December 9, 2020 | Volume 1 • Issue 14
Upcoming Listening Sessions with Superintendent Osei
As a part of the process to hear stakeholder perspectives, Superintendent Osei will be hosting Listening Sessions over the course of this school year for students, parents/guardians, and staff to better understand the impact of the implementation of the District's educational delivery models. 

December 15 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - English | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 934 2061 5183 | Passcode: 520346

December 15 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - Spanish | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 967 9287 9471 | Passcode: 029610
District Continues 14-Day Quarantine Practice
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently communicated there was an option to quarantine after known COVID-19 exposure for 10 days compared to the 14 days they had previously recommended. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently commented similarly, although this was not directed particularly to school districts as the numbers vary greatly across the state. Given the numbers in and around SLP, the District will continue the practice of a 14-day quarantine in order to best contain the spread of the disease. We will revisit the practice after winter break to determine whether or not we are able to make a change. 
Echo Receives National Awards
The National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) recently released its national awards for individual contests and Newspaper Pacemakers, at the Nov. 21 virtual National Journalism Convention.  

Echo students received a National Newspaper Pacemaker for last school year’s print editions. The National Pacemaker is the highest award the organization gives to student news media and dates back to 1927. Echo has been a National Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist every year since 2010 and has won the prestigious award five times since. This year, only 21 newspapers won a National Pacemaker. Echo is the only school from Minnesota to be honored this year.
 
Additionally, during the convention, Echo won fourth in Best of Show for its online new site, slpecho.com.
 
Four students also placed nationally in NSPA’s individual awards. (NSPA awards First through Fifth places and then about another two to five are recognized as Honorable Mentions in each category.)
 
NSPA individual award winners:
  • Marta Hill, Maggie Klaers, Izzy Kanne, Talia Lissauer, Impeachment video, Honorable Mention
  • Maggie Klaers, News story, Honorable Mention
  • Maggie Klaers, Artist of the Year, Fourth Place
  • Maggie Klaers, Design of the Year, Fourth Place
 
Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) named Echo and its online site a finalist for its Crown awards on Dec. 2. This national award is CSPA’s highest honor for a hybrid news organization. Final awards will be announced in March.

CSPA also announced its individual winners in November. Similar to NSPA, the individual awards only one First, Second, and Third and then up to three Certificate of Merit awards for each category. 

CSPA individual award winners:
  • Maggie Klaers, Page One Design category for “Climate Change,” Third Place
  • Maggie Klaers and Sophie Livingston, News Page Design category for “City Election Provides Opportunity,” Certificate of Merit
  • Maggie Klaers, Feature Page Design category for “Vaping,” Second Place
  • Maggie Klaers, Sports Page Design category for “Hockey,” Certificate of Merit
  • Maggie Klaers, Single Subject News or Feature package, Single-Page Design for “Vaping,” Third Place
  • Sophie Livingston, Single Subject News or Feature package, Single-Page Design for “Haters will Hate,” Certificate of Merit
  • Staff, Editorial Writing for "Park’s Prom Timing Error Inexcusable," Certificate of Merit
District Preparing for 2021-22 School Year with Informational Events for Incoming Kindergarten, 6th Grade & 9th Grade Families
St. Louis Park Public Schools held Immersion Information Night on December 3 and the first of three IB-PYP Kindergarten Information Nights on December 9. Future Kindergarten Information Nights will be held on January 13 and February 10. These events were held virtually via Zoom and on a new microsite located at www.slpenrollment.com.

The District will host an informational event for incoming 6th grade families on January 21 and an event for incoming 9th grade families on January 19.

Current St. Louis Park Public Schools stakeholders are important recruiters for the District as we stabilize and grow our enrollment. Please invite your St. Louis Park friends, family and neighbors to these events.
District to Hold Annual Truth in Taxation Meeting On December 14
Minnesota's Truth in Taxation Law requires school districts to provide a Truth in Taxation public hearing before adopting a tax levy for the following year. This hearing includes a presentation about the current budget and proposed tax levies. The hearing will be held virtually by Zoom before the December 14 School Board Meeting.

Click here to access the Zoom link for the annual Truth in Taxation meeting. Anybody wishing to make a public comment at the meeting will be able to do so by clicking on the "Raise Your Hand" Zoom feature.
High School Student Artwork from Ms. Ortman's Mixed Media Arts Class




6311 Wayzata Blvd. | St. Louis Park, MN 55416
Phone: 952-928-6000 | Fax: 952-928-6020