January 2016 - St. Paul Preparatory School

HOST FAMILY NEWSLETTER
JANUARY 2016
ISSUE #4
Host Families of the Month
A BIG congratulations to the Fluey family and the Guevara families. Both families were nominated for the above
and beyond care, warmth and support they have shown their students.
THANK YOU for making your students’ experience in Minnesota and at SPP such a positive one! Both the Fluey
and Guevara families began hosting with SPP in 2014. We thank you for welcoming international students into
your homes and hearts!
Guevara family relaxing at home
Fluey family enjoying the holiday season
together at home
A big thank you to all of our families, while we already know that you all make a HUGE difference in the lives of our
students every single day, it was absolutely inspirational to read the many nominations and the wonderful things
the students had to say about their host families.
School Updates
 Host Family Orientation will take place just before new students arrive for 2nd semester. If you were unable to
attend orientation in the Fall or joined us after it took place, please plan to join us in the 3rd floor auditorium of
380 Jackson Street on Tuesday, January 19th from 6:00-8:00pm. RSVP’s required as light refreshments will be
provided. Street parking is no longer free after 5pm, therefore we invite attendees to please park in the
underground ramp and bring your ticket to orientation where we will validate your parking.
 There will be NO SCHOOL held on Monday, January 18th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
 Stipend Payment Schedule will return to normal beginning in January. Stipends will be submitted to accounting
on the fourth Monday of each month. This will mean a more consistency in timing. Families wishing to switch to
direct deposit should email Desiree Guida at [email protected] to request the form. Thank you all for your
patience as we work through these changes.
 NEW
STUDENTS ONLY will attend on Monday, January 25th for testing and a full day of orientation at
SPP on Tuesday, January 26th. CURRENT SPP students will have service learning projects on Tuesday,
January 26th. Please see the Friday Focus for details on report times and projects for the day.
Culture Corner
Mexico
Current SPP Students: 2
Official Language(s): Spanish (there are over 100 other indigenous languages still
spoken around the country)
In a few words: Si (Yes) No (No) Gracias (Thank you)
Por Favor (Please) Hola (Hello/Hi) Adios (Bye/Goodbye)
Student voices—Something special about Mexico is…:
“...food—like Tacos, Enchiladas and Tamales.”
“...the ancient history and historic landmarks.”
“...culture—family is really important and dia de los muertos.”
China
Current SPP Students: 41
Official Language(s): Mandarin
In a few words: 是 Shi (Yes) 不 bù (No) 谢谢 xiè xiè (Thank you)
Qǐng 请(Please) Nín hǎo 您好 (Hello) Zàijiàn 再见 (Goodbye)
Student voices—Something special about China is…:
“...the delicious food—hot pot, Chinese BBQ, Malatang...”
“...Traditions.”
“...the strong history/background.”
Morocco
Current SPP Students: 1
Official Language(s): Modern Starndard Arabic (Moroccan Arabic, French and
Spanish are also widely spoken)
‫( نعم فعال‬yes) la ‫( لا‬no)
min fadlik ‫( من فضلك‬Please) 'ahlaan ‫( أهال‬Hello)
mae alssalama ‫( مع السالمة‬Goodbye)
In a few words: nem fielaan
Shukraan
‫( شكرا‬Thank you)
Student voices—Something special about Morocco is…:
“...we speak over 4 languages!”
“...we are an anciently diverse people.”
Moldova
Current SPP Students: 1
Official Language(s): Romanian
In a few words: da (Yes) nu (No)
multumesc (Thank you) Vă rog (Please)
salut (Hello) la revedere (Goodbye)
Student voices—Something special about Moldova is…:
“...traditional food—mamaliga, brinza, sarmale, friptura, zeama, etc.”
“...historical places: saharna, cetatea soroca, Elefant from Butesti, orheiul vechi, Park Taul, Donduseni, The castle
of Manuc Bei, Pestera Criva sav Emil Racovita.”
Quick Fix Meals on a Budget
Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 tsp oil
Half of a medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup diced carrots (or mixture of celery and carrots)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lb ground chicken
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup hot sauce (Use more or less depending on spice level preference—
Frank’s Red Hot works well)
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
Blue cheese or ranch dressing to top (optional)
Buns for serving
Directions:
Heat oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions, carrots/celery and pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 5-6
minutes, or until onions are becoming translucent and vegetables are softening. Add the ground chicken, and
cook until done, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Stir in the tomato sauce, hot sauce and Worcestershire, simmer
for several minutes, until heated through. Spoon onto rolls and top with dressing if desired. Enjoy!
Shrimp/ Alfredo Pasta Bake (a lighter version)
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 lb medium pre-cooked shrimp (thawed, de-tailed)
1 tbsp olive oil
8 oz whole wheat penne or rotini pasta
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp grated Parmesan
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
For the Alfredo Sauce:
2 tbsp butter/margarine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp flour
1 (6 oz) can evaporated milk
1 oz light cream cheese
1/4 cup chicken broth (or more to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat 8x8 baking dish with nonstick spray.
In a large pot, boil water and cook pasta. Drain well and set aside
Alfredo Sauce: Melt butter in a large skillet, add garlic and cook, stirring frequently until fragrant. Whisk in flour
until lightly browned. Gradually whisk in milk and cook, whisking constantly until slightly thickened. Stir in cream
cheese and chicken broth until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more broth as needed until
desired consistency is reached.
In a large bowl, combine shrimp, pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, red pepper flakes and alfredo sauce. Add mixture
to prepared baking dish and top with Parmesan. Place into the oven and bake until golden brown and cheese has
melted, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy! (For those who want an extra “kick” add a touch of
Sriracha to your bowl!)
Twin Cities Happenings
JANUARY EVENTS

FREE Target Family Day at MIA—11am-5pm on Sunday, January 10th, bring the family to MIA to experience
the “Joy of Japan” - Explore two special exhibitions featuring Japanese art from ancient to modern times,
listen to Koto music, try your hand at martial arts and create your own woodblock print.

St. Paul Winter Carnival—Visit Rice Park in St. Paul to experience St. Pauls’ famous Winter Carnival from
Thursday, January 28th—February 7th. Entry to the park festivities is FREE. Ice sculptures are on display, sit
in a Royal Throne made of ice, enjoy live entertainment on the Rice Park stage. Winter Carnival has several
other events to enjoy throughout the month, check here for the calendar of events.
WINTER HAPPENINGS

Music Under the Glass — Head over to the Como Zoo and Conservatory for a series of free concerts put on
by local musicians. Concerts take place on Sundays from 4:30-6:30pm in the Tropical Gardens, beginning on
runs through February 28th.

The Depot Ice Rink—The iconic Minneapolis train depot is open for the season, hours vary, please visit the
website and see the calendar section for details. Discounts available for military and students with proper ID
on Thursdays.

Wells Fargo Winter Skate—Just a stone’s throw from SPP, the outdoor ice rink in Rice Park is open to the
public daily. Please visit the website for hours as they do vary. Skate rental is available for $4 and is FREE for
anyone who presents a Wells Fargo check/credit card. The rink will be closed on December 25th and January
1st.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum—Start off the New Year with a visit to the Minnesota Landscape
Arboretum, a place for inspiration in all seasons. As an added incentive, the Arboretum is offering FREE gate
admission to all visitors during the entire month of January 2016.
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Tour the historic Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul for FREE on Thursdays at 11am and
Sundays at 12pm.

Bring the family down to the Midtown Global Market on Fridays between 5-8pm for free live music.
Parking can be validated for up to 3 hours.

Stop in at the Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Lake for a fun and information morning of discovery
The Drop-In Discovery station series runs every first Saturday morning October– May from 10am-12pm and
are free to the public. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Visit the Guthrie Theater and the Stone Arch Bridge. Take in the city views and the incredible architecture.
The public lobbies (including upper levels and cantilever bridge) are open to the public Tuesday—Sunday
8am-11pm (performance days) and 8am-8pm (nonperformance days) and Mondays 8am-8pm
(hours may vary for holidays, concerts and events).

Visit Theodore Wirth Park winter recreation area for a variety of winter activities!

FREE first Tuesday of each month, no vehicle permit required at all Washington County Parks and the Anoka
County History Center Museum.
JANUARY Monthly Check In Questions (MCR)
 If your student spend the holidays with your family, what holiday tradition did your student seem to
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enjoy the most?
What traditions from his/her home country has your student share with your family (i.e. food, holiday
celebrations, etc.)?
Do you have any photos that you would like to share with SPP? (Please email photos to Brianna at
[email protected])
Have you talked with your student about his/her academic schedule for next semester?
Do you have any other questions or concerns?
380 Jackson Street, Suite 100, St. Paul, MN 55101 • 651-288-4606 FAX 651-288-4616
[email protected] • www.stpaulprep.org