Lighthouse School Newsletter
Lighthouse families,
We hope everyone had a wonderful fall break and a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather! It’s hard to believe we’re already in the second half of our first trimester. Students have been diving into their co-created inquiries, building new skills, and showing curiosity in their learning.
Last week, I had the chance to spend some time with Amanda as she introduced the group to their co-created inquiry connected to the Minnesota Zoo’s Zooms STEM Design Challenge. This is one of the project options Lighthouse students chose to explore. Students were considering what their raptor would need and the different people to keep in mind as they plan a space, including zookeepers and zoo visitors.
As students begin the 3D design process, they have an opportunity to take on a real-world challenge, ask questions, and consider perspectives beyond their own. I enjoyed hearing their early thinking as they started to explore the possibilities. One of the things I love about co-created inquiry is that students get to follow their curiosity while also working through the kinds of questions and challenges that come with designing something for a real audience. There is a lot to think about before a design even begins to take shape!
Our PTO kicked off the fall fundraiser this week, and we’re excited to get reading! Students are challenged to read 300 minutes over the next two weeks, making time for books, stories, and topics that spark their interests. We’ll wrap up the fundraiser with a Read-a-Thon, which will be a fun way to celebrate our readers and all those minutes spent with books. We appreciate our PTO for organizing this fundraiser and creating opportunities to support our students and school community!
A quick reminder that arriving at school on time helps students make the most of their day. So much of our learning happens through conversations, collaboration, and building on one another’s ideas. Being present from the start helps students feel connected and ready to jump into the learning alongside their peers.
We’re grateful to have such a supportive community of families who partner with us in helping students grow, explore their interests, and feel a sense of belonging at Lighthouse.
Have a great week!
Lisa Cisewski
Coordinator of Lighthouse School
Spring Lake Park Schools
Early Childhood Event for Ages 0-5: Fall Family Carnival
Know of a friend or neighbor with children ages 0-5 who are not yet part of our SLP Early Childhood community? Send them an invite to join this fun event and check out programs:
- Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time and Location: 10 a.m.–Noon at Centerview Elementary
- Cost: Free event, no registration required
- What to Expect: Games, arts & crafts activities, food and family fun
- Who: All are welcome!
- Current Early Childhood students/families are invited to attend
- Not yet part of our SLP Early Childhood community? Come join the fun + check out what programs might suit your children ages 0-5!
Parent learning and feedback session: State and district standardized tests
The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Advisory Council (CIAAC) invites parents and caregivers to learn about state and district reading and math tests and share their feedback. These tests help measure student progress. At this session, you’ll learn how the tests have changed over time, including recent changes under Minnesota’s READ Act. We’ll also discuss how tests vary by grade level and how schools use the results. This includes Spanish immersion programming across grade levels and schools. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, learn how these tests compare with the assessments students take in class, and share your thoughts.
- Date: Thursday, November 12
- Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
- Location: District Services Center
Reserve your seats for the Parent Learning and Feedback session. Please register so we can plan for seating, small-group discussions and refreshments.
National Signing Day, November 11
The fall National Signing Day is on Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 a.m. in the SLPHS Panther Gym. Please let our athletics and activities office know if your student-athlete will be signing a letter of intent to play at the collegiate level. This signing day is only for athletes signing Division I, IAA, II, or NAIA.
Future Signing Dates are:
- December 2 - D-1 Football only
- February 3- Division I, IAA, II, or NAIA.
- April 27 - all athletes (including Division III and JUCO)
Technology with Purpose: Supporting Learning in a Digital World
Technology has changed a lot since our schools began providing a device to each student in 2012. The tools available to students and how we use them continue to change, so we’re taking a fresh look at how digital tools support learning in our schools.
The goal is simple: Make sure technology has a clear purpose, supports student learning, protects student privacy and safety, and helps students develop necessary digital skills and healthy habits.
“We hear from parents, teachers and community and industry partners that technology is necessary, and it’s important for children to develop healthy digital habits alongside the skills they need for the future,” says Melissa Olson, Director of Learning Design and Student Engagement. “But it’s also concerning. People are thinking about the pace of change, challenging digital habits and the overall role of technology in children’s lives.”
Spring Lake Park Schools is taking a closer look at how we use digital tools through project work connected to the district’s annual Operational Plan.
“We’re looking at what teachers need now to make the best use of digital tools – from devices to apps – as they focus on designing more engaging student work and learning experiences,” says Melissa. “Purposeful use is the focus to enhance learning and support the development of those digital skills and habits.”
The work acknowledges that sometimes technology is the best tool for the job. Other times, a conversation, hands-on activity, book or another approach may better support a learning goal. Often, a mix is best. Read the full Technology with Purpose story.
"Our Town" opens this weekend
The small town of Grover's Corners will come to life in a minimalist theater-in-the-round setting during Spring Lake Park High School Theater's fall production of "Our Town" October 23-24 and October 30-31. The play follows the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as they love, marry, and eventually, die.
“I believe the audience will enjoy the seating in the round. To most audience members, it will be a new experience to watch theater. It allows the audience to see perspectives that they normally don’t have the ability to see. The audience becomes fully immersed in the scene, feeling like they’re an actor there themselves.” - Evelyn Stusynski, junior
Live on 65: We3 + 1, November 16
Join us for the first Live on 65 performance of the season! A celebrated Arizona trio known for their captivating blend of jazz, swing, blues, and timeless classics, "We3 + 1" is coming to the Fine Arts Center on Monday, November 16 at 7 p.m.
Since their debut performance in 2016 at The Nash, "We3 + 1" has wowed audiences with sold-out performances across the Valley and beyond, including appearances in Paris, France. Featuring powerhouse vocalist Renee Grant Patrick, acclaimed violinist Suzanne Lansford, and renowned pianist Nicole Pesce, "We3 + 1" brings unforgettable energy, elegance, and musical artistry to every performance. Buy tickets for "We3 + 1"
Panther Foundation Sweepstakes winner
Our Lighthouse Panther Sweepstakes winner was Mahdi! Mahdi got a $50 gift card to the Panther Store and will get to choose how to spend the $500 for our school from a list of ideas and projects generated by our staff.
Thank you so much for participating in the 2026 Panther Foundation Trivia Sweepstakes. There were 101 families who participated and provided 702 answers to the four questions.
Questions and Answers:
- Question 1: How many students engaged in Spring Lake Park Schools' Career & College Pathways programming in 2025-26? 1,100 Students
- Question 2: Last year the Panther Foundation's Panthers for a Purpose Event raised $145,000 during the Week of Giving. How much was raised specifically for the Fund A Dream, supporting Career & College Pathways? $36,000
- Question 3: 835 K-4 Students identified PLAY as their spark in their learning.
- Question 4: What toppings are on Parker's favorite pizza? The people have spoken! Pepperoni is Parker the Panther's clear favorite. Cheese came in second, followed by pineapple and sausage. And, of course, a few Panther fans got creative with their answers with – Bengals; Garage pizza; Gazelle, extra cheese, and the tears of rival mascots; Cheeseburger chicken ranch
