Message From Deputy Superintendent of Academics
Dr. Marion Smith Jr.
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| Hello, Colleagues!
As we end the month of April and transition to May, next week we bring awareness and celebrate National Asian American & Pacific Islander Month and National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 2, 2022) / National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12, 2023)
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National Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month | May begins AAPI Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Learn more about AAPI Month HERE. Click HERE for National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Resources that may be of interest.
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National Teacher Appreciation Week
#ThankATeacher
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You facilitate thinking; you engage minds; you ask probing questions; you encourage intellectual risk; you support cognitive struggle; you cultivate dreams; you do the world’s most important work. I honor you! I appreciate you! SHOUT OUT to all SLPS teachers for striving to keep our core business of learning, teaching and scholar growth at the center of all you do each and every day.
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May 8-12, 2023 is National Teacher Appreciation Week. This time presents us with another opportunity to celebrate, honor and recognize individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every SLPS scholar receives a high quality, effective, responsive and culturally-affirming education. Click HERE for information and resources from the National Education Association (NEA).
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My Guest Teaching to Begin
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Once a teacher, always a teacher!
I’ll be teaching at Nance on May 8th, Shaw Visual and Performing Arts on May 12th and Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy on May 16th.
Congrats again to the ‘Have Dr. Smith Teach Your Class’ drawing winners:
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- Lauren Hollis | Kindergarten | Nance Elementary School
- Lisa Kadlee | 1st Grade | Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy
- Carolyn Kramkowski | Instrumental Music | Shaw Visual and Performing Arts Elementary
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Keeping “The Work” of the Academic Office Front and Center
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The WHY of our work for School Year 22-23:
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To develop and/or deepen the habits of mind and adaptive leadership moves critical to disrupt and dismantle inequities in our systems, practices, policies and procedures so each scholar thrives.
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The WHAT of our work for School Year 22-23:
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Strengthen the *instructional core, so each scholar has access and targeted supports to achieve Standards and to engage in deeper learning through the ‘Key 3’
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Use multiple sources of data (qualitative, quantitative and perceptual) to inform decision-making
- Apply “best we know right now practices” to educate the Whole Child
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*teachers’ knowledge and skills; scholars’ engagement in their own learning; academically challenging content
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The HOW of our work for School Year 22-23:
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- (Re)Frame our individual and collective thinking:
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"Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” –John C. Maxwell
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For more information, please contact Dr. Marion Smith Jr., Deputy Superintendent of Academics– Marion.SmithJr@slps.org
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Subject Area Spotlight: Performing Arts
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April is Jazz Appreciation Month
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In 2001, Jazz Appreciation Month was initially funded by the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. It encourages people every April to participate in Jazz-related activities, sponsors jazz music releases, and appreciates jazz musicians of all ages. Don’t let April get away from you without Miles Davis put on loop and cap the end of the month with John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.”
Vocal Jazz – Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Etta James, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughn…
Smooth Jazz--Music For Relax, Study, Work
Smooth Jazz – Upbeat Groove
Jam Session – Charlie Parker
Thelonious Monk – Live in Paris 1964
Cecile McLorin Salvant and Sullivan Fortner – “I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate”
Wynton Marsalis -- Newport Jazz Festival 2005
Jazz continues for as far as the mind can imagine…don’t be mad if I missed your favorite artist! Go down that YouTube “rabbit hole” and lose yourself!
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The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation's Annual Teen Talent Competition
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The Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation's Annual Teen Talent Competition is an opportunity for high school aged teens to show the world their skills in dance, dramatic reading, and song.
Teens selected for the Finals performed April 8th on the Fabulous Fox Theatre's stage in front of a panel of judges and live audience.
We are honored to announce that Central Visual and Performing Arts High School senior and Student Board of Education member Rayquan Strickland took home 1st place and an $8,000 scholarship!
Read more about Rayquan's performance and the competition by clicking here.
Congratulations Rayquan!!
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St. Louis Public Schools Students in the Limelight Opera Theater-St. Louis’ - Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training Spring Recital Winners
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On Sunday, April 23rd, a full house was on hand to applaud the accomplishments of Opera Theater-St. Louis’ 2022-2023 Bayer Fund Artists-in-Training students at their culminating Spring Recital! Over $14,000 in scholarship funds were awarded at this inspiring event.
Four of the twenty high school age students in the 2022-2023 Artists-in-Training program are from St. Louis Public Schools and won scholarship awards! Congratulations to these talented young vocalists:
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- Mikala White (McKinley CLA) Kent-Hunleth Award - $1,000
- Leah Scott (McKinley CLA) MaryAnn McCormick Encouragement Award - $400
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Honorable Mention - $100:
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- Eden Burks (McKinley CLA)
- Stephon Riggins (Sumner High School)
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SLPS End-of-the-Year School Performances/Recitals
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For more information, please contact Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist - Kaye.Harrelson@slps.org
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NetworkSpotlight: Learning Network 1
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Tree Planting in Remembrance of Milani Jones
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The Bryan Hill 5th grade class collaborated with five Ladue Horton Watkins High School Seniors representing the STL chapter Planting Shade to plant 5 bushes.
Planting Shade is a national student led nonprofit with the goal of improving the environment through forestation. The 5th grade class worked in cooperative groups during the earth science experience. They cultivated the area, planted the trees and developed a plan to maintain the area. They also learned about each type of bush and how they contribute to the environment.
The trees were planted in the front of Bryan Hill and dedicated to Milani Jones, a 5th grade student who passed away earlier this school year.
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Instrumental Music, Art & Dance Stars - Ames Visual and Performing Arts
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As students learn new skills, they are always eager to share their learning. Students are working to enhance their arts proficiency levels for personal growth and showcase. With our end-of-year events approaching, our Ames Stars work diligently to perfect their craft.
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Circus Stars
The Harmony Circus is a social circus based inside of the City Museum. They work with our students to support physical movement and growth along with cooperation and teamwork. In addition, Harmony Circus works with our 5th grade sciencestudents with physics, science and mathematical vocabulary, acrobatics, juggling and gymnastics being at the forefront of lessons and activities.
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The Arts, PE & Healthy Living
Our Ames Pre K and kindergarten students were invited to be part of the district’s roving chef program: "Rainbows & Butterflies.” This interactive cooking class taught students about nutrition and their healthy bodies. They specifically learned about vegetables and fruits and how these ‘rainbows’ should always be on their food plates. Our students were able to eat their eatable art work once completed.
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Take Me Out To The Ballgame - Hamilton Elementary School
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50 Hamilton students who met the attendance goal and consistently modeled the Hamilton School-wide PBIS expectations of Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Excellence were afforded the opportunity to attend the April 5th Cardinals vs Braves game. Students enjoyed various game activities, cheering and learning about the game of baseball.
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“Kappa Story Hour” at Froebel Literacy Academy
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On Friday, April 21, 2023, the students at Froebel Literacy Academy had a visit from the Men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The organization’s North Central Province and Middle Western Province held a joint conference in St. Louis, Missouri. During the conference weekend, Froebel was chosen by the organization to take part in “Kappa Story Hour,” as part of the fraternity’s Hands on Books partnership with the Room to Read program. The students were very engaged and asked some very insightful questions after the book, “Mae Among the Stars,” was read.
Additionally, the fraternity donated books that each student will take home and add to their home library. Froebel students have participated in the Hands on Books program since the fraternity launched it in 2020. Since then, the fraternity has donated books provided by Room to Read through their publishing partners to Froebel and other elementary schools throughout the country. The program has also been featured on NBC’s Today Show.
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MAP Testing Incentives at Woodward Career Academy
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At Woodward Career Academy, we incentivize our students in a special way for MAP testing to come to school every day, be on time, do your best on the test, and displaying improved and or excellent behavior. We had a MAP boot camp that began on March 27, 2023 – April 14, 2023. Students with 80% or higher in ELA and Math were chosen to be in the drawing for a gift card from McDonald’s. One student per grade level for each subject area was chosen.
Spirit Week was held April 17-21st. Everyday students and staff were asked to demonstrate their school spirit for the MAP! Every student and teacher in our tested grades received a bag of goodies with inspiring quotes. Our culminating activity was the Me 2 YOU Game Truck. The students were placed in the gym with glowing lights and allowed to play laser tag for 30-40 minutes as a reward for doing their best.
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For more information please contact Karen Jones, Learning Network 1 Network Superintendent – Karen.jones6@slps.org
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New Spotlight: MTSS Corner
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Shifting the Framework: “MTSS with English Language Learners (ELL)”
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The Academic Office continues to define the shift from RTI to MTSS and explain why, what, and how of ‘MTSS. In our linguistically diverse school district, it is important to center our ELL scholars needs as we define equitable educational practices. Our English language learners must have high impact ELL practices to ensure their success. These practices are:
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- Targeted interventions, ESOL and sheltered instruction.
- Co- teaching content area lessons with classroom teachers
- Use of high-impact ELL Practices:
- Content and Language Objectives
- Linguistic supports (labeling word banks, guided notes, sentence stems, paragraph frames)
- Peer interaction (oral language development with a partner, in triads, and in small groups)
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It is important that these practices are included in each tier of the MTSS framework. Below are ELL considerations for Multi- Tier System of Supports.
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The link below connects to our ESOL Bilingual and Migrant Program. On this site, there is information about the ESOL program, instruction resources for ELL scholars, professional development for teachers, and family registration. https://www.slps.org/domain/5082
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As we continue the transition to the MTSS framework, it is important to remember the ‘Why, What, and How of MTSS.” Below is a one pager to support our collective work moving forward.
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For more information regarding MTSS and resources for each tier, please contact Ravetta Jackson, MTSS Specialist - Ravetta.Jackson@slps.org
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Collegiate Debaters Win Big In Springfield
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The Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience (CSMB) Speech & Debate Team competed in five events at the Missouri State Speech & Debate Competition in Springfield, MO. This was the first time the team competed in person at the State Competition. The first year was cancelled due to covid and the last year was online.
Silas Block competed in Policy Debate & United States Extemporaneous Speaking. Gracie Ebenhoh competed in Policy Debate. Rose Moll competed in Radio Speaking. Allison Rojas competed in Prose Speaking.
Silas and Gracie placed 5th in the State for Policy Debate. Silas placed 10 in the State for United States Extemporaneous Speaking. Rose placed 8th in the State for Radio. Allison placed 8th in the State for Prose.
The CSMB Speech & Debate Team & their families could not be prouder of these students' accomplishments!
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The Board of Education Gets Two New Members
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We are thrilled to announce that the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis has two new members! Please join us in congratulating Sadie Weiss and Tracy Hicks, who were both sworn in at the Board of Education work session on April 25, 2023.
We are confident that their leadership will help drive positive change and progress in the District, and we look forward to working with them to create a brighter future for our students.
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Camp SLPS 2023 will be held from Monday, June 5th through Friday, June 30th at sites across Saint Louis Public Schools (no summer learning on Monday, June 19th in recognition of Juneteenth holiday).
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Summer Programming
Camp SLPS 2023 has something for everyone. Camp SLPS 2023 includes a variety of innovative programs and learning opportunities for students! Some of the learning experiences included this year are:
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- Hands-on, experiential programming at Stix and Wilkinson ECC
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Elementary math program designed to address students’ unfinished learning and give them a head start on the next school year
- IT and Cybersecurity Academy led by Reginald Ferguson at Clyde C. Miller with nearly 70 high school students committed to participate this summer
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Reading and Math intervention credit opportunity for all rising 9th grade students attending Camp SLPS to get a jump start on high school credits
- Elective courses for high school students who do not need credit recovery
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Registration and Transportation
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We currently have more than 6,000 SLPS students registered for Camp SLPS 2023! Students and families will receive transportation letters during the week of May 15th. Letters will be sent to students’ home schools and the Transportation department will send individual bus letters to parents.
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If there are new summer enrollees after May 10th, schools will need to send the demographic information for the student to slpstrans@slps.org
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Staffing Update
Offer letters were distributed to those staff members who were selected and eligible for Camp SLPS employment. If you have not yet applied or applied after the deadline, your application will be considered after applicants meeting the initial deadline have been placed. The application is available at this link: https://lf.slps.org/Forms/CAMPSLPS
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Professional Development for Staff
Camp SLPS staff must save the date for the following professional development dates leading up to Camp SLPS beginning on Monday, June 5th. Staff are expected to participate in all scheduled professional development:
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- Wednesday, May 31st- Full day professional development (details TBA)
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Thursday, June 1st- Site-based professional development (AM) & Classroom preparation time (PM)
- Friday, June 2nd- Classroom preparation time (PM) & Camp SLPS Open House (time established by Summer Site Leader)
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Registration for students is now available!
Please register online at https://www.slps.org/summer or use the QR codes below! A list of site assignments is also posted on the SLPS website.
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Curriculum Specialists:
- Dr. Esther Palsenberger, Elementary ELA, 314-779-5939
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Judine Keplar, Secondary ELA, 314-532-6427
- Zehra Khan, Secondary Math, 314-532-3574
- J. Carrie Launius, Elementary Science, 314-934-5258
- Dr. Valentina Bumbu, Secondary Science, 573-544-6835
- Dr. Glenn Barnes, Social Studies, 314-934-5267
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John Grapperhaus, Visual Arts, 314-934-5320
- Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts, 314-934-5445
- Dr. Taresa Wright-Fraser, Elementary Math, 314-943-5266
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