February 16, 2022 | Volume 2 • Issue 25
A Message from Superintendent Osei
In St. Louis Park Public Schools, we believe that everyone has the capacity and responsibility to foster the growth and brilliance of others. This belief is central to the work we do on a daily basis and is having an impact on the experience of our students. The first half of this school year has been filled with examples of students demonstrating their brilliance academically, artistically, and athletically.  

Whether it be our high school theater students demonstrating their brilliance in the One Act Play sections finals, Aquila elementary students performing Madagascar Jr., or our bands, orchestras and choirs’ beautiful musical performances, our students are excelling in the arts. 

This winter our students had success athletically and this success was highlighted by our Girl’s Nordic Ski team winning the conference and section championships and our Boy’s Swimming team winning the conference championship. Our students are competing at a high level and positively representing our school community on and off the field of competition.

Most importantly, we had a strong finish to the first semester academically and our students are demonstrating their brilliance everyday in the classroom. The effort our students are putting forth to cultivate their academic brilliance is being noticed and celebrated by staff. This effort and excellence has shown up in several ways over the course of the school year and one recent example is the success of the Math Team at the Middle School. At a recent MathCounts Regional Competition we had multiple students place at the event and advance to the state competition.  

I am proud of all of the accomplishments of our students and thankful for everything that you do on a daily basis to nurture the brilliance of our students. Thank you for your collective effort to see, inspire, and empower each learner to 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.

In community,

Astein
Mary Tomback Resigns from School Board Effective Feb. 23
School Board to Fill Two Seats by Appointment
On Thursday, February 10, School Board Chair Anne Casey accepted the resignation of Board Member Mary Tomback, effective February 23 (CLICK HERE to read the February 11 announcement).

Tomback's resignation leaves two open seats to fill on the board. With the appointment process for the seat vacated by Laura McClendon already underway, the Board has determined that it will select two of the current finalists to fill these vacancies. 

The finalists are:
  • Sarah Davis
  • Jim Leuthner
  • Virginia Mancini
  • Bruce McLean
  • Melissa Vogt

Finalist interviews will proceed as scheduled on Wednesday, March 2 and will be immediately followed by deliberation and selection by the Board. 

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. 

The two Board-appointed individuals will serve until a special election is held in November 2022 to determine who will serve the remainder of the terms. Ms. McClendon’s term expires December 31, 2023 and Ms. Tomback’s term expires December 31, 2025. The candidate filing period for the November 2022 special election will be communicated at a later date.
COVID Dashboard
The District's COVID Dashboard will be updated every Wednesday with the exception of Winter Break and Spring Break and can be found on the District's COVID Updates & Information page at www.slpschools.org/families/covid-updates-information.
COVID Tests Available for Students and Staff
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.
Additional Local Testing Options
February 21-25 is School Board Recognition Week
The Minnesota School Boards Association has set February 21-25 as Minnesota School Board Recognition Week to build awareness and understanding of the vital function elected school board members play in our society. St. Louis Park Public Schools is joining other public school districts from across the state to celebrate School Board Recognition Week to honor local board members for their commitment to St. Louis Park and its students. 
School Playgrounds Repurposed Through Kids Around the World
Playground equipment that would've been destroyed from several District schools has been repurposed and flown across the globe through the Kids Around the World program.

Playground equipment that was previously installed at Peter Hobart Elementary School and Aquila Park was featured in a recent issue of Minnesota Recreation & Parks magazine.
Video: Celebrating Black History Month and NAAPID
St. Louis Park Public Schools premiered a video on Monday, February 14, in recognition of Black History Month and National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID). The video highlights how ancestral knowledge energizes and enhances the spirit of our students, staff and families.

NAAPID launched in 1995 after Evansville, Indiana native Joseph Dulin was inspired by the Million Man March. Dulin, who became a celebrated educator and activist before his 2014 death, returned from the March intent on focusing parents and guardians on the goals of NAAPID, which include:

  • Parent (guardian/family) involvement in your child's education.
  • Addressing serious challenges facing African American students.
  • Promoting and providing strategies for all parents (guardians and families) and students to take full advantage of the educational process at all levels of the educational system (preschool through college).
  • Identifying and developing partnership efforts between all sectors of the community (business, school, home etc.)
  • Establishing an annual event on the second Monday in February to provide continued focus on these goals across the country.
Online Enrollment is Open for 2022-23 School Year
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.
Mask Up!
Stay Home When You Are Sick!




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