SLP Experience - Summer 2024

XPERIENCE

SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS

SUMMER 2024

CLASS OF 2024

We celebrate these students in our Panther community and wish them well as they pursue future plans

PATHWAYS WELCOMES

STATE VIPS

MN Dept. of Education

Commissioner Willie Jett toured Career and College Pathways

MATH + SCIENCE = PLANTS + PARTNERSHIPS

Students applied learning to a native prairie plant community garden at Northtown Library

SPRING ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES

We’re #SLPPantherProud of our Panthers this spring

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FEATURE STORIES SUMMER 2024

CLASS OF 2024

It’s a bittersweet time each year when we say goodbye (for now) to the Spring Lake Park High School senior class. These students have been an invaluable part of our Panther community and we’re cheering them on as they pursue further education, a career or trade, take a role with the military or do something else altogether. Read about their future plans, favorite experiences, accomplishments and what makes them Panther Proud online.

MATH + SCIENCE = PLANTS + PARTNERSHIPS

In a winning equation, Spring Lake Park Schools students are applying their math and science learning to a community garden. Thanks to a partnership between the schools, Coon Creek Watershed District, Northtown Library, the Lions’ Club and Growing Green Hearts, the learning will result in a native landscape in the community. Read more about the project 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.

PATHWAYS WELCOMES STATE VIPS

MN Dept. of Education Commissioner Willie Jett toured Spring Lake Park High School Career and College Pathways along with colleagues from the legislature and Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). State leaders had an opportunity to interact with teachers and students within Spring Lake Park High School’s three pathways. Read more about the visit online.

SPRING ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS

• 17 student-athletes signed national letters of intent

• Girls Track: Section 5AAA Champions

• Boys Volleyball: Conference Champs

• Sydney Elsesser: MSHSL Award of Excellence for art

• Math Team: 3 students competed at Nationals in Iowa

Find more athletics and activities highlights online.

When SLP graduates walk across the stage at commencement, they are handed a diploma book cover. It wasn’t until they made it back to their seats that they opened it to find a surprise handwritten note from a 4th grader!

It’s always a special day when the graduating class is gifted their yard signs thanks to the support of the Panther Foundation! A show of school pride and celebrating end of the school year accomplishments!

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As a learning community, we recognize and honor this year’s retirees. We thank them for their tremendous contributions to our students and wish them well in retirement!

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An SLP favorite tradition: 4th Grade Track & Field Day! All elementaries join together at Panther Stadium for a day of fun before they reunite at Westwood as fifth graders.

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Facebook | Spring Lake Park Schools

Instagram | @springlakeparkschools

YouTube | Spring Lake Park Schools

Flickr | Spring Lake Park Schools

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY

LIVE ON 65: 2024-2025 SEASON

SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/LIVEON65

Mark your calendars for a new season of world-class entertainment in the North Metro. Tickets for the next season of Live on 65 are now available for purchase. Visit online or call 763-600-5050.

• Wednesday, October 2: After Hours Big Band

• Wednesday, December 4: Kat Perkins: North Country Christmas

• Wednesday, March 19: Ring of Kerry

• Monday, May 12: The Piano Men Timeless Hits of Billy Joel with Jim Witter

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT

Spring Lake Park High School seniors were awarded more than $83,000 in scholarships thanks to the support of many individuals and organizations in our community. Financially assisting our graduates makes it possible for them to pursue further education at 4-year colleges, 2-year colleges, technical colleges and trade schools. If you’d like to become a scholarship donor, please contact Spring Lake Park High School’s Student Support Services at 763-600-5130.

SUMMER FAMILY FUN

SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/CE

Check out some summer fun for the whole family.

July 7 - Summer Bird Walk - Rice Creek: Join Naturalist Kyle Te Poel for a morning walk in this creekside woodland.

July 13 - Build-a-Bird Feeder Parent/Child Workshop: Learn woodworking and tool-use skills as you enhance the backyard for the birds.

July 19 - Wolves, Bears, Raptors and More! Family Adventure to the Wildlife Science Center: Encounter wolves, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes, tortoises, raccoons, and more.

August 17 - Summer Bird Walk - Coon Rapids Dam: Nearly 100 species are on record at this location for the month of August.

“ LEARNING FOR LIFE ”

To our community:

The Class of 2024 has crossed the stage, diplomas in hand. They embark now on their next steps beyond Spring Lake Park Schools. That’s our goal – across the preschool to grade 12 experience – preparing our graduates for this moment and beyond. We don’t just check the box on graduation requirements. We want each graduate to have a plan and be prepared for their next steps.

Nothing is more important for the graduates in the Class of 2024 than leaving our schools knowing themselves as learners. As adults in the workforce and world, one thing is certain; they will need to continue to learn – whatever path they choose.

We are unique in that we have expanded embedded college opportunities while also developing career pathways with deep levels of community and industry partnership and support. The result is creative, varied opportunities for students to explore potential career and college paths throughout their experience in our schools. Enthusiasm at a recent visit from the Commissioner of Education suggests we’re on the right track. He was the latest in a string of visitors we’ve welcomed to our schools this year to see and observe our approach to learning.

BY THE NUMBERS SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

THIS YEAR, OPPORTUNITIES IN EMERGENCY CARE STUDENTS VOLUNTEERED 4,000 HOURS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

15,000 MEALS SERVED

67 YOUTH CAMPS AND CLINICS

$ 83 K WORTH OF SCHOLARSHIPS

4,000 VOLUNTEER HOURS THIS YEAR FOR OEC STUDENTS LAST SUMMER, NUTRITION SERVICES SERVED 15,000 FREE MEALS MORE THAN $83,000 WORTH OF SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY TO GRADUATES

67 YOUTH CAMPS AND CLINICS ARE HAPPENING OVER THE SUMMER AT SLP

“

NICHOLAS MULDER SLPHS GRADUATE

I am proud to be an SLP Panther because of those I interact with on a daily basis. Truly there is a unique culture at Spring Lake Park High School and I am honored to have been a part of it.

In the fall, Nicholas plans to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth and pursue a dual major in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering.

Since 2010, we’ve been on this journey toward personalized learning. Each year, we’ve taken deliberate steps toward the vision. While we still have more work to do, we can also see the progress we’ve made. It’s been fun, throughout this year, to share that with educators, architects, legislators, government officials and others from Minnesota and across the country.

We couldn’t make the progress we have without community engagement and support. Our community partners help bring math and science learning to life through efforts like local garden planting. Our community partners help support authentic learning experiences in business, technology, construction and more. It’s our community that fills the stands to cheer on our Panthers.

As we close out one school year and look ahead to the next, we do so with deep gratitude for our community. Thank you for continuing to invest in the future through the support of our schools and the SLP experience.

Until next time,

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.

XPERIENCE

THANK YOU STAFFPanthers give the best hugs. Thank you to our SLP Staff who continually showed up in a big way this school year. Each day you helped students learn, belong and thrive in our schools.

JOIN OUR TEAM

DISTRICT SERVICES CENTER

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

STAY IN TOUCH

We’re now hiring for a variety of roles for the 2024-2025 school year – from paraprofessionals and custodians to nutrition services and substitute teachers. Several locations and schedule options. We offer a competitive benefits and retirement package. FREE SUMMER MEALS

Spring Lake Park Schools district offices are open all summer long and a variety of different staff work throughout the summer. If you have a question, want to enroll for next year or register for an enrichment class, contact us.

We always have a Panther ready to help you!

This summer, Spring Lake Park Schools is serving free breakfast and lunch meals to all children in the community ages 1-18. Meals will be available in-person at Spring Lake Park High School, Park Terrace Elementary, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion and Westwood Intermediate and Middle School. View details online.