Host Family Newsletter
November 2015 Issue #2
Host Families of the Month
A BIG congratulations to the Dokter family and the Shahzad family. Both families were nominated by
their students to be recognized for their outstanding commitment, care and enthusiasm in hosting. THANK
YOU for making your students’ experience in Minnesota and at SPP such a positive one! The Dokter
family began hosting with SPP in 2006, we thank you for your 9 years of welcoming international students
into your home! The Shahzad family is new to hosting this year and are off to an incredible start, we hope
you will be around for many years to come!
Dokter Family (left); Shahzad Family (above)
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. THANK YOU!!
Thank you to Unity One Credit Union for helping to sponsor our Host Family of the Month drawings!
School Updates
Please note that Friday, November 6th marks the end of first quarter. Grades will be
mailed out to families the week of November 9th. We encourage families to take this
time to check in with students about their classes, grades and activities at school.
First semester conferences will be held on November 19th from 4:00-7:00pm. This is a
great opportunity to meet the teachers and staff and to learn about the exciting things
going on at SPP. Conferences are first come first served, a sign up sheet will be
available outside of each classroom.
We will hold an open house in conjunction with conferences. We encourage
prospective students and host families to stop in for a tour of the school and for further
information about our programs.
Culture Corner
Poland
Current SPP Students: 11
Official Language(s): Poland
In a few words: Tak (Yes) Nie (No) Dziękuję (Thank you) Proszę (Please)
Dzien dobry/Czesc (Hello/Hi) Czesc/Do widzenia (Bye/Goodbye)
Student voices—My favorite thing about Poland is…:
“...Polish food—pierogi and polish bread.”
“...girls, the way of living and relationships.”
“...that people are friendly and Warsaw is the perfect place to study, hang out with friends and there are
many ways to explore the city.”
South Korea
Current SPP Students: 15
Official Language(s): Korean
In a few words: 네 Ne (Yes) 아니 ani (No)
감사합니다 Kam-sa-ham-ni-da (Thank you)
부탁해요 – Bu-Tak-Hae-Yo (Please) 안녕하세요 An-nyeong-ha-se-yo (Hello/Goodbye)
Student voices—My favorite thing about South Korea is…:
“...K-Pop and TV shows.”
“...meeting my friends and good transportation.”
“...Korean food and watching movies/TV.”
Italy
Current SPP Students: 2
Official Language(s): Italian
In a few words: Sì (yes) No (no) Grazie (Thank you) Per favore (Please)
Ciao/Buon Giorno (Hey/Hello/Good day) Ciao/Arrivaderci (Goodbye)
Student voices—My favorite thing about Italy is…:
“...the food and the people.”
“… pasta carbonara and the easy access to anything—you can get anywhere you need to go by walking,
by bus or by train very quickly.”
Serbia
Current SPP Students: 1
Official Language(s): Serbian
In a few words: Да Da (Yes) Не Ne (No) Xвала Hvala (Thank you)
Mолим Molim (Please) Здраво Zdravo (Hello) Дoвиђeњa Doviđenja (Goodbye)
Student voices—My favorite thing about Serbia is…:
“...Food. Fruits and vegetables have a natural, seductive aroma and taste. Meat is tasty and juicy and
there is no need for too much spices. Serbian hamburgers that we call ‘pljeskavice’ are far ahead of any
other. Also the festivals. ‘Exit’ is voted one of the best European music festivals for several years in a
row. Belgrade Beer Fest (better looking younger brother of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany) with a
lot of live music and cheaper beef.”
Quick Fix Meals on a Budget
Slow-Cooker Chicken Broccoli Lasagna
(Serves 10)
Ingredients:
1-12oz bag frozen broccoli florets
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend or mozzarella
3/4 tsp black pepper
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup*
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup*
1-8oz container sour cream*
1-8oz package sliced fresh mushrooms
9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1/2 - 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
*(substitute low fat version for a slimmed-down adaptation)
Directions:
Cook and drain broccoli as directed on package. In a large bowl, mix chicken, 2 cups of the
mozzarella/cheese blend, pepper, both soups, sour bream, mushrooms and broccoli. Spray 5-quart
slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1/4 of the chicken mixture in the slow cooker.
Layer with 3 uncooked noodles (breaking noodles as needed to fit), 1/4 of the chicken mixture and
1/2 cup of the cheese blend/mozzarella. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with parmesan over the top.
Cover and cook on low for 3 1/2 hours or until bubbly and noodles are tender. Enjoy!
Crockpot Baked Ziti
(Serves 8)
Ingredients:
2 jars of pasta sauce
1-15oz container of ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella
16oz box of ziti pasta
Optional seasonings to taste: Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes
**For added substance mix in sautéed veggies (zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms, etc.) or chef’s choice
browned meat
Directions:
Mix the pasta sauce, ricotta, egg, parmesan and 2 cups of mozzarella in the crockpot. Stir in the
uncooked ziti. Add in any additional spices or ingredients as you prefer. Sprinkle remaining
mozzarella on top. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Serve and enjoy!
Twin Cities Happenings
NOVEMBER HAPPENINGS
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Twin Cities Film Festival: While this opportunity is not low cost, it offers a unique experience for
students and families interested in the art of film making and a chance to meet and greet with
independent film makers.
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Union Depot Ice Rink—The iconic Minneapolis train depot will open its ice rink on Friday,
November 27th at 10am. Discounts available for military and students with proper ID on
Thursdays.
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Wells Fargo Winter Skate—Just a stone’s throw from SPP, the outdoor ice rink in Rice Park will
open to the public on November 21st (grand opening festivities begin at 4pm November 29th).
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 November 26-27th for the holiday.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Fare For All—Holiday Meal Pack: Available in November and December, holiday packs contain
most of the fixings for a holiday meal, including a turkey in November and a ham in December.
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Holidazzle—Beginning November 27th and running through December 20th, the newly revamped
Holidazzle celebrations will take place for FREE in Loring Park in Minneapolis from 5-9pm.\
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Taylors Falls Lighting Festival—Escape the city for a day of festive fun in Taylors Falls, MN.
Festivities run from November 27-29th and include a variety of activities from craft projects, to
tours of history homes, to concerts and more. Activities vary in cost from free-$5.

Excelsior Christkindlsmarkt—Get into the holiday spirit at this annual celebration in Excelsior
MN. The festivities are open to the public and FREE to explore from November 27-29 (open
10am-7pm Friday and Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday).
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).
November’s Monthly Check In Questions (MCR)
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How does your student interact with the family?
Have there been any challenges or successes at home this month?
How is your student’s academic performance and school attendance? Have you
discussed any challenges with your students?
How is your student’s health? Have you noticed any changes in behavior or signs of
homesickness?
Will you be celebrating Thanksgiving together?
How do you receive information and updates from the school? Are you satisfied
with the communication? (Coordinators-the school uses facebook, twitter,
instagram and the SPP website)