Lighthouse School Newsletter
October 13, 2021
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Lighthouse Families,
Many of you have reached out with offers to do anything you can to help during this time of ongoing pandemic. You may be hearing about how many local businesses are short of staff. The same is true of our schools. We’d welcome your help in recruiting for critical positions working in our schools such as paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, staff helping with COVID testing, and others. Or, if you are interested in these positions yourself, please consider applying.
A few reminders:
- Facilitators are looking forward to meeting with you during Fall Conferences over the next few weeks. If you haven’t signed up for a conference for Ms. Barnette, Mr. Endrizzi, or Ms. Pouliot contact Ms. Dougherty, ddough@district16.org. Schedule a conference with Dr. Tison Povis, using this online scheduler.
- We are teaming up with Westwood Middle school for after school activities for our middle school students that your child may enjoy. I was able to secure a bus just for Lighthouse students directly to Westwood on the days of their activity. The bus will leave school at 2:30 p.m. and arrive at Westwood at about 2:40 p.m. If you live within the SLP school boundaries, there is an activity bus that can take your child home after their session. Please reach out if you have any questions. The activities are:
- Our next PTO meeting will be the Thursday after Fall Break, October 28. It will be a virtual meeting in my WebEx room using this link. Thank you to all that have reached out to be a part of the Parent Teacher Organization. I look forward to planning some community-building events with all of you.
There won’t be a newsletter next week. There is no school for students October 18-22. While students enjoy time away from their school routine, staff will be at school for professional learning, planning and design and conference opportunities.
I hope you and your family have a great week. We’ll see you back at school after fall break on Monday, October 25.
Take Care,
Lisa Cisewski
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.
Conference Scheduling and Links
This year, all facilitators will be hosting conferences in-person or virtually via WebEx. Ms. Barnette, Mr. Endrizzi and Ms. Pouliot will be hosting conferences for their advisories in the evening from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, October 18 and during the day from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 19. Dr. Tison Povis has conference times available on October 14, 18, and 20.
To schedule a conference with Dr. Tison Povis, click here.
If your student is in Barnette's, Endrizzi's or Pouliot’s advisory, please email Ms. Dougherty, ddough@district16.org by October 14 to schedule a 20-minute conference timeslot. To schedule after October 14 please call the main office at 763-600-5200. For these conferences, we will schedule timeslots on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and 40 minutes after the hour. Conference slots are first-come, first-serve and fill up quickly. When you schedule your conference, please let us know if you would like to meet with your student’s advisor in person or via WebEx (links below).
WebEx links:
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 School's 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.
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.
Elementary After-School Enrichment Programs Starting Early November:
- AKASPORT - Multi-sports, Grades 1-4
- Kidcreate - Holiday Gift Making, Grades 1-4
- STEM Builders - Little Xplorers: Robotics, Grades 1-4
- Youth Enrichment League - Grand Masters of Chess, Grades K-4
- Register here
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
K-8 Youth Wrestling - Join the SLP/Irondale/St. Anthony Program
- The first session starts Tuesday, November 16, 6:30 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!
October 18-22: Fall Break- No School
Lifetouch Picture Day-Postponed
October 28: PTO meeting
November 12: Extended Learning Day
And the Winner is...
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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