April 6, 2022 | Volume 2 • Issue 30
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A Message from Superintendent Osei |
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Prior to spring break, Middle School Principal Les Bork announced his plans to retire at the end of the school year. I was surprised and sad to learn of this news. Les has been a tremendous leader in St. Louis Park Public Schools for many years and has had a meaningful impact on our district. Earlier this school year, Les was recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Administrators (NASSP) for being the longest standing active member in the country. During his 37 years as Middle School Principal, Les has positively impacted the lives of multiple generations of St. Louis Park Public Schools families. I am extremely grateful for his service and commitment to improving the educational experience for students at our Middle School.
As we begin the process to fill the position, I wanted to make you aware of the timeline for selecting the next Middle School Principal and to invite you to participate in the process.
Below is a timeline of events/actions connected to the Middle School Principal selection process.
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April 5-15 - Interested stakeholders sign up to participate in the selection process.
- April 11-15 - Stakeholders will have opportunities to provide input. Specifically, stakeholders will have an opportunity to share the attributes they are looking for in the next Middle School Principal.
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Stakeholder Input Opportunities
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Staff Process Overview & Input Session | Monday, April 11, 2022 | 4:30-5:15 p.m. | Zoom
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Parent/Guardian and Community Process Overview & Input Session | Wednesday, April 13, 2022 | 6:30-7:15 p.m. | Zoom
- Student Input Sessions | Students will be able to provide input during lunch (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) on Monday, April 11, Tuesday, April 12, and Friday, April 15.
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- May 2 - First round interviews with stakeholder groups will take place virtually via Google Meet.
- May 9 - Second round interviews will take place either virtually or in-person.
- May 16-18 - Final round interview with Superintendent. Final selection decisions will consider information collected throughout the full selection process and be made by the Superintendent.
- May 24 - Superintendent will make an employment recommendation to the Board at the May 24 School Board meeting.
I am looking forward to learning from you about the attributes and leadership qualities that you are looking for in the next leader of the Middle School. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have questions about the process.
In community,
Astein
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April is Autism Awareness Month |
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April has traditionally been recognized as Autism Awareness Month. Autism is a developmental condition that’s often apparent in early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is described as a spectrum because it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. This can make autism difficult to understand. But with 1 in 44 kids having autism, you likely know someone on the spectrum in your schools, places of work, and communities.
Educators and families in St. Louis Park's Early Learning Program are taking Autism “Awareness” to the next level by embracing the Autism “Acceptance” movement for the month of April and beyond. Our hope is to provide education to reduce the stigma and false assumptions about autism, while celebrating the differences among our young learners—differences that enhance our school community as a whole.
Acceptance begins with the understanding that autism is not an illness or defect that needs to be cured or fixed. It is a difference in how a child learns, thinks, experiences the world and relates to others. These differences can lead to challenges and they also bring creativity, strengths, and supports that benefit all learners. The more we understand how a child learns and experiences the world, the better equipped we are as educators and parents to appreciate their gifts, support their development, build upon their strengths, and help them reach their fullest potential, regardless of their individual path or timeline.
Join the Autism Acceptance movement! You can further your understanding of autism by exploring the resources below. Share them widely with kids and grown-ups alike!
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April 2-8 is the Week of the Young Child |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools joins the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in celebrating the Week of the Young Child, April 2-8, 2022. The NAEYC is the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 51 affiliates.
The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
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April 4-8 is National Assistant Principal Week |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools joins the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the American Federation of School Administrators in honoring the enormous contributions of assistant principals to student success. |
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April 4 was National School Librarian Day |
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St. Louis Park Public Schools celebrates our media specialists and the contributions they make to student learning. Thank you for keeping our libraries running smoothly and helping our students find the resources they need to learn and grow their knowledge. |
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April 4-8 is Severe Weather Awareness Week |
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Annually, Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in collaboration with the National Weather Service sponsors Severe Weather Awareness Week in Minnesota. The week is designed to refresh, remind and educate everyone about the seasonal threats from severe weather and how to avoid them.
Students and staff in St. Louis Park Public Schools will participate in the daytime statewide tornado drill tomorrow (Thursday, April 7) at 1:45 p.m. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning and students and staff will practice how to shelter in place.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota experiences an average of 29 tornadoes per year. In 2021, Minnesota recorded 64 tornadoes, including 22 on December 15 alone, which were the latest reported tornadoes on record. A record was set in 2010 with 113 tornadoes touching down across the state.
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Save the Date: Incoming 6th Grade Rally Night is April 21 |
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St. Louis Park Middle School will host Incoming 6th Grade Rally Night at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 21. Please note that this will be an in-person event with some content available virtually through a livestream and recorded video.
Rally Night is great opportunity for incoming 6th grade families to become acquainted with the Middle School prior to the 2022-23 school year. The event will begin with a welcome from school leaders at 6:30 p.m. in the new performing arts space and will then transition into a variety of informational sessions and experiences including the following:
- Student-led Tours
- Fieldhouse Fair & Information Stations (Athletics, Clubs/Activities, Student Leadership Opportunities, Library Media Center, etc.)
- Student Panel
- Specialized Programming Information (International Baccalaureate, Extended Spanish Program, Restorative Practices, etc.)
- 10 Myths About Your Adolescent's Life at SLP (geared toward parents and guardians)
- St. Louis Park Swag Giveaways
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Elementary Schools to Offer In-Person Tours for Incoming Kindergarten Families |
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Principals of the District's four elementary schools will be offering in-person tours during the month of April to give incoming Kindergarten families a glimpse of what school will be like for their student. During these tours, principals will take families through a walking tour of the building including classrooms and large shared spaces. The principals will also leave time at the end of each tour for questions. Please note that face masks are not required, but strongly recommended at this time in St. Louis Park Public School buildings. Please use the links below to access tour sign-up forms.
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Spring/Summer Community Ed Catalog Now Available |
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The Spring/Summer Community Education catalog is now available! Check out what we have planned for you this Spring and Summer! Click here to flip through the catalog online or use the links below to register online.
Early Learning: Preschool, Screening and ECFE classes will have our youngest children learning and school ready!
Kids Place: School Age Care opportunities for children preschool to grade 6!
Senior Program: The Spring/Summer Newscaster is coming soon with all of our classes, events and activities for adults age 50 and better!
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Enrollment News for 2022-23 School Year! |
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