XPERIENCE
SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS
FALL 2024
THE DAILY BUS RIDE: GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Cheryl and Shannon show and tell what it means to be a bus driver
A DAY IN 3 RD GRADE
Short video stories show tangible examples of competency-based learning in action
HOW TO GET A CHILD TO CARE ABOUT SCHOOL
After a dozen years of design and implementation, a new piece describes in more detail the K-12 personalized learning journey
8 REASONS FAMILIES CHOOSE SPANISH
IMMERSION
Learning a new language prepares students to thrive in a diverse, multilingual world
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FEATURES FALL 2024
THE DAILY BUS RIDE: GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Every September an iconic symbol returns to the roadways: the big yellow school bus. Cheryl and Shannon show and tell what it means to be a bus driver: the responsibility, the skill and how the job has brought them both many cherished memories over the years shared between driver, student and family. Read more about the rides online.
HOW TO GET A CHILD TO CARE ABOUT SCHOOL
Designing school so kids care to learn is at the heart of the Spring Lake Park Schools approach to personalized learning. But what does personalized learning really mean? After a dozen years of design and implementation, we have a new piece that describes in more detail the K-12 student journey when we are at our best. Check it out online.
SO MANY REASONS TO BE
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.
A DAY IN 3 RD GRADE
Third graders enthusiastically welcomed a video crew into their classrooms to follow along in their learning for one day last May. At the start of a new school year, short video stories from that day provide tangible examples of competency-based learning in action. Take a peek at examples of collaboration, math, science and digital literacy online.
8 REASONS FAMILIES CHOOSE SPANISH IMMERSION
In today’s interconnected world, being bilingual is more than just a nice skill to have – it’s a differentiator. Among the various methods of learning a new language, immersion programs stand out as one of the most effective. In our schools, it can begin as early as preschool. Read more online.
The first day of school brings out a lot of energy and excitement for students and staff! We love to see the smiles, fist bumps and hugs as we embark on a new school year journey together.
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Fourth graders at Park Terrace Elementary are learning how the literal and figurative heart shows up in our community from local experts - a day of hands-on learning about CPR, firefighting and sharing positive affirmations.
A focus on kindness is spreading from Westwood into the community! At a school family event, groups packed 550+ acts of kindness into two hours. Displays of kindness are also popping up through artwork in the building.
From theme days to Friday fun runs and pep fests, it was a festive Homecoming week across all schools. It’s special to see everyone come together as one community and show what it means to be Panther Proud!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY
LIVE ON 65 SHOW: KAT PERKINS
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/LIVEON65
The new season of world-class entertainment has kicked off, and three more shows remain this season. Tickets are available for all shows. Visit online or call 763-600-5050.
Wednesday, December 4: Kat Perkins: North Country Christmas
An incredible blend of traditional Christmas songs with Kat’s modern spin. She incorporates her audience in fun crowd participation holiday songs and even features an up-and-coming young star at each venue.
BY THE NUMBERS
100%
EMT PASSING RATE AT SPRING LAKE PARK HIGH SCHOOL
18 YEARS IN A ROW
216 DAILY BUS ROUTES
93% CLASS OF 2023 GRAD RATE OR PLAN
ENJOY LOCAL, LIVE THEATER
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/TICKETOFFICE
Spring Lake Park Schools is home to award-winning theater and outstanding student productions. Don’t miss these shows!
“Puffs (For Young Wizards)” | October 25-26, November 1-2
“Lost Boys” | December 6-7
“Girls in the Boat” a one-act play | January 17-18
“High School Musical” | February 27-28, March 1
“Hello, Dolly!” | April 25-26, May 2-4
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN COMMUNITY EDUCATION
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/CE-REGISTER
FAMILY EVENTS
Wolf Howl Bonfire - Nov. 9, 3:30-6 p.m. @ Wildlife Science Center
Let’s Clay: Gnomes - Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. @ SLPHS Cafeteria
CLASSES FOR ADULTS
Check out popular Badminton and Pickleball options late this fall and winter. The free Indoor Walking Club meets now through March 29 on Saturdays, 9-10:30 a.m. beginning in the Spring Lake Park High School cafeteria.
“ ENGAGED AT SCHOOL ”
To our community:
There was an interesting national study released over the summer conducted by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation that relates directly to the work we are doing at Spring Lake Park Schools. For Gen Zers in middle and high school, the most important predictor of whether they feel excited about and prepared for their future is the extent to which they feel engaged at school. Makes sense.
Sadly, on this national survey, nearly every measure of engagement declined from 2023 to 2024 across the country. The largest drops were in students’ being interested in and challenged by what they are learning. More than half of students reported they don’t have the opportunity to do schoolwork that aligns with their interests or talents.
While this is sobering, there is some good news from our students. We surveyed students about their engagement for the first time last year, and our students reported much higher levels of engagement than the national results. The work our teachers are doing to personalize learning and design work that appeals to students’ interests, needs and motives is paying dividends - and there is more to do.
100 PERCENT OF LAST YEAR’S EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN CLASS PASSED THEIR CERTIFICATION EXAM
18 YEARS IN A ROW OF EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR OUR FINANCIAL REPORTING $
216 DAILY BUS ROUTES RUN IN THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON 93 PERCENT OF THE CLASS OF 2023 GRADUATED IN FOUR YEARS OR HAD A POSTSECONDARY PLAN (last available data from Minnesota Department of Education)
FATIMA HAJI SENIOR
I moved here from England nine years ago and this has been my favorite community. I still have the same friends from middle school! SLPHS has prepped me for the next big milestone – after graduation I plan to go to medical school.
ISRAA ALI SENIOR
SLP caters to every student. Without even asking, staff have helped me to further succeed in the field I’m interested in. Next year my goal is to attend art school in New York to study interior design.
This year, we are taking further steps to create work that students find engaging and relevant to their lives. Teacher leaders were in throughout this summer and early fall designing and planning professional learning to support their colleagues. Teachers at every level are working together to share ideas, build on successes and deepen engagement.
With SLP Experience , we aim to provide a peek into the work we’re doing. You can learn more about creative and meaningful hands-on work that builds life-ready skills. We showcase teachers as designers and facilitators of learning – with kids owning their own learning in powerful ways. And, there are examples of students persisting through challenges in order to learn.
The work our teachers and staff do is only possible because of the community support we experience. We have wonderful facilities and so many student opportunities thanks to this community. We also have hundreds of community partners investing time to work with teachers and students to design learning that prepares students for their unique career, college and life path. Thank you!
It’s going to be a great year!
ABOUT US
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools
SCHOOL BOARD
Tony Easter, Chairperson
Amy Hennen, Vice-Chairperson
Marilynn Forsberg, Clerk
Sam Villella, Treasurer
Kelly McClellan, Director
Allie Schmidt, Director
Melody Skelly, Parliamentarian
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
FALL 2024
AWARM WELCOME
Spring Lake Park High School football players spread out across the district to welcome some of our youngest learners to their first day of school.
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
GET INVOLVED WITH SLP IN 1, 2, 3
At Spring Lake Park High School, there are three career and college pathways: Business and Entrepreneurship, Health and Human Services, and Technology, Engineering and Design. Students explore careers, gain skills, work on real-world projects and even earn college credit and certifications. Community partners are essential in our work to develop the workforce and community members of the future. Take a look at the many ways to get involved. Contact: Eric Van Brocklin, Career Pathways Lead | evanbr@district16.org, 763-600-5143
1 2 3
AT
THE HIGH SCHOOL
• Come speak to a class to share about your career field
• Facilitate a class project and provide feedback to students along the way
• Mentor students considering a future path within your industry
• Serve on the Advisory Council
PROVIDE WORKPLACE OPPORTUNITIES
• Host tours of your workplace
• Provide an internship opportunity for students to gain experience
• Provide an apprenticeship for a longer-term opportunity for students to gain experience that may lead to employment
• Sponsor a program with financial donations, time and/or equipment and materials
• Support scholarships for students continuing their education in your field
• Sponsor a field trip bus