Wolf Pack Press - October 28, 2026
As we wrap up our second month of school, many "firsts" have passed us by: first bus ride, first lost raincoat, first squabble with the new bestie, first attempts at practicing our new conflict resolution skills, first noticeable progress in reading and writing, first cool science project, first time making peace with the big feelings that result from the dog eating our first cool science project, first awesome field trip, first Great Gathering attended, and first time remembering our library books on the right day. With conferences just around the corner, it's a great time to take stock of the adventures we've had already in this school year and dream of the directions we'll grow as the year unfolds! Read on to find ways to support our teachers, students, and community in the many firsts that still lie ahead.
- Erin Henry, editor
Upcoming Events
Friday, October 30 - No School - Conference Prep
Tuesday, November 10 - SAPSA Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30 / Wolf Ridge Meeting, 5:30 - 6:30
In place of the monthly Advisory Council meeting, there will be a meeting to discuss the 5th graders' Wolf Ridge adventure coming up this spring!
Regular Advisory Council meetings will resume in December.
Meetings take place in the library.
November 10-13 - Literati Book Fair and Conferences
Friday, November 13 - No School - Conferences
Thursday, November 19 - Give to the Max Day
Friday, November 20 - Family Friday, after drop off
Enjoy coffee and community! Takes place outside the school or in the lunchroom, depending on weather.
Thursday & Friday, November 26-27 - No School - Thanksgiving
Parent-Teacher Conference Potluck
Let's support our amazing SAP teachers by providing them with dinner during conferences on Thursday, November 12th! We have chosen a soup/stew theme. Please sign up at the link below.
Fall Book Fair
SAP Elementary's Fall Book Fair is once again hosted by Literati. The theme for this year is "Campfire Magic," and there are lots of amazing books to choose from. Proceeds from the Book Fair are used to buy books for the school, and purchase prizes and materials for other events. It's also a great way to get books into the hands of our young readers!
The online Book Fair is now open! Follow the link below to shop for books and purchase books on teacher wish lists. You can also purchase gift cards that your kids can bring to the Book Fair.
The physical book Book Fair will take place November 9-13 in the library. It will be open on these dates and times:
Mon Nov 9, 8 AM - 1:30 PM -- Preview Day (no sales)
Tues Nov 10, 7:30 - 8:30 AM
Weds Nov 11, 7:30 - 8:30 AM & 3 - 7 PM
Thurs Nov 12, 7:30 - 8:30 AM & 3 - 7 PM
Fri Nov 13, 8 AM - 12 PM
Ever wanted to work in a book store? We need a few volunteers to run the cash register and help deliver books. Follow this link to sign up: SAP Elementary: Fall 2026 Literati Book Fair
Many thanks!
Joel Van Valin
Restock the Teacher's Lounge
What better way to brighten a teacher's day than to help them refuel! If you are interested in restocking the Teacher's Lounge, visit the sign up page.
School Tour Guides
Sign Up To Attend Great Gatherings
Great Gatherings are back this year, and it's time to reserve your spot!
Great Gatherings are fundraising events hosted by families, staff, and other community members. Hosts plan an event, and SAPSA sells tickets to the community. This is a wonderful fundraiser that not only supports for SAPSA but also builds community!
This year's Great Gatherings have something for everyone. Check out the list of cool events and decide whether you'd rather bond with our community over music, games, crafts, food, or adventures. There are kid-centric activities, family parties, and adults-only gatherings. Our hosts really outdid themselves thinking of fun ways to spend time together.
If you haven't signed up yet, there's still time to join in! Check out the sign-up link above for a full list of events. Here are a few coming up soon:
Oct 30: Willy Wonka Brunch Party
Nov 14: Learn American Mahjong with Saint City Mahjong
Nov 28: Holiday Screen Printed Wrapping Paper and Cards
Dec 18: Winter Solstice Sing & Bonfire
Jan 16: Family Yoga
Thank you for your continued support of Saint Anthony Park Elementary School and SAPSA. And a special thanks to our hosts!
Please contact Leigh Seifert at seife058@umn.edu if you have any questions.
SAPSA Volunteer Openings
The best way to build community is to get involved! Check out the SAPSA volunteer page to find an opportunity that's the right fit for you.
In particular, if you are looking to dip in a toe rather than take a plunge, we need a few volunteers to set out coffee and snacks for Family Fridays. This would be a small, concise commitment that has a big value for our school community. Think about it!
Where do SAPSA Funds Go?
SAPSA's mission is to provide support for our elementary students and community. We aim to make life at Saint Anthony Park Elementary exciting, inclusive, and enriching. To carry out that mission, we need to get funds to the people who can use them.
We disperse funds by taking funding requests from the school community. In years past, we have funded playground equipment, professional development seminars, and classroom supplies. We recently approved funds to cover a guest speaker for an assembly, special seating for classroom flex spaces, and equipment updates for sensory friendly self-regulation tools in the Green Room.
In addition to fund requests that go through this process, we also help facilitate projects through larger donations. An example is our new sound system in the multiuse room. This anonymous gift was given as dedicated to the teachers, staff, students, and families who all find themselves sharing their lives together so we all can "better hear each other."
STEAM Night - Volunteers Needed
SAP is hosting a STEAM Night to celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Our STEAM Night will officially be on Thursday, December 10th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.
The Family Engagement Committee is looking for volunteers to run stations! If you are interested in volunteering for STEAM Night, please use the link to sign up for stations or station ideas.
Free Vision Care for Students
St. Paul Eye Clinic is offering free vision care! The offer applies to uninsured pediatric patients (ages 5-18). See the flier to the right for details.
If you would like a referral, please reach out to Nurse Jeannie by November 11: jeannie.vore@spps.org
Note that the date in the flier is incorrect. The eye exams will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14.
MIA Art Adventure - Volunteers Needed
Volunteers and kids alike are enthusiastic about the upcoming Art Adventure! The group has started meeting already, but they are looking for more volunteers.
Parent volunteers are needed to help teach 2nd - 5th grade students about six works of art found at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Volunteers will tour the MIA with a docent to learn about the works, then teach classes to students at SAP throughout November and December.
SAP Art Class times:
7:35 - 8:25 Fourth Grade
8:25 - 9:15 Fifth Grade
9:15 - 10:05 Third Grade
1:05 - 1:55 Second Grade
If you are interested, the next meeting is on Tues Nov 3 at 5:00 PM in the art room on the 2nd floor. If you want to be involved and can't make this meeting, email Sarah Langford at geraghty.sarah@gmail.com.
Volunteers will tour the MIA with a docent to learn about the works. Tours are available on the following dates:
Thurs Oct 29 at 5:30 PM
Thurs Nov 5 at 12:00 PM
Help Us Lend a Hand to Those in Our Community!
This fall, the Student Support Team is launching a gift card drive, with a goal to provide immediate, short-term relief for our school families facing unexpected transitions. When a need arises, our school social workers and counselor will be able to hand these directly to families to bridge the gap while long-term support is arranged.
How you can help: We are collecting $50 gift cards for Groceries, Gas, and Target.
To keep the program fair and impactful, we have structured guidelines in place, ensuring your generosity stretches to help as many neighbors as possible.
Drop off your gift card donations at the main office today and make a direct impact for our community.
Many Thanks,
Kelly Lynch, Rachel Curtis, & Stephanie Beckley
Wolf Ridge Fundraisers: Calendars and Leaf Raking
At the end of the school year, St. Anthony Park Elementary will continue its tradition of sending fifth graders off to spend a "week of school away from school" at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center on the North Shore of Lake Superior in Finland, MN. This immersive, hands-on outdoor learning adventure is an incredible opportunity for our students, and SAPSA works to raise funds each year to ensure all families that wish to participate have access through grants and fundraisers.
Bird Photography Calendars
One of the easiest ways to support this effort is to purchase a stunning, 12-square inch 2027 calendar, featuring Minnesota bird photography by Jill Beim, a conservation photographer from Silver Bay . The calendar is available for $20 each at the link below. They are produced on sturdy matte stock by the Environmental Learning Center to support endeavors like ours. They make great gifts, so consider buying several while supplies last!
Using the link below, simply enter your student's name and classroom teacher, provide a payment method, and we will make sure the calendars are sent home with your student in the next few weeks. There is an open field to provide special notes if you'd like your calendar(s) dropped off at your home. Our SAPSA volunteers are happy to help.
Fall Leaf Raking
To support the trip to Wolf Ridge, fifth graders and other alumni/volunteers will help with fall clean up and raking. Teams of youth rakers (plus an adult volunteer) will be out raking over two upcoming weekends, weather permitting. The suggested donation is $50, and one hundred percent of the money raised will directly offset costs to ensure that this year's fifth graders can attend Wolf Ridge.
Interested in getting your raking done? Sign up here: LEAF RAKING REQUEST
Interested in helping out with the raking and clean up? We need fifth graders and adults to sign up. Siblings and friends are welcome too! Sign up here: LEAF RAKING TEAMS
And, if you don't want raking done but would like to support the cause, here's the link to our Give MN donation page: Leaf Raking to support Wolf Ridge | GiveMN
If you have any questions, please contact Amos Briggs at amosbriggs@gmail.com. Thank you for your generosity!
MITY Fall Session Info
New Spirit Wear!
Have you noticed all the sage green shirts around SAP? Don't they look great?!!
We have a new t-shirt design this year for Spirit Wear (thank you Allie Rykken!). Buy a t-shirt for you, your kids, or other loved ones at SAPSA events, including Family Fridays. Sales of the shirts support SAPSA, and they are just plain hip to wear!
See you next week, Wolf Pack!
If you have suggestions for content or questions about anything in the Wolf Pack Press, please reach out to Erin Henry at communications@sapsamn.org .
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAPSAnews
Comments