XPERIENCE
SPRING LAKE PARK SCHOOLS
WINTER 2025
FROM PAPER PLANTS TO COMMUNITY CIRCLES
Across Spring Lake Park Schools, specific, intentional strategies and practices are creating a learner-centered environment
ALL ABOUT AVID
Students enrolled in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) elective are building academic and life skills
FALL ATHLETICS AND
ACTIVITIES
HIGHLIGHTS
Panther athletics, activities, and fine arts offered incredible opportunities for students to connect, grow and shine
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FEATURES WINTER 2025
ALL ABOUT AVID
Nestled in a busy hallway of Spring Lake Park High School’s B Wing is a classroom with college pennants pinned on the walls. Inside, students enrolled in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) elective are being supported in building their academic and life skills for post-secondary success. Four current students share their experiences in the program and how they feel it’s preparing them for their future. Read more online.
FROM PAPER PLANTS TO COMMUNITY CIRCLES
FALL ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS
The start of a new year for Panther athletics and activities opened up countless ways for every student to have a positive experience, discover a sense of connection and learn life lessons both within and outside the game. From swimming to ultimate frisbee to a fine arts festival and more, there were many memorable moments during this season. Read more about the highlights online.
The paper plants on the wall are all different and filled with students’ hopes and dreams. In another room, there is a student signed poster with the class rules. In another space, Tuesday mornings are circle time. These are specific, intentional strategies and practices happening all across Spring Lake Park Schools.
A learner-centered environment is a space where students feel seen, heard, valued – that they belong. It’s a space to safely develop and practice skills like working together and treating each other with respect and kindness. It’s a place of shared responsibility where each member supports and feels supported in learning.
Read more about how educators dip into a shared collection of strategies, tools and resources to support our students. Translation: “Our hope...to grow together!”
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.
develop academic and life skills and prepare students for their unique futures.
The high school Parkairs chorus sang for HyVee’s Veterans Day breakfast. Between 500-600 veterans and active service members attended the event to hear the special tribute for their service to our country.
Westwood 8th graders got hands-on, lifesaving CPR training from skilled high school Opportunities in Emergency Care students. They even moved through mock scenarios to put their new skills to the test!
At the end of October, high schoolers explored 55+ technical, 2-year and 4-year college booths in the gym. This gave students the chance to ask questions and find inspiration of where they may be headed next!
Fourth graders engaged in creating their own color theory wheel in art class. The weeklong project emphasized the process of creating an original color wheel by putting their interests into the work.
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 “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL” TICKETS
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/TICKET-OFFICE
Westwood Middle School students present “High School Musical” (One-Act Edition) on February 27, February 28 and March 1. Don’t miss out on the music and the drama as the jocks, brainiacs, thespians and skater dudes all find their way to the stage for some song and dance.
BY THE NUMBERS
$13M RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS
1,100 STUDENTS IN SPANISH IMMERSION
$13 MILLION RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS THROUGH BOND REFINANCING
2,086 UNIQUE VOICES SHARING INSIGHTS FROM POSSIP
1,100 STUDENTS ARE IN SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAMMING ACROSS ALL GRADES
2,086 UNIQUE VOICES HAVE SHARED INSIGHTS FROM THEIR SCHOOL EXPERIENCES IN OUR POSSIP FAMILY PULSE CHECKS SO FAR THIS YEAR
SAVE THE DATE: PANTHERS FOR A PURPOSE
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/GIVEBACK
Week of Giving: February 16-22, 2025
Participate in an online silent auction, dine-to-donate opportunities at local restaurant partners and Panther Pride activities all week long!
Party: Saturday, February 22, 2025 (tickets on sale Jan. 2) Join us at Bunker Hills Event Center in Coon Rapids. Guests will enjoy a Live Auction, Giving Moment Program and musical entertainment - Sweet Keys Dueling Pianos.
ENJOY LIVE ON 65: RING OF KERRY
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/LIVEON65
Live on 65 welcomes Ring of Kerry on Wednesday, March 19, 7 p.m. at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Enjoy Irish music that captures the hearts of listeners. With sounds that range from the thunder of the Irish bodhran drum to the sparkle of the hammered dulcimer; from the lilt and rhythm of fiddle and guitar to the haunting wails of flutes and pennywhistles, the band has developed a blend that is animated, ruggedly beautiful and fun.
TAELYN THEISEN
SENIOR
To our community:
A highlight of my work is visiting our schools to see our students and staff in action. It is so much fun to see the amazing learning happening in each of our schools. This learning depends on a lot of factors, and ensuring an enriching, positive learner-centered environment has been an ongoing focus throughout our district.
What do we mean by learner-centered? We mean creating an environment where students feel a sense of value and belonging. It’s a space where students can safely develop and practice skills like working together and treating each other with respect and kindness. It’s a place of shared responsibility where each member of the school community feels supported in learning.
In this issue of SLP Experience , we share some specific examples of strategies and tools our staff use to cultivate a learner-centered environment. While the examples are specific to grades K-6, these strategies apply at our middle and high school as well.
At the core of this work is relationships – between teachers and students and among peers – that provides an environment each day for each of our students to experience the conditions they need to learn and succeed. And, to help create the conditions for their friends and peers to get what they need. This means learning to work together to create and live as a community.
I can share – from my walks through our buildings this year – that these efforts are paying off across schools and grade levels. I hope you’ll take a moment to read some concrete examples of these strategies in action and the difference they are making.
I hope you will also check out the feature on AVID – an elective at our high school – that prepares students for postsecondary education options. There are also plenty of Panther highlights from fall athletics teams and 48 different activities and clubs.
Mark your calendars for the many opportunities coming up to engage with our schools. New Family Kindergarten events are right around the corner (Enrollment for next fall is open!). We’re gearing up for Panthers for a Purpose, and we’re always entertained by Live on 65. I hope to see you, along with a friend or neighbor. We wouldn’t be the community we are without you. Thanks for your support.
400+
SILENT AUCTION PACKAGES
400+ SILENT AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE BIDDING TO SUPPORT PANTHERS FOR A PURPOSE
The most enriching academic experience has to be the wide range of clubs and organizations available to students. For me, that has been DECA, Black Student Union, Student Council and National Honor Society. These groups provide me the opportunity to network at school, combine academics with fun, and most importantly, to learn the importance of teamwork, accountability and responsibility.
Jeff Ronneberg, Ed.D Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools
SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT
Tony Easter, Chairperson
Amy Hennen, Vice-Chairperson
Marilynn Forsberg, Clerk
Sam Villella, Treasurer
Kelly McClellan, Director
Allie Schmidt, Director
Melody Skelly, Parliamentarian
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
WINTER 2025
ATTEND A “KINDERGARTEN NEW FAMILY” INFO EVENT
Learn more about the district and school, tour the building and learn about the enrollment process. All events begin at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, January 28, 2025 – Northpoint Elementary
• Thursday, January 30, 2025 – Centerview Elementary
• Tuesday, February 4, 2025 – Woodcrest Spanish Immersion
• Thursday, February 6, 2025 – Park Terrace Elementary
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
GET TO KNOW SLP IN 1, 2, 3
1 2 3
ENROLL FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/ ENROLL
Enrollment is now open for the 2025-2026 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. Come out to any of our locations for a visit or enroll now online.
NOW HIRING
PARAPROFESSIONALS
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/ CAREERS
We continue to have critical openings for paraprofessionals in our schools. There are full-time opportunities following a school schedule with benefits including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off and more. Work with kids and make a difference in our community! View openings and apply online.
HELLO, KINDERGARTENERS!
SPRINGLAKEPARKSCHOOLS.ORG/ KINDER
Have a soon-to-be kindergartener? It’s time to enroll! We work with each student to help them discover who they are as a learner and find their joy in learning. Check out upcoming informational events and specifics about enrolling for 2025-2026 online.