To our community: The Class of 2023 stepped across the Roy Wilkins stage June 9. This is the highlight of each school year for me, getting to witness a sea of graduates – 412 strong this year – celebrate this life milestone surrounded by their families and the Spring Lake Park Schools staff who walked this journey with them. It is so gratifying to know that the colleagues I have the honor to work with have helped them discover who they are and prepared them for what’s ahead.

We will all be cheering this year’s graduates on as they take their next steps. Each graduate brings a unique story and future path. This is a class with varied interests, a diversity of experiences and backgrounds and so many exciting plans for the future. I invite you to get to know a few of them a little better in our feature on the Class of 2023.

We are committed to preparing students for all kinds of future paths. Our Career and College Pathways are second to none and growing. A visible symbol of this building for the future was the house 40 students in the Technology, Engineering and Design pathway built in the high school parking lot. Construction is now complete. Take a minute to learn more about the project and take a video tour.

Each year, we report on our progress through projects such as Career and College Pathways in our annual District Operational Plan. You can always find more about the steps we are taking to create engaged and enthusiastic learners, responsibly use our resources and strengthen community connections on our website under Discover, Our Strategic Plan.

Much like the house our students built this year, the construction of this school year is complete. Spring athletics and activities have wound down and Panthers everywhere are catching their breath. As we step into summer, we are hard at work preparing for next year.

We’ll kick off a new year September 5. In the meantime, I hope to see you at a summer event or activity soon.

Local Scholarship Support

Spring Lake Park High School seniors were awarded more than $72,000 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.

“Start your Engines” Free Outdoor Community Event

Saturday, September 16, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Spring Lake Park High School Parking Lot

Everyone is invited to this family/community event featuring a variety of exhibits with engines – think big trucks, automobiles and recreational vehicles. Lunch from featured food trucks is available for purchase. We are accepting charitable bike donations for “Bike4Kids” at this event. A big thank you to the Panther Foundation and SLP Community Education for their co-sponsorship of this event.

“Start Your Engines” is for all ages, free to attend, and no registration is required - just show up and enjoy the kick-off to the 2023-2024 school year!