Washington Technology Magnet School
Family Newsletter December 2021
SPPS Adds Two Days to Winter Break
The Board of Education recently approved a change to the school calendar that adds two days to the beginning of this year’s winter break. There will be no school for all SPPS students on Monday, December 20, and Tuesday, December 21. Students will return to school on Monday, January 3, 2022.
This change is being made in an effort to acknowledge the stress and challenges students, families and staff are facing due to the pandemic. The district wants to give students, school staff and their families a longer break. We also encourage everyone to use this time to get vaccinated or get your booster shot if you are eligible.
Athletics and other previously scheduled extracurricular activities will continue on both days.
Discovery Club's Non-School Day Care will be offered on Monday-Thursday, December 20-24 at two locations. Space is limited. Register by December 8.
In order to allow for this change to our school year calendar, April 15, which had been scheduled as a professional development day for school staff, will now be a digital learning day.
Thank you for your support of SPPS and for your efforts to support the health and wellness of your family and those around you.
ACT / Virtual Testing Prep Program Available This Winter
Registration is now open for the Office of College and Career Readiness (OCCR) Test Prep Program. This program provides students with strategies to help them feel confident with the testing process. Eleventh grade students from all SPPS High Schools are eligible for this program. Twelfth grade students who have not done testing for post-secondary programs are also eligible to enroll.
Registration is open through December 8, 2021. Learn more about this and other test prep opportunities available to students this winter, and/or register here.
Washington Library News
Winter Fresh Produce Pickups
Pick up FREE fresh fruit and vegetables for your family by driving up in your car, more information can be found at http://neighb.org/freshproducepickups/
407 Bates Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55106
Events will be held at 1 – 2:30 p.m.
December 17, 2021
January 21, 2022
February 18, 2022
March 18, 2022
April 15, 2022
May 20, 2022
Free tutoring
SPPS has formed a new partnership with TutorMe to give students free access to online tutoring services. TutorMe allows students to connect with a subject-level expert tutor at any time to get support in current classes. TutorMe is an external company we are contracting with as an additional resource for students alongside the SPPS Academic Support Center and other student support opportunities in our schools.
Students can log on and choose from more than 300 subjects for help. Live tutors are standing by 24 hours a day. The service is free for SPPS students.
Athletics Updates
Winter Sports are under way for the Eagles. High School athletics for winter sports include Boys' Basketball, Girls' Basketball, Boys' Swim & Dive, and Co-Ed Wrestling. Middle School girls' basketball and co-ed wrestling is also under way; both are intramurals. Middle School boys' basketball starts up on Monday, January 24th, 2022. If you are still interested in signing up, please stop in the athletics office on floor 1.
COVID-19 Student and Family Guidelines
Families should familiarize themselves with these guidelines, which are updated regularly and cover prevention strategies, health screening and monitoring and more. The guidelines can be found here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
All Minnesota residents ages 5 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.
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, or other vaccines your child may need, talk to your child’s health provider.
SPPS Vaccine Clinics for Ages 12 and Up:
Vaccines for ages 12 and up are available at the Health Start Clinic held at Gordon Parks High School (1212 W. University Ave.) on Fridays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Booster shots are not available.
Vaccine Clinics for All Ages:
The following vaccination clinics are also being offered at SPPS locations by Odam Medical Clinic and Healthcarestrong.org. These are walk-in clinics that are free and open to the general public. Anyone ages 5 and older can receive a vaccine, including adults who qualify for booster shots. Families do not need an appointment. SPPS is not sponsoring or affiliated with these clinics.
- 12/9: Chelsea Heights Elementary (1557 Huron St.) from 3-6 p.m.
- 12/13: Benjamin E. Mays IB World School (560 Concordia Ave.) from 3-7 p.m.
- 12/15: EXPO Elementary (540 Warwick St. S.) from 3-6 p.m.
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.
What to Expect:
- Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when receiving a vaccine.
- 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.
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
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