ninth graders will begin at 5 p.m. Sessions for parents/guardians of incoming 10th, 11th and 12th grade students will run concurrently beginning at 6:15 p.m.
More information including the Zoom links associated with these events will be communicated in the coming days.
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Reminder: No School for E-12 Students on Jan. 28 & Feb. 4 |
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As a reminder, there is no school for K-12 students on either Friday, January 28 (grading day for staff) or Friday, February 4 (staff professional development day). Early learning preschool and ECSE students also have no school on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4. There will be no ECFE classes on Feb. 4. Kids Place childcare will be open on both days. |
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Free Virtual Financial Aid Events for High School Families |
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Kicking off the New Year, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC's The College Place Minnesota, and Minnesota Goes to College are launching a series of financial aid webinars for Minnesota students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Participants who attend 4 out of 5 sessions will be eligible to win a $500 scholarship.
The series, which runs February 8th through March 1st, will focus on a variety of topics, including general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college.
February 8, 2022, 7 p.m. — Financial Aid Overview
February 15, 2022, 7 p.m. — Complete the FAFSA
February 17, 2022, 7 p.m. — Complete the MN Dream Act
February 22, 2022, 7 p.m. — Understanding Your Offer Letter
March 1, 2022, 7 p.m. — Scholarship Search
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Middle School Theatre Program to Present "Back to the 80s" January 27-30 |
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The St. Louis Park Middle School Theatre Program will present "Back to the 80s: A Risky, Goonie, Breakfast Tale of Totally Tubular Time Travel" in four showings on January 27-30 at the Middle School Performing Arts Center.
Performances are January 27-29 at 7 p.m. and January 30 at 1 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance due to limited seating. Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults.
Hold on to your hoverboards, we're taking a trip Back to the 80s! When modern teen Mary Fitzfry gets sent back in time by an eccentric professor, she finds herself in the middle of a totally tubular cavalcade of 80s pop culture.
Students with main cast roles will alternate performances. Blue cast will perform Thursday and Saturday, while Green cast will perform Friday and Sunday.
Main Blue Cast Members: Maddie Grecco-Rosen, Katie Healy, Allie Foster, Owen Hollinger and Jojo Williams Hyatt
Main Green Cast Members: Kateri Trebnick, Nina Casey-Fix, Naomi Butler, Shep Cox and Gwyneth DeVillers
Click here to view a Flickr photo gallery from a recent dress rehearsal.
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Stay Home When You Are Sick! |
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