There will be no school from Monday, March 31st through Friday, April 4th. School will resume on Monday, April 7th.

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,

We are always looking for ways to keep the learning going at home! Here are 10 things parents can do, focusing on a mix of academic and life skills:

1. Reading Together:

• This is fundamental. Read aloud to younger children and encourage older children to read independently or even aloud to you. Discuss the books, asking questions about characters, plot, and themes.

2. Make Everyday Math Fun:

• Incorporate math into daily activities. Cooking involves measuring, shopping involves budgeting, and even playing board games can reinforce math skills.

3. Explore Science Through Experiments:

• Simple at-home science experiments can be a blast. There are countless resources online for kid-friendly experiments using household items.

4. Writing Practice:

• Encourage writing in various forms: journaling, writing stories, creating comic strips, or even writing letters to friends and family.

5. Turn Your Home into a Museum/Exploration Zone:

• Dedicate a space to display your child's artwork, collections, or projects. You can also create themed exploration zones, such as a "dinosaur dig" or a "space station."

6. Cooking Together:

• Cooking teaches valuable life skills, including measuring, following instructions, and understanding nutrition. It's also a great way to spend quality time together.

7. Engage in Play-Based Learning:

• Especially for younger children, play is essential for learning. Build with blocks, play pretend, or create art projects. These activities foster creativity, problem-solving, and social skills.

8. Utilize Online Educational Resources:

• There are many excellent educational websites and apps that can supplement learning. Look for resources that are age-appropriate and engaging.

9. Encourage Curiosity and Questions:

• Foster a love of learning by encouraging your child to ask questions. Take the time to explore answers together, whether through books, online resources, or real-world experiences.

10. Build Strong Communication Skills:

• Have regular conversations with your children. Discuss their day, their interests, and their thoughts and feelings. This helps them develop their communication skills and strengthens your bond.

By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you can create a stimulating and enriching learning environment at home.

Have a fantastic spring break!

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

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,

Have a safe and relaxing spring break.

Ms. Moua

612-564-9783

baokou.moua@spps.org

Dear 4th Grade Families,

Students have been learning about lines, rays and angles in circles and shapes! If you haven’t seen their Innovations projects about this yet, please ask them to share with you. Students did a fantastic job! As a reminder, please check your child’s HMHEd through Clever every week in addition to Seesaw. Only 8 students have been consistently doing their math work on HMHEd, and it is a valuable math tool that gives students immediate feedback about how they are doing. If you have any questions about navigating this site please reach out to me any time!

Please contact me any time:

612-314-9961

michelle.smith2@stpaul.k12.mn.us

Hello 5th grade families!

Have a safe and relaxing spring break.

Ms. E

jackelyn.doyle@spps.org

‪(651) 456-8606‬

Kelly Jenson

Kelly.Jenson@spps.org

‪(651) 764-8082‬

Ms. Haug

jenna.haug@stpaul.k12.mn.us

612-568-5355

This week we had the Kindergartners and the 3rd Graders for PE class!We have been doing our workouts and fitness to improve our strength, endurance, balance, and coordination! I hope that you all have a joyful and restful Spring Break!! The week after Spring Break I will have the 2nd Graders and the 5th Graders for PE 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 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