Spring Lake Park High School
October 28, 2020 Newsletter
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A Message from Principal Boucher
Spring Lake Park High School families:
This week’s spirit week was well timed. We needed it! It has been fun to see our themed days coming alive in the hallways and online. Despite not all being together at school, we are finding ways to stay connected and create community. I’m grateful for our awesome student council for taking the lead in lifting spirits this week!
I hope you saw the message last Friday about the transition of grades 7-12 to distance learning. After consulting with county and state officials about the wide community spread of COVID-19 in Anoka County, we were provided direction to make this transition and were compelled, like neighboring school districts, to follow the guidance. No one wants this scenario, and we hope we can work as a community to address the spread and open our school buildings further soon.
With our colleagues at the middle school, we’ve been planning for a successful transition. Please take a few minutes to review what to expect over these next weeks.
Next week – All students, check weekly overviews
For all students – in both the Modified Campus (hybrid) and Extended Flexible Learning (distance) model – learning will look a little different early next week. Monday through Wednesday, teachers in both learning models will be focused on this transition.
While teachers are not expected to provide learning activities for students on these days, a number of teachers will be planning to continue momentum on current units and providing activities. Students and parents should check their weekly overviews, posted in Schoology by the end of the day Friday, October 30, to see their schedule for early next week. We’re grateful for the expertise of our current distance learning teachers in helping support this transition.
On Thursday, November 5, we will be fully transitioned to the Extended Flexible Learning (distance) model. Students should log on at their course start time for a full day of learning. We’ll have more information on transportation, meal service changes and more next week.
What to expect
We know many families making this transition to distance learning now aren’t doing so by choice. We’ve specifically heard questions and concerns about how this will be different from the spring and from this fall’s “learning at home days.”
As a school, we’ve worked hard to continue to improve our model over the summer and this fall taking all of the feedback into consideration. Learning this fall is going well, and among other things, you can expect your student to have daily interaction with teachers. See a brief 1-pg overview of the model for more details on the experience.
What will continue in person, at school
Based on the state’s learning plan, we can and will offer in-person opportunities for those services that cannot be offered meaningfully through distance learning. We’ll bring students into school by invitation, with transportation provided, starting Monday, November. 9. There are three categories for learning at school. They will provide:
- Additional support for learners who may need it, which may include students receiving special education services, English learners and students who have identified interventions to support their learning needs. Families of students who meet these criteria will be contacted with what the plan is for your student’s support by November 6.
- Learning experiences that can’t be provided at a distance, including some labs, music, art, assessments, and others. Students and families should check weekly overviews from their teacher(s) each Friday. Overviews will include when/if a student has an invitation for an in-person component in their next week’s schedule.
- Access to additional support outside of the curriculum, including the continuation of mental health services and counseling for students receiving this support as well as providing learning space and access for students whose home environment presents challenges to learning.
We’re capping off spirit week with a Panther Spirit Day this Friday - #SLPPantherProud. Thank you for your continued understanding and support as we work to support student learning – in whatever model is required. Additional information will be provided in next week's newsletter to support you and your student(s) through this transition.
Matthew Boucher
Principal
Wear Your Panther Gear/School Colors This Friday for Spirit Day
It's time to show your school spirit! Whether in the Modified Campus Schedule (hybrid) or Extended Flexible (distance) learning models, students and staff are celebrating a district-wide spirit day this Friday, October 30. Be sure to tag us in your photos on social media using #SLPPantherProud, or email photos to communications@district16.org.
Virtual Academic Lettering Event presentation now available
The virtual SLPHS Academic Lettering Event presentation for the Classes of 2023, 2022 and 2021 is now available. This event is awarding academic excellence from the 2019-2020 school year. Certifications were sent home with students or were mailed home if a student is doing Extended Flexible Learning (distance). If you haven't done so already, please snap a photo of your student holding their certificate and send to communications@district16.org by tomorrow, Thursday, October 29. Congratulations to all of our recipients!
Lori Henry named MAFCS Teacher of the Year
Six students receive National Merit Letters of Commendation
Congratulations to SLPHS students Annabelle Coler, Katherine Karger, Violet Mostek, Hayat Muse, Erin Olson and Logan York for being named Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program! They are among about 34,000 students throughout the nation recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Read the full story about the academic accomplishment on the website.
Spirit Week
- Thursday, November 5 - ALL STUDENTS begin Distance Learning (See the Principal Message)
In case you missed important information from last week's newsletter, check out the topics below and click to learn more.
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