Lighthouse School Newsletter
January 12, 2022
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Hello, Lighthouse Families,
We’re working to keep learning as normal as possible despite distractions like cold weather and COVID. Students are taking it in stride with their excitement and energy. Many students have loved the addition of Science Fridays when Dr. Tison Povis does experiments with the students and tests different hypotheses. Last Friday, they tested hypotheses around different liquids and temperatures.
With the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, we’ve had some questions about things like protocols and distance learning. Please know, we continue to follow mitigation strategies to support the health and safety of students and staff – including face masks, distancing as we are able, hand washing, cleaning, onsite testing and more. We also have no current plans to move to distance learning.
The only way we would consider a move to distance learning is if we can’t safely staff our school. So far, we’ve been able to creatively address absences at Lighthouse to keep learning happening at school. Please continue to screen for health each morning and keep kids home if they have symptoms.
Updates and Reminders:
- Extended Learning Day, Friday, January 14: These days are designed for students to do work related to their inquiry project which cannot easily be done in the classroom such as library research, talking with an expert, conducting experiments, or a field trip.
- Students who are taking courses at Spring Lake High School should sign in and sign out at the Lighthouse office. Students will not be permitted to leave early without a parent signing the student out, emailing permission (ddough@distrtict16.org), or calling the Lighthouse School at 763-600-5200.
- No School, Monday, January 17 in observance of the national holiday – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- PTO: Our first official PTO meeting led by parents will be held on Thursday, January 27 at 5:30 p.m. Going forward meetings will be held on the last Thursday of each month for the duration of the school year.
- 8th grade families: Save the date - February 9, 2022! Parents are invited to learn more about the benefits of staying enrolled at Lighthouse while exploring opportunities at the high school.
Each day we’re gaining a couple of minutes of light. That’s the great part of January in Minnesota.
Take Care,
Lisa Cisewski
COVID update: 5-day quarantine guidance
We have begun to implement 5-day quarantine guidance for those who test positive for COVID-19 and are eligible. Minnesota Department of Health has given schools the go-ahead to follow this newly updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This new guidance allows those who test positive to return five days after the positive test or the onset of symptoms if they are not experiencing symptoms. If symptoms persist, they are still required to stay at home.
The guidelines also require anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 to wear a face mask in public, including at school, for 10 days following their positive test. Because masks must be removed for eating and drinking, accommodations are being made to provide anyone who returns to school under this guidance a place where they can adequately distance (at least 6 feet) from others when eating or drinking until the 10-day timeframe has passed.
Please continue to coordinate any absences related to health with the school health office.
SLP website disruptions resolved
Spring Lake Park Schools' website hosting service experienced worldwide disruption to services the week of January 3 due to a ransomware attack. Sporadic outages turned into major downtime throughout the week. We know this caused confusion and frustration for all who needed to access information and complete tasks on our school websites. All services have now been restored and everything is working as normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Nominate a teacher for the 2022 SLP Teacher of the Year
Do you know an educator who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? Nominate them by Friday, February 25 for Spring Lake Park Schools' Teacher of the Year!
Please download and complete a Nomination Form below and email or return the form to Spring Lake Park High School to the attention of Maria Ahrndt. Nominations are due by Friday, February 25, 2022.
This is an exciting way to recognize the amazing educators we have in Spring Lake Park Schools! Thank you for taking the time to submit a nomination. View the nominee criteria and learn more.
Shark Tank - high school style
Sometimes it's hard to imagine your child making their way in the world - what will they choose? Will they be a doctor? Business person? Mechanic? Engineer? Teacher? As they make their way through Spring Lake Park Schools, there are many opportunities to explore where their interests intersect with their future path.
At Spring Lake Park High School, students in the Business and Entrepreneurship Pathway recently pitched their ideas and business plans for new apps and products to local business leaders. In the end, everyone won with real-world feedback, insights and learning.
Take a peek at a unique high school Shark Tank experiences and what might be ahead for your student.
- January 14: Extended Learning Day
- January 17: No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- January 20: Knowledge Bowl Meet at Jackson Middle School
- January 27: PTO Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
- January 31: Extended Learning Day
Secure your spot for upcoming winter programming, grades K-4
Last chance to sign up for Winter Community Education Programs. Many programs start week of January 24. From robotics and tennis to chess and painting, there is something great for your student to engage in this winter!
Opportunities for families
Family Snowshoeing - January 29 at Springbrook
Last call! Join us for a fun and relaxing snowshoe hike on Springbrook Nature Center trails. Register here.
Winter Seed Sowing
A fun activity to kick-off the gardening season, starting seeds in homemade greenhouses. We provide all of the materials for you to make n’ take up to five containers home. Seeds provided, or you can bring your own. This is a great class for a parent and child. Register here.
Opportunities for adults
Basic Home Repair-Electrical
Learn the basics of home electrical repairs and save the money and hassle of calling an electrician. In this class you will learn skills such as: proper electrical safety, wire striping, circuit testing, rewiring lamps and extension cords, and installing light fixtures/ ceiling fans. Register here.
Star Wars with North Metro TV
This class is your chance to learn how the sci-fi adventure everyone underestimated took the world by storm. Join North Metro TV Studio Manager Eric Houston for this 1-hour look behind the scenes of the entire Star Wars Saga. Register here.
Frozen Friday Fun!
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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