First Week Of School

It has been so great to have our staff and even students back in the building recently. I hope everyone took time this summer to recharge and enjoy time with friends and family - but I am very excited to begin the new school year!

This August we hosted two community meetings titled, "Prioritizing Building Infrastructure Needs and Air Quality Improvement Opportunities." If you were unable to attend either meeting we will have a video of the presentation available next week online at https://www.nls.k12.mn.us/facilityplanning

Welcome back, Wildcats!

Jamie Boelter, New London-Spicer Superintendent

SCHOOL SUPPLIES LISTS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

For the most up to date information visit our website calendar.

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
Monday, September 4 - No School: Labor Day
Wednesday, September 6 - Wolf Ridge Parent Meeting in PAC
Saturday, September 9 - "I Am, He Said" - Celebrating the Music of Neil Diamond - Get Tickets!
Monday, September 11 - School Board Work Session
Tuesday, September 12 - Grade 9 Respect Retreat
Tuesday, September 12 - Dine Out for PreK Fundraiser at Alley On Ash
Friday, September 15 - Grade Check for Activities (Grades 7-12)
Friday, September 15 - MN Fallen Heroes Football Game NLS vs. Dassel-Cokato
Mon. Sept. 25 - Fri. Sept. 29 - Homecoming Week!

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 ($145) on sale until Sept 9. Season ticket holders get first pick at 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 adamss@isd345.org and she will help set up your account or send login credentials.

High School - Principal Bonnie Spohn

Our Welcome Back Event at the high school was well-attended - even under some warm conditions. Our staff is excited to have students back in the building full-time, and we're looking forward to a great year.

Reminder: First day of High School is Monday, August 28. Please be sure to bring your Chromebook fully charged.

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 and 7th and 8th grade cross country started on Monday, August 14. All other middle school sports will begin on Monday, August 28.

High school girls tennis is off to a great start under new head coach Nancy Rost. Varsity volleyball opened their season on August 25 with a tournament in Albany. Cross country's first event will be on August 28 at Morris. Varsity football will play their first game at Albany on August 31. Let's go, Wildcats!

Middle School - Principal Dr. Jenn Fuchs

GRADE 6 BAND FLYER

Next week on Monday and Tuesday, we have two days of Back-to-School Conferences and then we return to school for the 2023-24 school year on Wednesday, August 30. Online Verification through Parent Portal is required prior to picking up your Chromebook and prior to starting school. If you have not yet scheduled a Back-to-School conference, please click here.

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 students can choose from in 6th grade.

Grade 5 teachers are hosting an optional Wolf Ridge Parent Meeting on Wednesday, September 6 at 6:30 PM in the Performing Arts Center. This is a great time to get all your questions answered!

Prairie Woods - Principal Randy Juhl

I would like to welcome all the new and returning families to Prairie Woods Elementary School. The start of school is right around the corner! Before school starts, please take time to complete online verification through Infinite Campus aka. Parent Portal. Verification is required prior to school start and would be very helpful to have completed for your Back-to-School Conference either on August 28 or August 29.

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

I look forward to seeing all your smiling faces this coming week!

Prairie Meadows - Coordinator Jennifer Hellickson

Welcome back to Prairie Meadows Early Childhood Education! We are excited to welcome our youngest learners next week! 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 was mailed to families earlier this month. If you are still looking to get into preschool? Inquire with Jennifer at hellicksonj@isd345.org

We hope you and your family will join us at our Dine Out for PreK Fundraiser at Alley on Ash on September 12 from 4:30-7:30 PM. A portion of the meal proceeds go to Early Childhood Scholarships helping NLS students attend preschool!

NLS Community Education

A few quick updates to keep in mind;

The Fall Community Education guide just hit mailboxes!
We have classes posted online so take a look and sign up today!
Our Spirit Wear Store closes on September 17 with an expected delivery date for clothing items around October 20. To order, visit: www.rambow.com and enter the code: spirit

Thanks and have a great year!

Tricia Lilleberg, NLS Community Education Director

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 mickelsonv@isd345.org

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: