Lighthouse School Newsletter
Lighthouse families,
We had a fun homecoming last week! Our Lighthouse Panther Sweepstakes winner was Gavin Owen. He will choose where to spend $500 for the school from a list of ideas and projects. Thank to everyone for participating in all of the fun activities!
Thanks, also, to those of you who responded to our first pulse check of the year. We appreciate you taking time to share your voice and experience with our school. It was fun to hear about students feeling happy and curious about their work and facilitators designing to prepare students for the real world. We will be taking a closer look at continued communication around how students have choice in showing their learning. We will follow up directly on any issues that require it this week.
October is College Knowledge Month across Minnesota. Spring Lake Park High School has a lot of events and activities planned to help students explore their options and prepare for their paths after high school. This isn’t just for seniors. Check out opportunities in the Career and College section below and please encourage your high schooler to participate.
This is a short week for students. Please remember there is no school for students tomorrow, Thursday, October 3 or Friday, October 4. Our staff will be engaging in professional learning, learning design and conference preparation. School is back in session for students on Monday, October 7.
We’ll look forward to seeing students back here next Monday!
Lisa Cisewski
Coordinator of Lighthouse School
Spring Lake Park Schools
The Back a Bus fundraiser has begun!
Good luck to students in their Back a Bus fundraising efforts! We are encouraging students to each raise $100 to help support field trip bussing and other PTO-sponsored enrichment activities. Envelopes, which were sent home with students last Friday, are due back October 11 - this also coincides with the day of the celebration. Parents are welcome to attend from 1:30-3 p.m. where there will be games, treats, and a magic show! If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to Sheri in the Lighthouse office so she can have a visitor badge ready for you. Thank you in advance for your support!
The PTO has partnered with GiveButter to help collect donations via credit card, PayPal and Venmo (cash and check are also still welcome!). Feel free to share the following link (and QR code) with friends and family: givebutter.com/lighthousePTO.
October is College Knowledge Month
Spring Lake Park High School is celebrating College Knowledge Month. Each October, this statewide effort supports students in applying to college. The goal is exploration and support.
The events aren’t just for seniors. There are opportunities for high school students at all grade levels to learn more about postsecondary options. Check out the calendar to see events happening this month. This event calendar is LIVE and will be updated as new events are confirmed.
Upcoming events:
- October 7 - Hamline University Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
- October 8 - Minnesota North College Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
- October 9
- St. Catherine University Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
- Upward Bound Information Session, 10 a.m. B138 (9-11th graders welcome)
- October 10
- Luther College Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
- College Possible Information Session, 10 a.m., B138 (11th graders only)
- October 11
- University of Minnesota-Rochester Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
- Transportation Day event – Students in all grades will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from local industries who hire and train students as well as connect with reps from 2- and 4-year colleges. This event takes place during the school day.
- October 14 - College Application Help Session, 10 a.m., B138 (12th graders only)
- October 15 - University of St. Thomas Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
A day in 3rd grade: Competency-based learning in action
Third graders enthusiastically welcomed a video crew into their classrooms to follow along in their learning for one day last May. As we start a new school year, short video stories from that day provide tangible examples of competency-based learning in action. From collaboration to math to science to digital literacy, a series of brief videos provide a peek into student learning across a day.
As a reminder, Spring Lake Park Schools has defined academic and career and life competencies. Academic competencies are aligned to different subject areas (Math, English Language Arts, etc.) and to Minnesota state standards for those areas. Career and life competencies are skills and mindsets needed for success in school and beyond. Last year was the first year elementary learning was entirely competency based. So, what does it look and sound like during a day in third grade? Take a look (and listen) to a day in third grade.
Catch the "After Hours Big Band" Show Tonight!
Tonight is the night to catch the live performance of "After Hours Big Band" at the Fine Arts Center, 7 p.m. Student tickets are only $5! This is a great way to introduce your children to a live musical performance, right here in our Panther community.
"After Hours Big Band" is led by one of our SLP dads! Our audience loved their holiday show last year and now we welcome them back to kick off season three. You will be sure to recognize favorites from Disney, The Beatles and more. Once again, Reed Grimm of American Idol and Shoeless Revolution will be joining the band. Get your tickets here and avoid the long lines at the box office.
