February 10, 2021 | Volume 1 • Issue 22
District Seeking Feedback on Draft of Core Values, Vision & Mission for 2020-25 Strategic Plan for Racial Equity Transformation
St. Louis Park Public Schools is inviting students, parents, staff and the community to review and provide feedback on the DRAFT Core Values, Vision & Mission for the 2020-25 Strategic Plan for Racial Equity Transformation. Feedback will be compiled and shared with the School Board during a presentation at the February 22 School Board Meeting.

DRAFT Core Values:
We believe in:

  • The brilliance of ourselves and others. Everyone has the capacity and responsibility to foster the growth and brilliance of others.

  • Authentic community engagement. Engaging and supporting our employees, families, and communities will enhance the healthy development of each learner.

  • High expectations. Instilling and upholding high expectations empowers students and staff to higher levels of achievement.

  • Collective responsibility. Embodying the collective and urgent responsibility of anti-racist practices enriches a work and learning environment and community.

  • Persistent effort. Through persistent effort we will create anti-racist schools and academically successful learners.

  • Racial consciousness and cultural competence. Racial consciousness and cultural competence are essential to each person’s ability to be a catalyst for change.

  • Advocacy for equity. Everyone has equal intrinsic worth and we will advocate for the historically marginalized.

DRAFT Vision Statement (Paints a picture of the desired future):
St. Louis Park Public Schools – Where students are seen and valued and become their best selves as racially conscious, globally minded contributors to society.

DRAFT Mission Statement (Declares what will be achieved):
St. Louis Park Public Schools sees, inspires, and empowers 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.

Stakeholders have a variety of methods to provide feedback:

Join the Online Conversation
Join the conversation online by participating in the ThoughtExchange; open now through February 17. Here you will be able to review the DRAFT statements and share your thoughts as well as weigh-in on what others are thinking about the work. CLICK HERE to join the ThoughtExchange.

Attend a Virtual Meeting
All stakeholders are invited to attend a virtual meeting to learn about the DRAFT Core Values, Vision & Mission and provide feedback.

By Phone: 312-626-6799 / Meeting ID: 972 7086 7856

By Phone: 312-626-6799 / Meeting ID: 959 8339 9205

By Phone: 646-558-8656 / Meeting ID: 954 9587 7631

By Phone: 312-626-6799 / Meeting ID: 921 0874 7934

Click on the meeting date and time to join the meeting or join the meeting by phone.

Email or Call the School District
You can also email or call Sara Thompson, Director of Communications and Community Relations, directly at thompson.sara@slpschools.org or 952-928-6064 to provide your feedback.
COVID-19 Travel Warnings & Restrictions
With the President’s Day long weekend and spring break coming up March 27-April 4, St. Louis Park Public Schools is reminding parents and families to seek travel guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Travel that puts students and families at risk is currently discouraged by the MDH and the CDC, and could make it difficult to return home and to school as planned.
 
The COVID-19 landscape is changing day-by-day and further travel restrictions or enforcement could be put in place if health conditions deteriorate. Last week, President Biden signed a new executive order requiring a negative COVID test within three days of travel to the U.S., and one week of quarantine after international travel. CDC Guidelines currently include this requirement: “All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board a flight to the United States.”

As a district, we will continue to monitor the state and federal guidance as we navigate the trajectory of the pandemic. We encourage you to also continue to monitor guidance regarding all travel plans. PLEASE NOTE: We are also sharing this information with all St. Louis Park Public Schools teachers and staff who may have travel plans to ensure their safety and that of students and other staff upon their return.

We all have a role to play in reducing the spread of COVID-19, let’s count on each other to keep our schools open and our community safe.
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. 

February 16 | Parents/Guardians - English | 5:00-6:00 p.m. | Zoom Link

February 16 | Parents/Guardians - Spanish | 6:00-7:00 p.m. | Zoom Link
Updated COVID-19 Dashboard
The dashboard will be updated every Wednesday and can be found on the District's COVID-19 News & Updates page at www.slpschools.org/covid19. Please note that this week's data only reflects early learning and K-5 students.
Video to Celebrate Black History Month and National African American Parent Involvement Day to Premiere on February 15
St. Louis Park Public Schools will premiere a video at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, February 15 on the District's YouTube channel titled "SHOWING UP FOR OUR STUDENTS: Celebrating Our Black Students & Their Families." The video is part of the District's celebration of Black History Month and National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID).

Click here to access the District's YouTube channel.
High School Principal Search Update
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 posting closes February 24.

Interview & Selection Timeline:
Feb. 22-26: Stakeholder Team Selection
Feb. 24: Principal Applications Due
March 10: First Round Interviews
March 17: Second Round Interviews
March 22-25: Final Round Interviews
April 12: Candidate Recommendation to the School Board
Next Week's Calendar
Parents and guardians are reminded that there are several no school days the week of February 15-19.

February 15: No School K-12 (Presidents' Day)
February 18: No School 6-12 (Secondary Transition Day)
February 19: No School K-12 (Elementary Professional Development & Secondary Transition Day)