What's Happening Around District 283 

Update: Peter Hobart Elementary School A serious accident occurred during a Peter Hobart Elementary School 4th grade field trip to Lilydale Park on Wednesday, May 22. We are sad to report that Fourth Grade students, Mohamed Fofana and Haysem Sani died. Two other students, Lucas Lee and Devin Meldahl, were injured. Crisis counselors and therapy dogs from Paws for Learning are on site at the school and will continue to be available to students, parents and staff. Peter Hobart Student Fund Established A fund for the students and families impacted by this tragedy has been established at Citizens Independent Bank, St. Louis Park. Donations can be sent to: Peter Hobart Student Fund c/o Citizen’s Independent Bank 5000 West 36th Street St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Governor Mark Dayton Visits School Governor Mark Dayton spoke to Peter Hobart Elementary School students and staff on Friday, May 24th. He shared his own story of loss and applauded staff for their heroic efforts and on-going support of students who are dealing with the loss of two classmates earlier this week during a fieldtrip to Lilydale Park. Statement from Dr. Debra Bowers, Superintendent Dr. Debra Bowers, Superintendent of St. Louis Park Public Schools issued the following statement on May 22, 2013: “This is an incredibly sad time for our schools and our entire school community. Our hearts go out to the families, friends and everyone touched by today’s accident. The St. Louis Park Schools are providing support and resources to students, staff and families, and we will continue to do so as long as needed. We, like everyone else, want to understand how this tragedy occurred, but today we ask for your continued thoughts and prayers for everyone involved.”

School District Invites Membership in Financial Advisory Committee
Click here to read/download information. Applications due August 31, 2013.

2013 High School Graduation
Congratulations to the Senior Class of St. Louis Park High School. On Thursday, June 6th, 288 students graduated in an outdoors commencement ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Connor Wicklund

High School Principal Search:
Dean, Karetov & Meyers Named Finalists
June 18th Community Forum, 6-7 p.m. – High School Room C350
This Spring, current High School Principal Robert Metz was selected to be the next Superintendent for St. Louis Park Public Schools. The School Board approved his contract June 10th and he will assume his new role beginning July 1st, leaving the lead High School Principal position open in the school district.

The following candidates have been named finalists for the High School Principal position:

Rhonda Dean, Principal, Andover High School
- 5 Years High School Principal experience
- 12 Years High School Assistant Principal experience

Joann Karetov, Principal, Columbia Heights High School
- 3 Years High School Principal experience
- 8 Years High School Assistant Principal experience

Scott Meyers, Assistant Principal, St. Louis Park High School:
- 2 Years High School Assistant Principal experience
- 2 Years Secondary (Grades 7-12) Summer School Principal experience

Second Round interviews with Dr. Bowers and Mr. Metz will be held June 18th.

On June 18th, finalists will also participate in a Community Forum, together, from 6-7 p.m. in the High School, Room C350. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. There will be a set of pre-determined questions and audience questions will be invited as well. Those attending will be asked to complete a feedback form for each finalist to be shared with Dr. Bowers and Mr. Metz.

Announcement of the new high school principal, pending contract negotiations, is expected at the June 24th, School Board Meeting.

Second Round interviews with Dr. Bowers and Mr. Metz will be held June 18th.

On June 18th, finalists will also participate in a Community Forum, together, from 6-7 p.m. in the High School, Room C350. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. There will be a set of pre-determined questions and audience questions will be invited as well. Those attending will be asked to complete a feedback form for each finalist to be shared with Dr. Bowers and Mr. Metz.

Announcement of the new high school principal, pending contract negotiations, is expected at the June 24th, School Board Meeting.

Meyers Named High School Assistant Principal
After an internal process, including meetings with stakeholders, Scott Meyers has been named Assistant Principal at the High School. Meyers has been serving in this role on an interim basis for the last two school years.

Graduation Commencement Portraits
All graduates will be photographed by a professional photographer from Lifetouch. Photos will be available for viewing online at events.lifetouch.com, 10 days after the ceremony. Complimentary proofs will be mailed to graduates with no obligation to purchase. Orders placed at the site will be delivered within 2-3 weeks.

Summer Hours for School District Office
The St. Louis Park Public Schools District Office will be open Monday-Thursday from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. from June 17th-August 9th.

CANCELLED: Retirement Reception for Dr. Debra Bowers, Superintendent
At the Superintendent’s request and in respect of recent events, the Retirement Reception for Dr. Debra Bowers has been cancelled. Per Dr. Bowers, she has been honored to serve the students, parents, staff and community of St. Louis Park and at this time believes the focus should remain on Peter Hobart Elementary School.

The Washington Post has ranked SLP High School as the 2nd most challenging high school in Minnesota
The ranking is determined by taking the total number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced International Certificate of Education tests given at a school each year and dividing by the number of seniors who graduated in June. See rankings here

ECHO Named Gold Crown Publication
The 2011-2012 St. Louis Park High School Student Newspaper, the Echo, has been named a Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Newspaper Gold Crown. The Gold Crown is the highest award CSPA gives, and the Echo was one of 13 print newspapers recognized nationally as a Gold Crown on March 22, 2013, at the New York CSPA Convention. It is the only publication from Minnesota on the list. CSPA, which is housed at Columbia University in New York, has been supporting student journalists since 1925. Previously, the Echo won a Gold Crown in 2006 and a Silver Crown in 2012.

Elementary Facilities Utilization Committee
The Elementary Facilities Utilization Committee is studying current elementary facilities based on capacity, enrollment and future enrollment, needs of the school district, condition of the facilities, special programs, and financial stewardship. The committee will provide a recommendation of two options to the Superintendent. [Click here to read more]

Technology Engages Learners
St. Louis Park Public Schools are leveraging the use of technology in their classrooms to create dynamic and individualized learning environments for students. Technologies including iPads, interactive whiteboards and student response systems have been integrated across all grade-levels. Teachers are reporting that the use of these technologies has increased student engagement and helped them track the progress of students. Check out this video and hear directly from teachers on how technology is making a difference in student achievement.