Spring Lake Park High School
October 13, 2021 Newsletter
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A Message from Principal Boucher
SLPHS Families,
We had a great Homecoming Week last week – full of school spirit and high levels of participation in themed days and all the activities of the week. Friday’s pep fest and homecoming game were full of Panther spirit and more than 650 students returned to school Saturday evening for the dance. We have great students, great families, and great staff at SLPHS and that was certainly on display last week.
In these first six weeks of school, we’ve had many offers from families to help during this time of ongoing pandemic. Like many local businesses you may be hearing about, our schools are short of staff. We’d welcome your help in recruiting for critical positions. Or, if you are interested, please consider applying. We are looking for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, people to helping with COVID testing, and others. Our schools are great places to work.
A couple of quick reminders:
- Fall break next week: There is no school for students October 18-22 (and no newsletter next week). Staff will be learning together for a few days and spending a few days connecting with many of you to discuss student progress. School resumes on Monday, October 25.
- Conferences and communication: Teachers will be reaching out over the next couple of weeks to update parents on their student’s progress so far this trimester. In addition, teachers will schedule conversation and connections based on preferences you shared through the parent conferencing and communications survey. We look forward to connecting.
I hope you are able to spend time together as families relaxing and recharging over fall break. I also hope students continue engage in cognitive activities over the week – catching up or looking ahead. Let’s keep mental muscles strong while away from school.
Take care and be well.
Matthew Boucher
Principal
Optional, rapid COVID-19 testing to begin this week
This week, school nurses are piloting a new COVID-19 testing option, Cue Test, that provides reliable results in about 30 minutes. In-district rapid testing is one way we can limit school absences for those who are symptomatic or have had close contacts with a positive case in school or outside of school.
Nurses will pilot the test for people who choose it and meet these criteria - become symptomatic at school OR are close contacts of a positive case and within their testing window. Nurses will identify eligible individuals and communicate the option directly with families. After fall break, we will be working to broaden this testing option to others who may benefit from rapid testing to stay at school.
We also continue to offer optional, free COVID-19 testing kits to take home. Students can pick up the saliva testing kits in the health office, complete the test at home and return their completed test the following school day. School nurses submit the tests for processing.
Apply Now: the Free or Reduced-Price Meal and Education Benefits Deadline is Approaching
If your family received Free or Reduced-Priced Meal and education benefits for the 2020-2021 school year, the deadline to apply again is Monday, October 25, 2021. A new application must be completed each school year. Families who have not applied for these benefits before should apply right away.
Please take a few minutes to complete and submit the application - even if you don't think you will qualify. It's about much more than meals.
You could be eligible for:
- P-EBT benefits that have provided direct dollars to families during the pandemic
- Reduced fares on Metro Transit through the Transit Assistance Program
- Reduced fees for athletics and activities
- Reduced fees for in-home internet access
- And more!
Questions? Contact the Nutrition Services Department at 763-600-5041.
Senior Portrait for the Yearbook
Options for Senior Portraits:
- David Bank Studios will be on campus during school on Tuesday, October 26 for a free yearbook session. They will take 2-3 poses. The studio chooses the best photo and submits it to the yearbook staff.
- Submit your own photo, via email, in jpg format to the Google Form link by Friday, October 30. Please see the requirements on our Graduation page for photo submission.
SLP Experience - A look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools
SLP Experience is a new print and electronic publication produced several times each year that offers a look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools across school buildings and grade levels. Watch for the bigger stories of Panther pride and purpose arriving in your home mail soon or visit the SLP Experience online.
Included in the fall issue:
- Feature stories: Back together, back to school; Getting ready for the first days in K; and, Set to Soar: Preparing for life after high school
- A message from our superintendent, Jeff Ronneberg
- Opportunities for the community
- SLP by the numbers
- Student spotlight
- Reasons why we're #SLPPantherProud
We want to hear from you!
Do you have stories ideas you think we should cover or pictures you'd like to share with us for a chance to be featured? Email us at communications@district16.org.
Two seniors join school board for the 2021-22 year
Seniors Ellie Jeppson and Bella Sciara are this year's student representatives on the Spring Lake Park Schools school board. Each year, the board welcomes two student representatives from the high school’s student council to join their board meetings and update members on student life and the SLP experience.
This year, both student representatives come with long-time Spring Lake Park Schools experience. Their SLP journey began nearly 12 years ago in kindergarten at Northpoint Elementary. Since then, both have discovered their passions and interests. Learn more about Ellie and Bella.
First Panther Pride Sweepstakes a success
With 1,200 student submissions and 217 submissions, the first Panther Pride Sweepstakes was a success! Last week, 10 students and 10 staff representing each of our schools/programs were drawn from the pool of submissions. The students won a $50 Panther Store gift card and the opportunity to direct a $500 mini-grant to a project of their choice at their school. Staff won a $50 Panther Store gift card.
This event was a great opportunity for the community to engage with the Panther Foundation, learn more about the district and provide funds for our schools. Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to our winners!
View the full story and find out who the winners of each school are.
- Senior Panoramic - This Friday, October 15 is our rescheduled Senior Panoramic at 10 a.m.
- Fall Break - October 18-22, No School
- Senior Yearbook Photos - Tuesday, October 26, David Banks will be here to take a free Senior Yearbook photo
- Picture Retake - Monday, November 8 is our reschedule Picture Retake day
Special events:
Learn to Curl
- Adult Class - Friday, October 29
- Youth Class ages 12-18 - Saturday, November 20
- Register here
Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride at Bunker Stables
- January 8 - 1:15 p.m.
- Register here
Adult Programs:
Indoor Walking Club
- Saturday mornings, starting November 6, 9-10:30 a.m. at Spring Lake Park High School
- Register here
North Metro TV - Movie Man Eric Presentations
- James Bond 50 Years of 007
- Star Wars: Creating a Galaxy Far, Far, Away
- Register here
Upcoming Spring Lake Park Lions Community Breakfast
Mark your calendars for the SLP Lions Community Breakfast on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 8 a.m.-noon at Spring Lake Park High School.
There will be an all you can eat breakfast as well as:
- Free eye screenings for children six month-six years, face painting, a balloon artist and other activities
- A baked goods sale, big coloring books and crafts
- A free wellness fair - flu shots and COVID vaccines provided by HyVee
If able, please bring food donations for the food shelf, unwanted cell phones, eyeglasses, hearing aids and ink cartridges.
We hope to see you there!
Purchase tickets for “Shakespeare in Hollywood” theater production
We are just weeks away from the opening night of the fall production Shakespeare in Hollywood, presented by our talented SLPHS theater students. You don't want to miss out on this amazing show as our students take the stage for the first time this school year. Purchase your tickets online or at the Fine Arts Center for a dollar more on the day of the production.
Performance description:
It's 1934, and Shakespeare's most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, have magically materialized on the Warner Bros. Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Instantly smitten by the glitz and glamour of show biz, the two are ushered onto the silver screen to play (who else?) themselves. The mischievous magic of moviedom sparkles in this hilarious comic romp.
Performance dates:
- Friday, October 29, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, October 30, 7 p.m.
- Friday, November 5, 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 6, 2 p.m.
What's going on in the world of career and college this week at SLPHS
It has been great to see our students take advantage of the opportunities to learn more and be prepared for career and college after high school. Here is what you need to know this week:
- Waived Application Fees - During the month of October, many postsecondary institutions waive their application fees. Find the list of colleges waiving application fees during October.
- Upcoming FAFSA Event - Need help completing the FAFSA for Financial Aid and want to get help from a professional? Mark your calendar for the Financial Aid (FAFSA) Presentation on Thursday, October 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. at SLPHS. A sign-up form will be available soon.
- Panther Peer Tutoring - Peer Tutoring is up and running for the second year in a row. We are excited for students to get the support they need outside the classroom. If your child is interested in getting help from a peer, please complete the form.
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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