January 13, 2021 | Volume 1 • Issue 18
Elementary Transition Calendar
Click here to view and download a convenient one-page calendar that details educational delivery model changes and upcoming no school days through February 1, 2021.
Elementary Parents/Guardians Urged to Sign-up for PowerSchool Public Portal
Parents and guardians of elementary-aged students are highly encouraged to create an account on the District's PowerSchool Public Portal system. Access to your students’ Powerschool Public Portal account has the following benefits:

  • View your student’s most current bus stop/route information. Important note: bus stop/route information for in-person learners will be available in the PowerSchool Public Portal on Friday, January 15.
 
  • Access to complete the Annual Student Update for your student. This replaces the paper form to update important items such as parent/guardian contact information and emergency contact information.

  • Access to view your student's meal account and make payments online. This year the School Nutrition Department cannot accept cash or checks, so online payment is the only way to pay for meals. Powerschool Public Portal provides a link to your Wordware meal account. Once you are logged into Wordware, you can view your student’s lunch account, add funds, and apply for free and reduced meals. NOTE: If your student does not have sufficient funds in their meal account, they will be unable to eat at school or pick up meals to be eaten at home.

Click here to watch a video with instructions on how to create a PowerSchool parent account as well as information about some of the features available once you have an account created. 
Kindergarten Guide & PSI Application Mailing Coming Soon
Families with a student eligible to begin Kindergarten in the Fall of 2021 should expect a mailing to arrive at their homes the week of January 18, 2021. This mailing will include the District's Kindergarten Guide brochure and the Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School application. The PSI application has a deadline date of February 16, 2021 for St. Louis Park residents. If you are not receiving the District's Kindergarten mailings and have a student eligible for Kindergarten next Fall, please contact the District's Enrollment Center at enrollment@slpschools.org to be added to the mailing list.
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. 

January 19 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - English | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 934 2061 5183 | Passcode: 520346

January 19 | 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Parents/Guardians - Spanish | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 967 9287 9471 | Passcode: 029610

What's On Your Mind? A Chat with Superintendent Osei

Based on student feedback, some changes have been made to what was previously known as the "Student Listening Session". A new name was decided on by students and after the January 20 meeting, future meetings will be held on the first Monday of every month. Students of all ages are encouraged to attend.

January 20 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Students | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 918 6822 7793 | Passcode: 965140

February 1 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Students | Zoom Link | Meeting ID: 918 6822 7793 | Passcode: 965140
District Begins High School Principal Search
St. Louis Park Public Schools is seeking a principal to lead the high school beginning July 1, 2021. The position is posted and potential candidates are invited to visit the school district website at www.slpschools.org/HR to apply. The position closes February 24.

The District is committed to a rigorous, objective and racially equitable selection process. The selection process and timeline includes:

  • Applications received by February 24 will be reviewed for the first round of interviews.
  • A team of stakeholders will be selected the week of February 22-26 to interview the candidates. The stakeholder team will include high school students, staff, parents/guardians, districtwide administrators and community members. NOTE: Information will be coming soon regarding the selection of the stakeholder team.
  • First round interviews (Stakeholder Team Interviews) will begin the week of March 8-12. 
  • Second round interviews (Stakeholder Presentations) will begin the week of March 15-19.
  • Final interviews with the superintendent will begin the week of March 22-25.
  • The stakeholder team will provide feedback to the superintendent based on principal candidate qualifications.  The superintendent will take into consideration the feedback from the stakeholder team. Final selection decisions will consider information collected throughout the full selection process and will be made by the superintendent. 
  • The superintendent plans to bring the principal hiring recommendation to the school board by the April 12 School Board Meeting.
Immunizations Reminder as In-Person Learning Begins
St. Louis Park Public Schools requires compliance with the Minnesota State Immunization Law (M.S. 121A.15). In anticipation of elementary students returning to in-person learning, your student must be up-to-date on immunizations, or provide the appropriate legal exemption form. Your student will not be able to attend school in-person until the appropriate documentation is provided. If you have questions please contact the health office at your student’s school.
High School Incoming 9th Grade Preview Night is January 19
St. Louis Park High School will host a Virtual Incoming 9th Grade Preview Night at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19.

During this virtual event, students and families will be welcomed by school leaders and participate in breakout rooms to learn more about St. Louis Park High School. Breakout rooms will feature:

  • Student Panel
  • Academic Department Chairs
  • School Counselors & Multicultural Liaisons
  • Athletic Director & Staff
  • Activities Advisors
  • And more!

Students and families can register for this event by going online to www.slpenrollment.com. By registering, individuals will receive two reminder emails the day of the event with a link of how to join the virtual event via Zoom.
Middle School Incoming 6th Grade Information Night is January 21
St. Louis Park Middle School will host a Virtual Incoming 6th Grade Information Night at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 21.

During this virtual event, students and families will be welcomed by school leaders, receive details about online registration, and participate in breakout rooms to learn more about St. Louis Park Middle School. Breakout rooms will feature:

  • Academic Department Chairs
  • A general Q&A for English speaking families
  • A general Q&A for Spanish speaking families
  • A general Q&A for Somali speaking families

Note: the District's Spanish and Somali liaisons will be available to assist multilingual families.
 
By registering for the event you will receive two reminder emails the day of the event with a link to join the live virtual Zoom event.