SLP Online - grades K-6

Anchored in Partnership

Learning is purposely and flexibly designed and facilitated through a 3-way partnership between:

• an at-home learning coach (usually a parent or guardian)
• a learning advocate—a licensed Spring Lake Park Schools teacher
• the student

The partners meet regularly to design learning, facilitate individual and small group work, provide feedback, assess progress and determine next steps. 

Personalized to Each Student

• The at-home learning coach and student develop a student’s personal learner map working with their learning advocate.
• Learning experiences are customized to each learner based on needs and preferences and include:
  • live (synchronous) and on-demand (asynchronous) online learning experiences
  • large and small group interactions along with independent work
• Opportunities for social interaction are built in and can include meet ups, field trips, collaborative projects, clubs and more.

Personalized to Each Student

• Competency-based: Rigorous content (academic competencies) and intentional development of skills and mindsets (life competencies) for long-term success
• Creative: Co-designed interdisciplinary, project-based experiences aligned to competencies and state standards
• Connected:
  • Technology: School issued-technology devices (iPads), technology toolkit and support
  • Services: Access to support services, including social workers, school psychologists, English as a second language and special education
  • Extra-curriculars: access to extra-curricular activities offered through Spring Lake Park Schools

• At-home learning coach (parent or guardian) and student are primary drivers of the learning and the schedule
• Office hours with the learning advocate (teacher) are required each week for learning design, progress checks, and feedback
• All core content areas – language arts, math, social studies, and science – are built into student projects
• Learning advocates provide instruction on foundational skills needed to make progress toward project outcomes
• Multiple ways to access learning experiences for physical education, health, and the arts

• “Attendance” looks different in online learning AND it is important for students to remain actively engaged in their learning.
• Participation in the learning advocate-led sessions is expected as is engagement in their independent learning experiences.
• We expect the at-home learning coach to help manage and support student engagement.
• If the student is unable to engage due to illness, please report this to your learning advocate.

Each year, we develop a School Improvement and Innovation Plan. The plan aligns to our Spring Lake Park Schools strategic plan and vision and includes projects to ensure – engaged and enthusiastic learners, effective operations, and communications and connections. Projects are identified based on student learning results and an assessment of how we are doing in implementing our plans and strategies. These projects guide our focus for staff professional learning and implementation activities.

Engaged and Enthusiastic Learners: continuously improve personalized instruction and responsiveness to meet our students’ unique and varied needs

• Deepen Innovative and Personalized Learning: Continue to refine, develop, and implement the core elements of personalized learning – competency-based learning, learner profiles, personal learner maps, flexible learning environments
• Strengthen Student Supports and Intervention: Strengthen our system of supports for students’ academic, social-emotional, and mental health in alignment with the vision for SLP Online Elementary
• Implement Balanced Assessment Framework: Customize components within our balanced assessment framework in alignment with the vision for SLP Online Elementary
• Design Co-Created Learning Experiences: Partner with at-home learning coaches to engage in the backwards design process to design a variety of learning experiences for students to work towards competencies (e.g., project-based learning, direct instruction, experiential learning)

Effective Operations: Improve our effective management of human, financial and physical resources

• Promotion and Recruitment: Develop and leverage best practices that will highlight the unique attributes of SLP Online Elementary School programming and increase the likelihood of the recruitment of new students

Communications and Connections: Increase the connection, engagement and support of our families and communities

• Develop Partnerships with At-Home Learning Coaches: Design and implement approach for partnering with at-home learning coaches to ensure student learning
• Strengthen Community Outreach and Connections: Create the conditions that will allow students, staff and community members to create authentic learning experiences that go beyond the classroom