XPERIENCE SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS
FALL 2023 FINDING THE JOY IN LEARNING Joy has been spotted across Spring Lake Park Schools and grade levels this school year
GETTING TO KNOW YOU There’s more to the games, trivia questions, and art projects than meets the eye as teachers get to know each learner by name, strength, interest and need
PRACTICE MAKES PROFICIENT
A competency-based approach to learning is coming to life for students this school year
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SO MANY REASONS TO BE
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Spring Lake Park Schools accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr social media channels! Here’s just a few highlights to show what the community has been engaging with recently.
FEATURE STORIES FALL 2023 FINDING JOY IN LEARNING
Across Spring Lake Park Schools and across grade levels, among friends and seat mates, in the midst of assignments and instructions and collaboration and conversations, there have been sightings of joy. Joy has been spotted at recess, in the lunchroom, during morning meeting time, in hallway exchanges between students and staff and even during math class. Read more about Finding Joy in Learning online.
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Centerview got a special visit from Farmer Dale with Papa Organics who talked to the nutrition services team about the science behind growing corn. Students were able to shuck and enjoy the fresh Minnesota grown corn!
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
Kindergarteners chant each others’ names. Third and fourth graders learn what kind of candy they each like. High schoolers share adventures they’d like to have and qualities they look for in a friend. Staff have used a variety of creative, engaging and fun activities to get to know each student and their investment will make a difference to the learning ahead. Read more about how staff and students have gotten to know each other online.
After seeing 4th grader Sophia paint at the “Northpoint’s Got Talent” event last spring, the athletics and activities department at Spring Lake Park High School commissioned her to create a piece for their office!
The Lighthouse Earth Group members recently did their first grounds clean up around SLPHS. This group was brought together thanks to 6th grader, Sarah, who is putting her Reduce, Reuse, Recycle project plan into action!
PRACTICE MAKES PROFICIENT
The sticky note on the 4th grader’s math has her thoughts on what she needs to practice. The class is working on problemsolving – one of four math competencies. Student and teacher discuss a plan for personalized learning time. Each chance to practice brings her closer to proficiency. Competency-based learning is an education-y mouthful of words for an approach to learning coming to life in real ways for Spring Lake Park Schools’ students. The focus is on developing each student’s knowledge and skills to gain proficiency versus simply covering a subject for a defined period to fulfill a requirement.
From theme days and activities to powderpuff games and pep fests, it was a great Homecoming week! The Panther Community also voted on a name for the mascot - say hello to Parker the Panther!
A helpful analogy is learning to drive a car. At the beginning, students learn concepts in a classroom. Then, they practice with supervision and feedback. Eventually, they show what they know to earn a driver’s license. Competency-based learning follows a similar process for a variety of academic and career and life skills. Read more about competency-based learning online.
Facebook | Spring Lake Park Schools 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 LIVE ON 65: AFTER HOURS BIG BAND
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
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Don’t miss this holiday performance, “Dear Santa...Define Good” featuring music by Michael Buble, Gordon Goodwin, Disney’s Frozen and Frozen II and more! Naughty or nice, get yourself into the Holiday Spirit Thursday, December 7, 7 p.m., in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Get tickets online or call 763-600-5050.
Now is a great time to explore interests, discover passions and learn a new skill. Explore youth, adult, and family programs. From genealogy to cooking, fitness to art, these affordable classes help connect participants with others who share similar interests as they learn new skills. Register and browse classes online.
“FRESH STARTS”
ENJOY LOCAL, LIVE THEATER SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/TICKETOFFICE Spring Lake Park Schools is home to award-winning theater and outstanding student productions. Don’t miss “Funkyland: The Musical” | November 30, December 1 “Radium Girls” the one-act play | January 20, 21 “Oliver, Jr.” | February 29, March 1-2 “Beauty and Beast” | April 19-20 & 25-26, 28 Enjoy an upcoming performance in the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Explore the schedule and purchase tickets online.
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BY THE NUMBERS
COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS
6A.M. KITCHEN STAFF ARRIVE
5TH GRADE
T S P OT L I G HT
200
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STADIUM SEATS
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2,582
THE TOTAL SEATING CAPACITY OF PANTHER STADIUM IS 2,582 PEOPLE NEARLY 200 COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS PARTNERS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN CAREER AND COLLEGE PATHWAYS PROGRAMS THE KITCHEN STAFF ARRIVES TO SCHOOL EACH MORNING AT 6 A.M. BY 5TH GRADE, THE AVERAGE SPANISH IMMERSION STUDENT IS BILINGUAL
To our community: It has been so fun to kick off a new school year. The energy and promise of a new year has been evident in each of our schools. There is a positive buzz everywhere I go. The buzz is grounded in our staff committing to deeply knowing students and designing authentic, meaningful connections and school experiences. In this issue of SLP Experience, we share some examples of ways our staff have approached relationship and community building. We also shine a spotlight on joy. While schools are places of learning and growth – they are also places where we want students and staff to discover their spark and find joy. The reflections teachers and students share in this issue are definitely worth a moment of your time – and may bring you a moment of joy. Mastering a concept and applying it successfully can certainly bring joy to anyone at any age. This year, we’re taking further steps in our journey of personalized learning and continuing to bring to life a competency-based approach to learning. What’s most exciting about competency-based learning is the recognition that learners are individuals. Through personalization and flexibility, students focus on what they need to learn and understand deeply before they move on to the next concept, all while exploring their interests and discovering their spark. It’s a little like building blocks. Each block is put in place before adding the next to ensure a strong foundation that opens the doors to all kinds of possibilities. In these first weeks and months of school, we are all building a strong foundation for the year ahead. We look forward to collaborating with families and community members along the way and appreciate the support this community shows each day to our students and our schools. Thank you,
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools
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ABOUT US
EVAN JEFFERSON SLPHS SENIOR
What makes me #SLPPantherProud is the sheer amount of college-level courses that are offered and the educators who take pride in the advanced courses they teach. I have seen the number of options available skyrocket from my time as a freshman to now. Whether it be College in the Schools, AP, or PSEO, the options are endless to earn college credits while still earning my high school diploma.
SCHOOL BOARD Tony Easter, Chairperson Amy Hennen, V ice - Chairperson Sam V illella, Treasurer Melody Skelly, Direc tor John Stroebel, Direc tor Sarah Bowe, Parliamentarian Marilynn Forsberg, Clerk
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.
XPERIENCE DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER Independent School District No. 16 1415 81st Ave NE Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
FALL 2023
SpringLakeParkSchools.org
WANT TO CATCH UP ONLINE? View the archive of past issues from this school year and read full stories online at
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JOIN OUR TEAM
TAKE A CLASS, FIND A PASSION
CHEER OUR PANTHERS
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A new school year is underway and there are so many ways to make a difference for students. From paraprofessionals and custodians to nutrition services and substitute teachers, discover a role, location and schedule that works for you.
Now is the time to explore interests, discover passions, learn a new skill and connect with others within our Panther community. Browse youth, family and adult program offerings.
Athletics and activities are underway. Spectators are always welcome to come cheer on and support our Panthers! Join us for a competition or a performance.
Visit the website to explore community education classes and register.
Visit the website to view schedules.
Competitive benefits and retirement package.