Lighthouse School Newsletter
Lighthouse families,
Happy Homecoming Week! This week, our students and staff have been showing their school spirit with different dress-up themes each day. On Tuesday, students were cozy in their pajamas, and today they were showing their support for their favorite sports teams. It has been fun to see everyone getting into the spirit of the week! There's still two more days:
- Thursday: Wacky Wardrobe Day
- Friday: Panther Spirit Day
The Homecoming football game is Friday evening, and all SLP students and families are welcome to attend. Please remember that students in 8th grade and younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Small bags are allowed, but backpacks are not.
It was so fun to see so many of you at our curriculum experience yesterday! We enjoyed sharing a little more about what learning looks like at Lighthouse, including advisory, interdisciplinary learning, giftedness, and our Co-Created Inquiry process. It was great to have so many families here and to give you a glimpse into the experiences your students have throughout their day.
A few highlights:
- Mr. Mac’s math session was one of the highlights for some of our parents. One student raised his hand and said he wanted the parents to do the billiards activity, so that’s exactly what they did! One parent left saying it was the kind of math class he would have loved to have had.
- Ms. West gave families a chance to explore the intensities that can come with giftedness and how we can support students.
- Ms. Julius walked families through the 3D design process students will use for their first Co-Created Inquiry of the year.
Our facilitators are looking forward to upcoming conferences! Watch for instructions for how to sign up for a conference conversation soon. Families will be able to choose between in-person or virtual meetings, and we encourage every family to schedule a time with the facilitators your student works with. You may sign up with one or multiple facilitators, depending on your student’s needs.
Reminder: Friday, September 25 is our first Extended Learning Day. Students who are concurrently enrolled should check in at the Lighthouse office before attending their high school class.
If you’re looking for another resource to learn more about giftedness and connect with other families, check out the Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT). They offer opportunities for families to ask questions, share experiences, and learn together. Gifted 101 is coming up Thursday, September 24, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Zoom. Mary Wandrei, Ph.D., will lead an informal conversation about giftedness and answer questions from families.
Enjoy the rest of Homecoming Week, and go Panthers!
Lisa Cisewski
Coordinator of Lighthouse School
Spring Lake Park Schools
Stay Connected with Career & College Pathways
Our Career & College Pathways connect students with real-world learning and opportunities to help prepare them for life after high school. Our three pathways — Business and Entrepreneurship; Technology, Engineering and Design; and Health and Human Services — give students opportunities to explore careers, build skills and connect what they are learning in the classroom to the world beyond school.
Do you work in a career within one of these pathways? Do you know someone who does? We’re always looking to connect with people in these areas who may have ideas, expertise, industry experience or connections to share.
Join us for the upcoming Advisory Meeting & Classroom Visits on October 27: We're hosting industry partners for an Advisory Meeting & Classroom Visits on Tuesday, October 27, 7:15-9 a.m. at Spring Lake Park High School. This informal morning is an opportunity to hear what our teachers are doing, share ideas and best practices from your industry or area of expertise, and visit classrooms in the programs that interest you.
Stay in the know: Sign up for our monthly Community & Industry Partner Newsletter to hear about student stories, program highlights and upcoming opportunities to get involved in Career and College Pathways.
Interested in receiving the monthly newsletter, attending the October 27 meeting, or simply learning more? Contact Eric Van Brocklin, Lead for Community Partnerships & Career Advising, at evanbr@district16.org.
Spirit Week Dress Up Days
Lighthouse students and staff have been having so much fun participating in the homecoming dress up days! Here is a photo of Sports Day.
New Course Connects Students to the World of Technology
What’s happening when you tell a robot to move from Point A to Point B?
Students in Spring Lake Park High School's new Machine & Technology Essentials class are finding out. While working in Scratch, a beginner's coding software, students are learning how to give a machine instructions to help the robot make its way through a maze. Coding is just one small piece of what students will learn in the new, trimester-long elective for grades 9-12.
This hands-on course introduces students to coding, mechatronics, cybersecurity and networking, helping them see how software, machines and technology work together. Along the way, students build technical skills, collaborate on projects and explore potential careers in the technology field.
The class is designed to meet students where they are, whether they come in with technical experience or are trying these skills for the first time. At the heart of course, students are getting the opportunity to try, explore and develop curiosity.
Read the full story to see how this new course is connecting students to the world of technology.
Step Into "Our Town" This Fall
Step into Grover’s Corners this fall as Spring Lake Park High School presents Thornton Wilder’s beloved classic "Our Town." Through humor, heart and poignant moments, the play celebrates the everyday experiences of family, love, marriage and community. Performed in the round with minimal sets and props, this timeless story comes to life up close and personal.
Director Kevin Dutcher is thrilled to bring this beloved classic back to the SLP stage for the first time in 12 years. “Come sit a spell with us in Grovers Corners and warm your heart and soul.” Purchase Our Town tickets
Performance Dates:
Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m.
Thursday, October 30 at 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 31 at 12 p.m.
“Fuel Up” for Panthers
We’re keeping the Panther Pride going at Hy-Vee’s Fast N’ Fresh! Two fuel pumps are dedicated to representing Spring Lake Park Schools, and every time you fill your tank at these special pumps, 2¢ from every gallon goes back to support our schools. Next time you’re in the area, swing by, fuel up and help drive our schools forward!
