Lighthouse School Newsletter
Lighthouse families,
It was great to see students come through our doors on Monday! I enjoyed welcoming everyone back, hearing about summer adventures, and learning what students are looking forward to this school year. During these first couple of days, students have been spending time in their advisories learning routines, getting to know one another, and building community. With many new students joining us this year, there have been lots of opportunities to make new connections.
A favorite moment this week was a conversation I had with a student about his first day of school. His favorite part of the day was an activity they did in advisory using yarn. Students used the yarn to create a web, showing how everyone in the group is connected. Then they used the yarn to make a bracelet to remind them of those connections. I noticed several students wearing their bracelets this week, which was a fun reminder that building strong community is about more than just getting to know names. It is about creating a place where students feel connected, known, and valued.
Another thing I love about being at Lighthouse is getting to see what captures our students' attention. Yesterday, a second grader was excited to tell me about finding the measurement of an angle, while a third grader was eager to teach me how "easy" it is to solve a Rubik's Cube. I may need a few more lessons before I can agree with him! I love these little glimpses into what our students are curious about and the things they are excited to learn and share.
That curiosity is one of the many things that makes our Lighthouse learners so unique. Being gifted is about much more than high achievement or getting good grades. You might see it in a student's curiosity, their need to understand the "why," their ability to make connections others might not see, a deep interest in a particular topic, creativity, or a strong sense of fairness.
One of the things I love about Lighthouse is that students have a place where those characteristics can really shine. They get to ask questions, follow their interests, share their expertise, and learn alongside other students who are curious about the world around them. They also get to be challenged. Our students are used to many things coming easily, so learning how to struggle with something, make mistakes, and keep going is an important part of their growth, too.
We have many fun and exciting experiences planned for our learners this year, and I am looking forward to seeing where their curiosity takes them!
A few important reminders:
- Arrival: Students may be dropped off each day after 7:45 a.m., with school beginning at 8:10 a.m. Families dropping students off should use the parking lot drop-off area. Please do not use the bus lane during drop-off or pick-up when buses are present.
- Dismissal: Students who ride the bus will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m. Parent pick-up will begin at 3 p.m. Students being picked up by a parent or guardian will come outside to meet their ride after all buses have cleared.
- Changes in Transportation: If there is a change in your child's transportation plan, please call the Lighthouse office and let us know. This helps us make sure we know how every student is getting home each day.
Thank you for your partnership as we support your child's learning and growth. I am excited for the year ahead and look forward to getting to know your students and families even better. As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations to share, please reach out. I am happy to help!
Lisa Cisewski
Attendance Matters!
Regular attendance is key to student success. Missing just two days a month can negatively affect progress, especially in reading and long-term goals like high school graduation. We know there are times a student will need to be absent. Our goal is to work with parents and guardians to help their children have consistent – and on-time –attendance. Let’s work together to keep our students learning!
Is your student under the weather? Visit the Attendance & Absences page to find helpful tips of when to keep them home and when to send them to school. This page also has resources if you or your student need additional help.
Need to report an absence?
- Call your school's attendance line, 763-600-5209 OR
- Report an absence through Campus Parent Portal
- Log in to Campus Parent Portal
- On the main menu (on the left), click on MORE
- Click on ABSENT REQUEST
- Check the box by your student’s name.
- Complete the form.
- Select the Absent Type and Start Date and End Date and the number of days your student will be absent.
- Enter Comments to inform the school office of any details.
- Click SUBMIT
Student Vaccination Event, October 26
SLP is hosting a student vaccination event on Monday, October 26 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. at the District Services Center. This event is open to all students. It is free for those who qualify and insurance is also accepted. Register for the Student Vaccination Event.
Vaccines include:
- Covid-19
- Influenza
- Hib
- Meningococcal
- DTaP
- Tdap
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- MMR
- Polio
- Varicella
New School Year, New Beginnings
A fun way to wrap up August: the first day of school for most Spring Lake Park Schools students on August 31! Across the district, students greeted the 2026-2027 school year with smiles, reunions and the excitement of new beginnings. Long before students walked through the doors, staff were already hard at work preparing for the year ahead.
Getting ready for day one means much more than setting up classrooms and organizing supplies. New employees have spent time onboarding, understanding school operations and core values. All staff gathered for kick-off events, professional learning and meeting families at the schools. Through it all, one focus remains at the heart of their preparation: creating schools where every student feels safe, supported, included and ready to grow. From building healthy relationships and friendships to fostering kindness, confidence and a sense of belonging, staff are preparing to help students be themselves and continue to thrive.
View photos in the first day photo album and read the story to hear from staff about some of the ways they’ve prepared for the new school year.
