top of page
Search

Wolf Pack Press - March 4, 2026

  • 1 day ago
  • 5 min read

Updated: 2 hours ago

Signs of spring are starting to emerge—like the spring Literati Book Fair, which is now open for online sales!



Upcoming Events



  • Tuesday, March 10 - Advisory Council (5:30-6:30) & SAPSA Meeting (6:30-7:30) in school library   


  • Friday, March 13 - Family Friday  (enjoy coffee and bring a pastry to share in cafeteria after drop-off)


  • Friday, March 20 - NO SCHOOL - Conference Prep

  • Tuesday, March 31 - Friday, April 3 - Literati Book Fair (more info below)


  • Wenesday, April 1 - Friday, April 3 - Spring conferences


  • Friday, April 3 - NO SCHOOL - Conferences


Literati Book Fair


This school spring Literati Book Fair is now open for online ordering!


You can access our online store here.

Books purchased through the store raise money for the school. You can also purchase gift cards for your kiddos to use at the in person book fair. Finally, teachers will be compiling wishlists, and you can purchase a book from a wishlist for use in the classroom. So look in on the fair online or in person and keep the pages turning!


The in-person fair will be in the library during spring conferences. The dates/times it will be open are:


  • 3/31. During morning dropoff (7:15AM-8AM)

  • 4/1. During morning dropoff (7:15AM-8AM) and afternoon conferences (3PM-7PM)

  • 4/2 . During morning dropoff (7:15AM-8AM) and afternoon conferences (3PM-7PM)

  • 4/3. During morning conferences (8AM-12PM)


If you are able to volunteer for the in-person fair at any of the dates & times above, please sign up HERE!



SAPSA Plant Sale


HELLO SAP families! Every spring SAPSA does a big, multi-day Plant Sale fundraiser for school programs (like field trips and artists in residence) and classroom supplies.


There are two ways to buy plants at the SAPSA Plant Sale: 


 COMING UP SOON!  The ONLINE PRESALE: There will be an online presale running March 19th through April 11th where you can pre-order plants from our Plant Sale website. (To be picked up next to the Langford Park Rec Center tennis courts on Tuesday May 12th.)


The in-person TENT SALE: There will be a traditional, in-person plant sale on Wednesday May 13th and Thursday May 14th next to the playground at the Langford Recreation Center. Look for tables and tents full of beautiful plants ready for your shopping pleasure. 


Volunteering: 


TENT SALE WEEK VOLUNTEERING: Soon there will be a Sign Up Genius asking for any and all happy helping hands to volunteer at the actual sale. May 12/13/14. 


PLANT SALE COMMITTEE: Anyone is always welcome to join being involved in the preparations! Contact Anne Schroeder by text (612) 719-0272 or email anne.elizabeth.schroeder@gmail.com 


Thank you! 

~ Plant Sale Committee I


Remember Me?


(This letter was discovered by Anne Schroeder, who manages the Lost and Found.)


WELL HELLO! 


It was SO lovely running into you the other day!  I saw you were busy getting your kid to class, so I didn't want to interrupt and slow you down. But I want to make sure that we get a chance to connect soon! 


It has been a while, so if you forgot my name, no worries, I totally get it...my name is Your Kid's Sweatshirt! 


Not only have we met before, but we used to be roommates! I loved living at your home. It was so cozy. I miss you all! What a nice family. 


Your kid passes by me every day, so they must not know that I have been living here at school lately. That's okay! I get it, they are busy learning. They look so happy and are growing every day! I sure hope that by the time we reconnect I still fit them! 


I don't want to be too pushy, but it is getting rather smelly and cramped here at the Lost and Found with so many other sweatshirts, jackets, hats, and gloves. There are even a bunch of boots and tennis shoes here now! They are friendly, and I even recognize one of my old buddies...Your Kid's Hat. Do you remember Your Kid's Hat?! She kept your kid's head so warm. I told her I would send her warm regards, she misses you all as well and hopes to see you soon.


Please come pick me up from the SAP Lost and Found (under the staircase leading up to the big kids) and bring me home. I would so much rather live there, you were such a nice roommate. 

I hope this message finds you well and you come and visit me soon! 



Park Perks at Sunrise Bank


In March and April, the Park Perks coffee bar at Sunrise Bank will be raising donations for the  St. Anthony Park School Association.  All dollars raised when people stop for coffee/cookies will go to SAP Elementary. So stop by the bank for your morning cup o' joe!





Happy Anniversary Ms. Wilson!


Jodie Wilson, SAP Elementary's fearless science/technology teacher, recently had her 30-year anniversary at SPPS. We managed to catch up to Ms. Wilson for some reminiscing:


Wolf Pack Press: So I hear you started teaching in St. Paul Public Schools around the mid-90s?  


Ms. Wilson: I started teaching in SPPS in 1994. I was a 1st grade teacher at Mississippi Creative Arts Magnet School.


WPP: What are your favorite shows, bands, books from the '90s?


Ms. Wilson:

Favorite Band: Bon Jovi

Favorite TV Show: Friends

Favorite Book: I'm not much of a reader....sorry


WPP: Going back even before the '90s ... What were you like when you were a student in school? Any favorite subjects?


Ms. Wilson: I was one of those super helpful, engaged students who loved to learn; I did all the right things (because my mom worked at the school).  Favorite subjects — Reading and Phy Ed.


WPP: What different schools have you taught at? And did you always teach science & technology?


Ms. Wilson:

Missippi Creative Arts Magnet School — Taught 1st grade classroom and 4th grade classroom

Hamline Elementary — Taught as a Technology Specialist  and 2nd Grade classroom

SAP — Taught Technology and now SciTech


WPP: We know that Pancake and Pumpkin live in your classroom at school, but do any pets live with you at home?


Ms. Wilson: I have 2 dogs, Oliver and Mabel, and 2 cats, Finnagen and Fiona.


WPP: I hear you've been to some interesting places abroad. What was your most exciting vacation destination?


Ms. Wilson: I love, love, love Mexico — we own a timeshare there. More recently I've enjoyed some international travels to London, Sweden, Ireland, Germany, Amsterdam, Belgium and Paris. 

We also have traveled extensively to both Colombia and Guatemala, where we adopted our children from. 


WPP: Since you're a science teacher, we gotta ask - what is your favorite "mad scientist" experiment?


Ms. Wilson: LOL — I don't actually love science experiments (I know...it's weird)! My favorite science is environmental science. But, if I had to answer, I'd say my favorite is when it's SUPER cold outside —  I love to do all the experiments, like frozen jeans standing up by themselves!



Library Helper


Mr. Watson, our Library and Materials Management EA, would greatly appreciate help with reshelving books for an hour during the school week.


To sign up as a library helper, click HERE .





Have a great week, Wolf Pack!

If you have suggestions for content or questions about anything in the Wolf Pack Press, please reach out to Joel Van Valin at communications@sapsamn.org

 
 
 

Wolf Pack Press - February 18, 2026

  • Feb 18
  • 2 min read

Updated: Feb 21

Happy Lunar New Year! SAP Elementary students—congrats on making your Read-a-Thon goal!


The Second Grade celebrated Lunar New Year with a parade around the hallways!
The Second Grade celebrated Lunar New Year with a parade around the hallways!

Upcoming Events

Artists in Residence

Reading Olympics Champions!

Great Gatherings

Library Helper




Upcoming Events




  • Friday, February 20th - National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID).  Families of African American students are invited to join the assembly at 8:30-9am for 3rd-5th graders and 9:15-9:45am for K-2nd graders, then join their students in class.

  • Friday, February 27th - School Spirt Day (mismatch/backwards/wacky day!)

  • Tuesday, March 10 - Advisory Council (5:30-6:30) & SAPSA Meeting (6:30-7:30) in school library   


  • Friday, March 13 - Family Friday  (enjoy coffee and bring a pastry to share in cafeteria after drop-off)



Artists in Residence


This school year, each grade at SAP Elementary will have an artist in residence. The resident artists introduce different arts and crafts to our students, such as music, poetry, dance and sculpture. These programs are mostly offered through nonprofits such as Compas and are paid for by your donations to SAPSA during events such as the Fall Festival, Spring Carnival, Plant Sale and Read-a-Thon.

Here is a list of this year's artists in residence:

Some puppets created by the 4th grade for their show
Some puppets created by the 4th grade for their show






Thanks to the talented artists who have been visiting the classrooms and enriching our students' lives!



Reading Olympics Champions!


Our students took on the Read-a-Thon Reading Olympics and blew away their goal by racking up an incredible 299,457 minutes of total reading for the whole school. They deserve a gold medal!


In celebration, Principal Hutcheson and Frost skated the hallways this past Tuesday. Tickets were drawn and prizes awarded to some extra-lucky winners today.


Many thanks to all who sponsored our readers. We raised almost $17,000 for SAPSA. Special kudos to the many volunteers who put on this event!



Great Gatherings


Care for bowling, a pool party or a scavenger hunt? Look no further than Great Gatherings! A few of our gatherings still have openings:


Bowling & Pizza w/ Ms. Weisman & Family

Saturday, February 28th


Family Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

A weekend in May, TBD


Pool Party at Nan Arundel's House

June 2026, TBD


Purchase a gathering HERE.




Library Helper


Mr. Watson, our Library and Materials Management EA, would greatly appreciate help with reshelving books for an hour during the school week.


To sign up as a library helper, click HERE .





Have a great week, Wolf Pack!

If you have suggestions for content or questions about anything in the Wolf Pack Press, please reach out to Joel Van Valin at communications@sapsamn.org

 
 
 

Wolf Pack Press - February 4, 2026

  • Feb 4
  • 5 min read

Is it February already?? Things are starting to pick up again with Read-a-Thon, the Luminary Walk, and Spirit Night at Zero Gravity!




Upcoming Events




  • Tuesday, February 10 - Advisory Council (5:30-6:30) & SAPSA Meeting (6:30-7:30) in library. Regular and gluten-free crust pizza will be available between the meetings. (Bring your own all-ages appropriate beverages.)

  • Wednesday, February 11 - Spirit Night at Zero Gravity! Jump & play, 5-8 pm


  • Thursday, February 12 - End of Read-a-Thon


  • Friday, February 13 - Family Friday  (enjoy coffee and bring a pastry to share in cafeteria after drop-off)


  • Monday, February 16 - NO SCHOOL (President’s Day)



SAP Elementary in the ICE Age


The unnecessary and unprecedented presence of thousands of ICE agents in the Twin Cities continues, creating challenging times for our community and our school. However, our kids are continuing to attend school in person or online; they are still reading, writing, doing math, learning about the world and socializing with their peers.


As editor of the Wolf Pack Press, I'd like to shout out a special THANK YOU to all the volunteers who are manning the School Patrol, providing transportation for students, and donating and delivering food to those afraid to leave their house.


You can find an ICE Safety Resource sheet here. Also, this page has some good info about how to talk to students about ICE.





Read-a-Thon Is Here!


While the Winter Olympics start Friday, SAP Elementary's parallel "Reading Olympics" area already in full swing. Our student readers are working hard to raise money and win raffle tickets. So grab a book to read with your kid, and let the games begin!


Read-a-Thon packets were sent home this week. For a PDF of the packet, click the document below.



Spirit Night at Zero Gravity!


Zero Gravity will be hosting a School Spirit Night for St. Anthony Park Elementary on Wednesday, February 11, 5-8pm. Bounce on in and let your kiddos jump with their classmates! Proceeds go to SAPSA.


Tickets can be purchased HERE. 100% of the Pre-sale

Single Jump Tickets will benefit SAP Elementary! There is also a Facebook page for the event.


Langford Luminary Walk


Below is info on the annual Langford Luminary Walk from the St. Anthony Park Branch Library:


Please join the St. Anthony Park Branch Library Association (SAPBLA) in celebrating the strength of our community as we come together to bring light into the darkness. Through glowing displays, warm company, and shared hopes for a peaceful world, we’ll create a weekend filled with meaning, connection, and collective care.


Luminary Event Schedule


Below you will find a list of scheduled events. In addition, the luminary walk will be lit each night from Friday, February 13 to Sunday, February 15, inviting quiet contemplation, peaceful family outings, or moments of reflection at your own pace.


Saturday February 7 - Luminary Building Event

2:00PM - 4:00PM - St. Anthony Park Branch Library 

This hands-on activity is open to all ages and provides a chance to create something meaningful while spending time with neighbors. Bring your lantern to the luminary procession on 2/14/2026. 


Saturday, February 14 - Luminary Procession


6:30PM - Lantern Procession From Library To Langford Park

Gather with lanterns at the St. Anthony Park Branch Library for a poetry reading and procession to Langford Park where the luminary path will be lit.


7:00PM - 8:00PM – Crankie Storytelling with Alisa Mee

Join Alisa Mee from SAP Branch Library as she does her luminary traditional storytelling.


7:00PM - 8:00PM - Como Senior High School Choir

We are honored to be joined by the Como Senior High School Choir, whose voices will fill the space with selections from the Justice Choir Songbook, offering music rooted in reflection, hope, and collective strength. 


8:00PM – Family Skate at Langford Park Rink

The rink will be open for skating with music and dreamy lighting. Bathrooms will be open and some concessions will be available. 


Volunteers Needed!

To help create this magical event, we’re seeking volunteers to support two special activities that pull the weekend together. 

  • Ice Luminary Building: We invite neighbors to help create ice luminaries that will line the trail in Langford Park. Whether you make just one or a whole bunch, each luminary adds its own glow—and together they’ll light the way beautifully. 

  • Candle Lighters: To bring the luminaries to life, we’re looking for volunteers to help light the candles and place them into the luminaries. You can sign up for one evening or all three—each shift is a short commitment of about 25 minutes per night.


If you are able and willing to volunteer, please complete our event volunteer form.



Give Kids a Smile Dental Clinic


From school nurse Jeannie Vore:


Give Kids a Smile is a free dental event for children under 18. It takes place annually on the first Friday & Saturday of February: February 6-7, 2026. A number of clinics participate.


Finding a clinic with open appointments is as easy as visiting www.mndental.org or contacting the United Way – simply dial 2-1-1 on your phone or text your zip code to 898-211. Appointments can then be scheduled directly with the dental office.


Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. No eligibility questions are asked in an effort to remove any possible barrier to care.




History Lesson—The Gutterson School


Before St. Anthony Park Elementary opened its doors in 1955, there was the Gutterson School. This school was built in 1888 and located at the corner of Como and Commonwealth, where the parking lot for Centennial United Methodist Church is now located.


Photo by W.L. Boss
Photo by W.L. Boss

Originally named Murray School after local attorney William Pitt Murray, it was the neighborhood's first primary school, and the first class had one teacher (Emma Cooper) and nine students. Later on, the original four rooms of the school were expanded to eight, and in 1925 a new junior high was built for the burgeoning neighborhood. The Murray name was transferred to that school, and Murray Middle School is still standing to this day. The old school was renamed the Gutterson School after community leader and businessman Gilbert Gutterson, who had passed away in 1923.


When St. Anthony Park Elementary was built just down the hill, the Gutterson school was demolished. However, you can still visit a tribute stone to Gilbert Gutterson in nearby College Park.


The Gutterson School once stood on the spot of this parking lot.
The Gutterson School once stood on the spot of this parking lot.


Library Helper


Mr. Watson, our Library and Materials Management EA, would greatly appreciate help with reshelving books for an hour during the school week.


To sign up as a library helper, click HERE .





Have a great week, Wolf Pack!

If you have suggestions for content or questions about anything in the Wolf Pack Press, please reach out to Joel Van Valin at communications@sapsamn.org

 
 
 
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2026 The St Anthony Park School Association

bottom of page