


Online Elementary Weekly Newsletter
February 2, 2025
Office Information
Office Hours
7:00AM-3:15PM
651-325-2588
We've moved!
780 Wheelock Pkwy Co
St. Paul, MN 55117
Enter through Door #6 and follow the signs to come to room 1001.
Principal News
Dear OES Parents,
Particularly in our fast-paced society, listening is an essential skill that is frequently overlooked. The skill of listening assumes an even more important role while speaking with children. A good atmosphere where our kids feel heard and respected is created when we listen to them intently without interjecting. Their social and emotional growth depends on this method.
First and foremost, children's sense of self-worth is strengthened when they receive attentive listening. We convey to kids that their opinions and feelings are valued when we let them express themselves freely. Children who feel appreciated are more likely to grow up to be confident and have a positive self-image, so this validation is quite important. For example, listening without interrupting when a child shares a tale about their school day or raises an issue teaches them that their voice matters.
Moreover, listening intently strengthens the parent-child bond. Trust is developed when we interact with kids in a meaningful way that makes them feel as though we actually care about what they have to say. Open communication is fostered by this trust. Knowing that we would listen to them with an open mind and heart encourages kids to talk to us about their feelings and thoughts. This might be particularly crucial when they deal with the difficulties of growing up since they require a secure environment in which to express their anxieties.
Additionally, we can better comprehend our children when we listen to them without interjecting. Each youngster is different, with their own viewpoints and modes of self-expression. We can learn about their feelings, ideas, and experiences by paying attention. This comprehension
Furthermore, listening intently provides a good example for kids. Children learn the value of listening in their own relationships when they observe adults modeling effective listening behavior. They watch how we interact with them and will probably do the same with their friends and relatives. Strong communication skills are essential for success in many facets of life, and teaching kids how to listen can help them develop these abilities.
Interrupting a child, on the other hand, can backfire. Even if we mean well, cutting people off could unintentionally give the impression that their opinions don't matter. This can impede their emotional development and deter them from sharing in the future. It's important to keep in mind that kids, just like adults, require room to fully express themselves.
In conclusion, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of listening to our kids intently and without interruption. It builds self-esteem, fortifies our relationship, deepens our comprehension of them, and provides a good example. We must make a commitment as parents, guardians, and educators to foster an atmosphere in which kids feel free to express themselves. By doing this, we not only improve their quality of life but also help them grow into self-assured, well-spoken adults. A simple yet significant act, listening can have a profound impact on our children's lives.
Are we good listeners? Do we really take the time to listen to our children attentively without interruption?
Sincerely,
John Osorio
Assistant Principal
651-744-6368 / john.osorio@spps.org
Superintendent’s message to Latino parents
Estimada comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Saint Paul,
Como su superintendente interino, quiero agradecerle por sus contribuciones y dedicación a las Escuelas Públicas de Saint Paul. Ya sea como estudiante, miembro familiar o empleado, usted ha elegido ser parte de la comunidad de SPPS. Gracias por estar aquí.
Como miembro de esta comunidad, deseo asegurarle que SPPS respeta, afirma y da la bienvenida a TODOS los estudiantes, empleados y miembros de la familia. Como distrito escolar público, nuestras pólizas y prácticas relacionadas con la equidad racial, inclusión de género y la no discriminación garantizan que TODOS los estudiantes sean apoyados y tengan acceso a una educación de alta calidad sin importar su raza, religión, origen, estado migratorio, identidad de género, orientación sexual, nivel socioeconómico o discapacidad. TODOS los estudiantes tienen derecho a aprender en ambientes respetuosos e inclusivos donde sus identidades sean valoradas y contribuyan a su éxito en la escuela y en la vida. Como dijo Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Debemos caminar en días venideros con fe audaz en el futuro.” Nuestros estudiantes—TODOS nuestros estudiantes—son ese futuro.
Gracias por su continuo apoyo a nuestra comunidad de las Escuelas Públicas de Saint Paul.
John Thein,
Superintendente interino
School Events
Celebrate National African American Parent Involvement day
Celebrate National African American Parent Involvement day!
On February 10th from 12:00-12:30 at code meet.google.com/kse-hity-smp
Join staff virtually during lunch for games/trivia and talking about ways to make our Online School community stronger.
Attendance Matters
Corrected phone number: 651-744-4707
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
Grade Level News
Kindergarten
New newsletter for January: 1/6/25-2/16/25 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.
1st Grade
2nd Grade
Click here for the Second Grade Running Newsletter. There is new information on this link weekly!
3rd Grade
Hello, 3rd Grade Families,
This week, the students began the Geometry unit. We will be talking about shapes, angles, and sides these next few weeks. Help your student build their math vocabulary by asking them to name different shapes that can be found all around you, including 3D shapes.
For Literacy, students are working on identifying character traits, writing words in their plural form, and continuing to work on opinion writing.
Lastly, it has recently come to my attention that there has been some misuse of our digital tools in our class. Please remind your student about online safety and proper use of their Gmail account. Please also check your student’s email on a weekly basis to ensure that they are using it appropriately.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Best,
Ms. Moua
Please feel free to reach out to me via email: baokou.moua@spps.org
4th Grade
Dear 4th Grade Families,
Students are working on a research writing unit integrated with their Innovations class and Social Studies unit on the Regions of the United States. Each student is to choose one of the 5 Regions to research and write about. They should know what states, major landmarks, landforms and important economic factors exist in their region as well as fun facts about the climate, history and Indigenous people who have lived there. Papers are due on Friday February 7 so talk to your child about what they’ve been learning!
In math, we are learning about factors and multiples! Much of students’ work is directly on the HMH Ed platform which they sign in to through Clever. Let me know if you have any questions about using HMH.
Thank you for supporting your students by checking their Seesaw every week to make sure their work is done. Some students have been submitting empty work in order to make their “To Do” or “Drafts” look empty, so please make sure you look closely at these areas throughout the week. If you ever have any questions about their assignments don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email or text.
Please contact me any time:
612-314-9961
5th Grade
Hello 5th grade families!
We have some big days coming up! March 6th is our first Field trip. Tomorrow I will be sending out the permission form for this so you can let me know if your student will be attending. This is our first of two field trips this spring. Both are tied to our 5th grade curriculum and are very important to attend.
Please be checking student’s work on Seesaw. There should not be anything in the student's draft or to do folders at the end of Friday except our ongoing writing project.
Please continue to reach out to me with questions and concerns.
Ms. E
(651) 456-8606
Time to start thinking about middle school!
All 5th graders at Online Elementary School will automatically be enrolled for 6th grade at Online Middle School.
December 14: Enrollment for 2025-2026 School Year opens online
January 2025: Schools will host open houses
February 14: Priority Application Deadline for ALL grades
March 2025: Priority Deadline Acceptance Notification
Do you have questions about your child transitioning to middle school? Check out this resource.
Specialist News
Innovation
This week Kindergarteners were meteorologists practicing giving weather reports in different seasons. They also explored using the weather app.
3rd Graders were working on getting connected to Book Creator and Apple Classroom.
Kelly Jenson (651) 764-8082
Art
This week in art 2nd grade artists learned about the Calabash Gourds that grow in many parts of Africa and we read the book The Calabash Cat. We were inspired by the beautiful artwork carved into the Calabash Gourds and created our own Calabash Animal drawings.
5th Grade artists have been invited to show their art at the Arts Alive, a Saint Paul School District Art Show on April 16th at the Landmark Center. We created our family portraits this week and are hoping to share these at the Art Show in the Spring! I will be emailing more details about this special opportunity soon!
Ms. Haug
jenna.haug@stpaul.k12.mn.us612-568-5355
Physical Education
This week we had the 2nd Graders and the 5th Graders in PE Class. We have been doing our workouts and fitness to improve our strength, endurance, balance, and coordination! This upcoming week I will have the 1st Graders, and the 4th Graders!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 651-603-4652 or shaw.wiczek@stpaul.k12.mn.us
Science
5th Grade Leadership
5th Grade Leadership has kicked off for the school year. Our 5th grade leaders are creating weekly newscast, challenges to engage with the entire school, and spirit weeks.
Student Support Services
Ms. Deacon - Special Education
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
Ms. Zallaps - Special Education
Click here for the class newsletter for February: Zallaps' New Class Newsletter
Ms. Silva - MLL
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.
Ms. Steph - Special Education Social Worker
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
Ms. Brown - Reading Intervention
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).
Ms. Kim - School Social Worker
Please contact Kim Stout for support around family, community, or school stressors. kim.stout@spps.org or (651)401-5595
Ms. Love - School Counselor
I'm Maki Love, the school counselor. For the next few weeks in our classroom counseling lessons, students will be learning about community and skills to help them be successful learners in school.
Have a question or need support?
Email: maki.love@spps.org
Google Voice Text or Call: 612-405-8056
Ms. McConnell - Navigational Intervention Specialist
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.
Ms. Shanaz - Onboarding Specialist
I’m Ms. Shanaz, the onboarding specialist. If you have questions, please call or text me at (612)568-6624.
News from Nurse Jenny
Well Child Visits
It is often difficult to get children into their well child visit due to our busy schedules. It has also been scary for some to go into a medical clinic during the pandemic. Masking and making an early appointment might help with those fears.
The benefits of having your child get an annual exam include monitoring growth and development, assessing for physical or mental health problems (such as lead exposure, anemia, depression or anxiety), discussing with the doctor about health prevention topics (including protection from injury), obtaining important vaccines to protect them from infectious diseases and discussing ways to instill healthy behaviors (Journal of the American Medical Association, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2661144).
I encourage you to schedule an appointment for a well child visit if it has been longer than a year since they were last seen. If you need help with obtaining health insurance for your child, please contact Portico at 651-489-2273.
Please reach out to me if you want more information on well child visits, if you need further assistance getting health insurance or if you need help with transportation to and from appointments.
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.
Community Resources
New resources!
Additional needs?
If any additional needs, please reach out to Kim Stout our school social worker (651)401-5595 or kim.stout@spps.org
Tech Support
Need technology or iPad support?
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.
Latino Consent Decree Notes and Messages
PROGRAMA DEL DECRETO LATINO (LCD) Febrero 2025
Haga clic en la imagen para abrir el documento completo
Title I
Dear Parents,
We hosted our Annual Title I SCIP Meeting for Parents on Dec. 19, 2024. We recorded the meeting for parents to watch it during the break.
Meanwhile, feel free to access the PowerPoint presentation used during the SCIP meeting. This presentation will be also available in our school website, in the Title I page, on Monday Dec. 23, 2024.
Title I: Online School Annual SCIP Meeting for Parents
Title I Resources and Important Links for Parents:
Feel free to contact John Osorio at john.osorio@spps.org with any questions about Title I or any of these documents and services.
Important Dates
February 17 - No Schoo, President's Day