SLP Experience - Winter 2024

XPERIENCE SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS

WINTER 2024 FALL ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS Another season of highlights, successes and triumphs for Panther athletics and activities

SUPPORTING HEALTHY HOMES AND LEARNING

We’re focused on expanding our continuum of supports for families to create the necessary conditions for a child to learn

ENCOURAGING EMERGING SCIENTISTS A new approach is encouraging deep thinking, interest and engagement in science

SO MANY REASONS TO BE

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The Girls Soccer team is Section 5AAA runner-ups. Senior Reilly Kopp participated in the State Cross Country Meet. The SLP Mathletes team is 12th overall in Minnesota and sophomore Sam Kretzschmar is 6th in state (all-state). Four seniors signed their National Letter of Intent during National Signing Day. Find more athletics and activities highlights and photos of the fall season online.

SUPPORTING HEALTHY HOMES AND LEARNING Access to a doctor or a dentist. Winter gear that doesn’t break the bank. Food for the weekend. Support for understanding and supporting your child’s development. All of these are necessary for creating the conditions for a child to learn.

That’s why we’re focusing on expanding our continuum of supports for families.

Learn more about how we’re connecting families to needed resources online.

ENCOURAGING EMERGING SCIENTISTS

What happens to a frozen bouncy ball? Will it change color?

Will it still bounce? What about when it thaws? Fifth graders have been observing a variety of frozen objects and how they respond to cold and heat. Chocolate. Bar soap. Balloons. Their study of matter reflects a new experience in science learning at Spring Lake Park Schools.

Spring Lake Park Schools has implemented a science specialist learning model at grades K-6. There is a new curricular resource for science at grades K-8, and new science competencies are guiding science learning.

The goal is to support deep thinking and doing, relate it to real life and ignite interest and engagement in science.

Read more about science at SLP and watch a video of one of our elementary science specialists in action online.

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.

Undefeated! The 8th grade Panther Blue Football Team ranked number one out of 40 regional teams. This accomplishment is a tribute to each player’s ability to work together and support each of their teammates on the field and at school.

Movers prepared the student-built house in the high school parking lot for its journey to its new lot. Overnight, it rolled through the quiet streets to be placed on its new foundation.

The lot is now clear for this year’s Construction Trades students to build another.

Our preschoolers are having a blast learning about community helpers! Fire Fighter Jeff showed students the fire truck and rescue tools. Officer Chlebeck showed students the police car and talked to them about his duties.

Seniors Julian and Trevon used resources from the SLPHS Career and College office to land part-time jobs at Heartland Tire, gaining real-world, hands-on experience that will set them up for success after graduation in the spring.

Facebook | Spring Lake Park Schools Instagram | @springlakeparkschools 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.

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SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY PANTHER PUZZLEMANIA JIGSAW COMPETITION

SAVE THE DATE: PANTHERS FOR A PURPOSE

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Calling all puzzle enthusiasts! Rally your squad of up to four members and immerse yourselves in the ultimate puzzle showdown.

The challenge: conquer a 500-piece puzzle at warp speed. Top teams in each division will claim victory and fantastic prizes. February 10, 2024, competition begins at 10 a.m., Spring Lake Park High School Great Hall, $40 per team.

“SUPPORT FOR LEARNING”

Week of Giving: February 18-24, 2024 Participate in an online silent auction, dine-to-donate opportunities at local restaurant partners and Panther Pride activities all week long!

Party: Saturday, February 24, 2024 (tickets on sale Jan. 3) Join us at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids. Guests will enjoy a Live Auction, Giving Moment Program and musical entertainment - Dueling Pianos by Rock It Man Entertainment.

GET YOUR TICKETS SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/TICKET-OFFICE Don’t miss a night of music or laughter at your home for local, live performances. Next up for “Live on 65” is comedian C. Willi Myles, February 8. Then, enjoy the Westwood Middle School musical “Oliver Jr.”, February 29, March 1 and March 2. Explore the schedule and purchase tickets online.

PLAN YOUR SUMMER AT SLP! WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SUMMER PROGRAMMING AT SLP STARTING MARCH 1

ST

BY THE NUMBERS

20,160 MINUTES

12 YEARS

47 COURSES OFFER COLLEGE CREDIT (12X12 )AT SPRING LAKE PARK HIGH SCHOOL

A 4TH GRADER WILL HAVE 20,160 MINUTES OF DIRECT READING INSTRUCTION DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR

12 YEARS OF BALANCED BUDGET IN THE DISTRICT

“

MARIA MORA-PENA SLPHS SENIOR

Career and College Pathways at Spring Lake Park High School provides a safe environment where I can learn from my mistakes, grow from my teacher’s experiences and my own experiences in the program. After going through the Emergency Medical Technicians course, I got trained as a medical professional and learned about various diseases, illnesses, accidents, treatments, and protocols that will one day help me save lives.

“

COURSES

T S P OT L I G HT

47

EN

HOURS

UD

1,520

OUR CUSTODIANS WORK 1,520 HOURS IN SCHOOLS EACH WEEK

To our community: It’s great to live in Minnesota, especially when you are in first grade science learning about snow.

Yes, our first graders are learning about snow, outside, and how it is part of a seasonal pattern, radial symmetry in snowflakes, and making connections between math and science. They are living in a real-life laboratory!

First graders studying snow is just one example coming from our refreshed approach to elementary science learning. This year, we’ve implemented an elementary science specialist model, as well as a new core resource. I hope you’ll take a moment to learn more about how we’re supporting emerging scientists.

At all grade levels, whether the subject is science or something else, we provide students a comprehensive continuum of supports. In recent years, we’ve strengthened supports for academic, social, emotional and behavioral growth and development. While our supports have often extended to families, this year, we’re focusing more than ever on families.

Support for student learning doesn’t just happen at school; it starts at home. We’re focused this year on supporting families with child development and parenting support, health care and wellness and meeting basic needs. We continue to layer in supports, often working with partners, to strengthen families and ultimately student success.

Athletics and activities are always important for student growth. While the winter season is well underway, we are still celebrating fall’s Panther highlights. From the pool to the court to our activity spaces and the outdoors, our Panthers had a great season of learning, improving and connecting.

Check out some of the accomplishments of our teams and student groups.

As we enter mid-winter in Minnesota, I hope your plans bring you to our schools. Pickleball and Saturday walking club offer winter activity. Community Education courses offer new skills and connections. Theater, athletics and other performances offer entertainment. I hope there is something that interests you, and we see you here.

Thank you, as always, for your tremendous support of our students and our schools.

Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools

SCHOOL BOARD Tony Easter Marilynn Forsberg Amy Hennen Kelly McClellan Allie Schmidt Melody Skelly Sam V illella

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.

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT 1174

XPERIENCE DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER

WINTER 2024

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

EXPERIENCE SLP IN 1, 2, 3

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GET YOUR TICKETS

TOUR AND TALK

ENROLL FOR 2024-2025

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We’re home to live music, theater and world-class performances in the North Metro. Choose award-winning student theater or a “Live on 65” performance. Coming up, catch comedian C. Willi Myles, “America’s Everyday Comedian,” and the musical “Oliver Jr.”

It’s a great time to visit our schools.

Each of our schools - and all grade levels - offer opportunities to come tour our buildings and talk with friendly and knowledgeable school staff. Whether you are getting ready for kindergarten, high school or anything in between, you are welcome.

Enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 school year. Learn more about Spring Lake Park Schools’ commitment to personalized learning and approach to preparing students for their unique career, college and life path.

Get your tickets online.

Sign up and come visit.

Come out to any of our locations for a visit or enroll now online.