Class of 2026 Update

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The excitement is growing. Graduation is just over a week away! We have a lot of important information for you this week to help prepare for next week’s Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. You can always find these updates and other information at SpringLakeParkSchools.org/Graduation. Reach out with any questions to Commencement@district16.org.

Megan Jahnke

Principal

On Thursday, May 28, seniors will participate in a required final senior meeting at 9 a.m. After the meeting, they will turn in their school-issued iPad, case and official Apple charger and then report to the Panther gym for graduation rehearsal. After rehearsal, students who choose are invited to visit their SLP elementary school and take a "senior walk" around the school. Elementary school staff will meet students at the front entrances of Northpoint, Park Terrace and Woodcrest at 10:45 a.m.

Our commencement ceremony is Friday, May 29 at 1 p.m. at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. The ceremony will run roughly 90 minutes. There is another ceremony following ours that day. We will be asking guests to clear the arena and parking lots as soon as possible.

• Ticket lottery update: Students who entered the ticket lottery were informed of their ticket reservation status on Friday, May 15 in an email that went to their MyPanthers account. Any student who requested additional tickets has one additional ticket reserved for their family. All available tickets have now been reserved and assigned to graduate families.

• Ticket Distribution, May 28 or 29:

• When and where to pick up tickets: Thursday, May 28, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the District Services Center OR Friday, May 29 starting at 12 p.m. at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.

• Who can pick up tickets: Graduating students or guardians who are listed as part of the primary household in Campus are able to pick up graduation tickets. Be prepared to present a photo ID in order to sign for and receive tickets.

• Parking:

• There are five designated parking areas for the commencement ceremony around the Lee and Penny Anderson Arena. Lots A and B will require payment ($2.10/hour). All other parking will be complimentary for guests. See a map of recommended parking options as well as a map of the entrances where students and guests will enter. Please note on the map GPS friendly search terms. Students who drive themselves are asked to park in the B parking lot.

• Plan for travel and parking time. Please be aware that parking will be tight. To help alleviate parking challenges, we encourage you to allow plenty of extra time and to carpool if possible.

• Time and place for entry:

• Doors open at 12 p.m. Guests enter the main entrance.

• Graduates must arrive by 12 p.m. and enter through the Tommie Ice Plex door.

• Seating: There is no reserved seating. It is first come, first served. For those with passes for accessible seating (requested during ticket reservation), a staff member will direct you when you arrive. It will be a full house - please fill in rows as you find a seat.

• Bag policy, security procedures and prohibited items:

• The Lee and Penny Anderson Arena prohibits bags larger than 8.5" x 11" (including backpacks). All guests are subject to security searches, and bags must be opened for inspection upon entry. It is highly recommended to bring small, clear bags or handheld clutches to ensure faster entry.

• All people and items are subject to screening upon entry by security personnel. Procedures include metal detection.

• Balloons, airhorns and confetti poppers are among a list of items not allowed in the arena. Please review the full list of prohibited items on the graduation page in the FAQ section before arriving to ensure no belongings are confiscated or you are asked to remove anything from the arena.

• Programs: Printed programs will be available upon arrival. You will also be able to view and download an electronic version of the program.

• Food, drink and other guidance: Concessions will not be available. This is a smoke, drug and alcohol free event.

• Commencement expectations and behaviors: Spring Lake Park High School Commencement is a dignified event designed to honor our graduates. We ask everyone involved to help ensure this is a positive, memorable event. We have specific guidelines around expectations and behaviors for the graduating class that we will walk through at the senior meeting. They also can be found on the graduation hub.

• Photography at the commencement ceremony: Families are welcome to take photos and video during the event. In addition:

• A photographer will be in the arena to capture candid photos of the event, and we'll share an online album with families the week after graduation.

• Lifetouch, a school photography company, will be taking photos of each graduate receiving their diploma. These photos will be online 2-6 weeks after the ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase. Ordering instructions are as follows:

• Text 34636Grad26 to 90738

• Receive a link to the gallery when photos are ready

• Choose your photos

• Order custom prints, packages and products

• Receive your order in the mail

• Live Stream: The live stream event will go live at 1 p.m. Invite friends and families from near and far to watch online.

Caps and Gowns were distributed on May 14. Students who still need to pick up their pre-ordered cap and gowns or who need to purchase a cap and gown/tassel/honor cords can do so in the main office during the school day.

• Wednesday, May 20 - Final day for Night School at Metro Heights Academy

• Wednesday, May 27

• Last day of regular classes for seniors

• Senior All Night Party, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Bowlero/Lucky Strike in Blaine

• Thursday, May 28

• Commencement ticket distribution, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., District Services Center

• Required senior class meeting, iPad turn in and graduation rehearsal, 9 a.m., Fine Arts Center

• Senior Sunset, 7:30-10 p.m., Panther Stadium

• Friday, May 29

• Commencement ticket distribution, 12-1 p.m., Lee and Penny Anderson Arena

• Class of 2026 commencement ceremony, Lee and Penny Anderson Arena at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, 1 p.m. Students arrive by 12 p.m.

Seniors gathered on the stadium field on May 8 to pick up their yard/window signs provided by the Panther Foundation! Seniors who were unable to attend may pick up their sign from the main office.

Spring Lake Park High School seniors were awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships thanks to the support of many individuals and organizations in our community.