Newsletter Archive

Winter Break hours in Spring Lake Park Schools

During winter break, December 23-January 1, the District Services Center (DSC), other buildings in Spring Lake Park Schools and child care will have different hours.

The DSC is closed to guests on the following days:

• Monday, December 23-Friday, December 27
• Wednesday, January 1

The DSC is closed to staff on the following days:

• Tuesday, December 24
• Wednesday, December 25
• Wednesday, January 1

All buildings will be alarmed and non-accessible to staff during these days. Regular staff key cards will work on the other days.

The DSC will be open the following days from 8 a.m. – noon:

• Monday, December 30
• Tuesday, December 31

Centerview Elementary is open for Learning Ventures Child Care on the following days from 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.:

• Monday, December 23
• Thursday, December 26
• Friday, December 27
• Monday, December 30

Child Care is closed December 24-25, 31 and January 1. Learn more about non-school day child care.about non-school-day-side-treks

All other schools will be closed Monday, December 23-January 1. If you have any questions, please contact the DSC at 763-600-5000.

Mathematics: An update on our journey

Where we’ve been, where we’re going as we help each student become a mathematician

Math is in the spotlight. Reports of test scores, opinion articles pitting those who wonder if calculus is still important against those who find it essential and headlines about essentials skills for the jobs of the future are in the news.

A team of Spring Lake Park Schools teachers tackled some of the very same questions that have become more prevalent in the public domain in our K-12 math study completed during the 2017-18 school year. Learn more about our work in mathematics and what’s happened since then and our continued efforts in the area of mathematics.

Panther Store Winter Sale

Don't miss the Panther Store winter sale, going on until Wednesday, December 18. Deals include dollars off and a free gift.

Deals Include:

• $20 off $100 in-store and online with code $20OFF$100, plus a free gift with purchase 
• $10 off $50 in-store and online with code $10OFF$50, plus a free gift with purchase 

Special Store Hours before the Fine Art Center shows:

• Thursday, December 5 – 3-6:30 p.m.
• Friday, December 6 – 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Monday, December 9 – 5-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 10 – 3:30-7 p.m.
• Thursday, December 12 – 3:30-7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 17 – 3-7 p.m.

Shop Online

Native American Parent Advisory Committee Meeting 

• When - Wednesday, December 4, 5:30-7 p.m.
• Where - Woodcrest Spanish Immersion

RSVP to Abbey Pierce at apierc@district16.org. Childcare will be available and provided by student volunteers from the SLP National Honors Society. If childcare is needed, please include the number of children with RSVP. A meal will be provided by Gatherings Cafe.

Westwood Grades 5 and 6 Present- "And Justice for Pigs: Revenge of the Bad Guys"

It starts off as a typical day in court, but as the docket is revealed, it features no ordinary plaintiffs - the classic fairy tale bad guys, who are sick and tired of seeing their reputations dragged through the mud, have decided to fight back, suing all of the “goody two-shoes” for libel and defamation of character.  As the judge examines the cases, we learn that the Big Bad Wolf was, in fact, victimized by some bullying pigs. Rumplestiltskin was simply a guy with a knack for spinning who was exploited by a crafty young girl.  And we all know that Jack of “beanstalk” fame was a little thief!  Between those tales and several others, we learn an important lesson – that there are two sides to EVERY story!

Performances dates:

• Thursday, December 5, 7 p.m
• Friday, December 6, 7 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Purchase tickets online at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/ticket-office.

Mark your calendars for the 2019 Holiday House

• Hosted by Spring Lake Park Leo Club
• Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 5:30 –7:30 p.m.
• Spring Lake Park High School cafeteria (enter door 33)

Kindergarten through grade 8 shoppers have the opportunity to purchase inexpensive gifts ranging from $1 - $5 for members of their family. Each child can purchase up to five gifts. Leo Club and SLP Lions Club will be on hand to help students purchase and wrap gifts so they can bring them home for the holiday season.

Children must be present to shop and be accompanied to the event by an adult.  Families will be able to enjoy other fun activities during this event along with holiday treats and music. Register for a Holiday House time slot.

Westwood Grades 7 and 8 theater present “The Little Princess”

In this heartfelt, faithful adaptation of the beloved novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, one girl's goodwill and courage show what being a princess truly means. All performances will be held at the Spring Lake Park High School Fine Arts Center. Learn more and purchase tickets.

Performances dates:

• Thursday, November 21, 7 p.m.
• Friday, November 22, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, November 23, 2 p.m.

Mark your calendars for the 2019 Holiday House

• Hosted by Spring Lake Park Leo Club
• Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 5:30 –7:30 p.m.
• Spring Lake Park High School cafeteria (enter door 33)

Kindergarten through grade 8 shoppers have the opportunity to purchase inexpensive gifts ranging from $1 - $5 for members of their family. Each child can purchase up to five gifts. Leo Club and SLP Lions Club will be on hand to help students purchase and wrap gifts so they can bring them home for the holiday season.

Children must be present to shop and be accompanied to the event by an adult.  Families will be able to enjoy other fun activities during this event along with holiday treats and music. Register for a Holiday House time slot.

SLPHS Fall Play - "You Can't Take It With You"

Performances 

• Friday, November 8, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, November 9, 2 p.m.*

Online ticket prices: Adult $10 and Student $5

*Matinée performances - all seats $5 Note: online ticket sales will close one hour prior to showtime.

At the door ticket prices: Adult $11 Student $6   *Matinee performances - all seats $6

Learn more and purchase tickets today

Election results: Levies renewed, board members elected

Both school levies - the Levy for Learning and the Capital Projects levy – have received voter approval for another 10 years with 80 percent support from the community. School funding and tax levels will remain the same.

The results of the election will be authorized at the next school board meeting.

“As a school district, we are fortunate for strong, long-standing support from our community,” said Superintendent Jeff Ronneberg. “Your support of our schools and our student’s learning is deeply appreciated.”

School Board Election

Three open board seats have also been filled. The two incumbents running, Amy Hennen and Tony Easter, have been reelected to the school board, and Sarah Bowe of Blaine, joins the board as its newest member. Congratulations to Amy, Tony and Sarah. They will each serve 4-year terms beginning January 2020. 

Register for Panther Playtime Preschool 

Children ages 3-5 are invited to attend a 10-day Panther Playtime Preschool, hosted by Spring Lake Park High School starting Monday, November 11. Children who attend Panther Playtime Preschool will work with high school students with a daily theme that includes fun activities, projects and games.

Panther Playtime Preschool will take place Monday, November 11-Friday, November 15 and Monday, November 18-Friday, November 22 from 8-10 a.m.

The deadline to register is Sunday, November 10.

Learn more and register for Panther Playtime Preschool today.

Two fast ways to get up-to-speed on levy renewals 

We’re less than two weeks to Election Day. If you haven’t had a moment to learn about levy renewals on the ballot November 5, get up-to-speed:

• Watch the 2.5-minute video to get the basics. 
• Browse the fast facts (5-minute read). 

Your questions are welcome through the levy email, levy2019@district16.org, or phone line, 763-600-5545. In-person absentee voting (early voting) is available now until Election Day at the District Services Center during normal business hours as well as at the Anoka County Government Center. Or, vote at designated polling locations on November 5. This information and more is available on our website (https://www.springlakeparkschools.org/levy-2019).

Reports from 2019 MCA and ACCESS assessments sent on October 11

On Friday, October 11, families should have received an email from Spring Lake Park Schools Assessment (assessment@district16.org), which included their child’s Individual Student Report (ISR) of scores from when they took the 2019 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and/or ACCESS for English Learner’s assessment. For those families who did not have any email address on file, a hard copy was mailed to them on Monday, October 14.

As a reminder, MCAs are administered to grades 3-8, 10, 11 and high school students who took biology and ACCESS for ELs are administered to kindergarten through 12th grade students who have been identified as English Learners. If you did not receive this email, please contact Jenna Johnshoy-Aarestad at jjohns2@district16.org or Kris Skeate at kskeat@district16.org. 

If you do not have access to email, or would prefer to receive a paper copy, please request a paper copy in one of the following ways:

1. Request a meeting with your school’s dean and they will provide and explain the report to you
2. Contact your child’s school and request a paper copy be mailed to you
3. Contact your child’s school and request a paper copy be made available for pick-up at your school by the child’s parent or guardian

If you have questions, please contact Jenna Johnshoy-Aarestad at jjohns2@district16.org or Kris Skeate at kskeat@district16.org.

Reports from 2019 MCA and ACCESS assessments

In the next few weeks, watch your email for your child’s Individual Student Report (ISR) of scores from when they took the 2019 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and/or ACCESS for English Learner’s assessment. If you wish to change or update the email we have on file for you, please contact your school.

As a reminder, MCAs are administered to grades 3-8, 10, 11 and high school students who took biology and ACCESS for English Learners are administered to kindergarten through 12^th grade students who have been identified as English Learners.

If you have questions, please contact Jenna Johnshoy-Aarestad at jjohns2@district16.org or Kris Skeate at kskeat@district16.org.

Levy Renewal Update

Did you know compared to other metro school districts, our funding from district residents is among the lowest? Find fast facts like this and other information about the two levy renewal questions on the ballot this fall on our website.

Did you get a chance to attend a community meeting? If not, mark your calendar for the final community meeting on Thursday, October 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Centerview Elementary School.

Apply now for free and reduced-price meals

Families who received free and reduced-price meals during the 2018-2019 school year must reapply before Monday, October 21 to continue benefits for the 2019-2020 school year. If you do not reapply by Monday, October 21, your student(s) will no longer receive free or reduced-price meals. Meals will be charged at full price, which is:

• Breakfast: $1.30
• Lunch: $2.60 (kindergarten-grade 4) and $2.80 (grades 5-12)

Learn more about free and reduced-priced meals and reapply today 

Apply now for free and reduced-price meals

Families who received free and reduced-price meals during the 2018-2019 school year must reapply before Monday, October 21 to continue benefits for the 2019-2020 school year. If you do not reapply by Monday, October 21, your student(s) will no longer receive free or reduced-price meals. Meals will be charged at full price, which is:

• Breakfast: $1.30
• Lunch: $2.60 (kindergarten-grade 4) and $2.80 (grades 5-12)

Learn more about free and reduced-priced meals and reapply today 

Important information regarding online nutrition services payments

The online Campus Parent Portal Nutrition Services recurring payment system has been disabled and is currently under construction. It is important to note, families are still able to make manual one-time payments online. We are working with our provider on finding a resolution to the recurring payment issue.

The district will send an update via email when this issue is resolved. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If you need further assistance, contact Jane Sweney at 763-600-5041 or jswene@district16.org.