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Research, training and relationships central to improving school climate
“All children come to school to learn,” said Connie Garling-Squire, director of early learning and equity. “But sometimes what they need to learn is not found in a textbook. The adults in the room need to be adept at understanding how students access learning and how they can help them with both content and behavior.” Garling-Squire, who has worked in SSPPS for over 30 years in various positions, notes that today’s world is chaotic and it is “our job as adults and educators to help build structures for students to help them be successful.” For the past two years, SSPPS has conducted staff trainings and launched initiatives focused on increasing the capacity of teachers and staff to better respond to individual student needs, which in turn helps reduce incidences of negative student behavior and disciplinary actions.
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Overall student enrollment remains stable, but District looks to better understand choices families are making
The School Board received an enrollment update at its meeting on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. Aaron Bushberger, director of finance, shared a mid-year update to complement the annual enrollment report he shared with the Board in October. Unlike the annual report that focused on overall enrollment trends and class sizes, this mid-year enrollment update looked more closely at 10-year enrollment trends of South St. Paul Public Schools (SSPPS) resident and open enrolled students and families.
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Cold Emergency - School Cancellation Feb. 20, 2019
Due to predicted snow totals and dangerous driving conditions, especially in the morning, South St. Paul Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. This cancellation includes all SSPPS schools, Early Learning, ECSE and the CLC. Kids Choice, all Community Education and ABE classes are also canceled, as is the Parent Conversation planned for Wednesday morning. Varsity student-athletes will receive communication from their coaches/advisors about planned activities. With this additional closing, district administration will again be looking at options for possibly making up student days. If such a decision is made, additional information will be shared with staff and families as soon as possible.
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SSP School Board gives go-ahead for installation of solar panels
At their meeting on Jan. 28, the South St. Paul School Board approved entering into an agreement to install solar panels at Kaposia Elementary. The action is the culmination of nearly a year of research and negotiation to assess the viability and sustainability of such a project.
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District receives St. Paul Foundation grant to implement training for staff, enhance connections with all students
South St. Paul Public Schools (SSPPS) and Innocent Technologies are excited to announce the receipt of a $210,000 grant from The St. Paul Foundation to implement a new training program for district staff called “Seeing the ‘Good’ in Every Child.”
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Current families give district overall high marks but identify areas for improvement focused on personalizing education for all students
Ninety-three percent of South St. Paul Public Schools (SSPPS) parents rate the quality of education provided by the district as either “excellent” or “good” according to a recent satisfaction survey, which was summarized for the School Board at its work session on Jan. 28.
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School Board approves makeup day for students on Friday, Feb. 15
At a special meeting on Friday, Feb. 8, the South St. Paul School Board voted unanimously to approve a change to the 2018-19 school year calendar. The action shifts what was previously a professional day for district staff on Friday, Feb. 15 to a student day. The change was recommended by district administration after the numerous school cancellations and delayed starts already experienced in South St. Paul.
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