Welcome back!

We are excited to welcome you to school for the 2023-24 school year. We are requesting that students and families complete the majority of the required forms for the school year electronically.

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Oct 18 2023

No School E-12 (K-5 Conferences, E and 6-12 Professional Development) Subscribe to Alerts

Oct 19 2023

No School E-12 (MEA) Subscribe to Alerts

Where to begin

Accessing PowerSchool Public Portal - Opens the last week of August

WHAT: Student information portal and access to other electronic platforms.

WHO: Families with students in Grades K-12

WHEN: Before September 6, 2023

ACTION: Create an account and enter student, parent/guardian, and family information or review to ensure all information is current for the 2023-24 school year.

As we welcome students, parents/guardians, and families for the 2023-24 school year, we are providing many of our communications electronically. Many of our systems rely on - and can be accessed through - the PowerSchool Public Portal. The PowerSchool Public Portal provides families a convenient way to access student information and to make online updates.

IMPORTANT NOTES: If you already have a PowerSchool Public Portal account, you DO NOT need a new one. All student, parent/ guardian, and family information entered last year will be moved forward. We ask that you review and update your family’s information in the Annual Student Update (see Step 2). If you do not have an account, sites will be in contact between August 22-29 with parents/guardians who NEED TO CREATE a PowerSchool Public Portal account. This includes parents/guardians with kindergarten students.

For the best user experience, log into the PowerSchool Public Portal on a laptop or desktop computer, versus using the PowerSchool mobile app on your smartphone. When you have your student’s information, you can go directly to the PowerSchool Public Portal at slpschools.powerschool.com to create an account. If you created an account and forgot the username or password you chose, click the Forgot Username or Password link found on the PowerSchool Public Portal sign in screen.

If you do not receive a reset email from PowerSchool, check your spam folder for an email. If the reset email is not there, contact your child’s school for assistance.

Aquila Elementary School, 952-928-6500
Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School, 952-928-6555
Peter Hobart Elementary School, 952-928-6600
Susan Lindgren Elementary School, 952-928-6700
St. Louis Park Middle School, 952-928-6300
St. Louis Park High School, 952-928-6100

Once you are logged into the PowerSchool Public Portal, move to Step 2.

Complete the Annual Student Update (within PowerSchool) by Sept. 29 -not yet available

WHAT: Current 2023-24 student information

WHO: Families with students in Grades K-12

WHEN: By September 29, 2023

ACTION: Ensure all information is current for the 2023-24 school year.

The Annual Student Update will be available within the first weeks of school. Once the forms are available to fill out, you will receive an automated email letting you now that they are ready to update. You will receive this email within the first weeks of school.

Once the forms are available, within the PowerSchool Public Portal, you will find an icon along the left column (navigation bar) titled "Annual Student Update (2023-24). Click this icon to access the Annual Student Update for your student.

Here you can update important items such as the medical form and district agreements. Parents/Guardians can only submit one annual update per student and any subsequent updates should be made by contacting the school directly.

PLEASE NOTE: If your student requires medication during the school day, download and print the medications form for your student’s doctor to complete and sign. The form must be returned to school annually for any prescription medication to be administered during the school day.

Complete the medications form

Student Meal Accounts & New PINs (access EduTrak through the PowerSchool)

WHAT: Student Meal Accounts

WHO: Families with students in Grades K-12

WHEN: Prior to your child needing funds to make a purchase.

ACTION: Add funds to your child’s meal account (please allow up to 24 hours for the funds to arrive in your student’s account).

PowerSchool Parent (change Parent to Public) Portal provides a link called SmartSchoolK12 Food Service to each student’s EduTrak meal account where families can view student meal accounts and make payments online.

The School Nutrition Department cannot accept cash or checks, so online payment is the only way to add money to student meal accounts.

New PINS

Where can I find my student's new PIN?

Where can I find my student's new PIN?

In light of the action being taken to protect student information, school nutrition has reset PIN numbers. Previously, student ID numbers were used as PIN numbers for meal purchases. For this reason, all PIN numbers have been changed. Your student’s new PIN number is available in the PowerSchool Public Portal. While the standard school meals are free to students beginning this school year, students will still need to enter their PIN number.

Please see the information below to help prepare for the first day of school:

PIN numbers have been reset and parents/caregivers can access the new PIN numbers in PowerSchool. The orange banner will appear and the PIN is located at the top right. Please share the updated information with your student.
If your student is unaware of their new PIN number, each site will have a list of PIN numbers for students.
If your site and grade levels use student meal cards, these cards will be printed and distributed for students.
Students at sites and grade levels that do not use student meal cards will be able to type their new PIN number to process meal selections and ala carte options and additional purchases.

SLP schools will communicate additional information about this process as needed.

The safety of our school community is a top priority, as we continue to work towards ensuring each student receives healthy, nutritious meals. If you have any questions, please contact us at 952-928-6146 or email schoolnutrition@slpschools.org.

Online Services Parent Consent (within PowerSchool Public Portal click on forms)

WHAT: Complete the Online Services Parent Consent and Policy 524-Internet Acceptable Use Policy

WHO: Students & Families Grades K-12

WHEN: Before the deadline to register your student for their specific activity (some fall sports begin as early as August 15, 2023).

ACTION: Complete the forms to allow student access during the 2023-24 school year.

St. Louis Park Schools uses a variety of digital tools to support student learning. Technology vendors and software is utilized to support work as we help all students develop the skills necessary to succeed in an ever-changing world.

We have an inventory of our curriculum, testing, and assessment tools posted and it includes an outline of the student data elements within each tool. This list is maintained and communicated annually to all families at the start of the school year.

View the list of digital tools

This consent form acknowledges that you permit your child to access learning platforms adopted by St. Louis Park Public Schools.

Technology Device Loan Agreement & Policy 524-Internet Acceptable Use Policy (Grades 6-12; within PowerSchool Public Portal)

student with blue headphones learning on an ipad

WHAT: Technology Device Loan Agreement & Policy 524-Internet Acceptable Use Policy

WHO: Families with students in Grades 6-12 who receive a new device from the school district for the 2023-24 school year.

WHEN: Before the start of school or at back to school information/orientation events

ACTION: Complete agreement and form to allow student access to a school-issued device for the 2023-24 school year.

Students who received a device in the 2022-23 school year and kept them over the summer of 2023 will not need to re-sign this agreement. Incoming 6th graders at the middle school and incoming 9th graders at the high school will need to sign the agreement.

Application for Educational Benefits

WHAT: Apply for educational benefits to increase district funding for student services.

WHO: Families with students in Grades K-12

WHEN: Prior to your child needing funds to make a purchase.

ACTION: Complete the form to receive free or reduced educational benefits and to increase district funding for student services.

Beginning July 1, 2023, state legislation approved the Free School Meal for Kids Program. Each student will receive one free breakfast and lunch daily. Students that bring their own lunch will need to purchase a la carte items such as milk. Ala carte items include any additional items beyond the school provided breakfast/lunch. Purchase of a la carte items will require your student to maintain funds in their meal account.

School Nutrition does not accept cash or checks on the serving line for purchase of a la carte items. We are asking parents/guardians to deposit funds in the Family Meal Account. You will have access through your PowerSchool account to add funds for purchasing a la carte items.

PowerSchool Public Portal provides a link to each student’s Edutrak meal account where families can view student meal accounts and add funds online.

The School Nutrition Department cannot accept cash or checks, so online payment is the only way to add money to student meal accounts.

Even though one daily lunch and breakfast will be offered free to students through this new funding, completing the Application for Educational Benefits may qualify your family for other discounts such as:

Reduced district activity Fees
Reduced Testing Fees
Reduced Field Trips
Transportation
Reduced Internet Fees
School Funding

Fill out the application

Bus Information

WHAT: Bus Information (bus stop location and times).

WHO: Families with students in Grades K-12 who live within the bus eligibility area

WHEN: Bus route information will be available Aug. 28 in the Public Portal

ACTION: View back-to-school bus information - including bus stops and times for pick-up and drop-off.

Bus stop information will be available starting Aug. 28. This information can be found in the Traversa Ride 360 App and PowerSchool. Students and families can view bus stop information, including location and morning pick-up and afternoon drop-off times. You will also receive an email with school bus route information.

Learn about bus safety

If you have questions, please email transportation at transportation@slpschools.org or call 952-928-6052.

PLEASE NOTE:

Bus stops will NOT be changed from Aug. 24 through Sept. 22 (2 ½ weeks after the start of school).
In addition to the Public Portal, your child’s bus route information will also be available in the Ride 360 App or Ride 360 website.

Bus Tracking App: Traversa Ride 360 App

WHAT: Bus information (bus number, bus stop location, and bus stop time) and GPS tracking for school bus arrival for pick-up and afternoon drop-off.

WHO: Students & Families Grades K-12 who would like to use an the Ride360 App to access school bus information in addition to using the student portal or Ride 360 website

WHEN: After August 15, 2023

ACTION: Download “Traversa Ride 360” from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to begin using or access information from the Traversa Ride 360™ website (details on page 15). Log-in instructions below.

How to access the Traversa Ride 360 mobile app

1. Download “Traversa Ride 360” from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

2. After the app installation is complete, open Traversa Ride 360.

3. When prompted to find your school district, enter St. Louis Park Public Schools (MN)

4. Once you have selected your district, you will proceed to the login page. If you do not already have a registered email, click ‘Register’.

5. To register, enter your email address, password, and name.

6. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in your email to confirm your registration through the Ride 360 website.

7. Log in, then find a student by going to My Students and choosing the + button. This will present the Find a Student screen.

8. Enter your student’s ID number and birthday to find your student. Repeat this step to add additional students.

9. Once you have linked to a student, click on that student’s profile to see all relevant transportation information.

10. Press the “share” button to share a student link with someone else. Enter the email of the person you would like to share with. That person will receive a confirmation email that will automatically link them to the shared student(s). Recipients must register with Ride 360, if they have not already done so, to access the student information.

11. Regularly check for updates to ensure that your device is running the latest version of the app.

12. Remain logged into the app to receive district notifications, even when the app is not actively running.

How to access the Traversa Ride 360 website

1. Using the Chrome or Firefox browser, go to https://mnstlouisparksd283.traversaride360.com/

2. If you do not already have a registered email, click ‘Register’.

3. To register, enter your email address, password, and name.

4. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Click on the link in your email to confirm your registration through the Ride 360 website.

5. Log in, then find a student by going to My Students and clicking the ‘Find Student’ button

6. Enter your student’s ID number and birthday to find your student. Repeat this step to add additional students.

7. Once you have linked to a student, click on that student’s profile to see all relevant transportation information.

8. To share a student link with another person, select a student and click the student options button in the lower-right corner.

9. Choose which students to share, then enter the email of the person you would like to share with. That person will receive a confirmation email that will automatically link them to the shared student(s). Recipients must register with Ride 360, if they have not already done so, to access the student information.

If you have questions or need assistance, please email transportation@slpschools.org.

Digital Equity Survey

WHAT: State Student Digital Equity Survey

WHO: Families with students in Grades K-12

WHEN: By September 6, 2023

ACTION: Complete survey to assist the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) in ensuring each student and family has the equipment, help and support needed to support learning.

To complete the survey, click on the Digital Equity and Learning Preference icon as shown at right?? (I don't see an icon) directly in the PowerSchool Public Portal’s left menu.

Thank you for participating in the Student Digital Equity Survey. This survey collects information on student access to the Internet and electronic devices used for schoolwork in the student’s home.

St. Louis Park Public Schools may use this information to identify students that could benefit from additional support to make sure they can access learning opportunities outside the classroom or school building. It is important that we gather accurate information from every student so that each student and family has the equipment, help and support needed.

The information you provide in this survey will be reported to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). MDE may provide state- or school-level summary data – without personal, identifying information – to the Governor, legislators, MDE staff and external partners who have established data sharing agreements and protocols. St. Louis Park Public Schools will not share your personal, identifying information provided in this survey with others without your consent.

To complete the survey, click on the icon as shown at right directly in the PowerSchool Public Portal’s left menu.

Athletics and Activities

WHAT: Athletic and Activities registration

WHO: Families with students in Grades 6-12

WHEN: Some fall sports begin as early as August 15, 2023

ACTION: Register your student for athletics and pay fees.

Register your student for athletics and pay for student athletic fees:

NOTE: You will need a current student health physical on file for participation. You can submit your physical via one of three ways:

Drop off at High School athletic office or the Middle School main office
Fax it to the High School at 952-928-6172 or Middle School at 952-928-6380
Email to griffin.robert@slpschools.org (High School) or wennerberg.derek@slpschools.org (Middle School)

Fall Sports

• Cross Country (Boys)
• Cross Country (Girls)
• Football
• Soccer (Boys)
• Soccer (Girls)
• Swimming & Diving (Girls)
• Tennis (Girls)
• Volleyball

Find out more about athletics and activities

See your school office for Activities information.

Community Education & Early Learning

WHAT: Community Education, Early Learning and ECFE registration

WHO: Various age groups; Early Learning and ECFE ages 0-5

WHEN: Registration for fall activities (grades K-8) begin in September, preschool registration begin as early as January.

ACTION: Register your student for before and after school activities and early learning services.

Register your student/family for opportunities at https://slp.ce.eleyo.com/

Fall after school activities/clubs may include but not limited to:

Central Early Learning Center

Kids Place Preschool and School-Aged Care
- Full day preschool for working families for children ages 33 mos - 5 years.
Early Learning Preschool
- Flexible half day preschool options for children ages 33 mos. - 5 years.
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
- Parent/child classes for children ages 0-5.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
- Serving children ages birth through age 6 with identified special education needs.
Early Childhood Screening
- Recommended at age 3.5, Early Childhood Screening is required for all children entering public kindergarten.
Aquatics
- Swimming lessons for all ages.
Let's Dance
- Dance instruction for ages 2.5-5 years through musical games and songs.

Elementary School

• Chess Club
• Lego Club
• Art Adventures
• Sports
• Community Service Club

Middle School

• Chess Club
• Newspaper Club
• Drone Club

High School

• Driver’s Education
• ACT Prep

Find out more from Community Education

See your school office for seasonal activity/club schedule for youth opportunities.

Ride Share: CarRiderPro

WHAT: CarRiderPro

WHO: Aquila and PSI Students & Families Grades K-5 who plan to have your student picked up or dropped off at the school with a car

WHEN: First day of school for students

ACTION: Families at Aquila and Park Spanish Immersion will receive more specific CarRiderPro information and family specific tags directly from the school. If your family has a tag that was used last year, please retain that tag and await further instruction from your school.

The CarRiderPro system is designed to streamline the dismissal and pickup process for elementary schools when students are released at the end of the school day. It utilizes discretely encoded vehicle tags that are assigned to each student in the CarRider system and is cross referenced to parents or guardians that are responsible for their pickup after school each day. The system automatically detects each tag as it enters the pickup zone and identifies all students linked to it. Each student’s name is displayed, inside the school, in real time, in proper sequence with the vehicles in the pickup line. The system then automatically detects each tag as it leaves the pickup zone and logs out any student names associated with it.

Visit the Central Clinic

Central Clinic - Opening Aug. 8

Services are no cost and include:

Treatment for acute illness and injuries
Well-child/baby check ups
Immunizations/vaccines* (for uninsured/Medical Assistance/MNCARE)
Sports & camp physicals
Sexual health care
Interpreters can be arranged by calling ahead of time

*at this time, we are not able to give COVID vaccines.

Walk-In:

Patients are seen in order of arrival.

Consent:

Written consent by a parent or guardian required annually. (By Minnesota law, students can give permission for their sexual health services.)
Consent forms are available at the clinic, in school offices, Central Community

View the consent form

The clinic is staffed by Park Nicollet physicians. For more information regarding clinic services, please call 952-993-1100.

Central Community Center (W 35th St)

6300 Walker Street
Hwy. 7 and Wooddale
St. Louis Park, MN 55416
952-993-1100

Hours

Tuesday 1-4:30 p.m.
Thursday 1-4:30 p.m.

Low-cost dental care available at this location!
Call Children’s Dental Services: 612-746-1530

View the flyer: English | Somali | Spanish

School and District Communications

WHAT: School-to-home Communications

WHO: Students & Families Grades K-12

WHEN: Anytime, however schools and the District Office will be communicating with familes before the start of school

ACTION: Review information.

Stay connected with us!

The school-to-home connection is invaluable to ensuring each child’s academic success. You will receive and can access the following throughout the school year to learn the latest information about your school and the school district. Remember that all districtwide and school e-newsletters are posted on the District or school websites shortly after they are sent via email.

School e-Newsletters: St. Louis Park Public Schools and the District’s six schools regularly send communication to families via e-newsletters to all emails registered in the PowerSchool Public Portal. View current and past issues at:

Aquila Elementary School

Peter Hobart Elementary School

Park Spanish Immersion

Susan Lindgren Elementary School

St. Louis Park Middle School

St. Louis Park High School

SLP Communicator e-Newsletter: The SLP Communicator is a District publication for all stakeholders invested in achieving the mission of St. Louis Park Public Schools. This e-newsletter is distributed monthly during the school year on Wednesdays.

View the SLP Communicator

Social Media Channels

Facebook: @stlouisparkpublicschools
Twitter: @SLPublicSchools @283SUP (Superintendent)
Instagram: @st.louisparkpublicschools
YouTube: stlouisparkpublicschools

Follow us!

Student Name Badges

Meal Badge Grades K-5

White Meal Badges are used for school nutrition and are swiped in the cafeteria. These badges have replaced the use of PIN numbers as both a sanitary measure and to make the cafeteria more efficient. Meal badges will be given to students by the front office, and used to receive school meals (breakfast/lunch) and to purchase á la carte items in the cafeteria.

Note: The MN Free School Meals Program is a permanent program in place to allow students to have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost based on the following requirements listed below:

students must choose at least 3 items at breakfast and at least 3 components at lunch.
The student must choose at least ½ cup of a fruit or vegetable at breakfast and lunch.
Students that want additional or Ala Carte items will need to have funds available as those additional items will be charged to their student’s meal account, even if you qualify for educational benefits.
Students and families may qualify for other program fee reductions based on their eligibility by completing an Application for Education Benefits.

Student ID/Meal Badge Grades 6-12

White Student ID/Meal Badges are used for school nutrition and are swiped in the cafeteria. These badges have replaced the use of PIN numbers as both a sanitary measure and to make the cafeteria more efficient. Students will use their badge from last year, or can pick up a new meal badge at their school office.

Note: The MN Free School Meals Program is a permanent program in place to allow students to have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost based on the following requirements listed below:

students must choose at least 3 items at breakfast and at least 3 components at lunch.
The student must choose at least ½ cup of a fruit or vegetable at breakfast and lunch.
Students that want additional or Ala Carte items will need to have funds available as those additional items will be charged to their student’s meal account, even if you qualify for educational benefits.

Students and families may qualify for other program fee reductions based on their eligibility by completing an Application for Education Benefits.

Student Activity Bus Badge Grades 6-12

Orange Bus Badges are required if your student will use the after-school Activity Bus (if registered for activities). Students will use badges from last year, or can pick up a bus badge at their school office or with their club/athletics advisors. Students who do not have an orange bus badge will not be allowed to ride the activity bus.

Middle School

New Front Office Structure

Starting this year, we will have a new Front Office Structure that consists of one Principal, two Assistant Principals, two Counselors and three Achievement and Support Coordinators (ASC). The Dean positions have been eliminated and ASC positions replace Grade Level Coordinators (GLCs.) The Front Office will approach supporting students as a team. Please see the chart below for who will take the lead on supporting students with each issue

Taking the lead of student support in.

Front Office Staff

Academics, Behavior

Principal - Melissa Kalinowski
Assistant Principal - Jason Boll
Assistant Principal - Cam Muata

Academics, Social/Emotional

Counselor - Delana Brinkman
Counselor - Wendy Klute

Behavior, Attendance (Tardies)

ASC - Ron Howard (6th Grade)
ASC - Benjy Kent (7th Grade)
ASC - Justin Cherrier (8th Grade)

Mental Health, Social/Emotional, Attendance (Absenteeism)

Social Worker - Kristen Engen-Routzon
Social Worker - Abbie Mullen

Interdisciplinary Teams

We are launching interdisciplinary teams this school year. Each grade level will have two teams. Each team will consist of a Language and Literature teacher, Science teacher, Math teacher and Individuals and Societies teacher. The goals of Interdisciplinary Teams is to support the growth, development, learning and well-being of the students by creating a smaller community of belonging within the larger school community. Interdisciplinary Teams make a large school feel smaller, help students and teachers make curriculum connections, build closer relationships and strengthen social skills, and provide consistency for students.

Cell Phone Procedure and Guidelines

This year, SLPMS will be implementing “away all day” for personal devices, including cell phones and earbuds. We recognize that cell phones have become a way of life, a technological convenience that has impacted all of us in many ways. However, in the school environment, cell phones can be a distraction, an interruption, and occasionally, a tool to exchange inappropriate information.

Therefore, beginning on the first day of the school year, all cell phones must be off and away upon arrival at school. Students may reconnect after 4 p.m. dismissal. If students choose to bring their phones to school, they must be stored away in their backpacks or lockers. This “away all day” approach will help us create a more positive environment where learning is the focus. Since St. Louis Park Middle School is not responsible for the loss or theft of any personal devices, we encourage students to keep them at home.

We believe this rule will allow our students to be more engaged in classroom activities, less likely to engage in conversations around bullying, and less likely to be distracted or procrastinate on assignments. It will allow teachers to focus on lessons, instead of cell phone distractions in the classrooms. As more research around the impacts of cell phone use of adolescents is being published, we are starting to understand that it can lead to increased mental health issues in adolescents. As protecting and supporting the mental health of our students is a priority, we believe that limiting cell phone use during school will assist us in these endeavors.

We recognize that cell phones are a safety and security tool for parents and students to stay connected. Rather than call or text students on their cell phones, Guardians should utilize the school phone number 952-928-6300 to relay any messages that may be urgent in nature for your student. The office will relay the message to students in a prompt manner. Students will have access to school phones to call parents. We appreciate the support of guardians in following this procedure. Students who require their phone for medical reasons will be allowed to use their phone for this purpose with a note from a Health Provider on file.

If a student is found using a cell phone during school hours, the phone will be collected by a staff member, placed in an envelope, and delivered to the office. Guardians will also receive an email or a phone call. The attached sheet explains the guidelines more in depth. Please review them with your student prior to the start of school.

Family Connect 1-1 Meetings - Aug. 31, 2023

We strive to create an environment dedicated to the education and development of each person. An integral part of that development is making personal connections. We require all students/families to schedule a 20 minute in-person back to school session with their advisory teacher on Thursday, Aug. 31.

You will be able to sign up for a time to meet with your student’s advisory teacher via Sign Up Genius that will be available on our website on Aug. 25. The link will also be included in a special edition of the Oriole Times newsletter.

This will be a time for teachers and students to:

Make a personal connection with their Advisor
Review class schedule
Ask Questions and receive school information

6th Grade Students - receive your school issued Chromebook. (The Technology Device Loan Agreement & Acceptable Use Form is required before the Chromebook is issued to the student. This form can be found in the PowerSchool Public Portal under FORMS)

6th Grade students as well as all NEW 7th and 8th Grade students:
In addition to your scheduled Advisor meeting you will have the opportunity to :

Find your locker and walk your schedule
Learn about Sports/Activities and Clubs
Talk with someone about opportunities with our School Site Council

New 7th and 8th Grade Students will be able to check their Chromebook out of the LMC on the first day of school. (The Technology Device Loan Agreement & Acceptable Use Form is required before the Chromebook is issued to the student. This form can be found in the PowerSchool Public Portal under FORMS)

Please allow a minimum of 60 minutes to complete.

Class Schedules

School Pictures

Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 7. You can purchase pictures online at mylifetouch.com and enter code: EVTW934SP. If you choose not to purchase a photo package, you should still have your picture taken in order to receive your student identification badge and to be included in the yearbook. If you are unable to get your picture taken, there will be make-up pictures on Oct. 5.

Yearbooks

Attendance

Students are expected to be in class on time, every hour, every school day. School is in session from 9:05 am to 3:52pm. If your student will be absent, please call to report the absence to 952-928-6394, send an email to msattendance@slpschools.org or complete this Google Form. Please be prepared to report the student’s information (name, grade, student ID) and any relevant information about the absence. All absences are marked as Absent Unexcused (AU) until the absence is reported. Students can not excuse themselves.

Tardies

We expect all students to be on time to every class everyday. Important learning and community building is happening and is essential to your student’s academic and social growth.

Students who come late to class WITHOUT a pass will be marked tardy in PowerSchool. It will show up as a TU for unexcused tardy. Excused tardies are marked with a TE.

Tardy Violations

3 unexcused tardies to one class- teacher will contact home and the student will not be allowed a hallway pass during that class period for 1 week.
6 unexcused tardies to one class- same as above AND students will be referred to the grade level Achievement Support Coordinator (ASC) for additional contact home and further interventions.

Additionally, at the end of each week, ASCs will use weekly unexcused tardy information to determine students who need ongoing interventions and for how long.

At the beginning of each quarter all violations are cleared and will reset. Individualized student support plans and interventions will continue as needed.

Appointments During the School Day

We encourage you to schedule your child’s appointments (doctor, orthodontist, etc) before or after school hours. However, if you are unable to do so and your child will be coming late, please send a note with them explaining the absence from class. If you are picking up your child early, please come to the main entrance and your child will be excused from class.

If someone other than a parent/guardian will be picking up your child, we require written authorization. Please be specific, including the name and relationship to your child (sibling, grandparent, friend etc.) as well as a phone number where you can be reached to verify. In accordance with our visitor policy, visitors may be asked for identification.

Please note that due to liability issues, St. Louis Park Middle School will not be accommodating virtual appointments for students with outside providers during the school day.

Physical Education Sport Wear

6th, 7th and 8th grade students must wear tennis shoes to every PE class. This year, students will be assigned a PE locker when locker room construction is completed. Students should use their hallway locker to safely secure their belongings during PE class until construction is completed. Tennis shoes can be kept in their hallway locker. When students are assigned a PE locker, it is highly recommended they keep the following in their PE locker:

Tennis shoes
extra pair of socks
deodorant
extra gym clothes (if needed)

High School

9th Grade Orientation

Orientation for students
9th grade orientation is Thursday, Aug. 31, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. We will kick off the event in the auditorium. After the gathering, students will meet with their Park Connections teacher and receive their schedules, Chromebooks, student IDs and other pertinent information. Students will have a chance to find their classes and common locations in a Scavenger Hunt, as well as attend an Activity Fair. The fair will give students time to mingle, ask questions, and indicate interest in various clubs and activities.

View bus information for 9th grade orientation. This will include times and bus stop locations for orientation only. Buses will depart from the high school at 11:45 a.m. to return students home.

9th Grade Orientation for Parents/Caregivers
Parents/caregivers are invited to a 9th grade orientation session on Thursday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The orientation will be recorded, and the recording will be posted on the SLPHS website. Attendees will hear from key support staff, and learn about the 9th grade academic program.

NEW STUDENTS ONLY-10-12th Grade Orientation

Students and families are welcome to attend, and there is no need to reserve your spot, just show up!

When: Thursday, Aug. 31 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: St. Louis Park High School, B112
(Enter in Door #1 – Main Office, off 33rd Street, and you will be escorted to the meeting room)

Get your class schedule
Pick-up your Chromebook
Make sure accounts are working (Powerschool/Schoology/Google docs)
Tour the school and find your classes
Understand our breakfast/lunch procedures
Get all of your questions answered
Visit the Activity Fair (learn about SLPHS Activities and Athletics)

Park Connections 1-1 Meetings

Grades 10-12

Park Connections Meetings - Thursday, Aug. 31 from 8-10 a.m. and 12-7 pm. Translation services can be provided if needed. Scheduling the meeting will take place through Student Support Time App. An email notification to set-up your meeting will be sent out August 25th. If you don't have transportation, please schedule a virtual meeting with your Park Connections teacher. Every student will meet for 20-minutes with a Park Connections teacher.
Check-In: Review the 2022-23 school year and set goals for 2023-24

Communication: Confirm student and family contact information and review opportunities for school-to home connections

Students new to SLPHS pick up your school issued Chromebook! The Device Agreement must be signed by a parent or guardian prior to issuing your device.

Grade 9

Students will meet their Park Connections teacher and pick up their device during 9th grade Orientation from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on Aug. 31. If they are not able to attend they can get their Chromebook during the first week of school.

School Pictures

Lifetouch will take school pictures for Grades 9-11 on Sept. 8 in the small gym during their English class. You can purchase pictures online at mylifetouch.com and enter code: EVTW34CN7.

If you choose not to purchase a photo package, you should still have your picture taken in order to receive your student identification badge and to be included in the yearbook. If you are unable to get your picture taken, there will be make-up pictures on Oct. 12.

The Echowan staff is dedicated to ensuring every student’s name is listed in the yearbook in a way that honors and affirms their identity.

When you order pictures:

Please use your student’s preferred name
Fill out this application for a name change if one is needed
Students with name changes should inform the photographer at the time of their photo – this is to ensure that LifeTouch has their correct name

Seniors:
Submit your photos
The Echowan staff will communicate to seniors and families about missing photos

Seniors will be submitting their own photos, from either a senior photo shoot or a recent picture that they select of themselves. If you have your photos now, use the link above. Once school starts, you can go to slpechowan.org and click on the senior pictures link. The picture does not have to be professional. Reminder - your school picture will appear in the yearbook. Please dress accordingly.

If your student doesn’t have a school picture:
Their name will be listed on the class portrait page as “not pictured”

The creation of our yearbook is a long process that starts before the beginning of the school year. There are several hard deadlines between our staff and Josten’s printer throughout the year. The class portrait pages are typically our first pages with deadlines to the printer. Because of that, we ask that any name changes be made by Dec. 31 to make sure preferred names are listed in the yearbook.

If a name change is needed after Dec. 31, please reach out to Kelsey Hanson, Echowan Advisor, at hanson.kelsey@slpschools.org.

Virtual Grade Level Family Nights for Parents/Caregivers

Parent Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC)

All parents/caregivers of students in grades 9 - 12 are invited to participate in the Parent Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC). There are three meetings scheduled throughout the year, and you may choose to participate in one or more of the meetings. PEAC members meet virtually with the principal and assistant principals to learn the latest updates about what is going on at the high school, share insights and connect with other parents/caregivers to help support students. This group supports teacher appreciation and conference meals. For more information contact PEAC co-chairs Julie Yakes and Roni Falck at slphsPEAC@gmail.com or Principal Paddock at paddock.lanisha@slpschools.org.

View the PEAC Welcome Video
Meetings are from 7-8 p.m.

November 8, 2023 (In person-subject to change due to construction)
January 8, 2024 (Virtual)
April 16, 2024 (In person-subject to change due to construction)

Parking Pass NEW 2023-24

Parking passes will go on sale on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 8 a.m. Complete the Google Form to register for a Parking Pass.

SLPHS Parking Passes are on a first come first serve basis due to limited spaces. On Aug. 24 by noon, students will be notified that they have been assigned a parking pass for the entire 2023-24 school year. At that time, payments can be made online with the link that will be provided in a confirmation email.

NEW THIS YEAR - Price of Parking Pass is $100 for the entire school year. Once payment has been submitted, please print a receipt and have your student bring it to the Main Office to pick up their parking pass. Students will need to have all obligations cleared up and present a valid driver’s license when picking up their pass. If payment is not submitted and pass is not picked up by Friday, Sept. 8 the spot will be forfeited to the next student on the list. Cars without passes are subject to being towed.

Please note a parking permit can be revoked anytime by an Administrator if student conduct does not follow the SLPHS Student Handbook.

*Due to limited spaces we will hold a number of permits aside for sale throughout the year. However, once permits are sold out-we will have a wait list.

Parking Pass Form

Class Schedules

Students will be able to view schedules through Powerschool on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. (view schedules through Powerschool, not Schoology). Please know that classes will be balanced over the last weeks of August so students should check for their most up-to-date schedule on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.

Schedule change requests will be very minimal and must be made prior to Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. All schedule change requests can be made through the Schedule Change Request link can be found on the login page of Public Portal.

Please remember that schedules will only be adjusted for the following reasons:

A wrong class appears
A level adjustment needs to occur
A graduation requirement needs to be fulfilled.

Unfortunately, schedule changes cannot be made for teacher choice or class time preference.

Testing

The ACT and SAT college entrance exams should be taken by spring of the junior year. On March 6, 2024 all juniors will take the ACT at SLP High School. We encourage students to take the exam earlier to allow time to retake the exam for a chance to improve their score. Check with individual schools regarding ACT/SAT admission updates, many schools have moved to a ‘test optional’ status.

The best way to prepare is to take practice tests.
You can find FREE exam prep here:
Take a practice ACT
practice SAT Through college board.org Practice sat through khanacademy.org

In addition, there are test prep books that can be purchased from most major book sellers.

Visit the SLP College and Career Readiness site for more information on testing and test prep.

If you need to take or retake the SAT and/or ACT, check out their web sites for dates and registration information. Registration should be completed online at:
Register for ACT
Register for SAT

All students in the junior class will take the ACT at SLPHS on March 6, 2024. Look for more information in the 6425 Newsletter.

PSAT
The PSAT will be offered on multiple dates during the month of October at St. Louis Park High School to Juniors or Sophomores who register for the exam. Registration and fee information will be available soon. The PSAT is to qualify students for National Merit Scholarships when taken during 11th grade. Juniors who are in the top third of their class and/or have over a 3.0 GPA are encouraged to take the test. Students in 10th grade who are in the top 25% of their class should consider taking the test as well as a practice for 11th grade. The PSAT can also be used as a practice test for the SAT. More information regarding college preparatory tests will be available in the 6425 electronic newsletter as it is made available.

Locker Opt-In

Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) Direct Admissions

Incoming seniors that are on-track to graduate spring of 2024 will be eligible for guaranteed admissions to fifty-five MN postsecondary institutions. OHE direct admissions provides waived application fees to participating MN colleges and universities with guaranteed admission. In early October, students will receive notification of their qualifying tier with the list of institutions they can apply for at no cost. More information will be provided as we head into the 2023-24 school year. For questions please contact Kara Mueller mueller.kara@slpschools.org.