Online High School Happenings

Our teachers and staff will be sharing classroom highlights, student celebrations, helpful resources, and important information via this newsletter every month. We hope you enjoy reading about all of the amazing things happening at the Online High School!

Address: 780 W Wheelock Pkwy, Saint Paul, MN 55117 (Door #6)

Office Hours: 7:00am-3:15pm

Main Office Phone: 651-325-2588

It is critical that all families complete an Application for Education Benefits each school year. These applications determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits. Paper applications are available at school or can be completed online at schoolcafe.com/spps.

Deadline: December 15, 2025

Attendance is an important part of student success. Missing less than nine days of school each year helps students to stay engaged, experience success in their schoolwork and keep on track to graduate on time.​ We recognize there are many reasons a student may be absent from school. If your student is ill, check SPPS’s illness guidelines at spps.org/studentwellness. Communication between home and school is vital to a positive school experience. More information about consistent attendance can be found at spps.org/attendance.

How to Report Attendance

If your child will be absent from school, please notify Kaunou Vang, Attendance Clerk, at 651-325-2588 or email us at oss.attendance@spps.org at your earliest convenience if your child will be absent.

Report the following information:

Please provide the following information via phone and leave a message on the attendance line or send an email.

• Student Name

• Parent Name

• CIF or DOB

• Date(s) of Absence

• Duration: Full Day or Specify Periods

• Reason for absence

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act give parents/guardians and students who are 18 years of age or older certain rights with respect to the student's education records. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 10 days after the day Saint Paul Public Schools receives a request for access. Click on the link for additional records info: SPPS Student Records.

To request your child’s Record/Transcript from Current School:

Please provide the following information via email to oss.recordsrequest@spps.org. Kaunou Vang will reach out to you to confirm all your requested information.

• Student Name

• Parent Name

• CIF or DOB

• Reason for request: Grades, Enrollment, Attendance, Health

• Where do you want the information to be sent to?

SPPS high schools utilize Schoology as their learning platform. To access Schoology and view your students' progress, please follow the steps in the Family Guide to Schoology.

We are partnering with EveryMeal to provide an option for families to pick up a bag of food with shelf staples on the first Friday of each month at Como Park Elementary between 11:00-1:00 at the small parking lot entrance of Door 6. Families must fill out this survey to be eligible to pick up a bag of food. Bags will not be available other times unless there is an appointment scheduled with an SPPS Online staff member. Please call Monika Dodd at 651-705-4530 with questions.

Integrated Science/9th grade is studying what makes Earth habitable and will be investigating stars and exoplanets outside our solar system. Ask your 9th grade student to see the “Initial Model” that they made to show their current understanding.

Biology/10th grade is studying ecosystem conservation and decision making. Ask your 10th grade student about their “Lake Michigan Ecosystem Model” that they created to show their understanding of ecosystems.

Check out the student work examples from each of these classes!

Who: Juniors and Seniors who are in good standing with OHS

Transportation: Bus leaves at 10:15 am from Como School (780 W Wheelock Pkwy, St Paul, MN 55117) and returns at 12:15. All students are responsible for getting to and from the school.

Reach out to Mr. Andy with any questions: andrew.andestic@spps.org / 651-704-4314

Please fill out these 2 forms if your student will be attending (use Notability for any forms that need to be signed):

• Career Connect Sign-Up Form

• OHS Permission Slip

Did you know that SPPS Online Students can participate in SPPS athletics? Students participate with their home brick-and-mortar school. CLICK HERE to access the contact information for the SPPS Athletic Directors, and contact the correct person based on your student's home school.

Winter Sports Registration runs from mid-October through early November! Check out the flyer below for the sports that are offered and more information about how to register. Please contact the Athletic Director at your student's SPPS home school if you have any questions.

We’re now at mid quarter in the school year, and I want to take a moment to check in and encourage you as we move forward together.

By now, you’ve settled into your classes, met your teachers, and started building routines. This is a great time to reflect on how things are going and make sure you’re staying on track. One of the most important habits you can build right now is keeping up with your work. Don’t let assignments pile up—stay organized, use your planner or digital tools, and make time each day to review what’s due.

If you’re struggling—whether it’s with a subject, time management, or anything else—please ask for help. Your teachers, counselors, and support staff are here for you. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. We want you to succeed, and we’re ready to support you.

Also, never underestimate the power of a daily routine. Getting enough sleep, eating well, showing up on time, and setting aside time for homework and relaxation can make a huge difference in how you feel and perform. Consistency builds confidence.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Stay focused, stay positive, and remember—you’ve got this!

Warm regards,
Mr. Bush

We are here to help. Reach out or make an appointment to go over graduation progress, college/career plans, or any area you are struggling in.

Ms. Jill Vestrum: 9th grade & 10th grade A-M

jill.vestrum@spps.org

https://calendly.com/vestrum/20-minute-meeting

Ms. Becky Schmitz: 10th grade N-Z, 11th grade & 12th grade

rebecca.schmitz@spps.org

calendly.com/rsoffice

Did you know that there are state mandated vaccine requirements for all SPPS students entering Kindergarten, 7th and 12th grade? SPPS Online students are NOT exempt from this law. Please submit the needed immunization information (documentation of the vaccinations or documentation of a medical or conscientious exemption) to our school nurse, Jenny Martineau if you have a child entering one of these grades. You can email her at Jennifer.martineau@spps.org or text a picture of the documentation to 651-419-1219.

For further information regarding these requirements, or to document a medical or conscientious exemption, follow the links below:

Are Your Kids Ready? What Minnesota’s Immunization Law Requires

Student Immunization Form

Internet assistance for families available!

Please email Joshua Thao at joshua2.thao@spps.org for questions regarding internet assistance.

If a student is still using an old iPad, please schedule a time to swap out their iPad.

An easy way to tell if you have an old iPad is to check:

• If it has a home button, it is old
• If it has an audio jack, it is old

Do you have additional tech questions? Contact Joshua using one of the methods below:

651-744-3196 / joshua2.thao@spps.org‬

Request an in-person appointment with Joshua

• October 2: No School (staff professional development day)
• October 8: Online High School Conferences
• October 14: Career Connect Field Trip
• October 16-17: No School (MEA break)