Hall Star Shine Weekly

As we step into a new week of learning and growing together, we’re feeling grateful for the steady partnership of our Hall Star families. Your encouragement, communication, and care truly help our scholars shine brighter each day. Here’s what’s happening across our community in the week ahead as we have 10 more school days in 2025 before Winter Break! Let’s keep the momentum going!

Our Hall Stars have been hard at work creating special crafts for Sanctuary Covenant Church’s Holiday Makers Market on Sunday, December 7th! We’re grateful for this partnership and excited for our students to shine in a real community space. If you’re able, stop by to support our young makers, enjoy the BIPOC gift market, and take in the festive fun - your encouragement means the world to them!

We will be selling Hall Star-made crafts on Sunday, December 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM at Sanctuary Covenant Church for their special Holiday Makers Market. 🎄🎁

The market will also include:
❄️ Photos with Black Santa
❄️ Special Christmas treats
❄️ BIPOC/Northside Boutique with wrapping station featuring 13 incredible vendors!

We know that news about immigration enforcement can create worry for many families, and we want to be clear: every child is welcome at Hall STEM Academy, and every child has the right to a safe, supportive education - no matter their immigration status. Minneapolis Public Schools does not collect immigration information, protects student privacy under federal law, and follows strict protocols to keep our schools safe spaces for all.

We encourage families to review the resources provided by the City of Minneapolis, and please reach out if you have questions or need support. You are valued members of our community, and we are here for you. 💛

Families, thank you for continuing to prioritize strong daily attendance. It truly makes a difference in your child’s learning and sense of belonging. As a reminder, school begins at 7:30 AM and students should arrive at 7:10 AM. Students are expected to be in their classrooms ready to learn at 7:30 AM. Arriving late, even by a few minutes, means missed instruction and counts toward attendance concerns under MPS Policy 5100.

Planning travel or a family trip?
MPS requires pre-approval from the principal for any excused vacation or travel (up to 5 days). Please submit requests at least 10 school days in advance so we can review and approve them.

Illness guidelines:
If your child is sick, please call our attendance line each day. After 6 consecutive days of illness or 10 cumulative absences, a doctor’s note is required for the absences to remain excused.

We appreciate your partnership in keeping attendance strong and ensuring every Hall Star has the best opportunity to grow, connect, and shine! 💛

• Sunday, December 7th | Sanctuary Holiday Makers Market
• Tuesday, December 16th | Merry Market
• Friday, December 19th | Last Day of School Before Winter Break
• Monday, December 22nd thru Friday, January 2nd | NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
• Monday, January 5th | First Day of School for 2026!

There’s something truly special about watching siblings learn, laugh, and lift each other up at school. As our 4th graders mentor our Kindergarten students with coding, our Hall Star siblings remind us every day how powerful family connections can be in a learning community. We’re grateful for the joy, teamwork, and big-hearted support they bring to our halls! 💛

Families, please take a moment to RSVP for our Merry Market...back for its second year because you loved it so much! Students will create handmade gifts, families can shop for a special surprise for their child, and everything will be beautifully wrapped thanks to our amazing partners at Sanctuary Covenant Church and Hennepin County Association of Paramedics and EMTs. Space is limited, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible...this is a night you won’t want to miss! 🎁✨

Stay connected with the Hall Star Nation!

Website: https://hall.mpschools.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MPS.HallSTEMAcademy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hallstemacademy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hallstarnation

Twitter: @HallStars_MPS

YouTube: @hallstarsshinebright

As temperatures drop, we want to ensure every Hall Star can safely enjoy outdoor recess whenever conditions allow. MPS guidelines require winter gear - coats, hats, mittens, boots, and snow pants - for students to play outside safely, so please send your child to school bundled and ready for the weather.

Hall STEM Academy

Hall Stars. Shine Bright!

1601 Aldrich Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN, 55411

(612) 668-2650

Sherrill Lindsey, Principal

Sarah Wicklund, Family & Community Liaison

Haley Palmore, Social Worker

Megan Duncan, Counselor

Lisa Cavanna, Secretary

Daisy Lezama, Office Specialist & Transportation Coordinator

Ekta Aggarwal, Licensed School Nurse

Kacia Subject, Health Services Assistant & Attendance Clerk

Cheryl Stevens, STEM Coordinator