The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is coming up at SPPS Online School in April 2025! You will be getting more information via US postal and email. Testing is done in-person at Como Park Elementary from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Your child is required to attend testing! Please complete the Parent Response Google Form to verify whether your child is or is not attending MCA testing.

Parent Response Google Form: Please, click here to access the Google Form

To help your child prepare for MCA testing, you can use the link(s) below:

• https://srt.testnav.com/mn/mn-srt.html

• https://minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com/readiness-tools/

If your child does not come for testing, please complete the Non Participation Refusal Form for each child and email it to sppsonlineschool.testing@spps.org.

Non Participation Refusal Form:

Once the Parent response Google Form is completed and/or the Non Participation Refusal Form is completed we will stop communicating with you to complete these required forms.

If you have any questions, you can contact Belinda Vang at 651-744-2081 or email sppsonlineschool.testing@spps.org.

As of March 24, 2025, students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade will no longer be able to send or receive emails from their school Google accounts. This change will help reduce distractions, improve focus on learning, and enhance student account security.

Classroom teachers will continue to communicate with you through newsletters, classroom apps like ClassDojo or Seesaw, phone calls, parent-teacher conferences, Google text messages, and Google Voice. Please use these methods to stay informed and contact the classroom teachers.

If you have any questions and concern please reach out to Jeffrey Bush, Principal at 651-744-7586 or email at jeffrey.bush@spps.org and/or John Osorio, Assistant Principal at 651-744-6368 or email john.osorio@spps.org.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dear OES Parents,

FOSTERING GREAT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Productive communication is crucial for a child's educational success.

Here are some tips we may want to consider:

For Parents

1. Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences: Regularly attend conferences to discuss your child's progress.

2. Volunteer in the Classroom: Volunteer to help in the classroom, which can help you build a relationship with the teacher.

3. Communicate Regularly: Send emails, notes, or messages to the teacher to ask questions, share concerns, or provide updates.

4. Be Open-Minded: Be receptive to the teacher's feedback and suggestions.

5. Ask Questions: Ask questions about your child's progress, curriculum, and classroom activities.

For Teachers

1. Establish a Positive Relationship: Build a positive and welcoming relationship with parents.

2. Regular Updates: Provide regular updates on student progress, successes, and challenges.

3. Be Approachable: Be available to answer questions, address concerns, and provide guidance.

4. Use Multiple Communication Channels: Use various communication methods, such as email, phone calls, or parent-teacher conferences.

5. Be Transparent: Be transparent about classroom activities, curriculum, and expectations.

For Both Parents and Teachers

1. Use a Shared Communication Platform: Utilize a shared platform, such as a learning management system or a communication app, to facilitate communication.

2. Schedule Regular Meetings: Schedule regular meetings to discuss student progress and address concerns.

3. Be Respectful and Open-Minded: Maintain a respectful and open-minded attitude during communication.

4. Focus on Student Success: Prioritize student success and work collaboratively to achieve common goals.

5. Celebrate Successes: Celebrate student successes and progress, no matter how small.

By following these tips, parents and teachers can foster a positive and productive communication relationship, ultimately benefiting the student's educational experience.

Have a fantastic weekend!

John Osorio

Assistant Principal

651-744-6368 / john.osorio@spps.org

It is important for your child to show up to class on time everyday. If your child will be absent from class please contact Belinda Vang via phone or email at your earliest convenience.

Attendance Line: 651-744-4707

Attendance Email: oes.attendance@spps.org

How to report an absence:

• Student Name

• Parent Name

• Student # or DOB

• Date(s) of Absence

• Reason for being absent

Monday 3/24: Pajama Day, dress in comfy clothes

Tuesday 3/25: Inside Out Character Color Day, dress in the color of your favorite Inside Out character

Wednesday 3/26: Wacky Day, dress in mismatched colors and patterns or clothes on backwards

Thursday 3/27: Space Color Day, dress in anything space related, be creative - an astronaut or alien, colors of space, planets, or stars

5th grade leaders are hosting a drawing contest this week. The theme is space. Students may submit a drawing on SeeSaw this week.

5th grade leaders are asking for individual photos of students to be added to the yearbook for for each classroom's page. We posted an activity in SeeSaw to get these photos. Families can also submit their student's photo to maki.love@spps.org. Student photos should only include the student, but can be a favorite photo you have taken from the last year.

New newsletter for March-May: 3/25/25 - 5/3/25 Newsletter

Our Kindergarten newsletter shares our theme, the lessons and goals we have throughout the theme, and important dates. It also has links to the Big Skills Document, where you can see exactly what your child should have mastered at this time and a link to our Kindergarten Weekly Photo Drops. Please reach out with any questions, comments or concerns to 651-447-8866.

Check out our First Grade Newsletter here. There is new information on this link weekly!

Click here for the Second Grade Running Newsletter. There is new information on this link weekly!

Dear 3rd Grade Families,

Next week is Parent/Teacher conferences. They will take place on March 27th and 28th. Reminders of your conference time will be sent out early next week. If you have not yet signed up, please do so by clicking here: https://calendly.com/msmoua/moua-spring-conferences-2025

The MCAs are coming up quickly. They will take place on April 8th and 9th. Please make sure you have read the 3rd/4th Grade MCA notice and fill out the Parent Response Google Form or the Refusal Letter. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tBhEk3tx4ourUgBgSTGYK293x0e_gDEyIYh9i2cglEc/edit?tab=t.c1vblefj0tl

There is no school on Friday, March 28th due to conferences.

Thank you, as always, for supporting your child in their learning.

Ms. Moua

612-564-9783

baokou.moua@spps.org

Dear 4th Grade Families,

In literacy, we have been learning about Biographies and Women’s History Month. Students conducted interviews with a significant woman and shared them with the class. If your child hasn’t completed their interview yet, it’s not too late! They can still do an interview and present it next week.

We began a new unit in math this week on lines, angles and degrees of a circle that ties in our knowledge from the previous unit on fractions. As a reminder, your child’s assignments are on the HMHEd platform. You can access HMH via the Clever app on your child’s ipad. Please make sure you are checking their HMHEd assignments every week in addition to Seesaw.

I am so excited that we will be meeting next week for conferences! If you’re unable to make Thursday night or Friday, please reach out to me and we can schedule a conference at another time that meets the needs of your schedule. I can be available some days before and after school as well as during my prep time from 11:15-12:30pm. I look forward to meeting with all of you to discuss your child’s successes this year!

Please contact me any time:

612-314-9961

michelle.smith2@stpaul.k12.mn.us

Hello 5th grade families!

This week students have been working on story elements in literacy. They have been focused on identifying plot and main ideas, while finding supporting details in the text to back up their thoughts. Students should be getting into a book, either on their ipad or a paper book, every night! It’s a great way to unwind from the day.

In math, students will be taking their multiplying fractions test on Monday - ask them if they are ready this weekend!

As we get ready for MCA testing, please make sure your student is getting lots of sleep and eating a balanced meal so they can focus as best they can!

Please continue to check student’s seesaw’s on Friday after school - their “to do” and “draft” folders should be empty. If there is work to do - it will be there!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Ms. E

jackelyn.doyle@spps.org

‪(651) 456-8606‬

This week 2nd graders learned about Temple Grandi and showed off their amazing talents that will change the world! They also created fidgets to help their brains focus and bodies stay calm!

5th graders worked in Garage Band to turn their poems in to music!

Kelly Jenson

Kelly.Jenson@spps.org

‪(651) 764-8082‬

This week was a busy week for the artists! 1st graders were learning about 2 different women artists. We learned about how artists incorporate animals in their art. We drew self portraits and learned about overlapping shapes in art. We practiced drawing objects behind and infront.

4th grade learned about artists Yayoi Kusama, Indi Maverick and Helen Frankenthaler. They created some amazing works inspired by these artists.

We had a wonderful Makers Night and hope to do this again next year! Thank you for attending this event! We had so much fun!

We also showcased student art during the Women’s History Month assembly! Great job Artists! Keep posting your work to Seesaw so I can share it with others! Yay!

Ms. Haug

jenna.haug@stpaul.k12.mn.us

612-568-5355

It has been a joy teaching PE Class this year to the Online Elementary School! The students are a joy to have! This week we had the 1st Graders and the 4th Graders in PE Class. We have been doing our workouts and fitness to improve our strength, endurance, balance, and coordination! This upcoming week I will have the Kindergartners, and the 3rd Graders in class.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 651-603-4652 or shaw.wiczek@stpaul.k12.mn.us

Contact me:

Dr. Magalenn Cotton

magalenn.cotton@spps.org

612-615-2145

Hello families! A reminder that special education services with Ms. Deacon are provided in the morning (before lunch) - having your child on time and present is the best way to maximize resource room services. Ms. L. also provides support throughout the afternoon, with homework support from 2 - 3 using the same code as services. Progress reports on IEPs will be shared in November around conference time. brooke.deacon@spps.org

Click here for the class newsletter for March: Zallaps' New Class Newsletter

Ms. Claudia Perez Inzunza (Ms. P.I) and Ms. Sherri Silva work with all English Language Learners in OES Kinder- 5th grade. If you or your child needs support, please contact them via email, calls or text at claudia.perezinzunza@spps.org 651-419-6605

sherri.silva@spps.org 651-252-4470

The OLS MLL Team is continuing to administer the Spanish Language Proficiency evaluation: STAMPS to LCD eligible Spanish speaking students at OES in person at Como Park Elementary School.

ACCESS testing in person at Como Park Elementary School continues for OLS students in English Language Development. If you receive a call or text message from our team, please make sure to schedule your child to be tested before the March 21st deadline.

SPPS Board of Education Resolution

At the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, the Board of Education adopted a resolution that reiterates the rights of all children to access education and learning opportunities regardless of immigration status. The resolution is available on pages 117-118 of the February 18th Board Book..

Hello everyone! I’m Ms. Steph and I support families that work with Ms. Zallaps and Ms. Deacon. Please call, text or email me with any questions: stephanie.abbas@spps.org or ‪(612) 548-1841‬

Reading groups are in full swing! If your 3rd - 5th grader has a reading group with me, please help them attend daily.

My contact information is: molly.brown@spps.org or 612-568-4212 (call or text).

Please contact Kim Stout for support around family, community, or school stressors. kim.stout@spps.org or (651)401-5595

I'm Maki Love, the school counselor. From now until spring break, students will be learning about colleges and careers.

Have a question or need support?

Email: maki.love@spps.org

Google Voice Text or Call: 612-405-8056

I’m Ms.McConnell, I’m the Navigational Intervention Specialist in the Online Elementary school. Check out my newsletter here.

If you have needs, and may not be sure where to go, contact me at 6126994177 or at Kiowona.mcconnell@stpaul.k12.mn.us.

I’m Ms. Shanaz, the onboarding specialist. If you have questions, please call or text me at (612)568-6624.

Did you know that students above the age of 6 should be getting a minimum of 60 minutes of exercise each day? It is also important that they do things to work on bone and muscle strength at least 3 days per week. Outdoor playgrounds are great places for kids to naturally reach these recommendations. Click on this link to find a St. Paul park near you.

Resources:

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/physicalactivity/pabasics.html

Please contact Contact Nurse Jenny if you want more information on any other health related topic at 651-419-1219 or Jennifer.martineau@spps.org.

If any additional needs, please reach out to Kim Stout our school social worker (651)401-5595 or kim.stout@spps.org

A reminder to families that SPPS Online has partnered with EveryMeal. You can pick up a bag of food with shelf staples once a month starting in March at Como Park Elementary between 11:00-1:30 at the small parking lot entrance of Door 6. Pick up will be the following days:

-April 25th

-May 16th

Families can fill out this survey at any time to be included. There are no requirements that need to be met. Food is available to all families. Bags will not be available other days of the week unless there is an appointment scheduled with an SPPS Online staff member. Below are photos and a list of items typically available in each bag.

For quick at home fixes, call

Joshua Thao, iPad Manager: ‪

612-699-4161 / joshua2.thao@spps.org

For in person appointments to change out or fix technology, make an appointment below. ‬

Title I: Online School Annual SCIP Meeting for Parents

Title I Resources and Important Links for Parents:

• Title I

• Family Engagement Plan 2024/25

• K-12 School Compacts 2024/25

• Parents Right to Know

• Online School SCIP Plan

• Needing Docs Translated?

• Resources for Parents

• Parent Volunteer Request

• MDE OES School Report Cards

Feel free to contact John Osorio at john.osorio@spps.org with any questions about Title I or any of these documents and services.

March 27th - Conferences from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

March 28th - No School, Conferences from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

March 31 - April 4 - No school, spring break

April 8 - Picture Day

April 8 - MCA Reading Test for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

April 9 - MCA Math Test for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

April 10 - MCA Science Test for 5th grade

2/2/25

1/26/25

1/19/25

1/12/25

12/22/24

12/15/24

12/8/24

12/1/24

11/24/24

11/17/24

11/10/24

11/3/24

10/27/24

10/20/24

10/13/24

10/6/24

9/29/24

9/22/24

9/15/24

9/8/24