

Online High School Happenings
February News & Updates

Welcome to the SPPS Online High School Newsletter!
Important Contacts and Resources
SPPS Online Contact Information
Main Phone Line: 651-325-2588
Address: 780 W Wheelock Pkwy, Saint Paul, MN 55117
Family Guide to Schoology
Attendance Information
EveryMeal: Meals for OHS Families
Starting in January, we are partnering with EveryMeal to provide an option for families to pick up a bag of food with shelf staples on Fridays at Como Park Elementary between 11-2 at the small parking lot entrance of Door 6. Families must fill out this survey to be eligible to pick up a bag of food. Bags will not be available other days of the week unless there is an appointment scheduled with an SPPS Online staff member. Please call Stephanie Abbas at 612-548-1841 with questions.
Content Area News
Science
Several of our students have entered the ZOOMS Design Challenge at the Minnesota Zoo! This national science competition challenges participants to redesign habitat and enrichment for the White Cheeked gibbons, promoting animal well-being and innovation in zoo environments. Their hard work, creativity, and scientific thinking will be put to the test as they compete at a high level. Stay tuned for updates on their progress—congratulations to all involved!
ASHG is proud to support National DNA Day through the Annual DNA Day Essay Contest. DNA Day commemorates the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953.
This contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics. Essays are expected to be well-reasoned arguments that indicate a deep understanding of scientific concepts related to the essay question. They are evaluated by ASHG members through three rounds of scoring.
For Details : https://www.ashg.org/dna-day/
Spanish
¡Felicidades a Caleb Baires Olivo! Caleb was chosen as the Spanish Student of the Quarter & received the “Corazón Español” award. Para reconocer excelencia académica en la clase de español, creatividad con la lengua, interés en la gente hispanohablante y sus culturas.
Business
Students in Quarter 2 Intro to Business completed their service business marketing plans. Alaysia West went above and beyond with this project by creating a fully functional website in Canva!
Students in Personal Finance are learning how to write financial goals and how to overcome cognitive biases when it comes to managing money (like spending an extra $20 to get free shipping, or buying something because social media promoted it).
Physical Education & Health
New Phy Ed and Health classes have started! Strength & Fitness Training is the general physical education course required for graduation; students will participate in workouts and learn basic fitness concepts throughout the semester. Health After High School is a brand new elective course that helps students develop knowledge and habits to support their overall wellness throughout the lifespan.
MLL (Multilingual Learners)
Spring Sports Registration
Did you know that SPPS Online Students can participate in SPPS athletics? Students participate with their home brick-and-mortar school. CLICK HERE to access the contact information for the SPPS Athletic Directors, and contact the correct person based on your student's home school.
Spring Sports Registration is upon us! Check out the flyer below for the sports that are offered and more information about how to register. Please contact Ms. Malmer (alyssa.malmer@spps.org) if you have any questions.
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Contact Sang Le for more information about work-based learning in SPPS!
Email: sang.le@spps.org
Phone: 651-802-1867
Latino Consent Decree
Meet the Team
Principal's Message
Jeffrey Bush, Principal
Starting a new quarter allows you to look at the past and make plans to improve your future. It’s an opportunity for you to turn the page and start from a blank sheet. It is up to you to decide what to put on the blank sheet and create an outcome you can be proud of at the end. If you chose to not take advantage of a fresh start you are not growing and not reaching your potential.
Every day is a fresh start, so embrace each new challenge with curiosity and confidence. You’ve got the potential to do amazing things, and this is the time to start believing in yourself. Stay true to your passions, work hard, and remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. You've got this!
Couple of Notes:
Seniors you only have 80 days of school left and need to have a solid 80 days to reach your destination.
Juniors you only have 6 more quarters left, set yourself up for a great senior year.
Sophomores staying on track and passing your courses is critical and will provide you with more opportunity in your last 2 years of high school.
Freshman you are building a foundation this year, make sure it is a strong one and you are earning all your credits to stay on your course for success.
Credit recovery starts on 2/24/25 for those of you who need to earn back credits. We have a school goal of successfully earning back 85% of credits for those enrolled. Don’t put it off until the end and be aware that you can enroll in another Credit Recovery course once you successfully complete a course. More information with be shared soon!
If you are struggling, attend Student Academic Support on:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-3:00
Wednesdays from 2:05-3:00
If you are not passing your courses, attendance is mandatory and is tracked. CREW attendance is expected daily and recorded.
We are glad you have chosen the online school and now it is up to you to be the best you can be. Remember success starts with showing up! Have a great Quarter 3!
Counselor's Corner
9th-12th Grade School Counselor: Rebecca Schmitz
CREDIT RECOVERY begins Feb 24th!
Meet with your school counselor to know if you are on track or need credits. If you need credits we can make a plan for a successful path to graduation.
Click here to make an appointment with Ms. Schmitz
Wellness Hub
Jennifer Martineau, School Nurse
Pertussis (also called whooping cough) has been reported among students at Saint Paul Public Schools and in our community.
Pertussis can be a serious bacterial illness. Pertussis may begin with a runny nose, sneezing, mild cough, and possibly a low-grade fever. After one to two weeks, the cough worsens and begins to occur in sudden, uncontrollable bursts. These coughing attacks can end in vomiting and/or in a high-pitched whooping noise. Coughing attacks often happen at night. Older children and adults may have a less typical cough. The cough can continue for up to three months.
People with pertussis should not go to school, work or any activities until they have finished five days of antibiotic treatment, unless they have already been coughing for three or more weeks. Although the cough can last longer than three weeks, a person is no longer contagious after the third week.
Pertussis can be less severe in adults and older children and when not recognized and treated, can be easily passed on to infants, who may become very ill. If you or your child have a cough and have had contact with someone with pertussis or have been coughing for seven days or longer, discuss pertussis with your healthcare provider.
Most children have been vaccinated for pertussis, but protection can decrease over time. People who have completed some or all of the recommended vaccinations for pertussis may still get pertussis disease but will generally have a milder illness. Now is a good time to ensure you are up to date on your pertussis vaccines.
For information on accessing your or your family's immunization records, visit Find My Immunization Record. More information on pertussis (whooping cough) can be found here.
Any questions can be directed to the St. Paul – Ramsey County Public Health Department at 651-238-3716 or the Minnesota Department of Health at 1-877-676-5414.
Nurse Jenny can be reached at 651-419-1219 or you can email her at jennifer.martineau@spps.org.
Community Resources
Mental Health and Social Services
Tech Support
Joshua Thao, iPad Manager
Do you have additional tech questions? Contact Joshua using one of the methods below:
612-699-4161 / joshua2.thao@spps.org
Please Update Your iPad
Apple iOS 18.1.1 Software Update
iOS 18.1.1 is approved and available for download. iOS 18 includes access to robust, basic and scientific calculators (no Wi-Fi connection needed!), Math Notes, Safari updates, handwriting tools, and more! Educator support is needed to ensure students update their devices to access the latest tools and smoothest learning and testing experiences.
Important Dates
- February 11--March 6: ACCESS Testing
- February 17: No School (President's Day)