South St. Paul High School Weekly

Happy First Friday of October Packer Families,

Just like that, we moved from summer July weather to late fall weather (time to bundle up). Back to dressing in layers and sitting on/in blankets while watching our students compete outside. If you are going to the football game tonight please make sure to dress warm.

October brings student days off, staff professional development, student/family connections (conferences), MEA Break, and more fire drills and lockdown drills. Please make sure to pay attention to the Important Upcoming Dates section of the newsletter for all the that is happening at SSP High School.

Student/Family Connect (conferences) is this Thursday, October 12, from 3:30-7:30. To sign up for Student/Family Connect time you will receive an invite from your students teachers via Parent Square. If you have not already received an invitation, an invitation will be sent to you by Monday, October 9th, at 3:00 PM.

Remember, if your student is going to be absent, please (651) 457-9415 to let us know. We would really appreciate it.

Have a fantastic weekend, stay warm, 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.

Check out their newsletter to find our more: School Counseling Parent Newsletter

October 9- NO SCHOOL; Staff Professional Development

October 11- W.I.N. Wednesday and Late Start- doors open at 9:15 AM

October 12- Student/Family Connect (conferences) from 3:30-7:30 PM

October 16- Fire Drill #4 at 1:40 PM

October 17- Lockdown Drill #3 at 11:40 AM

October 18- W.I.N. Wednesday and Late Start- doors open at 9:15 AM

October 19-20- NO SCHOOL; M.E.A. Break

October 25- W.I.N. Wednesday and Late Start- doors open at 9:15 AM

October 26- Fire Drill #5 at 8:00 AM

October 27- Lockdown Drill #4 at 1:40 PM

October 30- Lockdown Drill #5 at 7:55 AM

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

The purpose of the South St. Paul Public Schools District Technology Committee is to establish a bridge of communication between key stakeholder groups and the IT Department, in order to collaboratively produce the district's technology plans and procedures. This committee will be on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the High School Media Center Classroom. (10/10, 11/14, 12/12, 1/9, 2/13, 3/12, 4/9, 5/14)

The goals of this committee are:

• to gather feedback to help inform a long-term District Technology Plan that establishes sustainable and elevated standards of instructional technology integration.
• to continually examine and explore EdTech-related procedures as they address instructional needs.
• to meet monthly to collaborate on determining the current and future technology needs of the district.
• to provide feedback on recommendations and initiatives proposed by the Director of Technology to address district needs.
• to encourage and support innovative technology use and practices.
• to assess the technology needs and concerns of staff, students, and parents.
• to communicate technology "wishes" to potential funding entities.
• to utilize research-based information in all work related to instructional technology

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to reach out to Tina Moses, Director of Technology.

(651) 552-5560

tmoses@sspps.org

One of our goals this year is to lower the total number of students that are tardy to class. We have shared with the students the importance of being to class on time by sharing our Lesson Design with them. The Lesson Design calls for an opening activity for each class. This opening activity is meant to prepare the students for the learning that is going to take place by stimulating the brain. In addition to the activity, the opening, the Lesson Design model we created (see below) calls for the students to activate prior knowledge around the learning, preview knowledge and to tie the opening activity to the learning target. All of this provides a roadmap of the lesson. It is a lot to cover in the first couple of minutes of class and that is why it is so important to have students in class when the bell rings.

How can you help? We have noticed a reduction in students tardy to class for class periods 2-6, when the students are in our building. We have not been able to reduce the number of tardies for period 1 for the students that are dropped off or drive themselves. The school doors open at 7:15 AM (on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) with 1st period starting at 7:50 AM. The doors open at 9:15 AM (on Wednesday) with 1st period beginning at 9:30 AM.

If you are dropping your student off please make sure to drop them off with enough time to grab breakfast, stop at their locker, and make it to class on time. If your student drives, please remind them to leave for school with enough time to grab breakfast, stop at their locker, and make it to class on time. I really appreciate your support. I do not want any of our students to miss the very beginning of the class because it sets up the entire class period.

W.I.N. Wednesday started this past week. Wednesday will still be a late start with the doors opening at 9:15 AM and first period will starting at 9:30 AM.

Students who are earning a C or lower will need to attend W.I.N. Wednesday and come into school to get help in their classes.

Students who are earning a C+ and above may work from home if they have their parent/guardian permission to work from home. You may always send your student to school.

All 9th graders will be required to come to school for every W.I.N. Wednesday for Trimester 1, regardless of their grades. Wednesday is still for additional support or extensions, but we really want to teach the 9th grade students how to be students.

10th grader students must come to school if they are earning a C or lower in any class. 10th grade students that are coming in for W.I.N. Wednesday must attend all their classes, no matter their grade in their classes.

11th/12th grader students must come in for the class/es that they are earning a C or lower in. Depending on their class schedule and the time of their classes, 11th/12th grader students that choose to come late or leave early must sign in and out of the high school attendance office if they choose not to attend the entire day (this is only for W.I.N. Wednesday).

Teachers will create 2 W.I.N. Wednesday folders for each week: C and lower (for Additional support), C+ and higher (extension) so your student will have work they need to complete both at home or in school.

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