Lighthouse School Newsletter
Lighthouse families,
We are excited to welcome you to another exciting year of learning at Lighthouse School! This week, we welcomed new staff to Spring Lake Park Schools. We are so excited to have Derek McAnally join our team as a facilitator.
Derek has taught in public schools for more than ten years teaching both music and math. In his last role, he created a band program from scratch while also serving as math department chair. In his free time, he teaches math online for the Art of Problem Solving, works as an inclusion companion for kids with special needs, teaches and plays music, gardens and hikes, and cooks Detroit-style pizza with his family. He looks forward to meeting you all this fall.
Lighthouse staff
I am pleased to share with you the Facilitators and staff who will be supporting Lighthouse this year.
Erin Julius – Facilitator
Derek McAnally – Facilitator
Amanda West – Facilitator
Rachel Gaulke – Social Worker
Alan Colichia – School Psychologist
Cody Miller - Special Education Case Manager
Kyle Pagel – Band Director
Char Johnson – Paraeducator
Sheri Koehn – Administrative Support
Meet & Greet and advisor placement
We hope you can join us on Wednesday, August 26, at Lighthouse School from 4-5:30 p.m. Join us when you are able to meet with the facilitators and drop off school supplies.
Campus Parent Portal has been updated with your child’s advisor information. This year, advisors will work with mixed grade levels to create a collaborative learning environment.
Erin Julius’ Advisory will support students in grades 2–5
Derek McAnally’s advisory will work with students in grades 6–7
Amanda West’s advisory will work with students in grades 7–9
While advisory is assigned by grade range, our multidisciplinary units will be organized into grade bands: grades 2–4 with Julius, grades 5–6 with McAnally, and grades 7–9 with West. Throughout the year, all students will have opportunities to work with each facilitator in various capacities, to support students’ learning experience.
Technology update
As we get ready for a new school year, we have taken a closer look at how students use technology at school. We want technology to support learning — not get in the way of it. One area we reviewed is video: what students can watch on school devices and how teachers use video in class. This includes blocking YouTube on all student devices in grades K-8.
I hope you will take a moment to review more information about our video approach in the Need to Know section of today’s newsletter. We are also happy to answer questions. As the year gets started, you will hear more about how we are looking at the technology tools we use and how they can best support student learning and help students build the technology skills they will need in the future.
Cell Phones
Please remember our cell phone procedures as you get ready for the year. All students will keep cell phones and personal devices in their backpacks while at school. Our secondary students that are concurrently enrolled who choose to bring a personal electronic device to school are not to use the device at Lighthouse or during instructional time throughout the day at the high school, this includes work time. Students may use their personal devices during passing time at the high school.
We will be sending a weekly school newsletter each Wednesday. The newsletter will be an important way for me to share important information and updates with you. This week’s newsletter has a lot of reminders as we gear up for the start of school. Please let us know if you have any questions. Most importantly, enjoy these last few weeks of summer.
We are excited to see you soon!
Lisa Cisewski
Coordinator of Lighthouse School
Spring Lake Park Schools
Health office updates for back to school
School medications: You are welcome and encouraged to bring in any necessary medications for your student to keep at school during next week's Meet and Greet. If you would like to drop off medications outside of Meet and Greet, please set up a time with one of our nurses, Jill Larson or Donna Dyson 763-600-5104/763-600-5204.
- Immunizations and vaccines: Now is the time to make sure your child is up to date on all recommended immunizations. Getting vaccinated is an important tool to keep our students safe and healthy while they are in school. See our website for more immunization information.
- Peanut/nut aware classrooms: Spring Lake Park Schools implements peanut and nut-aware practices to protect students with severe allergies. Avoid sending snacks containing nuts or nut products and to ensure all snacks are pre-packaged for safety checks. Learn more.
- Communicate illnesses: Update the school nurse if your child tests positive for a communicable illness such as flu, RSV (Respiratory Syncitial Virus), or COVID-19. The nurse will provide information on return to school. Keep your child home if they are sick.
- Communication home: Our school nurse will call home in case of serious illness or injury, or if consultation with a parent/guardian is needed. Many times, students can return to class after a brief rest or treatment from the nurse.
Nutrition Services: School meal updates for a new year
- Breakfast and lunch meals: Each student will continue to get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. View school lunch menus.
- Purchase of additional food items: During lunch, students have the option to purchase additional food items (second milk, extra entree, bottled water, etc.) if they have funds in their account. You can add funds to a meal account through Campus Parent Portal, or by sending cash or check with your child or directly to your school. If you do not want your student to purchase additional items, please complete this form and email it to foodservice@district16.org.
- Educational Benefits Application: Each year, we ask families to complete an Educational Benefits application. Many families are often surprised they qualify, and you could be eligible for many great benefits that help your student and our schools. Applications have arrived in family mailboxes. You can also learn more and apply online. Please note, if your family has already received an approval letter for the 2026-2027 school year, you do not need to re-apply for educational benefits.
Now Hiring Paraprofessionals
Join the Spring Lake Park Schools team as a paraprofessional and work with kids to make a difference in our community! Apply online today.
Job details:
- Full-time opportunities on a school schedule
- Hourly rates starting at $20.75-$24.20
- Full benefits (medical, dental, retirement, paid time off)
If you or someone you know – friends, family, neighbor – may be interested, please help spread the word. Share specific openings posted online.
Fall athletics registration is open
There is still time to register for fall athletics! There are a wide range of opportunities for middle and high school students to get involved, stay active and build connections. Registration for select co-curricular activities will open on August 31. Here's what is available:
- Adapted Soccer (co-op with Centennial), grades 7-12
- Cross Country - Co-Ed, grades 7-12
- Fall Dance Team, grades 6-12
- Football, grades 9-12
- Girls Soccer, grades 7-12
- Boys Soccer, grades 8-12
- Girls Swim and Dive, grades 7-12
- Girls Tennis, grades 7-12
- Girls Volleyball, grades 7-12
Bowl with SLP Panthers!
Students in grades 5–12 are invited to join the Spring Lake Park Bowling Club! No experience is necessary - whether students want to learn a new hobby, make friends, improve their skills or compete, everyone is welcome. Students can attend up to two practices for free before deciding to join.
The club practices Mondays and Wednesdays from 4–5:30 p.m. at Lucky Strike Blaine. Bowling equipment is available to use at no cost, and students can join through November 1. Learn more and register to join the SLP Bowling Team.
