Principal's Newsletter

Happy End of Trimester 1,

Can you believe that we are 1/3 of the way through the year? Time has really been flying by this year. As we are starting the new trimester, we use this time as Re-time. That means we Re-View routines, RE-Mind students of expectations and Re-Teach important concepts that were covered in trimester 1. In honor of Re-time I would like to remind all families to please:

• If you are dropping off your student before 7:50 AM please make sure that they use door number 4 (by Central Square). At 7:50 AM we lock all doors and all students that are coming to school after 7:50 AM need to use door number 7 (by the attendance office). Before 7:50 AM, door number 7 is used by our students with special needs that come to school by bus. We want to make sure our students with special needs are as close to the building as possible when departing their busses (especially in our current weather).

• Please make arrangements to pick up your student by 2:45 PM. All students are asked to exit school property by 2:45 PM unless they are under the direct supervision of a teacher, coach or advisor.

• Please call you student in when they are going to be absent. The number to call and leave a message is 651-457-9415

Have a fantastic weekend, Happy Thanksgiving, and Go Packers!

Sincerely,

Chuck

Mr. Chuck Ochocki

South St. Paul High School Principal

700 2nd Street North

South St. Paul, MN 55075

(651) 457-9402

cochocki@sspps.org

Packer Pride: Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

December 4: 1st Day of Trimester 2

December 6: Late Start, NO W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

December 9: Mistletoe Dance

December 13: Late Start, NO W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

December 20: Late Start, NO W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

December 25-January 2- Winter Break- No School

January 3- Late Start, NO W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

Next Saturday (December 9 th) SSP High School is hosting our "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" Mistletoe Dance. Tickets are on sale for $13.50 plus tax. Please see the flyer (above) for the QR code to purchase tickets. Outsides guests (under the age of 21) are allowed to attend pending the completion of a guest contract that is signed and returned to the office by December 7th.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Binder ( abinder@sspps.org).

While we seem to be in a nice fall weather pattern these last few weeks, it’s still important for you to review the information listed below so you are prepared in the event an emergency closing is declared for South St. Paul Public Schools. All this information can also be found on our website at www.sspps.org/newsroom/emergency-closing. If you have any questions, please contact your school office.

• Policy 307 - Emergency Closing of Schools - Every effort will be made to make school closing or late start decisions by 5:30 a.m. with communication to staff and families following shortly after. All unscheduled school closings, late starts and early dismissals due to severe weather or other emergencies, will be communicated with staff and families through the district’s:

• Messaging system (email, text, and voice if necessary);

• Website (sspps.org);

• Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

• WCCO-AM Radio (830)

• WCCO (Channel 4)

• KSTP (Channel 5)

• FOX 9 KMSP; and

• KARE 11

To ensure your family is receiving important messages from SSPPS, please login to your Campus Parent Portal to review and update your contact information (phone number, email address, etc.) and other preferences (i.e. primary language). Families needing to create a Campus Parent Portal Account, click here. Families having trouble accessing their Campus Parent Portal Account, contact the SSPPS Tech Help Department at ParentTechHelp@sspps.org or (651) 457-9458.

Flexible Learning Plans - South St. Paul Public Schools will utilize Flexible Learning Days to provide continuity of learning in the event of inclement weather, emergency closings and other preplanned circumstances. When an emergency closing occurs, your child’s school will communicate specific details around the learning plan for that given day

Want to see our students and staff in action? Come watch them at a home event. Here is the link to this weeks schedule: Weekly Home Schedule

1. Senior baby photos are open until January 20th!
1. These are an additional $40.00 and include:
1. A baby photo of your senior published in the yearbook
2. A personalized note to your senior to be published alongside the baby photo
2. Yearbook orders are open until January 26th!
1. Each book is $65.00
2. For an additional cost, families can personalize their yearbooks and purchase additional accessories to help commemorate the school year.
3. Athletics and Activities Photo submissions open!
1. There is now a drop-box for families, coaches, and advisors to submit photos for the yearbook
2. Have a great photo of your student participating in a school activity? Submit it to our dropbox and we may feature it on one of our pages!
4. Links: Links are also available on the district website under the yearbook tab
1. Purchase the 23-24 yearbook
2. Submit Senior Photos
3. Submit Baby Photos
4. Submit Activities and Athletics Photos for the 23-24 Yearbook

Please reach out to Hannah O’Brien with any questions at hobrien@sspps.org

There is a vaping epidemic in this country, especially among teens. This is not only an SSP High School problem, but in every high school in America. I believe it is such an issue because our youth do not understand the true dangers of vaping. In fact, every day over 3,500 youth start vaping. In 2018 alone, the number of high school students who vape nearly doubled.

Please check out the videos (they are short).

Vaping 101: What Parents/Guardians Need to Know- part 1

Vaping 101 What Parents/Guardians Need to Know- part 2

Vaping 101 for Parents/Guardians Need to Know- part 3

Vaping 101 for Parents/Guardians Need to Know- part 4

As the cold weather starts to become the norm, I want to remind you about some of the practices we have at SSP High School about dropping your student off before school and picking your student up after school:

• The doors to the building open at 7:30 AM (on Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday) and 9:15 AM on Wednesday. 7:30/9:15 is when our staff is ready to assist and supervisor your student.

• Students need to be dropped off on 2nd street at door 4.

• If you are picking up your student, please understand that our doors are locked at 2:45 PM and that your student will need to be picked up by 2:45 PM. Please plan on picking your student up on 2nd Street.

Want some new Packer Spirit Wear to wear at our events, around town, or just at home?

Here is the link: https://shop.game-one.com/minnesota/south-saint-paul/south-st-paul-packers

Password is: packers

If your family is experiencing homelessness, such as staying in a shelter, hotel or temporarily with others, we can help make sure your child has stability in their education through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act. For help in accessing these services, please contact Candace Burckhardt, Special School District #6 Homeless Liaison/Local Coordinator.

For more information please look at the resources at the following link: https://www.sspps.org/departments/student-services/special-education

Additional resources can also be found at https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/PublicAssistance/Housing/Pages/default.aspx or MDE's website: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/ESEA/home/

We're looking for people interested in part-time work with the school district. Flexible, daytime hours for you to work while your student is in school. We are currently hiring for a variety of positions including, but not limited to: Lunch room, maintenance, student supervisors, paraprofessionals, and more. Click on the link below to view all openings and to apply.

View Open Positions and Apply

Email: cochocki@sspps.org
Website: https://www.sspps.org
Location: 700 2nd Street North, South Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-457-9402