Principal's Newsletter

Happy Last Friday of January Packer Families,

Thank you to all the parents/guardians that attended Student/Family Connect (conferences) yesterday. It was awesome to see so many people. If you were not able to make conferences, please reach out to the teachers; I know that they would love to talk with you about your student and their progress.

Do me a favor and ask your student about G.S.D.? Wednesday is our G.S.D. day. That's right, "Get Stuff Done" Day. Both at home and in school we are "G.S.D. ing" on Wednesdays. After talking with a couple of our Juniors/Seniors students I decided to introduced the concept of "G.S.D." to our students in the Tic Taki with Ochocki (my weekly announcement). It does not mean that our students don't do any work on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. Instead, our students have a day each week to help facilitate completing assignments, getting help, and maintaining their grades. Our students know, though, it is their responsibility to "G.S.D."

Check out the video: Tic Taki with Ochocki

And if you need your child to do some work around the house (like chores), please feel free to tell them I said it is time to G.S.D.!

Have a great weekend! 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.

Reminder - Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for at least 5 days from the onset of symptoms or test date (asymptomatic) and can return when fever free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medication). Following symptom improvement and return, individuals must wear a mask (not shield) for days 6-10 OR individuals may remove their mask sooner than day 10 with two sequential negative antigen tests 48 hours apart. See MN Department of Health Guidance for further details.

Here is some new information about due dates.

1. Senior baby photos have been extended to February 2nd!

   1. These are an additional $40.00 and include:

      1. A baby photo of your senior published in the yearbook

      2. A personalized note to your senior to be published alongside the baby photo

      3. You will be asked to place a "recognition ad"

2. Yearbook orders are open until January 26th!

   1. Each book is $65.00

   2. For an additional cost, families can personalize their yearbooks and purchase additional accessories to help commemorate the school year.

   3. As of 1/23, we have 10 yearbooks left. Order by Friday to make sure you get one this year!

3. Athletics and Activities Photo submissions open!

   1. There is now a drop-box for families, coaches, and advisors to submit photos for the yearbook

   2. Have a great photo of your student participating in a school activity? Submit it to our dropbox and we may feature it on one of our pages!

4. Links: Links are also available on the district website under the yearbook tab
   1. Purchase the 23-24 yearbook
   2. Submit Senior Photos
   3. Submit Baby Photos
   4. Submit Activities and Athletics Photos for the 23-24 Yearbook

*Please reach out to Hannah O'Brien with any questions at hobrien@sspps.org

Please make sure to update your contact Information.

In order to receive important information regarding school closings and family messages, make sure your contact information is correct in our student information system, Infinite Campus- Parent Portal. To do so:

• Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account

• Click on the user menu icon in the upper left hand side of the screen

• Click on Settings

• Click on Contact Preferences

• Check to make sure all information is correct and preferences are updated

ParentSquare Communications

South St. Paul Public Schools uses ParentSquare for school to home communications. When the need for an emergency school closing arises, this is the system that will alert you.

• One of the best ways to receive these alerts is by downloading the app from the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store

• Look in your ParentSquare account settings and be sure you HAVE NOT turned off notifications from your student’s school or the district, directions here

• Check your phone settings and be sure you are not blocking unknown calls, or you can add SSPPS as a contact in your phone 651-457-9400

• If you have not been receiving school texts, you many have accidentally opted out from receiving them, to start them back up send the word "START" to 66458 to opt back in

The High School Mental Health Team would like to share with you that the National Alliance on Mental Illness will be providing a free workshop on Saturday, February 10th (more details below). This is a great opportunity for any parents/caregivers of children living with mental illness to learn more about childhood grief and loss, suicide prevention, trauma, and more. Below you will find the link to more information.

Link to NAMI Free Educational Conference Information​​​

January 31- W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

February 7- W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

February 14- W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

February 19- NO SCHOOL

February 21- W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

February 28-W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

March 6- W.I.N .WEDNESDAY

March 7- End of Trimester 2

March 8- No School

Want to see our students and staff in action? Come watch them at a home event. Here is the link to this weeks schedule: Weekly Home Schedule

If your family is experiencing homelessness, such as staying in a shelter, hotel or temporarily with others, we can help make sure your child has stability in their education through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act. For help in accessing these services, please contact Candace Burckhardt, Special School District #6 Homeless Liaison/Local Coordinator.

For more information please look at the resources at the following link: https://www.sspps.org/departments/student-services/special-education

Additional resources can also be found at https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/PublicAssistance/Housing/Pages/default.aspx or MDE's website: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/ESEA/home/

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

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