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Spring Lake Park High School
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DECEMBER 13, 2023 - NEWSLETTER
SLPHS families,
We have successfully launched trimester II with students and staff. Grades from trimester I are accessible now through Campus Parent Portal. Information and resources about to help with Campus access can be found in the technology toolkit.
As we move into the second trimester, I also want to remind parents that since 2020, schools across the metro, have experienced a significant decline in the number of available substitute teachers. Last year, our average daily fill rate for substitute teacher requests was 60 percent. This is not great for learning or for daily school operations.
I shared previously, that this year, at the high school, we are trying a different approach. Our goal is to more intentionally support learning when teachers need to be absent and also reduce the daily challenges that occur when substitutes simply aren’t available.
We are prioritizing the placement of any available substitute teachers with students or groups or classroom environments that have the highest support needs. For all other classes, we are managing teacher absences proactively in the following ways:
- Students transition, for the identified class period, to one of our flexible learning spaces or higher-capacity spaces. For example, we might have three course sections in the Fine Arts Center with approximately 60 students in a space for 800+.
- Supervisory, non-teaching staff are present in these spaces to supervise, answer questions and provide support and classroom management.
- Students are provided asynchronous (on-demand) learning, designed by the teacher who is absent. If the absent teacher has not been able to design that learning, the subject area’s curriculum leader will do so based on unit plans and course overviews.
While we continue to adjust based on what we are learning, we are encouraged by the results so far. For the most part, high school students are able to work well independently for a class period. We are seeing a higher rate of work completion this year using this model than when we relied solely on substitute teachers. There is also reduced stress in the daily operation of our school as we have an intentional approach that does not just rely on what has become a substitute teacher lottery. We will continue to monitor and refine.
With just six more school days before winter break, I ask for your support to reinforce the importance of students remaining academically focused and engaged each day until break. We want to be sure we build a strong foundation for academic success during Trimester II prior to stepping away for winter break. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Finally, our team appreciates the parent feedback we have received through our monthly pulse check surveys. The next one is this Thursday. Watch for an email and text from Possip and take a moment to respond. We value the insights we gather from your experience.
One School, One Community, #SLPPantherProud!
Matthew Boucher
SLPHS Principal
Introducing our Health Navigator
Spring Lake Park Schools is partnering with Neighborhood Health Source to provide our schools with a health navigator. Our navigator is Talo Heh. Talo is able to help students and families with:
- Dental resources
- Child immunizations
- Finding primary care services
- Applying for SNAP
- Applying for MNSURE (health insurance)
- Vape prevention education
- Housing resources
You can reach Talo through the school social worker or healthcare specialist.
Next Possip Pulse Check: Coming Dec. 14
Our next Possip plush check is coming your way Thursday, Nov. 14. Once again this month, you will receive a text message and email with a few simple questions asking for feedback on your experience with school. Watch for the messages from Possip and make sure to reply to the brief survey and help keep us updated on your experience. Your responses remain confidential if you choose and you can choose to reply in your preferred language. Thank you!
- Wednesday, December 20 - Let's Talk: Career, College and Life event series, 7:30 a.m. in-person at SLPHS or 11:30 a.m. via WebEx
- December 22-January 1 - Winter Break, no school
- Tuesday, January 2 - Return from Winter Break
- Thursday, January 11 - Native American Parent Advisory Committee event, Woodcrest Spanish Immersion School (in the Piña Room), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Monday, January 15 - No School
- Wednesday, January 24 - Caregiver Learning Event: Child Development Over Ages, Westwood Intermediate and Middle School (The Den), 6-7 p.m. RSVP
The Winter Market was a success!
The Winter Market held at the high school was a success this past weekend! From the gift shop and craft vendors to art activities and performances from the SLPHS band and choir, it was a great time for all. Thank you to everyone who joined in the festive fun!
Let's Talk: Career, College and Life event series
It was great welcoming students and families to the Find your Future: Enrollment, Employment and Enlistment event last week. For families who have additional questions or want to talk more with high school counselors about career, college and life topics that are on your mind, please join us at the next Let's Talk: Career, College and Life event next Wednesday, December 20. Warm up with a cup of coffee and learn more about the opportunities your student has at SLPHS.
Events take place at 7:30 a.m. at Spring Lake Park High School or 11:45 a.m. on WebEx.
- Wednesday, December 20
- Wednesday, February 28
- Wednesday, April 24
All sessions are general and open discussion is welcomed and encouraged. You bring the questions; we bring the coffee. Please fill out this form to let us know you'll be joining us.
Supporting healthy homes . . . learning
Access to a doctor or a dentist. Winter gear that doesn’t break the bank. Food for the weekend. Support for parents in understanding and supporting their child’s development. All of these are necessary for creating the conditions for a child to learn. That’s why we’re focused on expanding our continuum of supports for families.
In all Spring Lake Park Schools, a full continuum of supports is available for each student’s academic, social, emotional and behavior needs and development. Over the last few years, focused work to strengthen how we work with all students as well as students who benefit from targeted support has been underway. This year, attention is turning to what families need to support a child’s learning.
Read the full story online.
Enrollment is open for the 2024-2025 school year
Enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 school year. Families with students in any grade (K-12) can find all the information they need to learn more about SLP and enroll at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Enroll. There will be opportunities for students and families to attend events to help prepare for the next steps in the new year. Stay tuned. Please feel free to share this announcement with friends, family and neighbors!
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