I can't believe it's already winter break. From all of us at Gordon Parks, we wish you a safe and restful two weeks. When students return on January 6th, that will mark 3 weeks left in the quarter and the half-way point in the school year. It's important students attend regularly so they can earn their credits toward graduation. Thank you all for your continued support and engagement in our school community.
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Winter break can be a stressful time for families. Below is a list of resources you can reach if you need additional support over the winter break.
Meals for the whole family
• St. Matthew's Catholic Church: 510 Hall Ave. St. Paul
o To-go and in-person meals, Monday-Friday, 5-6:00pm. (651) 224-9793
o Closed December 25 and January 1 , 2024
• Dorothy Day Center (Higher Ground): 435 Dorothy Day Pl
o Sunday-Saturday, 4:30-5:30 pm. (612) 204-8485
o Closed December 24 and December 25
• Our Redeemer Lutheran Church: 1390 Larpenteur Ave E
o Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm. (651) 224-9793
• Salvation Army: 401 7th St W
o Food Shelf, Tuesday & Thursday, 9-11am, 1-3pm
o Hygiene supplies, formula and diapers, Tuesday and Thursday 9-11am, 1-3pm
o Food Rescue Distribution, Friday 10-11am (651) 776-8169
• Neighborhood House Fresh Produce Pick Up: Metropolitan State
University, 407 Bates Ave
o December 18th, 2024, 2:30-4:00pm
o January 8th, 2025, 2:30-4:00 pm
• Every Meal Food Bags: https://www.everymeal.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/
• The Sanneh Foundation: Community Food Distribution
o Conway Recreation Center, 2090 Conway St.
§ December 17th, 3-5pm
o Corcoran Park, 3334 20th Ave S.
§ Every Friday, 12-2pm
o Black Youth Healing Arts Center, 643 Virginia Street
§ December 9th and 23rd, 1-2pmMeals for youth
• Arlington Hills Community Center: 1200 Payne Ave
o Supper, Monday-Thursday, 5-5:30pm
• McDonough Recreation Center: 1544 Timberlake Rd
o Supper, Monday-Thursday, 5:30-6pm
• Rice Recreation Center: 1021 Marion St
o Supper, Monday-Thursday, 4:45-5:15pm
• Palace Community Center, 781 Palace Ave
o Supper, Monday-Thursday, 5-6pm
• El Rio Vista Recreation Center: 179 Robie St E
o Supper, Monday-Thursday, 5:00-6:00 pm
Mental Health Resources
Crisis Text Line
Text MN to 741741
Ramsey County Crisis Response
Children (17 and under): 651-266-7878
Adults (18 and over): 651-266-7900
Hennepin County Crisis Response
Children (17 and under): 612-348-2233
Adults (18 and over): 612-596-1223
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Call CRISIS (274747) from anywhere in the state of Minnesota to reach the
local county crisis team
Additional Resources
For additional resources you can contact United Way 211 - 24 hours a day / 7 days a week
Call: 211
Toll free: 800-543-7709
Local: 651-291-0211
Legacy Class at GPHS
The Legacy class is a very unique class partnership set up to allow for human connection and to learn everything the scholars can about Gordon Parks' Legacy. It is an orientation class for new students. We partner with Dr. Robin Hickman-Winfield, great niece of Gordon Parks and CEO/Executive Producer of SoulTouch Productions. She supports the learning, helps scholars understand they are visionaries and that they need a vision in order for to envision themselves successful in the world. Scholars produce their Vision Statement Project which gets displayed on the walls of our school and beyond! We go deep with our studies of Gordon Parks’ works; i.e., memoir, A Choice of Weapons, his film The Learning Tree, the documentary Ms. Robin made about her uncle, Half Past Autumn, his photography, music, poetry and art. Our last day consists of presentations and a party to celebrate the scholars and their vision statements.
Jay Wahi, Special Education
I am really excited to have joined the Gordon Parks High School family this school year! It has been great getting to know all the staff and students at our great little high school. I am grateful they have allowed me to feel like I am becoming part of the family they have created.
I have worked in education for over 20 years, many of them in Saint Paul Public Schools. I started as a special education teaching assistant at Roosevelt Elementary so long ago that the school no longer exists in SPPS. I have worked with students of all age levels from preschool to adult learners. I am so excited to be at Gordon Parks as a special education teacher.
In my spare time, when I am not at our union hall, you’d likely find me at a music venue listening to live music, sitting with my cats reading or hanging out with friends, usually around a fire.
Courtney Brown Sr., Phy Ed. and Health
I was born is St. Paul, Minnesota, not far from Gordon Parks, the youngest of eight children. After receiving my diploma at Highland Park Senior High School, I pursued a degree in Law Enforcement from Metropolitan State University, preparing myself for a career dedicated to serving and protecting the community.
After college, I was blessed with the opportunity to play basketball professionally overseas and with the Harlem Globetrotters. My time abroad and with the Harlem Globetrotters allowed me to develop my skills on the court and also exposed me to different cultures, broadening my global perspective.
I am a proud father to two sons, Courtney, Jr. (23) and Kendall (21). My children have been a central focus of my life, and I have always sought to be an active, loving presence in their lives, instilling values of discipline, perseverance, and respect.
Hellen Keller Institute
Helen Keller International Vision Services were offered to all students at Gordon Parks this past week.
Nearly 100 students had their vision screened. Based on those results, over 40 students received an eye exam and were prescribed glasses. All for free!
Glasses will be arriving here, at Gordon Parks on Friday, December 20th.
See updates on the Gordon Parks High School Title 1 webpage.
The updated Family Engagement Plan (FEP) is available on the school website.
Updates for the Gordon Parks Family-School Compact for Student Achievement are also located on the school website.
Information about the Gordon Parks High School Improvement Plan (SCIP) is also available on the school website. Please bring feedback to the discussion on November 6, 3:30 to 6 pm in the school cafeteria.
Translations are available upon request.
ትርጉሞች ሲጠየቁ ይገኛሉ።
tirigumochi sīt’eyek’u yigenyalu.
Kev txhais lus muaj nyob rau ntawm qhov kev thov.
Hiikkaawwan gaaffii irratti ni argamu.
Turjumaada la heli karo marka la codsado
Traducciones disponibles bajo petición.
Gordon Parks High School
Website: https://https://gordonparks.spps.org/
Location: 1212 West University Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Phone: 651-744-1212
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonParksHS/
