XPERIENCE
| SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS
SUMMER 2026
CLASS OF 2026
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating students in our Panther community and wishing them well as they pursue future plans
A SPECIAL(IST) APPROACH TO ELEMENTARY SCIENCE
Fourth graders experiment with pinwheel turbines during science specialist time
WHEN MATH FEELS LIKE PLAY, LEARNING ADDS UP
“Math Work Places” engage K-5 students through game-based stations
SPRING ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS
Standout moments across athletics, co-curriculars and the arts
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Experience
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FEATURE STORIES SUMMER 2026
CLASS OF 2026
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
It’s time to shine a light on members of the Class of 2026! These students have been an invaluable part of our Panther community and we’re cheering them on as they pursue further education, a career or trade, take a role with the military or do something else altogether. They’ve made us proud in so many ways and we know they will go on to do great things. Read more online about their future plans, favorite experiences, accomplishments and what makes them Panther Proud!
A SPECIAL(IST) APPROACH TO ELEMENTARY SCIENCE
Fourth graders are experimenting with pinwheel turbines during science. They are testing two methods to generate energy, wind power and hydropower. They hypothesize, then work in small groups through timed experiments. There’s wind, there’s water and it’s all a little noisy – and maybe a little messy. Judging from the smiles, it’s also pretty fun. Last summer, the science competencies were refined giving more focus to “minds on, hands on” science learning. Read more online.
WHEN MATH FEELS LIKE PLAY, LEARNING ADDS UP
Second graders are sprawled on the floor in pairs. Some groups are working with small buckets of shapes – hexagons, trapezoids, rhombuses. Some groups have plastic coins and cards. Some have spinners. There is an air of fun and competitive excitement. Math work places are hands-on, engaging, and often game-based math stations used in K-5 classrooms to practice skills, develop conceptual understanding, and foster fluency. They are a part of the Bridges curricular resource that Spring Lake Park Schools’ elementary classrooms use for math. Read more online.
SO MANY REASONS TO BE
#SLPPantherProud
FOLLOW US
Get frequent updates by following our Spring Lake Park Schools accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Flickr social media channels! Here are just a few highlights to show what the community has been engaging with recently.
SPRING
ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
HIGHLIGHTS
It was another great season of highlights, successes and triumphs for Panther athletics and activities. With six spring girls’ sports, seven spring boys’ sports and nearly 50 student-based interest clubs and co-curricular activities at Spring Lake Park High School, here are just a few highlights, more online.
Adapted Bowling
Qualified to State Commitment Days
Class of 2026 graduates will continue pursuits at the collegiate level:
Music: 20 students
Athletics: 21 students
Girls Flag Football
Participation tripled
Boys Golf
Section Champs - To State
Track & Field
10 State Participants
Boys Volleyball
Section Champs - To State
During the busy month of May, students and families took time to show their appreciation for all the staff at their school. Many gave heartfelt gifts and wrote sincere notes of gratitude.
The Spring Lake Park High School Class of 2026 held its commencement ceremony at the University of St. Thomas on May 29. Congrats to all students on this accomplishment! Scan QR code to view photo album
Next up: retirement! Each honoree at the annual event received their commemorative school bell award recognizing their service and commitment to the students of SLP. Picnics, parties, track and field days, bounce houses, and more! Schools hosted many opportunities for students and families to celebrate the end of an awesome school year. Have a great summer and keep the learning going, Panthers!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT
Spring Lake Park High School seniors were awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships thanks to the support of many individuals and organizations in our community. Financially assisting our graduates makes it possible for them to pursue further education and builds a strong workforce and community.
If you’d like to become a scholarship donor, please contact Spring Lake Park High School’s Counseling Office at 763-600-5130.
BY THE NUMBERS
526 CLASS OF 2026 GRADUATES
141
BILINGUAL SEALS EARNED BY GRADUATES
835
K-4 KIDS IDENTIFIED “PLAY” AS A SPARK FOR THEM IN LEARNING
“START YOUR ENGINES” FREE OUTDOOR COMMUNITY EVENT
Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Everyone is invited to this family-friendly community event featuring a variety of exhibits with engines – think big trucks, automobiles and recreational vehicles. Lunch from featured food trucks is available for purchase. The Panther Foundation and Community Education co-sponsor this event. All ages, free to attend, and no registration is required - just show up to the Spring Lake Park High School parking lot and enjoy a kick-off to the new school year!
LIVE ON 65: 2026-2027 SEASON
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Liveon65
It’s an entertaining and diverse line-up for the next season! Presale tickets are available now so you can buy for all the shows early and save. Visit online or call 763-600-5050.
We3 + 1 Music | November 16, 7 p.m.
After Hours Big Band | December 6, 4 p.m.
St. Peter Street Stompers | February 9, 7 p.m.
AcroStrum | March 21, 2 p.m.
The 70’s Show feat. Jim Witter | April 28, 7 p.m.
141 GRADUATES EARNED BILINGUAL SEALS, RECOGNIZING PROFICIENCY IN SPEAKING, LISTENING, READING AND WRITING IN LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH
835 STUDENTS IN GRADES K-4 IDENTIFIED “PLAY” AS A SPARK FOR THEM WHICH SHOWS UP IN MATH AS INTERACTIVE LEARNING THROUGH GAMES AND FUN CHALLENGES
$ 100 K
LAUREN
THGILTO
ANDERSON CLASS OF 2026
I found my purpose through my passion for the medical field and earning my EMT certification through Opportunities in Emergency Care. It was there that something shifted. What once felt like effort, turned into drive. I found a determination in me to keep pushing forward, keep going. With my newfound drive, and the support of my family and friends, I finally began living a version of myself I was proud of, a perspective of the world I once didn’t have.
To our community:
The Class of 2026 has walked, diploma in hand, across the Commencement stage and into their future. More than anything else, we want each of them to feel confident, prepared and excited for what comes next.
In this issue of SLP Experience , several members of the graduating class share memories and plans. Again and again they talk about the benefits of all the opportunities they’ve had and taken advantage of while at SLP. All these opportunities – from activities to classes to career exploration and college credit – help students feel confident, prepared, and excited.
The graduates shared stories of learning experiences that have stuck with them and that they will carry into the future. They spoke to engaging, relevant and applicable learning that carries well beyond their time with us.
Confident. Prepared. Excited. These aren’t just feelings we want our graduates to feel the day they leave us. Our focus on designing engaging, relevant work continues because we want each student to experience these feelings wherever they are in their learning – whether the next step is kindergarten or college.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to explore some examples of the kind of work that engages students. Take a peek into how incorporating play, specifically games, into math is helping students practice concepts in a fun way. Then, learn more about how the specialist approach to science pairs science-minded elementary educators with hands-on student experiments and student-led discoveries.
This type of learning begins when each student experiences a sense of belonging. Our graduates shared many stories of where they found their people and places at Spring Lake Park Schools. For some it’s the lab or construction site. For others, it’s a club or sport. We hope the variety of places and spaces mean every Panther finds a home in our schools.
The variety of opportunities we are able to provide is only possible with the support of our community. We never take that support for granted. Each day, we are working to earn your trust and to partner together to prepare our community’s young people for their next steps. Through our work together, we can feel confident, prepared and excited for our community’s future.
Enjoy the summer.
and surrounding communities. Our students are engaged in personalized learning experiences as they discover who they are as learners. 526 STUDENTS
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent
SCHOOL BOARD
Tony Easter, Chairperson
Amy Hennen, Vice-Chairperson
Melody Skelly, Clerk
Sam Villella, Treasurer
Marilynn Forsberg, Director
Kelly McClellan, Parliamentarian
Allie Schmidt, Director
ABOUT US
We serve more than 6,100 students from
Pictured: Lauren Anderson Class of 2026 Speakers: Stephanie Ruiz Adam Stewart Isabella Haugen
Blaine, Fridley, Spring Lake Park
It’s officially summertime! The first day of the 2026-2027 school year is August 31. We look forward to seeing students again soon! 1
CATCH
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Contact
Spring Lake Park Schools district offices are open all summer long and a variety of different staff work throughout the summer months. If you have a question, want to enroll for next year or register for a class, contact us. We always have a Panther ready to help!
We offer a variety of state-of-the-art facilities throughout our districtspanning Spring Lake Park, Blaine and Fridley. Facilities are available to members of the community or businesses and include classrooms, conference rooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums, a pool, theater space and more. See more info online. SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Facilities 2
It’s not too late to keep the funand learning - going this summer. From summer child care to camps and clinics for students in grades K-12, there are options for every interest. Outside and inside. Art, music, games and recreation. Check online for registration options or call 763-600-5050.