Spring Lake Park High School
August 17, 2022 Newsletter
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AUGUST 31, 2022 - NEWSLETTER
SLPHS families,
It has been an engaging and enthusiastic start to the week with teachers as we prepare to start the year with students next week. Staff energy is high, and we are excited for the start of the year. We got to see many 9th grade students and families last night at our 9th grade Meet and Greet event. This evening, we welcome 10-12th grade students and families.
Here are a few important reminders and updates:
- Two different first days of school next week! Reminder, next week we have two different start dates for students. Ninth grade and students new to the high school start on Tuesday, September 6. ALL returning high school students start on Wednesday, September 7.
- Student behavior and attendance expectations: We have high expectations for students, and reviewing our expectations sets the tone for a great start to the year – especially after the disruptions we’ve all experienced the last few years. This week, we are asking you (parents/guardians) to review our student behavior and attendance expectations and acknowledge you have read and reviewed this information with your student(s). Find information in the newsletter and watch for an email.
- Attendance: Coming to school each day on time and ready to learn is critical to student growth and success. Thank you, in advance, families, for helping with the most important job of making sure your students gets to school ready for the day. Your help and support is appreciated. Let’s start the year strong.
I hope all families enjoy the long weekend and take some time to relax and recharge prior to the first days of the school year. I can’t wait to see our halls and classrooms with students as we launch a new year filled with growth and development for everyone at Spring Lake Park High School.
We will welcome our 9th graders and NEW students next Tuesday (September 6) and, everyone else next Wednesday (September 7).
Here we go! See you soon.
Matthew Boucher
Principal
Schedule changes and counselor availability
If you are unable to come to one of our scheduled Open House events to discuss your 22-23 school year class schedule, the Counseling department will be available to meet with students to discuss schedule changes on Thursday, September 1. All Counselors will be available from 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. in the Upstairs Multi-Purpose room. We ask that you see your assigned counselor.
Scheduling needs include the following:
- you have the wrong course
- you are missing a class
- you didn't take a prerequisite
- you want to increase or decrease rigor
We are unable to honor teacher, team or class order requests.
Before school starts: Complete your review of student behavior and attendance expectations
Each year, we ask students and families to review student behavior and attendance expectations. After reviewing together, we ask families to acknowledge they have done so. This process helps set the tone for students as they begin the year and clarifies for students how we all expect them to conduct themselves each day at school.
Please take five minutes to log into Campus Parent Portal and review these expectations with your student.
1. Log in to Campus with your district username and password.
2. Select your student in the upper right corner.
3. On the main menu click on DOCUMENT.
4. Locate the Parent Documents section.
5. Click on the 2022-2023 Behavior and Attendance Agreement.
6. Review the document with your student.
7. Sign and submit.
8. Repeat these steps if you have more than one student in the district.
In the coming days, you can also expect to receive a message directly from Campus reminding you to review and sign this document. Please review at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions about these expectations, reach out to Principal Boucher.
From the very first day, attendance matters
Did you know missing 10 percent, or just two days of school per month, over the course of the school year, can affect a student’s academic success - and path to graduation? It's true at all ages. By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs a student may drop out of high school. By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores. Regular attendance in school is essential for learning and student success.
Parents and guardians play the most important role in a student's education by making sure students arrive at school each day on time and ready to learn. As we begin a new school year, we have the opportunity to develop important routines and expectations at school and at home.
Here are some things parents and guardians can do to support school attendance:
- Talk about the importance of going to school every day.
- Help your student develop and maintain daily routines such as getting a good night's sleep, preparing any materials the night before, supporting your older student in finishing homework.
- Try not to schedule dental, medical or other appointments during the school day.
- Take action to stay healthy and if your children must stay home because they are sick, help them connect to the missed learning.
- Ask family, friends or school staff for help if you need support.
If your student must be absent, please call the attendance line763-600-5109. If a student is absent and we don't hear from a parent or guardian, we will be reaching out to check in.
Nutrition Services: School meal updates for a new year
As we enter a new school year, there are several important things to know about school meals:
- Meals are no longer free. School breakfast and lunches will no longer be free for all students due to the expiration of federal United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) waivers. This means, students will be charged full price for meals, unless their household has been approved for free or reduced meal benefits for the 2022-2023 school year.
- Free and Reduced-Price Meals and Education Benefits applications must be completed each year. Complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meals and Education Benefits Application online or via a paper copy from your school. If you qualify, both breakfast and lunch will be free. If you apply by Sept. 2, 2022, you may be eligible for additional funds through the P-EBT program. Applications are accepted throughout the school year.
- Add funds to your student's meal account online. You can add funds to a meal account through Campus Parent Portal, or by sending cash or check with your child or directly to your school.
- Meal changes are possible due to supply chain issues. Due to nationwide shortages of certain food items, menus may not accurately reflect what will be served that day. When possible, we will replace meals with similar choices and avoid any additional allergens.
- Meals policy includes what happens when an account has insufficient funds. See the full policy 534 Meals online. The policy includes payment of meals, charging of meals, negative balances and unpaid balances.
Schools will continue to offer nutritious meals to students each day. Learn more about school meals on the Nutrition Services webpage.
Where did the Apple App Store go?
As we start the 2022-2023 school year, the Apple App Store is no longer available on student iPads. In previous years, high school students have had access to Apple’s App Store for downloading apps, while grades K-9 downloaded apps only from the district’s app store, Self Service. All K-12 students will now use Self Service exclusively to download and install applications. This change was made to align with the newly passed Student Data Privacy Act in Minnesota requiring pre-screening and approval of all apps to be used by students on our district devices. If you have questions about Self Service or need help with a school-issued iPad, contact techsupport@district16.org or phone: 763-600-5555.
2022-2023 School Handbook
Find our Spring Lake Park Schools School Handbook for 2022-2023 at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/schoolhandbook. The handbook is a guide for families and students on the practical aspects of school – start and end times, procedures for absences, transportation, meals, policies and more. Please review the information and refer to it, as needed, throughout the year and contact your school as you have questions.
Important back-to-school notices
At the beginning of each year, we provide families with important notifications. Many of these notifications align to our school district policies and practices. Please take a few minutes to review the information and take any actions that align with your family’s preferences.
These notices cover:
- Media permission and directory information
- Technology responsible use policy
- Data privacy
- Supplemental student accident insurance
Review these notifications on the back-to-school hub under the heading Important back-to-school notices. Please direct any questions to the main office of your student's school.
Fall programs available for all!
Looking for fun and enriching programs for your child, your family or yourself this fall? Look no further! Browse and register for a variety of programs.
Program Highlights of the Week
Adult:
- Retirement Planning Today: In this course you will learn how to: manage investment risks, use new tax laws to your advantage, make informed decisions about your company retirement plan and adjust your estate plan to function under the new laws.
- Ballroom Dance for Beginners: Practice steps and turns in popular ballroom dances, including swing, waltz, foxtrot, salsa, and more. Enjoy dancing to music frequently played at weddings and most social gatherings.
Family:
- Cupcake Decorating with Paige - Paige Goehner, the winner of Food Network’s Kids Baking Championship, wants you to join her as she will be decorating wonderful winter-themed cupcakes!
- September 6 - First day of school for all 9th grade and new students
- September 7 - First day of school for 10th-12th grade students
- September 15 - Picture make up day for those who were not able to attend open house
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