February 3, 2021 | Volume 1 • Issue 21
A Message from Superintendent Osei
This week is National School Counseling Week (#NSCW21). The theme for this year is "School Counselors: All In for All Students”. I would like to take a moment and acknowledge the work that our counselors do. Our counselors have a positive impact on the lives of our students and play an important role in helping students achieve school success and plan for their post secondary experience. 

In addition to National School Counseling Week, this week kicks off Black History Month. The theme for this year’s celebration is "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity". I appreciate the collaboration I have observed as I have seen a number of resources being shared at and between sites. Creating a culturally relevant learning environment requires opportunities for students to learn about who they are racially and culturally and to work towards proficiency in other races and cultures. While the attention on Black history is nice in the month of February, it is not sufficient. I feel blessed to work in a district where the educators strive to make Black history and the history of all of our students a part of the learning experience throughout the entire school year.

I appreciate your understanding and patience as we transition students back to in-person and hybrid learning models. This week students in grades 3-5 started in-person and in the Distance Learning Academy model. The transition has gone well and our students and staff are adjusting to this new experience. I remain hopeful that things will continue to improve and that we will be able to sustain these less restrictive learning environments throughout the remainder of the school year. We are looking forward to welcoming secondary students back starting on February 22. 

Thank you for your continued support of St. Louis Park Public Schools. 

In community,

Astein
MS & HS Students Return for Hybrid Learning
Learning Model Change Requests Due February 7
Beginning February 22, ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS (Grades 6-8) and HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 9 AND 12 will transition to either hybrid learning at school or continue in distance learning from home. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 10 AND 11 will join their classmates on March 8. A complete timeline for the Grades 6-12 transition is included at the end of this document.
 
Both the Middle School and High School will return to hybrid learning at 50 percent capacity, with students attending class in-person two days per week and students learning from home two days per week. Wednesdays will remain a Flex Day at the Middle School and Student Feedback Day at the High School.
 
As the Middle School and High School return for hybrid learning, students and families have the opportunity to change their selection of educational delivery models. For example, if the previous choice was hybrid learning, students/families can now select to stay in distance learning. If students previously selected distance learning and now want to return to school for hybrid learning, they can do so. PLEASE NOTE: This change will be in place for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year.
 
IF STUDENTS/FAMILIES DON’T WISH TO MAKE A CHANGE to the learning model previously selected, NO ACTION IS REQUIRED. Please note the transition calendar below for key dates.

If students/families don’t remember which learning model was previously selected, they can:
  • Find it on the front page of the Powerschool Parent Portal
  • Contact the student’s Advisory Teacher, Dean, or Counselor by email
  • Call the School Office (MS: 952-928-6300 / HS 952-928-6100)

To make a change or confirm the learning model selection for your student(s), please complete a CHANGE FORM (links below), one form per student. The deadline to complete the Change Form is Sunday, February 7, 2021.


Additional information about hybrid learning and continued distance learning for students in Grades 6-12 will be emailed to families soon, and will include:
  • Sample Schedules;
  • Health & Safety Practices and Guidelines; and
  • Additional information about FREE school meals, technology, bus routes, activities, and more.
 
Please also continue to visit the District and School websites for updated information: www.slpschools.org and www.slpschools.org/ms and www.slpschools.org/hs.
 
The health and safety of students and families is of utmost importance; please do not hesitate to contact the Middle School or High School directly if you have any questions or concerns. 
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.
Susan Lindgren Receives Sun Media Readers' Choice Award
Susan Lindgren Elementary School has been named the Best Public School for 2021 in St. Louis Park by Sun Media readers.

"Having previously worked at several other buildings in the District, I know that all of our schools are deserving of this award," Susan Lindgren Principal Clarence Pollock said. "We also have many team members at Susan Lindgren who have worked at other schools in the District. Our team at Susan Lindgren would like to share this award with our colleagues across the District."
Final Kindergarten Information Night is February 10
St. Louis Park Public Schools will hold its final Kindergarten Information Night at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10 in a virtual format. 

At this event, parents/guardians will be able to meet the elementary school principals, learn more about each school and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP). Parents/guardians are asked to register for this event by going online to www.slpenrollment.com. Those who register will receive an email on the day of the event with a link on how to join the live event. 
Openings in Early Learning Preschool Program
We know a child will be more prepared for kindergarten if they've had the opportunity to participate in a high-quality preschool program. There's good news: As early learning moved to in-person learning, there are more openings in our current year EL preschool 1/2 day program both for in-person (morning & afternoon) and in our distance learning model. 

Please share this information with any friends or neighbors who might benefit from our Early Learning programs. More information is available online at https://slpcommunityed.com/early-learning/.