St. Louis Park Middle School's Weekly News



Please note: For the most up to date information please click on the Middle School website. (Language Translations available)

August 12, 2024

Dear Middle School Families,

Greetings SLPMS Students and Families!  Welcome to the 2024-25 school year at St. Louis Park Middle School School! It’s going to be a great year!

We have been fervently preparing for the launch of this year and want to share important information with you for you to be prepared for the start of the year.

Please visit the St. Louis Park Schools Back to School Website for important information regarding:

• School Supply Lists
• PowerSchool Access and Tasks
• Transportation Information
• Nutrition Information, including Application for Educational Benefits
• Athletics Registration Information

The following information is specific to St. Louis Park Middle School.

In partnership,

Melissa Kalinowski

Class Schedules

• Returning 7th and 8th Grade Individual Student Class Schedules will be accessible through the PowerSchool portal beginning Friday, August 23rd at 5pm.   
• NEW 7th and 8th Grade students will be mailed their individual class schedule on Wednesday, August 21st.
• All 6th Grade students will be mailed their individual class schedule on Wednesday, August 21st.

Attached is the 7 period daily schedule and our A/B Calendar.

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, August 29.  

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 August 23rd.  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 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

All students will be issued a Chromebook for the 24-25 school year, however, will start the year for the first few weeks without it.  In order to receive their Chromebooks, all students must have a signed technology agreement by a parent or guardian through PowerSchool.  Students must also participate and complete lessons around Chromebook responsibilities and safety before being issued their Chromebook and pass a Chromebook Expectations Assessment.  Chromebooks will be distributed to students who have met these requirements.  More details to come.

Personal Device & Cell Phone Policy and Expectations

We have a Personal Devices Away All Day Policy.  Students should store their cellphones, airpods/earbuds and/or headphones in their lockers or backpacks starting at 8:50am when they enter the building until the end of the day bell at 3:52.  Personal Devices that are seen or heard during the day will be turned into the office and parents will be notified.  See more information on this policy in our Student Handbook.

School Pictures

Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, September 5th.  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 October 10th.

Yearbooks

The cost of the yearbook is $46 if you purchase prior to September 22. All sales are done online at https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A04145660

Attendance Matters

Students are expected to be in class on time, every hour, every school day. School is in session from 9:05am 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. 

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.

Health Services

In accordance with Minnesota Immunization Law (M.S. 121A.15), student immunization records must be up-to-date and on file with the Health Services Department (See immunization requirements here). Students entering 7th grade for the 2024-2025 school year are required to provide proof of immunizations received for TDaP and meningitis vaccines.  Students who are not up-to-date with their immunizations will not be allowed to start school until immunizations are up-to-date and on file with the Health Office.  Mail or fax your clinic records to the Middle School Health Office or 952-928-6383 (fax).

Immunization requirements can be waived only when a legal exemption is on file with the school. Medical exemptions must be signed by a healthcare provider. Non-medical exemptions must be signed by a parent and notarized. A legal exemption form is available in the Health Office or one may be found online here .

If you do not have a primary clinic, health insurance or finances are a concern, your child may be eligible to receive immunizations at the Central Clinic. You can find out more information about Central Clinic at the St. Louis Park Schools Back to School Website.

Emergency Contact as well as Student Health History Information can be updated through the PowerSchool Parent Portal Annual Update Form. 

Student & Family Handbook

The student support team will be reviewing the Student & Family Handbook during the first week(s) of school during advisory. The handbook is available on the SLPMS website.  Families and students are encouraged to review the handbook together.

Oriole Times Newsletter

The Oriole Times Newsletter is a weekly email newsletter designed to communicate to parents and families timely information regarding school news and upcoming events. We will be sending this electronic communication to you on Thursdays to the email address you provided to the school district in PowerSchool. If there are updates to your email address please contact Greg Holmbeck at holmbeck.greg@slpschools.org.  Access archived editions of the Oriole Times on the SLPMS website.

Visitor Policy

Parents/Guardians are welcome and encouraged to visit and/or volunteer at SLPMS.  If you would like to meet with a teacher during the school day or outside of the school day, please contact the teacher directly to make arrangements. Please note that visitors will be escorted while in the building and must adhere to all school rules and policies. If you need to pick up your child early, please come to the Main Office (Door 1), and we will contact your student. 

School Supplies

Access the School Supply List for the 2024-2025 School Year here.

Middle School athletics offers a wide variety of sports this fall. Registration opens in August for all fall sports which includes Boys and Girls Soccer, Girls Tennis, Girls Speed Swimming, Girls Volleyball, and 7/8 Grade Football. Practices for fall sports will begin on September 6th with the exception of 7/8 Grade Football, which began on August 14th. Visit the Middle School Athletics website at Middle School Athletics Website, click on activities, then athletics, for complete information. 

No student activities are offered after school on Fridays

SLPMS is committed to engaging with our families in partnership to help our students succeed in Middle School.  Please mark your calendars for the following dates to promote engagement and partnership between families and staff.

We are looking forward to seeing all students and families at our Family Connect Day on August 29th and the first day of school on Tuesday, September 3rd.

The Oriole Times will be published weekly on Thursdays starting on August 22.

Ms. Melissa Kalinowski, Principal

Mr. Jason Boll, Assistant Principal

Mr. Cam Muata, Assistant Principal

2025 Texas Avenue South

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: 952-928-6300

Attendance: 952-928-6394

Fax: 952-928-6383

kalinowski.melissa@slpschools.org

boll.jason@slpschools.org

muata.cameron@slpschools.org

ms.slpschools.org