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.

Students at SPPS Online High School are expected to read one book per quarter in English. Libby is the library app students can use to check out and read books online; however, please visit your local public library. The public library is a great location for students to work quietly with Free Wifi!

Explore the Operating Engineers Pathway with Local 49

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 has partnered with Saint Paul Public Schools to offer an exciting apprenticeship readiness opportunity for students interested in heavy equipment operation. The classroom is located at LEAP High School, and the soon-to-come new Saint Paul Public Schools' Sandbox that allows students to develop and perfect their heavy machine operating skills along with hands-on events with industry partners.

• Take 4 courses designed to explore careers in equipment operation
• Classroom learning & hands-on experience every day from 1-4 p.m.
• Receive high school credit
• Opportunity for articulated college and apprenticeship credits
• Work with 49ers career navigators to determine next steps, including:
• Apprenticeship opportunities
• Planning for additional schooling

For more information visit us at SPPS.org/careerpathways and

https://local49.org/pathway-mn/#courses

Or contact Jennifer Vigil (jennifer.vigil@spps.org)

Students in Health class completed two projects during their Nutrition Unit:

1. In their Whole Food One-Pager, students analyzed the nutrients and health benefits of one of their favorite non-processed foods. Popular topics included strawberries, carrots, and watermelon.

2. In their Fad Diet Analysis, students explored a specific fad diet that is popular right now. They discussed factors that make the diet appealing, differentiated its potential health risks and benefits, and gave an overall review based on their findings.

Every month, SPPS Online High School teachers and staff nominate and select one Student of the Month from each grade level. Students can be selected based on a variety of criteria, including:

• Academic excellence and/or improvement
• Positively supporting and assisting peers
• Embracing a growth-mindset
• Completing particularly creative, insightful, and/or meaningful projects
• Helping build a welcoming school climate

Congratulations to our October Students of the Month; we appreciate you!

• 9th Grade: Jai’Yonna Burts-Fields
• 10th Grade: Valencia Puente
• 11th Grade: Alex Alegria
• 12th Grade: Leon Vang

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.

Hope Breakfast Bar

• Starting Monday, November 3rd between 7-9am stop by Hope St. Paul to pick up fresh pancakes.

Today’s Harvest Market

• If you need food immediately, Today’s Harvest is your best option. You can choose your own food, and it’s open 6 days a week. Monday-Friday: 12pm to 6pm OR Saturday: 10am to 1pm.

• They have two locations you can visit:

• 1740 Van Dyke Street, Maplewood, MN, 55109

• 8264 4th Street North, Oakdale, MN 55128

• https://opencupboard.org/need-food/need-food-today/

Ramsey County Food Resources- https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/residents/assistance-support/assistance/food-resources

Open Cupboard

• Drive-up food service is once a month by APPOINTMENT ONLY

• Open Thursday & Friday

• Schedule your appointment here: https://opencupboard.org/need-food/driveup-service/

Find local community resources for all families: https://www.rccmhc.org/community-bulletin-board

CREW Students,

As we kick off Quarter 2, now is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and build momentum—so you can enjoy your holiday breaks without the stress of catching up. Your success is driven by YOU! Here are three simple steps to help you stay current and succeed:

1. Stay Organized and Plan Ahead

Use a planner or digital calendar to track assignments, tests, and deadlines. Break tasks into smaller steps and set daily goals. A little planning now means less pressure later. You should go to Schoology Daily and look at each of your courses to see what is done and what is coming up!

2. Engage Fully in Online Learning

Be present and proactive in your virtual classes. Turn on your camera when possible, participate in discussions, and take notes. Treat online learning with the same focus you give in-person classes—it makes a big difference.

3. Use Student Academic Support Early and Often

Don’t wait until you're behind. Reach out to your teachers, tutors, or academic support staff as soon as you need help. Whether it’s a quick question or a deeper review, support is here to help you succeed.

Let’s make this quarter your strongest yet. You’ve got this!

Mr. Bush
OHS Principal

P.S.. Seniors and Juniors-if you have a credit recovery course, GET IT DONE and get BACK ON TRACK. Seniors-Graduation is only 217 calendar days away!

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

There has been a dramatic rise in measles cases across the United States, primarily in unvaccinated individuals. Minnesota has confirmed 18 measles cases this year. Nationally, 1,514 cases have been reported through September 23. This puts the United States on track for the highest number of measles cases since the early 1990s. Tragically, two children and one adult have died this year due to measles. Ten cases have been confirmed in the Twin Cities since September 29, so SPPS Health and Wellness would like to remind families to stay up-to-date on immunizations that protect against a number of serious diseases, including measles.

Measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads easily by coughing, talking or being in the same room with someone who has measles. Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed by a rash.

• Measles can be very dangerous, especially for babies and young children.

• About one out of four people who get measles will be hospitalized. The majority of hospitalizations are for children.

• One out of every 1,000 people with measles will develop brain swelling due to infection (encephalitis), which may lead to brain damage.

• Between one to three people out of 1,000 with measles will die, even with the best care.

• Unvaccinated individuals who have been exposed to measles may need to quarantine for up to 21 days.

• The best protection for you and your family against measles is the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine.

The MMR vaccine is a required school immunization and is extremely effective at protecting against measles. Children routinely receive two doses of MMR vaccine: The first at 12-15 months of age, and the second at 4-6 years of age. Families with students who do not have two doses of this vaccine due to a non-medical exemption on file or who are covered under the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act are recommended to consult with their healthcare provider and complete this series even if they have passed these ages.

For more information and up-to-date information about measles cases in the United States, visit https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html or the Minnesota Department of Health at https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/measles/index.html.

Contact Nurse Jenny at 651-744-7712 or Jennifer.martineau@spps.org if you are unsure if your child is fully vaccinated for measles or if you would like more information.

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

• November 6: Last day of Q1 (all work due by 3:00pm)

• November 7: No School (Staff Development)

• November 10: First day of Q2

• November 27-28: No School (Thanksgiving Break)