tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74916175030625863002011-09-04T14:06:26.871-05:00A glimpse into the happenings of the Spring Lake Park Schools, and ideas and reflections I have about the world of education.Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comBlogger201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-8452609607358627032011-09-04T13:44:00.001-05:002011-09-04T14:06:26.903-05:00

The 2001-12 school year is here. The first day of school is upon us! Each of the students who will come through the doors of the Spring Lake Park Schools on the morning of September 6 will bring a unique story, a unique dream. Many of these students simply need a guide on their side as they navigate their way through school. Many others need support seemingly each step of the way - their unique

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-73097142739317517302010-11-09T10:55:00.002-06:002010-11-09T11:05:27.699-06:00

We are each experiencing the rapid change of the world in our personal and professional lives. This change is a part of the conversation everywhere we turn - on the radio, television, online bloggers, twitter, newspapers... This conversation, and the change we are experiencing, leads to numerous questions we each wrestle with. The list of these questions could go on and on... How do we as a

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-31111773094600590592010-10-13T00:10:00.003-05:002010-10-13T10:38:46.489-05:00

Alex Schulte is a 2008 graduate of Spring Lake Park High School. He was involved in a terrible car accident shortly after graduation that resulted in numerous injuries, including a brain injury that Alex deals with each day. He is overcoming the odds though, and his story should be an inspiration to us all. Please take a moment to read his story as shared through a University of St. Thomas blog:

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-48453410019497636912010-09-10T16:50:00.001-05:002010-09-12T21:20:12.220-05:00

The kick-off to the 2010-2011 school year is behind us, culminating in nearly 5,000 students who have entered the doors of our schools this week. It's so great to have the kids back! It has been a lot of fun these past few weeks, stopping in at the "Meet and Greets" at our elementary schools, attending the open houses at our secondary schools, witnessing the enthusiasm and commitment of staff

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-12552038055800694752010-09-02T14:33:00.009-05:002010-09-07T09:42:05.907-05:00

It's here - the first day of school is upon us! For many of our students it will be the first step on the biggest adventure of their lives. This is a one-minute video - really, only a minute - that captures the first day perfectly, and ends with a question for each of us to ponder, as educators and/or parents.

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-80413785725075174962010-09-01T00:05:00.015-05:002010-09-01T11:14:21.358-05:00

All staff members of the Spring Lake Park Schools had the opportunity to gather on Tuesday morning to kick-off the start of the new school year. It was a great start to the year! Our two teachers of the year, Pam Dugas and Lori Thompson, each shared poignant messages with their colleagues, we watched a video that captured why we are proud of the Spring Lake Park Schools, and we looked to the

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-68249061528905697712010-08-28T13:02:00.006-05:002010-08-31T10:35:44.507-05:00

I’ve been struggling with writing this for some time. It’s hard to capture my thoughts and emotions around this, yet I’m going to give it a shot. It was early July and I was looking forward to a week of one-on-one time with Sam, my ten year-old son. Jill and Sydney were out of town, and Sam and I had the week to do whatever we wanted. We had celebrated July 4, and after having to work Tuesday

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-57456332745297604202010-08-21T13:21:00.006-05:002010-08-21T14:06:36.252-05:00

Many organizations spend a lot of time in leadership meetings talking about ensuring excellence in their product and their work with customers. This isn’t any different in school districts. In fact, we have spent a lot of time in various meetings this summer talking about our role in ensuring that excellence and being remarkable is pervasive throughout the system. Seth Godin provided a moment

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-31003065461442283532010-06-11T11:17:00.001-05:002010-06-12T13:12:22.471-05:00

Wednesday was the last day of school for our students. Thursday was the last official work day for our teachers, so they are off to start their summer break. Or, are they? It was very cool to see nearly 70 teachers who made the decision to spend their first day of summer break participating in ShiftHappens, a professional learning opportunity centered around the topic of twenty-first century

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-44778796834616996562010-06-03T12:51:00.000-05:002010-06-03T12:51:03.741-05:00

A Woodcrest Elementary School teacher sent this picture to me from their Track and Field Day. The smile on this girl's face put a huge smile on mine. I hope it puts a smile on yours as well. Students learn more throughout the day than just content. They learn a lot from their interactions with one another, and being in service to one another. Thanks for sharing it Alicia.

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-46802397321284720902010-06-02T17:27:00.002-05:002010-06-02T23:24:30.798-05:00

Today has been one of those really satisfying days, a day in which you feel good about your work on the behalf of young people. I had the opportunity to attend end-of-year celebrations at our Learning Alternatives Community School (LACS) and at our Life Skills program. There are many of our students who I define as school-independent learners. While our work with these students is vital, and I

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-29756233549704099712010-05-29T13:48:00.005-05:002010-06-02T12:03:42.966-05:00

There is a lot of talk in the world of education about teaching and fostering 21st Century Skills. In fact, here in the Spring Lake Park Schools we speak to, and are working to, integrate 21st Century Skills in the daily work of staff and students. What does this mean? What are 21st Century Skills? Why is it important? We have to do more for our students than just provide them with content,

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-81065809489701876312010-05-25T15:10:00.001-05:002010-05-25T15:15:03.725-05:00

So, let's be honest -- parents, staff, students -- we've all started some type of countdown at this point. The magic number - 10 - hits tomorrow. 10, 9, 8... In so many ways it seems like we just got started. In other ways, August seems like a long time ago. I just decided that it was time to drop another blog, with a little bit of reflection on this school year - successes, challenges, and

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-31777393532399249182010-05-01T15:24:00.001-05:002010-05-01T15:28:47.889-05:00

Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. - James Baldwin. I have written and stated the following many times, and I firmly believe it: Our staff, across this district, is second to none. This is why I repeatedly invite parents and community members to walk into any of our schools. It is by dropping into the schools that they

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-63921267093157236422010-04-17T13:42:00.001-05:002010-04-17T13:52:27.521-05:00

When something changes in my life, it isn't always something I embrace with open arms. In fact, when I have not chosen that change for myself I may really struggle with it. We all have times when we are the individual in the driver's seat, as well as times when we feel like we are in the passenger seat. The driver's seat is a much more comfortable place to be. Jeffrey Cufaude is a consultant

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-44475019366095509652010-03-19T19:33:00.003-05:002010-03-19T20:13:12.689-05:00

I recently read the following comment by Mike Murphy, a principal in Maine for thirty years, “I became a principal because I felt that I could help underserved kids better in that role.” I thought about that comment on this Friday evening as I wondered why my energy was a little low. Yes, it was a long week with a lot of meetings. I have a lot of weeks like that though. Then, it hit me. I hadn’t

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-6151177123569104212010-03-16T18:57:00.005-05:002010-03-16T21:08:56.177-05:00

Here is a cool video developed by a group of teachers. While these teachers are not from Spring Lake Park, this type of 21st Century teaching and learning, and day to day commitment by teachers, is taking place in classrooms throughout the district. Please take a moment to check it out.

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-77254447090651848162010-03-12T09:02:00.002-06:002010-03-12T09:07:36.675-06:00

You know it almost the moment you walk through the door. It's obvious in the way adults and students interact, in the quality of teaching throughout the building, in the seamless flow of leadership from administration to parents to staff to community members. An energy and excitement is present in the hard work, long hours, and challenging conversations. This is the kind of place where they do

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-37888357565570116532010-03-07T09:26:00.007-06:002010-03-09T09:17:57.390-06:00

It’s Sunday morning and I’m spending some time looking at the week ahead, as well as reflecting on the past week. Like many businesses and families, we are facing some challenging times and tough decisions as we plan for our future. Some of that work is not a lot of fun or real energizing. So, what is it that really gets me jazzed to get up in the morning and head to school? It is the realization

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491617503062586300.post-43284302698122716562010-02-25T09:05:00.001-06:002010-02-24T23:59:44.861-06:00

I am looking forward to using this blog to talk with you about current happenings in the Spring Lake Park Schools, sharing with you a glimpse into the things that I have the unique opportunity to see taking place across the district. It will also be fun to share some of the ideas that I, or my colleagues across the district, may have for our future, as well as share interesting things we may be

Jeff Ronneberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08628206794265074264noreply@blogger.com