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GREAT NEWS: Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
The Class of 2021 ended their high school careers with a literal *BANG* Wednesday evening and Friday morning. After crossing home plate to receive their diplomas, pictures at 3rd base, moving their tassels from right to left, and the mortarboard toss, SLPS seniors and their loved ones were treated to a fireworks display at iconic Busch Stadium. After an unprecedented school year that tested every student, our graduates met every challenge head-on and were rewarded with a one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony. Click here to view pictures from both graduation ceremonies.
Congratulations Class of 2021!
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Scholarship Opportunity: Ham4Progress
Gilder Lehrman is proud to partner with Hamilton on the Ham4Progress Award for Educational Advancement. This award supports college-bound high school students from communities that directly experience the consequences of injustice and discrimination.
The award is open to students who meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Black, Latino/a, Indigenous, Asian, or Pacific Islander
- College-bound high school junior
- Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
- Enrolled in a Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School
Recipients of the Ham4Progress award will receive $2,500 for educational purposes, such as:
- Test preparation courses
- Tutoring
- College visits
- Technology (laptops, tablets, or other devices used for learning)
Applications are due June 30, 2021. Click the link above or here for more information and to apply.
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ICYMI: Lunch 'n' Learn: Teaching Teens Smart Money Choices
The City of St. Louis' Office of Financial Empowerment has partnered with PNC Bank to provide a virtual Lunch 'n' Learn on June 17 titled “Teaching Teens Smart Money Choices." Participants will explore topics such as saving money earned from their child's first job, understanding "fintech," aka financial technology, and preparing their teen for their first credit card. For more information and to register, please click here.
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Standards-Based Learning Corner
Click here to explore past topics related to Standards-Based Learning and Grading in SLPS.
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Curriculum Specialists:
- Dr. Esther Palsenberger, Elementary ELA, 314-779-5939
- Judine Keplar, Secondary ELA, 314-532-6427
- Zehra Khan, K-12 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
- John Grapperhaus, Visual Arts, 314-934-5320
- Kaye Harrelson, Performing Arts, 314-934-5445
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Curriculum Corner: Social Studies with Dr. Glenn Barnes
I just want to start this off with a heartfelt thank you to every single one of the teachers who are reading this. You have been a part of history for the last 14 months or so and have done your level best to adjust with everything thrown your way. As our world starts shifting gears, my sincere hope is for each of you to heal from this process, reconnect with friends, take on a new passion, and love your family deeper than ever before. Focus on the relationships you started and keep building on those. You have made it through the most challenging year of teaching on record. Take the lessons learned from this year and build on them. Whatever you do, do not return to where you were in practices prior to March of 2020. I believe there are some great shifts foisted upon us this year and welcome changes ahead. Thank you for being there for our students. They needed you more than ever…even if it meant their camera was not on. You provided them with a sense of normal. Continue to be empathetic and seek to understand more. We all are growing in this area.
I leave you with the following column from 24 years ago. I don’t think there is a better piece of advice than this for the summer. Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts, and recycling it for more than it's worth.
Feel free to reach out to me over the summer if you have questions. I want to help you as well.
Upcoming Changes in ’21-‘22
- We will no longer be utilizing the Dave Ramsey materials for personal finance. Junior Achievement, the Federal Reserve, and Next Generation Personal Finance provide excellent free resources we will use instead.
- Moving forward, constitution tests will be given only in high school. We are working on common assessments for the MO and US Constitution test to add to the common Citizenship Exam provided in US History.
SMART Goals for Social Studies: LINK
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Curriculum Corner: ELA, Elementary with Dr. Esther Palsenberger
The dreaded summer reading slide is a big deal and yes - it's a real thing. When kids are not exposed to reading and learning over long breaks of school, such as over the summer months, they can backslide.
But the great thing about the summer months is the amazing amount of great learning opportunities all around you!
Make sure your students' summer is full of reading and great books. This will give your students such a boost in their growth and education.
Here are some links to help with enticing students to read this summer with a variety of reading programs:
Online summer reading programs:
Have a great summer and stay safe!
If you need to meet with Esther Palsenberger, click here for the appointment calendar.
SMART Goals for Elementary ELA: LINK
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Curriculum Corner: Visual Arts with John Grapperhaus
SUMMER ART FUN 1: CARDBOARD MINIATURES
As an educator and an SLPS parent myself, I have the privilege of watching what works for my kids at home. And if parents and educators need ideas to redirect kids from “mindless” screen time this summer, I’d like to help. Over the summer, I’ll be glad to share activities that have engaged my own children for hours.
For starters, my daughter loves to make her own miniature furniture for your dolls out of cardboard. Here’s a video showing each step to making a miniature living room. And here’s a website with links to miniature paper templates that can be printed and cut out.
Here are summer exhibits at some of our local art institutions:
SMART Goals for Visual Art: LINK
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Curriculum Corner: Science, Elementary with Carrie Launius
SMART Goal for Elementary Science: LINK
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Curriculum Corner: Science, Secondary with Dr. Valentina Bumbu
Assessment SMART Goal for 6-12 Science: LINK
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Curriculum Corner: ELA, Secondary with Judine Keplar
Important Links:
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Curriculum Corner: Math with Zehra Kahn
Smart Goal for K-12 Math: LINK
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Curriculum Corner: Performance Arts with Kaye Harrelson
SMART Goal for Performing Arts: LINK
Contact Kaye Harrelson for more specific guidance, 314-934-5445.
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Resource Reminders
TECH TIPS:
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
FOR STAFF:
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