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Fall 2023 SixTimes Newsletter

This year brought new and exciting changes to South St. Paul Public Schools. We heard our students, staff, and families when they told us what their Desired Daily Experiences are. Inside this SixTimes is a look at some of the ways we are enhancing students’ experiences and building future leaders.

Kim Humann Elected to SSPPS School Board

Congratulations to Kim Humann on her successful election to the South St. Paul School Board. Kim will be sworn in at the November 13 School Board meeting. Her term will expire in January of 2027.

National Native American Heritage Month

November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States. This month holds profound significance as it celebrates the rich history and enduring contributions of Native Americans to the state and the nation. Read more about Native American Heritage Month.

AIEP logo

We are excited to welcome Courtney Renville Soto to South St. Paul Public Schools as the Native American Liaison to our school district. Courtney believes that education is a powerful tool for empowering Native American youth to embrace her heritage while achieving academic success. Read more about Courtney here.

students in SSAC meeting

The South St. Paul Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) is a unique opportunity for Superintendent Zambreno to engage in meaningful dialogue with a diverse team of student voices from each of our schools.

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  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
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Academic Gold Awards

Congratulations to the students who received Academic Honor Awards. Academic awards are given to South St. Paul students in recognition of their achievement while attending South St. Paul High School Academic awards are based on a one year cumulative grade point average (GPA).

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SSP Community Baby Shower

Parents, expectant parents, guardians, grandparents and babies up to one year old are invited to the South St. Paul Community Baby Shower!

  • early learning
October is Stomp Out Bullying Month

In South St. Paul Public Schools, we recognize the month of October as a way to stomp out bullying. Read why this month is important and what our students are learning about bullying prevention.

  • All Schools
2023 South St. Paul High School Homecoming Court

Congratulations to the 2023 South St. Paul High School Homecoming Court and Ambassadors! On Monday, September 25, four ambassadors were crowned in the annual Coronation Ceremony at the South St. Paul High School Auditorium.

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Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. At South St. Paul Public Schools our students are celebrating the ways Hispanic Americans have impacted our country.

  • All Schools
SSP Packers Represented at the State Fair

South St. Paul students and teachers represented our district through STEM at the Minnesota State Fair. In art, more than two dozen South St. Paul student art pieces were submitted. In science, Kaposia's Solar for Schools curriculum was on display with a mini solar oven demonstration.

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  • Kaposia
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Parent portal update contact information

South St. Paul Public Schools uses digital communications to get important information to our families, students, and community. It's important each year that families check their Infinite Campus account to ensure their contact information is updated and correct. Find directions here.

child with bandaid on arm

Dakota County Public Health is bringing their mobile vaccine clinic to Kaposia Education Center, July 19. No appointment needed, just walk-in and request vaccinations. All vaccines are free.

  • Kaposia
Screenshot of the Sixtimes cover

The Spring 2023 Sixtimes is out. Inside this edition: Pathway to Packer Promise, School Counselors Help Student with Academic Success, and Elevating Student Voices. También puedes leerlo en español aquí.

CAPS Showcase

After completing their internships, students in the TriDistrict Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program presented at the TriDistrict CAPS Spring Showcase.

School Counselors Support Students’ Mental Health

Whether a student is in grade school or their senior year of high school, good mental health is just as important as general health for academic success. Read more about how SSPPS Licensed School Counselors help students maintain good mental health.

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  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
  • MS
students in SSAC meeting

The South St. Paul Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) is a unique opportunity for Superintendent Zambreno to engage in meaningful dialogue with a diverse team of student voices from each of our schools.

  • HS
  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
  • MS
Renata and Luis

The SSPPS School Board and district leaders have made it a priority to increase opportunities to include student voices in their work. Starting next school year, two 12th grade students have been invited to join the school board as student representatives.

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picture of a meal

South St. Paul Public Schools is partnering with The Open Door to serve free meals to kids throughout our community this summer.

student getting ready to run

Every year all students in 4th and 5th grades, at both Lincoln and Kaposia, compete in running and field events. View photos from this year's event.

  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
Science Museum of MN at Lincoln Center

The Science Museum of Minnesota brough two traveling learning experiences to Lincoln Center. Students in grades 3-5 learned about the wonders of engineering and K-2 graders learned about dinosaurs.

  • Lincoln
students holding awards

The Dakota County Public Health Department recognized a group of TriDistrict Healthcare Careers students for their effort to increase the number of students with lifesaving skills. The students received a Public Health Achievement Honorable Mention Award, including a SSP High School student.

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MN Faceoff for Fitness

The Minnesota Wild Faceoff For Fitness Program came to Kaposia for an all-school assembly focusing on physical fitness, nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.

  • Kaposia
student on ninja warrior course

5th grade students are honoring their friend who passed away from cancer by dedicating a new Kaposia ninja warrior course to him. They are using the Ninja Warrior equipment to give back to cancer causes and help others fighting cancer.

  • Kaposia
varsity letter winners

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 Athletic and Activity participants who were honored at this year’s 76th Annual Activities Awards Ceremony. 92 senior students have earned a varsity letter this year.

Students in women's society

Students in Women’s Society saw a need for equal access to feminine care products among their peers. After visiting other schools, the girls noticed free dispensers in the women’s bathrooms and decided that was something they wanted to bring to South St. Paul. 

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pathway to packer promise

The Pathway to Packer Promise is plan laid out by South St. Paul Public Schools to address the district's achievement concerns and outline where we will be making investments to improve academic outcomes.

picture of the silver apple award

Congratulations to this year's South St. Paul Educational Foundation Silver Apple Award winners! Students are invited to nominate a South St. Paul Schools staff member as someone who has made a positive impact on their life.

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  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
  • MS
Science Museum River Models

South St. Paul High School students are using river models from the Science Museum Lending Library to see what happens to river sediment and water when a dam is removed.

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stock photo of a high school student

One of the most important voices is that of our South St. Paul Public Schools students. Through this opportunity, Student Board Representatives will serve as the liaison between the School Board and our students.

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picture of secondary building

5th grade students and their families are invited to tour the Middle School and learn more about the transition into 6th grade.

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students presenting

Students in the TriDistrict CAPS Healthcare Pathway researched, read, and consulted with professionals as they expanded their knowledge and understanding of a problem in the field of medicine and any inequalities that exist around that problem. They then presented their research to a group of professionals and peers.

Dakota/Scott County Teen Job Fair

The Dakota/Scott County Workforce Development Board is hosting a Teen Summer Job Fair for students looking for seasonal or permanent job opportunities.

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AIEP logo

The South Saint Paul American Indian Education Program Invites you to visit the Resource Center and Classroom at SSP Secondary. Come meet, greet, eat, and learn about the purpose and vision for this space.

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view of personal projects fair

Personal Projects are shared in one event at the end of the school year. View photos from this year's MYP Personal Projects Fair.

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learning about hand protection engineering

The Science Museum of Minnesota brought the wonders of science to Kaposia 4th graders with interactive, fun engineering experiments. The students learned how engineers think as they approach problems affecting people in the world today.

  • Kaposia
students in class

When it comes to a student’s academics and post-secondary journey, licensed school counselors help students stay on track in many ways. Some of those include: learning organizational skills, being mentally and physically ready to learn, and lessons around college and career readiness. 

teacher receiving silver apple award

Nominations are open for the Roxanne Bliss Silver Apple Award. Any South St. Paul student, group, or class may nominate a currently employed teacher or staff member for this year's award.

  • All Schools
JA North volunteer handing out fake money

Lincoln Center 2nd and 3rd graders got hands-on financial learning with the nonprofit, Junior Achievement North (JA North). JA North teaches students financial literacy by bringing in volunteers from corporate partners to lead and facilitate different hands-on activities.

  • Lincoln
SSP Girls Hockey Team Qualified for State!

The South St Paul Girls Hockey Team Qualified for the state tournament! The girls will open the State Tournament on Wednesday evening. The girls are seeded 4th and will play 5 seed Fergus Falls. Tickets must be purchased online.

students working with Dr. Zambreno on DDE

This past fall, leaders from South St. Paul Schools engaged with our stakeholder groups (students, families, and staff) to understand their desired daily experiences and how we can better support their needs. These Desired Daily Experiences will be the backbone of how we move forward with our strategic plan and serve as a guide for our teachers and staff when working with students and families.

students learning mindfulness

Students are learning mindfulness to help them in the classroom. When students are mindful and present in the moment, that’s when they can do their best learning.

  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
Screenshot of the Sixtimes cover

The Winter 2023 Sixtimes is out. Read the digital version here. También puedes leerlo en español aquí.

Superintendent Zambreno and Finance Director Hoffman Advocate for Tax Equalization

SSPPS leaders testified at the State Capitol before the Education Finance Committee to advocate on behalf of the SSP taxpayers for Levy Equalization. If the state passes the levy equalization funding bill, SSP taxpayers will likely see a reduction in their property taxes with the funding to our school district remaining the same.

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Family Advisory Meetings on Equity

The SSPPS Middle School Building Instructional Leadership Team (BILT) is asking families to join us for Family Advisory Meetings on equity to hear from different groups about what they would like to see in our schools. 

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Kindergarten Registration Night

Kindergarten registration night in South St. Paul is Tuesday, January 24 at 6:00 pm. The in-person event will take place at both Kaposia Education Center and Lincoln Center. Register at the school your student will attend.

students working at biztown

Sixth Grade students had the chance to run their own simulated city for a day at the annual trip to BizTown. Students prepare over several days to become adults at the experimental learning lab.

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Save the Date for the South St. Paul Job Fair

The City of South St. Paul and South St. Paul Public Schools are hosting a job fair to connect you with employment opportunities in SSP. You can learn more about a variety of positions available in our city, apply, interview, and potentially receive an offer that day.

South St. Paul School Counselors Support All Students

South St. Paul School Counselors provide support to students in need. Licensed School Counselors are uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career, and social/emotional needs to promote and enhance student success. Read more about the role of a South St. Paul School Counselor.

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  • Kaposia
  • Lincoln
  • MS
thank you ssp

At the school board meeting on November 14, 2022, the school board officially canvassed the passing of the 2022 Operating Levy.

Scheduled Flex Learning Day- Grades PreK-8

Scheduled Flexible Learning Days are days the District has determined ahead of time as a result of a preplanned circumstance.  Similar to Emergency Flexible Learning Days, students will learn from home through a variety of lessons planned by their teachers.

picture of the district levy logo

Our operating levy logo says: Packer Pride. Packer Promise. Many communities talk about “pride” but in our community it’s a part of who we are. Whether you grew up here or chose to move here to work, raise your family, or both, Packer Pride means we are proud of our community AND our schools.

Students outside of the Nowhere Haunted House

The Community Learning Center (CLC) is using Interdisciplinary Units to help students connect the dots between math, science, art, and history. With Interdisciplinary Units students explore the different subject areas under one theme.

  • CLC
saving taxpayer dollars

Over the past year, South St. Paul Public Schools refinanced existing debt to reduce the amount of taxes paid by South St. Paul property owners. These savings do not come back to the school district, but rather are a reduction in the annual taxes assessed to our taxpayers. 

  • finance
photo of flower from CLC photo contest

Students at the Community Learning Center (CLC) traveled to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN for one of their Interdisciplinary Units. They used their art knowledge of photography for a friendly photo competition.

  • CLC
Screenshot of the Sixtimes cover

The Fall Sixtimes is out. Read the digital version here. También puedes leerlo en español aquí.

Financial Cliff Graphic

State funding for South St. Paul Public Schools continues to not keep pace with the increasing costs necessary to operate our schools. The result is an ongoing funding gap. Unfortunately, our situation is not unique. Most Minnesota school districts rely on voter-approved funds to narrow that funding gap and avoid cuts to key programs and services.

Students at TriDistrict CAPS kickoff

TriDistrict CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) programs started the school year with some BIG ideas around community building, and making our TriDistrict schools communities better places for everyone.

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A screenshot of the Summer 2022 SixTimes

Quarterly newsletter from South St. Paul Public Schools delivered to all mailboxes in the 55075 zip code. The Summer 2022 issue highlights commencement, district financial news, Silver Apple Award winners, and summer learning in SSP.

school bus

South St. Paul Public Schools is currently working through transportation routes and assignments for all students eligible for District-provided transportation. Read more about transportation for the upcoming school year.

Students in circle time at kindergarten camp

K Camps helps your child prepare for kindergarten. Classes are held in kindergarten classrooms at your child’s home school. Students will become comfortable in a classroom and explore their elementary building while being introduced to a “mini” kindergarten schedule.

 High School Academic Awards

Each year 11th and 12th grade South St. Paul High School students are recognized for their academic success. Here are this year's winners.

student and teacher working on WIN Wednesday

On What I Need Wednesday (WIN), students with a C- or less, in any class, will need to attend school. It is not a day off for students who have a C or higher in their classes. Instead, they choose whether they want to complete their work at home or in school.

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