Staying Informed: How We Handle Weather Impacts

The New London-Spicer School District may use up to five eLearning days each year when school is canceled due to inclement weather. If more than five weather-related cancellations occur, the school board will determine if additional make-up days are needed.

When school is canceled, families will receive an automated phone call, text, and email through the Parent Portal. Updates will also be posted on local TV and radio stations, the district's website and social media channels.

On an eLearning day, teachers and tech support will be available online and by phone during regular school hours to support students and parents.

Why eLearning Days?

Minnesota State Statute 120A.414 allows school districts to use eLearning Days during inclement weather. While they cannot replace in-person instruction, eLearning Days help maintain continuity and ensure students continue learning when school must close.

What happens with Activities/Childcare during weather cancellations/eLearning?

In the event of an elearning day or weather cancellation all after school activities and PALS/Lil' PALS Childcare will be canceled. If school is two hours late, PALS and Lil' PALS will open two hours late. The late start times for PALS will be 9:00AM and Lil' PALS at 9:30AM. If we have an early release, all kids go home at the early release time, activities are canceled and childcare will be closed.

Quick Facts:

Maximum of five eLearning days per school year
NLS aims to notify families and students of eLearning/weather cancellations at least two hours before school starts
Building-specific plans can be found at www.nls.k12.mn.us/elearning

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Satuday, December 6 - CatPAC Series: Anthony Shore Presents and Elvis Christmas
Monday, December 8 - School Board Meeting
Monday, December 8 - Truth in Taxation Meeting
Wednesday, December 10 - 1st Grade Program
Wednesday, December 10 - Community Meeting: Calendar Review
Friday, December 12 - Grades 7-12 Grade Check
Monday, December 15 - MS Band & Choir Concert
Thursday, December 18 - Cookies & Milk with Santa
Monday, December 22 - HS Band & Choir Concert
Wed., Dec. 24 - Fri., Jan. 2 - No School: Winter Break
Wednesday, January 7 - Community Meeting: Calendar Review
Thursday, January 8 - Semester 1 & Quarter 2 Ends
Thursday, January 8 - Grades 7-12 Grade Check
Friday, January 9 - No School: Teacher Workday
Monday, January 12 - No School: Staff Development
Tuesday, January 13 - Semester 2 and Quarter 3 Begins
Wednesday, January 14 - PW PTO Meeting

High School

To maintain a safe, orderly, and welcoming environment, students who are not participating in a scheduled after-school activity must leave the building at the end of the school day. Students may remain on campus only when they are directly supervised by a coach, advisor, or staff member. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and respectful learning space for all.

On November 13, our seniors (aged 17½ and up) had a unique hands-on opportunity right in the NLS Ag Department parking lot. A full CDL simulator was on site for students interested in the CDL program that could be offered at NLS through Ridgewater College.

This creative partnership gave students a real feel for what a commercial driving career is like and it’s one more way our high school is helping teens explore practical life skills and real-world job pathways alongside traditional college options. We’re proud to offer experiences that help students see what’s possible for their futures!

The New London-Spicer National Honor Society (NHS) continues to shine as a beacon of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. This year, our chapter welcomed 27 new members, bringing the total to 46 dedicated students who exemplify the NHS mission: to recognize and develop high school students who make meaningful contributions to their schools and communities.

Members meet once a month to review upcoming volunteer opportunities, important news, and ways to support their peers and community. To remain active in NHS, students maintain a 3.6 GPA and complete at least 30 volunteer hours each year, a commitment that demonstrates both academic excellence and a heart for service.

Looking ahead, our NHS students are preparing for their Holiday Joy Change Collection in December and their February Blood Drive, two of many service projects designed to make an impact. For their Holiday Joy Change Collection which will be held between December 8-19 students will be collecting money/change from students, families, and staff to donate to The Link.

Through participation, students gain leadership experience and strengthen their sense of community which will serve them long beyond high school.

Wildcat Activities

Calling All NLS Band Alumni and Community Musicians! Join us for the Sleigh Ride Alumni Performance 2025! The NLS Concert Band’s annual Alumni and Community collaboration of Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride is happening Monday, December 22. If you’d like to perform with the NLS Concert Band this year, please contact Mrs. Becks at becksc@isd345.org by Friday, December 12 for music and details. Don’t miss this festive tradition!

Revitalizing Old Space: NLS Transforms Former Cafeteria Into New High School Weight Room

New London-Spicer Schools has breathed new life into an unused section of the middle school building, transforming the original cafeteria into a fully equipped weight room now serving high school students.

The renovation provides a modern, safe, and accessible space for student-athletes and students interested in personal fitness. The upgrade has already made an immediate impact.

“The space is wonderful! I had 60 kids in today after school,” shared strength and conditioning coach Paul Beuning. “And there were 40 in working out in the morning!”

The new weight room allows students to train both before and after school, giving them year-round access to conditioning and off-season development. To further support students, Mr. Beuning uses a digital training app that helps them set practical goals, track progress, and learn proper lifting techniques to ensure safe physical mechanics.

The project highlights the district’s commitment to maximizing existing facilities and expanding opportunities that promote student wellness, strength, and lifelong fitness habits.

NLS Performing Arts Shines in Mamma Mia!

The NLS Performing Arts Department wrapped up its production of Mamma Mia! on Sunday, November 23, after an unforgettable four-show run. With an impressive 2,249 tickets sold, this year’s fall musical stands as a testament to the incredible dedication, talent, and professionalism of our student performers and crew.

Audience members left each performance energized and amazed. Attendee Brooke Eischens summed it up perfectly saying, “Holy moly. I’m blown away! The energy. The acting. The voices. The set design. The kick line. The sound and the lights were all done by that cast and crew with the guidance of their directors.”

A heartfelt thank you and shoutout goes to Musical Director Jason Parker and Assistant Director/Choreographer Caitlin Becks, whose leadership, vision, and commitment helped bring this beloved musical to life.

We also extend special recognition to the outstanding cast and crew whose hard work made Mamma Mia! a success:

CAST: Addie Buboltz as Donna Sheridan, Autumn Tortorella as Tanya Cresham, Emma Wallace as Rosie Mulligan, Carson Smith as Sophie Sheridan, Maria Medina, Sophie Understudy, KayAnna Gehrke, Emma Quisberg, Paulina Pentchev as Ali/Lisa/Katie, Burke Maxwell as Sky, Ayden Friehl as Pepper, Louden Johnson as Eddie, Griffin Thompson as Sam Carmichael, Harper Hoffman as Bill Austin, Beckett Newman as Harry Bright, and Jasper Kluver as Father Alexandrios;

ENSEMBLE: Ava Andresen; Hattie Bohlsen; Hannah Du Plessis; Elsie King; Jasper Kluver; Sophie Mattson; Griffin Mayhew; Eli McGuffin; Maria Medina; Emma Quisberg; Kailey Ruby; Maddie Stein; Brecken Westby

CREW: Anyara Basant, Axel Eichorst, Carter Foshaug, Chelsea Gardner, Kathrine Haglund, Chevelle Hallis, Abby Hjelle, Stella Nordin, Jaden Peterson, Bella Simpson, Jackson Slinkard, Jemma Templer, Bekah Westby, Jaz Stiegen, Avvi Carlson, Abby Wallace, Christopher Lewis, Lilli Saari, Indiana Johnson, Jacob Powers, Claire Olson, Alice Strom

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for their extraordinary achievement. NLS is proud of your dedication, and the joy you brought to our stage and community!

Middle School

It is a busy time of year and we hope you had a good Thanksgiving break! Here are some things that have been happening at the Middle School!

Grading: As we are continuing to transition from traditional grading to Standards Based we have noticed some issues in Infinite Campus Parent Portal where you may not be seeing all of your students grades. Please contact the teacher if you don't see all the grades. We appreciate your communication and patience. If you have questions about your student's academics please feel free to set up a conference with your child's teacher.

Recess: Keep sending warm clothing with students for recess as we continue to go outside when it is 25 degrees & above.

Grateful for our amazing kitchen team and special guest, Chef Jamie Sultze, who treated students to a delicious Taiwanese dish for lunch! Our middle schoolers loved it and they were thrilled to have her back the next morning crafting made-to-order omelets.

A huge thank-you to our Mamma Mia! cast and crew for sharing a few musical numbers with our middle schoolers! Students loved getting a behind-the-scenes look at theater and all the roles that bring a production to life.

Ms. Olson’s 5th grade scientists took their learning to the hallway where they mapped out the distances between planets to get a true sense of just how vast our solar system really is.

Prairie Woods

Get ready, Prairie Woods families, the Scholastic Book Fair is right around the corner! Our annual Book Fair will run the week of December 8, and online shopping will open early on December 5 for families who prefer to browse and order from home.

On Monday, December 8, and Tuesday, December 9, classrooms will stop by the Book Fair for a short preview visit so each class can explore the books and start building excitement. Student shopping will begin on Wednesday, December 10, and continue on Friday, December 12.

We are very grateful to Peg Peterson and Stacy Beyer for coordinating this year’s fair, with support from Sarah Brouwer and Lisa Sieve. We can’t wait to celebrate a week of reading with our Prairie Woods students. Thank you for supporting our school and helping foster a love of books!

Online Orders Get Free Shipping with $35 purchase of books!

Order Books Online:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/prairiewoodselementarysch

Family Shopping Times:

7:30AM - 8:15AM Wed - Fri

2:45PM - 6:00PM Thur

Don’t forget— a 7.375% sales tax will be added to all purchases!

Congratulations to our ROAR October Students of the Month!

Our students continue to impress us, and these individuals were selected for exemplifying outstanding ROAR behavior by showing Respect, Ownership, a Good Attitude, and Responsibility in all they do. November Coming Soon!

Community Education

Get ready, NLS community!

Our Winter Community Education Catalogs are officially headed to print and will be arriving in mailboxes soon.

From toddlers to seniors, and everyone in between, we’ve packed this season with incredible programs, new opportunities, and something for every age (0–100+!).

Keep an eye out… you won’t want to miss what’s coming!

2025–26 CatPAC Series – Tickets On Sale Now!

Another incredible season is underway at the NLS Performing Arts Center! This year’s CatPAC Series brings a dynamic lineup of performances that span Broadway hits, rock ‘n’ roll classics, holiday magic, and interactive crowd favorites. Below are our third and fourth shows of the season!

Saturday, December 6, 2025 – Anthony Shore presents an Elvis Christmas

🎶Anthony’s lifelong love of Elvis grew into an award-winning career that has taken him from sold-out shows across Europe to stages throughout the U.S. He now performs high-energy, crowd-pleasing concerts with his All-Star Band featuring a full horn and string section.

Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Duelly Noted

🎶 Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, energy, and fun! Duelly Noted brings both sass and class to the stage with a dynamic performance featuring your favorite hits from the ’60s to today. Known for their engaging style and interactive shows, this talented duo keeps audiences singing, dancing, and laughing all night long. From crowd requests to sing-alongs, Duelly Noted delivers a one-of-a-kind experience that will have everyone on their feet!

🕖 All shows begin at 7:00 PM

📍 NLS Performing Arts Center

💛 Sponsored By: Dooley’s, Jennie-O, Rambow, and Willow Creek Counseling

🎟️ Tickets Available Now! www.nls.k12.mn.us/ticketsales

Prairie Meadows

On Tuesday, November 25, our preschoolers had Family Craft Day! They invited their family and friends to join them for the morning. They were very busy visiting all of our classrooms making crafts and playing games. They made ornaments, necklaces, turkeys, and decorated cookies. It is one of our favorite family events. A special thank you to the families that provided a craft for our preschoolers.

Get out of the cold and join us the next three Friday mornings for our Movers and Shakers ECFE class or open gym at Stop By and Play! Sign up online: https://nls.arux.app/