NEW LONDON-SPICER SCHOOL DIST. 345

Inspire Every Student, Every Day

Back-to-School Information

I am genuine when I say that I miss everyone over the summer. We get into this profession because we enjoy the hustle and bustle of students in the halls and classrooms as well as working everyday to impact their lives. As always, I hope everyone took time this summer to recharge and enjoy time with friends and family. And for some, I’m sure things were still busy, but in a different way. Regardless of how you spent your summer, I’m excited to get the Wildcat family back together for the start of another amazing school year! 


Mark your calendars for these upcoming August community events; 

  • Community Meeting: Prioritizing Building Infrastructure Needs and Air Quality Improvement Opportunities on Tuesday, August 8 at 6-7:30pm at the Prairie Meadows Early Childhood Building in Spicer, MN.
  • Tradition Trek: 60 Years of NLS on Wednesday, August 16 from 4-6pm this is an Open House format at the NLS Middle School in New London, MN.
  • Community Meeting: Prioritizing Building Infrastructure Needs and Air Quality Improvement Opportunities on Tuesday, August 22 at 6-7:30pm at New London-Spicer HS/MS Media Center in New London, MN.


Welcome back, Wildcats!

Jamie Boelter, New London-Spicer Superintendent

HANDBOOK

CALENDAR

MENUS

COMMUNITY ED

PARENT PORTAL

PALS CHILDCARE

SCHOOL SUPPLIES LISTS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

  • Tuesday, August 1 - All Households Complete Annual Verification on Parent Portal
  • Tuesday, August 1 - 2023-24 Student Schedules Available on Parent Portal
  • Monday, August 7 - Back-to-School Letters Sent to Families, K-Grade 8 Register for Conferences
  • Tuesday, August 8 - Community Meeting: Prioritizing Building Infrastructure Needs & Air Quality Improvement Opportunities (Spicer)
  • Thursday, August 10 - Parent/Athlete meeting in the PAC
  • Monday, August 14 - School Board Work Session
  • Monday, August 14 - All High School Sports & Cross Country for 7/8th Graders Begin
  • Wednesday, August 16 - Tradition Trek: 60 Years of NLS
  • Tuesday, August 22 - Community Meeting: Prioritizing Building Infrastructure Needs & Air Quality Improvement Opportunities (New London)
  • Wednesday, August 23 - High School Back-to-School Welcome Event & Picture Day
  • Monday, August 28 - First Day of School for Grades 9 -12
  • Monday, August 28 - School Board Meeting
  • Monday, August 28 - Middle School Sports Begin
  • Mon. Aug. 28 - Tues. Aug. 29 - Back-to-School Conferences for PreK - Grade 8
  • Mon. Aug. 28 - Tues. Aug. 29 - Picture Day for K - Grade 8 (at conferences)
  • Wednesday, August 30 - First Day of School for PreK - Grade 8

New London-Spicer Community Education presents the 2023-24 Cat PAC Series


September 9: "I Am, He Said" - Celebrating the Music of Neil Diamond

October 14: The Continental Ballet Company presents "Cinderella"

December 2: "Home for the Holidays" - A Kat Perkins Christmas

March 30: Fairy Tales On Ice presents "The Adventures of Peter Pan and Wendy"

April 20: "Rainy Days and Mondays" - The Music of the Carpenters

All showtimes are on Saturdays and begin at 7:00 p.m.

Season tickets are $145 and will be on sale Aug. 1 - Sept 9. Season ticket holders get the first chance to pick their seats!

Individual tickets sales begin Sept. 10 and remain open until the evening of the show. Prices vary per show. 

Sponsored by Dooley's Petroleum, Jennie-O, Lake Region Bank, Rambow & United MN Bank.

BUY TICKETS!

Online Annual Verification (All Families)

New London-Spicer Schools will now be using an online system for families to verify student information that is required each year.

Before a student can receive their Chromebook or begin classes, Online Annual Verification needs to be completed through Parent Portal. The following items will be completed during verification:

  • Health/Emergency/Permission Forms
  • Chromebook Paperwork and Optional Insurance
  • MN Department of Education Digital Equity Survey
  • Contact Preferences and Household Information

Other things you can do while on Parent Portal:

  • Parking Permit/Fee for 10–12th-graders who will drive to school
  • School Meals are free. (Optional) Deposit money for Ala Carte.
  • Check class schedules and report cards
  • Manage absences

If you do not have a Parent Portal account or do not remember your login credentials please email Stacy Adams at [email protected] and she will help set up your account or send login credentials.  

Transportation (Palmer Bus Service)

If your child will be riding the bus during the 2023-24 school year, please complete the transportation form by August 4th:

https://palmerbusservice.com/new-london-spicer/


The transportation form is found at the bottom of the New London-Spicer Palmer Bus webpage. Palmer Bus Service plans to release all route information after August 18th in the Lakes Area Review and via email.

School Pictures (8th Street Photography)

8th Street Photography is a local company that is eager to assist us with all our picture needs. To order photos visit: 8thstreetphotography.inter-state.com


Order codes and picture dates are listed by building:

  • High School: August 23 in Auxillary Gym. Use code: 77929N
  • Middle School: August 28 & 29 in Entryway of PAC. Use code: 77932D
  • Prairie Woods: August 28 & 29 in Music Room. Use code: 78038K
  • Prairie Meadows: September 28 & 29. Use code: 78039N

Complete the Educational Benefits Application

Help NLS Receive Federal Funding


As you may know, beginning this school year all PreK-Grade 12 students will receive free breakfasts and lunches with all the meal components at school. Students will still be required to enter their meal code for tracking of the program. It's important to note that this funding will not include purchases of second helpings, grab & go, or ala carte items. If your student would like to purchase extra items you can add money to their meal account via Parent Portal.



For the time being, all school districts are still required by the federal government to submit their Educational Benefits Applications as an essential piece in our requests to receive federal funding. In addition to potential funding, there are additional benefits possible for qualified recipients which include; discounts on fees associated with college applications and taking academic tests and funding for internet access, wireless and network services.


We are asking that all NLS households complete the Educational Benefits Application and return it to Vicki Mickelson at [email protected]

High School - Principal Bonnie Spohn

Welcome Back! I hope everyone’s summer break was relaxing and rejuvenating. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again, and I encourage all students and parents/guardians to take advantage of the opportunity to attend our Welcome Back Event.


Grades 9-12 Athletics: $165 per sport and cheerleading is $120

Grades 9-12 Activities: range from $65 - $115. All fees, registration materials, and physicals (if needed) must be completed before participation. Registrations will need to be completed online at www.nls.k12.mn.us under the activity tab. All activity fees must be paid online or turned in to the Community Ed Office before the start of any practice. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT OUR WELCOME BACK EVENT!

Wildcat Activities - Director Thayne Johnson

Welcome back, Wildcats! We hope you had a great summer and are excited to get back to school. Fall sports practices for all high school sports will start on Monday, August 14. Also, starting on August 14 will be practice for 7th and 8th graders participating in cross country. All other middle school sports will begin on Monday, August 28.



There will be an all sports meeting for high school athletes and their parents on Thursday, August 10, at 6:00 pm in the PAC. This meeting will include information for the upcoming activities seasons. There will also be meetings for individual fall sports that night.  Just a reminder that sports physicals are required for registration in an activity. All 7th and 10th graders should see their medical provider and get an updated physical.  Go Wildcats!

Middle School - Principal Dr. Jen Fuchs

GRADE 6 BAND FLYER

Starting Fall of 2023, Mrs. Becks will be our new Middle School/High School band teacher! As 6th graders, students are eligible to participate in Band. Please read the information in the flyer carefully so you know how to get everything you need for band class. Mrs. Becks is looking forward to meeting and working with everyone at the start of the school year. Before Back-to-School conferences please use the QR code to check out a video with information and demonstrations of the instruments studen can choose from in 6th grade.


Please note: Back-to-School information specific to the Middle School and conference registration will be shared with our families on August 7, 2023.

Prairie Woods - Principal Randy Juhl

I would like to welcome all the new and returning families to Prairie Woods Elementary School. It is hard to believe that summer is just about over, and the start of school is right around the corner.


Detailed information for Prairie Woods families will be shared the week of August 7. Before then, please take time to complete online verification through Infinite Campus aka. Parent Portal. In past years, we sent home a printed copy of the verification and asked families to review and make changes. This process will now be completed online throughout the district.


Prairie Woods School Day Schedule

Students may either go to morning recess or breakfast.

  • 7:50-8:10 a.m. Breakfast (free for all students)
  • 7:50-8:15 a.m. Morning recess
  • 8:20 a.m. School Starts

Recess will be held after lunch.

  • 2nd Grade – 11:00-11:25 a.m.
  • 3rd Grade – 11:15-11:40 a.m.
  • 4th Grade – 11:30-11:55 a.m.
  • 1st Grade – 11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m.
  • Kindergarten – 12:00-12:25 p.m.

End of the day dismissal times:

  • 2:45 p.m. Parent pick-up, PALS students, or riding a van
  • 2:47 p.m. Kindergarten
  • 2:50 p.m. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade

Prairie Meadows - Coordinator Jennifer Hellickson

Welcome back to Prairie Meadows Early Childhood Education! I am so excited to see all of our new and returning families in just a few short weeks. I am happy to announce that we have added another classroom and Mya Magnuson has joined our preschool teaching team! Information regarding conferences along with everything you need to know for the beginning of the year has gone out in the mail to registered families. We are looking forward to a great year with our littlest learners!


Still looking to get into preschool? We may still have openings for Monday/Wednesday/Fridays. Inquire with Jennifer at [email protected]

NLS Community Education

Thank you to everyone who made this summer such a success for Community Education! We had so many awesome coaches and PALS staff who poured into the lives of the kids in our community.


A few quick updates to keep in mind;

  • The Fall Community Education guide just went to print, so please be watching for your copy in the mail.
  • We have classes posted online so take a look and sign up today!
  • Be on the lookout for our Spirit Wear Order. Our store will open on August 15 and close on September 17. The expected delivery date for clothing items will be around October 20. 


Thanks and have a great year! 

Tricia Lilleberg, NLS Community Education Director

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Address: 101 4th Ave SW New London, MN 56273
P: 320-354-2252
F: 320-354-9001