OWL Weekly Email
March 29, 2026
In an effort to increase communication with our students and families, we send a weekly email on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings highlighting upcoming school events. This information will also be shared with students in Schoology and in Crew on Mondays. Events are listed in chronological order.
NEW! Seeking meal donations for the teacher potluck buffet during Spring Student-Led Conferences: OWL families will be providing a potluck buffet for the teachers in the afternoon and evening of Wed. April 29, 2026 during Student-Led Conferences. Please show your support by signing up to bring a food item or two to donate to the meal. Here is the SignUp Genius link
FAMILY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We have 3 events coming up, on 4/29 (Teacher Potluck on Conference Night), Week of 5/4 (Teacher Appreciation) & 6/5 (Celebration of Learning), for which we need volunteer coordinators. This is a great chance to get more involved in the school and building community. Please go to THIS LINK to sign up to help. Thanks!
Registration for 2026-2027: As we move into the last quarter of the school year, it’s time for students to register for classes for the 2025-2026 school year. Next week, High School Counselor, Jolene, and Middle School Counselor, Katerina, will be going into classes to help students choose their courses for next year. We encourage families to talk with their student(s) about their options. This is a good opportunity to talk about their course selections, plans and hopes for the next school year, as well as postsecondary goals. Below is the course catalog, as well as what each student will be filling out next week.
OWL Course Catalog: CLICK HERE
6th Graders Course Registration Form: CLICK HERE
7th Graders Course Registration Form: CLICK HERE
8th Graders Course Registration Form: CLICK HERE
9th Graders Course Registration Form: CLICK HERE
10th Graders Course Registration Form: CLICK HERE
11th Graders Course Registration Form: CLICK HERE
Please know we will be doing more work on this the week after spring break. This will be a time for students who were absent to register, as well time for students to make adjustments. Nothing is set in stone - there is always opportunity for changes.
If you have any questions, reach out to your student’s school counselor:
Jolene Yang | OWL High School Counselor: Grades 9 - 12 | jolene.yang@spps.org
Katerina Youngberg | OWL Middle School Counselor: Grades 6 - 8 | katerina.youngberg@spps.org
Monday is survey day in Crew: This week we have TWO surveys. Use the QR codes shared in Crew or the links below. Do you have a survey to give? Email megan.hall@spps.org.
1. Use the read-a-thon survey to earn incentives for your reading minutes.
2. Nominate students and staff for yearbook superlatives here.
OWL Crew Parliament: does not meet this week because this time is set aside for academic intervention.
Spring Break: April 4-12
State History Day at Minneapolis Convention Center: Sunday, April 19
Spring Musical Cinderella: April 22-24 at 7PM in OWL Auditorium
Prom at the SOKOL Hall: Saturday, April 25. Middle School 5-7PM, High School 7:30-10PM
Better World Week: April 27-May 1. A week of service events at OWL
Student-Led Conferences: April 29 and 30. Times will be set up with Crew leaders early in April.
This month in Crew: Academic intervention time is set aside in Crew this Wednesday and Thursday. Use this time to end quarter 3 well!
AVID Elective applications are open for the 2026-2027 school year! AVID (Acceleration Via Individual Determination) Elective courses, for students in grades 7-12, provide students with a supportive academic community focused on getting organized, honing academic skills, and exploring college and career opportunities. If you want to get into an AVID Elective course, you need to select AVID during registration AND apply at this link. Families can attend a virtual information session on May 12 6:30-7:15 PM at this link. AVID applications are due May 15.
Middle School Spring Sports Registration is open: You can register your student for middle school sports online. Spring sports include: Girls Badminton and Girls and Boys Track & Field. Our season runs from March 30 - May 30. Practices are Monday-Thursdays. There will be no practices and/or games on non-school days.
Game schedules can be found at StPaulCity.org. There is also an app you can download. It is called Activity Scheduler. When you choose your school, please choose Humboldt, not Humboldt Middle. You will have access to all HS and MS schedules.
To register online, click THIS LINK. Scroll down towards the bottom of the page and choose the link "St. Paul Humboldt Middle School Spring Athletic Registration 26.
All student must have a sports physical to participate. A sports physical is valid for three years.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at Barbara.Lawrence@spps.org or call/text at (651) 744-5600.
AVID Schoolwide: Do you have tests coming up? Try making one-pagers to help learn the material.
Read-a-Thon: The Read-a-Thon is ON! Be sure to bring something to read (or Success Maker) to Crew every Wednesday in March and April. The three Crews with the most reading minutes will win ice cream parties. Prizes and certificates will also be awarded for students who reach 200-minute, 500-minute, and 1000-minute reading milestones; the top two readers in each grade; and student who read books with civic engagement themes. Read-a-thon surveys are open; students should submit their minutes every week in March and April.
Purple Press Student Newspaper: CLICK HERE to read the latest issue of the newspaper.
High School Athletics Newsletter: Click HERE to find out about what is happening in OWL/Humboldt sports.
LAST CHANCE!!! OWL Family Directory Sign Up: As a citywide magnet school with families living all around St. Paul and beyond, the OWL Family Directory is a great way to connect with the OWL community. It includes contact information that you choose to share. You have the choice to opt into the directory; therefore, your information will not be included if you do not provide it to us.
We had our first sign up in December, but in case you missed joining, we are having another opportunity to join. If you would like to have your family’s contact information included or updated in the directory, please click on this link to complete THIS FORM. Deadline is Friday, April 3.
NOTE: You do NOT need to complete this form if your information is already included from fall. Current directory was emailed out on Tuesday 3/3. If any of your information has changed, please complete the form.
Your information will remain in the directory each year until your student graduates unless you request to be removed by contacting Tammy in the OWL office at tammy.plaman@spps.org
If you have any questions, please contact parent volunteer Anna Gorton: awgorton@gmail.com
This month in Crew: March Crew lessons focus on integrity and the read-a-thon. OWL Crew Parliament members who attend meetings will be ready to lead one integrity lesson every Tuesday.
Parent patrol: In order to ensure everyone's safety and confidence this coming week, I am asking for your help in making sure all the volunteer positions are manned.
The Parent patrol signup form will be continued until spring break. You can find it HERE-- Password: OWL640
SLAC (Student Library Advisory Council) is looking to produce a magazine that is composed of student-made stories, artwork, poetry, and more, about personal experiences that they or a person they know has had with ICE, immigration, or border patrol. Once produced, this magazine will be freely available for anyone to take in the OWL library.
Students may choose to remain anonymous if they’d prefer, and if they choose to make a story about someone that they know, make sure to ask consent before proceeding. We appreciate any and all submissions!
Submit your stories to:
agottfried001@stpaul.k12.mn.us
MCA & MTAS/Alt MCA Testing 2025-2026: Each spring, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) is provided to students in mathematics (grades 6,7,8 and 11). The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) is provided to students in reading (grades 6-8 and 10) and science (grades 8 and in high school upon completing biology). These tests provide a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. The MCA are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. The Minnesota Department of Education and SPPS can use results to look across student groups, schools and districts to evaluate equitable learning opportunities for all students.
Assessments are designed to provide information about student learning, but there is no single assessment that can provide the full perspective of what a student has learned. These assessments provide one data point that should be considered in the context of additional evidence of student learning.
The spring testing schedule is below. All MCA tests will take place during Periods 1, 2 and possibly 4 if students do not finish.
If you have questions about your student’s participation in statewide assessments, reach out rebecca2.palmer@spps.org , the schools testing coordinator.
For more information on the MCA and MTAS please go to:
· SPPS MCA & MTAS/Alt MCA Family Testing Information website: https://www.spps.org/about/departments/research-evaluation-assessment/test-coordination/mca-family-information
· MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/
DONATIONS NEEDED: Donations are key to making sure OWL bathrooms remain stocked with free period products for students. Please consider donating pads or tampons so that OWL's feminism club can continue distributing them to bathrooms (as of right now there are no pads in stock). Donations can be dropped off in the OWL office.
DONATIONS NEEDED: The Closet - We are collecting items for families who are impacted by recent local events:
Non-perishable food items: Flour, Rice, Maseca Corn Flour, Beans
Hygiene products: full size shampoo/conditioner, soaps including dish, laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet paper
Please bring to room 2209 - Rebekah's classroom
Yearbook: Order your copy of this year’s OWL yearbook here!!
If you have any photos that you think would make a great addition to the yearbook, please email the photos to Emily, our lead student editor, at etotushek001@stpaul.k12.mn.us
Join OWL PTO on Facebook: Keep up with what is happening at OWL: https://www.facebook.com/groups/878792348867374
One proven way to live a happy life is to express gratitude. Is there a staff member at OWL that has done something you are grateful for? Shoot them an email! An alternative and way has been made available by filling out this link. (This form requires an email but is sent anonymously.)
Important Reminder about Attendance:
If your child is going to miss school, please call, email owlattendance@spps.org or write a note to explain the reason for the absence. If we do not hear from you, the absence is documented as unexcused. After 3 days of unexcused absences, you will receive a letter from the school reminding you to please communicate with us so the absence(s) may be documented accurately. If your child continues to miss school, unexcused, he/she will be referred to the SAM (School Attendance Matters) Program for intervention.
The following reasons for absence qualify as an excused absence; illness, doctor, dental or therapy appointment (please be sure to obtain a note to give to the school), extreme family emergency or religious holiday not already recognized by our school district. When a student misses 3 or more class periods in one day, this is considered to be a full day of absence. Please call us if you have any questions/concerns.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
The University of St. Thomas School of Engineering STEPS Camp Registration is open!
What is STEPS?
STEPS is a one-day camp designed to inspire girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to explore engineering, though all students in these grades are welcome to participate. Campers will explore the engineering design process, visit UST engineering labs, and explore life on campus. Students will have the opportunity to make new friends and learn from college students and teachers about engineering. Lunch and a morning snack are provided. You can read more about STEPS here.
Who is it for?
For students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grade for the 2026/2027 school year, so that they will have the opportunity to sign up for STEM electives at their school in the fall.
When is STEPS being offered?
Monday, June 22, 2026: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Tuesday, June 23, 2026: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Wednesday, June 24, 2026: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Thursday, June 25, 2026: 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Friday, June 26, 2026: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Note: There is a $15 non refundable registration fee. Please register for the day that works best for you.
Where is STEPS?
The University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Campus. 2115 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105
You can register here. Please share this email with other families and spread the word about this low-cost program.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Kelsey Irizarry at CEE@stthomas.edu.
Math Corps at Macalester: Paid positions for high school students in grades 9-11 in June and July. More information HERE
Summer Outward Bound Opportunity: Outward Bound has 4 additional spots on the summer canoeing expeditions on the upper St. Croix River. This trip is specifically for OWL 9-11th grade students at a greatly subsidized cost. The available trip date is July 20-July 25, 2026. The cost of the 6-day trip is $450, which is a significant discount from a typically 6-day course. Please email dave.gundale@spps.org directly and Dave will connect you with the Outward Bound trip leader. This is an awesome opportunity to develop leadership skills and engage in a fun summer adventure.
Summit Education: 2026 Summer Programs
Summit Education organizes virtual summer programs empowering the next generation of leaders in STEM. In 2026, Summit will host the Summit STEM Fellowship (SSF) and Summit Research Scholars (SRS).
- Summit STEM Fellowship (SSF): SSF aims to empower the next generation of leaders in STEM. Students explore diverse STEM fields and career pathways, learning from 50+ mentors from Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. The fellowship is a flexible 10 - 15 hour/week commitment, allowing students to participate alongside other summer activities.
- Summit Research Scholars (SRS): SRS equips students with the tools to conduct original research. The bootcamp covers essential research methodologies and technical skills, such as research design, literature analysis, Python programming, and data science, culminating in a Research Capstone project. The program emphasizes using research to solve real-world problems.
Applications for Summer 2026 programs are now open! Admissions are rolling, and students are encouraged to apply early to maximize their chances of acceptance. To learn more and apply, please visit www.summiteducation.org
FREE Summer Camp at the U of M: The Science of Breadmaking Info HERE
FREE Summer Camp at the U of M: Food, Agriculture and U Info HERE
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
NEW! The Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC) at CLUES St. Paul is a vibrant, free drop-in center designed for youth ages 14-18 to explore their passions through high-end technology. Whether a student is interested in becoming a great music producer or a graphic designer, we provide the space, the tools, and the mentorship to help them get there.
What we offer:
· Creative Arts: Hands-on experience in photography, graphic design, filmmaking, laser-engraving, and more!
· Digital Media: Professional-grade music production and recording.
· Innovation: VR and emerging technologies.
· Mentorship: Guidance from mentors to help students turn hobbies into future career paths.
More information HERE
Questions: Vicky 651.379.4201 VDelgado@clues.org
Food Resources Information from Ramsey County: Click HERE for more information
Give Kids a Smile is a charitable outreach program that provides free dental care to underserved children (typically ages 3-18).
OWL Schoolwide Norms
· Respect people, their boundaries and identities, materials, and spaces
· Be kind, caring and friendly, especially when it’s difficult
· Keep an open mind: engage in opportunities and courageous conversation
· Help create safe and brave spaces so that everyone can be their authentic selves and speak their truths
· Actively listen and participate (one mic, one voice), staying engaged and following through on commitments and expectations. We are Crew, not passengers.