SLP Experience

To our community: 

In this issue of SLP Experience, we share an update on a project underway to support the next phase of Career and College Pathways. Over the last nine years, Spring Lake Park High School’s pathways have grown to 37 courses across three high-demand job sectors and become a benchmark program for high schools across the state. In the most recent graduating class, 92 percent of students had taken at least one pathways course and 85 percent have taken more than one.

We have a strong foundation in place to support each student in exploring next steps on their path to college and career. And, this is the time to do a deep review of what we have in place to ensure we are able to adapt to the ever-changing environment we live in. We need to make sure we continue to align student learning with evolving industry trends, technology advances and workforce demands.

In connecting with a variety of business, industry and community partners, we have some clear takeaways. Adaptability, continuous learning and willingness to embrace new tools are determining the employability of our graduates. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to review the insights we’ve gathered. We look forward to sharing next steps beyond this soon.

We don’t wait until high school to prepare students for their future. Students start learning and practicing some of the life-ready skills employers tell us are important early in their schooling. In our elementary schools, cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, and self-control – or CARES – form the foundation for how students learn to treat staff and each other. Take a minute to see CARES in action.

Our youngest learners are also laying important academic foundations. In this issue, we explore writing. You may be surprised to learn that first graders are writing their own books. Second graders are writing paragraphs with topic sentences, supporting evidence and a conclusion. Fifth graders are tackling their first research papers. The work is impressive and these skills will help students write their next chapter.

We’re not standing still. Each day presents a new opportunity for personalized learning, growth and success. Thanks, as always, for your support of Spring Lake Park Schools where we’re always learning as we look to a future of possibility for each of our Panthers.

Plan Your Summer with Community Education Programs

Slide into summer with programs for grades K-12. We have athletic camps with SLP coaches, field trips, community experiences, enrichment programming, child care options and more. There’s plenty of summer fun, learning and growing with Spring Lake Park Schools. Explore summer options online.

Final Show of the Season: The Suits

The Suits are comprised of four dynamic gentlemen performing four genres of hit music from the ‘50s through the ‘80s: Motown, Doo Wop, Pop and Rock. Fusing smooth choreography and tight harmonies with exciting showmanship and fun audience interaction, this production will give you a night to remember! Tickets are available online. Show takes place on Monday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center.