Is AI Transforming Schools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming schools in numerous ways. It’s enhancing personalized learning by tailoring educational content to individual students’ needs and learning styles. Additionally, AI-driven tools are streamlining administrative tasks, such as grading and scheduling, freeing up educators to focus more on teaching. Moreover, AI is enabling predictive analytics to identify students who may need extra support or intervention, ultimately improving academic outcomes. However, there are also concerns about privacy, equity, and the potential for AI to exacerbate inequalities if not implemented carefully and ethically.

“Write about how AI is affecting schools,” is what I typed into ChatGPT to generate the paragraph above. ChatGPT is just one of thousands of AI tools available. I promise, the rest of this article is coming from my own brain. Click here to continue reading.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Mon. April 22 - Fri. April 26 - MCA Testing
Friday, April 26 - Grandparents Day at Prairie Meadows
Mon. April 29 - Fri. May 3 - Staff Appreciation Week
Wednesday, May 8 - Grade 6 Field Trip to the State Capitol/MOA
Wednesday, May 1 - Honors & Awards Program
Sunday, May 5 - FFA Banquet
Monday, May 6 - Cap and Gown Pick-up
Tuesday, May 7 - Senior Art Show/Fundraiser
Wednesday, May 8 - Fine Arts Awards Night
Thurs. May 9 - Sat. May 11 - FFA Plant Sale
Thursday, May 9 - MS Band/Choir Pops Concert
Friday, May 10 - HS Band/Choir POPS Concert
Sunday, May 12 - Baccalaureate
Monday, May 13 - Senior Class Trip
Wednesday, May 15 - Seniors Check Out
Wednesday, May 15 - Athletic Awards Ceremony
Thursday, May 16 - Last Day for Seniors
Sunday, May 19 - Graduation
Monday, May 20 - Grade 6 Field Trip to Big Kahuna
Thursday, May 23 - Grade 6 Field Trip to the Beach
Thursday, May 23 - Last Day of School

Summer EBT Cards

Summer EBT cards will be issued for this coming summer. In order to benefit from this you must be enrolled in one of the following programs through the state of Minnesota;

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
Foster care, migrants, homeless
Medicaid

Or have an approved Application for Educational Benefits for free and reduced meals on file with the School. Please complete one of the criteria to receive this benefit. Here is the 2023-24 Application for Educational Benefits for your convenience. This information is needed before the school year ends. Applications should be returned ASAP to Vicki Mickelson, FNS Accountant/Clerk, mickelsonv@isd345.org | (320) 354-2252 ext. 2607.

Dan Essler Inducted into the MFCA Hall of Fame

We are proud to announce that retired NLS teacher and former Wildcat Head Football coach, Dan Essler, was inducted into the MFCA Hall of Fame!

Dan began his coaching career at New London-Spicer in 1989. He was the defensive coordinator for 11 seasons. He became the head football coach in 2000, a position he held for the next 21 seasons. Over that time, he compiled an overall record of 133 wins and 83 losses. NLS reached the Class AAA state tournament 5 times during that time, including winning the state title in 2009 and runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2014. The Wildcats have not had a losing season for 21 straight seasons. Dan was Section 6AAA Coach of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014. He was named the Class AAA Coach of the Year in 2009. He also coached the North team in the 2012 MN All Star Game. He has been a volunteer football coach at NLS for the past three seasons, where the Wildcats won the Class AAA title in 2022.

Congratulations Dan on such a well-deserved honor! Thank you for your many years of service to our students, athletes, and community!

High School - Principal Bonnie Spohn

The end of the 2023-24 school year is approaching and with that comes a variety of lasts for our seniors. Please be sure to mark your calendars with our Class of 2024 events. To view the full schedule click here.

Our Quarter 3 Honor Roll lists have been released. Congratulations to all our honor roll students.

12th Grade "A" Honor Roll

11th Grade "A" Honor Roll

10th Grade "A" Honor Roll

9th Grade "A" Honor Roll

Wildcat Activities

New London-Spicer Schools is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Hall of Fame induction. Nomination forms must be returned to Thayne Johnson, Activities Director, no later than June 1, 2024. There are 3 nomination categories;

Player: An athlete that has excelled in athletics and has been out of school a minimum of ten years.
Coach: A coach that has made a positive impact on Wildcat Athletic Tradition and is no longer a varsity head coach.
At Large: A member of the school or community member that has made a significant contribution to New London-Spicer Athletics.

Each nomination will require a maximum of three (3) letters of recommendation (ONE type-written page) explaining why you think this individual is worthy of this honor and a current photograph of the nominee. All information submitted shall be retained by the Selection Committee. Click here for a nomination form.

Every week, the activities department recognizes a student as our Wildcat of the Week. These students are recognized not only based on their accomplishments, but also how they display the R.O.A.R principles - Respect, Ownership, Attitude, and Responsibility. Our most recent Wildcat of the Week for 2024 was Jowell Gomez (Tennis). Jowell led to team wins by decisively defeating his opponents in both his matches against Yellow Medicine East and St. Johns Prep 6-1, 6-1 and 6-1, 6-4 respectively. Jowell consistently stayed on task during the week demonstrating his commitment to the team and representing his school with his performance and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to senior, Jackson Barber on becoming the Section Champion for Speech in the category of Humorous Interpretation. Jackson competed at State on Friday, April 19, at Shakopee High School. There was a lot of great competition this year at State. Jackson was ranked 10th but unfortunately did not Final. A spectacular way to end his high school speech career!

Adapted Bowling Family Day

On Thursday, April 18, our Adapted Bowling team hosted a family day at the Alley on Ash bowling alley. Coach Beuning also gave the student athletes their new team bowling shirts. Thank you to New London-Spicer Educational Foundation donor, Wayne Nelson, for making this purchase possible! Our families and students had a fantastic time!

Middle School - Principal Dr. Jenn Fuchs

The SWWC and SMSU Creative Writing Contest gives students a chance to use a form of artistic expression and bring personality and flair to their work. This contest was established to encourage the love of language and writing. It is also a great way to recognize talented young writers in Minnesota. The contest allows students in grades 3-12 to enter; either on their own or through their school. The top three entries in each category (Poetry, Fiction and Non-Fiction) and each grade group win an award at the Awards Ceremony in April. Congratulations to NLS 6th grade student Beckah Westby for receiving 1st place in the fiction category!

In the month of March, NLS middle school students could elect to participate in a classroom typing tournament. They then went head-to-head in a race based on their keyboarding/typing speed. The top 3 students and one at-large bid from each class made it into a grade-wide bracket which is being used to find out who the top typist is from the 5th/6th grade bracket and 7th/8th grade bracket! Good luck to all our competitors and get ready to start your typewriters....uh we mean Chromebooks! Click here to watch the typing tournament bracket video.

Friendly Reminder: As we finish up our MCA testing over the next two weeks please remind your students to bring their Chromebooks to school each day fully charged.

Prairie Woods - Principal Randy Juhl

Over the last few months, thirty outstanding 9 & 10-year-old mathematicians worked hard to expand their math skills. On Tuesday, April 9, in Sartell, MN they traveled to compete at the 4th Grade Math Masters Competition. All students were amazing! A special congratulations to the following students on their success during the Individual Rounds: Charlie Louwagie placed 5th overall, Conner Christensen placed 8th overall and Jamison Westby placed 13th in fact fluency. Math Masters is coached by Mrs. Holmquist.

The dates are set for our field days for 1st through 4th grade students. Families are invited to attend to watch their child(ren) participate. It is intended to be a fun event for the students. If a make-up day is needed, we will plan to use May 16 & May 20.

May 13: 3rd Grade from 9-10:45 a.m. & 4th Grade 12:45-2:30 p.m.
May 14: 2nd Grade from 9-10:45 a.m. & 1st Grade 12:45-2:30 p.m.

Congratulations to our ROAR Students of the Month!

4th Grade: Lincoln Richards, Kyler Noor, Gannon Bendickson, Lowen Asche, Evee Anderson
3rd Grade: Emery Baumhardt, Beckett Haugen, Myka Spears, Indi Bengtson, Ahria Peters
2nd Grade: Emma Wall, Asher Narragon, Jadalyn Hillenbrand, Taylee Althendorf, Vivienne Skindelien, Khloe Doty
1st Grade: Spencer Wimer, Jackson Pawelk, Logan Beadell, Hudson VanBeck, Beckett Fossen
Kindergarten: Shreeram Patel, David Schmidtt, Barrett Johnson, Wesley Weber, Cora Anderson, Adelyn Welz

Community Education - Director Tricia Lilleberg

Our CE Spring/Summer Activities registration is now open online at www.NLScommunityed.com. Be sure to register soon - classes do fill quickly!

For 2024 Summer PALS registration click here. Summer PALS is for NLS registered Students Completing K-4th Grade. Please note: All PALS kids must be registered for all of their Community Education Summer Recreation activities by May 15th.

For our 2024-25 Cub Kids Preschool registration please click here.

Prairie Meadows - Coordinator Jennifer Hellickson

Miss Mya Magnuson's class is learning all about pets and animals! Henry Frauendienst's grandpa, Keith Levitz, visited the class to talk about bears and brought in a real bear rug. The preschoolers loved learning all about bears. They talked about where bears live, what bears eat, and had the chance to feel real bear fur. A special thank you to Keith for sharing this and adding to our preschoolers learning experience!