Spring Lake Park High School
January 20, 2021 Newsletter
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A message from Principal Boucher
SLPHS Families,
As we move further into the new year, and winter, we continue meeting with our regional support team to consider COVID-19 case rates and when we might move to a less restrictive learning model. We meet again this week. I know many families are ready to resume some learning at school. We are, too! Families will receive an update by the end of the week on how things are looking for February. In the meantime, we continue to offer in-person targeted supports for identified students at school one to four days a week based on needs.
Conferences
We are thinking about winter parent/teacher conferences. While we will not offer our traditional arena-style conferences in the cafeteria this February, we are looking for new ways to connect and communicate with families about their student’s progress.
From past feedback, we know setting aside specific days and evenings for parent/teacher conferences does not work for each family. As we partner together to support student learning, we want to connect to discuss your student’s progress in ways that work best for you and we are ready to accommodate your preferences for times and ways to connect.
If you are interested in connecting with specific teachers about your student’s progress, please take time to complete the February Conference and Communications Survey linked here: February Conference & Communication Survey.
Advancing learning
Despite the year’s challenges, I continue to see exciting and creative learning opportunities in the virtual classrooms I visit. We’ve had guest speakers and experts, like guest composers in music courses, and bilingual business owners presenting in college-level Spanish classes. We also did our first virtual “shark tank” experience in a business pathways course.
While distance learning presents challenges, it also affords many opportunities for us to find new ways to engage students in learning and for educators to gain new skills in the process. Thank you, as always, for working through the challenges of a COVID school year with us, as we collectively continue to seek new ways to support and ensure student learning this year.
Finally, a little good news. On Monday, Spring Lake Park Schools received notification from the state about our first doses of COVID-19 vaccine for school staff. We were allocated 13 doses (about 1.5% of staff) for this first round of vaccinations which will begin this week. We are prioritizing vaccinations for those at highest risk following guidance from the state. While state supply is limited and our first allocation is small, this is an encouraging step forward.
One school, one community, #SLPPantherProud!
Matthew Boucher
Principal
Make sure your child's immunization records are up-to-date by February 1
All students in Spring Lake Park Schools, both in-person and extended flexible learning (distance), must comply with Minnesota Immunization Laws. All immunizations need to be up-to-date by Monday, February 1. Students who are not up-to-date on immunizations by Monday, February 1 will not be able to come to school. Minnesota School Immunization Laws require ALL students enrolled in school to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, hepatitis B, meningitis and varicella.
The only exceptions are:
- A student has had the chickenpox virus
- Medical exemption with paperwork from your provider
- Conscientious exemption with notarized exemption form
If you believe your child's records need to be updated with proof of immunizations, please bring or send these to your school nurse or call for verification. Learn more about immunizations at SLP and find a downloadable immunization form.
Collect pennies and food donations for Panther Challenge #1
Panther Challenge #1 is in full swing with the 'Pennies for Packs' and Community Food Drive challenge. Grab your spare change and food donations and be ready to drop off the items on collections days, January 26-27. Collection sites include the front office at each school and the District Services Center (DSC).
As you collect pennies and food donations for Panther Challenges, we want to see your efforts. Email your photos and videos to pantherfoundation@district16.org. All submissions you share will be entered into a drawing for prizes!
Watch recorded virtual Lunch and Learn and ACT Test Prep sessions
Virtual Lunch and Learn and ACT Test Prep sessions happened earlier today, Wednesday, January 20. If you were unable to attend or would still like to watch these online sessions, visit the Career & College planning website to view the recordings.
Mark your calendars for next week's virtual Lunch and Learn sessions on Wednesday, January 27 at noon:
- Reading and Writing in the Digital Age (ELA and Pathways)
- Advancement in Individual Determination (AVID)
- Opportunities in Emergency Care (OEC) Pathway Classes
Links to these sessions can be found on the Career and College Planning page.
Class of 2022 Juniors
The junior class of 2022 is moving into the first stages of a strong focus on what they plan to do post-high school. The counseling office will have many upcoming events (open to both students and their parents) that will help answer questions about this topic. Keep an eye out for the full list of virtual events during the Wednesday lunch hour. Links will be provided in weekly newsletter, on Schoology and on the Career & College planning website.
Preview of upcoming events:
- How to build a list of colleges I am applying to: January 27, 1 p.m.
- Applying to College and Scholarships: February 3, 1 p.m.
- 4th Annual College Kick-Off Event: February 25, 6:30-8 p.m.
Panther Peer Tutor Program is starting next week
Students were given the opportunity to sign up for a Panther-Peer tutor for Trimester 2. Students will begin getting partnered with tutors this week and throughout the remainder of the trimester as we are able. If you child is interested in getting academic help from a peer, please have them complete this form.
Sign-up for virtual Community Education programs!
Community Education is excited to offer a variety of virtual programs for adults and children in the community this winter. From Instant Pot, fitness and internet safety programs for adults to coding, acting and craft programs for children, there is something for everyone in your family to enjoy! Visit the website to view all programs and sign up or call Community Education at 763-600-5050.
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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