St. Louis Park Public Schools: School News
District Announces Principal Changes for 2018-19 In the Spring of 2018, St. Louis Park Public Schools announced several principal changes at its elementary schools for the 2018-19 school year. Susan Lindgren Elementary School Principal Frank Johnson retired on June 30, 2018. “I would like to thank Frank for his dedication to the students, staff, and families in the district during his 24 years of service,” Superintendent Astein Osei said. “Frank has had a tremendous impact on the lives of students and families in this school district and his leadership will be missed.” Clarence Pollock took over as Principal of Susan Lindgren Elementary School on July 1, 2018. Clarence most recently served as Principal at Aquila Elementary School and has spent the last 25 years as a teacher, principal and administrator in the district. “While I will miss the Aquila community, I am so excited to learn and grow with the team at Susan Lindgren,” Pollock said. Shelley Nielsen is now the Principal at Aquila Elementary School. Shelley
most recently served as Principal at Peter Hobart Elementary School and was on leave from the District during the 2017-18 school year. Shelley has more than 29 years experience in St. Louis Park Public Schools as a teacher, coach, and principal. Shelley was previously the Principal at Aquila Elementary School from 2007-2010. She is excited to return to the Aquila families and staff and continue the outstanding tradition of excellence. After serving as Interim Principal of Peter Hobart Elementary School during the 2017-18 school year, Kari Schwietering was named Principal of Peter Hobart on July 1, 2018. Kari is a graduate of St. Louis Park High School and began teaching at St. Louis Park High School 16 years ago. She has also previously served as Director of Students and Assistant Principal at St. Louis Park High School. “I believe that as a district we have a number of talented leaders who are licensed and ready for this type of leadership opportunity,” Superintendent Osei said.
District Announces New Assistant Principals
St. Louis Park Public Schools is pleased to announce the addition of three new assistant principals for the 2018-19 school year.
Tolzin
Busse
Goggleye
Olivia Tolzin has been named Assistant Principal at Aquila Elementary School. Most recently, Tolzin was the IB Coordinator for Aquila Elementary School. She has extensive experience in elementary education and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. This elementary school assistant principal position is a pilot for the 2018-19 school year. It combines the IB Coordinator position with other principal duties, including student discipline, and supervision and evaluation of staff. Aquila Elementary School was selected for the pilot because of its increasing enrollment. Jessica Busse and Todd Goggleye have been named Assistant Principals at St. Louis Park High School. Busse was most recently an assistant principal in Minneapolis. She also has seven years of experience as a middle school and high school math teacher. She says that her leadership comes from supporting staff and the work of the school within the greater community. Goggleye recently lead the American Indian Magnet School in St. Paul, and previously held administrative roles leading schools in Willmar, Robbinsdale, and Minneapolis. He says that culture is essential to student learning and relationships with families and communities.
Johnson
Pollock
Nielsen
Schwietering
2018-19 Calendar has Mailed St. Louis Park residents should have received a 2018-19 City-School Calendar in their mailbox by August 1, 2018. If you have not received your calendar, contact the District Office at 952-928-6000 to have one mailed to you. The calendar is also available online and can be downloaded and printed from home. The City-School calendar is intended to keep residents up-to-date on important events, meetings, holidays, and other events happening in the city and schools.
District Hires New Director of Curriculum & Instruction In June of 2018, the District announced that Dr. Patrick Duffy had been hired to fill the position of Director of Curriculum & Instruction.
Dr. Duffy is an educational equity leader, ethnographer, and educator who earned his Bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Minnesota and later earned his Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and his Doctorate in Educational Policy and Administration. His career spans more than 20 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and district administrator in suburban and urban K-12 schools. Dr. Duffy most recently served as the Director of Secondary Schools for AnokaHennepin Schools.
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