Newsletter

Dear High School Parents and Guardians,

We are up and running with extended flexible learning! Thank you for your partnership and patience as we navigate this new learning environment as a whole school community. We are truly in this together.

Monday morning (and a few times since) we had real challenges for students, teachers and parents alike as our learning platforms – used worldwide – experienced technical difficulty. Things have been improving, and we know we will need to continue to be patient and flexible in the coming days. 

A few days in, I’ve heard consistently from teachers how great it is to see their students, and they look forward to connecting with more students as the week goes on. Our staff have worked diligently to transition their classes to this environment, and I have witnessed high levels of creativity and commitment to making this a valuable learning experience for our students.  

Already in these first few days, teachers have created several ways for students to connect with the learning and peers in their courses through video, message boards and daily updates to build positive classroom communities. Staff have used several new tools to try to make the learning come alive in an online platform, and many teachers are creating multiple open “live” sessions for students to check in and connect.

Some tips for students

It doesn’t take long to identify some best practices for the online experience. Here are a few we’ve found in these first few days – and want to pass on to you to reinforce with your students:

• Be mindful of your physical environment and surroundings when they enter an online environment.
• Be sure there isn’t loud music playing in the background.
• Wear headphones or earbuds when in a WebEx.
• Engage respectfully in class conversations and silence microphone when not talking or contributing to the class discussion.
• Use chat features/tools when you have a question.
• Relax if you can’t make a “live” session. These are all being recorded so students can watch later if needed.  

See the Need to Know section of the High School Newsletter for additional information and resources, including:

• Tutorials for families to familiarize yourself with the tools and platforms we’re using
• How to access tech support
• Options for low and no-cost wireless services
• Resources for social and emotional health during this time
• Spirit week information for next week’s virtual spirit week

Many of our staff are parents, too, experiencing, as you are, the balancing act as we all work to find a new normal and new routine in these extraordinary times. I want to encourage families, as I have our staff, to create routines and some consistency during these highly irregular times. I hope you all are able to also schedule time to disconnect from online environments and screens to focus on physical and emotional wellbeing. 

This really does feel like the first week of school all over again. We appreciate all of you and your students. It’s our privilege to be a part of their lives, and we’re grateful to continue to be connected as a learning community focused on supporting each other and the learning during this time.

Be well. Together, “We got this!”

With gratitude,
Matthew Boucher
Principal

Virtual Spirit Week, April 6-9

As we’re all stuck at home, we’re joining together for a virtual SLP Spirit Week, April 6-9. Starting Monday, you can be #SLPPantherProud to share your best wacky hairdo or fun hat with our community. Be sure to tag us using the hashtag or email us a photo to communications@district16.org and let's see your school spirit next week!

How to participate:

1. Snap a photo
2. Post to social media or email communications@district16.org
3. On social, be sure to tag us and use the hashtag #SLPPPantherProud

Virtual Spirit Week Themes for Monday, April 6-Thursday, April 9

• Monday - Wacky Hair/Hat Day
  • Mondays can be tough in general, so roll out of bed and rock your "bedhead" or sport a funky hairdo! Or, wear a hat as simple as your favorite baseball cap or a fun hat.
• Tuesday - Mismatch Pattern Day
  • Stripes, polka dots, tie-dye, animal prints and any other pattern combination you can think of are welcome.
• Wednesday - Emoji Day
  • Show us how you're feeling with your favorite emoji. You could hold up a sign or draw a picture to express yourself. This is your chance to get creative!
• Thursday - Panther Spirit Day
  • Let's see your Panther Pride by wearing any and all Spring Lake Park Schools gear or red, white and blue school colors! 

Share your first week photos

It sure does feel like the first week of school, doesn't it? Every year, we love to see students in their first day of school photos .... so why not the first week of extended flexible learning? Use the first week photo sign here or make your own. Share your first week photos and don't forget to tag us using #SLPPantherProud.

First week photo sign in English

First week photo sign in Spanish 

Technology Toolkit 

In an extended flexible learning environment, students in Spring Lake Park Schools will utilize a variety of technology tools. We put together a toolkit of technology tips and tutorials to help students and families navigate the learning tools needed to be successful in a flexible learning environment. This toolkit includes links to video tutorials, FAQs and informational resources.

View the Technology Toolkit

Wireless Internet Access

Students at Spring Lake Park Schools need consistent access to wireless service in a flexible learning environment. For families who do not currently have consistent wireless access, there are two low and no cost wireless access options available.

View Wireless Internet Access options

Technology Support 

The SLP Tech Department is here to support students and families during extended flexible learning.

If you need technology support, email techsupport@district16.org. Make sure to include your name, contact information and a brief description of your request. If you are unable to email, call 763-600-5555 and leave a message.

Meal Services

Spring Lake Park Schools is continuing to provide students with free meals during the school closure. We will be distributing free meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at six locations throughout the community. On Mondays and Wednesdays, families will receive two-days’ worth of meals. On Fridays, families will receive a standard day of meals plus additional snacks for the weekend.

View Meal Service Locations and Times

Six daily questions for social and emotional health

Our team cares about our students’ and families’ success in this uncharted situation for all of us. Our school experts in social, emotional and behavioral health encourage you to check-in with yourself during this unusual time and make your well-being a priority.

As we are all in a “stay-at-home” environment, here are six daily questions to ask yourself:

1. What am I grateful for today? In times of stress it’s understandable to become worried and zoomed in on the negative around us. Cultivating a daily gratitude practice can refocus us, even in the most difficult times.  What are you grateful for today?  Take two minutes to create a list and think about ways to add to it throughout your day.  Consider using the online journal, Thnx4.
2. Who am I checking in on, or connecting with, today? “Social distancing” has been reframed by some to more accurately mean “social solidarity” during this time of “physical distancing.” Don’t isolate from family and friends during this difficult time. Reach out to others with Facetime, texting or even write an old-fashioned letter to stay connected when we need it the most.
3. What expectations of “normal” am I letting go of today? During this time of daily change and possible numbness, reflect on what’s truly important right now.  It’s okay to not have the perfectly cleaned house or to have answered all the emails in your inbox, but to just make sure everyone in your house has felt loved.  The faster we let go of the expectations of “normal,” the faster we adapt.
4. How am I getting outside today? Nature can be powerful in improving our mood and affecting our nervous systems. Can you get outside everyday - even to just sit in the sun for 10 minutes? If you can’t leave your house, can you sit by an open window and breathe the fresh air?
5. How am I moving my body today? Stress can take a toll on our body so the more we get out of our heads and into our body, the more grounded we can feel.  Find 10 minutes to go for a walk or create a little workout routine that you can do in your house (or even in your chair). 
6. What beauty am I cultivating, creating, or inviting today? A natural antidote to the despair we might be feeling is to focus on adding to the beauty around us. Life is different and may be a little scary right now, but there’s beauty around us and life is still worth fighting for. So, let’s write about our lives, draw our dreams, sing our sorrows, plant gardens, cook for our neighbors, and create culture to survive this difficult time wherever and however we can.

Please continue to check here for the latest COVID-19 information.