Paul & Sheila Wellstone Elementary School is committed to providing a rigorous learning experience for all students, so that every student will meet or exceed academic, social, and language benchmarks prior to entering middle school.
Our vision for the climate of Wellstone Elementary is an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and all students are free to be themselves. It is a cohesive community where families, staff, and students feel welcomed, encouraged, supported and engaged. We share the responsibility of upholding high expectations that are consistent. Creative thinking paired with inventive teaching will lead to exceptional academic and social achievement.
The Family Engagement Plan (FEP) includes four impact areas. We will be working together this year to build positive and goal-oriented relationships in each area. Families and staff at school developed this plan together
Welcoming Environment
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Our school has staff member(s) available for families to discuss this plan and ask questions
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- Spanish Interpreter: Jason Vasquez
- Karen Interpreter: Naw Hara
- Hmong Interpreter: Sau Xiong
- Family Liaison: Gloria Avila
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Our school communicates with families in many ways.
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The Family Calendar and Sunday Family Newsletter is available on the school website at spps.org/wellstone. And sent out to families every Sunday.
Families will be notified of our FEP’s location at the beginning of the school year. A hard copy is also available in the office and can be sent home upon parent request. Our Sunday newsletter includes most of the family event dates for the school year. Notifications of any updates are sent home via monthly calendar updates, flyers, newsletters, phone calls, emails, texts, Seesaw and/or Schoology.
- Classroom newsletters and homework are shared virtually by teachers with updates specific to individual classrooms.
- It is important to us that families receive a timely response to questions and concerns. When a call, email or note is sent to school, families will receive a response from school staff within 24 hours.
A Title 1 information night will be held in the fall to inform parents of their rights and to gain their input into the family support that the school provides.
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The achievement gap, or rather the “opportunity gap,” between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and for their families to support their learning.
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For more about our work on racial equity, contact: Angelica Van Iperen at 651-290-8354. The Wellstone Leadership team and staff have been trained extensively in equity. Our goal is to remove educational barriers to students of color and to assure that Wellstone staff understand how to best serve all students and families.
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Transitions between schools can be challenging, and we work to help families as their children start and leave our school.
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For new students and families, we support the transition by:
- Family Liaison will lead school tours as new students register throughout the year.
- Pre-K Fall Family Day
- Open House in the fall to welcome new and returning families and students.
- Family Days in spring, where our Pre-K- 2nd grade families visit classrooms of the next grade level up.
- SPPS placement staff make contact with Head Start to provide transitioning support to those students who will be coming to Wellstone.
For students and families moving to the next school in their pathway, we support the transition by:
- Visits to middle schools and lessons facilitated by the school counselor in spring 2026.
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Family Partnerships
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Our school-parent compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact.
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- Copies of the compact will be shared at conferences.
- Compacts will be discussed at the Title 1 Information Night.
- The Compact will be updated in spring 2026. Parent input will be sought throughout the year. Opportunities for input will include surveys, PTO Meetings, Focus Groups, Family Days, Title 1 Information Night, Principal Round tables and leadership meetings.
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There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.
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- The family events below will be scheduled for the 2025-26 school year. Our goal is to support parents in helping them to work with their children to improve their academic performance. Please note that some events will be held virtually.
- Title I Annual Meeting in October 2025 where we will share information about school programs.
- Science Family Night in the spring, Principal Round Tables, PTO meetings, grade level Family Days in the fall and spring. All these events will provide opportunities for families to give their suggestions on the education of their children.
- Hispanic Heritage Day, in October 2025,, National African American Parent Involvement Day (NAAPID) in February 2026 and Asian American Day in May 2026.
- Parent Teacher Home Visiting Project.
- APTT conferences for participating teachers 3x per year.
- Family Days PreK-2 in fall and spring.
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We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.
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- Written communication sent to families electronically and via letter, both translated into their home language as needed.
- Interpreters are available as needed.
- Transportation is provided to families as needed.
- Both daytime and evening events are offered to accommodate family schedules.
- Parents of English Learners are informed every year of their child’s Access test results and progress in learning English. MLL teachers are available to discuss any concerns parents may have.
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Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for parent leadership
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- If families have a concern regarding their child’s education, they should contact the teacher directly. If the concern is not addressed by the teacher, please contact the Principal at (651)-290-8354. If the problem is still not resolved contact the District Ombudsperson at (651)767-8394
- Wellstone staff will receive training on how to work with families at Parent Home Visiting training and debriefs, APTT training and debriefs, Professional Development meetings and other District offerings.
- Families will be asked to take part in leadership roles and give their input into school decisions on an ongoing basis throughout the school year. Our family involvement meetings are used as an opportunity to get parent input into school decisions. Virtual meetings and surveys are used to reach parents who are seldom able to attend school events. Examples of other opportunities for families to connect include helping with family nights, Title 1 Annual Meeting, Focused sessions to get parent input on the SCIP (School Continuous Improvement Plan).
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Teaching and Learning
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Our school shares information about state standards, assessment and student achievement with families in multiple ways
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Report cards and progress reports will be distributed at conferences and sent home by teachers throughout the year.
- Parent-Teacher conferences will be held in November 2025 and March 2026.
- APTT – For participating teachers.
- Information sessions will be offered to parents for each grade level early in the school year. Expectations, curriculum, assessment information will be shared. Parents will be offered ideas on how to help their child to reach grade level.
- We will share math & literacy activities with parents that they can use at home to support learning.
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Our school will engage in personalized learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement. Parents can get more information using many tools.
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- Parent log-in information can be accessed at spps.org/onestop or by asking the school clerk or family liaison
- Students are issued iPads to support their personalized learning. Parents are asked to review the guides for iPad home use at https://www.spps.org/Page/23994
- Teachers at each grade level use SeeSaw or Schoology for students to create learning projects and to receive assignments as well as share with families.
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Many before- and after-school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students
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Academic and enrichment choices will be offered after school through the EDL program. The program gives students in grades K-5 additional instruction in math and reading and opportunity to participate in an enrichment class. All classes will be determined in the Fall of 2024. Currently programs include Lego League, ComMUSICation, Chess Club and Band. Homework and enrichment activities are offered at the Rice Street Recreation Center for 1st – 5th grade after school M-F.
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Community Partnerships
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Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families
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- Every Meal, Como Planetarium, Belwin, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, MN History Center, Saint Paul Recreation Center, Marvelous Mitten Makers, ComMUSICation , Family Innovations, Wilder, Macalester, and the North End Early Learning Coalition.
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This plan is available as part of our school’s SCIP, or School Comprehensive Improvement Plan and can be made available in physical form per request in the main office.
