SPPS START/END TIMES FOR 2026-27 - The accompanying graphic has the start/end times for the upcoming school year for students at Saint Peter Public Schools. Please note that the times for SPHS and Rock Bend were incorrectly listed in the original graphic that appeared in the back-to-school issue of Highlights.

SUMMER READ & FEED PROGRAM ENTERS FINAL WEEK OF 2026 - The Saint Peter Summer Read & Feed program wraps up after this week, and Read & Feed staff will be serving pizza and root beer floats on Friday to celebrate another successful summer run! For more information on the Read & Feed program, including this week's breakfast & lunch menus, please see the accompanying graphics or the following link --> https://www.stpeterschools.org/article/2962928



SPPS CONCERT REMINDERS FOR THIS WEEK - Today (Tuesday) starts a busy three-day stretch for Saint Peter High School’s Performing Arts Center, as a school-related music concert of some kind will take place over the next three evenings on the PAC stage. The following is a list of this week’s FREE concerts:
* Tonight (Tuesday, May 12) - SPMS 6th Grade Choir Concert, 6 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE: This is the correct time. It was incorrectly reported in last weekend's Saints Connect schedule.)
* Wednesday, May 13 - SPMS Band (gr. 6-8), 6 p.m.; SPHS Spring Band Concert (gr. 9-12), 7:30 p.m.
* Thursday, May 14 - South Elementary Concert, kindergarten at 6:15 p.m.; 1st grade at 6:45 p.m.
For more schedule-related info for SPPS activities, please go to the following link → https://www.thebigsouthconference.org/public/genie/742/school/11/






SCIENCE ON SATURDAY EVENT! Gustavus Adolphus College’s Chemistry Club and Saint Peter Community & Family Education are teaming up to sponsor a “Science on Saturday” event on Saturday, April 11, from 8 a.m. to noon with registration closing on Monday, April 6. Kids in grades 1-6 are invited to attend!
This event includes stations and activities from the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, sustainability, and geology. Each station will have either an interactive component, a fun demo to watch, or both!
See accompanying flyer for more details, including how to sign your child up for this fun and educational day!

Teachers will be available via email and classroom virtual spaces. Principals can be reached by phone or email, and parents are encouraged to contact them with any questions.



THANK YOU SPPS SCHOOL COUNSELORS! National School Counseling Week 2026 is this week (Feb. 2–6), with the theme "School Counselors Amplify Student Success". This week highlights the essential, proactive, and comprehensive impact of over 131,000 school counselors in supporting students' academic, career, and social/emotional development.
Special thanks to our amazing school counselors for all they do for our schools! SPPS School Counselors include Laura Zender (South Elementary), Michelle Doose (Saint Peter Middle School), Regina Sirianni, and Andy Vander Linden (Saint Peter High School/Rock Bend).
National School Counseling Week 2026 is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

PLEASE NOTE -- All practices, games, and events scheduled for Friday have also been canceled. However, all practices, games, and events scheduled for later today (Thursday) and also on Saturday are still on as planned, per the Saints Activities Office. Please check the SPPS social media pages and website for any possible changes.
During Friday’s Flexible Learning Day, teachers will be available via email and through classroom virtual spaces. Principals can be reached by phone or email, and we encourage you to contact them if you have any questions.

PARAPROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION WEEK - Minnesota’s Department of Education and Saint Peter Public Schools are committed to excellence in education and recognize the important role that paraprofessionals play in ensuring success in our schools. This week (January 19-25) has been designated as Paraprofessional Recognition Week in Minnesota, and we would like to thank this dedicated group for the outstanding work they do in support of our students and staff!

We are currently seeking candidates in a variety of areas, including:
* Secretarial/Clerical (4 openings): Including Principal Secretary and Attendance Clerk roles at St. Peter Middle School and North Elementary.
* Student Support Services (5 openings): Roles like School Social Worker, Speech Language Pathologist, and School Nurse.
* Maintenance/Custodial (3 openings): Positions such as Custodial Engineer and Night Housekeeper.
* Support Staff (3 openings): Including Special Education Paraprofessionals and a Community and Family Education Program Assistant.
* Food Service (2 openings): Cook and SUBSTITUTE Cooks/Servers/Dishwashers
* Community Education (2 openings): Lifeguard and Instructor positions.
* Teaching/Education: K-8 Long-Term Adapted Physical Education Teacher (DAPE).
* Other Roles: Language Interpreters, Activity/Event Workers, and Licensed Substitute Teachers.
Ready to make a difference in our community?
See all vacancies and apply online here: Saint Peter Public Schools - Frontline Recruitment
#StPeterSchools #JobSearch #Hiring #EducationJobs #Community












The locally-owned Erberts and Gerberts stores (Laura Hogenson, owner/operator) do their own collection through the United Way’s event through their area stores, with some of those school supplies and backpacks going to our students. Here are some photos of the school supplies that were recently donated to some of our students! Thanks to them for donating these much-needed school supplies!


Saint Peter Middle School staff have been busy during the first two days of Workshop Week, transitioning back into their classrooms as the first phase of the Mend the Middle project winds down. Visit www.mendthemiddle.org for the latest updates on the middle school renovation project. Shown here are some photos of the SPMS staff at work getting their rooms set up.
SPHS students (grades 9-12) return to the classroom at SPHS on Tuesday, Sept. 2, while classes at the other buildings (South, North, and SPMS) begin on Thursday, Sept. 4, after hosting parent/teacher conferences the two previous days.












