Edina School Funding - Election Update #1

Your vote for school funding is needed this Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th!

Two revenue referendums for Edina Public School funding are on the ballot: 

1. A renewal, at essentially the same rate we pay now, of an existing property tax levy that currently provides $3 million per year for the general operation of our schools.
2. A renewal, at an increased rate, of an existing property tax levy that is used to fund technology in our schools. 

The State funds 70% of our budget; we fund the rest through property taxes.  Unfortunately, State funding during the past ten years has not even kept pace with inflation. Our school district has had to reduced its budget by 6% in the last five years through painful cuts to school programming. 

***If both of the referendums do not pass, the District will have to cut an additional $4 million from the budget due to the loss of current revenue.  This will result in larger class sizes, decreased class offerings, program reductions, and postponement of needed upgrades to technology. 

We need you to vote on November 8th.  The votes of school parents are essential to passing both of these referendums.  This is an off-year election, so lower voter turnout is expected, making each vote more important.  If parents don't vote, these referendums will not pass!   

To learn more, click here.

HAIL MARY

Given it is football season, we thought it appropriate to throw a "hail mary pass" looking for leadership for two wonderful volunteer programs. If parent leadership is not identified by Monday, October 17 these programs will be put on hold for this school year.

Serve Our School

We need one volunteer to lead a team of students in grades 3-5 in activities that support our school. In this position you will:

• recruit participation of students
• work with other volunteer committees to determine their special needs (i.e. make posters for carnival, rally week, silent fundraisers, etc.)
• schedule meeting dates as needed (approximately 4-5 during the school year) 
• communicate the timing of meetings with participating students parents and teachers
• coordinate supplies for the job (i.e. poster board, markers, etc.)
• attend the work sessions over the lunch hour (along with a staff representative) to help the kids complete the tasks

Kids Council

We need 4-6 volunteers (2-3 each from 4th and 5th grades) to develop and manage Kid's Council. In this position you will:

• determine the meeting schedule before school or during lunch/recess and frequency (approximately monthly)
• send out information to the students in grades 4 and 5 to determine interest/participation
• communicate the timing of meetings with participating students parents and teachers
• work with the students to determine their leadership priorities for the year 
• develop the agenda and lead the activities of the students during the meetings
• schedule meeting rooms, organize supplies

If you have any interest or would like more information, please contact Cyndi Johnson.

Fundraiser at Pinstripes

You're Invited to Get Involved!

Did You Know? 

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. 

Referendum and Technology Open Houses

Bring in your Box Tops!

Every year, Normandale families raise significant funds by participating in silent fundraisers that benefit the school. Participation is easy and funds are used to purchase needed educational merchandise for our kids and classrooms. 

Look for the labels on General Mills products you already buy. Encourage your children to help clip, collect and bring them into their classroom throughout the year. We do the rest.

The deadline for submission is October 31st!!  Thank you!  

Normandale Chorale

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US!!!!

I am so excited to begin working with the Normandale Chorale, Normandale's fourth and fifth grade honor choir.  We meet Tuesdays before school at 7:45 - 8:25, performing current Pop music (e.g. Don't Stop Believin' from Glee) as well as traditional choral music (e.g. Cuncti Simus). To join simply come to one of our open rehearsals and register.  

Open Rehearsal Dates: 
Oct. 18 7:45 a.m. OPEN Rehearsal

Oct. 25 7:45 a.m. OPEN Rehearsal 

Each week I will send home an update about what is happening in our singing world, what is happening in the greater Edina Music community and even some musical events in the Twin Cities.

Please do allow your young singer to participate fully in rehearsals by not dropping them off late. 

To see and practice the Chorale's music, click here!   

Thanks!
Jim Hawthorne

5300 Hollywood Rd. 

Edina, MN 55436

email or phone - 612-801-3729 

JUNIOR GREAT BOOK LEADERS WANTED

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. 

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. 

Edina achieved national recognition as one of America's Promise Alliance's 100 Best Communities for Young People for the second year in a row for its initiatives to help young people, including support of Edina A Better Chance (ABC) Foundation, Edina High School May Term and Tri-City Health Partners. The competition recognizes communities across the country that 

focus on reducing high school dropout rates and providing service and support to their youth.

As a way to honor this national recognition, please place a red wagon, the symbol of America's Promise Alliance, outside of your front door tomorrow (Oct 13, 2011) to commemorate the award.

To learn more about the "100 best communities" award,  click here. 

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.

Spring Break in France

Edina Community Education has just the spring trip for parents and children:

Paris and the French Riviera

March 31 - April 8th.

The 9 day adventure will start with the best of Paris and wind its way to southern France. 

$1,699 Land Package.

Click here for more information. 

A free European Trip Preview Meeting is scheduled on Tuesday evening, November 1.

For more information click here or call 952 848 3952. 

Edina Day of Service

Whether you live or learn, work or worship in the city of Edina, please join us to provide service to our neighbors, friends and community - including schools, churches, civic organizations and individuals.  Visit the Connecting with Kids website for more information about the Edina Day of Service. Click here for a list of specific projects for all ages, including: 

• Food drives
• Making sandwiches for homeless shelters
• Computer recycling
• Nature cleanup activities
• And more!  

Mite & U6 Hockey Registration

Once-a-Month K-12 Parenting Classes

Piano Lessons at ECC

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.  

PCN National Speaker Forum

Edina Parent Communication Network NEWS!

PCN NATIONAL SPEAKER FORUM moves to NOVEMBER 14th

Parenting with Love & Leadership:Equipped, but NOT Entitled

John Rosemond

New Date: Monday, November 14th at 7p.m.

New Location:Colonial Church, Edina

Tickets:$15 in advance, $20 at the door

Click here for more information.

In today's child-centered culture, are parents equipping children for the real world?  Or are good intentions creating entitled kids?

John Rosemond makes the case that today's well-meaning parents do too much for their kids and try too hard to be popular with them.  In a thought-provoking presentation, Rosemond will share his strategies for delivering the essential ingredients of Love and Leadership in ways that help children grow into responsible, compassionate adults.

John Rosemond is a family psychologist, best-selling author and nationally syndicated parenting columnist in more than 200 newspapers.To learn more and purchase tickets, visit the Edina Parent Communication's website.