SLP Experience - Spring 2024

XPERIENCE

SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS

HOW TO MAKE ALMOST ANYTHING

3D printers are humming with student-designed projects

LETTERS TO CHAPTERS, CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

How we’re helping readers take flight

THE POWER OF MORNING MEETINGS

Classrooms set the tone for a day of learning by gathering, sharing and connecting

WINTER ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES

We’re #SLPPantherProud of our Panthers this winter

SPRING 2024

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SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/EXPERIENCE

FEATURE STORIES SPRING 2024

HOW TO MAKE ALMOST ANYTHING

The 3D printers are humming in the Maker Space. Studentdesigned objects for How To Make Almost Anything, one of the most popular courses at Spring Lake Park High School, are appearing. The Technology, Engineering and Design elective provides a jumping off point for students to explore careers as they learn. Read more about the class and student projects online.

THE POWER OF MORNING MEETINGS

Energetic and barefoot first graders make a circle around an assortment of shoes. It’s time for a class favorite, the shoe greeting. Each day, students in grades preK-6 start with a morning meeting. They greet each other, spend time sharing, and discuss a topic like teamwork or empathy. This time each day creates a sense of belonging and sets the tone for the day of learning. Read more about morning meeting online.

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.

LETTERS TO CHAPTERS, CATERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY

The journey of the emerging reader is a transformation much like that of caterpillar to butterfly. As news headlines and legislative actions focus on the science of reading, Spring Lake Park Schools is in its third year of implementing new resources aligned with practices to help more readers take flight. Read more about emerging readers online.

WINTER ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS

Two SLPHS Curling Club Teams competed in the MN State High School Curling Tournament. Clayton Solberg placed 5th at the MSHSL State Wrestling Tournament. Choir and Theater groups showcased their skills during various performances. All of this and more makes us #SLPPantherProud! Find more winter athletics and activities highlights online.

A unique international cultural exchange for our band students!

Cedes Don Bosco

Escuela, a school in Costa Rica, visited Spring Lake Park High School in January. Student musicians performed for each other and together.

Mid-February marks the 100th day of school. Our elementary schools celebrate reaching the milestone with parades, dressing up and learning activities surrounding the number 100. Always fun to see how creative students and staff can be on this momentous day!

Panther Pride...on ice! The weather hasn’t allowed for much outdoor skating, but thanks to the valuable partnership with the National Sports Center in Blaine, students are having a blast trying out ice skating indoors this winter.

Intro to Trades students share their projects and answer questions about their building experiences! From dog and duck houses to a hunting shack and a bus stop shelter, they say the hands-on learning was fun and rewarding.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook | Spring Lake Park Schools

Instagram | @springlakeparkschools

YouTube | Spring Lake Park Schools

Flickr | Spring Lake Park Schools

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL SPRING MUSICAL, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/TICKETOFFICE

A Disney classic for the whole family to enjoy! Join us at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center for the final performances of the theater season.

Friday, April 19, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 20, 2 p.m.

Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m.

ONE MORE LIVE ON 65 SHOW SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/LIVEON65

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.

B2WINS DUO | Monday, May 13, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, 2 p.m.

Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS

1,234 STUDENTS TAKING PATHWAYS COURSES

70 PERCENT OF TEACHERS WITH ADVANCED DEGREES

5,900 MEALS SERVED PER DAY

20 YEARS OF SUPPORT FROM THE PANTHER FOUNDATION

1,234 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE TAKING PATHWAYS COURSES THIS YEAR

70 PERCENT OF OUR TEACHERS HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES

5,900 MEALS ARE SERVED PER DAY ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS

THE PANTHER FOUNDATION HAS BEEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR 20 YEARS SUPPORTING OUR SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS

C harismatic twin brothers from Brazil combine a plethora of genres into a feel good performance. They bring their high energy and entertaining “Top 40 From the Last 40” - four decades of the music you know and love with a unique twist.

THE

PANTHER FOUNDATION CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SUPPORT AND RAISES $148,000

PANTHERFOUNDATION.ORG

The Panther Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Panthers for a Purpose, held a successful Week of Giving and Panther Party that raised more than $148,000 to support activities and programs benefiting the students of Spring Lake Park Schools. Thank you to all who gave to support the cause!

This year, I am team captain of the SLPHS Panthinators robotics team. I oversee the four main teams (build, code, business and drive) and serve as a mentor, facilitator and make sure the whole operation is running smoothly. I plan on going into electrical engineering after high school and know my experience through Pathways courses and as team captain will carry into the rest of my life. This is one of the truest experiences and most accurate representation of being on a team I’ve had where everyone is working cohesively toward a single goal. I am learning a lot through being in a leadership role and being a member of the team with the various skill-sets all working towards that common goal. “

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

“ CREATING THE CONDITIONS

To our community:

As we head into the final couple months of the year, we thought it would be fun to share snapshots of a day in our schools. From how we build community and successful readers to opportunities during the school day and beyond for students to explore various interests and career pathways, each day of learning helps create the conditions for future success.

In our elementary classrooms, each day begins with a morning meeting. Students greet each other, spend time sharing and often discuss a specific topic like kindness or teamwork. The meeting builds community and helps create the conditions for a productive day of learning. In this SLP Experience, we share a peek into this important part of the day. I hope you take a look.

After the morning meeting, students are ready to give their attention to the learning. A big part of the elementary day is dedicated to reading. We’re in our third year of implementing new resources and practices aligned to the science of reading. Take a moment to learn more about what we’ve been doing to strengthen our approach to supporting our emerging readers.

From the elementary classroom to the high school, we know creating the conditions for exploration is important for each student’s future. Exploring passions and interests while learning helps pave the way for student discovery and success in school and beyond.

Through nearly 40 Career and College Pathways courses, high school students explore potential career paths, gain hands-on experience and often earn college credit. In this issue, take a deeper dive into “How to Make Almost Anything.” This popular course is helping students discover what they like – and don’t like – about engineering, technology and design.

Beyond the school day, exploration takes to the gym, the fields and the flex spaces. With each season, our committed coaches and caring advisors create the conditions for Panther Pride. As we wrap up winter and turn to spring, we have a lot to celebrate. As you browse the winter highlights, plan to come cheer our Panthers this spring.

This community’s support helps create the conditions for Spring Lake Park Schools students and staff to thrive. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to this SLP experience we create together.

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

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.

SPRING 2024

PLAN YOUR BEST SLP SUMMER YET

Slide into summer with programs for grades K-12. We have athletic camps with SLP coaches, field trips, community experiences, enrichment programming, child care options and more. There’s plenty of summer fun, learning and growing with Spring Lake Park Schools. Explore summer offerings online.

WANT TO CATCH UP ONLINE?

View the archive of past issues from this school year and read full stories online at

SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/EXPERIENCE

REGISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND PRESCHOOL

GET YOUR TICKETS TO LIVE PERFORMANCES

Register now for our early childhood programs, including award-winning preschool. Your child will explore the world through creative, hands-on activities and develop the skills and behaviors for successful learning. Full and partial day options are available at five convenient locations.

Register for programs online.

Don’t miss this spring’s live performances. The Broadway musical, “Beauty and Beast” finds its way to the high school stage in April. In May, the Live on 65 performance series wraps up the year with the not-to-be-missed Brazilian pair B2wins Duo.

Get your tickets online.

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