Online Elementary Weekly Newsletter
December 8, 2024
Office Information
We’ve moved
780 Wheelock Pkwy Co
St.Paul, MN 55117
Enter through Door #6 and come to room 1001.
Application for Education Benefits
It is critical that all families complete an Application for Education Benefits each school year. These applications determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits. Paper applications are available at school or can be completed online at schoolcafe.com/spps.
Please help us get there and make sure to complete a form for your children attending SPPS Online School! OES is only a few applications away from 100% completion!
School News
Winter Week: December 16-20
Sprit Week
Monday, 12/16: Crazy hair/hat day
Tuesday, 12/17: Grade level rainbow day
Red - Kindergarten
Orange - 1st grade
Yellow - 2nd grade
Green - 3rd grade
Blue - 4th grade
Purple - 5th grade
White - OES staff
Wednesday, 12/18: Wacky Wednesday
Thursday, 12/19: Decades day
Friday, 12/20: PJ day
Talent Show
On Monday, December 16th, there will be a SeeSaw activity open for students to post pictures or videos showcasing their talent. Students must complete by the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec 18th.
On Friday, December 20th, OES will be hosting a talent show watch party at 9:00 am. Some classes may participate in the school wide watch party and some classes may have their own watch party at another time that day.
Principal News
Dear OES Parents,
As we near the end of the first part of the academic year, it is crucial for parents to connect with teachers to understand what their children need to improve. This communication is essential in ensuring the academic success and overall well-being of students.
TeachersKindly get in touch with your child's teacher to find out more about them and how both parents and teachers can help. Kindly get in touch with your child's teacher to find out more about them and how both parents and teachers can help. have a significant influence on how students learn. They have a distinct viewpoint on each child's development over the course of the school year, as well as their strengths and shortcomings. Parents can learn a lot about their child's behavior in the classroom and academic success by interacting with teachers.
Parent-teacher communication fosters a cooperative approach to student learning, allowing parents to voice concerns and collaborate with educators to develop progress plans, thereby assisting students in achieving academic success.
Establishing a connection with teachers helps parents understand curriculum standards, reinforce classroom lessons, and offer extra help, leading to better performance and increased faith in their child's skills.
Parent-teacher communication helps identify issues affecting a child's academic performance by examining their social, emotional, and academic conduct, enabling parents to seek appropriate support or intervention.
Parents play a crucial role in their child's academic and personal growth by actively engaging with teachers. Fostering open communication and addressing challenges can create a positive learning environment, especially as the academic year ends.
Kindly get in touch with your child's teacher to find out more about your children and how both parents and teachers can help them.
Sincerely,
John Osorio
Assistant Principal
651-744-6368 / john.osorio@spps.org
Protocol for Managing Classroom Interruptions During Online Instruction
SPPS Online offers a unique opportunity for students, parents, and the school to engage in their child's education. Google Meets focus on teaching and learning, maintaining consistency with traditional classrooms. Distraction-free learning environments are essential. Issues can be addressed in Google Meets, but not during live classroom sessions. Parents can arrange private discussions with teachers, but these must be done outside instructional time to maintain the online learning environment.
Please access and get familiar with this protocol. Your understanding and cooperation are highly appreciated. This protocol is available in three languages (English, Hmong, and Spanish).
Links to the Protocol for Managing Classroom Interruptions During Online Instruction:
Attendance Matters
Corrected phone number: 651-744-4707
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
Grade Level News
Kindergarten
New 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.
1st Grade
2nd Grade
Click here for the Second Grade Running Newsletter. There is new information on this link weekly!
3rd Grade
Ms. K's last day of substitute teaching will be on Wednesday, December 11th.
Ms. Moua will start on Monday, December 16th.
4th Grade
Dear 4th Grade Families,
Students completed 3 paragraph Informative Essays this week on one of the Indigenous topics we researched as a class during the month of November. They worked on every step of the writing process with peers and Ms. Silva and I. Please ask your student about their essay and have them read it to you at home! They are growing as writers and focused on improving their technical writing skills in long projects as well as doing higher order thinking where they make connections, ask thoughtful questions and explain their thinking and ideas articulately.
Please contact me any time:
612-314-9961
5th Grade
Hello 5th grade families!
Please continue to reach out with questions or concerns.
Ms. E
(651) 456-8606
Time to start thinking about middle school!
All 5th graders at Online Elementary School will automatically be enrolled for 6th grade at Online Middle School.
If you want to look at all SPPS options for middle school, consider attending the SPPS School Choice Fair on December 14 from 9:30am - 2:00pm at the Saint Paul River Centre (175 Kellogg Blvd. W.).
December 14: Enrollment for 2025-2026 School Year opens online
January 2025: Schools will host open houses
February 14: Priority Application Deadline for ALL grades
March 2025: Priority Deadline Acceptance Notification
Do you have questions about your child transitioning to middle school? Check out this resource.
Specialist News
Innovation
Kinders this week started learning on Skillsville about what Sound Effect Artist does, they created songs that go along with their morning routines, and works of art. 3rd Grade learned about Native American Star Quilts and created snow globes on Keynote.
If you have any question please contact Kelly Jenson.
(651) 764-8082
Art
This week elementary artists have been working on some really fun Winter themed art! 2nd graders drew adorable bears in sweaters and 5th graders hand drew snow globes and some even created digital snow globes with a picture of themselves inside! We had so much fun making these!
Ms. Haug
jenna.haug@stpaul.k12.mn.us612-568-5355
Physical Education
This week in PE the 2nd graders and 5th graders have been doing different exercises and movements in fun ways! I will have them again this upcoming week where we will continue working on improving our fitness levels (muscular endurance/strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility). The hope is to get the students as much activity as possible during the times that we have them. We are also learning skills and movement patterns to improve coordination, and balance. Feel free to join in on the exercises with us to get a workout also!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 651-603-4652 or shaw.wiczek@stpaul.k12.mn.us
Science
Check out what we are doing in Science in this Newsletter
Check out our Science video here: Science Presentation
Contact me:
Dr. Magalenn Cotton
612-615-2145
5th Grade Leadership
5th Grade Leadership has kicked off for the school year. Our 5th grade leaders are creating weekly newscast, challenges to engage with the entire school, and spirit weeks.
Student Support Services
Ms. Silva - MLL
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.
Ms. Deacon - Special Education
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
Ms. Zallaps - Special Education
Click here for the class newsletter for November: Zallaps' New Class Newsletter
Ms. Steph - Special Education Social Worker
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
Ms. Brown - Reading Intervention
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).
Ms. Kim - School Social Worker
Please contact Kim Stout for support around family, community, or school stressors. kim.stout@spps.org or (651)401-5595
Ms. Love - School Counselor
I'm Maki Love, the school counselor. For the next few weeks in our classroom counseling lessons, students will be learning about community and skills to help them be successful learners in school.
Have a question or need support?
Email: maki.love@spps.org
Google Voice Text or Call: 612-405-8056
Ms. McConnell - Navigational Intervention Specialist
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.
Ms. Shanaz - Onboarding Specialist
I’m Ms. Shanaz, the onboarding specialist. If you have questions, please call or text me at (612)568-6624.
News from Nurse Jenny
Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinic - 12/10/24
Saint Paul Music Academy is hosting a Flu/Covid vaccine clinic for individuals > 6 months.
Date/Time: Tuesday December 10, 2:00-400 pm.
Location: St. Paul Music Academy (held in the cafeteria), 27 Geranium Ave E, Saint Paul, MN 55117
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.
Community Resources
Need winter gear?
Visit the Neighborhood House for winter gear for children and adults. Monday - Friday, Starting October 28th, 9:30-12pm & 1- 3:30PM, Wellstone Center 179 Robie St. E. Saint Paul, MN 55105. For more information call 651-789-3602
New resources!
Flu and Covid vaccine
Date: Tuesday December 10, 2024
Time: 2:00- 4:30PM
Location: St. Paul Music Academy Cafeteria (27 Geranium Ave W, St Paul, MN 55117)
WHO: Flu and Covid vaccine will be given to children 6mths and older. Everyone is welcome to the event.
Holiday Resources
LOTS of new holiday/winter resources listed here. Don’t wait to register. It is often too late if you wait until December.
Salvation Army Toy Shop: Registration beginning November 1st. You can register online at: saangeltree.org. Email required for registration. Each child may only be registered once, you may call 651-746-3595. Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. Limited spots available.
PRISM: Holiday Toy Shoppe. For more information and registration https://prismmpls.org/events/holiday-toy-shoppe/
Christmas Toy Giveaway: North Anoka County (Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Bethel, Blaine, Burns, Cedar, Circle Pines, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey, St. Francis, Stacey, and Wyoming) Register online starting October 1st https://www.christmascommittee.com/application-instructions/ . For more information https://www.christmascommittee.com/application-instructions/
Additional needs?
If any additional needs, please reach out to Kim Stout our school social worker (651)401-5595 or kim.stout@spps.org
Tech Support
Need technology or iPad support?
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
Title I Resources and Important Links for Parents:
Feel free to contact John Osorio at john.osorio@spps.org with any questions about Title I or any of these documents and services.
Important Dates
December 23 - January 3: No School, Winter Break
January 6 - School resumes
January 20 - No School, MLK Day
January 27 - No School, Staff PD Day