- 1 - Falcon Files Happy New Year! The first semester has been drawing to a close with students francly subming work to complete course requirements and prepare for semester finals next week. Many of our students have returned from Holiday Break with a new sense of purpose and a much beer view of America. Having traveled to family member homes and warmer climates in the United States, many SPP students have returned with interesng stories to tell about their adventures. While American cultural holidays do not match our student customs and cultures, there have been no complaints from students about the me provided for holiday. I am always intrigued to talk to students returning from holiday vacaons. Many of our students come to SPP on the first day with a Hollywood percepon of America. Living in Minnesota gives students an enrely different perspecve than the one in their minds. Serbian student Alecs Kocic, had the opportunity to visit his cousins in Phoenix, Arizona during the holiday break.His accounts of the weather and the scenery, as well as the family interacons, have given him a totally different perspecve about American culture. He visited Arizona State University, my alma mater, and was so impressed by the size, scope and people, that he is now subming an applicaon for next fall enrollment. Two students who are cousins from Macedonia, Bozhidar Trajkovski (BoBo) and Marna Trajkovska, returned aſter a holiday in their home country and were so thankful to have the opportunity to travel to visit parents and friends that they both brought back giſts for the school represenng Macedonian culture. Each of them had family stories to share and menoned that their mother and father were extremely thankful for having the opportunity to spend me with them aſter being away for five months. Making a personal visit to visit family cannot be underesmated as students connue to need the adult guidance missing during the me apart from parents. Educators and parents somemes dismiss the value that me away from school gives to students. I have to remind myself that each of our students have chosen St. Paul Preparatory School as a desnaon school to advance their educaon. Some of our students are on mulple year visas and will not return home for two or more years. I admire the drive and sacrifice that our foreign students have made to make St. Paul and SPP their home. Our calendar provides opportunies for students to see more than Minnesota. We encourage our host parents and the students to take advantage of the me and the wide array of cultural and educaonal opportunies available in the United States. Travel is a democrac value that brings a broad understanding of a student’s place in the world. Just ask any one of our students; they will share a fascinang story with you about their experiences. John Belpedio MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL In This Issue: Message from the Principal.. 1 Winter Break at SPP ............... 2 Sharing the Holidays............... 3 Awards and Disncons.......... 4 Fight Against Hunger ................ 6
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Falcon Files
Happy New Year! The first semester has been drawing to a close with students franticly submitting work to complete course requirements and prepare for semester finals next week. Many of our
students have returned from Holiday Break with a new sense of purpose and a much better view of America. Having traveled to family member homes and warmer climates in the United States, many SPP students have returned with interesting stories to tell about their adventures. While American cultural holidays do not match our student customs and cultures, there have been no complaints from students about the time provided for holiday.
I am always intrigued to talk to students returning from holiday vacations. Many of our students come to SPP on the first day with a Hollywood perception of America. Living in Minnesota gives students an entirely different perspective than the one in their minds. Serbian student Alecs Kocic, had the opportunity to visit his cousins in Phoenix, Arizona during the holiday break.His accounts of the weather and the scenery, as well as the family interactions, have given him a totally different perspective about American culture. He visited Arizona State University, my alma mater, and was so impressed by the size, scope and people, that he is now submitting an application for next fall enrollment. Two students who are cousins from Macedonia, Bozhidar Trajkovski (BoBo) and Martina Trajkovska, returned after
a holiday in their home country and were so thankful to have the opportunity to travel to visit parents and friends that they both brought back gifts for the school representing Macedonian culture. Each of them had family stories to share and mentioned that their mother and father were extremely thankful for having the opportunity to spend time with them after being away for five months. Making a personal visit to visit family cannot be underestimated as students continue to need the adult guidance missing during the time apart from parents.
Educators and parents sometimes dismiss the value that time away from school gives to students. I have to remind myself that each of our students have chosen St. Paul Preparatory School as a destination school to advance their education. Some of our students are on multiple year visas and will not return home for two or more years. I admire the drive and sacrifice that our foreign students have made to make St. Paul and SPP their home. Our calendar provides opportunities for students to see more than Minnesota. We encourage our host parents and the students to take advantage of the time and the wide array of cultural and educational opportunities available in the United States. Travel is a democratic value that brings a broad understanding of a student’s place in the world. Just ask any one of our students; they will share a fascinating story with you about their experiences.
John Belpedio
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPALIn This Issue:Message from the Principal.. 1
Winter Break at SPP............... 2
Sharing the Holidays............... 3
Awards and Distinctions.......... 4
Fight Against Hunger................ 6
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WINTER BREAK AT SPPFor many students winter break is a time to relax and spend time with family and friends. Some of our students flew home to spend time with their family, who they had not seen from for five months. Other students traveled within the United States during the break. Some went to visit friends, like Nichakorn Nithinanthitaporn (Patty), a 10th grader from Thailand, who visited her friend in New York City. While there Patty had the opportunity to visit the Statue of Liberty and celebrate New Year’s Eve in Time Square.
Some students traveled with their Host Families to visit relatives. Biyang Bai (Arthur), a 12th grader from China, went to Arizona with his host mom and host brother to see their family. Then there were students like Berkay Ozkumova, a 12th grader from Turkey, who went to visit the college that he hopes to attend in the fall.
Not all SPP students traveled during break, some stayed in Minnesota and spent time with their host families celebrating the holidays in a new way. SPP students baked Christmas cookies, wrapped and exchanged presents, went ice skating, and visited local museums and city landmarks.
Here at SPP we know that it is hard for many of our international students to be away from home. This is why Host Families are so vital for our students. For those students who did not go home over winter break, they were still able to have a family around them. These students stayed at home with their Host Family and watch movies, helped prepare Christmas dinner, participated in the tradition of gift giving at Christmas.
Despite not traveling during the Holidays students took advantage of the time away from school. Many ventured out into the city visiting museums and attending events. Yi Zhang, a 12th grader from China, went to the Walker Art Museum, Seung Hyun, a 12th grader from South Korea, went to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, while Meng Li (Alison), a 12th grader from China, went to a rock n’ roll concert. Jiayue Liu (Vanilla), a 10th grader from China, cooked traditional Chinese food for her Host Family over break. All in all, SPP students found themselves enjoying more of the American culture and sharing their culture with their host families.
St. Paul Preparatory School Falcon Files
From December 20th to January 4th SPP students celebrated their winter
break from the academic school year. Some students flew home to spend time with family and friends. Other students traveled within the United States to visit family members or extended family members of their host families. While, other students stayed right here in Minnesota and celebrated new holidays and traditionals.
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SHARING THE HOLIDAYSBy Host Mom Morgan Lindquist
I have been hosting international students through St. Paul Preparatory School for many years. I find opening my home to these students to be a rewarding and educational experience. One of my favorite times of year to host students is around the Holidays. I get to introduce my host students to new traditions and they have the time to teach me about their culture. This winter break three of my host students stayed with my family. Due to having such a large and active family my students were kept busy with all the activity at our house. On Christmas Eve we had a family dinner that featured a crown roast, which my host students had never eaten before. After dinner each family member, including our host students, had the opportunity to open one gift at a time. Due to having such a large family this took about three hours, but my children and our students were excited to see what present everyone received. On Christmas morning everyone received a large bag full of food and gifts. After gifts were open I set out different crock pots full of food and our family ate periodically throughout the day. The rest of the day was spent playing board games, watching movies, and just spending time together as a family.
After the holidays our family took our students to a lacrosse game. During the rest of winter break our students spent time with their friends and our family. It was a nice and relaxing break for all of us.
Morgan Lindquist
St. Paul Preparatory School Falcon Files
“I find opening my home to these students to be a rewarding and educational experience.”
St. Paul Preparatory School
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Emily Jablonski, a 12th grader from the United States, has received one of the most highly recognized art awards in Minnesota. Jablonski is receiving the Gold Key award from the Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards for five of her pieces of artwork. She is also receiving the Silver Key award for another five pieces. “The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards blindly judges all submitted work. All work is judged by leaders in the visual and literary arts. Jurors look for works that exemplify the Awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergences of personal voice or vision,” according to Scholastic Art & Writing Awards website. Jablonski’s work was judged against 2900 single student entries and profiles from across the state.
“Emily had been an amazing art student and her work ethic is beyond compare,” states SPP’s Art teacher Kate Woolever-Martinez. She came to SPP as a sophomore student so it has been a joy to watch her art skills develop!”
Jablonski artwork has also been selected for The Les Farrington Best 100 Juried Art Competition in March 2014.
She also received 2nd place in the 2014 Congressional Art Awards. This award winning piece is currently hanging in the Washington D.C. office of the U.S. Representative for Minnesota’s 4th congressional district, Betty McCollum. She is currently applying to some of the top art schools in the United States and hopes to make her passion for the arts a career.
MN Scholastic Art Awards
AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS
“Fish Bones” Gold Key Winner
“Garden Bicycle” Gold Key WinnerArt Teacher Kate Woolever-Martinez (left) and Student Emily Jablonski (right)
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Model United NationsOn Saturday, January 10th two St. Paul Preparatory School students received a prestigious award at their Model United Nations Conference in Edina, Minnesota.
Nelofar Sultan, a 12th grader from Pakistan, and Ipek Atalay, an 11th grader from Turkey, received a Verbal Commendation award for their work as Model UN delegates. “The Verbal Commendation award recognizes students who articulated themselves well while representing their country accurately and negotiating for solutions in a way that is realistic to the issue and the country they represent.
For students who do not speak English as their first language, this is an incredible achievement,” states Ms. Redding, SPP’s Social Studies teacher and Model UN staff leader. Due to the Model UN’s emphasis on collaboration and cooperation it is rare that an award such as this is given out. Both students were recognized out of 300 students representing 13 different schools.
Sultan has been in SPP’s Model UN since her sophomore year, while Atalay has been involved for Model UN for seven years both at SPP and in Turkey. “Nelo has shown incredible growth and dedication in her years here at SPP. I am so proud that her hard work has finally paid off,” stated Redding. “Ipek arrived as an elite competitor this year and has demonstrated consistent excellence that deserves recognition. I’m certain they will both again command the attention of the Dias in conferences to come. I couldn’t be more proud of both of them.”
Ipek Atalay (left), Kara Redding (center), and Nelofar Sultan (right)
ST. PAUL PREPARATORY SCHOOL TEACHERS & STAFFTeachersTiffany Good, M.A. - ELL/English Writing/FrenchLauris Grundmanis – ScienceYe Han - TOEFL/Chinese/ELLShai Hayo, M.A. - Spanish Erik Iverson - Physical Education/Health/Director of AthleticsSonja Johnson - ELLBonnie Larson - MathMichael May - MusicPam Norton - EnglishMegan Peterson - Language Arts/Social StudiesKristin Radermacher - MathKara Redding, M. Ed. - Social StudiesSheila Stormont - EnlgishKyle Treddinnick - Social StudiesJim Walker, M.A. - STEM Director/Math/TechnologyP.J. Wiggin - Social StudiesKate Woolever-Martinez - Art
AdminstrationJohn Belpedio, Eds - PrincipalJennifer Braulich, M.A. - Admissions DirectorAnnika Bowers, M.A. - Homestay Program CoordinatorKim Devlin - Dean of Student LivingRebecca Gibbons - Short Term Program Placement Coord.Ginger Hasche - Administrative Assistant/ReceptionistTrudy Hill, M.S. - International School CounselorBrianna Samson - Markting & Community Outreach Coord.Nienke Wijnia - Admissions & Enrollment
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St. Paul Preparatory School 380 Jackson Street, Suite 100
THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGERWorking to End Hunger in MN Hunger is both a local and worldwide issue that affects millions of individuals and families each day. On January 21st St. Paul Preparatory School decided to help local individuals who do not have enough food to survive on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly basis. Sixty-nine SPP seniors and five SPP staff volunteered their time at Second Harvest Heartland. “The non-profit is one of the largest and most efficient food banks in the United States. They procure food from manufactures, farmers, and food drive then distribute the food through their warehouses to agency partners such as food pantries and soup kitchens,” according to their website.
Students and staff were split into two groups: one bagged potatoes, while the other group bagged tortillas and rice. In four hours SPP bagged 12,235 pounds of food. All this food will be distributed to local homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens in the Twin Cities area. “This was a very eye-opening experience for our students,” stated SPP’s principal John Belpedio. “Many of our students do not realize that hunger is an issue that affects thousands of people not just here in the Twin Cities but all across the state, country, and the world. To even make a small dent in hunger is a huge accomplishment. We hope this experience will make our students excited about philanthropy.”
St. Paul Preparatory School Falcon Files
The Second Harvest Heartland trip is a part of SPP’s hunger initiative, which started at the beginning of second semester. For this initative students are grouped up in teams of three or four. As a group students must define a specific problem based around the issue of hunger. Once a problem has been defined, the groups need to research the problem and then come up a solution to the issue. They must then sell this solution by creating a display that promotes their plan which will be judged by outside sources at the end of March. The wining solution will be chosen and awarded.
For more information about Second Harvest Heartland and their fight against
