Hamline Family Newsletter
December
A Note from Principal Reilly
Happy New Year Hamline Community! Here is to a new year filled with health, hope and love. We have a big year ahead of us as we merge our Hamline community with the Galtier community for school year 2022-23. As emotional it has been for our Galtier neighbors to learn about the closing of their beloved school, we welcome them with open arms as we work together to build one thriving school in the Hamline Midway neighborhood. Your partnership and voice in visioning process is going to be critical.
Thank you for engaging in asking your questions about what the merger between our two schools means. I have passed your questions on to district leadership and am waiting to hear answers. As soon as I get more information I assure you I will share with you.
In the meantime we are offering Hamline tours every Friday from 8:00-11:00 for new families interested in enrolling at Hamline. On Thursday, January 13th we will be holding a virtual Open House for Galtier families so that they can learn about Hamline and see the wonderful things we have to offer.
I also want to let you know that we are continuing to follow strict Covid19 protocols and guidelines due to the Omicron variant proving to be extremely contagious. We will be following guidelines around masking and doing everything we can to avoid cross contamination between classrooms. Your children's safety and our larger community safety is our number one priority.
If you have any questions, ideas or concerns please reach out. Your voice is very important to our community. Please stay safe and we remain honored that you have chosen Hamline to educate your children.
In Partnership,
Principal Reilly
Hopes and Dreams
Murray Middle School Open House
For any families who would like to explore other Middle School options for your student(s), click the link below for a schedule of all the SPPS Middle School open houses.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e0p_1lW4mIaWfypFq2g4k0XCz8GsljCr7fDHQdECD6g/edit?usp=sharing
COVID-19 Resources
- SPPS is now offering free COVID-19 rapid tests for students. Each BinaxNOW rapid test kit includes a nasal swab and testing card that will produce results in 15 minutes. Rapid kit distribution will be prioritized to sending home with students that have symptoms of COVID-19.
HOW-TO VIDEO: A Guide for the BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Self Test: youtu.be/baQQfoX-JXo.
Vaccinations for all Minnesota residents ages 5 and older
-There is no cost for the vaccine.
-You do not need to provide a government-issued ID or medical insurance to be vaccinated, and no question on immigration status is ever asked.
-The vaccine is approved for kids ages 5-12.
-Boosters are approved for kids ages 5-12 who have had their first two shots. (must be 6 months after your second COVID-19 vaccine)
Vaccine Clinics:
There are vaccine clinics at SPPS schools for kids ages 5 and older and those ages 16 and older who qualify for booster shots.
- Every Friday: Gordon Parks High School (1212 W. University Ave.) from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Vaccines are available for students ages 12 and older. Booster shots are available.
- 1/6: SPPS Administration Building (360 Colborne St.) from 3-6 p.m. For children ages 5-11 only. Register here.
- 1/12: Mississippi Creative Arts (1575 L' Orient St.) from 5-7:30 p.m. No appointment needed.
- 1/13: SPPS Administration Building (360 Colborne St.) from 3-6 p.m. Register here.
- 1/20: SPPS Administration Building (360 Colborne St.) from 3-6 p.m. Register here.
- 1/22: Saint Paul RiverCentre (175 Kellogg Blvd. W.) from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. during the School Choice Fair. Register here.
- 2/2: Mississippi Creative Arts (1575 L' Orient St.) from 5-7:30 p.m. No appointment needed.
St Paul-Ramsey County Public Health also has vaccine clinics at the following locations:
- Arlington Hills Community Center (1200 Payne Ave.)
- Consulate of Mexico (797 E. Seventh St.)
- Oxford Community Center (270 Lexington Pkwy. N.)
- New Brighton Community Center (400 10th St. N.W., New Brighton)
Appointments are required. Register at ramseycounty.us/COVIDvaccine. Booster shots are available at these clinics for those who are eligible.
Welcome Ms. T!
My name is Terynthia Simms, the scholars know me as Ms. T.
I love and have a passion for our children. I believe that our children are not just our future, but our present.
I am a risk-taker and I identify myself as a strong and unique woman.
My pronouns are she/her/hers.
English is the language I speak, and everyday I live life with a purpose.
Counselor Corner with Annette
Our next unit will be on goal setting and careers. Your students will be learning about their strengths, interests and priories. They will consider what possible careers align with what they have learned about themselves. Using that information, they will create long-term and short-term goals to reach their dream career.
I encourage you to discuss these important topics with your students. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns - Annette Nelson annette.nelson@spps.org 651-7448220
Food Supplies & Mutual Aid
Every Meal
Every week, on the last day of school, wonderful neighborhood volunteers come to Hamline Elementary to place weekend food into backpacks. Sign up for this program is ongoing, and you can contact Lynnette Medcalf (lynnette.medcalf@spps.org) or Karen McCauley (karen.mccauley@spps.org) with questions or to sign up.
More information on the organization is available here:
The Midway Project
The Midway Project
The Midway Project is a mutual aid site that runs weekly out of Hancock Rec Center, on the parent pick-up side of the Hamline Elementary building. They provide produce and non-perishable food as well as baby, personal, and household care supplies as available.
Two former Hamline Elementary parents serve as the organizers, and they can be contacted at midwayproject@hamlinemidway.org.
All are welcome!
In the Neighborhood
Open Hands Midway
Open Hands Midway serves free meals every Monday and Wednesday from 12:00-2:00. The food shelf is open on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 12:00-2:00. Since 2009, Open Hands Midway has served over 140,000 meals and provided clothing, household items, and groceries to thousands of community members.
436 Roy Street North
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Office: 651-646-6549 ext. 4
Email: info@openhandsmidway.org
https://www.openhandsmidway.org/
Shobi’s Table Pay-As-You-Can Cafe believes in building community by making delicious, nutritious, from-scratch cookin’ available to everyone, regardless of whether or not you can pay. They serve from the Big Blue Truck (or a table when the truck isn’t available) in our parking lot on Fridays from 12:00-1:00. Pay-as-you can, which can be free!
Contact:
Kitchen and Office @ 105 University Ave W
St Paul, MN 55103
651.300.4956 (only voicemail)
TUESDAYS, noon-1pm @ Christ on Capitol Hill – 105 University Ave W
THURSDAYS, noon-1pm @ Faith Lutheran – 499 Charles Ave, St Paul
FRIDAYS, noon-1pm @ Bethlehem in the Midway – 436 Roy St N
Ramsey County Resources
Call the Minnesota Food Help Line at 888-711-1151 to connect to programs that can increase your food budget such as SNAP, WIC or other food resources. Interpreters are available.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services emergency food support page outlines hunger resources including food assistance, meal programs and grocery delivery.
Click this link for a map of Food Resource Locations in Ramsey County:
https://ramseygis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=afe8d7067726472da336deaecb957c9d
Click this link for a list of Food Shelf locations in Ramsey County:
Housing
COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance
Are you a renter who is having difficulty paying rent or utilities due to COVID-19?
Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul have teamed up to create the Saint Paul - Ramsey County Rent Assistance Program, a new tenant assistance program for Ramsey County renters struggling to pay rent due to the financial burdens of COVID-19. Eligible renters include households that earned 80% or less of area median income in 2020, or in the most recent month.
Ramsey County Navigators can walk you through the application step-by-step in person or over the phone. Call 651-266-0600 or visit a Service Center.
Energy Assistance Program
The Energy Assistance Program helps pay for home heating and water costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households.
Apply Here:
https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/consumer-assistance/energy-assistance/
Winter Gear
Opportunities for Engagement
We have a need for family input and help with the following events and initiatives:
-February 3rd Hamline Elementary Winter Warm-up and Open House
This is Hamline Elementary's way to open our doors to St. Paul families during school choice season. Traditionally, this has been an all-building event with popcorn, cider, activities, community organizations, and current families meeting potential families to share why Hamline is a great place to learn. We have not yet finalized details on this year's event as COVID-19 parameters have been changing. Stay tuned!
-January 22 School Choice Fair
In the past, this event has been held in-person, and we have invited families to be at the booth to talk to prospective families about their experience at Hamline. We will keep you posted with details about this event as we have them.
-Spring Fest (Date to be determined)
Hamline Elementary and Hancock Rec have traditionally hosted a Fall Festival in the building and on the field. This was suspended during the pandemic, but we are planning to host a Spring Festival this year and begin a new neighborhood tradition. This event is free to attend, but we do provide food at low-cost as a fundraiser for the PTA. We usually have vendors, community organizations, games, and entertainment. This event is open to anyone in the neighborhood and the city.
If you would like to be on the planning committee, please contact Karen McCauley (karen.mccauley@spps.org).
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) SPPS and School Report Cards
"The Minnesota Report Card gives you easy access to understandable district and school data.
This tool is designed to provide parents, educators, schools, districts and citizens with easy access to important information about schools to help them make decisions and be engaged in the education of Minnesota students. Choose from several reports to learn more about the state of education in your local district, a specific school, or the state as a whole."
Report Cards from MDE on Minnesota School Districts and Schools are available here:
Saint Paul Public Schools:
https://rc.education.mn.gov/#mySchool/orgId--10625000000__groupType--district__p--3
Hamline Elementary:
https://rc.education.mn.gov/#mySchool/orgId--10625482000__p--3
Hancock Recreation Center
Hancock is a division of the City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation Department. They provide programming for kids and adults as well as a free after-school program called "Rec Check." More info here:
Browse all their programming here:
Hamline Midway Early Learning Coalition
Please consider joining The Hamline Midway Early Learning Coalition. We exist to connect resources to people and people to each other by actively pursing and demanding equitable access for all families within our community.
Who we are:
- We are a group of community organizations, schools, professionals and residents that come together to create and join initiatives within the Hamline Midway Community.
- Our goal is to create change through action.
Our work is focused on:
- Youth care and connections for ages 0-14,
- Equitable access to resources for all families in our community,
- Connecting resources to people and people to one another, and
- Identifying quality enrichment, engagement, and support opportunities for youth.
This is a wonderful calendar for kids and families (STEPS Community Calendar):
https://padlet.com/stepsoel/Bookmarks
More information here:
https://www.hamlinemidway.org/hamline-midway-early-learning-coalition
We are currently planning a Fun in the Snow event at Newell Park in February. Details to come!
Hamline Midway Coalition
It is an action-oriented, neighborhood-based organization that develops and supports initiatives in community building, transportation, local foods, placemaking and public space improvement, economic vitality, sustainability, and neighborhood identity.
There are many opportunites for inolvement, including the transportation, environment, and development committees, and serving on the Board of Diretors. They are also working on numerous projects from Pollinator Pathways, the Midway Investment Cooperative, the Neighborhood Plan, Mini Grants, and Block clubs.
Learn more here: