South St. Paul High School Weekly

Happy "First High School Newsletter Friday" of the School Year Packer Families,

It is always hard for me to send the first newsletter of the school year because it means that summer is coming to an end. We are eagerly awaiting the return of students to South St. Paul High School so please enjoy the next four weeks. I truly hope that you are having a fantastic summer and that you and your family are safe and healthy.

As a parent of two high school boys who have jobs, camps, and sports our home calendar is crazy with activities. I always feel the need to put important dates on the home calendar as soon as I know them. With the start of school still a little over for weeks away I want to make sure that you are aware of some upcoming important dates (see below).

I know that we are going to have an amazing year and I am are really looking forward to it! 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.

August 17: 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM- BACK TO SCHOOL DAYS at the High School

August 21: 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM- BACK TO SCHOOL DAYS at the High School

First Days of Schools

• September 5, First day for grades 1-5, 6, 9, and students new to SSPPS
• September 6, First day for grades 7-8, and 10-12
• September 7, First day of Kindergarten
• September 11, First day of Preschool

This fall there are changes to the traffic flow near the Secondary Building. Due to the construction of the new library adjacent to the high school, traffic flow on 7th Ave N and 2nd St N will change. The 100 block of 7th Ave N between Marie Ave and 2nd Street N will change to one-way traffic. One-way traffic will continue on the curve to 2nd St N (yellow arrows). The one-way traffic will end when 2nd St N meets 8th Ave N (red arrows). See the diagram below.

Be cautious when traveling around the school due to an increase of pedestrian traffic, students and Central Square/library patrons. The City of South St. Paul says the road will reopen before school begins, with a tentative final completion date of September 15.

Thursday, August 17: 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM

Monday, August 21: 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM

School to family communication is a critical component of a student’s success. SSPPS uses Campus Parent Portal as our district-wide database for family contact information and preferences. To ensure your family is receiving important communication from SSPPS, please login to your Campus Parent Portal account to review and update all contact information (phone number, email address, etc.) and other preferences like the primary language you would like to receive your communication. Families needing to create a Campus Parent Portal Account, click here. Families having trouble accessing their Campus Parent Portal Account, contact the SSPPS Tech Help Department at ParentTechHelp@sspps.org or (651) 457-9458. Families needing help with specific information within their Parent Portal account, such as legal documentation, should contact their school office directly.

SSPPS:

While all students will receive one free breakfast and lunch each day through the new Free School Meals for Kids legislation that was passed this spring, SSPPS still needs you to complete or opt out of the 2023-24 Educational Benefits Application. Completed applications determine how much funding your child’s school receives from the state for educational programs and other supports. In addition, qualifying families may be eligible for a variety of discounts. Visit our website at www.sspps.org/departments/nutrition and click on the Educational Benefits tab to complete your application and view other discounts available to qualifying families.

Completing an Educational Benefits Application is easy, confidential and can be done one of three ways:

1. Online: Complete an application online at www.schoolcafe.com; or
2. Mail, Drop off or bring with you: Complete the enclosed application and mail or drop off at the SSPPS Nutrition Services Office (104 - 5th Avenue South); or bring with you to either of the days

All 7th & 12th graders along with any new students to the school should be prepared to stop in by the Health Services.

Click on this link to print and bring with you to one of the two back to school days.

Annual Field Trip Authorization Form

All students grades 6-12 must have their picture taken for ID cards regardless if you plan on purchasing any packets or not – remember to dress appropriately for your pictures – (handbook dress policy) You may purchase your pictures ahead of time by using the following:

August 17th – https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/pictureDayId/EVTBF8F73

August 21st – https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/pictureDayId/EVTKVX6QG

Reminder to families who qualify for District-Provided transportation to complete the short survey in the email you received from the District on July 12. The survey is asking families to accept or decline their student’s transportation for the 2023-24 school year. If you did not receive an email and believe you meet the District-Provided transportation guidelines (elementary students living 1.0 miles or more from assigned school and 1.5 for secondary students), visit our website at www.sspps.org/departments/transportation to view the qualifying boundaries and/or contact our transportation office at eryan@sspps.org.

Safe-Way Bus Company is offering Pay-to-Ride transportation on a first-come, first-served basis for students who are not eligible for District-Provided transportation. Pay-to-Ride space is limited so interested families should complete the Pay-to-Ride Registration form located on our website at www.sspps.org/departments/transportation. Families should also make alternate plans as Pay-to-Ride availability may not be determined until October 1 or later when all District-Provided transportation obligations have been met. Families will be notified when a transportation space becomes available.

Getting ready for the school year is easy with the SSPPS School Year Information Webpage. On there you can find school supply lists for all schools, the most up-to-date handbook, and calendars with all of the back-to-school dates to remember.

School to family communication is a critical component of a student’s success. SSPPS uses Campus Parent Portal as our district-wide database for family contact information and preferences. To ensure your family is receiving important communication from SSPPS, please login to your Campus Parent Portal account to review and update all contact information (phone number, email address, etc.) and other preferences like the primary language you would like to receive your communication. Families needing to create a Campus Parent Portal Account, click here. Families having trouble accessing their Campus Parent Portal Account, contact the SSPPS Tech Help Department at ParentTechHelp@sspps.org or (651) 457-9458. Families needing help with specific information within their Parent Portal account, such as legal documentation, should contact their school office directly.

South St. Paul Public Schools uses ParentSquare for school to home communications. If you have an email address registered with the school district, then you have a ParentSquare account ready for you. If you activated your account last year, there is nothing you need to do this school year. If you did not activate your account last year or you are new to the district, you will receive an email invitation at the end of August to verify your information. If you do not verify your information, we cannot confirm you will receive communications. Verifying your information allows you to ensure the information is correct in our system.

The best way to receive school alerts and communication is to download the app to your smartphone.

• iOS App - Apple Store
  
• Android App - Google Play Store
  

Visit the SSPPS ParentSquare webpage for more information on customizing your account. If you have trouble accessing your account or do not receive a ParentSquare email invitation at the end of August, reach out to communications@sspps.org.

Minnesota Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students, the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts.

Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible. Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who don’t owe any taxes. Visit the Minnesota Revenue website for details. Click here to learn more.

We're looking for people interested in part-time work with the school district. Flexible, daytime hours for you to work while your student is in school. We are currently hiring for a variety of positions including, but not limited to: Lunch room, maintenance, student supervisors, paraprofessionals, and more. Click on the link below to view all openings and to apply.

View Open Positions and Apply

Minnesota law requires that all children are vaccinated against certain diseases or have a legal exemption on file to enroll in school. Students entering 12th grade will be required to have documentation of (or a legal exemption) for the booster dose of meningococcal vaccine. (Most students received the initial dose of this vaccine when they entered 7th grade.)

Teenagers and young adults are at higher risk for meningococcal disease, a serious illness that can lead to an infection of the brain and spinal cord. This booster dose is important to make sure they are fully protected. Here is a link for more information: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/meningococcal/basics.html

If your child has already had the meningococcal booster shot, which is usually given at age 16, please bring in his/her shot record to the Health Office. If he/she has not had it, plan to get this. We are a "No shots, No school" school district. Your child will not be admitted to classes if we don't have a record of the shot. He/she/they will be sent home.

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