Lighthouse School Newsletter

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We are thrilled to be back for another year of learning at Lighthouse School! Over the summer we have been making plans to help students dive deeper into their inquiries using the 3D design process. We look forward to creating authentic learning experiences and bringing in community partners.

This week, we welcome new staff to Spring Lake Park Schools and to our school. We are so excited to have Sara Gramer join our team as the elementary advisor. Sara brings a wealth of experience and has a passion for serving students and families. She is beginning her 23rd year of teaching. The last five years have been focused on serving highly gifted learners. No matter the setting, her top priority is always to facilitate a safe and engaging learning environment that values each child’s unique and beautiful self.

• Lighthouse School Staff: The facilitators and staff who will be supporting Lighthouse this year are:
• Laurie Pouliot – Facilitator
• Kaleen Tison Povis – Facilitator
• Sara Gramer - Facilitator
• Kevin Koch – Innovation and Personalized Learning Lead
• Sheri Koehn – Administrative Support
• To be determined- Paraprofessional
• Meet & Greet: Please join us on Wednesday, August 31, at Lighthouse School, 4-6 p.m., to meet with the facilitators and drop off school supplies.
• Your advisor: The Campus Parent Portal has been updated with your child’s advisor. While students have one advisor to check in with on their learning goals and inquiries, all students will have the opportunity to work with all facilitators.

Expect to see a newsletter like this one each Wednesday during the school year. This is one important way for me to share important Lighthouse and district information and updates with you. This week’s newsletter has a lot of reminders to help you prepare for the start of school. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me.

Enjoy the final days of summer. I look forward to meeting with you and your family next week!

With Gratitude,

Lisa Cisewski

Coordinator of Gifted Services and Lighthouse School

Spring Lake Park Schools

lcisew@district16.org

As we begin the school year, the public health context is, thankfully, quite different than the past two school years. We have and continue to follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and they align to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 related guidance has been significantly relaxed for schools as we enter a new school year. There are a few updates for families:

• Communicate illnesses: Please continue to update the school nurse if your child tests positive for a communicable illness such as flu or COVID-19. The nurse will provide information on return to school. Please stay home if you are sick.
• COVID-19 at-home tests: At-home COVID-19 antigen tests are available in the health office for those who request them. No other testing will be done at school.
• Immunizations and vaccines: Now is the time to make sure your child is up to date on all recommended immunizations. Getting vaccinated is an important tool to keep our students safe and healthy while they are in school. The pandemic has caused a number of disruptions in people’s lives, and many children have fallen behind on getting recommended vaccines. Children and teens can get COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines they need at the same visit. See the Minnesota Department of Health information on vaccines for infants, children and adolescents. See our website for more immunization information.

Find the Spring Lake Park Schools 2022-2023 Safe Return to In-Person Learning Plan online. Access Minnesota Department of Health's website for the latest guidance for schools, child care, parent and caregivers. MDH COVID-19 Public Hotline continues to be available at 1-833-431-2053.

If you haven't done so already, make sure you check out the Back to School Hub to find important information and resources as you prepare for the year and answers to your frequently asked questions to help you stay on top of your back-to-school to do list.

Hub highlights:

• School Supply Lists
• Meet and Greet dates and times
• First Day of School signs
• How to prepare your iPad for the new school year
• and more!

We love to see students on the first day of school! Visit the Back to School hub to find downloadable signs. Signs can be printed or pulled up on an iPad screen. Option of English/Spanish, general first day design, or fill in the blank with student's grade and/or name. Don't forget to tag us and use #SLPPantherProud when you post your photos!

• "Back a Bus" fundraiser and celebration in September - more information coming soon!
• Stop by the PTO table at the August 31 Meet and Greet! Sign-up to be on our email list and grab a PTO info handout.
• Our first meeting is September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Lighthouse.
• We're looking for at least one more parent to join our executive board. Email us at lhppto@gmail.com

Join us for the first-ever "Start Your Engines" school year kick-off events on Saturday, September 10 from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Spring Lake Park High School.

This family/community event will feature a variety of exhibits with engines – think big trucks, automobiles and recreational vehicles. Lunch from the food trucks is available for purchase. The event is free to attend and no registration is required - just show up!

Featured Food Trucks:

• Café Cairo
• Hockey Mom Brownies
• Pizza Karma
• Turkey King
  
  

Other event features:

• We are accepting bike donations from Bikes4Kids
• There will be a booth showcasing all our Community Education fall offerings for youth, families and adults. Make sure to stop by and sign up!

The start of a new school year brings new and exciting fall Community Education programming options for the entire family! As we kick off the new year, now is the perfect time to explore interests, discover passions, learn a new skill and connect with others within our Panther community. Registration is officially open. Browse and register for a variety of enrichment and learning youth, adult and family opportunities.

Youth:

• Pantherette Petite Dance Clinic (grades K-6): Students are invited to learn a dance routine from the award-winning Spring Lake Park High School Dance Team and perform it at the pre-game of a varsity football game!
• STEM Builders - Drones (grades 5-8): Code & Fly Drones camp allows students to watch their code come to life as they build and program their own drone!

Adult:

• Intro to Bonsai Workshop: Explore the ancient art of bonsai - Your own tree in miniature. This hands-on course will take away the mystique of the ancient art of Bonsai and show you how to create, maintain and shape your own tree.
• Chunky Yarn Knit Blanket: Have you been wanting to make your own Finger Knit Chunky Yarn Blanket? Sign up now and learn how. No experience is needed. The class includes all materials needed to make a body-size throw blanket with personalized 1:1 instruction at Invictus Brewery.

Family:

• Pizza Adventures: Join Jan for a morning of pizza making with your kid! Learn to make great pizzas with crispy crusts, splendid rise, and terrific toppings!
• Mini Cake Fondant Decorating: Are you looking for a creative Autumn activity to do with your child? Have fun learning how to color, roll, and cut colorful fondant into a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Wednesday, August 31

• Meet & Greet at Lighthouse School, 4-6 p.m

Tuesday, September 6

• First day of school for grades K-8 and Lighthouse students
• Orientation for grade 9 students and grades 10-12 students new to the high school
  
  

Wednesday, September 7

• First day of school for returning grades 10-12 students who are not new to the high school

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