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SOUTH ST. PAUL
Secondary Building
NEWSLETTER
April 2015
South
St. Paul
Public Schools
Trimester 3 Conferences
Parents/Guardians, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet
with your student’s teachers and to check on his/her trimester 3 academic progress.
Parents, please bring your students along!
Important reminder:
Trimester 3 Conferences will be held on Thursday, April 16 from 3:30 PM to 8
PM . Please be aware that there will be no morning conferences on Friday,
April 17.
Remember to pick up your student’s mid-term report at the table in front of the office.
Envisioning
the Future
School will be in session on both Thursday, April 16 and Friday, April 17
Personal Project Informational Meeting
Attention Parents and Guardians of 9th Grade Students:
Developing
Lifelong
Learners
There will be informational meetings about the International Baccalaureate Middle
Years Program Personal Project at conferences on Thursday, April 16, 2015. The
Personal Project holds a very important place in the IB program; therefore, it is an
expectation for all students to complete the Personal Project during their 10 th grade
year at South St. Paul Secondary. The meetings will take place April 16 at 4:30 PM,
5:30 PM, and 6:30 PM in the High School Lecture Hall.
If you are unable to make it and/or have any questions, please feel free to contact me
at 651-552-5569 or mmiller@sspps.org.
Smooth Sailing into the Secondary Building!
Incoming 6th and 7th grade students and parents, please join us on Thursday, April
30, for Smooth Sailing into the Secondary Building, our new student orientation
program.
International BaccalaureContact us at www.sspps.org
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015
Time: Session 1 - 5:00 PM incoming 6th grade students
Session 2 - 6:00 PM incoming 7th grade students
Where: Secondary Building Auditorium
Spring MCA Testing
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) will be administered to students in grades 7, 8, 10, and 11 in March
and April. These assessments are given every year by Minnesota schools to measure student performances on our
state standards. We ask that parents discuss with their student the importance of taking these tests seriously. Test
results will help the school district make important decisions on how to best educate the students of the South St. Paul
Public Schools.
Please avoid scheduling appointments during these important testing times .
MCA Test Schedule by Grade
Grades 7 and 8 Reading: During language A classes March 16-18 - COMPLETED
Grades 7 and 8 Math: During math classes April 13 and 14
Grade 8 Science: During science classes April 22 and 23
Grade 10 Reading: During language A classes March 18-20 - COMPLETED
Grade 10 Science: During science classes April 20 and 21
Grade 11 Math: 7:55 AM to 11:00 AM on April 15
Grade 11 ACT Plus Writing Assessment - April 28
On Tuesday, April 28, 2015, all 11th grade students will be taking the ACT Plus Writing test during the regular school day.
New this April, Minnesota public schools are required to administer the ACT Plus Writing on this statewide administration
date. All 11th grade students are expected to take the assessment on this date. The grade 11 ACT Plus Writing statewide
administration is a required assessment funded through the state and requires no cost or pre-registration by the
student.
What is ACT
The ACT Plus Writing is a national college admissions examination that consists of four subject area tests (English,
Mathematics, Reading, Science) plus a 30-minute Writing Test. The test includes 215 multiple-choice questions, a writing
test, and a short break. It will take just over four hours to complete. Actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes plus 30
minutes for the writing test.
TESTING DAY INFORMATION
On the day of the test (Tuesday, April 28, 2015), students must be on time. The ACT Plus Writing is a timed assessment,
students who arrive late will not be allowed in the testing room. Cell phones and electronic devices, other than their
calculator, are not allowed in the testing room.

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Time: 7:55 AM (11th grade students in a Zero Hour Class will be excused from their 7:00 AM class the morning of the
test).

Locations: Testing locations will be posted in classrooms and outside of the high school office the week before the test.
Tuesday, April 7: 11th Grade Pre-ACT Class Meeting during 2nd period to complete student pretest information. At this time,
students will indicate which institutions (up to four) they would like their ACT scores sent to. ACT scores are accepted by all
US colleges and universities.
Pennies For Patients’
The Secondary building banded together this March to help raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of
Minnesota through participating in Pennies for Patients'. This was the 11 th year that the Key Club has headed up and
participated in Pennies for Patients. The students and staff brought money in during their 2 nd
hour classes for two weeks. As the money was collected and the total kept increasing the
students got some wonderful incentives. When the students would reach certain price points
they would receive a reward, most of them included the teachers getting a little crazy. If you
walked into the Secondary building on these days, you might have seen teachers dressed as
super heroes, teachers with blue in their beards and hair, or heard music playing during passing time, just to name a few... The students favorite however was probably when the teachers
made a music video for the students (we have some very talented staff here at SSP).
This year the Key Club set a goal of $2,500, if we hit that, all of the administration had agreed to have a pie thrown in
their faces. We came so close, thanks to everyone’s positive attitudes, giving spirits, and desire to help others! The
Key Club was able to send in a check for $2,015 for the year of 2015!!!!!!! This amount was only made possible by the
whole school working together. A shout out to Mrs. Alejandrino’s class for raising the most money $297.01!!!!! Their
class received a breakfast party to celebrate their amazing efforts!!! Next year there is no doubt that we will be able to
hit $2,500 and more!!
“Best of the Best” Grade 8 Badminton Tournament
Grade 8 physical education students recently competed in the "Best of the best" 8th grade badminton tournament.
Students chose a partner from their PE class and the winners of each class battled it out one morning to play for the title
of “Champions of the 8th Grade”.
1st Place- Kane Hickman and Nate Daly
2nd Place Jack Luhrs, Kody Heimerl and Connor Sitar
Consolation - Brady Boomgarten and Titus Gustafson
Congratulations to the “Best of the Best!”
Senior Graduation Information Mailed Home
A senior mailing regarding graduation and other important dates and responsibilities will be mailed to seniors on April 1.
If your student does not receive a packet by April 15, please contact Therese Price in the high school
office at 651-457-9467.
2015 Graduation
Friday, May 29 at 7:30 PM - Ettinger Field
In case of inclement weather, Commencement will be held in the High School Completion Gym and admission will be by
ticket only. Each graduate receives six tickets which will be given to them at graduation practice at 11:30 AM on Friday,
May 29.
Anna Barlow Named Athena Award Recipient
Anna Barlow has been named the 2015 Athena Award Recipient for South St. Paul High School. The Athena Award
is given to an outstanding female senior athlete from each private and public high school in the metropolitan area.
In soccer, Anna is a five time letter winner, a three time All-Conference recipient, and was
named All-Conference Honorable Mention her freshman year. As a senior, Anna received
All-State honors, as well as being named team MVP.
As a participant in hockey, Anna earned six varsity letters and is a four time
All-Conference recipient. In addition, Anna was named All-State Honorable Mention her
sophomore year, and was All-State both her junior and senior years.
An award luncheon honoring all St. Paul Athena Award Recipients will be held on
Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
Congratulations, Anna!
South St. Paul Theatre 2015 Spring Junior High Play
Get Smart
South St. Paul Theatre is proud to present the 2015 Spring Junior High Play - Get Smart. Everybody's favorite bumbling secret agent is on the case to save the world one more time! Based on the television series by Mel Brooks, Get
Smart is the story of how Maxwell Smart and his fellow CONTROL agents try to thwart yet another plot by Mr. Big and
his evil agents of KAOS. Performances are May 8th and 9th at 7:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. Advance
reserved-seat tickets are $7 for students and seniors and $9 for adults, or tickets can also be purchased at the door for
$1 more. Advance tickets are available at www.showtix4u.com or by calling Eric Holsen at 651-457-9430.
Prom 2015
The 2015 South St. Paul Secondary Prom will be held on Saturday, April 18 at the Great Hall in St Paul. Grand March is
at 7:00 PM followed by the dance from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM. Tickets are $40/person.
Prom Attendance: Prom is open to South St. Paul Secondary
students in grades 11 and 12. Students in grade 10 may attend
if asked by an upper classman.
South St. Paul Secondary Building Trimester 2 Honor Roll
Gold Honor Roll – Trimester 2 GPA of 3.700 and above
Grade 7
Sonja Allen, Grant Baker, Sienna Boatman, Ryan Campbell, Elias Contreras, Ashleigh Cruz, Grace Davis, Karen DelgadoVillanueva, John Deneen, Christopher Ellis, Genevieve Fellows, Mitchell Felton, Kelly Flatley, Nicholas Friedges, Zachary
Gaddie, Brady Gallahue, Henry Hagen, Jacob Heimsoth, Kaitlyn Higgins, Anissa Jackson, Amanda Kelly, Lilliana Kirchner,
Nicholas Klaustermeier, Anna Krech, Angelina Krosting, Joshua Lissick, Kaitlyn Morris, Sophia Olson, Benjamin Path, Grace
Quigley, Brandon Reynolds, Jack Rooney, Theodore Rossow, Joshua Rowan, Owen Ryan, Myia Sarff, Jacob Saver, Ellie
Schlarman, Brynn Sexauer, Joshua Sieve, Emma Smith, Robert Smith, Isaiah Sparks, Jakob Standley, Sierra Tiedman,
Samantha Tuccitto, Victoria Vanpelt, Remy Vener, Carter Viner, Emily Vukas, Anika Weiberg, Madelynn Wenda, Tyler Wilebski-Henrickson, Emma Winslow Brewer, Sem Yebyo
Grade 8
Beata Benson, Jennifer Burress, Ruth Ann Carlson, Gavin Christoffersen, Nathan Daly, Oscar Diaz, Madeline Dosser, Anna
Ebert, Grace Espersen, Mihnea Frincu, Samantha Goetsch, Nathan Grater, Tyler Gruhlke, Tess Haima, Isabelle Hammond,
Dakota Heimerl, Keyly Hernandez, Matthew Hilz, Clare Holsen, Elizabeth Kirchner, Erica Kuntz, Tessa Laska, Jacob Leary,
Clair Lehmann, Samuel Lehmann, Bauston Lenarz, Elizabeth Lowe, Abby Macioch, Katherine McCabe, Taylor McClellan,
Marissa Michaelson, Samuel Miotke, Johana Orozco Baca, Breanna Pederson, Cecilia Pugh, Izayah Randle, Gabrielle Raymond, Isabel Redinger-Ramos, Santiago Reyes, Chandler Rosengren, Amanda Salazar, Francis Salkowicz, Piper Schmitz,
Dawson Shanley, Hannah Skarstad, Jameson Snook, Matthew Sobaszkiewicz, Rachel Steffen, Kathryn Stietz, David Swedin,
Emily Vaillancourt, Romeo Vang, Anna Watt, Leah Willenbring
Grade 9
Sara Abdelkodous, Karel Agborambang, Hamdi Ahmed, Odalys Alvarez Martinez, Miguel Alvarez, Emma Arme, Emmanuel
Bonilla Galvez, Adam Burke, Jason Butina, Adam Cahn, Mario Chavez Montoya, Kristen Coan, Amelia Corey, Starlynn Costa,
Anna Counihan, Austin Cunnien, Anna Deneen, Sydney Dragt, Cora Duffy, Emily Eidenschink, Jaclyn Elmquist, Emma Esser,
Colton Frisch, Matthew Gellerman, Julia Grannis, Caitlin Griffin, Kali Hickman, Austin Hippler, Shicaron Hobbs, Raynee
Huberty, Madalyn Jacobs, Christina Kelly, Kate Klaustermeier, Ryan Krech, Emma Lewis, Nadia Lewis, Brayden Mahoney,
Maddison Mason, Kaitlyn McKenzie, Derek McNamara, Alexa Mena Gonzalez, Marcus Molumby, Oliver Nordlie, Sydney
O’Donnell, Lucas Oleson, Stephanie Oliva, Braylin Reynolds, Samuel Rohrer, Kori Rutkowski, Luke Schlarman, Patrick
Schmidt, Cade Sexauer, Mae Shannon, Carmen Skwira, Kimberly Skwira, Dariona Smith, Sophia Sprafka, Heather Swett,
Heidi Therres, Taylor Tornio, Samantha Troye, Jake VanPelt, Roxanne Veldman, Mallory Vener, David Wernet, Sincerie
Wigand, Levi Willenburg
Grade 10
Rawda Ahmad, Manuel Alas, Greta Anderson, Grace Beck, Colin Bradshaw, Emilee Campbell, Andy Cedeno, Kelsey Dust,
Bailey Ekness, Melanie Fellows, Megan Felton, Grace Gerten, George Hagen, Olivia Hood, Benjamin Labrosse, Lucas Laska,
Jayda Lindquist, Susan Lokhorst, Maeve Mellen, Madeleine Murray, Adrian Nava Robles, Sarah Ness, Jenifer Ngene, Emma
Oelerking, Misara Omar, Sonja Pearson, Tessa Quam, Asmo Salat, Josephine Sauro, Noah Shannon, Rachel Starnes,
Rebecca Steffen, Preston Stengel, Miranda Tapp, Linh Tran, Karina Verdin, Sara Vorlicky, Joshua Weinstock
Grade 11
Elise Barnes, Caitlyn Binman, Sage Boatman, Gerald Boles, Cole Buhl, Ryan Clemens, Jesus Cortez, Jacob Dahlke, Nicholas
Eidenschink, Diana Espitia, Zoe Esser, Abigail Felton, Emily Forbrook, Abigail Friedges, Jessica Fuchs, Sophie Genz, Megan
George, Jenna Gonzalez, Thomas Griffin, Melissa Gruenewald, Hannah Gustafson, Darren Halvorson, Jordan Hoeger, Kelton
Holsen, Lexis Hughes, Corbyn Jenkins, Nicole Kesti, Sydney King, Ryan Kropp, Emma Kroska, Marie Kustritz, Nicolas
Labrosse, Eleanor Lieder, Hannah Marion, Karlie Marlow, Thomas Mellen, Carter Michaelson, Cameron Michels, Carissa Morrison, Oskar Nordlie, Madeline Nygaard, Daniel Pietruszewski, Tavis Pugh, Samuel Restrepo, Jenny Rosas Trejo, Kyle
Schwagmeyer, Janaya Severson, Meg Simon, Logan Smith, Jack Tiedman, Madeline Torgerson, Moira Vaughan, Samantha
Veldman, Mariah Warden, Micah Weiberg, Samantha Welle, Brittany Young
Grade 12
Michael Bacon, Anna Barlow, Jaden Bjorklund, Scott Bjorklund, Brianna Byrnes, Taylor Cashman, Theresa Chapdelaine, Noah Cuchna, Courtney Dust, Madalyn Elmquist, Taylor Freeman, Nicole Fuchs, Molly Hayes, Brienna Hebert, Kathleen Jackson, Nicole Karg, Elijah Knott, Cecilia Kustritz, Brennan Laska, Kayla Marion, Anthony Merten-Vasquez, Emily Miotke, Cristina
Morelos Quintero, Lee Nelson, Korey O’Donnell, Simo Peinovich, Mary Polak, Cathryn Rosvold, Emily Roznowski, Kameryn
Schaefer, Sydney Schenian, Dani Schmaus, Callie Schmidt, Cole Schneider, Brenden Shanley, Miranda Smith, Laura Sonday, Matthew Stietz, Kali Suchy, Sophia Sura, Rachel Tappe, Maxwell Tetrick, Shannon Troye, Parker Tveit, Shannon
VanDusartz, Addam Velasco, Kristyn Waldhauser, Sarah Winter, Emily York
Trimester 2 Honor Roll continued
Silver Honor Roll – Trimester 2 GPA of 3.400 – 3.699
Grade 7
Samuel Balza, Maxwell Bauer, Brianna Benson, Ashlie Buchan, Kaila Buchan, Maria Cedeno Lemus, Aleksander Ciupik,
Antonio Delfino, Bianca Estrada, Natalia Figueroa, Daniel Frescas Morales, Christiana Groat, Megan Holman, Nevaeh Jones,
Hunter LeMay, Jacob Lissick, Madelyn Luhrs, Samuel Matuzak, Alyssa Milligan, Abigail Monack, Maxwell Pachl, Anna
Powers, Chantal Salgado Paz, Kaylee Tornio, Anna Verduzco, Amelia Wagner, Dustin Willoughby, Eli Winslow Brewer
Grade 8
Hafsa Ahmad, Annarose Bagan, Jennifer Barrett, Karli Darrow, Jasmin Espitia, London Fjelstad, Montana Garcia-Perry,
William Gobernatz, Maggie Gott, Derek Hane, Patrick Kelley, Kain Kruse, Saxon Kucin, Savannah Lenarz, Otto Lieder, Kailee
Museus, Dallas Olson, Lucy Polkinghorne, Christopher Reineke, Caitlin Roberts-Miner, Jenifer Rocha Olalde, Brandon
Rodriguez Oropeza, Griffin Rohrer, Israel Rydel, Alicia Severin, Lavender Sierra, Timothy Smith, Zachary Standley, Jenna
Totino, Michael Wincentsen
Grade 9
Grayson Bakken, Monica Blaeser, Samuel Burg, Kailee Clifton, Brooke Deering, Audra Dunn, Mackenna Emery,
Theodore Flatley, Kaya Forrestal, Joseph Gerten, Chayse Gibbons, Ryan Graiziger, Cyrus Haugland, Joseph Jarosch, Lauren
Jerikovsky, Samuel King, Jenelle Lundblad-Dahl, Haley McGibbon, Kaitlyn Minarsich, Samuel Oeffling, Cameron Rahn, Alexis
Ritter, Emma Roedler, Madison Rouleau, Benjamin Schuh, Nathan Schwagmeyer, Madison Schwandt, William Spencer,
Kelsey Tompkins, Jemmy Vasquez Sermeno
Grade 10
Fallon Anderson, Kierra Avalos, Katieann Balsimo, Sydney Bennett, Makena Burke, Cassandra Ciupik, Joel Delacruz, Ryan
Duffy, Nayeli Figueroa, Brooke Freeman, Mauricio Fuentes Gomez, Alyssa Gilbert, Carla Granados, Maya Green, Chase
Hoffius, Gretchen Leif, Ryan Matuzak, Abraham Mendez Robles, Nicole Neu, Logan Pipes, Reece Podgorski, Patrick Ravn,
Stephen Reineke, Tyler Rooney, Emma Rosengren, Kayli Schneider, Benjamin Shubat, Mesfin Teklu, Alexa Velazquez
Gomez
Grade 11
Christopher Acesor, Samuel Bridges, Edward Carlson, Adriana Coffey, Ashley Cook, Kaitlyn Crowe, Rebecca Dippel, Tyler
Fuchs, Aaron Garcia Cervantes, Abigail Graf, Noah Hazard, Emma Hendrickson, Victoria Hornby, Lydia Johnson, Tanner
Johnson, Haley Keihn, Mikayla Kendall, Michael Koich, Kallie Kuehn, Wyatt Lewis, Deven Milligan, Jade Milton, Erick Palma,
Mollie Ray, Ronald Schroeder, Zachary Taylor
Grade 12
Benjamin Asper, Alice Beck, Allison Behr, Bailey Christoffersen, Megan Conley, Rito Cortez, Jasmine Crosby, Shelby Dack,
Tessa DeSmith, Weiland Florin, Theodore Frid, Chase Gilbertson, April Hagl, Nicholas Heilman, Mitchel Jenson, Tyler
Johnson, Corbin Krech, Nichole Longacre, Arely Macias Flores, Ann Madison, Jakob Masanz, Trenton McCloud, Alex
Reynolds, Nick Ricci, Jason Schadegg, Katelyn Schultz, Jacqueline Smith, Gwendolyn Stransky
Bronze Honor Roll – Trimester 2 GPA of 3.000 – 3.399
Grade 7
Aisha Ahmad, Kaelan Allen, Violet Anderson, Clarissa Atwood, Micah Bade, Nayeli Bonilla, Sarah Brosi, Samuel Dwelle,
Shane Ellman, Seth Ferlaak, Ryan Gingerich, Bryce Hardina, Jada Heroff, Makayla Hogan, Saniah Jackson, Pheobe
Jacobsen, Samya Jamison, James Johnson, Cheyanne Kippels, Cam Kluender, Drake Knapp, Serena Leonard, Kathryn
Manning, Bogar Mendiola-Johnson, Arianna Moreno, Noah Palodichuk, Owen Ramirez, Julissa Ruiz Torrejon, Mohamed
Salat, Malachy Stejskal, Elsa Tumberg, Gabriella Ward, William Wojtowicz, Anthony Wolf, Savannah Youngstrom
Grade 8
Samuel Bade, Andrea Bradshaw, Milton Carnes, Naomi Gedey, Emiliano Granados, Titus Gustafson, Tayah Holte, Jessica
Jugovich, Haley Kratzer, Jackson Luhrs, Jose Mendoza-Kesting, Alexis Morgan-O’Donnell, Juan Muro Avalos, Monika Nestor
Maldonado, Alexander Quam, Samantha Ramirez, Rapheal Roger, Cristian Sermeno, Rylan Trouten, Nicole Winston, Nathen
Yoswa
Continued on next page
Trimester 2 Honor Roll continued
Continued
Bronze Honor Roll – Trimester 2 GPA of 3.000 – 3.399
Grade 9
Courtney Boehmer, Luis Bueno Beltran, Jack Campbell, Jonathan Delacruz, Lorenzo Diaz, Andres Fernandez Alvarez,
Matthew Forbrook, Jessica Gadea, Katharine Kitchen, Benjamin Lenertz, Michael Lomax, Alex Mamer, Mackenzee Maruna,
Tristian Mason, Taylor Monack, Emily O’Connor, Abel Orozco Baca, Malyleejun Paborriboon, Wyatt Rauschnot, Jose
Rodgers-Valdez, Angel Rodriguez, Abdullahi Salat, Zahily Sanchez Luna, Morgan Schenian, Michael Schmidt, Nathan
Severson, Benjamin Smith, Anthony Tonda, Dallani Valenzuela, Samuel Wright, Sara Zirul
Grade 10
Amber Appleby, Kaylyn Batchelor, Keely Bennett, Lillian Bentson, Aspen Brenna, Cameron Buhl, Nicole Burket, Amber Carrier, Noah Frank, Nathan Gobely, Grace Gohman, McKenzie Greene, Dylan Hane, Megan Herbert, Zachary Johnson,
Kongmeng Lee, Zachary Merten-Vasquez, Emma Milinovich, Serena Niederkorn, Riley Nowicki, Trevor Oberg, Zachary
Oberg, Audrey Salkowicz, Teresa Sieve, Joseph Smith, Matthew Swedin
Grade 11
Jordan Allen, Matthew Bakken, Kaley Becker, Amanda Bobzin, Austin Brandecker, Liliana Celis Ortiz, Allison Deering, Janna
Fitzgerald, Gabriella Guerrero, Mariam Khalil, Zachary Montanez, Brandon Navarro, Alyssa Pachl, Maxwell Peterson, Andrew
Rauschnot, Alissa Roehlen, Hannah Rydel, Richard Strandberg, Rozlyn Wilson, Paxton Woods, Simon Yebyo
Grade 12
Luula Ahmed, Josselyn Arriaza, Bryan Burbey, Sydney Conley, Kaylie Dimmick, Scott Engebretson, Chance Gilbertson, Hannah Handwerk, Yesenia Hidalgo, Ifrah Ibrahim, Alberto Mendez, Brianna Mickelson, Abigail Miranda, Anna Morales-Gonzalez,
Kimberly Moredock Wilmes, Daniel Nelson, Allie Paulson, Grace Pearson, Jacinta Rademacher, Kristopher Sargent, Nichole
Schloesser-Becht, Oscar Segura, Adam Stone, Joanna Wernet
IB Art Show
Come help celebrate with the graduating seniors from the IB Diploma Program
Thursday, May 7, 2015
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
High School Cafeteria
Report Student Absences to the Attendance Office
Student absences need to be reported to the attendance office at 651-457-9415 by 8:30 AM each morning of the
absence. Upon return to school, students must report to the attendance office window with a written excuse from their
parents or guardians.
All absences are considered unexcused until verification can be made.
NOTE - When checking your student’s attendance online, please understand that the attendance will appear as
unexcused until the student returns to school with a parent/guardian note.
Absences for family trips need to be pre-approved by written application to the Attendance Office by the parent/
guardian.
Families are encouraged to schedule vacations during school breaks and the summer. (Excerpt taken from the Student
Handbook, attendance policy)
If your student will be going out of town on a pre-arranged trip, the following process is to be followed:

The student is to bring a note from a parent/guardian notifying the school of the upcoming absences.

The Attendance Secretary will issue a trip slip to the student that is to be signed by all of the student’s teachers and
returned to the office.
Simple Steps Walking Program
Register NOW on the Simple Steps website!
Spread the word about Simple Steps:
FAMILY and FRIENDS: forward this e-mail and ask them to join your walking group!
EMPLOYERS: promote Simple Steps to your employees – a free Worksite Toolkit is available online.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS: request printed rack cards and flyers to distribute to your friends.
Contact Simple Steps by e-mail or call 651-554-6100.
Contact Simple Steps if you would like to be removed from the contact list.
COLLEGE AND CAREER NEWS
Paul Miller, College and Career Advisor
651-306-3654 or pmiller@sspps.org
Community and Technical Colleges
There has been a gigantic upswing in the number of students choosing to begin their post-secondary education at one
of the numerous Minnesota Community Colleges and Technical Colleges. There a variety of reasons given for the
growing popularity of these schools. One big reason is relatively low tuition and equally of importance is the specialized
training they provide in a number of high demand fields (ex. Nursing, Computer Technology, Criminal Justice).
Another attractive feature of these schools is their open admissions policy. Students do not have to take the ACT or
SAT for admission. Applicants must submit their high school transcripts or GED and take an assessment tests the
schools administer in areas such as Math and English. These assessments are used by the school to place the student
in the proper course sequence.
Transferring from a community or technical school to a four year college or university is becoming more commonplace.
It is recommended that if this will be an option “down the road” that the student to check with the four year school in
which they have an interest. It is important to understand what the transfer process involves; what academic standards
must be met for their academic work to transfer and what, if any, coursework would not transfer.
More information about Community Colleges and Technical Colleges can be found at www.mnscu.edu . Advance planning information related to transferring to 4 year schools can be found at www.transfer.org .
What parents and students should be doing and “thinking about”…………
Seniors: All students attending post-secondary schools next fall (two and four year schools along with vocational training institutes) should fill out the FAFSA. If you have not done so, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to fill out an application online.
Once a student has decided on where they will attend school next year, please have them see me in the Career Center
to notify me of their decision.
Understand that a student’s academic work continues to be important. It builds a platform for success as a first year
student in college. It should also be understood that college admission officers will take grades into account after students have been accepted and have rescinded admission as a result of poor academic performance following initial acceptance into their school.
Reminder: Many schools do NOT have admission deadlines – so if you determined to go to school in the fall – it’s NOT
too late !!!
Juniors: Prepare for the ACT Test that is now mandated by the State of Minnesota to be taken by every student in the
spring of their junior year. The test will be given to the junior class on April 28 th here at South St. Paul high School.
Start researching schools. It is a good thing to start to shape your college choice in broad terms.
Do you want to attend a small college or a major university?
Do you want to attend school in a rural community or a metropolitan area?
What is the reputation of the school in your areas of interest?
Do you believe you will “fit in” on campus?
Would you prefer a public or private college?
What type of educational costs fit with your situation and future plans?
Keep up your grades!!! Admissions counselors will scrutinize your junior year academic record.
COLLEGE AND CAREER NEWS continued
College Visits to SSP
Many colleges and universities will be sending representatives to visit the high school this spring. Juniors are encouraged to speak with these reps if they have an interest in that particular school.
Sophomores and Freshmen:
Make sure your student is staying involved in school through sports and activities. Educational research indicates that
students who participate in co-curricular activities have better attendance and greater academic success than students
who choose not to participate in these activities. College representatives look highly on prospective students who have
a history of involvement in their school and community.
Students Interested in 2016 National Honor Society
One aspect of The National Honor Society application process involves providing documentation of the voluntary
contributions of the student to his or her community. This Service quality is defined through voluntary contributions made
by the student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous and enthusiastic
spirit. The Service Requirement entails 50 hours of documented community service. Students may begin
accumulating community service hours this June for the 2016 application process.
Immunization Requirements for Incoming 7th Graders
Questions and Answers about Immunization Requirements Incoming 7th Graders
What shots are 7th graders required to have?
Hepatitis B – 3 doses
DTap or DT (Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis) –3 doses PLUS 1 dose Tdap booster at age 11-12 years
Polio – 3 doses
MMR (Mumps/Measles/Rubella) – 2 doses
Meningococcal – 1 dose
Varicella (chicken pox) – 2 doses
What happens if my child does not have the shots done before the first day of school?
We are a “No shots, No school” school district. Your child will not be admitted to classes if we don’t have a record of the
shots. He/she will be sent home. You may bring your child back to school after the shots are done and bring the shot
record to the school nurse.
What if I object to having my child get the shots?
You may give us a “conscientious objection” signed by the parent/guardian and notarized listing each of the shots you
wish your child to be exempt from receiving.
What if my child has a medical condition that prevents him/her from getting a shot?
You may give us a “medical exemption” signed by your child’s health care provider listing each of the shots your child
cannot medically receive.
If I have already turned in a conscientious objection or medical exemption do I have to fill out another one for
my 7th grader?
Yes. A new form is required in 7th grade.
Is there a form I should use for the immunization requirements?
We accept immunization cards and records from your health care provider. You may use the Minnesota Department of
Health’s “Student Immunization Form.” Copies are available at the school and online at
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/studentimzfm.pdf. This form is to be used for a conscientious
objection or medical exemption.