Washington Technology Magnet School
Family Newsletter October 2020
Message from Principal Bonnick
Dear Washington Families,
We are off to a great start at Washington. Distance Learning poses many challenges, but our amazing Washington Staff are working tirelessly for our students. We want to thank you and your students for being flexible and working hard to be successful at Distance Learning. We are all learning and growing together and I am constantly impressed with our collective ability to overcome obstacles.
I want to provide you updates on a few important items for your students. Mid quarter grades have been posted in Schoology and in Campus. Please look over your student's grades with them and encourage them to complete any missing assignments that they may have. If you are interested in learning more about how to use Schoology or Campus we have technology classes for families and have one on one help available through our Technology Coordinator. More information is below.
This year we are beginning Family Engagement Meetings to provide a space where families and Washington Staff can meet online as we continue with Distance Learning. In these meetings we will share information, the majority of time will be for families to ask questions and provide feedback on how we can better serve our students.
Conferences will be held in November. We are still working on finalizing the dates but will let families know as soon as possible.
On a final note we really need all families to complete a new application for this school year for Free and Reduced Lunch to continue to receive meals. Please see information below on how to complete this process.
In Partnership,
Principal Bonnick
Washington Daily Schedule and Weekly Calendars
Online Family Engagement Meetings
Family Group (Karen) Friday October 23, 2020 from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Family Group (Hmong) Friday October 23, 2020 from 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Family Group (Spanish) Monday October 26, 2020 from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Family Group (English) Monday October 26, 2020 from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
At the meeting we will provide information on Distance Learning, go over how to check student grades, give updates on our School Continuous Improvement Plan, and provide an opportunity for families to ask questions and make comments and suggestions. Links to join the meetings online will be posted on the Washington Website.
If you have any questions please contact Family Engagement Coordinator, Michelle Leba at michelle.leba@spps.org or call 612-367-6512
Midquarter Grades
How do I use Campus and Schoology to track my student’s progress?
Teachers use Schoology to do these tasks:
Calculate the student’s current grade.
Record summative grades for papers, tests, and projects
Record formative grades for daily work, practice, homework, etc.
Provide feedback or make comments on the student’s work
Provide resources (assignment sheets, rubrics, task guides, articles etc)
Communicate what is happening in class.
Teachers use Campus to track attendance and report final grades. If you want to find out how your student is doing in class currently and what assignments they have coming up and missing, check Schoology. For attendance and final grades, check Campus. Login to Campus here.
How do I login to Schoology? Information on how to log into Schoology can be found here
Need to reset your username and password? Want to learn how to use Schoology? SPPS Schoology Help Page If you have questions please email Eric Gunderson at eric.gunderson@stpaul.k12.mn.us or call 651-395-7450.
We will be hosting online classes for families to learn more about Campus and Schoology and get help with other technology concerns. Click here for dates and times for Online Technology Classes.
Washington Athletics
Free and Reduced Lunch Forms
Please complete an application for free and reduced-price meals to help support our schools and programs. Meals are free for all youth at this time. It is very important that families fill out this form because even though we are currently in distance learning, their benefits continue for home delivery of food. Additionally, families could receive other benefits such as free or reduced-price internet service. When we return to in person learning, students will then be able to receive their meals at a free or reduced price right away once we are back in the building.
If a family receives SNAP benefits, they are automatically qualified and do not need to fill out an application. If you have any questions or would like to check to see if you need to complete this application, please contact Nutrition Services: Phone: 651-603-4950. Email: ns@spps.org
Washington Counselor Updates and Resources
Personal Learning Plans
Grade Level Newsletters
School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP)
Our school continuous improvement strategies are:
- Social-emotional Learning
SPPS Math Tasks/Questions/Evidence (TQE)
Using Bands of Text Complexity to Create Thoughtful Reading Plans and Introduce New Reading Work through Small Group Instruction (6-8)
Provide opportunities for repeated close reading using complex text (Reading 9-12)
SCIPs are continuously monitored, reviewed and revised based implementation and student data. Input from parents in that process is valuable.
Important Information
At Washington, we are proud of the academic performance of our students. You can review our current Report Card from the Minnesota Department of Education at the link listed below, there is also a PDF copy attached to this email. We are pleased to note that Washington is one of the only high schools in Minneapolis or St. Paul that does not require targeted assistance. Here is the link to the Minnesota School Report Card for Washington.
We encourage all of our families to become involved in their child 's education through our Family Engagement Plan. Here is the link to the Family Engagement Plan.
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of their student’s classroom teachers and paraprofessionals. A Link to Parents Right to Know Information is available in English, Karen, Hmong, Spanish, Somali.
News from the Library
Do you have library books and textbooks that you want to return? If so, grab your books and come to the Curbside Book Dropoff on Tuesday, October 13th from 1:00-4:00 pm. We'll be set up outside Door #3 in the parking lot. Thanks! If you're looking for eBooks, audiobooks, or podcasts at home, please check out this handout for families. It will show you how to access books on your phone, iPad, or computer. Any questions about the library or resources? Please contact our library media specialist at: kathleen.kraemer@spps.org
Opportunity for Grade 9-10 Students
SEAK is an E-STEM (environmental science technology engineering and math) program run by Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center for students who are interested in the outdoors and want to pursue career pathways in the environmental and natural resource fields. Join our virtual meeting on Thursdays from 3 - 3:30pm over Google Meet https://meet.google.com/dxr-shop-ysi. During this week's meeting, express your artistic side and learn to build an Earthwork!
October is Fire Prevention Month
Washington Health Start Clinic
The Washington Health Start Clinic is open Monday and Wednesday 8-4. Student can also receive care at any of our other Health Start Clinics in the St. Paul High School.
Please call 651.412.8445 to schedule an appointment with our medical providers, mental health team, dietician or health educator. Click here for more information.
Flipside Afterschool - Fall
Future Voters Club
Hello and welcome back to Washington. The Future Voters club will be working with students to register friends and family members who are eligible to vote. Many of our seniors will be able to vote this fall and they are excited for the opportunity to make their voices heard. All voters must register to vote - registration may be completed before the election or on election day at your polling place. If you plan to register to vote online the deadline is October 13, 2020. For more information on voting and registration please visit: https://www.lwvmn.org/for-voters
Voting Information from MN Secretary of State’s Offices
ELECCIONES EN MINNESOTA (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - SPANISH)
KEV POV NTAWV HAUV MINNESOTA (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - HMONG)
CODBIXINTA MINNESOTA GUDAHEEDA (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - SOMALI)
BỎ PHIẾU Ở MINNESOTA (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - VIETNAMESE)
在明尼苏达州投票 (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - CHINESE)
ການອອກສຽງໃນລັດມິນນິໂຊຕາ (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - LAO)
MINNESOOTAA KEESSATTI FILUU (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - OROMO)
ការបោះឆ្នោតនៅរដ្ឋ MINNESOTA (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - KHMER)
ምርጫ በሚኖሶታ (VOTING IN MINNESOTA - AMHARIC)
Translation Services
English
All school documents can be translated, or interpreters made available upon request
Spanish
Todos los documentos pueden ser traducidos o interpretados oralmente si usted lo solicita
Hmong
Tej ntaub ntawv tom tsev kawm ntawv uas xa los rau nej, peb yuav pab txhais thiab nrhiav neeg txhais lus rau nej yog nej hais qhia peb
Somali
Dhammaan dukumiintiyada iskuulka waa la turjumi karaa ama waxaa la heli karaa turjumaan haddii la codsado
Karen
Family Engagement
Do you have ideas or suggestions for Washington? If you would like to become more involved at Washington please contact:
Michelle Leba
Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
612-367-6512
Contact Information
If you have questions, please call our school and leave a voicemail. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Phone: 651-293-8830
Interpreter and Translation Services
For more information contact:
Michelle Leba
Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
612-367-6512