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La Liaison
A Publication of the Normandale PTO
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Important Dates | |
January
9 Kindergarten Program Choice Preference
Forms due, 4:00pm
9-13 Rally Week for the Intern Program
16 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No School)
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Todd Chowan - Celebration of Life |
The Normandale family is mourning the loss of one of our former teachers, Todd Chowan, who passed away on December 29th. Todd was a charter member of the Normandale staff and taught at the school for 18 years before moving on to teach French at EHS in 2010. Todd will be remembered for his commitment to his students, passion for French language and culture and his incredible musical talents. Thank you, Todd. You will be missed. Todd Chowan's Celebration of Life
Saturday, January 7th, 2012
Christ Presbyterian Church
6901 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55435
Visitation: 11:00AM-12:00PM
Service: 12PM
Reception to follow
Full Obituary in the Sunday Star Tribune. |
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Last Chance -
Sibling Kindergarten Choice Program Preference Forms | |
Sibling Kindergarten Choice Program Preference Form
Due by 4:00 P.M. on January 9, 2012
Please remember that current Normandale families who have sons or daughters who will be kindergarten age by September 2012 must turn in their Kindergarten Choice Program Preference Form by 4 p.m. on January 9 to the District Office to receive sibling enrollment preference at Normandale. Late forms do not guarantee placement and will be numbered in the order they are received and placed at the end of the waitlist if a lottery is necessary. Preference forms were sent in the kindergarten mailing to parents in early November and can be turned in as soon as you have made your decision.
We certainly encourage you to make your decision early and get your forms in ASAP to be certain you don't miss the deadline.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact Isabelle Punchard at 952-848-4199.
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January 9-13 is Rally Week! | |
Rally Week is when we celebrate the success of our French Intern Experience and rally to support it for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to sign up enough host families and other support so we can commit to bringing 23 French Interns to Edina for the 2012-13 school year.
Please visit the Intern Website for details, including Trivia Contest and Coloring Contest entry forms.
Monday, January 9th
Red, White, and Blue Day
Show your school spirit by dressing in the colors of the French flag.
Solve the Monday online trivia contest to be eligible for Tuesday's prize drawings!
Tuesday, January 10th
Finish your Coloring Contest entry tonight!
Solve the Tuesday online trivia contest to be eligible for Wednesday's prize drawings!
Wednesday, January 11th
Hand in your Coloring Contest entry to your classroom teacher to be eligible for Friday's prize drawings
Solve the Wednesday online trivia contest to be eligible for Thursday's prize drawings!
Thursday, January 12th
Cookies & Milk Night
Join the Interns in the Normandale Auditorium from 6:30 - 8:00pm to:
* Enjoy a bedtime snack of Cookies and Milk.
* See the Interns act out a story in French.
* Participate in a French sing-a-long.
* Wear your PJs!
Friday, January 13th
Lunchtime fun! All grades will get extra goodies to celebrate Rally Week!
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An Easy, Fun, Way to Make a Big Difference | |
Here's how to volunteer at our school in a limited way, help raise funds for next year's intern program, and create lifetime memories for all our kids: join the 2012 carnival committee. Our school carnival is every student's favorite night of the year. This year the carnival is Saturday, May 5 from 4:30-7:30. There are currently nine of us on the planning committee and we need a few more parents to join us. The bulk of our work will be done after spring break and the night of the carnival. It's alot of fun and it truly makes a difference in our school's success. For more information or to volunteer, contact email Chris Deets or call 952-715-8766.
Thank you!
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Scholastic Book Fair is Coming! | |
The whole school is excited about our upcoming Book Fair - January 25-26 in the Auditorium! An amazing selection of English and French books is headed our way! At the Book Fair you will find the latest and finest titles for kids, as well as books of interest to parents. And, you can contribute books to your child's classroom library. The Book Fair is a great way to get everyone excited about reading. See you there!
COME HELP AT THE FAIR, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - JANUARY 23-26. Please visit our Scholastic Fair website and the Volunteer signup site.
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Perkins Dine to Donate | |
Perkins Dine to Donate! All month, January 2012
When you dine at the Edina Perkins and present the Dine to Donate voucher, Perkins will donate 15% of your meal cost to the Edina Interns Fund.
- Click here to view the voucher.
- NOT VALID on Kids Eat Free Night or with any other coupons or discounts.
- Valid ONLY at the Edina Perkins located at: 4917 Eden Ave, Edina, MN 55424 * 952-927-4049
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Legislative Dialogue Invitation | |
 You are invited to attend the Edina Public School's Legislative Dialogue being held Thursday, January 5th from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Room 350 of the Edina Community Center. This is your opportunity to learn about the District's current priorities, and voice your questions and concerns to area legislators and District administrators.
Click here to learn more!
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Normandale Leadership Team Update | |
An overview of the new Normandale leadership model was presented at the October 11 General Membership meeting. We are in the process of transitioning from the old model which included a separate Site Council and PTO to a new model focused on the Normandale Leadership Team (NLT). The Normandale Leadership Team is comprised equally of staff and parents and is responsible for setting school policy, long and short term planning, and encouraging collaboration and communication. In an effort to keep the whole school community involved, minutes from NLT Meetings are being posted to the Normandale PTO website. You can find the minutes, a copy of the October 11th General Meeting presentation and more on the PTO Website. We will include a notice in La Liaison whenever new minutes are posted to the website. As always, feedback is appreciated. Submit comments, questions, ideas to the Online Normandale Suggestion Box.
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Edina Public Schools 2012 Legislative Priorities | |
Edina Public Schools 2012 Minnesota Legislative Priorities
Edina Public Schools works closely with the Minnesota School Boards Association, the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, and the Minnesota Association of School Administrators in advocating for early childhood through adult learning education. The District recognizes that the priorities of these organizations also support the interests of Edina Public Schools. The District's major priorities for the 2012 Minnesota legislative session include the following:
Provide a plan for stabilizing funding for Minnesota school districts.
- Maintain current public education funding levels in the upcoming legislative session.
- Provide mechanisms for school districts to contain increasing costs.
- Pursue an alternative school funding model that will provide adequate and equitable funding for Minnesota school districts.
Increase the independence of school districts with accountability.
- Modify and reduce mandates that cause school districts to be overregulated.
- Allow school districts to have greater flexibility in determining their school learning year, including the mandated after-Labor Day start date.
- Focus on emphasizing statutory changes that will enhance the academic success of student learning.
- Reduce mandates that limit school districts in being innovative and creative in responding to today's world in a timely manner.
Create and maintain the highest quality educational work force.
- Modify the educator evaluation program to ensure the program aligns to researched best practices.
- Maintain and enhance the alternative teacher professional pay system.
Create a 2020 Educational Vision for the State of Minnesota.
- Understand and plan for the demographic and societal changes occurring in Minnesota.
- Understand and plan for the educational enhancements that must occur in public education.
- Align funding and policy to the educational vision of the State.
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Free PCN Forum! | |
What: Ada Alden; "The Parent Teacher Partnership; A necessary relationship for success."
What can parents do to support, prepare and establish a positive learning environment in their home? When and why is it wise to say "NO! not at our house." Why is it important to have home schedules, routines, and a sense of predictability? The home can be the anchor point from which a child may risk and celebrate a successful educational journey. 
Specific practical suggestions and techniques will help parents establish a home agenda that will help ensure the optimal development of their child. Purposeful and attentive parents establish "School Smart" Homes. Where: Countryside Elementary School When: Monday, January 9, 2012; 7-9pm |
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Table Captains Needed for Edina Education Fund Show and Tell
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On Monday February 6,2012 the Edina Education Fund will be hosting the 5th Annual Show & Tell Event at St. Patrick's Church. We are looking for individuals to serve as Table Captains for this year's event. As a Table Captain you will be asked to fill a table of 8 people by personally inviting friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and anyone with whom you would like to show the Ed Fund's work and the great things the Ed Fund does for our schools and kids. The Ed Fund's goal is to reach as many new people as possible.
- Your job is to invite new faces, the Ed Fund will inspire them
- You will be given a kit to walk you through your job as a table captain
- We will be here to offer help and answer questions
- Best of all the bag lunch is provided by the Ed Fund
Thanks for your continued help. |
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Happening in the Community | |
Check out some fabulous Community Opportunities for Youth listed on the EPS Facebook page.
- Winter Neighborhood Night Out on Friday, January 20 - at Normandale, Pamela and Weber parks from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
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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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