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La Liaison
A Publication of the Normandale PTO
October 5, 2011
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The Important Dates
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October
6 Gift Wrap Fundraiser ends
11 Parent General Membership Mtg., 7:00 p.m.,
Auditorium
20,21 Education Minnesota Conference (No School)
26 Picture - Re-take Day
28 Classroom Fall Parties
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Join Us for the First PTO General Session | |
It's a new year, with new leadership, a renewed commitment to immersion and a solid vision for the future. Join us Tuesday, October 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Normandale auditorium to attend the first PTO general session of the year, learn more about the many exciting things in the works for this school year and help us shape the future!
Here's why you should come:
- Interim Principal Isabelle Punchard will share insight from the all-staff immersion retreat and what the agreed upon direction means for our school
- We will unveil the final Normandale Leadership Team structure and what this means for you
- We'll discuss the school's new vision statement and begin collecting parent input for the future of the school
- Dr. Dressen will provide a brief overview of the district referendums that will be on the ballot on Nov. 8
- If you are new to the school, you'll learn more about how to get involved
If you have never attended a PTO General Session, this one should not be missed.
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Safety FIRST!
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Lately there have been some scary things happening around our parent pick-up circle that warrant a few reminders! Parents dropping off children in the morning or picking up children at the end of the day must abide by these crucial safety procedures:
1. Pull forward as far as you can to help us get as many cars in the circle as possible. You'll get in and out faster and so will everyone else!
2. Always let your child get in or out of the vehicle on the sidewalk side, NEVER inside the lanes of traffic.
3. Stay in your car: If your child needs help getting in/out of the car then you need to park the car.
4. Put cell phones away and devote your full attention to the safety of the children.
5. The circle is a no parking zone. As a no-parking sign in New York city stated: "Don't even THINK of parking here!"
For more information about these procedures, refer to the online Traffic Plan on our website. Thanks for doing your part in keeping all our children safe!
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District Levy Referendums and School Board Candidates
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An important referendum is taking place this November which includes a general operating levy question and a technology levy question. To find out what this means to your family, please visit the district's referendum information link. In addition, the League of Women Voters-Edina is sponsoring the following forums:
Edina School District #273 Levy Referendums
October 5, 6:30pm
Superintendent of Edina Public Schools
Ric Dressen, Ed.D
Edina School Board Candidate Forum
October 5, 7:15pm
Candidates: Jason Berger, Cathy Cella (incumbent), Sarah Patzloff, Leny K. Wallen-Friedman
The election will be November 8. These forums will be held at the Edina City Hall, 4801 West 50th Street, Edina. Visit the website for more information on the forums.
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Did You Know?
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Did you know that Edina receives the least amount of technology funding per pupil as compared to six neighboring suburban districts? We currently obtain $122 per pupil, as opposed to $545 in Wayzata and $719 in Hopkins. Money from the general fund is used to bridge the gap between current technology revenue and expenses. An increase in the tech levy means almost $1.2 million in general funds could be redirected to other educational needs. For more information about the technology levy referendum question, visit the Referendum 2011 page off the Edina Public Schools website.
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You're Invited to Get Involved!
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Want to get involved at the school but don't know how?
There are still many school volunteer positions-large and small-still available. We now have three operating divisions, School Advisory & Communication (SAC), People Event & Funds (PEF) and Intern Organization & Coordination (IOC). These operating divisions are lead by a team of parents and staff who manage all the individual program volunteers. Further, there have been different levels of volunteer opportunities added designed to match your availability and interest.
If you're looking for something BIG consider becoming:
- a leadership shadow for the School Advisory & Communication or People, Events & Funds divisions. In the first year, you will shadow the current leadership and take over the reigns in year two. You'll also have the opportunity to serve on the Normandale Leadership Team-which essentially is the board of directors of the Normandale PTO-responsible for crafting strategy, policy, addressing budget issues, etc.
If you're looking for something MODERATE consider becoming:
- the research coordinator and act as the point person for collecting input from our school community.
- chairing a sub-committee for the carnival.
If you're looking for something SMALL consider:
- becoming an Art Adventure presenter. As such, you will share wonderful works of art with our children throughout the school year. Training is provided.
- leading Jr. Great books for your child's grade (3-5).
- arranging quarterly after school silent fundraising sessions where kids are invited to clip, sort and count Boxtops for Education and Kemps milk caps.
Contact Julie Wohlford via email or at 952.928.0813 to learn more about these and other opportunities!
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Fundraiser at Pinstripes | |
It's Being Called the "Un-Gala." 
Bocce, bowling, silent auction,community connections, wine wall raffle, Normandale parents acting.......youthful...... and much more! While that doesn't sound like a gala, it DOES sound fun. And it will all be happening at Pinstripes on Saturday, November 5, at 7:00 to benefit our French immersion program.
WE NEED WINE! And who doesn't? But we need lots of it for our wine wall raffle at the un-gala. Raffle tickets will be $5 each to possibly win over 30 bottles of wine. Please bring a bottle to Karen or Brittany at the front desk by October 31.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS These unique special events hosted by families connected with our school's immersion program are a great way to get together with current friends, meet new friends, and create lasting memories! We need hosts to donate community connections. Click here for more information.
OVER 100 PEOPLE ALREADY ATTENDING Tickets are $65 each for parents and $40 each for staff, administration and interns. To purchase tickets now, click here. If you use this link to pay via PayPal, please include the names of the attendees in "Notes to Seller."
PAYPAL PAYMENT ISSUES If you have tried to pay for the adult fundraiser using PayPal and have not been able to process your payment, please be patient. We are working with PayPal to correct the technical problems they are having with the site and hope to be up and running soon. Please try back again at the end of the week.
If you would like to pay by check, please make your check payable to "Normandale PTO/Pinstripes" and drop off with Karen or Brittany at the front desk.
For questions about the event, please contact Julie Wohlford or Chris Deets.
Or click here.
Like us on Facebook!
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Tour the Caves with the Interns | |
Tour the Wabasha Street Caves with the Interns on Saturday, October 15th at 1:00pm on the Wabasha Street Cave Tour. The interns will be going over to the historic Wabasha Street Caves for a tour and Normandale Families are welcome to join in. The price for our group is $5.00 per person and kids 5 and under are free.
Cash Only accepted for entrance fees.
Our group name is listed under French Interns so if you would like to join us just show up at the caves at 12:45pm and we will see you there, no RSVP needed. See the website for directions, and if you have any questions please feel free to email Laurel Fischbach. |
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Quality School Lunch Initiative and Task Force
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Quality School Lunch Initiative / Task Force
Do you have thoughts or ideas about lunches being served in schools today? Here is your chance to join in and participate! A parent lead effort is currently underway to form a Quality School Lunch Initiative and Task Force. We aim to "Raise the bar" on food quality in Edina Schools across all grade levels.
The Task Force is forming now and our first meeting will be in October. Please contact Deborah Kotler for more information.
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Birthday Book Program!
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Need to Remember a Special Person/School Year? Your Student's Birthday?
Participate in the Birthday Book Program!
Does your child have a birthday coming up or a special occasion? Please consider the Birthday Book Program.
Participation in the Birthday Book Program is easy and fun for your child! If your family would like to make a $14.00 donation to the Birthday Book fund, your child may select one of the books which has been reserved for the program. There are a wide variety of books to choose from so students can find a book that interests them. On or near the date of your child's birthday, he or she will be notified to come to the media center to select a book. The media staff will place a special bookplate inside the cover. The student's name, date and event will be recorded on the bookplate. Once this is completed, your child will be the first one to check out the book to share with the class and family. While we do refer to this as the "Birthday Book Program," these books may also honor a teacher, special school year or other event. If you are purchasing a book for a non-birthday event, be sure to include that information when sending in your check. You may also donate a book you have purchased these are very welcomed!
Click here for the form.
Thank you for participating- Tracy Pearson Media Specialist (952) 848-4121.
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Art Adventure Volunteers Needed!
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Art Adventure is an art appreciation program for students in grades K-5 based on original paintings, sculpture, textiles, and photographs from the collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
Art Adventure presenters are parent volunteers. All Art Adventure training is provided, and no experience is necessary!
Volunteers are needed for the 2011-2012 school year. The time commitment involves 2.5 hours at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts for a training/overview session. Seven, 20-minute presentations will be made by trained volunteers between November and June. Volunteers can present once, twice, or each month - it's up to you!
In K-2, presentations will take place in the art classroom. Parent volunteers will present that month's portfolio for 20 minutes, and Mme French-Amara or Mlle Biewen will plan and present a related art project.
For grades 3-5, presentations will take place in a separate classroom, and the parent volunteer will present the portfolio and related project. Ideas for these projects are available via the MIA training and from other Art Adventure resources.
Training is already underway, so please act quickly if you have an interest! For more information, contact Leeanne Huber by email or 612-309-6266.
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Edina Fitness Club
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Join Mr. Hannemann to get energized before the school day starts! Classes start on October 3rd. The focus of the fitness club is to help students get ready for the school day by firing up their bodies and increasing overall fitness, strength, and flexibility. Workouts are designed to be adjustable to any fitness level. Sessions may match up with what is being taught in PE. A snack will be provided after every class. Bring running shoes and a water bottle. This club is open to ALL students grades 3-5. Normandale students will be escorted to school when each session is over. Edina Fitness Club t-shirt is awarded once a student has attended 10 sessions.
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Logic Club: Grades 3-5
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The mind is a beautiful thing. Let's push it to the limit!
Logic Club is for students in grades 3-5 who are interested in exploring logic-based games and puzzles. We'll play Connect Four, Rush Hour, Squeezed Out, Chess, Sudoku, Rubik's Cube, Rubik's Magic, Rubik's 360, Brick by Brick, and more. Don't know how to play these? I'll teach you! We'll also explore riddles and creating mazes.You may not have known that Mr. Hannemann has a passion for logic games, and even coached a chess team to 1st place in a southern California regional tournament. Now you do!Starts October 3. Sign up HERE.
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Mite & U6 Hockey Registration
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Do you have a Son or Daughter interested in Playing Hockey? Edina Hockey Association "Mite & U6" registration is going on NOW. Information links are on Edina Public Schools Community Opportunity for Youth Facebook page.
Or for more information on Mite & U6 Hockey please visit the Edina Hockey Association website.
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Once-a-Month K-12 Parenting Classes
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BEYOND ECFE - School Age Parenting Classes
Have Parenting Questions? We Have Answers. The Edina Family Center offers once-a-month classes for parents of children in elementary, middle, and/or high school. A licensed parent educator will guide the discussion and provide information based on research, knowledge of child development and family education. Group discussion allows parents to share their joys and concerns, experience and wisdom. All classes offer CEU's at the end of the session.
For more information including session dates and registration, click here.
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PCN Speakers | |
WHAT: "Discovering the Power of Choice";
Paul Bernabei, TOP 20 Parent Training
-Help kids discover how they are smart; living above the line; Guiding our children through life's challenges.
WHEN: Monday, October 10, 7-9 pm
WHERE: Cornelia Elementary Gym
*SAVE THE DATE*
Monday, November 14
National Speaker: John Rosemond
Parenting with Love & Leadership, building responsibility NOT entitlement
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Piano Lessons at ECC
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Piano lessons are available after school at the Edina Community Center and most Edina elementary sites. Professional teachers, affordable rates and convenient locations. Register for 8 lesson blocks as needed, Sept. 19 - May 4, 2012. Lessons are $200/per 8 week session. Call Mary Linker,952-831-4014, to schedule lessons before registering on the Community Education website.
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Adult Education Opportunities | |
Edina Center for Adult Education has the following upcoming Adult Education Opportunities!
To register for these adult education opportunities go to the website or call 952.848.3952.
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La Liaison is published every Wednesday. Submit articles to LaLiaison_MN@hotmail.com by noon Monday prior to your desired publication date. Unless designated otherwise, articles will be published in La Liaison for two issues and then removed.
Editors: Deb Gardner and Angie Porter . |
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