OWL Weekly Email: Read the latest news bulletin
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OWL Weekly Email
December 9, 2024
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.
Welcome to Week 5: Monday, December 9 is a B day.
Monday is survey day: Monday is usually survey day, but we get this week off! Enjoy!
NEW! Read the latest edition of the OWL School Newspaper: Find the PURPLE PRESS HERE
TODAY! Dining out with OWL’s Robotics Team on Monday 12/09/2024 from 4-8 pm. at Davanni's - 41 S Cleveland Ave, St Paul, MN 55378 (Grand Avenue and Cleveland Avenue)
Whether ordering in-person, ordering online, or calling ahead, be sure to mention the OPEN CIRCUITS fundraiser and 20% of proceeds will go to the robotics team! Flyer with information HERE.
THIS WEEK! Join the OWL Theatre for an evening of puckish fun! The OWL Theatre will be performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream Wed-Fri, December 11th-13th at 7pm: Ticket prices are 9$ for adults and 6$ for students. The reduced price is 3$ or pay what you can at the door. There is also the option to donate to support students who are unable to pay full price.
Follow this link to purchase tickets. Thank you for supporting the performing arts at OWL!
No Flipside Thursday December 12: Due to conferences at Humboldt, there will be no Flipside on Thursday, December 12th, and no buses will run at 5pm. Flipside students should leave at 3pm on Thursday.
College March is Friday, December 13: The Class of 2025 College March is at 10 AM in the auditorium. All senior families are warmly welcomed to attend. March and potluck lunch to follow.
Long Crew Day is Friday, December 20: The last day before Winter Break will be spent with Crews. Each group plans a day of service, food and fun. Students may be asked to bring in a food item or pay for a field trip. More information coming from Crew leaders.
Winter Break: There will be no school from December 21 through January 5. Classes resume on Monday, January 6.
Choir Concert is January 9 from 7-8:30 PM: Come enjoy a wonderful night of music from our middle school, varsity, concert and jazz choirs.
Prospective Family Showcase is Thursday, January 16 from 6:30-8pm: If you have another child or any relatives, friends or neighbors who may looking for a secondary school, let them know about our Showcase evening. It is a great way to get an overview of the program. You can also register for Tours and Shadowing during the school day
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 20: No School
OWL Community Meeting: Students and Families are warmly invited to join the OWL Community Group—the organization that combines our PTO and Site Council functions. This is a great way to have your voice heard in the vision of our school community and to find out what is happening at OWL. Here are the dates of the meetings for this school year:
· Tuesday, January 21 - 6:30 - 8:00
· Tuesday, February 18 - 6:30 - 8:00
· Tuesday, March 18 - 6:30 - 8:00
· Tuesday, April 15 - 6:30 - 8:00
· Tuesday, May 20 - 6:30 - 8:00
All are welcome and encouraged to attend—hope to see you!
Winter Dance is Friday, January 31: The Middle School dance is from 5:30-7PM and the High School Dance is from 7:30-9:30PM.
OWL History Day Wednesday, February 5 from 5:30-8 PM: Come celebrate all the great projects as students vie for the chance to represent OWL at Regional History Day.
NAAPID during the school day is Monday, February 10: Families are invited to come spend some time at school with their student in celebration of National African-American Parent Involvement Day.
NAAPID Evening Celebration is Thursday, February 13 from 6-8 pm: Families are warmly invited to spend the evening in celebration of National African-American Parent Involvement Day with cultural presentations, activities and great food.
Application Deadline to OWL for Fall 2025 is Friday, February 14: If you have another student applying to OWL for next year, be sure to submit your application by 2/14.
Presidents’ Day is Monday, February 17: No School
PSEO Info Night (Virtual) is Wednesday, February 19 at 6pm: Families of students iin grades 9-11 who are interested in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Option for next school year can join us virtually to find out more about the program and application process.
NEW! Cardboard Needed for Art Class: The art classroom needs thin cardboard for an upcoming project. Please send thin cardboard (cereal boxes, etc. not corrugated cardboard) with your student to school and have them bring it to the art room.
The Middle School Winter sports season is underway, with the only active team currently being the Middle School Wrestling team. They will compete until January 15th, after which the Middle School Boys Basketball team will begin their season.
The Wrestling team had their first meet yesterday at Battle Creek, competing against teams from Hidden River, Highland Park, Murray, Capitol Hill, Txuji Ci, Battle Creek, and Fridley.
Their next meet will take place on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Hidden River Middle School, with matches starting at 4:30 pm. Unfortunately, we will not be hosting a meet here at Humboldt.
Here is our schedule for the season:
12/9 at Hidden River - 4:30pm
12/19 at Murray - 4:30pm
1/9 at Capitol Hill - 4:30pm
1/11 at Highland Park High School - 9:30am
1/15 at Txuji Ci - 4:30pm
Spiritwear is back for delivery before winter break: We will be loading inventory into the school store this week and opening it up for delivery before winter break! We have inventory on hand of many items, both old and new designs. Great gifts for students, parents, siblings and grandparents!
Let Mitch know if you have any questions: treasurer@owlpto.org or 612-618-8904
Give to the Max Day Final Total: I’m very pleased to announce that through the generosity of the OWL community we have reached our goal for Give to the Max Day 2024!
· $33,280 total raised! This includes funds from two matching donors, employer matching, recurring monthly donations and one golden ticket.
· 132 unique donors! This is an increase of 36 over last year.
· 4 new recurring monthly donors! The OWL PTO will receive regular donations of $290 every single month (some donors have given monthly for over 6 years!)
Thank you all for your donations and support. This money will directly support our students through a variety of programs sponsored by the PTO including fall fieldwork trips, spring interim, teacher grants and more. We are lucky to have such a great set of supporters that step up year after year to make OWL a wonderful place for our kids.
If you have made a donation, you will receive a code in the next couple weeks for the merchandise at the level you contributed. You can redeem this at the school store website (see below). Let Mitch know if you have any questions: treasurer@owlpto.org or 612-618-8904
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Join Us for an Unforgettable Adventure in Peru! Discover the wonders of Peru on an extraordinary journey filled with breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and rich history. From the majestic peaks of the Andes to the lush Amazon rainforest, Peru offers an adventure like no other. We’ll explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, wander through the cobblestone streets of Cusco, and cruise on Lake Titicaca. If you are interested in joining us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, please RSVP at this link and learn more at our meeting December 18th, 7pm in the OWL cafeteria (or virtually - still RSVP and I will send you a link). Contact Tom.Totushek@spps.org for more information.
Archery - The season is just getting started. If you are ready to sign up you can do so at this link. If you have any questions you can look at our FAQ here or email openworldarchery@gmail.com.
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.)
OWL believes that access to menstrual/period products is a right. If you are able to donate to help us provide free menstrual/period products so that they are always available, please consider donating some by dropping them off with Tammy in the front office. From there we will make sure they get to where they are needed.
Donors Choose Projects for OWL: Donations to support the work of OWL students are gratefully accepted!
Stress Less, Get it off your Chest!
Help Ms. Ma’lene give her students some tools for self-regulation which will reduce stress and anxiety and increase focus in the classroom.
Friday Fun Time: De-Stress and Celebrate
Provides enrichment supplies to ALL of OWL's 23 Crews.
Community Announcements:
Community Resources for Eye Care and Glasses HERE
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.
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.