Washington Technology Magnet School
Family Newsletter September/October 2021
Message from Principal Bonnick
Dear Washington Families,
Welcome to the new school year! It is so great to see the students and staff back in the building working hard to make learning happen each and every day. We want to thank our families for all of the patience, support, flexibility, and understanding that they have given us as we saw many changes at the beginning of the year.
On Tuesday October 12, 2021 we will be hosting our annual ONLINE Title One Meeting and Open House from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Details on how to join the meeting are below. I look forward to meeting students and families at this event. We have also included information about Fall Conferences Dates and times.
Please know that we are here for you so please reach out if you need anything. Please be well and stay safe.
In Partnership,
Principal Bonnick
Saint Paul Public Schools Family Calendar 2021-2022
***Please note November 2, 2021 will be an ONLINE Learning Day for all students in Grades K-12. Students will work from home that day and learn online.
ONLINE Title One Annual Meeting and Open House
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Event Information, to join go to the Washington Website and click on ONLINE Title One Annual Meeting and Open House
Agenda
6:00-6:10 p.m. Overview from Principal Bonnick
6:00-7:00 p.m. Visit with Washington teachers and staff
ONLINE Fall Conferences
Washington Fall Conferences will be held online, your students Foundations/Advisory Teacher will set up an appointment with you on one of the following dates.
-Thursday November 4, 2021 ONLINE Conferences 5:00-8:00 p.m.
-Tuesday November 9, 2021 ONLINE Conferences 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Free and Reduced Lunch Forms
Please complete an application for free and reduced-price meals to help support our schools and programs. Every SPPS family should complete an application for Education Benefits/Free or Reduced Price Meals. Not only does this help us identify families in need of assistance, it also allows the District to receive federal dollars for classroom programming.
A new form must be completed each school year. Additionally, families who have completed an application and have experienced a change in household income or size are encouraged to complete a new application.
How to apply for free and reduced-price lunch?
- Applications can be completed
- Online at https://www.schoolcafe.com/spps
- Paper applications are also available in the main office of your child’s school, or can be mailed to your home by request by calling Nutrition Services at 651-603-4950
- Families are encouraged to complete applications by December 15 each school year, but applications can be completed at any time of the year.
- To request or submit an application, or check eligibility status, please contact Nutrition Services at 651-603-4950 or ns@spps.org.
Middle School Math Team
The Middle School Math Team season has begun. Any students in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades can join. Math Team is a great chance for your child to meet other students that love math while solving challenging problems. The season goes from the end of September to the end of January. To join, students can come to a Math Team Practice. Practices are every Monday from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in room 4420. Your child will need someone that can pick them up from school around 3:00 pm. If you have any questions, you can email kari.skildum@spps.org.
Program with Medtronic for Students in Grades 9-12
Through Medtronic, Exploring Post is intended to expose students to various career paths early on through hands-on activities and mentorship activities. Medtronic’s Biomedical Exploring Post program is geared toward young adults interested in math and sciences! Each meeting aims to provide students with hands-on activities or discussions and presentations given by expert engineers and scientists - this year meetings will be 100% online. Students are given the opportunity to learn more about the various technical career opportunities that are available to them and ask lots of questions along the way.
Information and Registration at: Medtronic- Exploring Post program: The Program starts October 5, 2021 The group meets virtually, every Tuesday, from 6-7 pm with a Q&A at 7:30 pm. There is a $60 fee for registration, but scholarships are available to Washington students if you apply. Please contact Mr. Booth at lael.booth@spps.org with any questions.
September College and Career News for the Washington Class of 2022
Community Food Resources
Several community organizations provide free meals for families around Saint Paul.
Call 888-711-1151 for assistance, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County
Provides free home-delivered meals to Ramsey County adult residents who are impacted by COVID-19.
Food Shelves in Ramsey County A list of food shelves available in the City of Saint Paul and Ramsey County.
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
All Minnesota residents age 12 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone who can get vaccinated should do so at the first opportunity available to them. 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. More information can be found at https://www.spps.org/covidvaccine
What is Schoology?
Schoology is an online Learning Management System that helps you stay informed about
your student’s classes, assignments and grades. You can use Schoology to:
● View your student’s Courses and Groups
● Monitor school and course announcements
● View your student’s upcoming, current and overdue assignments
● Stay involved in your student’s education
How do I login to Schoology? Information on how to log into Schoology can be found here. If you need to reset your username and password please go to the Schoology Help Page
Want to learn how to use Schoology? If you have questions please email Eric Gunderson at eric.gunderson@stpaul.k12.mn.us or call 651-395-7450.
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. 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.
Athletics Updates
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.
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
651-744-1469
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
651-744-1469