Newsletter Archive

The Panther Foundation seeking applications for their Board of Directors

The Panther Foundation is seeking candidates for their Board of Directors who have a passion and commitment to the students and families in Spring Lake Park Schools. The Foundation is looking for individuals who are ready to share time, talents and resources with the Foundation to support and enhance the efforts that contribute to our success. 

Learn more about joining the Panther Foundation Board and apply today.

The Panther Foundation seeking applications for their Board of Directors

The Panther Foundation is seeking candidates for their Board of Directors who have a passion and commitment to the students and families in Spring Lake Park Schools. The Foundation is looking for individuals who are ready to share time, talents and resources with the Foundation to support and enhance the efforts that contribute to our success. 

Learn more about joining the Panther Foundation Board and apply today.

The Panther Foundation seeking applications for their Board of Directors

The Panther Foundation is seeking candidates for their Board of Directors who have a passion and commitment to the students and families in Spring Lake Park Schools. The Foundation is looking for individuals who are ready to share time, talents and resources with the Foundation to support and enhance the efforts that contribute to our success. 

Learn more about joining the Panther Foundation Board and apply today.

Virtual Zumba with Angela

The Spring Lake Park School Community Education Department is hosting virtual Zumba classes throughout the month of May for the community.

Zumba is a fitness program that combines Latin and international music with dance moves. Zumba routines incorporate interval training — alternating fast and slow rhythms — to help improve cardiovascular fitness.

Virtual classes will take place May 11-29 on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays from 7-8 p.m. or May 10-31 on Sundays from 10-11 a.m.

Learn more and register today for Zumba with Angela

Help us Celebrate during Staff Appreciation Week 

Every year, we celebrate all school staff and the work we get to do in education during National Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, the week falls May 4-8. During this time, we take an opportunity to appreciate the work we get to do together as a part of Spring Lake Park Schools. You and your student can join us in two ways:

1. Participate in SLP spirit day on Tuesday, May 5 by wearing red, white or blue school colors or SLP gear. 
2. Share a thank you. Send a short video or a picture of your student(s) holding a piece of paper with their message tocommunications@district16.org. We’ll share student messages with our community throughout the week.

Learning our way through a pandemic

As Minnesota reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 6, we were headed on spring break. Thirty days later, schools are in the fourth week of extended flexible learning. In a month’s time, we’ve learned a lot about resilience, flexibility, creativity and the extraordinary things we can accomplish as Spring Lake Park Schools.

As the school board met for a regular board meeting April 14, there wasn’t a lot that felt “regular” about it. While the meeting included all the components of a board meeting, board members participated through screens and phones from the safety of their homes and a big topic was a report on the school district’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last meeting was in March, just before Minnesota reported its first case of COVID-19. Since then, the school district launched child care for health care workers and first responders, established meal delivery services for community children and totally rebuilt how we do school. There was a lot to report.

Read more about how our district is responding to the pandemic.

Weekend Food Pack program provides 1,600 packs of food to families

As school buildings continue to be closed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Spring Lake Park Schools has been feeding children through meal distribution at 10 sites throughout the community. During the Friday meal distribution, the Spring Lake Park Schools Panther Foundation has provided more than 1,600 Weekend Food Packs to families over the last several weeks.

“We know this is a challenging time for so many people in our community,” says Panther Foundation Executive Director Colleen Pederson. “The Panther Foundation has been committed, now more than ever, to providing a Weekend Food Pack to every family that takes part in the COVID-19 meal service program in our community.”

The Weekend Food Packs program began in 2013 after the annual Panther Foundation Gala’s Fund-a-Dream program raised more than $31,000 for the cause. The program’s main objective is to make sure children don’t go hungry when school is not in session – like over weekends and school breaks. The program provides packs filled with items that are easy to prepare, require no other ingredients and are nourishing.

“Many people have come forward during this time asking how they can help,” says Colleen. “We expect there to be growing need for food packs in the coming weeks, and we are hopeful we will be able to continue to augment the meal service the district is delivering and provide weekend food packs for families as long as this crisis exists.”

Weekend Food Packs are made possible through the generosity of Panther Foundation supporters. For those interested in supporting the continuation of this work, donations to the Foundation can be made online.

Calling all bilinguals (and multilinguals!)

You have a special skill and unique opportunity to make a difference in our SLP community. Do you feel comfortable reading, listening and speaking in English as well as one of the following languages: Arabic, Somali, Hmong or Vietnamese? Are you willing to support fellow families by answering questions and sharing ideas during this time of extended flexible learning? If yes, please contact Emily Byers-Ferrian, Student & Family Advocate, ebyers@district16.org.

Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is in the news and raising questions. We consider any new infectious disease a serious concern and are monitoring the situation closely.

As a school district, we rely on information and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Based on their guidance, we continue to operate our schools as normal and take the same precautions you use to avoid colds and flu: Stay home when you are sick, cover your cough and wash your hands with soap and water.

We are monitoring this situation daily, and we are ready to take appropriate actions guided by our agency partners. For more information, visit our website where we will keep our Response to Coronavirus updated. 

Westwood Grades 7 and 8 Theater Presents - The Wizard of Oz

Performance Dates:

• Thursday, February 27, 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 28, 7 p.m.
• Saturday, February 29, 1 p.m.

Young Dorothy Gale is swept away by a tornado from her Kansas farm to the magical land of Oz. There she encounters a host of whimsical characters - good witches, bad witches, animals that talk, scarecrows that walk and things magical to behold. To find her way home, she must journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City. Along the way, she makes new friends, but must also brave many dangers, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who will stop at nothing to get her hands on Dorothy’s magical ruby slippers. To make it home safely, Dorothy must learn an important lesson: there’s no place like home.

Learn more about the Westwood spring musical and purchase tickets

Spring Registration for Athletics and Activities

To register for spring athletics and activities, we ask that you return paperwork and complete registration during one of two drop-by registration events at the high school. This is a temporary process for spring registration as we work through some technical issues with our online system for registration and fees.

Spring Registration Events

Tuesday, February 25, 2020
4:30-7 p.m.
Spring Lake Park High School Rotunda

Tuesday, March 3, 2020
4:30-7 p.m.
Spring Lake Park High School Rotunda

What You'll Need

1. Completed Minnesota State High School League eligibility form. We will have forms on site for you to complete or you can print and complete the form and bring it with you.
2. A current sports physical on file for any sports. Physicals are good for three years. Learn more or download the form on the Physicals page.
3. Payment for the activity or athletics fee. You can pay with cash, check or credit card at the registration events. For more information on fees, visit the Fees page.
4. Verification letter for free and reduced lunch, if you are requesting a reduced activity fee. Learn more about free and reduced activity fee.