Welcome to our digital newsletter for District families!

Virtual Learning Check-In

Congratulations, we have made it through two-plus weeks of virtual learning! Our hope is that students are engaged and supported, and that each week shows improvements in virtual teaching and learning. Here are some resources to assist you:

Get Your Flu Shot!

Although flu lingers in the United States all year long, the annual flu season arrives in late fall and runs through late spring. Most individuals who become ill with the flu recover without serious complications, but some who contract the flu experience serious illnesses, hospitalization, and even die. The best way to help protect yourself, your family, and the community from the flu is to get your annual flu vaccination. The flu vaccine will not provide protection for COVID-19. However, the City of St. Louis Department of Health is alerting St. Louis residents that is crucial that they get the flu vaccine. To learn more about this year’s vaccine and locations in the City of St. Louis to get a vaccine click HERE.

College Kids 2020-2021

College Kids would like to welcome SLPS families back to school. College Kids is a children’s savings account program for students in grades K-5. Students are automatically enrolled, and kindergarteners receive a $50 seed deposit. Currently, more than 16,300 students are enrolled with 1.2 million dollars saved for college. Throughout the school year, there are opportunities to earn bonus deposits and a variety of incentives to grow student’s account. So check your emails regularly. If you are a participant and have questions or need to update your information, please contact College Kids directly at 314-612-1686 or collegekids@stlouis-mo.gov.

Upcoming PAC Meetings and Topics

Sept. 17, 2020: Understanding Blended Learning and Becoming a Virtual Parent
Oct. 15, 2020: Standards-based Grading: Understanding Quarter 1 Grades and Beyond
Nov. 19, 2020: Student Support Services: Food Service and Community Partners, Mental and Physical Health

Not part of the Parent Action Council yet? Get connected through your family and community support specialist or email parentactioncouncil@gmail.com.

Technology Support and Updates

On Monday, Sept. 21, SLPS will open Technology Technical Support Centers at two of our schools: Vashon, 3035 Cass and Hodgen, 1616 California. These locations will provide tech support for any District equipment distributed to students: iPads, laptops and hot spots. If families have not received equipment for their student(s), they should contact their home school. Technology Technical Support Centers are open from 8:15am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday.

Earlier this week, the District made the decision to disable private chatting. This disabling impacts “student to student” chatting and “teacher to student” chatting. Communication can still occur between teacher and student using these methods:

Email
Chat during a meeting with the entire group for whole group instruction
Send a message through OneNote

Microsoft is working on updating some permissions that would allow "teacher to student" but not "student to student." At this point, we do not have a timeline on when the updates will occur but will communicate when identified.

Virtual Hub Study Site

Need a study site for your student? The Gene Slay's Boys and Girls Club serves as a Virtual Hub Study Site for children from 7:15am to 6pm. Want to learn more? Contact Director of Operations Earl Strauther at 314-655-9007 or estrauther@gsgbcstl.org.

Eye Thrive Program

Eye Thrive is proud to partner with Saint Louis Public Schools to provide free vision services to students at many of its schools.

The Mobile Vision Clinic will be visiting St. Louis County Libraries this fall (click for a flyer) to conduct vision screenings, eye exams, and on-site glasses.

Eye Thrive also has a glasses replacement program, which provides free replacement glasses to any child ages 4-18 with a current prescription that lives within the greater St. Louis community they serve. Click HERE for the form and HERE for additional information.

Missouri Botanical Garden Sessions

As our local and global communities continue to face the challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s (MoBot) School Programs and Partnerships team is offering virtual learning sessions for learners and instructors of all ages. The suite of virtual lessons provided by the School Programs and Partnership team is conducted on Zoom and offers support to educators (in person or virtually), students and the caregivers of students at home. These lessons provide students the opportunity to engage in plant-based learning from home or the classroom – as long as there is access to an outdoor space. The next virtual offering is Sept. 23. Email schoolprograms@mobot.org for details and a link.

Kindergarten Kick-Off

Chuck E. Cheese wants to help families celebrate the start of the school year. Click HERE for a flyer with links to fun "break break" style videos and a coupon for 30 minutes of All You Can Play free play.

Title 1 Annual Parent Meetings

Q: What are Title 1 Annual Parent Informational Meeting Sessions? What is their purpose?
A: Each school receiving Title 1.A funding must convene Annual Parent Informational Meeting Sessions, at convenient times, to which all parents of participating children shall be invited and encouraged to attend, to inform parents of their school's participation under this part, explain the requirements, and the right of the parents to be involved.

Q: What information should be included in the discussion at the Title 1 Annual Meeting Sessions?
A: The Title 1.A Annual Parent Informational Meeting Sessions must be used to explain the Title 1.A requirements, the school’s participation in the program, and the rights for parents to be involved.

Contact Information:

Office of Family and Community Engagement, 314-345-4433
State and Federal Programs, 314-345-4475

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