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Class of 2024,
As you embark on your final week of high school, I want to take a moment to celebrate your incredible journey. These past years have been filled with hard work, dedication, and memorable experiences that have shaped you into the remarkable individuals you are today. Whether it was excelling in academics, participating in sports, engaging in arts, or contributing to the community, each of you has left a mark on our school. Your perseverance, especially during challenging times, has been truly inspiring, and it is with great pride that we prepare to send you off into the world. We are immensely proud of each and every one of you and look forward to seeing the incredible impact you will undoubtedly make while sharing your brilliance with others.
Congratulations, Class of 2024, and best wishes for a bright and prosperous future!
Take care, be well, and GO PARK!!
LaNisha Paddock
Principal
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GRADUATION EXPECTATIONS FOR A RESPECTFUL & JOYFUL CEREMONY | |
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As we approach the much-anticipated graduation day, we wish to ensure that the ceremony is a celebratory and memorable event for everyone involved. With graduation set for June 4, it is crucial that we come together to honor the achievements of our graduates in a respectful and joyous manner.
Important Information and Guidelines:
- Arrival time: Please arrive on time. The gates will open at 6:30 PM for families, with seniors expected to be there by 6 PM.
- Do not decorate caps
- Do not wear high heels
- Do not bring food/beverage
- Expectations: Plan for an enjoyable evening, but also anticipate a large crowd. Patience and cooperation are appreciated as we celebrate this milestone.
- Respect for all: We ask everyone in attendance to show respect for all students, families, and staff, regardless of background or belief. This is a time for celebration, not division.
- No airhorns or disruptive noisemakers: To ensure every name is heard and every speech is respected, please refrain from using air horns or other noise makers that could disrupt the proceedings.
- Avoid statements or displays that detract from the unity and celebratory spirit of the day: Graduation is intended to celebrate educational achievements. We kindly request that all attendees refrain from statements or displays that could detract from this intention.
- Appropriate Behavior: Celebratory decorum is expected from all attendees. Booing or other forms of disrespect will not be tolerated and may result in being asked to leave to maintain the dignity of our event.
Senior Last Week
Seniors, we would like to acknowledge the last few days of your 2024 graduating year is coming to a close. This week should be one of reflection, celebration, and Park PRIDE. We understand that seniors partake in many traditions throughout the school year as a right of passage to adulthood. As we head into our finals day at Park, we would like to remind seniors that fun also comes with the responsibility to engage in traditions safely and respectfully.
As a reminder, the following ensure that our SLPHS community remains a safe respectful space:
- Be respectful of your peers, school property, & grounds to include the neighboring community.
- Safe and attentive driving in the parking lots and school grounds is expected.
- Replica guns to include toy/water guns are strictly prohibited on campus. Not adhering to this policy would result in students being removed from our commencement ceremony.
- Safe and responsible behavior during dismissal time (ie walking and staying clear of bus & vehicles leaving for parent/student pick-up).
- This is a friendly reminder that the senior tradition of water balloons is no longer permitted. Please reference the information regarding senior pranks from the 5/15/24 senior meeting.
We are committed to making graduation a positive, inclusive, and safe event for all our students and their families. Our goal is to celebrate the incredible journey and accomplishments of each graduate without distractions or disruptions.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Let’s make this a wonderful day to remember for every family and graduate. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2024 and eagerly await the opportunity to celebrate together.
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Transition to Closed Campus
Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, St. Louis Park High School will transition to a closed campus for all students in grades 9-12. Once students arrive at school, they may not leave at any point during the school day without parent/caregiver permission. This change is part of our ongoing safety-minded school culture, where everyone is empowered to actively contribute to the safety and protection of our school communities.
The change to closed campus means that any student who leaves school without proper clearance may receive disciplinary action. During the school day, the parking lots and most other outdoor areas are considered closed to students, unless accompanied by a staff member.
A Closed Campus is a Safer Campus
St. Louis Park Public Schools in partnership with I love u Guys, is implementing a new Standard Response Protocol at all schools. The decision to close campus is in alignment with district wide measures to increase safety and security for students and staff across all buildings. These practices keep our schools safe, so we can have trusting relationships between adults, students, mental health supports, and community partnerships. Most importantly, it allows us to keep our focus on learning. There are many existing safety practices that include wearing identification badges, checking that doors remain secure, actively partaking in drills, and now, a closed campus for the high school.
New Cafeteria Space
Additionally, there is more student capacity with the completion of the new cafeteria space. We will continue to run three lunch periods and there will be sufficient space for all students during the lunch hours. We are also working to establish spaces for quiet lunches.
We are committed to ensuring a positive and secure environment for all students throughout the school day. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we implement these important changes for the 2024-25 school year.
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Class of 2024 and Families,
As we approach the middle of May, graduation is approaching fast and planning for graduation has been underway all year. Now is the time to get the last minute things complete and make sure we get you all the information you need.
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DATE & TIME:
SLP Graduation
June 4th
7:00 PM
at the High School Stadium (Rain date is June 5th)
Graduating Seniors arrive for graduation line-up at
6:00 PM
Gates will open at 6:30 PM and no tickets are required.
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STAY TUNED FOR THE LIVE STREAM LINK FOR GRADUATION
Accessible seating consideration is available by filling out the following form: Accessible Seating Link or calling Kelson MacKenzie 952-928-6106.
One guest per person requiring accessible seating and an accessible seating gate will open up from 6:00-6:30 PM at the 35th and Dakota gate.
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SENIOR WALK:
Senior Walk to our elementary and middle school will be on Wednesday, May 29th.
All seniors wishing to participate must have signed up for the school they wish to go to and the parent permission form must be filled out by May 27th.
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SENIOR CHROMEBOOK & CHARGER COLLECTION | |
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony | |
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The St. Louis Park High School National Honor Society held their 23-24 Induction Ceremony on Friday, May 17th. In order to be inducted, students must fulfill GPA or teacher recommendation requirements, stay in strong academic standing, and also fulfill 20-30 hours of community service and three NHS group projects over the course of the year.
For the ceremony, students and families gathered to enjoy breakfast, listened to Superintendent Dr. Hines speak about the value of service, reviewed highlights of the year, and then inducted both Juniors and Seniors who fulfilled the requirements for NHS.
Students are invited to NHS as Juniors or Seniors and invitations go out to students and parents in September of each year.
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VISITING THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students from Natural Helpers organized a visit to the Middle School to talk about the transition to high school for our incoming Class of 2028! They shared information to help the students get ready for high school. Over 30 students visited with the Advisory groups last Thursday- thanks for their willingness to help the new class get off to a good start!
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NORTH STAR THERAPY ANIMALS
Natural Helpers sponsored one last visit with the dogs from North Star Therapy
Animals before students finished the year.
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Friday Flowers
On Friday, May 31st, our last month of Friday Flowers will be happening at the high school for this school year. Friday Flowers is an exciting way to celebrate the school year and bring joy to our SLP community! Buy a flower for a friend, staff, family or a special someone to show your appreciation and care for them! You can include a note or keep it anonymous! Flower prices range from $2-$10.
Have any questions? Contact Emma Engebretson (engebretson.emma@slpschools.org).
| Pictured: 10th graders Evelyn Barnett, Ruby Viot, Alex Hoag, Paige Descarpentrie, and Anna Williams | | | |
GET INVOLVED WITH OUR PARENT ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PEAC) | |
Our Parent Engagement Advisory Committee (PEAC) Mission:
We partner to create a collaborative and inclusive learning environment for students, families and educators that fosters and embraces the brilliance of the St. Louis Park community.
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Parents and Caregivers, with just under two weeks left in the school year, be sure to share your support for our St. Louis Park High School by looking at the opportunities below! If you have questions or would like to join the PEAC team, please send a note to slphsPEAC@gmail.com. | |
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Celebrate the Seniors with a Small Social
Help needed! Post-elementary school graduation walk celebration for our seniors On May 29, seniors will be participating in graduation walks at the elementary schools as a way to give back to their community. By donning their caps and gowns to walk in the halls of their elementary schools, seniors will offer encouragement and motivation to our youngest students. We'd like to celebrate the seniors with a small social upon their return to the High School. Please take a look at the Sign Up Genius and see where you can help out.
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CALLING ALL SENIOR PARENTS!! | -
We need your help volunteering at the Senior Party. We have a lot of shifts available (9pm-1am). Please sign up by clicking HERE.
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ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS!!! | SIGN UP NOW FOR THE SENIOR CLASS PARTY!! | |
Requirement:
Immediately after graduation it is required to take the bus to Park Tavern. Wristbands will be handed out on the bus and required for entry to Park Tavern.
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WE STILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT | So close to our goal but still a bit short. Any help is appreciated. | |
Venmo: @Jodi-Bohrod
slpseniorparty2024@gmail.com
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Donations Wanted! Storiole makes their own clothes while also supporting minority and female owned businesses. This year Storiole is making the t-shirts for the Senior Class of 25. Every senior will get one. And our kids designed and produced them all. If you want to donate to make it happen, check out the QR code below: | | |
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Donate to PEAC to build for the future!
It’s been a big year! As we gained 501(c)3 status, next up is to build a budget, fundraise and plan for how to use funds. We’ve already supported many things this year and have a few more bills to pay. Thanks for your ongoing generosity and support! If you’d like to contribute, please donate at: @SLPHS-PEAC (7282 is last four of the cell).
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JOIN PEAC
If you are interested in being part of the PEAC, we’d love to have you join the team. Please send us a note at slphsPEAC@gmail.com
Thank you!
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PEAC - Parent Engagement Advisory Committee
Roni Falck, Julie Yakes - Co-Chairs
Ben Schein - Treasurer
Jen Beach - Communications
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WELCOME!
Welcome Dr. Constance Robinson as the Director of Student Services
Please welcome Dr. Constance Robinson to SLP Schools! She joins St. Louis Park Public Schools with more than 10 years of experience in educational leadership. She is a dedicated racial equity leader and most recently served as the Supervisor of Special Services for Eden Prairie Public Schools. Dr. Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge in assessing and addressing the diverse needs of students with disabilities, and she is excited for collaborations to foster a multidisciplinary approach to support students. She will begin on July 1, 2024.
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Park Public Schools & Community Foundation
Do you know about the Park Public Schools & Community Foundation (PPS&CF)? Every year, the PPS&CF raises funds & makes grants to teachers in preschool through high school for special projects that inspire & enhance our students’ education. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, the Foundation was able to make grants totaling over $58,000! Examples include paying for new play equipment for preschoolers, a potter’s wheel and slab at the Middle School, exciting field trips to bring classroom learning to life, a mobile makerspace, a kindness rocks garden project, innovative instruments combining engineering and music, and cutting edge technology bridging the physical education and science curriculums at the High School. We can’t wait to see what our teachers will do next school year with Foundation grants to make our students’ experiences even better! To learn more about the Foundation and how you can support our schools, please visit Park Public Schools & Community Foundation - St. Louis Park Public Schools Foundation (slppscf.org)
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