SLP Experience

SLP Experience is a print and electronic publication produced several times each year that offers a look into life at Spring Lake Park Schools across school buildings and grade levels. Watch for the bigger stories of Panther pride and purpose in your email and home mail.

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Four athletics photos from the 2025 fall athletics season

Fall 2025 highlights: Panther athletics and activities

The fall season kicked off a fresh year of Panther athletics and activities with countless opportunities for students to get involved, build connections and grow. Panther Football earned its first state championship in over 30 years - a special moment of Panther pride. With high participation across sports, clubs and activities, this fall was full of standout moments.

Students sitting in flexible furniture and working on a project

Stools, Step Couches, and Rocking Chairs, Oh My!

Walk into any learning space in Spring Lake Park Schools and you may see students on wobble chairs, lounged out on step couches, reading in a cubby or sitting in a space-age pod chair. Movable furniture is helping our spaces be more flexible than ever to support the learner and the learning.

Ann W, nutrition services manager, serves students garlic bread

A Recipe for Homemade Connections

Students speedwalk to get in line for the irresistible aroma of the day’s lunch in the Westwood Intermediate and Middle School cafeteria. There’s a steady stream 11 a.m.-1 p.m. that’s part of the daily school rhythm. For nutrition services staff member Ann Washenberger, today is another day in more than 25 years of serving up meals and connection with students.

Two high school students in a canoe gathering water samples

51 Doors to College, Opened in High School

On a perfect, sunny fall day seniors in The Environment and Humanity class are collecting college credits along with water samples and science skills. The course is one of 51 offered at Spring Lake Park High School with opportunities for college credit - saving students time and money and preparing them for their lives after high school.

Students can write, recognize and build 1,000 numbers in multiple ways by the end of 2nd grade

There are more than 83,000 paper-based books in our K-4 school libraries for students to check out

The Panther Foundation has awarded $2.4 million for more than 400 projects in our schools

93% class of 2023 grad rate or plan graphic

$14 million returned to taxpayers over the last 10 years through bond refinancing

Senior spotlight graphic for SLP Experience

Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent, smiling in glasses

To our community:

We’re carrying a fall of Panther pride into the winter months. It’s been more than 30 years since Spring Lake Park brought home a state championship football title. The game was thrilling, and so was our community spirit. That sea of supporters was an awesome sight – and sound! It was a great reminder of the community support our students and our schools enjoy. Proud to be a Panther!

Winning is great. What made me even more proud was the team. Each player brought their individual strengths at just the right times throughout the undefeated season. They also showed great character and sportsmanship – to each other and the teams they met. Their character and conduct made me proud to be a Panther! In this issue, take a minute to catch up on all the fall highlights and check out winter opportunities to come together and cheer on the next victory.

This is also when high school students are registering for next year’s courses. We continue to increase opportunities to get a head start on college credits while experiencing the support of a high school environment. I hope you take a few minutes to hear from teachers and students about how more than 50 course offerings save students time and money and help prepare them for what is ahead.

Across all grade levels and schools, our flexible learning spaces have become even more flexible with the addition of new furniture. This project began before the pandemic and is finally complete and coming to life. Learn more in this issue of SLP Experience about how teachers are considering furniture in how they design learning and based on the learner. You might find yourself in the market for a wobble chair!

Panther pride is real! I’ve seen and felt it all fall. Thank you for cheering on all of our teams – of students and staff – and helping us realize dreams and prepare for futures of success. Let’s go, Panthers!

Must-see spring musicals

The Sound of Music - February 26-28: A beloved classic as Westwood Intermediate & Middle School students bring this uplifting story to the stage - where joyful music, heartfelt family moments and Maria’s inspiring journey shine against a backdrop of rising turmoil.

Little Shop of Horrors - April 25, 30, May 2-3: A hilarious, heartfelt tribute to ’60s horror and girl-group charm delivered by SLP High School’s theater program. Big laughs, catchy Motown-inspired music and a people-eating plant - it’s irresistible fun with a touching core.

Get your tickets today.

Panthers for a Purpose, February 22-28, 2026

Be part of something special with Spring Lake Park Schools during Panthers for a Purpose Week of Giving, February 22–28, 2026! Each year, Panthers for a Purpose brings our community together to make a meaningful impact on students, staff and families - and this year promises to be the best yet!

There are many ways to get involved - sponsorships, silent auction donations, volunteering and more. Plus, the Panther Party is on February 28 and is one you won’t want to miss! Tickets for the party are available now.

Learn more on the Panthers for a Purpose page.

Live on 65: Joyann Parker, March 19, 7 p.m.

With roots in the church and a solid foundation of musical education, Joyann Parker found her authentic voice later in life and created her own blend of roots music that combines soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and traditional blues styles. Parker has been a steadily rising star on the Midwest music scene. Grab a friend and get your tickets to the show!