From the Interim Executive Director/Principal

Dear Seven Hills Parents and Families,
 
I hope you and your family are doing well. We are seeing a glimpse of an official warm up outside. It sure does help melt some of our icy spots but our students will miss the snow hills and forts that may soon melt away. I have some helpful updates for you. This year, Seven Hills has officially updated our school names through the Minnesota Department of Education. Although we will surely continue to nick name ourselves BC or RC (which is just fine), these are the official names of each campus:
 
Seven Hills Preparatory Academy, Bloomington Elementary School 4159-07-010
Seven Hills Preparatory Academy, Richfield Elementary School 4159-07-030
Seven Hills Preparatory Academy, Richfield Middle School 4159-07-020
 
At last week's School Board meeting, the 2023-24 Administrative Organizational Chart was passed starting July 1, 2023. The Administrative Leadership Team and Executive Committee have been working on the best way to move forward with the role of the Interim Executive Director (ED) for the 23-24 school year. As you may know, there will be a significant number of Executive Director vacancies for the upcoming school year. As we see more turnover in education, administration is experiencing a similar turnover. It was decided that instead of posting for a new ED for the next school year, it will be important to work with our internal admin team to support the ED role through their historical knowledge and expertise of Seven Hills. Therefore, it was proposed that I will continue in the role of Interim ED for the 23-24 school year, but the board will restructure my duties to include a more rounded out admin leadership team. Therefore, Seven Hills will be posting in the spring for an Human Resource/Facilities Manager. Ms. Docken will be increasing her role from Special Education Director to Special Services Director. I will remain the Richfield Campus Elementary Principal but I will not be returning as the Middle School Principal. I have so much enjoyed my time getting to know and work with the Middle School staff and students and I hope to continue to still be a part of this program through my support as the ED next year. This means that we will be posting for a Middle School Principal for the next school year. We will also be posting this spring for a part time Executive Assistant to assist the ED.
 
Please see the 2023-24 Administrative Organizational Chart by clicking HERE.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Farrell
Interim Executive Director/Principal
Seven Hills Preparatory Academy

Update From the School Board: The SHPA Board has launched a diversity, equity, and inclusion committee and is looking for active participation from parents and stakeholders who are committed to advancing DEI within the Seven Hills community. We are hoping for at least one passionate parent to join us for a virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 15th, from 5-6pm. The main focus of this meeting will be to review our current SHPA Mission Statement (Seven Hills Preparatory Academy engages students in a rigorous classical education, designed to prepare each one for strong citizenship and life-long learning) and explore if/how it might be updated to more accurately reflect the conviction and purpose of our academy.
 
If you have questions or are interested in participating, please email Teron Buford at tbuford@shpamn.org. For your reference, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee goals and objectives are provided below:


SHPA Breakfast and Lunch: The March breakfast and lunch menu will open Wednesday, February 15th until Monday, February 20th. The ordering window will close at 11:59 PM Monday, February 20th. Please place your orders as soon as possible via OrgsOnline.com, link here. All orders must be placed and paid for before the ordering window closes or the request will be canceled. For further information, please visit the “Lunch” page on the school website, link here.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding school meals please reach out to:
Richfield campus: Josie Schmitz at jschmitz@shpamn.org, (612)314-7600 opt. 4

COVID-19 Update: If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please contact Ms. Erickson, School Nurse, and follow the MDH COVID-19 Isolation Guide. Contact Mr. Barrios, COVID-19 Coordinator, with any questions and see the SHPA COVID-19 Webpage for resources and information. 

Updated Parent or Guardian’s Guide to School: This guide describes and explains the public school system in Minnesota and the role families can play in their child’s education. It is a practical guide to help parents or guardians understand their student’s rights as well as the opportunities and resources available to the families and students. The guide was updated in December 2022 and can be found on MDE’s English Learner Education page. MDE is working to get the document translated in the future.

Richfield Campus Civitas Fair: On Thursday, April 20th, we will be hosting our fourth annual Civitas Fair from 5:30-7:30pm! This is an event for families to share their traditions and cultures with the rest of the Seven Hills Richfield Campus Community. We encourage all of the Seven Hills Richfield Campus community to not only attend, but share about your culture and traditions with others. This opportunity is open to families, faculty, and students!

If you would like to operate a booth or host a demonstration at the SHPA Richfield Campus Civitas Fair on Thursday, April 20th, 2023, please fill out the form and submit to Seven Hills Richfield Campus, Martine Walker no later than April 7, 2023.
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Feria de Civitas: un evento para que las familias compartan sus tradiciones y culturas con el resto de la comunidad del campus de Seven Hills Richfield. ¡Animamos a toda la comunidad de Seven Hills Richfield Campus a no solo asistir, sino también a compartir su cultura y sus intercambios con los demás.¡Esta oportunidad está abierta para familias, profesores y estudiantes!

Si desea operar un puesto o presentar una demostración en la Feria de Civitas SHPA Richfield Campus el jueves, 20 de abril de 2023, complete el formulario y envíelo a Seven Hills Richfield Campus, Martine Walker a más tardar el  7 de abril de 2023.
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Link to Google Form for booth/demo sign ups: Civitas Google Form

School Dress Code: School uniforms reflect a proper school attitude, identity, and pride consistent with a Classical Education. All SHPA students wear a uniform. We are grateful to students and parents/guardians for their support of our clothing policy.

We have noticed an increase of students wearing legging-like attire as stand-alone bottoms. This falls under causal wear and is not approved under our dress code. If your child would like to wear leggings, a skirt or dress needs to be worn over the top. 

MS Library Volunteer Needed: We are in need of a volunteer for the Middle School library on Monday's from 11:53 - 1:25 pm. Please contact Ms. Gergely at agergely@shpamn.org for more information or to sign up. 

Lunch Volunteer Opportunity: We are looking for a parent or guardian volunteer to assist in our Elementary lunchroom every day, 11am-12pm. Duties would include working with the lead lunch supervisor, helping students with opening their milk or food items, and helping with clean up. If you are interested, please email Principal Farrell at cfarrell@shpamn.org.

SHPA Middle School Band and Choir: Our SHPA Middle School band and choir program began October 1st, but there are still openings! In band and choir, we will develop our instrumental and musicianship skills and develop the voice, we will learn fundamental techniques, collaborate with others, and most importantly make music! For questions contact Mr. Schultz at bschultz@shpamn.org.

See Richfield Campus Document 2022-23 Activities Registration Catalog Registration Form by clicking HERE. 

Cold Weather Reminder:
With the cooling temperatures and incoming colder weather, please make sure your students start bringing their jackets, hats, boots, and mittens. Students will go outside everyday for recess unless it rains or the air temperature is below 0 or the wind chill is below -10. 

Middle School News

PTA

• The SHPA Bloomington Campus K-5 dance will happen Friday, February 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  Parent volunteers are needed! Sign up here.
   
• The SHPA Richfield Campus K-5 dance will happen Friday, February 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
  Parent volunteers are needed! Sign up here.