Academic Achiever: Family/Staff

Dear SLPS Families,

As the Interim Superintendent of Saint Louis Public Schools, it is my privilege to lead a district dedicated to placing students at the heart of all we do.

In SLPS, we champion the belief that every student deserves a high-quality education, one that paves the way for success in college, career, and life. This commitment translates to providing a stimulating yet nurturing learning environment where students can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

This year, you'll see that commitment come to life in a number of ways:

• Celebrating Student Success: We'll be highlighting our students' achievements both inside and outside the classroom, showcasing their talents and hard work.
• Portrait of a Graduate: We'll continue to adhere to our Portrait of a Graduate program, which guides our students toward becoming well-rounded individuals equipped for success after graduation.
• Keeping You Informed: Expect regular updates on current events and important happenings within the district.
• Open Communication: We are dedicated to maintaining an environment of open and honest communication and collaboration between families and SLPS. Your feedback and involvement are invaluable to us.

One of my favorite sayings is, "We are either winning or we are learning." This reflects our constant pursuit of improvement, viewing every challenge as a chance to learn and grow. We are dedicated to collaborating with families, community partners, and our exceptional staff to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

I look forward to partnering with you this year.

Sincerely,

Dr. Millicent Borishade

Interim Superintendent

Saint Louis Public Schools

Magnet application season is your chance to turn your passions into reality. Explore specialized programs that ignite your curiosity and fuel your ambitions. From robotics to creative writing, there's a path waiting for you. Don't hesitate—pursue your passion and apply today!

We are beyond proud that Metro Academic and Classical High School has been named a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education! This prestigious honor—one of the highest awards in U.S. education—recognizes Metro's commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Metro staff and students celebrated with a "Blue Day" on Friday, which included Blue Ribbon cookies.

Congratulations to Metro Principal Dr. Tina Hamilton, students, and staff!

Join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement alongside SLPS schools Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy and Mallinckrodt Academy of Gifted Instruction, who received this award in 2023! Learn more at www.SLPS.org/News.

Applications for Metro and other SLPS magnet schools are now open. Visit www.SLPS.org/Magnet to apply or get more information.

October is National Principals Month. Principals are the leaders of our schools, and they work hard to make sure every student has a great place to learn. They do so much for our schools, and we want to say thank you!

Here are some ways you can show your appreciation for your school's principal:

• Write a thank-you note: A heartfelt note expressing your gratitude for their hard work and dedication can go a long way.
• Create a small gift: A small token of appreciation, such as a gift card to their favorite coffee shop or a plant for their office, is a thoughtful gesture.
• Share a positive story: Share a specific example of how the principal has positively impacted your child or the school community via Let's Talk
• Volunteer your time: Offer to help with school events or activities to show your support for the principal and the school.
• Attend school events: Show your support by attending school events and activities, such as parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and school performances.

To further honor our principals, we are excited to premiere a special video, "A Day in the Life of a New Principal," on our YouTube channel on Tuesday, October 8th, at 6:00 PM CST. This video offers a glimpse into the dedication and hard work that goes into leading a school.

Let's take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for our principals and thank them for their outstanding service to our students and schools!

Saint Louis Public Schools (SLPS) is celebrating a major achievement: 30 of its schools have been named "America's Healthiest Schools" by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation! Five schools even earned the prestigious "All-Star" status. This recognition highlights SLPS's dedication to fostering healthy environments for students, staff, and families. Read on to learn more about this accomplishment and the schools leading the way.

Students at SLPS high schools and two middle schools have been enjoying their new learning experiences with augmented reality and virtual reality through our new zSpace devices. While they may appear like regular laptops, these powerful devices allow students to manipulate objects for virtual dissections and other science, technology, and design projects.

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences, taking place at all schools from October 14th to October 17th. This is an important opportunity for you to engage with your child's educational journey and to learn about their progress towards meeting end-of-year learning standards.

Your involvement plays a crucial role in your child's success. During the conferences, we encourage you to:

• Discuss your student's growth goals in reading and math.
• Explore how we can work together—students, teachers, and families—to achieve these goals.
• Talk with your child's teacher about their specific learning strengths and needs.

Additionally, this is a great time to learn more about exciting upcoming events such as your school's Spelling Bee and STEM Fair.

For Parents of High School Students and Soon-to-be Graduates:

• Plan for the Future: Discuss your child's post-graduation plans and how teachers can help them achieve their goals.
• Academic Support: Address any academic challenges your child may be facing and explore strategies for improvement.
• College and Career Readiness: Inquire about college applications, scholarships, and career exploration resources.

Graduation Requirements:

• Communications Arts: 4 credits
• Electives: 7 credits
• Fine Arts: 1 credit
• Health: .5 credits
• Math: 3 credits
• Personal Finance: .5 credits
• Physical Education: 1 credit
• Practical Arts: 1 credit
• Science: 3 credits
• Social Studies: 3 credits

Total Credits: 24

Grade Level Classifications:

• Freshman: 0-6 credits
• Sophomore: 7 or above credits
• Junior: 13 or above credits
• Senior: 19 or above credits

We look forward to seeing you and working together to support your child's education!

Parent University offers a 9-week, in-person learning experience for parents and caregivers to build leadership skills and confidence, empowering them to advocate for their children’s success. Classes are held on the first Thursday of every month and cover important topics that help families support student achievement. Participation is free, and graduates will be honored in a formal ceremony. Learn more and register on the SLPS website.

Saint Louis Public Schools is excited to announce a new tool to enhance your student’s transportation experience. FirstView is a user-friendly app that allows families to track their child’s school bus in real-time.

Benefits of FirstView:

• Know where the bus is: No more wondering if the bus is running late!
• Instant notifications: Receive alerts about delays or changes to the route.
• Peace of mind: Know exactly when your child will arrive at the bus stop.

How to Get Started:

1. Download the FirstView app from your phone's app store. (Google Play Store/ Apple App Store)
2. Create an account and enter your student's ID.
3. Start tracking your child's bus!

Stay tuned for more updates and detailed instructions on how to use all of FirstView's features.

Saint Louis Public Schools welcomes 21 talented teachers from Ghana and the Philippines, bringing a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives to middle school math and science, as well as elementary classrooms. This exciting initiative enriches the learning environment for SLPS students, fostering cultural exchange and global understanding.

We recently responded to online threats made various SLPS schools, working closely with law enforcement to prioritize the safety of our students and staff. Extra security measures are in place at those schools, and in some cases, suspects have been identified in connection with threats. Your continued vigilance is key to maintaining safe schools, and we encourage you to use the Courage2Report program to report any concerns.

Important reminder:

Sharing threats on social media can hinder investigations and create unnecessary panic. Please report any concerns directly to us, the Courage2Report program, or law enforcement.

We are committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all. By working together, we can keep our schools safe.

Nearly 1,000 SLPS families gathered at The Magic House for an unforgettable night of STEAM-powered learning and literacy. This exciting event fostered early childhood development through hands-on activities, inspiring future innovators and critical thinkers – key attributes of our Portrait of a Graduate. Every child left with a new book, further promoting a love of reading and representation in our diverse community.

Get ready for a FREE day of technology fun for the whole family! Join Saint Louis Public Schools for the Fall Technology Experience on Saturday, November 16th, from 9 AM to 12 PM at 801 N. 11th Street.

Explore exciting activities like:

• Podcast creation: Learn the ins and outs of producing your own podcasts.
• Robot coding: Compete in friendly coding challenges and see your robots come to life!
• Virtual field trips: Explore amazing places without leaving the building!
• 3D modeling with zSpace: Discover the world of 3D design and printing.
• Resume building: Get expert tips on crafting a winning resume.
• Interactive math games: Boost your math skills with the interactive Lu.
• And much, much more!

We partnered with Chartwells K12 as the new foodservice provider that will began serving students the start of the academic year. We’ve been excited to hear the feedback from students and staff who have been vocal about their enjoyment of the new menu and offerings.

Are you passionate about public education in St. Louis? Have you ever considered running for a position on the Saint Louis Public Schools Board of Education? If so, you're invited to attend a Candidate Workshop designed to provide valuable information and resources for aspiring board members.

Workshop Details:

• Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
• Time: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
• Location: SLPS Central Office, Room 108

Don't miss this chance to learn more about serving your community as a member of the SLPS Board of Education.

To register for the workshop, complete the SLPS School Board Candidate Workshop Registration form.

For more information, please visit the SLPS School Board Candidate Workshop webpage.

Saint Louis Public Schools joined forces with Books for STL Kids at The Largest Book Party, fostering a love for reading and empowering students to build their own home libraries. The Meramec Elementary libraries received a generous donation of 400 new books, while students took home their own literary treasures. This exciting event aligns with our Portrait of a Graduate, nurturing lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

Calling all word wizards and spelling superstars! It's time to prepare for the SLPS District Spelling Bee!

Important Dates:

• October 7th - November 8th: School Spelling Bees will be held at all elementary, middle, and high schools.
• September 27th: Deadline for schools to complete the Spelling Bee Form, indicating their Spelling Bee Coordinator and the date of their school's bee.

Key Information:

• Scripps National Spelling Bee: Schools with students in grades K-8 will be automatically registered for the Scripps National Spelling Bee, giving top spellers a chance to compete at the national level!

Get Ready to Shine!

Start practicing those spelling lists and get ready to showcase your word power. The SLPS District Spelling Bee is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate academic achievement and build confidence. Good luck to all our participants!

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, and Hamilton Elementary is taking action! Community Outreach Officer CoTerri Dampier recently visited Hamilton to empower our students to become HEROes against bullying.

Officer Dampier inspired our students to be HEROes by remembering these key actions:

• Help: Offer support to those being bullied.
• Educate: Learn about bullying and share that knowledge with others.
• Report: Tell a trusted adult if you see or experience bullying.
• Overcome: Stand strong against bullying and be a positive influence.

Review Officer Dampier's presentation with your student(s) by clicking here.

SLPS is taking a creative and compassionate approach to raise awareness and promote positive change. Students in grades PreK-12 are invited to participate in our district-wide art project, "Have a Heart, Stand Up to Bullying."

This project encourages students to express their understanding of bullying prevention through art, focusing on solutions like empathy and kindness. Using a heart motif as a symbol of compassion, students can create artwork in any 2D media, incorporating images and text to convey their messages of positive change.

Participants will not only showcase their creativity but also contribute to a powerful display of unity against bullying. Their artwork will be exhibited at the SLPS Board Meeting on October 22, inspiring the entire community to stand up for kindness and respect.

In addition to the exhibition, all participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Four gift cards will be awarded:

• 2 for grades PreK-5
• 1 for grades 6-8
• 1 for grades 9-12

This project is a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with the "Change Agent" qualities of the "Portrait of a Graduate," demonstrating their commitment to making a positive difference in their school and community. Let's encourage our students to "Have a Heart, Stand Up to Bullying" and create a more compassionate and inclusive environment for all.

In honor of Custodian's Appreciation Day, we spent time with Rosie Smith, the beloved lead custodian at Soldan High School, who's been making a positive impact on students and staff for 27 years. Watch as we shadow Rosie throughout her day and sit down with her to hear about the joy she finds in serving the Soldan community. Join us in celebrating the contributions of custodians like Rosie, who play an essential role in creating a welcoming and safe school environment.

Join us for the October Parent Action Council meeting of the school year on Thursday, October 17 at 6:30pm on Zoom!

You can get the Zoom link by emailing parentactioncouncil@gmail.com or by contacting your school FCS.

Join us for our May PAC meeting.

To keep up with PAC meetings and activities, follow us on our Google page.

Calling all future scientists, engineers, and innovators! It's time to gear up for the annual SLPS STEM Fair, a celebration of curiosity and creativity.

Mark your calendars:

• October 2024: STEM project work begins in schools!
• December 2024: School-based STEM Fairs take place.
• March 2025: Top projects advance to The Academy of Science - St. Louis Science Fair!

Here's how to get involved:

• School Projects: Your child's teacher will share information about school-based projects, deadlines, and resources.
• Independent Exploration: Students can also submit individual projects completed at home (one per student).

Stay tuned for more information from your child's teacher!

We have 21 sports teams competing in our District this year and we are so proud of our student athletes! We have several sports competing this fall including:

• Girls Volleyball (Varsity, JV, and MS)
• Boys Soccer (Varsity and MS)
• Boys Football (Varsity)
• Girls Tennis (Varsity)
• Cross Country (Varsity)

Did you know that SLPS offers the following sports throughout the year?

• Basketball
• Baseball
• Football
• Volleyball
• Track and Field
• Softball
• Wrestling
• Tennis
• E-sports

See the attached schedule to find out when your favorite team is competing this month!

October 8 - October Board Meeting @ Sumner High School

October 11 - Professional Development - No School for Students

October 14-17 - Parent/Teacher Conference

October 18 - No School for Students or Teachers

At SLPS, we're dedicated to developing well-rounded students prepared for success in life beyond the classroom. Our Portrait of a Graduate guides our approach, focusing on essential qualities like critical thinking, effective communication, cultural awareness, and collaboration. We empower our students to be change agents, ready to make a positive impact on their communities and the world.

Email: slpsinfo@slps.org
Website: https://www.slps.org
Location: 801 N. 11th St., St. Louis, MO 63101
Facebook: Facebook.com/stlpublicschools
Instagram: @SLPS_Info

X (Twitter): @SLPS_Info