SLP Experience is a print and electronic publication produced several times each year that offers a look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools across school buildings and grade levels. Watch for the bigger stories of Panther pride and purpose in your email and home mail.

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A student giving Trevor Sherbert, Educator Apprentice, a hug

Trevor Sherbert gets a knee hug and a "hey, Mr. T" as he welcomes kindergarteners to school. He’s the day's sub. As substitute teachers are harder to find, Educator Apprentices, like Trevor, are part of an innovative approach to keeping learning going when teachers are gone. For Trevor, a Spring Lake Park Schools grad, the job is helping him explore teaching as a career.

Read More about Grads Return as Educators in Training in Innovative Roles
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100% EMT Passing Rate Graphic

400+ silent auction items will be available for online bidding to support Panthers for a Purpose

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2,086 unique voices have shared insights from their school experiences in our Possip family pulse checks so far this year

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1,100 students are in the Spanish Immersion programming across all grades 

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$13 million returned to taxpayers over the last 10 years through bond refinancing

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Senior spotlight graphic for SLP Experience
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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.

 

Superintendents Message Fall 2024
Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent, smiling in glasses

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.

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Get your "High School Musical" Tickets

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. Get your tickets. 

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Save the date: Panthers for a Purpose

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.

Visit the Panthers for a Purpose webpage.

Enjoy Live on 65: Ring of Kerry 

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. Get your tickets. 

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A 4th grader holding a craft color wheel project

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.

Two high school students visiting the college fair

At the end of October, high schoolers explored 55+ technical, 2-year and 4-year college booths in the gym. This gave them the chance to ask questions and find inspiration of where they may be headed next!

SLPHS OEC students teaching WW students CPR

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!

High school choir students singing at HyVee for Veterans day

The high school Parkairs chorus sang for HyVee’s Veteran’s Day breakfast. Between 500-600 veterans and active service members attended the event to hear the special tribute for their service to our country

Archived SLP Experience Issues

Winter 2025

Winter SLP Experience 2025 cover

Fall 2024

Fall SLP Experience cover 2024
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