Lighthouse School Newsletter
Lighthouse families,
Great to see students back this week. We had productive professional learning last week. Facilitators participated in learning focused on engagement and the design qualities we want to use as we develop student learning experiences. We had time to collaborate with each other and with other teachers throughout the district and added features to enhance their multidisciplinary unit of study.
Within their multidisciplinary units, students are diving deeper into their learning and making meaningful connections across academic subjects and career and life competencies. Our goal is to help students build strong relationships, both academically and socially, while valuing the unique contributions of everyone involved.
To help support this goal, this trimester, students at Lighthouse are focusing on the Collaboration competency—learning how to work effectively with diverse groups to achieve common goals. Collaboration at Lighthouse is more than just teamwork. It involves recognizing and leveraging individual strengths, understanding social cues, managing conflicts productively, and adapting to the diversity present in any group setting. These skills will serve them well beyond their time in Spring Lake Park Schools .
Reminders and Updates:
- Lockdown Drill: We will be having another lockdown drill Friday, October 11. This is practice for staff and students. Please let me know if you would like your child to opt out of this drill.
- Lighthouse Picture Day: Picture day is Tuesday, October 22. All pictures will be taken in the morning.
- Lighthouse Curricular Event: We are excited to invite families to our fall curriculum event on Wednesday, November 6 at 3:15 p.m. Come and learn more about design thinking, multidisciplinary units, and community building circles.
- Find your Future: High school students - at all grade levels - and their families are invited to explore and find your future at a unique career, college and life planning event on Wednesday, November 13, 4:30-6 p.m. at the high school. See more information in today’s newsletter.
These first six weeks of school have flown by. We are already in the days leading up to fall break. There is no school October 16-18. Facilitators are enjoying meeting with families for conferencing conversations. If you haven’t already, please schedule your conference by contacting your child’s advisor. Office hour schedules are available as needed. Because next week is a short one, there will not be a newsletter next Wednesday. If you have questions or need information, please reach out.
Lisa Cisewski
Coordinator of Lighthouse School
Spring Lake Park Schools
Update immunizations by October 31, upcoming flu/COVID vaccine clinic
Students whose immunizations are not up to date by Thursday, October 31 will be excluded from school until their immunizations are current. Minnesota School Immunization Laws currently require all students enrolled in school to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTap/Td/Tdap), polio, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, and varicella (chickenpox). One dose of the meningococcal (MCV) vaccine is due in 7th grade, and a booster dose at age 16.
The only exceptions are:
1. A student has had the chickenpox virus
2. Medical exemption with paperwork from your provider
3. Conscientious exemption with notarized exemption form
If you have a question about what is required for your child, please contact the school's health office, 763-600-5104.
SLP is hosting a flu/COVID vaccine clinic on Wednesday, October 23 in the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School cafeteria from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for adults and children. If you are planning to attend this clinic, you can fill out this consent form ahead of time, or forms will be available on-site.
(Spanish speaking event) Balancing Acts: Navigating the Spectrum of Relationships, Oct. 23
As a reminder, the Balancing Acts: Navigating the Spectrum of Relationships event will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 6-7 p.m. in the Den at Westwood Intermediate and Middle School. This presentation will be in Spanish and will examine the spectrum of relationships, highlighting the importance of recognizing teen dating violence, the five types of abuse, and empowering young people to foster healthy connections and seek help. RSVP for this event.
Back a Bus Final Stretch!
There are just 2 days left in the Lighthouse "Back a Bus" fundraiser! Please remind students to bring their envelopes to school on Friday. Parents are welcome to attend Friday's celebration from 1:30-3 p.m. where there will be games, treats, and a magic show! If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Sheri in the office so she can get you a visitor badge ahead of time. 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 .
Save the date for the "Find your future: Enrollment, employment, enlistment" event, Nov. 13
High school students - at all grade levels - and their families are invited to explore and find your future at a unique career, college and life planning event on Wednesday, November 13, 4:30-6 p.m. at the high school. Whether your student's path leads to enrollment in post-secondary education, employment in the workforce or enlistment in a military option, resources and experts will be available to share information and answer your questions.
At the event:
- Connect with college representatives
- Meet with industry professionals
- Consult with high school counselors
- Attend a number of optional sessions related to career and college planning such as support for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), creating a strong college application, exploring armed forces enlistment opportunities, and more!
October is College Knowledge Month
There are lots of opportunities for students - at all grade levels - to get involved in College Knowledge events this month. These events are great for students to learn about postsecondary options, get college application help, visit with college reps and more. Encourage your student to get involved!
Upcoming events:
- 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
- October 21
- Drake University Rep visit, 10 a.m., B138
- College Essay Workshop, 10 a.m., B138 (12th graders only)
- October 22 - National College Fair: Minneapolis Convention Center, 8:30-11 a.m., 10-12th grade only - limited space available
- October 23
- College Essay Workshop, 10 a.m., B138 (12th graders only)
- Junior Class Workshop: The College Search - 10 a.m., B138
What does personalized learning really mean?
Designing the experience of school so kids care to learn is at the heart of Spring Lake Park Schools approach to personalized learning. But what does personalized learning really mean?
While a lot of schools talk about personalized learning more generally, we now have a resource that describes in more detail what the K-12 student journey should look and feel like when we are at our best at Spring Lake Park Schools. While no experience is ever perfect, the K-12 Student Journey provides examples of what we are aiming for in each of our Spring Lake Park schools as we work to create a sense of value and belonging, personalize learning and innovate at each grade level.
At the beginning of a new school year, this information provides the most current take on our approach and aspiration. Check out the full piece online.
