XPERIENCE
SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS
SPRING 2023
WESTWOOD BROADCAST GROUP BRIDGES LEARNING AND COMMUNITY
Westwood Intermediate and Middle School has a new Panther News Broadcast written, filmed and edited by students
TRIGONOMETRY MEETS ART IN CO-CREATED COURSE
Co-created courses work to pair a student’s passions outside of school and plans for career and college with credit needs in specific subjects
WINTER ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS
Another season of highlights, successes and triumphs for Panther athletics and activities
OPENING OUR DOORS
We’re back to hosting all kinds of visitors for all kinds of reasons
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SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/EXPERIENCE
FEATURE STORIES SPRING 2023
WESTWOOD BROADCAST GROUP BRIDGES LEARNING AND COMMUNITY
News alert! Westwood students prefer Mandarin Orange Chicken for lunch. Through topics like favorite lunch, students producing the first ever Panther News Broadcast are building community at Westwood while learning new skills and exploring careers. Read more about the broadcast and watch it online.
WINTER ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS
The Centennial/SLP girls hockey team made it to state at the Xcel Energy Center. Braden Ripken placed 1st in the 50 free and earned All-State honors at State Swim & Dive. The curling team won the gold medal in the 4th event in the Kyle Satrom Memorial Bonspiel Curling Tournament. Find more athletics and activities highlights online.
SO MANY REASONS TO BE
#SLPPantherProud
TRIGONOMETRY MEETS ART IN CO-CREATED COURSE
“Star Weaver” is a final project in senior Hanna Nur’s co-created trigonometry course, in which she’s mastering trigonometry concepts through her passion for art. Co-created courses, like Hanna’s, pair a student’s passions outside of school and plans for career and college with credit needs in specific subjects. Learn more about co-created courses online.
OPENING OUR DOORS
Spring Lake Park Schools haven’t just been busy with learning this year, buildings are back to hosting all kinds of visitors. Families, community and industry partners, education leaders from other school districts, and prospective families are coming by to experience and engage in the Spring Lake Park Schools approach to learning. Read more about how we’re sharing our spaces online.
order to foster personalized learning experiences that develop academic and life skills and prepare students for their unique futures.
FOLLOW US
Get frequent updates by following our Spring Lake Park Schools accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr social media channels! Here’s just a few highlights of what the community has been engaging with recently.
A kinder class at Woodcrest Spanish Immersion learns to sew bean bags while learning about the letter “C” (coser means to sew in Spanish). The colorful final products show off new skills in coordination and patience!
Northpoint’s sure got talent! Students were shining on-stage and showing bravery to perform as finalists for their school-wide talent show. Talents included skits, singing, gymnastics, ninja skills, fancy football catches and more.
Scan QR code for photos.
For the first time ever, Spring Lake Park High School theater not only placed at the Section 4AA one-act play finals but took first place! As a result, they also moved on to perform in the State One-Act Play Festival.
Scan QR code for story.
Westwood Math League has had a successful season. Students achieved individual and team successes all season long. One team even scored 2nd place for the entire division. Congrats to all participants!
Facebook | Spring Lake Park Schools
Twitter | @SLP_Schools
Instagram | @springlakeparkschools
YouTube | Spring Lake Park Schools
Flickr | Spring Lake Park Schools
Follow us and get SOCIAL with SLP!
READ THE FULL STORIES ONLINE
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
Photo: Race Archibald, Sun Post
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE SPRING MUSICAL, MATILDA SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/TICKETOFFICE
The beloved story of Roald Dahl’s Matilda is making its way to Spring Lake Park High School’s Fine Arts Center. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers – making this one entertaining show for all audiences!
Performances: Friday, April 21, 7 p.m.;
Saturday, April 22, 2 p.m.; Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 30, 2 p.m.
THANK YOU FROM THE PANTHER FOUNDATION SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/GIVEBACK
The Panther Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Panthers for a Purpose, held a successful Week of Giving and Panther Party that raised more than $120,000 to support activities and programs benefiting the students of Spring Lake Park Schools. Thank you to all who gave to support the cause!
SUPERINTENDENT’S
MESSAGE
To our community:
We have been on a journey to know each child by name, strength, interest and need in order to effectively personalize learning. Each year, we take significant steps forward, and each year we identify further steps to deepen our work and its impact. That’s what learning journeys are. Reflection on progress leads to ideas for improvement. Each step brings us closer to more relevant, engaging learning that prepares students for their unique futures.
TWO MORE SHOWS FOR LIVE ON 65 SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/LIVEON65
Don’t miss your chance to catch Live on 65 concerts this April and May! Attendees will enjoy world-class entertainment right here at Spring Lake Park High School’s Fine Arts Center. Through the generous sponsorship of the Spring Lake Park Lion’s Club, tickets are affordable for the whole family. Tickets are available for purchase online.
GARY MAUER, Broadway Vocalist | Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. COPPER STREET BRASS, Brass Sextet | Monday, May 15, 7 p.m.
BY THE NUMBERS
~55K POU NDS OF FRESH PRODUCE
80% OF 12TH GRADERS
40 AGENCIES & OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
54,793 POUNDS OF FRESH PRODUCE WERE SERVED IN OUR SCHOOLS FROM SEPTEMBER–FEBRUARY THIS YEAR
$2.1 MILLION AWARDED SINCE 2004
Co-created courses at the high school are just one more recent example of this work. Any student can choose to co-create a course. A student designs their learning in partnership with a teacher to meet course requirements and explore their passions and/or ideas for career and college. Learn more about co-created courses in this issue and hear directly from students.
Our approach to personalized learning is grounded in each student experiencing a sense of belonging. A group of Westwood students is building community across grade levels through a first-ever Panther News Broadcast. They are gaining skills, exploring potential careers and contributing to a sense of belonging at Westwood. Their ownership and enthusiasm is our vision in action. Check it out.
All of our work is leading to visitors of all kinds wanting to see what is happening at Spring Lake Park Schools. Many have come to see our flexible learning spaces and how space contributes to our personalized learning approach. On the days when it feels hard to recognize our own progress, these outside perspectives help us see how far we’ve come. We wouldn’t have buildings to showcase or progress to celebrate without the support of this great community. We are grateful for the investments in our schools and our children. We don’t take it for granted as we work each day to prepare our young people for the future.
I hope to see you in our schools soon. Come enjoy a Live on 65 performance. Cheer our Panthers or continue your own learning journey through a Community Education class. The Spring Lake Park Schools journey includes you, and I hope you find a place here to connect and belong.
40 AGENCIES AND OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS RENT OUR FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
80 PERCENT OF THIS YEAR’S 12TH GRADERS HAVE TAKEN AT LEAST ONE CAREER AND COLLEGE PATHWAYS COURSE THE PANTHER FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED $2.1 MILLION SINCE 2004 TO SUPPORT MORE THAN 270 PROJECTS IN OUR SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS
SLPHS SENIOR “
SAVAN SANT
In the Technology and Business pathways, having access to specialized equipment has really enhanced my learning experience. I soon learned I could take my love of art and apply it to something practical.
BUSHRA SUMRAIN SLPHS SENIOR
I decided to dig deeper and explore our Health and Human Services pathway. I passed my state certification exam to become a nursing assistant, which has already helped me get my first job in a nursing home.
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools
SCHOOL BOARD
Tony Easter, Chairperson
Amy Hennen, Vice-Chairperson
Sam Villella, Treasurer
Melody Skelly, Director
John Stroebel, Director
Sarah Bowe, Parliamentarian
Marilynn Forsberg, Clerk
ABOUT US
At Spring Lake Park Schools, we serve more than 6,200 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.
“ STUDENT S P O T STHGIL
“ THE JOURNEY CONTINUES ”
XPERIENCE
SPRING 2023
DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER
Independent School District No. 16
1415 81st Ave NE
Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
SpringLakeParkSchools.org EXPERIENCE
WANT TO CATCH UP ONLINE?
View the archive of past issues and read full stories online at SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/EXPERIENCE
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GET SET FOR SUMMER
We’ve got you covered with programs for grades K-12. Check out our athletic camps with SLP coaches, field trips, community experiences, enrichment programming, child care options and more. You’re set for summer fun, learning and growing at SLP. Go online to check out programs and sign up.
BELONG AT SLP
REGISTER FOR PRESCHOOL
Each day, we work to create a sense of belonging for each student. The same goes for our staff. Take a look at openings for paraprofessionals, custodians, nutrition services and substitute teachers. There are several locations and schedule options to choose from. We offer a competitive pay, benefits and retirement package.
Registration for our award-winning preschool program is open now. Register your child to explore the world through creative, hands-on activities and develop the skills and behaviors to be successful in their learning. Full and partial day options are available at five convenient locations.
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE P A I D TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT 1174
SLP IN
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/ CAREERS
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/ PRESCHOOL
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/ CE-REGISTER
