January 9, 2014 | Vol. 2, Issue 19

In this Issue:

 


newsEPS News

Edina's Welcome Center provides critical link to community resources

Deadline for families interested in kindergarten choice programs or open enrolling in Edina Public Schools is fast approaching  

 
Whether you've lived in town your entire life or are new to Edina, Minnesota or even the United States, Edina Public Schools' (EPS) Welcome Center offers valuable resources and services for all.

  

In July 2006, the district created the Welcome Center, located on the first floor of the Edina Community Center, to serve as a "one-stop shop" for community members. Though its primary purpose is to guide families through the school enrollment process, the Welcome Center also educates visitors about community education and early childhood center programs, city events, parks and recreation activities and more.

 

READ MORE



One-fourth of Edina High School students continue to earn national honors for Advanced Placement class success

458 Students earn AP Scholar recognition for high-scoring exam performance

 

Edina Public Schools proudly congratulates the 458 students* who recently achieved AdvancedPlacement Scholar Award recognition for their outstanding success with Advanced Placement (AP) Exams in 2013. 

This number represents approximately one-fourth of students enrolled at Edina High School.

 



RicRic's Reflections
It's Minnesota, It's Cold ... So why the cancellation?

Insights into the decision-making process of closing school

 
The extreme cold weather experienced earlier this week resulted in an extended winter
break for our district's students and staff.  If you grew up in Minnesota, I am sure you can
relate to the excitement many of our students felt when they first learned that Edina Public
Schools would not be in session on Monday and Tuesday.  As a kid, I recall listening to
WCCO radio and patiently waiting with great hope as the announcers read through the alphabetical listing of school closings - "...Brainerd, Brooten, Browerville...." When Browerville was announced,
my brothers, sister and I would let out a big cheer, excited that our school district was closed for the day. Never in my youthful dreams did I think that one day I would be the decision-maker for school
closings in a community.

 

As best we can ascertain, this is the first time in more than 50 years that Edina Public Schools has been closed for two consecutive days as a result of bad weather conditions. While the decision to close on Monday was made by the Governor, we made the decision for Tuesday locally. 

 

Any time we are faced with adverse weather, be it too cold, snowy or even too hot, we always consider a number of factors, not the least of which is student safety. In the case of this week's extreme cold, we weighed heavily the factor of the safety of our students, particularly in the morning when they would be walking to school or waiting for a bus. We also considered whether or not our buses could operate, or whether our facilities were appropriately heated. As always, I also consulted with many of our neighboring school districts so as to ensure consistency across the region. Throughout these discussions, which began on Sunday afternoon and continued throughout the morning on Monday, we learned that given the sustained dangerous conditions, most other districts were opting to close on Tuesday as well. 

 

These decisions about school cancellations are always challenging. There is not necessarily one hard and fast rule because every situation presents different challenges. This week we knew we were faced with the precedent set by the Governor, as well as prolonged severe cold conditions. Certainly, this week's weather was unique and not something we expect, or hope, to reoccur.

 

I recognize the impact a change in the scheduled school day has on the entire school district community, and I want to thank everyone for their flexibility and responsiveness with our school closing decisions.  I especially want to thank our EPS families for adjusting their personal schedules to accommodate the closings.

 

I am hopeful that the remainder of the winter will be kinder to us weather-wise, and that the school year will continue without any additional schedule changes. At this point, we do not foresee needing to add days to the school year to makeup for Monday and Tuesday. However, if the district were to have additional emergency school closing days, we would likely have to consider making them up. We also know that some of our schools may need to modify their schedules to accommodate for the closings, particularly with the end of the semester fast approaching. Look for more information from your individual principal or program leader should these changes need to be made.

 

Again, I thank you for your cooperation and partnership as we return to our "normal" learning schedules.

 

Stay warm, everyone ... and think spring!

  

-Ric   

  

staffnewsNews for EPS Staff

Staff Milestones 

To submit an entry for Staff Milestones, please include staff name, job title/type, employment location and announcement information to [email protected]

 

 

Important changes appearing in your next paycheck

Review Jan. 15 paycheck for accuracy, sign-up for electronic W-2, and be aware of mileage rate change

Employees should review their Jan. 15 paycheck for accuracy. New deduction amounts for insurances and new income tax rates will effect a change in your net pay. If your insurance deduction amount is different than what you expected, contact Emily LaFave at 

952-848-4936 or email her.

 

Staff members still have the option to receive the W-2 electronic version. To consent, go to myView and follow the W-2 consent instructions.

 

Additionally, beginning on Jan. 1, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service decreased the standard mileage rate for the use of a car to 56 cents per mile. For 2013 it was 56.5 cents per mile. Please see District Policy 708 for procedure and eligibility details.

 

 

Thank You From VEAP 

Edina Community commended for generous donations to Holiday Toy Program

Thanks to donations from the Edina Community, the Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP) wasable to provide 4,593 children from 1,781 households with new gifts and toys, winter wear, books and family games. With the many challenges that families face today, your donations have made this holiday season a little brighter for thousands of families and children. Thank you so much for your support!

 

 

REMINDER: Edina Community Center parking lot signage 

New designations simplify parking for visitors, program users and staff.  

 

This fall, as part of the on-going safety and security plan recommendations, a team met with Edina's Police Liaison's and EPS's new Building and Grounds Director to begin the process of creating greater clarity in signage for the Edina Community Center. Last week, the three community center parking lots will receive new signage and names to help clarify parking guidelines for both staff and visitors. 

 

The goals of these changes are:

  • To create greater security by increased and well-marked visitor parking
  • To ultimately create indoor and outdoor signage that drives visitors to our Welcome Center inside door 3 for check in. 

 

New Parking Lot Guide:

 

RED LOT (formerly North Lot) - Staff and Visitor Parking

 

GREEN LOT (formerly Center Lot) - Visitor Parking

 

GOLD LOT (formerly South Lot) - Staff and Visitor Parking 

 

 



snapshotClassroom Snapshot of the Week

  

Early learners work together to build social and motor skills  
 
 

For Edina Family Center students, teamwork is a skill learned at a very early age. Using a play-based learning approach allows time for our youngest learners to acquire fundamental building blocks for social and physical development.

 
boardSchool Board News
 
January School Board Meetings
  • JAN. 13, 7:00 p.m. - 
    • Organizational meeting - Monday, Jan. 13 at 7:00 p.m. (ECC, room 349). This will be the annual organizational meeting of the Board at which new members David Goldstein and Lisa O'Brien will be seated, officers will be selected, and committee and liaison assignments will be determined. 
    • Work session  - to follow the Organizational Meeting at which the Board will discuss 2014-15 budget planning parameters and an update on the Secondary Program Plan  
  • JAN. 27, 7:00 p.m. - 
    • The Board will meet for its regular monthly business meeting at which the tentative agenda includes recognition of several teacher award winners, a presentation from Creek Valley Elementary School, and discussion and adoption of budget parameters for 2014-15.     
Previous School Board Meetings

eventsUpcoming Events

Detailed calendars of events for each school can be found online. Important upcoming dates include:  

kinder

REMINDER: Kindergarten Program preference forms deadline

(Monday, Jan. 13, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.)

If you would like to enroll your child in the Continuous Progress or French Immersion program, you must complete the Kindergarten Program Choice Preference form. The form will ask you to identify your first and second choices and return the form no later than Jan. 13, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. All preference forms received by the deadline will be given equal consideration. NOTE: completion of the preference form does not guarantee placement in the program. Once forms are processed, you will be notified by Jan. 17, 2014 if your child has been accepted into one of the district-wide programs.

 
 

  

nutritionEdina PCN & the Student Wellness Committee present:

"Nutrition & Its Impact on Learning"

Monday, Jan. 13, 2014 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Normandale Auditorium. Free event!

Does your child have a well-balanced diet? Is your student eating foods that will enable attention and focus in school? Has the dinner table become a power struggle? If you have faced some of these issues, plan to attend PCN's panel discussion on nutrition.

  • Understand how nutrition & exercise impact attention, learning, & school performance.
  • Learn how to encourage healthy eating habits along with great ideas for snacks & meals.
  • Listen to experts about how to handle picky eaters and anxiety at the table. 
 
 

familyFamily Forum on Friendship

Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. Normandale Auditorium.

Going to school presents a wonderful opportunity for children to interact with a wide range of

 peers. Some children make friends quickly; they seem to have a gift for being engaging, confident, flexible and stable in their ability to cope with social situations. For other children, reaching out can be intimidating. But regardless of personality, all of us can benefit from additional support andlearning better communication skills.

 

Parents and their school-aged children are invited to attend the "Normandale Forum on Friendship." (Parents are also welcome to come alone.) Activities will include a lecture, discussion, videos and printed literature to take home. 

 

This is an opportunity for us to come together, exchange ideas and become energized to try some new strategies and make some new friends. Want to attend? Please RSVP to Sandi Stein at 952-848-4108 or [email protected].

 

  


  

comm youthCommunity Opportunities for Youth

Looking for additional youth/family events and activities happening in and around Edina? Want to advertise your group's activities? Then check out the Community Opportunities for Youth Facebook page.

  

  

  

didyouknowDid You Know?
 
Keep your New Year's resolutions on track with Edina Community Education winter fitness classes
Find a fitness routine that works for you!

FEATURED CLASSES:

Mornings
After Work
Eligible Edina Public Schools staff  receive a 20% discount on all community education enrichment classes. Call 952-848-3959 to obtain the discount. 

Be(e) a part of the Buzz

Help us make the Weekly Buzz REMARKABLE. Contact the communications team at        952-848-3919 or email us at  [email protected] with news, story ideas or photos!

Missed a past issue of the Weekly Buzz? Check out archived issues online in the Staff Resources section of the district website. 



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