Hidden River Newsletter

SAVE THE DATES - This Week:

Mon., Jan. 27th - NO SCHOOL (Grading Day)

Tues., Jan. 28th - Quarter 3, Semester 2 begins

Wed., Jan. 29th - 7th Grade Vision Screening

Thurs., Jan. 30th - Open House for New/Prospective Families 5:00-6:30pm

Next Week (2/3-2/7)

Prospective Families: Know a family with a 5th grader looking for information on middles schools? Encourage them to learn more about Hidden River! We will host an Open House at 631 Albert St. N on Thursday, January 30th from 5 - 6:30 PM. Daytime shadowing and tours are also available by reservation.

Kleenex/tissue donations: We are in need of Kleenex/tissues for our classrooms. If you are able, please drop them off in the main office. Thank you in advance!

2024-2025 ACCESS Test for English Learners: State and federal laws require that all English Learner (EL) students are assessed annually to measure their proficiency and progress in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English. Minnesota uses the ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State) test as its annual assessment. EL students who receive special education services and who meet certain guidelines may take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS test instead. These tests are used to see if students are meeting the WIDA English Language Development Standards and determine if a student is ready to exit from SPPS’s EL program.

All HRMS EL students in grades 6-8 will be administered the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS tests between January 27 - March 21, 2025.

If you have questions about your student’s participation, please reach out to your child’s principal or testing coordinator, Katie Bannon (kathryn.bannon@spps.org).

For more information on English language proficiency assessments and the MDE Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal form, please go to: ACCESS Family Test Information website: spps.org/REA MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/

Saint Paul Public Schools is implementing an 8/2 block schedule at all of our middle schools beginning in the 2025-26 school year. This means students will have eight, 78-minute classes -- four classes per day, rotating every other day.

There are many reasons why our school is changing to the 8/2 block schedule. All SPPS high schools and about half of the middle schools already have this schedule. We believe this schedule will provide an improved and more equitable experience for our secondary students and staff. More information about the rationale and what this schedule may look like can be found here.

Some of the primary benefits of aligning secondary schedules across the district include:

• Reduces the number of transitions in a day; students can focus on fewer subjects per day, improving concentration

• Longer classes allow for more time to build relationships and gain educational experiences from many cultures and beliefs systems.

• Opportunity for students to access to more coursework that isn’t required, but will help learning

• Advisory Class (Foundations) to support community building and growing into a young adult

• The majority of SPPS secondary schools are already on a block schedule, which promotes familiarity for students who may attend more than one SPPS school during 6-12th grade

As a school, we will be working to create a schedule that best meets our students’ needs within the 8/2 block schedule. Together, we will work through this transition that we believe will benefit our students and staff in the long term.

Dear Families,

If your student is in 7th grade, they will have a vision screening at school on Wednesday, January 29 by Phillips Eye Institute’s Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.) Community Initiative, part of Allina Health. This screening is designed to identify issues with your child’s vision. If your child does not pass the vision screening, you will be notified to have your child examination by an eye doctor for further evaluation.

E.Y.E. can assist with scheduling the examination, as well as provide interpreter services, transportation and financial assistance with exams and glasses.

If you have questions or do not want your child to participate in the vision screening, please contact Mary K. Green RN, LSN (school nurse) at 651-888-7657.

The regional competition at Johnson High School on March 15 is approaching quickly!

Please encourage your students to attend one of the upcoming Hullabaloos! These events provide valuable assistance for Minnesota History Day students working on their projects. Students can sign up for a Power Conference, receive individualized project help, chat with a librarian, or participate in mini-lessons covering various aspects of the History Day process. Please note that these events operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally, students should go there with their thesis statements for more effective guidance.

The last Hullabaloos of the month will be held at the Gale Family Library in the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul on January 26 from 12 pm to 4 pm and on January 30 from 4 pm to 8 pm. For more information, please use this link: https://www.mnhs.org/historyday/research/hullabaloos

This year, our students will compete in the following categories: exhibit, performance, and paper. Madame Payia Yang is looking for Francophones and francophiles (adults) with at least an intermediate proficiency in French who are willing to serve as judges during the last week of February for our French Immersion History Day at Hidden River after school. If interested, please contact rachel.payia-yang@spps.org Thanks!

Keep Connected Family Engagement Partnership with Search Institute and Change Inc.:

As you might be aware, Hidden River has partnered with Search Institute and Change Inc. to offer the Keep Connected program to students and their families this year. Keep Connected offers resources to families, including tips, ideas, activities and learning opportunities to support strong family relationships.

One such opportunity is an upcoming workshop series, beginning in February, designed to strengthen your connection with your child, and develop relationships with other Hidden River families. The content of the workshop is based on the research of Search Institute and explores a developmental relationship framework to help kids thrive! Change Inc.'s school-based therapists will facilitate conversations and activities with both parents/caregivers and youth, supporting mutual learning and connection. We will provide a meal, childcare, interpretation and transportation. See the flyer for more information. We'd love to have you join us!

Please RSVP to Wendy Caucutt, Family Liaison, at wendy.caucutt@spps.org with questions or to sign up. REGISTRATION CLOSES JANUARY 29TH!

Family Talk Starters - This Week’s Focus: Really pay attention when you are with family members. This is a great way to EXPRESS CARE through family relationships.

When you have a few minutes, ask other family members a question or two. Enjoy the conversation!

• With whom do you like to talk to about things that are important to you? Why?
• What are things that get in the way of really listening to each other in your family? How can you keep that from happening as much?

Over 200 students, staff, and family members joined the Hidden River community at the Charles M. Schultz Highland Arena on Martin Luther King, Jr Day for ice skating and fun.