Safer SPPS: Community Conversation & Dinner on March 30

Please join Saint Paul Public Schools and Marnita’s Table for a special event called Safer SPPS: Community Conversation & Dinner on Thursday, March 30, from 6-9 p.m. at Washington Technology Magnet School (1495 Rice Street). SPPS students and families, staff and community members are invited to share a meal and discuss ways to improve safety in our school communities.

Ethnic Studies Spring Family Forum

Families and students, particularly those in 9th and 10th grade, are invited to attend the Ethnic Studies Spring Forum to discuss the new graduation requirement course, Critical Ethnic Studies. Join us on Wednesday, April 12, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the SPPS Administration Building (360 Colborne Street, rooms A & B). Food and child care will be provided. Interpreters will be available in Hmong, Karen, Somali and Spanish.

Register Now for Summer Learning Programs

SPPS Summer Learning Programs help PreK-12 students strengthen academic skills, discover new talents and prepare for the upcoming school year. Visit spps.org/summer to check out the 2023 programs. All programs are FREE. Some programs fill up quickly! Register by April 15 for the best chance to enroll in the program of your choice.

Students at Jie Ming and Phalen Lake Elementary Schools Get a Special Delivery

On Tuesday, March 7, students at Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy and Phalen Lake Hmong Studies Magnet received a very special delivery when Gia Vang and Michelle Li, co-founders of the Very Asian Foundation (VAF), delivered 70 books to each school through The May Book Project. The project aims to help schools and libraries build and maintain robust Asian American youth literature collections.

We Are SPPS: Torin Keis & Other SPPS Students Excel at Irish Dance

Most days after school, Randolph Heights Elementary student Torin Keis joins Cormac O'Sé, director of O’Shea Irish Dance and former original Riverdance cast member, along with several other SPPS students to dance at Saint Paul’s Celtic Junction Arts Center.

We Are SPPS: Kelly Yang Wins Student Writing Award

SPPS Online High School student Kelly Yang recently placed fifth in the BestPrep 2023 Educational Forum Student Spotlight Competition. The competition was created to broaden awareness of national and global issues affecting our community through a thought-provoking discussion.

6 SPPS Semifinalists for MN Teacher of the Year

Six SPPS educators have been named semifinalists for Education Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year Award. Congratulations to Michael Houston, Molly Keenan, Emily Manson, Carrie Newman, Sorcha Nix and Fathimath Rasheed. There are 44 semifinalists, with the finalist group of 10-12 being selected later this month. The 2023 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced May 7 at Saint Paul RiverCentre.

SPPS Black Principals in Conversation: Black History Month

Capitol Hill Principal Marcus Freeman, Hazel Park Principal Duane Dutrieuille and Johnson Senior Principal Jamil Payton discuss the importance of teaching all students about Black history and the achievements of Black people during Black History Month and throughout the year.

Spring Break Food Resources

SPPS will not serve meals during spring break (April 3-7). Review this list of community food resources and free meals for kids.

SPPS Food Truck Survey

SPPS needs help finding new locations for our food truck to deliver free food to kids this summer. We are looking for parks, rec centers and neighborhoods where kids congregate to play, hang out or participate in summer activities. Know some great places? Let us know your ideas by filling out this survey.

School Safety Engagement Opportunities

SPPS is committed to gathering input from students, parents, staff and community members on how to improve school safety. Many opportunities for engagement are taking place over the next month. Your feedback will be used to inform the district's plans for improving school safety. Visit spps.org/Page/46015 for a full list of ways to participate.

New Nature Discovery Pre-K Program

SPPS’s Nature Discovery Pre-Kindergarten is a new fee-based program that will be available at St. Anthony Park Elementary starting in fall 2023. Licensed teachers will lead students in learning with a focus on nature. Half-day, full-day and extended day options are available. The program is open to children that turn 4 years old by September 1, 2023. Registration will open in early April and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.