XPERIENCE SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS
WINTER 2026 51 DOORS TO COLLEGE, OPENED IN HIGH SCHOOL More than 50 courses at Spring Lake Park High School offer opportunities for college credit, saving students time and money
A RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE CONNECTIONS Nutrition staff serve up meals and connection with students
STOOLS, STEP COUCHES, AND ROCKING CHAIRS, OH MY! Movable furniture is helping our spaces be more flexible than ever to support learners
FALL ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS Standout moments
across athletics, co-curriculars and the arts, including a state football championship!
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Experience READ THE FULL FEATURE STORIES ONLINE SCAN QR CODE WITH SMARTPHONE OR DEVICE CAMERA TO VISIT THE WEBSITE
FEATURE STORIES WINTER 2026
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’s just a few highlights to show what the community has been engaging with recently. Throwing it back for Panther Week. In the lead-up to the football state championship, SLP high school alum staff dusted off their letter jackets and reminded us that being #SLPPantherProud never fades through the decades!
51 DOORS TO COLLEGE, OPENED IN HIGH SCHOOL
On a perfect, sunny fall day seniors in The Environment and Humanity class are collecting college credits along with water samples and science skills. The course is one of 51 offered at Spring Lake Park High School with college credit, which prepares them for life after high school. In the most recent graduating class, 83 percent of graduates earned at least one college credit during their high school experience. Nearly half of the class earned 12+ college credits – the equivalent of a semester of college. Read more online.
A RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE CONNECTIONS
Students speedwalk to get in line for the irresistible aroma of the day’s lunch in the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School cafeteria. There’s a steady stream 11 a.m.-1 p.m. that’s part of the daily school rhythm. For nutrition services staff member Ann Washenberger, today is another day in more than 25 years of serving up meals and connection. Ann and her team are always ready to serve up nutritious and delicious meals designed to help students learn better, play harder and feel cared for. Read more online.
STOOLS, STEP COUCHES, AND ROCKING CHAIRS, OH MY!
Walk into any learning space in Spring Lake Park Schools and you may see students on wobble chairs, lounged out on step couches, reading in a cubby or sitting in a space-age pod chair. Pictures of classrooms from the 1890s, feature individual desks and chairs lined up in perfect rows–and while there is a time and place for that kind of setup–many workplaces have moved away from models of that era and into a new future. Now, students move their furniture around throughout the day depending on the task. Read more online.
FALL ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS
The SBM Fire Dept. rolled in for a special visit to Early Childhood. Students got the ultimate 360° tour. From exploring all the gadgets and gear to climbing right inside the fire truck. All smiles and big questions from these little learners!
This season kicked off a fresh year of Panther athletics and activities. Students had countless opportunities to get involved, build connections and grow both on and off the field. For the first time in more than 30 years, Panther Football took home a state championship title! It was a special moment of Panther pride, and it wasn’t the only one. Read more highlights online.
Students in the yearlong Marketing and Entrepreneurship class once again stepped into the spotlight to pitch their innovative business ideas in this year’s “Shark Tank”style competition. Projects were judged by community pros.
National Signing Day Four student-athletes signed Division I & II national letters of intent Girls Soccer Section 5AA runner-up
7th grade students engineered cars powered by a single mousetrap with the goal of making them travel as far as possible, some went 50 feet! Using levers, wheels and axles, students learned to create mechanical advantages for cars.
Girls Swim & Dive Six State Participants Bowling JV state tournament 6th place Band and Choir Group trip to Chicago; Community performance for Veterans Day
SLP Experience is a print and electronic publication produced several times each year that offers a look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools across school buildings and grade levels. This school experience is defined by knowing each child by name, strength, interest and need in order to foster personalized learning experiences that develop academic and life skills and prepare students for their unique futures.
SOCIAL MEDIA @SpringLakeParkSchools Facebook
YouTube
Flickr
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY MUST-SEE SPRING MUSICALS
PANTHERS FOR A PURPOSE, FEBRUARY 22-28, 2026
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/TicketOffice The Sound of Music - February 26-28: A beloved classic as Westwood Intermediate & Middle School students bring this uplifting story to the stage - where joyful music, heartfelt family moments and Maria’s inspiring journey shine against a backdrop of rising turmoil. Little Shop of Horrors - April 25, 30, May 2-3: A hilarious, heartfelt tribute to ’60s horror and girl-group charm delivered by SLP High School’s theater program. Big laughs, catchy Motown-inspired music and a people-eating plant - it’s irresistible fun with a touching core.
“ PANTHER PRIDE ”
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/GiveBack Be part of something special with Spring Lake Park Schools during Panthers for a Purpose Week of Giving, February 22–28, 2026! Each year, Panthers for a Purpose brings our community together to make a meaningful impact on students, staff and families - and this year promises to be the best yet! There are many ways to get involved - sponsorships, silent auction donations, volunteering and more. Plus, the Panther Party is on February 28 and is one you won’t want to miss! Tickets for the party are available now.
JOYANN PARKER, MARCH 19, 7 P.M. SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Liveon65 With roots in the church and a solid foundation of musical education, Joyann Parker found her authentic voice later in life and created her own blend of roots music that combines soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues styles. Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Midwest music scene. Grab a friend and get your tickets to the show!
BY THE NUMBERS
THE NUMBERS STUDENTS RECOGNIZE IN MULTIPLE WAYS BY THE END OF SECOND GRADE
STUDENTS CAN WRITE, RECOGNIZE, AND BUILD 1,000 NUMBERS IN MULTIPLE WAYS BY THE END OF SECOND GRADE
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Seri and Gabby made their product marketing pitch for a customizable, indulgent soda pop in the Shark Tank competition.
SERI JEANS JUNIOR “I’ve been at SLP since kindergarten at Woodcrest and I’m still continuing with Spanish in high school. There are so many opportunities like that here...this marketing class, OEC (I’d like to become an anesthesiologist one day)...it’s so helpful to sample everything.”
This is also when high school students are registering for next year’s courses. We continue to increase opportunities to get a head start on college credits while experiencing the support of a high school environment. I hope you take a few minutes to hear from teachers and students about how more than 50 course offerings save students time and money and help prepare them for what is ahead. Across all grade levels and schools, our flexible learning spaces have become even more flexible with the addition of new furniture. This project began before the pandemic and is finally complete and coming to life. Learn more in this issue of SLP Experience about how teachers are considering furniture in how they design learning and based on the learner. You might find yourself in the market for a wobble chair! Panther pride is real! I’ve seen and felt it all fall. Thank you for cheering on all of our teams – of students and staff – and helping us realize dreams and prepare for futures of success. Let’s go, Panthers!
SCHOOL BOARD Tony Easter, Chairperson Amy Hennen, V ice - Chairperson Melody Skelly, Clerk Sam V illella, Treasurer Marilynn Forsberg, Direc tor
GABBY VANDEWIELE JUNIOR “This marketing class gives us experience before we go to college or enter the business world. I think it’s really cool that we get to practice with the help of professionals and do this huge project. I’d love to own my own business one day.”
Winning is great. What made me even more proud was the team. Each player brought their individual strengths at just the right times throughout the undefeated season. They also showed great character and sportsmanship – to each other and the teams they met. Their character and conduct made me proud to be a Panther! In this issue, take a minute to catch up on all the fall highlights and check out winter opportunities to come together and cheer on the next victory.
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools
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1,000
THERE ARE MORE THAN 83,000 PAPER-BASED BOOKS IN OUR K-4 SCHOOL LIBRARIES FOR STUDENTS TO CHECK OUT
G H T
83K+
PAPER-BASED BOOKS IN K-4 LIBRARIES
THE PANTHER FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED $2.4 MILLION FOR MORE THAN 400 PROJECTS IN OUR SCHOOLS
S
AWARDED BY THE PANTHER FOUNDATION
E N T S P OT LI
$2.4M
UD
RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS
ST
$14M
$14 MILLION RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS THROUGH BOND REFINANCING
To our community: We’re carrying a fall of Panther pride into the winter months. It’s been more than 30 years since Spring Lake Park brought home a state championship football title. The game was thrilling, and so was our community spirit. That sea of supporters was an awesome sight – and sound! It was a great reminder of the community support our students and our schools enjoy. Proud to be a Panther!
Kelly McClellan, Parliamentarian Allie Schmidt, Direc tor
ABOUT US
At Spring Lake Park Schools, we serve more than 6,100 students from Blaine, Fridley, Spring Lake Park and surrounding communities. Our students are engaged in personalized learning experiences as they discover who they are as learners.
XPERIENCE WINTER 2026
DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER Independent School District No. 16 1415 81st Ave NE Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
SpringLakeParkSchools.org
WANT TO CATCH UP ONLINE? View the archive of past issues from this school year and read full stories online at
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Experience
GET TO KNOW SLP IN 1, 2, 3
ENROLL IN KINDERGARTEN
2
HEAR THAT? IT’S THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC
3
BECOME A PARAPROFESSIONAL
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Kinder
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/TicketOffice
SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Careers
Now’s a great time to come visit and finalize your enrollment for Kindergarten. Enroll by the priority deadline, February 27, 2026, to secure your first choice school especially important if you are enrolling in Spanish Immersion. Visit online for more details.
Chase the winter blues away in February with The Sound of Music—a heartwarming story, timeless songs, and a joyful escape for the whole family. Then, enjoy a sizzling blend of soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues by Joyann Parker on the “Live on 65” stage in March. Tickets are online.
Support students, build trusting relationships, and contribute to a positive classroom environment. Enjoy rewarding, collaborative work that grows skills, strengthens community, and helps students succeed. Competitive pay and full benefits package.