Rockin' Eagle Updates
December 2023
Admin Corner
Thank you for attending conferences and having conversations about your students. Our teachers work to meet your students where they are and help them growth as learners. Sometimes it can be challenging. We are working with our students to lean into hard work. Instead of saying, "I quit!" we want to hear, "I'll try again!" Instead of saying, "It's too hard, we want to hear, "I was right not to give up!" When our students are able to have a growth mindset, they are able to do great things! Thank you for being partners in your child's learning.
-Principal Lee and Assistant Principal Glaser
How many books do you have in your home?
Important Updates
Parent Pick Up
- Enter the parking lot at the Abell Street entrance.
- Stay in line with the other pick up cars, we move through the line as quickly as possible.
- Stay to the right when near the building - stay in one line and leave space to the left for cars to be able to leave.
- Pull as far forward as you are able to, especially if cars leave before you - to allow all cars to get near the sidewalk as quickly as possible.
- If you have a sign for your student(s) have that in a visible spot, if you do not then share student name(s) with staff on the sidewalk.
Social Studies
We are well into the 23/24 school year, and the students have transitioned from building our social studies community into content lessons at each grade level. In kindergarten and first grades we are wrapping up our community/civics unit where we focused on how we are part of a community, people we might see in our community, and symbols of the United States. In second and third grades students were also learning about community and civics, thinking about the different communities they are a part of, the rights and responsibilities of being a member of those communities and what it means to vote. Fourth grade started learning about the Northeast Region of the United States, and fifth grade studies the indigenous cultural regions of North America.
Art Classes
The weekly art sessions have also taken off, with 5th grade creating pinch pot monster faces and 4th grade participating in an artist study with a replication of a painting by a world-famous artist. These beautiful pieces of work are on display in the library. Come check them out!
Music Updates
We have been working hard preparing for our winter concert at SPMA. The winter concert will be the morning of Dec. 21st and all grade levels will be performing. More information on the exact time and other details will be going home in the near future.
Mr. A has also recently started a small 5th grade choir. We will be preparing three pieces to perform at Creative Arts Highschool as part of a choir festival. We will be one of five different schools performing.
Second Annual Arts Pathway Choir Festival
Friday, December 8
If your student is a member of our SPMA choir, they will be a part of an Arts Pathway Choir Festival on December 8th. There will be a performance from 11:45-12:30 at Creative Arts High School. Students from all Arts Pathway Schools will come together at CASS, each school will prepare and perform one song, and all groups will prepare and sing another two songs together. Parents are invited to attend the performance and there will be a brief reception following the festival performances. We hope you are able to join us and celebrate the hard work your student has put into learning the music.
A look at December
Events for December
All School Assembly: Friday, Dec.1st 8:10am
School Choice Fair: Saturday, Dec. 9th 9:30-2:00
Family Connections and Tianguis: Wednesday, Dec. 13th 5:30-7:00
Winter Concert: Thursday, Dec. 21st
Some dates may change on our calendar. For the most accurate information visit our calendar on the website.
Tianguis/Bazaar at Family Connections
A tianguis is a traditional market in Mexico. The name comes from Nahuatl, the Aztec language and is an open air market. We are doing our own version of a tianguis at SPMA. Bring items to trade with other families. Clothes, winter gear, small household items, non perishable food items that are in good, usable condition but may not be used in your home right now. Leave behind what you no longer have use for and take home something else!
Items can be delivered to Ms. Harrington or Sra. PerezInzunza before December 13th or can be dropped off at the appropriate table/station during dinner at Family Connections.
Contact Ms. Harrington with any questions (julie.harrington@spps.org)
Community Supports
Food Distributions
Food Resources Map: an interactive map of food access locations across the county
Food Resources Website: includes a food resource guide for the upcoming holiday, resource guides by neighborhoods, materials in multiple languages, and food resources for specific groups of people
LEAD FREE SPRWS
St. Paul has had issues with exposure to lead due to the pipes. Lead can be dangerous and cause a number issues. It is especially dangerous for young children and pregnant women.
Attached is the Ramsey County information about this issues.
This link is also the St. Paul Information, including ways to access water testing for your home.
Pajama Day
Mr. Glaser got in the spirit with his outfit on pajama day!
Art work and projects in our building
If you are able to stop in and walk around, check out all of the fabulous art and projects that are being posted on the walls.
Music Guest
Fourth and fifth grade were able to enjoy a performance by muiscal guests. Learning about new instruments, cultures and techniques.
School Choice Fair
Join us for the Saint Paul Public Schools PreK-12 School Choice Fair
Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saint Paul RiverCentre (175 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul, MN 55102)
Visit the School Choice Fair to talk to SPPS staff members and learn more about our schools, programs and services.
- Free, on-site Early Childhood Screenings (ages 3-5)
- Flu vaccine clinic with M Health Fairview
- Interpreters will be available in Hmong, Karen, Somali, Spanish, Oromo, and ASL