Capitol Hill Headliner
Friday, April 16, 2021
Message from Principal Hodges
Hello!
I hope you all are doing well! We have a few updates this week!
- Elementary and Middle School: For 3rd-8th Graders - Please fill out this form regarding MCA standardized testing happening in April.
This week we have important content in our newsletter!
- Monday Student Walkout Information
- HEALTH REPORTING - Keep our Community Safe
- COVID Testing recommendations for students
- MCA Testing Update
- PTO Updates: Silent Auction and rescheduled meeting
- Office Updates: 9:15 drop-off time, attendance reporting, early dismissal, changes in dismissal plan.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at andrew.hodges@spps.org or 612-398-9579.
Monday Student Walkout Information
Many conversations are happening about social justice and the trauma our community is facing with the killing of Daunte Wright and the trial of Derek Chauvin. In response, protests and school walkouts are taking place across the country.
SPPS is aware of a protest happening next week as detailed below. Please read the following information carefully.
The Minnesota School Walkout is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m., Monday, April 19. It calls for students to walk out of school until 1:47 p.m.
SPPS supports the role of protest in society and efforts to create change in the face of traumatic events and also respects the rights of those who choose not to participate. Each school will determine how to respect the choices of students and staff in appropriate ways.
At Capitol Hill we will be in Foundations in middle school and will take students outside to gather on the Rondo Playground field. In Elementary School we will have grade level appropriate lessons available for staff to utilize to guide discussion as they arise. SPPS has shared phenomenal resources for staff to use in the last two weeks.
Staff members throughout our district strive to provide students a safe place to express their opinions and talk through their feelings without fear of judgment. In some cases, teachers may use current events like these to teach lessons on peaceful conflict resolution, the role of protest in society or creating change in the face of traumatic events.
If you have any questions, please call me at 651-325-2500.
Sincerely,
Andrew Hodges
Principal, Capitol Hill
HEALTH REPORTING - Keep our Capitol Hill Community Safe and Healthy.
The Capitol Hill Health Office is working hard to keep students healthy and families updated with information.
Please see this update regarding when the keep your child home from school and how we determine if a student needs to remain home from school for an extended period of time. Find the SPPS COVID Reporting Form here
If your child is ill, please contact the Capitol Hill attendance line at 651-325-2599 or capitolhill.attendance@spps.org. If you prefer, you may also contact Dr. Veglia directly
at 651-888-7609 or carolyn.vegliayoung@spps.org.
Please expect a follow up call from our nurse or nurse designees during these unique times.
COVID Testing for Students
MDH announced a recommendation for all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing.
Schools and youth organizations can send messages and resources available on COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families to families to encourage testing. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Testing locations can be found here.
Middle School Update
We are excited to welcome around 400 middle school students back to Capitol Hill in-person beginning on Wednesday, April 14th. Please see the text from an e-mail sent on April 1 with information regarding the middle school return, including logistics for arrival and dismissal.
MCA Testing Information
Capitol Hill will begin the MCAs after Spring Break. Please see the updated testing schedule here.
If you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to take the MCA/MTAS tests, we understand. Given the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, we would like you to complete the form on this page to indicate if your student(s) WILL or WILL NOT take the MCA/MTAS tests..
For more information about Minnesota State Assessments:
• MN Dept of Ed state testing site: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/
• MCA Parent Fact Sheet - English: https://bit.ly/3kIM1xE
• MTAS Parent Fact Sheet - English: https://bit.ly/3qcXXZH
• Why State Assessments Matter - English: https://bit.ly/39NDNQW
PTO Updates:
PTO Silent Auction to Support Classroom Libraries!
It's not too late to donate to the Silent Auction! Please submit donations by the extended due date, April 16th!
April 13 PTO Meeting Rescheduled
PTO Information
Today, Friday April 16th, is the last day for Silent Auction donations! The bidding starts next week!
PTO Co-chair Opening
Passionate about helping Capitol Hill? Like energizing others to help out? Join the PTO team as we wrap up Spring 2021 and plan for Fall 2022! We're looking for a new Co-chair now to fill an unexpected vacancy. Please e-mail Jen at ptochair.capitolhill@gmail.com if you (or someone you know) may be interested.
Office Updates & Procedures: Drop-off time, attendance reporting, early dismissal, changes in dismissal.
Morning Drop-off Time
We want to ensure each child is safe when arriving for school. Staff supervision begins at 9:15am. The earliest time to drop off your child for school is 9:15am. Please do not drop off your child any earlier.
Attendance/late arrivals:
Please make sure to always report your child's absence or late arrivals. You can do this in two ways:
- Dial the attendance line directly at 651-325-2599 -OR-
- Email us at capitolhill.attendance@spps.org.
Please include your child's name, grade, the reason for their absence, your relationship to the child, and a return phone number that you can be reached at if we should have questions.
Health Related Absences: If your child is ill, please expect a follow up call from our nurse or nurse designee during these unique times. Please see current health considerations here.
Calling Your Child
When calling the school to speak to your child, the office staff will deliver your message to have your child call you back. Teachers are teaching during the day and we are trying our best to lessen the interruptions during instructional time. Thanks for understanding.
Dismissal
Please call the Capitol Hill office at 651-325-2500 if you are are picking up your child early or letting your child go home any other way than their normal route. Please make sure to call the office no later than 1:00 pm for grades 6-8 or 3:00pm for grades 1-5 if you have to make changes. If you call later than these times, we cannot guarantee that your child will get the message.