New London-Spicer School District 345

09/06/2026

We're excited to announce a new hybrid Driver's Education model for New London-Spicer Community Education!

This year, we're pilot testing an online classroom option in partnership with A+ Driving School, giving families even more flexibility when completing the classroom portion of driver's education.

We know that every student learns differently, so we're also continuing to offer our traditional in-person winter and summer Driver's Education classes for families who prefer a classroom experience. Whether you choose online or in person, our goal remains the same: providing high-quality driver's education that fits the needs of today's students and families.

Registration information for Online is at: www.APlusDrivingSchool.net and in person classes will be listed online when our winter and spring/summer booklets are published. We look forward to helping your student get safely on the road!

A+ Driving School is one of the largest driving schools in Minnesota! We train over 14,000 Teens and Adults every year! We help new drivers gain confidence, skill, and independence in a way that’s safe, fun, and professional. Our experienced instructors provide patient, personalized instruction th...

09/05/2026

✨ Celebrating 10 Years of Service! ✨
We're proud to recognize our incredible New London-Spicer staff members celebrating 10 years of service!

A decade of inspiring students, supporting colleagues, and making a difference every single day is an achievement worth celebrating. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment help make New London-Spicer a place where students thrive.

10-Year Honorees (From L to R):
Megan Norgren
Stephen Slominski
Tricia Jansen
Lindsay Vernier
Jamie Thompson
Adonica Heminover (not pictured)

Thank you for making a lasting impact on our schools and community!

09/04/2026

Congratulations to our first Wildcat of the Week for the 2026-27 school year! Brooke Glauvitz (tennis) has had a great start to the season. She had a second place finish at the first singles position in the Hwy 10 Individual Tennis Tournament. Brooke, as team co-captain, is a team leader on the court and off the court. Congrats, Brooke!

09/04/2026

The math isn't adding up for schools across Minnesota — and NLS is no exception.

State funding increases haven't kept pace with rising costs. Add in unfunded mandates, requirements from the state that come with no funding attached, and the gap keeps widening every year.

To help address the funding gap, New London-Spicer has already made nearly $750,000 in budget reductions, including cuts that impact programs, services, and opportunities for students. Even with those difficult decisions, the district continues to face a long-term structural funding challenge.

Without additional revenue, the next round of cuts could reach class sizes, course offerings, activities — the things that make NLS a strong choice for local families.

This November, voters have a chance to help close that gap.
👉 To learn more, visit: nls.k12.mn.us/2026referendum
Got questions? You can also call the Superintendent's office at (320) 354-2252.

Let's stay informed together and remember to vote on or before Nov. 3!

09/03/2026

Moving to middle school is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. As students transition to a more independent learning environment, strong organizational skills become more important than ever.

Thanks you, New London-Spicer Educational Foundation for helping every 5th grader stay organized, build confidence, and set themselves up for success throughout the school year!

Grant Award Announcement!

The New London-Spicer Educational Foundation is proud to award $3,900 to Middle School Principal Leah Zimmerman for her Organization for Success grant!

This initiative will provide every incoming NLS 5th-grade student with the same high-quality organizational system, helping build independence, executive functioning, and confidence as they transition to middle school. Approximately 141 students will benefit from this project, creating a strong foundation for success in the classroom and beyond.

Congratulations, Leah! We look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on our students for years to come.

The NLS Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting educational opportunities within the New London-Spicer School District for the benefit of all students. Donations are gratefully accepted online (https://secure.myvanco.com/L-ZGCT/home) or by mail to support future grant initiatives at PO Box 58, New London, MN 56273.

09/03/2026

💛🖤 Honoring 15 & 20 Years of Service!💛🖤
We are proud to celebrate our amazing New London-Spicer staff members who have reached 15 and 20 years of service. These milestones represent years of commitment, compassion, and service to our students, families, and community.

Honorees (Pictured L to R)
💛Jeanette Nienaber (15 years)
🖤Brooke Lien (15 years)
💛Lynn Taunton (20 years)
🖤Holly Carlson (20 years)

Thank you for everything you do and for the many years you've devoted to our Wildcat community. CONGRATS ON THIS MILESTONE!

09/03/2026

You guessed it! NLS Drama Department will be performing Disney’s High School Musical.

Our musical auditions are open to NLS students in grades 8-12. They will be next week in the NLS HS Choir Room on the following dates and times:

Wednesday (Sept 9) at 3:30PM & 6PM
Thursday (Sept 10) at 3:30PM
Friday (Sept 11) at 3:30PM *callbacks if needed*

Scan the QR code to sign up.
No musical number is required but feel free to prepare one if you’d like.

Contact Mr. Jason Parker with questions.
[email protected]

09/02/2026

Calling all future Wildcat musicians!
At NLS, students in 5th Grade can join our band! Over the next few weeks, our 5th grade students will get to try different instruments and find the perfect fit. If your student is interested in trying out the different instruments, please scan the QR code provided to sign up for instrument screening by Friday, September 11.

Mark Your Calendars:
📅 Band Open House: October 6 | 4:00–6:00 PM
NLS Middle School Commons
Meet Mrs. Becks, register for band, explore instrument rentals, and get everything your student needs to get started!

📅 Band lessons begin the week of October 19

TO SIGN UP, USE THIS LINK:
🔗 https://forms.gle/2tGJ6ZVe6dqJrwSy9

We can't wait to welcome our newest band members!

09/02/2026

New London-Spicer Schools is being recognized for its commitment to student and staff safety after being highlighted in a recent Star Tribune article for going above and beyond Minnesota's requirements for cardiac emergency preparedness.

As highlighted in the article, more than 200 New London-Spicer staff members set aside their busy back-to-school schedules to complete the training, which included hands-on practice with inflatable mannequins and timed drills to measure how quickly teams could begin CPR and locate automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout their schools.

Through a partnership with Children's Minnesota/Project ADAM, every district employee completed hands-only CPR and AED training, equipping staff across all buildings with the knowledge and confidence to respond in a cardiac emergency. The district also conducted emergency response drills with each building's medical response team to practice coordinated, real-life scenarios and ensure the highest level of readiness.

These proactive efforts reflect New London-Spicer's unwavering commitment to providing the safest possible environment for students, staff, and visitors, because being prepared can make all the difference when every second counts.

📰 Read the Star Tribune article:
https://www.startribune.com/cpr-minnesota-low-rate-training-efforts/601881952

All of New London-Spicer School District's buildings are now a Heart Safe certified. A Heart Safe School certification recognizes K-12 schools that have established comprehensive emergency plans, proper equipment, and staff training to respond to sudden cardiac arrest.

This certification reflects our district's ongoing commitment to creating a safe learning environment and ensuring that our students, staff, and visitors are protected when every second matters.

09/02/2026

School is officially underway for all of our Wildcats!
While our high school students are already kicking off Day 3, today we welcome our PreK–Grade 8 students for their first day of school! From our littlest learners experiencing their very first day to our middle school students ready to make new memories, we're excited to begin another incredible year together.

📸 Show us your first week of school! Whether it's a candid moment, a backpack photo, or a picture-perfect first-day smile, we'd love to include it in our Back to School Photo Album. Email your photos to [email protected].

Welcome back, Wildcats!