Spring Lake Park High School
SLPHS families,
Happy homecoming week Panthers! The school spirit throughout the building this week has been great. Student council did an amazing job decorating the whole building for homecoming, including placing nearly 2,000 individual handwritten stars with each student’s name throughout the hallways.
I appreciate the work our student leaders do to contribute to making our school an inviting and welcoming space for all. Our theme for Friday is Panther Spirit. Be sure to show solidarity with your student(s) and dress up in your best and brightest Panther gear on Friday.
Tomorrow, we kick off our first pulse check of the year. Watch for a text/email from Possip, our partner, with a couple of quick questions. Please take a moment to respond. We encourage you to share your name to help with any follow up, if needed. We should have themes to share with you next week.
As you look ahead to next week, remember, there is no school for students Thursday, October 3 or Friday, October 4. These are our staff’s first professional learning and design days of the year. Much the time will focus on learning related to deepening the engagement of our students. Our goal is for students to experience the benefits of this staff learning and design time in their learning experiences in the coming days and weeks.
We’ll also be preparing for parent/teacher conferences coming up soon. Mark your calendars for evening conferences on October 15, and morning conferences on October 16. We’ll share more information on conference times and how to sign up next week.
Thank you, as always, for your support and partnership. One school, one community, #SLPPantherProud! Go Panthers!
Matthew Boucher
Principal
Watch for the first pulse check of the year tomorrow
Once again this year, we will be doing occasional pulse check to gain insights about your experience with our school. Watch for the first text/email from Possip, our partner, tomorrow, Thursday, September 26. Respond in your language of choice. Share needs, praise, questions or ideas. You can choose to share your name - or stay anonymous. We do appreciate when people share their names in case there is a need to follow up. It all takes less than a minute.
Early next week, will be looking at the results. We'll circle back on trending topics, respond directly to needs, questions and concerns, and share feedback with our staff. Thanks - in advance - for taking a few moments to share your voice!
Thank You, Student Council
A shout-out to our SLPHS Student Council who has worked to make our Homecoming Week festive and special for all. They have decorated the whole building, including placing nearly 2,000 individual handwritten stars with each student’s name throughout the hallways.
Thank you to our student leaders for all they do to contribute to making our school an inviting and welcoming space for all.
Ready, Set, FAFSA
Free virtual college and financial aid events for Minnesota students and families!
The series, running October 1 through 22, will cover the college application process and general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college. A fact sheet for schools is attached.
- All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali and Hmong. Information for families about registering for the series is available here.
- Students who attend a session or watch one of the recordings will be eligible to win a $1,000 scholarship!
- Higher education professionals will available during each meeting to answer live Q and A.
- These sessions are a collaborative effort between the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC The College Place and Minnesota Goes to College.
The daily bus ride: Going the extra mile
Every September an iconic symbol returns to the roadways: the big yellow school bus. Its presence signals a new school year – and for students who ride the bus – each school day begins by walking up the steps to a warm greeting from their bus driver.
Cheryl Schnebly and Shannon Lathe are two bus drivers who have collectively driven buses of all kinds for 60 years. They work for Lorenz Bus Service, the transportation company that has partnered with Spring Lake Park Schools since 2009 and runs 216 daily routes for the schools.
On separate ride-alongs this month, Cheryl and Shannon show and tell what it means to be a bus driver: the responsibility, the skill and how the job has brought them both many cherished memories over the years shared between driver, student and family. Follow along their route.
Community Partnership Opportunities at SLP
Spring Lake Park Schools invites community involvement to help develop the future workforce. Partners can engage through workplace opportunities, financial support, or direct interaction with students. Find more information about Community Partnership Opportunities or contact Eric Van Brocklin, SLPHS Career Pathways Lead.
- Ways to Get Involved:
- Class Speaker: Share your career journey
- Shark Tank Judge: Provide feedback on student projects
- Project Facilitator: Guide students through real-world projects
- Mentor: Support students considering your industry
- Teaching Assistant: Help students with projects in your expertise
- Advisory Council Member: Offer input on educational programs
- Workplace Opportunities:
- Host worksite tours
- Provide internships or apprenticeships
- Financial Support:
- Sponsor a program or donate equipment
- Support student scholarships or provide summer job opportunities
- Fund a field trip bus or offer direct employment to students
Last chance: Panther Store Homecoming Sale and Special Edition Shirt
There is still time to get new Panther gear during the Homecoming sale. Save 15% online now through September 28 with code 24Homecoming. Limited shirts are still available for the special edition shirts. Buy one now before they sell out! Shirts are available online or check out in-store shopping options here.
Panther Foundation Sweepstakes is on
The Panther Foundation Sweepstakes began on Sunday. Today is the last day to enter this year's Sweepstakes. Enter today and have a chance to win for your school and you! Go to the Sweepstakes webpage to complete the daily entry form. There will be one student winner drawn for each school. Students will win a $500 prize and will chose where to direct the funds from several pre-determined projects identified by the school. The winning student will also win a $50 Panther Store gift card to purchase future Panther gear. The winners will be randomly drawn on Thursday, September 26. Good luck and go Panthers!
- Sunday's Question: The Panther Foundation celebrated a milestone at February's 2024 Panthers for a Purpose fundraising event. How many years has the Foundation been giving to Spring Lake Park Schools?
- Monday: What percentage of SLP High School students actively engage in athletics and activities?
- Tuesday: The Panther Foundation is a long supporter of the OEC, Opportunities in Emergency Care program at Spring Lake Park High School. This summer our OEC program competed in the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Houston, Texas with 12,000 competitors from all over the world. What place did our students win?
- Today's Question: What is the total seating capacity of Panther Stadium?
Answers: Sunday, 20 years; Monday, 85%; Tuesday, two teams placed 1st; Wednesday, check back tomorrow!
FCCLA Homecoming Booth
FCCLA wants to serve the student community by providing items and apparel to those in need. They have done a spirit drive throughout the District and will be given those items away during Homecoming. One per student. Available while supplies last.
FCCLA will also have a bake sale during the Homecoming game. Stop by their booth and purchase a delicious baked good (sweet and savory from around the world). Help support the Future Career and Community Leaders of America!
