Washington Family Newsletter

Picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, December 14, 2023.

Who can get their picture (re)taken?

• Students who were absent on picture day and did not get one taken.
• Students who bought a package but do not like the picture so want a retake. They must have their original package with them to hand to the photographer.
• Students that had the wrong picture or student number.
• Staff who did not get their picture taken.

Join Saint Paul Public Schools for SPPS Reads movie nights! We will be showing the award-winning documentary “The Right to Read”. The film has served as a source of inspiration for our teachers and district leaders as SPPS makes shifts in how literacy is taught in our classrooms using instructional practices aligned with the Science of Reading research.

"The Right to Read" shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most foundational indicator of life-long success: the ability to read. Executive produced by host of PBS’ "Reading Rainbow" LaVar Burton, the film follows the story of the literacy crisis in America and what we can do about it.

Please note that the film can only be shown in English. Additional literacy resources for families will be available in other languages at the beginning of the event.

Each event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a free dinner served in the school’s cafeteria. The documentary will be shown in the school’s auditorium starting at 6:15 p.m. While children are encouraged to watch the documentary, childcare will be available in the cafeteria during the film.

Please register below to let us know you are coming to the event!

FAFSA opens December 31st. Mr. Peters will be working with students and families starting in January to submit financial aid applications.

Dear 12th Grade Families,

This is an important update regarding the Direct Admissions Minnesota program in Saint Paul Public Schools. Eligible 12th grade students will begin receiving a Direct Admissions survey in the Campus Student Portal this week. In this survey, students will see which colleges and universities they are directly admitted to. Students should follow the instructions in the survey to select the colleges they are interested in attending. The deadline to submit the survey is 12/20/23.

Students will still need to complete an admissions application for each of the colleges and universities they are interested in attending. All participating colleges and universities are waiving application fees as part of the Direct Admissions pilot program.

Over 50 Minnesota colleges and universities are participating in the Direct Admissions program, including several community, technical, tribal, public and private institutions. Click here for a full list of participating colleges and universities.

Please visit the Direct Admissions Minnesota website for more information.

Seniors should submit a portrait to the Class of 2024 Schoology Group for this year's yearbook.

Deadline for senior photos: March 1, 2024

More information can be found on the Washington Tech HS Yearbook webpage.

Boys' Basketball home opener on Friday vs MPLS Roosevelt (5:00/5:00/6:30).

Boys' Swim & Dive opens with their first dual on Friday vs. Highland/SPA (at Humboldt) @ 4:30 PM.

The Eagle Cheer Squad will be at most of our home Basketball/Wrestling competitions and will take the sideline next week.

Wrestling has their first home dual on Wednesday, Jan 10 @ 5:00 PM.

Eagle Eye Double Down Wednesday (Boys' Basketball and Wrestling):

Wrestling travels to Highland Park on Wednesday, 12/13/23, for a 5:00 PM match. Then, just a couple miles down the road at Nova Classical Academy, the Boys' Basketball Teams take on the Nova Knights (4:45, 6:00, and 7:30).

Mon- Thur: Salatul Thuhr (any time after 12 noon)

• Boys pray in the 2nd Floor Office
• Girls pray in the library

Fri: Salatul Jumah - Great Hall 1:40pm sharp

Ramadan is expected to begin around March 1st

Brand New MSA hoodies are now on sale in the 2nd floor Office $20 fee

On Saturday, December 16, SPFE is hosting a book giveaway at Neighborhood House. This event is open to both families and educators, and is an excellent way to build home libraries.

Looking for things to do with your student over break? Check out SPPL's winter break programming!

Families and students are invited to join the Washington Technology Magnet School Bands, Orchestra, and Choirs for an evening of music.

When: Thursday, December 14th

Where: Great Hall.

Time: 6:30PM

Semester 1 FlipsSide classes are still open. Families can register students here.

Registration for semester 2 will open soon! Stay tuned for course offerings and registration links.

• Dec. 12 - SPPS Reads Movie Nights @Central HS 5:30-8:00 PM
• Dec. 14 - Picture retakes
• Dec. 14 - Band, Orchestra & Choir Concert @Great Hall 6:30 PM
• Dec. 22- Jan 7 - Winter Break

Interactive Food Locations (food shelves, groceries at low or no-cost, farmer's markets, meals at no-cost)

Customer Contact Center 651-266-8500 (Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm)

Family Centers are site-based offices for Neighborhood House located at:

• Bruce Vento Elementary (East Side: 409 Case Ave E, St Paul, MN 55130)
• Dayton’s Bluff Elementary (East Side: 262 Bates Ave, St Paul, MN 55106)
• John A. Johnson Elementary (East Side: 740 York Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55106)
• St. Paul Music Academy (North End: 27 Geranium Ave. East, Saint Paul, MN 55117)
• The Wellstone Center (West St Paul)
• Highland / Sibley Manor (West 7th)

Neighborhood House is “a full-service hub for those seeking assistance with basic needs, from food to housing, as well as helping create future opportunities through family coaching and education programming.”

To contact Family Center for all services:

• Visit a Family Center in person
• Contact Neighborhood House Service Connect: 651-789-3602

Family Center services/resources available include:

• Diapers, clothes, food, housing
• County service navigation
• Internet connectivity
• Bridging/My Very Own Bed
• PSOP (Parent Support Outreach Program)
• Referral for all other Neighborhood House services (youth programming, Latino Leadership, parent and early childhood education, adult education…)

Eligibility:

• Family Center is open to all – students/families in their home-base schools AND families from the community
• For most direct needs (food, clothing, diapers…), Family Center collects very little information – mainly only recording data to account for resources in and out (not family information)
• Other longer-term services and some of those offered through government funding do call for additional family information; Family Center staff will help families work through these questions to see if the services are a good fit.