Congratulations Class of 2024!

Class Motto: “I knew exactly what to do. But in a much more real sense I had no idea what to do. “ - Michael Scott

Class Song: "Unwritten" - Natasha Bedingfield

Class Flower: Lavender

"You have excelled in academics, pushed the boundaries in athletics, and shone brightly in the arts. More importantly, you have shown kindness, empathy, and a spirit of community that has brought us closer together. You have mentored younger students, supported one another, and made our school a place where everyone feels valued and included. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for the Class of 2024!" - Bonnie Spohn, High School Principal

"I have been continually impressed with the leadership of this year's graduating seniors. They are off to wonderful endeavors. The future is in good hands!" - Jamie Boelter, Superintendent

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NEXT YEAR!

Thursday, August 1 - Annual Online Verification Begins in Parent Portal
Thursday, August 8 - Parent/Athlete Meeting in PAC
Monday, August 12 - Fall Sports Start
Tuesday, August 20 and Wednesday, August 21 - All Staff Inservice
Tuesday, August 20 - Annual Online Verification Due
Wednesday, August 21 - High School Welcome Back Event
Wednesday, August 21 - High School Picture Day
Monday, August 26 - First Day of School for Grades 9-12
Monday, August 26 & Tuesday, August 27 - Back to School Conferences for PreK-Grade 8
Monday, August 26 & Tuesday, August 27 - PW and MS Picture Day
Wednesday, August 28 - First Day of School for PreK-Grade 8

Additional information regarding the 2024-25 School Year will be shared with families the beginning of August through newsletters, social media, and Parent Portal messenger.

Free Meals for Kids

The Free Meals for Kids mobile app was created to support summer meal programs utilizing the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Free Meals for Kids helps families and kids locate free healthy meals across Minnesota. The App is powered by GPS and shows locations of schools and community sites providing meals, with days and hours of operation. It also shows the distance and directions to the nearest site from your location. We list all sites that have been approved by MDE. The App is free, and is updated regularly, even daily, to make sure the information is current.

Shows: July 17-19 @ 7:30pm, July 21 @ 2:00pm, & July 22-26 @ 7:30pm. $15 per ticket!

After the success of “Leading Ladies” at the New London-Spicer Performing Arts Center featuring Steve Verhelst, Ben Mooberry, and Dave Holmquist, the comedy thriller “Dracula” will run for two weeks in mid July, directed by Tom Orth.

“Dracula” is one of the most exciting and entertaining rollercoaster rides ever written. And it is all possible because of the invention of the airplane, which allowed Count Dracula to carry enough dirt from his birthplace in Transylvania to sleep in during the day since he cannot survive in daylight. The comic aspects of Dracula’s arrival in England where he lives near an asylum for lunatics will be richly painted as his wild, fun-loving sidekick Renfield pretends to be one of the inmates.

Once the story begins there is no turning back as Dracula continues his quest of meeting the beautiful women living near or in the asylum. His intentions are thwarted repeatedly by a gentleman visiting from a distant land where more is known of creatures like the Count Dracula who appears to be the most caring of men, but isn’t.

As with last year’s July play at the PAC theater, the creative people involved will lend their gifts in a most professional way with Aane Tvedt as set designer, Parker Stone Designing lights, and Cheri Buzzeo producing.

BUY TICKETS

High School - Principal Bonnie Spohn

As a project-based and experiential learning opportunity in Mrs. F-G's Child Development and Parenting class, high school students wrote and illustrated children's books that were developmentally appropriate for a child between toddler and elementary age. Students discussed utilizing appropriate vocabulary and drawing colorful, interesting images that were engaging for children. Each book had to be bound, within a certain length, utilize neatness and creativity in their writing and images. The class also discussed the importance of play in regards to growth and development and how the things learned in class will apply to professions working with children and being a parent.

This group of FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences) students then visited Mrs. Bengtson's Kindergarten classroom for a fun morning field trip where they read their children's books to the kindergartners and then played with them. The trip was a unique opportunity for Mrs. F-G's students as many of them want to be parents or work with children in the future. It was also fun for the kindergarteners to spend time with the big kids! Students ended the project by writing a reflection about what they learned in class and how this will influence who they are as a parent or as an individual who works in a career with children. Below are two quotes from their reflections.

"Play is a very important part of learning. If we can find a fun way to teach kids that incorporates play it makes learning more fun and even easier."

"After going to [the] elementary school I learned the importance of play and how important it is for a child to play because it develops their minds, and brains. I've realized that reading and writing is important for a child in their development and growth over time."

Pictured Above: NLS community member, Mary Kuperus, nominated and presented the NLS National Honor Society with the Good Deed Award for their work on the blood drives.

Wildcat Activities

Last call for 2024 Hall of Fame nominations. Nomination forms must be returned to Thayne Johnson, Activities Director, no later than June 1, 2024. There are 3 nomination categories; player, coach, and at large.

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 final Wildcats of the Week for the 2023-2024 school year were the Boys and Girls Golf teams.

Congratulations to our NLS Wildcats, McGwire Hatlestad (Mac) and Easton Swanson, who represented NLS in the Adapted Bowling State Tournament on Friday, May 10 at 9am in Brooklyn Park. This was Mac's 3rd appearance at the state tournament. Mac was also the State Champion in 2023! This was Easton's first appearance at the State Tournament, a very special feat as a 7th grader! New London-Spicer's Adapted Bowling team is coached by Paul Beuning.

Middle School - Principal Dr. Jenn Fuchs

Our 6th Grade traveled to the cities for a tour of the Minnesota State Capitol. In the rotunda the group met Representative Dave Baker. After the tour the students traveled to the Mall of America. Students chose between rides at Nickelodeon Universe or tickets to Sea Life. A few lucky boys got a photo op with former Twins player Jorge Polanco and current Twins pitcher Joe Ryan. It was a great adventure!

GAMMA (math camp) and STEM/Robotics are back this summer!

These programs are available to current NLS 5th, 6th and 7th graders!

What? At GAMMA (math camp) and STEM/Robotics students will be encouraged and challenged to become problem solvers and math detectives during this one-week adventure. It is absolutely FREE and all materials will be provided, including breakfast and lunch! The camp will include an outdoor field trip to Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center. Transportation will be provided by our school district. GAMMA is fully funded through the West Central Achievement and Integration Collaborative.

When and Where? Due to construction, both programs will be held at the Willmar High School.

GAMMA (Math Camp): July 15-19 (M-F) from 8:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
STEM/Robotics: July 22- Aug. 2 (M-F) from 8:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Click here for GAMMA Registration

Click here for STEM/Robotics Registration >> Watch this promo video <<

Questions? Contact GAMMA Coordinator: Jason Schorn, schornj@isd345.org or STEM Coordinator: Josie Ammerman, ammermanj@willmar.k12.mn.us

Over the past few months, the NLS Middle School Wildcats have been working their way through a "March Madness" style typing/keyboarding competition. Without further adieu, here are the fastest typists in town.

Henry Eckerman, 8th grade Champion
Jake O'Neill, 7th grade Champion, 7th/8th combined Champion
Bekah Westby, 6th grade Champion and 5th/6th grade Champion
Leighton Larsen, 5th grade Champion

Just in case you think you would stand a chance against these Top Typists- Jake averages well over 100 words per minute!

Prairie Woods - Principal Randy Juhl

Thank you for another great year, Wildcats! We hope you have a fantastic summer!

Congratulations to our ROAR Students of the Month!

4th Grade: Carmen Thygeson, Jack Westby, Bao Nguyen, Kaylynn Kase, and Evangelyne Thompson. 3th Grade: Quentyn Rolffs, Alex Ziemer, Sam Clancy, Taya Asche, Stella Wittman 2nd Grade: Grady Nelson, Noelle Freeland, Kalea Lozano, John Knutson, Natalie Cramer 1st grade: Coltt Rambow, Paul Hanson, Makenna Phorbes, Lennon Spears, EllaRae Gravely

Kindergarten: Kam Johnson, Braxton Olson, Oliver Juven, Emma Williamson, Amira Mayen. Not pictured: Romero Arguijo

Community Education - Director Tricia Lilleberg

Our CE Spring/Summer Activities registration is now open online at www.NLScommunityed.com.

Please Note: ALL summer volleyball registrations are DUE by 10:00pm on Monday, May 27, 2024.

Prairie Meadows - Coordinator Jennifer Hellickson

Cub Kids Preschool celebrated the end of another great year with our annual End of the Year Celebration. The rain stopped us from our usual Trike-a-thon but we were able to move the rest of the fun inside! The students enjoyed root beer floats, face painting, games, a bounce house, crafts, and animals! Thank you to the Willmar Stingers, Alley on Ash, Magnifi Financial and Hawk Creek Animal Shelter for helping to make our night fun! Special thanks to the New London Ambassadors, NLS National Honor Society, Spicer BP, and Skindelien's BP for the help and donations!

On Wednesday, May 8, New London-Spicer School District hosted their annual Fine Arts Awards night. During which Mrs. Lindquist-Weber presented the annual Pierce Foundation Legacy Art Award to Josephine "Josie" Rohlik. Josie is a senior who was selected for her work with Collaborative Art and specifically ceramics.

This Legacy Art Award was made possible through contributions from a New London-Spicer's Educational Foundation's Community Endowment for the Arts (CEFA) grant and additional funding from the Pierce Family Foundation in 2021. Each year, NLS Visual Arts Department uses the grant funds to purchase one student's artwork for $300. This artwork is then added to our school's permanent art collection. Applications for this award are considered through a selection process made by the entire NLS Fine Arts Department at the end of the school year. This program was funded for 5 years and will sunset in spring 2026.

Congratulations to Josie on being selected as the 2024 Pierce Foundation Legacy Art Award recipient! Your talent shines!

If you would like to support grant projects like this you can do so online or by mail.

Mail: NLS Educational Foundation, PO BOX 58, New London, MN 56273 (Put CEFA in memo)

Online: https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZGCT/home (Select Community Endowment for the Arts)

NEW LONDON-SPICER SCHOOL DISTRICT 345

Inspire Every Student, Every Day

Address: 101 4th Ave SW New London, MN 56273

P: 320-354-2252

F: 320-354-9001