The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is coming up at SPPS Online School in April 2025! You will be getting more information via US postal and email. Testing is done in-person at Como Park Elementary from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Your child is required to attend testing! Please complete the Parent Response Google Form to verify whether your child is or is not attending MCA testing.

Parent Response Google Form: Please, click here to access the Google Form

To help your child prepare for MCA testing, you can use the link(s) below:

• https://srt.testnav.com/mn/mn-srt.html

• https://minnesota.pearsonaccessnext.com/readiness-tools/

If your child does not come for testing, please complete the Non Participation Refusal Form for each child and email it to sppsonlineschool.testing@spps.org.

Non Participation Refusal Form:

Once the Parent response Google Form is completed and/or the Non Participation Refusal Form is completed we will stop communicating with you to complete these required forms.

If you have any questions, you can contact Belinda Vang at 651-744-2081 or email sppsonlineschool.testing@spps.org.

Dear OES Parents,

It is crucial for us to find and cultivate multiple channels of communication with you to create a strong partnership on behalf of all your children in the Online School. You can participate in your child's education in the following ways.

Volunteering in the Classroom

We would like to give you the opportunity to volunteer, watch, and/or participate in your child's classroom because of the unique features of the online instruction. We value the participation and involvement of parents. We always appreciate your help in the classroom!

For us to coordinate and support your participation and volunteering in the classroom, kindly complete the Google Form linked below. We will contact you to coordinate your involvement.

OLS - Parent Volunteer Google Form

Getting in touch with teachers

Teachers can be reached via email and Google Voice and text. Teachers will get back to you within 24 hours. If a message is sent on Friday, staff will get back to you on Monday.

Please let us know if you need your child’s email account or their Google Voice number.

Requesting information about your child’s academic progress, formative assessment results, and other topics of interest or concerns.

• Please keep in mind that you may always get in touch with your child's teacher to find out more about their education, development, and formative evaluations.

• The results of the spring and winter HMH (Math Growth Measure) and FAST (Formative Assessment System for Teachers) literacy assessments are now available for teachers to share with you.

• To meet the requirements and ability levels of their pupils, teachers will organize their lessons and form small groups. Regarding the interventions your kid's teacher will use to support your child and how you may work with them, please speak with your teacher.

John Osorio

Assistant Principal

651-744-6368 / john.osorio@spps.org

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

OES will host a school wide assembly to celebrate students who are Respectful, Responsible, and Safe using SeeSaw and other iPad apps. Families are welcome to watch the assembly with their student on March 14th at 9:00am at Google Meet code: OES

Check out our school matrix - a chart that clearly outlines expected student behaviors in various school settings, promoting a positive and consistent learning environment at OES.

Save The Date: All Elementary Families: I am so excited to share that we will be hosting a Makers Night in person at our Como School location. We will have art supplies and guided Spring Themed projects.

When: Thursday March 20, 2025 4:00pm-6:00pm

Where: Como Elementary School (where we share in-person learning space)

A sign up link will be shared in our next newsletter for families to register.

New newsletter for February and March: 2/20/25 - 3/22/25 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.

Check out our First Grade Newsletter here. There is new information on this link weekly!

Click here for the Second Grade Running Newsletter. There is new information on this link weekly!

Dear 3rd Grade Families,

This week, we finished our Money unit counting coins. We took the math test and it has been graded. Check out your child’s math test score in Seesaw. In reading, we continue to learn about text features in non-fiction texts such as maps, timelines, sidebars, and diagrams.

Conferences are coming up! Make sure to look for an email or text from me on Friday, March 7th for a link to sign up. Time slots are limited, so sign up as soon as possible.

Lastly, as Spring Break nears, we want to continue to keep our students accountable. Help your child stay on track with their assignments by checking their activities are completed daily. Any incomplete assignments will be returned for them to finish.

Thank you, as always, for supporting your child in their learning.

Ms. Moua

612-564-9783

baokou.moua@spps.org

Dear 4th Grade Families,

Money, money, money! MONEY! 4th graders have been learning about comparing equivalent fractions, decimals and money in word problems! We will be slowing down next week to extend this unit with more practice, so now is a great time to talk to your child about what they’ve been learning. Some students are even making up their own problems to challenge Ms. Smith! As a reminder, all our math assignments are directly on HMHEd now so thank you for checking your child’s progress there in addition to Seesaw.

We wrapped up our problem-solution stories with dialogue this week, and our class did an amazing job sharing their imaginative stories! Students have been practicing their presentation skills, and it shows! We are now beginning a new unit on the genre of Historical Fiction.

We have TWO upcoming field trips to add to your calendar! Thank you to everyone who has already responded to confirm whether their child will attend or not. Wednesday April 9th we will have a science field trip following MCA testing at Como, and students will make their own electromagnetic fishing poles to take home! Our second field trip is on Wednesday May 14th. We will have a full day of learning at Como and another science lesson at the Planetarium! I am so excited to spend time with 4th graders in person!

Please contact me any time:

612-314-9961

michelle.smith2@stpaul.k12.mn.us

Hello 5th grade families!

This week students went to Biztown, either in person on virtually! They worked on economic skills like understanding taxes, paychecks, product development and testing, marketing strategies and more! Ask them about this trip - I hope they had as much fun as I did!

In math, we have been working hard on multiplying fractions. At home, please consider working on multiplication facts - this is such a huge part of math moving forward - students should really know all of their facts up to 12x12 automatically. This is the BIGGEST thing you can do to help your student in math.

In literacy, students have been working on poetry! They have been learning types of poetry as well as poetic elements. They have been creating original poetry and putting together a poetry portfolio. Next week on Friday, March 14th, we will be having a poetry slam. Please feel free to join us at 10am for this - we will also be recording it!

Please continue to check seesaw every Friday after school to make sure students do not have any work in their to do or draft folders!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Ms. E

jackelyn.doyle@spps.org

‪(651) 456-8606‬

This week first graders learned about helping jobs in the community and how to stay organized.

This week 4th graders created presentation on how to be responsible, respectful and safe at our school.

Kelly Jenson

Kelly.Jenson@spps.org

‪(651) 764-8082‬

Kindergarten artists learned about Primary and Secondary colors. We created shape robots and stripy tiger art!

Third grade artists learned about an Artist named Pete Cromer and we created some animal art inspired by his use of bright colors and fun shapes! We also created some beautiful Spring Time art including some silly robots holding flowers!

Save The Date: All Elementary Families: I am so excited to share that we will be hosting a Makers Night in person at our Como School location. We will have art supplies and guided Spring Themed projects.

When: Thursday March 20, 2025 4:00pm-6:00pm

Where: Como Elementary School (where we share in-person learning space)

A sign up link will be shared in our next newsletter for families to register.

Ms. Haug

jenna.haug@stpaul.k12.mn.us

612-568-5355

It has been a joy teaching PE Class this year to the Online Elementary School! The students are a joy to have! This week we had the Kindergartners and the 3rd 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 2nd Graders, and the 5th Graders in class.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 651-603-4652 or shaw.wiczek@stpaul.k12.mn.us

Contact me:

Dr. Magalenn Cotton

magalenn.cotton@spps.org

612-615-2145

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

Click here for the class newsletter for March: Zallaps' New Class Newsletter

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.

ACCESS testing in person at Como Park Elementary School continues for OLS students in English Language Development. If you receive a call or text message from our team, please make sure to schedule your child to be tested before the March 21st deadline.

SPPS Board of Education Resolution

At the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025, the Board of Education adopted a resolution that reiterates the rights of all children to access education and learning opportunities regardless of immigration status. The resolution is available on pages 117-118 of the February 18th Board Book..

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

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).

Please contact Kim Stout for support around family, community, or school stressors. kim.stout@spps.org or (651)401-5595

I'm Maki Love, the school counselor. From now until spring break, students will be learning about colleges and careers.

Have a question or need support?

Email: maki.love@spps.org

Google Voice Text or Call: 612-405-8056

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.

I’m Ms. Shanaz, the onboarding specialist. If you have questions, please call or text me at (612)568-6624.

Have you ever heard of the “Five a Day” phrase? It is a phrase to encourage us to have at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. MyPlate.gov reports that “People who eat fruits and vegetables as a part of an overall diet may lower their risk for certain diseases. (https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/fruits).” One serving of fruit includes 1 cup of fresh fruit, ½ cup of dried fruit or 1 cup of fruit juice. You might think that fruit juice would be an easy way to get your serving, but remember to not drink too much because it doesn’t contain the fiber that your body needs. Also, make sure that the label says “100% juice.” One serving of vegetables includes 1 cup of fresh, frozen, cooked, or canned vegetables, 2 cups of leafy salad greens, or 1 cup of 100% vegetable juice.

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.

Parenting a child with a disability can feel isolating, and our peer-led virtual support groups provide a welcoming space for connection and understanding. https://familyvoicesofminnesota.org/parent-groups/

If any additional needs, please reach out to Kim Stout our school social worker (651)401-5595 or kim.stout@spps.org

A reminder to families that SPPS Online has partnered with EveryMeal. You can pick up a bag of food with shelf staples once a month starting in March at Como Park Elementary between 11:00-1:30 at the small parking lot entrance of Door 6. Pick up will be the following days:

-March 14th

-April 25th

-May 16th

Families can fill out this survey at any time to be included. There are no requirements that need to be met. Food is available to all families. Bags will not be available other days of the week unless there is an appointment scheduled with an SPPS Online staff member. Below are photos and a list of items typically available in each bag.

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. ‬

Title I: Online School Annual SCIP Meeting for Parents

Title I Resources and Important Links for Parents:

• Title I

• Family Engagement Plan 2024/25

• K-12 School Compacts 2024/25

• Parents Right to Know

• Online School SCIP Plan

• Needing Docs Translated?

• Resources for Parents

• Parent Volunteer Request

• MDE OES School Report Cards

Feel free to contact John Osorio at john.osorio@spps.org with any questions about Title I or any of these documents and services.

March 27th - Conferences from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

March 28th - No School, Conferences from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

March 31 - April 4 - No school, spring break

April 8 - Picture Day

April 8 - MCA Reading Test for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

April 9 - MCA Math Test for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

April 10 - MCA Science Test for 5th grade

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