Principal's Newsletter

Happy Last Friday of the School Year Packer Families,

Wow- what a day we had? I want you to know that your student did an amazing job of handling the difficulty of having the power go out. I am really proud of the way our Packers handled that adversity.

Starting on Monday our final exams will begin. Please make sure to check the schedule that can be found below.

The end of Trimester 3 is just 4 days away. With only 4 days left in Trimester 3 (and the school year), please check in with your student and ask them the following questions?

• How has this trimester gone for you?
• Are you happy and/or satisfied with your grades?
• Is there work you could be doing over the upcoming long weekend?
• What do you need to do to finish the trimester strong?
• How can I support you?

Together, we can/will get our students across the Trimester 3 finish line!!! If your student needs any additional support to complete Trimester 3 successfully, please make sure to send them in on W.I.N. (G.S.D.) Wednesday.

In this week's newsletter you can find more information regarding:

• Senior Schedule for their last day of school (which is Monday),
  

• The Journey Begins: Embracing the Pathway to Packer Promise,
  

• Final Exam Schedule for Grades 9-11,
  

• Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT),
  

• Summer Lunch information,
  

• and many more topics. Make sure to check the newsletter out.

Thanks for all the support you give your student and the school! Have an fantastic weekend!

Go PACKERS!

Sincerely,

Chuck

Mr. Chuck Ochocki

South St. Paul High School Principal

700 2nd Street North

South St. Paul, MN 55075

(651) 457-9402

cochocki@sspps.org

Packer Pride: Today. Tomorrow. Forever.

6/3- Final Exams in periods 1, 2, 3. Students check-in to period 4, return devices, senior picnic on the competition field.

Has your student submit their response to participate in Graduation? Has the $20 Commencement fee been paid to Joleen Macioch at the main office? If not, please do so as soon as possible. We do take cash, check or pay online at https://www.vancoevents.com/us/events/landing/31982

I realize that $20 can be a hardship for some families. If this is the case for your family, please contact Joleen at 651-457-9410 to discuss this matter.

6/03/24 (Day 1)

9th grade Honors/Intro to Lit

11th grade Gen Chem

11th grade IB French

Combination of grades PE

Combination of grades Health

Combination of grades French 2

6/04/24 (Day 2)

11th grade IB Applications and Interpretations #1

Combination of grades Health

Combination of grades PE

Combination of grades IB Biology

Combination of grades Chemistry-Kaufman

Combination of grades Anatomy & Physiology

6/06/24 (Day 2)

9th grade Integrated Science

9th grade Geometry

10th grade US History and Honors US History

10th grade American Literature 10

10th grade Spanish 3

10th grade Intermediate Algebra

10th grade Biology

11th grade World Literature

11th grade IB Modern European History

Combination of grades Spanish 2

Combination of grades Store Management

Combination of grades IB Business Management

Combination of grades French 1

Combination of grades Advanced Algebra

Combination of grades Heritage Spanish

As we sunset the International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Middle Years program at the end of this school year, SSPPS is thrilled to announce our new academic strategic plan, Pathway to Packer Promise. Our mission with the Pathway to Packer Promise is to ignite a passion in every learner to inquire, continuously improve, and engage in positively changing our world. This plan is dedicated to preparing each and every student for their future through high-quality, individualized programs, services, and personalized learning tailored to every stage of their educational journey. Covering early learning, elementary, middle, and high school experiences, this comprehensive plan provides students with opportunities to explore real-world experiences, interactive discussions, guest speakers, enriching field trips, and flexible curriculum options, allowing students to fully engage with their learning paths. The development of the Pathway to Packer Promise is the result of extensive feedback from our stakeholders, ensuring it aligns with the collective goals and values of our learning community. Visit our website to learn more about the Pathway to Packer Promise experience!

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program provides families with eligible school-aged children $40 per month per child (up to $120 maximum) during the summer to purchase healthy foods using EBT cards.

For Families Already Approved for Educational Benefits:

• Log-in to your Campus Parent Portal account to ensure your household contact information is up-to-date with the district, including parent or guardian name, address, and phone number.

For Families Who Have Not Yet Applied for Educational Benefits:

• Complete an application for Educational Benefits online via SchoolCafé. You will receive a letter informing you if your child qualifies. You will need to reapply in August to qualify for 2025 benefits.

• Log-in to your Campus Parent Portal account to ensure your household contact information is up-to-date with the district, including parent or guardian name, address, and phone number.

S-EBT benefits will be distributed by the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Human Services during the summer months. For more information, visit the MDE website or check out the MDE FAQ document.

This summer, South St. Paul Public Schools is partnering with The Open Door again to serve more students free meals in our community. The Open Door picks up meals and brings them to designated spots in the community and serves kids, ages 18 and under, where they are. Meals must be eaten onsite.

Free meals will be served June 17-27 and July 8-25, no meal service June 19th and the week of July 3-7. Visit the website for times and locations

South St. Paul Public Schools has summer learning opportunities for all ages. Whether your student is going into a new school or you want to keep their brain stimulated during the summer months, there’s a learning opportunity for your student. Click here to enroll your student or to learn more about any of the programs listed below.

• Kindergarten Camp, Incoming Kindergarteners

• Elementary Summer Learning Academy, Grades 1-5

• Packer Preview, Incoming 6th Graders

• Middle School Summer Learning Academy, Grades 7-8

The high school Summer Strength and Speed program has a long tradition of fostering athletic excellence and healthy behaviors for grades 6-12. This program starts with safety, technique, and peer-to-peer support, and grows into highly competitive, intense summer workouts preparing student-athletes for physical fitness and varsity athletic success. See the attached flier to find the summer morning session that fits students’ goals and experience. Note the affordable cost ($90 for the whole summer): coaches are committed to ensuring access for the entire community. The teams and friend groups that work out together, find support AND excellence! Reach out to Tim Kennealy (tkennealy@sspps.org), Manuel Spreigl (mspreigl@sspps.org), or Tyler LaRose (tlarose@sspps.org) with questions.

May 29- W.I.N. (G.S.D.) WEDNESDAY
June 3- Final Exams start

• 9th grade Honors/Intro to Lit

  11th grade Gen Chem

  11th grade IB French

  Combination of grades PE

  Combination of grades Health

  Combination of grades French 2

June 4- Final Exams continue

• 11th grade IB Applications and Interpretations #1

  Combination of grades Health

  Combination of grades PE

  Combination of grades IB Biology

  Combination of grades Chemistry-Kaufman

  Combination of grades Anatomy & Physiology

June 5-W.I.N. (G.S.D.) WEDNESDAY
June 6- Final Exams continue/Final Day of School

• 9th grade Integrated Science

  9th grade Geometry

  10th grade US History and Honors US History

  10th grade American Literature 10

  10th grade Spanish 3

  10th grade Intermediate Algebra

  10th grade Biology

  11th grade World Literature

  11th grade IB Modern European History

  Combination of grades Spanish 2

  Combination of grades Store Management

  Combination of grades IB Business Management

  Combination of grades French 1

  Combination of grades Advanced Algebra

  Combination of grades Heritage Spanish

• 11:00 AM Graduation Practice for Seniors
• 7:00 PM- Graduation

Want to see our students and staff in action? Come watch them at a home event. Here is the link to this weeks schedule:Weekly Schedule

If your family is experiencing homelessness, such as staying in a shelter, hotel or temporarily with others, we can help make sure your child has stability in their education through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act. For help in accessing these services, please contact Candace Burckhardt, Special School District #6 Homeless Liaison/Local Coordinator.

For more information please look at the resources at the following link: https://www.sspps.org/departments/student-services/special-education

Additional resources can also be found at https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/PublicAssistance/Housing/Pages/default.aspx or MDE's website: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/ESEA/home/

Email: cochocki@sspps.org
Website: https://www.sspps.org
Location: 700 2nd Street North, South Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-457-9402