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!
North Elementary Principal Darin Doherty and his son, Mason, provided their traditional complimentary classic coffee/hot chocolate beverages to staff on Wednesday morning as a token of appreciation for a job well done this school year. The North StarBucks hot beverage station was set up once again in front of the North main office, where Mr. Doherty brewed the tasty hot beverages. Here are a few photo highlights from the always-popular event!
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 assembly also included Staff Shoutouts and a recap on North’s November theme of “Gratitude.” The event ended with the announcement of the results of the most recent Top 5 Contest (favorite subject, favorite lunch, favorite thing at recess). Winners were Hadlee Rokees, Augustus Arroyo, and Scholar Harrison. Here are some photo highlights for the assembly!
North Elementary students wrapped up their day and the first quarter of the 2025-26 school year on Thursday (Nov. 6) with the school’s first Passion Project Day, put on by North's PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) group.
During the last hour of that day, students could sign up for an activity they were interested in that was taught by North staff, with the help of Saint Peter High School Project 4 Teens’ members and several Gustavus Adolphus College student-athletes! North students chose their top three activity choices, and the PBIS team created groups.
Pictured here are some photo highlights from the fun day of activities!
NORTH MEDALLION HUNT WINNERS - Congrats to North Elementary teachers Mrs. Guappone & Mr. Hassing for winning the end-of-the-quarter Medallion Hunt for staff at North! The winners receive a $25 debit card for their efforts!
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!
Our North Elementary staff had a blast making this year’s annual music video! Check it out here.
Can’t wait to see all our students next week! – Principal Doherty
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.
