Lighthouse School Newsletter

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One of the things that makes Lighthouse learning so fun to watch is seeing where students’ questions and ideas take them. Last week, I spent time in Ms. West’s classroom as a group of students worked together to solve the mystery of an outbreak. They were given a list of people, their symptoms, and the dates they became sick, and their job was to figure out what had happened.

As they worked through the information, students asked questions, shared ideas, noticed patterns, and built on one another’s thinking. It was fun to watch how engaged they were and how naturally they made connections as they worked toward a solution. They were using evidence, reasoning through possibilities, and learning from one another along the way.

The investigation was also a great example of how our interdisciplinary learning helps students connect ideas across subjects. Students are drawing on information from their reading and will connect the investigation to the novel they are currently reading. Experiences like this give students opportunities to be curious, think deeply, collaborate, and apply their learning in meaningful ways.

Reminders and Updates

• No School: There is no school on Monday, September 21.
• Curriculum Experience: We are looking forward to seeing you next week at our Curriculum Experience on Tuesday, September 22, beginning at 3:15 p.m. We will have an opportunity to share what is happening in each advisory, preview our Trimester 1 interdisciplinary units, and talk about some of the other learning experiences planned for students.
• Homecoming: Next week, September 22–25, is Homecoming Week at Spring Lake Park High School. Lighthouse students can join in the fun with our spirit days. It is always a fun week and a great opportunity to build community across our school!

• Tuesday: Pajama Day
• Wednesday: Sports Day
• Thursday: Wacky Wardrobe Day
• Friday: Panther Spirit Day (Lighthouse Extended Learning Day)

The Homecoming football game against Cambridge-Isanti is Friday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Panther Stadium. Go Panthers!

Lighthouse PTO: Don’t forget to look for our PTO updates each week below. Our first PTO meeting will be held tomorrow, beginning at 11:30 a.m. You can join us in person or join the PTO virtually.

Have a great week!

Lisa Cisewski

Coordinator of Lighthouse School

Spring Lake Park Schools

lcisew@district16.org

Lighthouse School and SLPHS will be having a lockdown drill on Friday, September 25. If you prefer your child not participate, please contact the Lighthouse School office by Monday, September 21.

This year, every K–6 classroom will use a new strategy called Sit & Watch. This brief routine gives students a chance to pause, observe and prepare to join an activity.

Students may use Sit & Watch in two situations:

• Joining an activity: If a student arrives after an activity has started, they may sit quietly for a minute or two and watch their classmates. This helps them understand what is happening and what is expected before joining the group.
• After a challenging moment: If a student needs a break from a challenging moment, Sit & Watch gives them a brief, calm opportunity to pause and get ready to rejoin the group. The goal is to help students regain self-control and return to learning as quickly as possible.

Students are learning how Sit & Watch works now and practicing the routine, so they know what to expect. Sit & Watch is not meant to shame or isolate students. It is a calm, predictable routine that helps students pause and observe before successfully rejoining their classmates while maintaining a positive learning environment.

Once again this year, we will be doing occasional, informal pulse checks to gain insights about your experience with our school. Watch for the first text/email from Possip, our partner, tomorrow, Thursday, September 17. Respond in your language of choice. You can share praise, needs, questions or ideas. Please choose to leave your name rather than stay anonymous to help us follow up if needed.

Early next week, we will be looking at the results. We'll share trending topics, respond directly to needs, questions and concerns, and share shout outs and feedback with our staff. Thanks - in advance - for taking a few moments to share your experiences.

Each year, we ask students and families to review student behavior and attendance expectations. After reviewing together, we ask families to acknowledge they have done so. This process helps set the tone for students as they begin the year and clarifies for students how we all expect them to conduct themselves each day at school. If you have any questions about these expectations, reach out to your school principal.

If you haven't done so already, please take five minutes to log into Campus Parent Portal and review these expectations with your student.

1. Log in to Campus with your district username and password.
2. Select your student in the upper right corner.
3. On the main menu click on DOCUMENT.
4. Locate the Parent Documents section.
5. Click on the 2026-2027 Behavior and Attendance Agreement.
6. Review the document with your student.
7. Sign and submit.
8. Repeat these steps if you have more than one student in the district.

• Thursday, September 17:
• Lighthouse School MAP Math Testing for Grades 2-10
• Lighthouse School PTO Meeting, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Monday, September 21: No school; Child Care open
• Tuesday, September 22: Lighthouse School Curriculum Experience, 3:15- 4:15 p.m.
• September 22-25: Homecoming Week

• Friday, September 25:

• Homecoming Football Game, Panther Stadium, 7 p.m.

• Lighthouse School Extended Learning Day

• SLPHS/Lighthouse School Lockdown Drill, 9:55 a.m.

• Wednesday, September 30: Special Education Advisory Council meeting, 6-7:30 p.m., District Services Center

• October 8-9: No school
• October 14-16: No school, fall break
• October 20: Lighthouse School Lifetouch Picture Day
• Monday, October 26: Student Vaccination Event, District Services Center, 2:30-6:30 p.m. | Register for the Student Vaccination Event

Starting this week and throughout the fall, college representatives will visit Spring Lake Park High School to share information about their schools, programs and scholarship opportunities. Representatives will be available during student SET time in B138, the Career and College Center. Connecting with college reps is a great way for students to learn more about specific schools and explore whether they may be a good fit for their career goals. Encourage your student to check Schoology regularly to see which colleges are visiting and find opportunities to connect.

• September 16: MN National Guard visit during all lunches
• September 17: US Army visit during all lunches
• September 23: ACR Homes visit during all lunches
• September 30: Vision Companies and Marine Corps visit during lunches
• October 1: Made in the North Career Event at National Sports Center - see Mr. Van Brocklin in B138 for more information
• October 2: Manufacturing Day tour of Nvent Industries in Blaine - see Mr. Van Brocklin in B138 for more information

For student-athletes interested in playing sports at the college level, NCAA information sessions will be held throughout the fall on Fridays during SET. These sessions are a great opportunity for students to learn more about NCAA eligibility requirements and get their questions answered.

As a reminder, tomorrow, Thursday, September 17, counselors will meet with the Class of 2028 in the Fine Arts Center during SET. Students will review important information for their junior year and learn how they can begin preparing for a successful senior year and their plans after high school. All juniors are encouraged to attend.

Are you looking to learn more about Lighthouse School? Want to get involved with the PTO? Do you have ideas for the fundraiser? Then we need you! We are gearing up for our first PTO meeting and we hope you can join us this Thursday September 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Lighthouse School or join us virtually by using this link.

On the agenda this month: The annual fundraiser, field trips and an update from Ms. Cisewski.

Please email with any comments, questions or suggestions: lhppto@gmail.com

• Find key dates on the Lighthouse online calendar
• Connect with parents in our Facebook group
• Be part of the Lighthouse Family Directory

The curtain is ready to rise on the 2026-2027 performing arts season at Spring Lake Park Schools! This year’s lineup of Live on 65 performances and student theater productions offers an exciting mix of exceptional entertainment and homegrown talent. Learn more about this season's shows.

• Spring Lake Park High School fall play - Our Town | October 23-24, 30-31 | Buy Our Town tickets
• Live on 65: We3 + 1 | Monday, November 16 | Buy We3 + 1 tickets
• Westwood Intermediate (grades 5-6) play - The Ice Queen | December 3-4 | Buy The Ice Queen tickets
• Live on 65: After Hours Big Band Holiday Concert | Sunday, December 6 | Buy After Hours Big Band tickets
• Spring Lake Park High School One-Act play - slasreveR neveS | January 15-16
• Live on 65: St. Peter Street Stompers - Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration | Tuesday, February 9 | Buy Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration tickets
• Westwood Middle School (grades 7-8) play - Seussical Junior | February 25-27 | Buy Seussical Junior tickets
• Live on 65: ArcoStrum | Sunday, March 21 | Buy ArcoStrum tickets
• Spring Lake Park High School spring musical | To be announced | April 23-24, 30, May 1-2
• Live on 65: The 70’s Show Featuring Jim Witter | Wednesday, April 28 | Buy The 70’s Show tickets

Homecoming is almost here - let’s show our Panther pride! Grab fresh gear for the big week and save 15% through the online Panther Store September 16-26 with code 26Homecoming.

Grades PreK-4 are invited to join the Spring Lake Park Youth Hockey Association for a fun, free event at the Blaine Super Rink on Sunday, October 4 from 1:30-3 p.m. Enjoy on-ice games and activities, plus free skate and equipment rental and snacks and refreshments. Bring gloves or mittens and a hockey or bike helmet if you have them. No registration required — walk-ins are welcome!

• Thursday, September 17, 7 p.m., Spring Lake Park High School Stadium
• Free Youth Admission for grades K-8 (with a paying adult).
• Join the starting lineup. Be on the field - Be a ball kid!
• Win raffle prizes - youth: Urban Air Free Admission Card and adults: Clive's Roadhouse Gift Card

• Tuesday, September 30, Spring Lake Park High School Panther Stadium. JV game is at 5:30 p.m. and varsity game is at 7 p.m.
• Free admission for youth (grades K-8)
• Voucher for concessions for youth
• Special youth halftime activities!

• Keeping Our Schools Safe, Together
• New School Year, New Beginnings + First Day of School Album
• I wonder . . .video
• Scoreboard Sponsorship Opportunities

There are many afterschool clubs and activities at Westwood that Lighthouse School students can join. We provide a shuttle that takes Lighthouse School students to Westwood at 2:20 p.m. each week day. See what after-school opportunities are available.

If you sign your student up for a club or activity and would like them to take the shuttle, please email Sheri Koehn in the Lighthouse School office and provide the activity name and the days your student will take the shuttle. You can also call the Lighthouse School office at 763-600-5200. Parents will be responsible for picking up their student at Westwood after the activity.

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