Jan. 30, 2014 | Vol. 2, Issue 22

In this Issue:

newsEPS News

 

Edina Saturday School goes above and beyond to help students achieve

Volunteers needed, donations welcome to continue program's success

In November, the National Assessment of Educational Progress conducted a study called the "Nation's Report Card," which highlighted changes in the nationwide achievement gap. Though Minnesota schools continue to outperform U.S. averages in math and reading, the results show that the achievement gap is still a growing concern for educators. According to NAEP, the gulf between proficient and struggling students widens deeply between 4th and 8th grade.  

 

 READ MORE

  

  

UPDATED: Creek Valley class video accepts certificate of achievement from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights

Fourth graders win top elementary school honors for their reflections of "I Have a Dream" speech

Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Kevin Lindsey presented a certificate of achievement to Jamie Hawkinson's class today, recognizing the class for earning first place in the "I Have a Dream" youth video contest. Commissioner Lindsey also hosted a discussion about respect, diversity, equity, and what it means to be part of 
the global community. 

  

 
 

Valley View students learn the value of civic participation

Government representatives inspire students to become part of the solution for change

Less than one-third of all U.S. states hold precinct caucuses, but Minnesota is one of the few who practice this kind of grassroots assembly, which take place in even-numbered years. Local 2014 caucuses are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4.

 

What is a caucus? Valley View 9th-grade AP Government students learned the answer to the question on Jan. 29, during a visit from Minnesota Senate District 49 local political activists, Lew Coffey and Mary Pate.

 

READ MORE

calendarRevised School Calendar

 

School Board approves make up days for recent cancellationscalendar

District will use planned staff days to recapture lost student learning time

EPS students will now be in session on the following days:

  • Wednesday, Feb. 5, which was previously planned as a late start day; 
  • Tuesday, Feb. 18, previously scheduled as a professional day for staff, and
  • Friday, March 7, previously scheduled for conferences and as a professional day.

READ MORE

Which A/B Day is it anyway?
Students and families in South View and Valley View Middle Schools should note that both make up days have been designated as B Days based on the number of B Days that were missed during school cancellations. Please note the following:
  • Tuesday, Feb. 18 - B Day
  • Friday, March 7 - B Day  
For more information on the A/B Day schedule, visit the South View and Valley View A/B Day calendars. 
 
edfundEd Fund Update

 

Edina Education Fund gears up for Show & Tell Lunch

Discover how lives are being changed through generously supported Ed Fund programs and opportunities

 

The Edina Education Fund's annual Show & Tell Luncheon is one of the organization's primary fundraising events. In addition to showcasing the effects of its work to the wider community, the Ed Fund lunch serves to engage current and new donors.

 

During the lunch, teachers and students will present various kinds of displays, including demonstrations, on stage presentations, and even a student-made video. Following the presentations, the Ed Fund awards teachers and staff with innovation grants, which help fund projects that benefit students' learning experiences and teachers' passions. Several of these innovation grants have aligned with larger, district-wide initiatives: i.e., Polar Active Strapless Activity Monitors, implementation of GPS devices for learning about latitude and longitude, the Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) Project, Ideas Fest, Personal Finance Literacy, the Edina Saturday School Program, and Project Lead the Way.  

 

Along with highlighting previously funded projects, the Ed Fund will also share its visions for the future. Highlands Continuous Progress Teacher Mark Wallace will present his research and development work on workflow strategies and the vision of the new Workflow Institute endeavor. And five Edina High School students will talk about what they learned from the Personal Finance Literacy initiative, specifically how the new course has helped lay the groundwork for financial independence.

 

Demonstrations will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the lunch and program from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 3 at St Patrick's Church. The event is free and all are invited to attend.  Please register online at by Jan. 31. 

 

We hope you consider attending Monday's event and continuing the great partnership of the Edina Education Fund and Edina Public Schools.  

   
staffnewsNews for EPS Staff

 

Staff Milestones 

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

  • Our condolences to Sue Schmidt, POHI (Teacher of the Physically or Otherwise Health-Impaired), on the recent passing of her mother, Joyce Schmidt.

 

Reminder to update contact information in MyView

In light of the recent cancellation and district communications to staff and families, we want to remind everyone to make sure their contact information (phone and email) is current. Staff should visit MyView to update their profile. This ensures that everyone will receive important district alerts.

 

Winter Cold Snap Special:
Free Friday Zumba Happy Hour

Always wanted to try Zumba? Want to start your weekend off right? This free, one-hour Zumba class is a great place to try out this dance fitness craze. Zumba uses music and moves from a variety of dance styles, including cumbia, salsa, merengue, mambo, flamenco, chacha and reggaeton for a huge calorie burn, total body toning, stress release and fun for all fitness levels!

 

Free Happy Hour Zumba meets every Friday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. from Jan. 31 through April 4 (no class March 14 and March 28). Click here to sign-up. 

 



snapshotClassroom Snapshot of the Week

 

Let the countdown to kindergarten begin! 
 
Hundreds of excited and curious incoming kindergarten students filled the hallways of all six Edina elementary schools this afternoon during Kindergarten Registration Day. Students were introduced to kindergarten teachers and explored the different elements of a kindergarten room, including books, toys, coloring activities, and more. Some students even had older siblings accompany them, who were able to provide them with a personal tour of the school.

 

boardSchool Board News
 
Jan. 27 School Board Meeting
The Board met in a work session to discuss school facility updates, long range financial planning and leadership behind the district's strategic initiatives, including the Birth-Grade 5 Study and the Grade 6-12 Secondary Study. 
 
During the regular meeting, the Board recognized staff involved in securing a grant with the University of Minnesota's Confucious Institute and TIES 2013 Exceptional Teacher Awards winners, Zach Prowell and Chris Hoffman.
 
The Board also approved financing for Kindergarten additions at Cornelia and Concord Elementary and set budget parameters for 2014-15.
 
  • The next regular meeting of the School Board is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.
Previous School Board Meetings

superintendentEPS In the News
Superintendent discusses future 
alternative options to school closings
On Jan. 27, Superintendent Ric Dressen made a special appearance
on WCCO 830 radio's John Williams Show to talk about moving forward in the wake of recent closings. Dressen is optimistic about future changes to current protocol. Catch the highlights and listen here.
 




Five tips to get kids to focus on homework

The Washington Post consults Edina Public Schools Continuous Progress Teacher Mark Wallace for expert advice on homework completion strategies, objectives and outcomes. 

 
 
eventsUpcoming Events

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


sleepyEHS Thespians Performance of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Edina Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

In the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow, stories of wonder and strangeness surround the legend of a mighty headless Hessian. When the humble schoolteacher Ichabod Crane vies for the hand of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, the townsfolk might protest but it is ultimately the Horseman who will decide his fate. See the EHS Thespians winter play performance of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and be gripped by this enchanting story.

 

 

  

kinder

Edina Education Fund Show & Tell Lunch

Feb. 3 at St. Patrick's Church in Edina from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Enjoy a free lunch and learn how creative learning is advancing Edina students. Guests will experience firsthand the profound impact the Edina Education Fund has on students throughout Edina Public Schools. Learn how the most recent grant recipients have benefited from donations by watching live presentations, demonstrations and more. RSVP online at edinaedfund.com.

  

  

parenting

PCN presents National Speaker JoAnn Deak "Parenting From the Neck Up: Navigating the Magic Decades" 

PCN Logo

$15 admission or $20 at the door on Feb. 3 at the Edina Performing Arts Center from 7-9 p.m.

For 30 years, Dr. JoAnn Deak has worked as an educator,

psychologist and author. PCN brings her to Edina to help parents understand the different stages of a child's brain development. Dr. Deak's clear, concise breakdown of brain development during childhood and adolescence will enable parents to build their child's confidence, character, and self esteem.

  

  

bullying
Edina Reads Program on Bullying Prevention

Feb. 8 at the Edina Library at 10:30 a.m. 

The Edina Human Rights & Relations Commission and the Friends of the Edina Library invite families with children kindergarten-age and older to an Edina Reads program focusing on bullying prevention. Nationally-known children's author and Edina native Nancy Carlson will read from her book, Henry and the Bully, and facilitate a discussion on the subject. The first 75 families will receive a free, autographed copy of Carlson's book. For more information, contact City Management Fellow Annie Coyle.

 

 

 

terranceEdina High School Personal 

Financial Literacy Day Speaker

Feb. 10 at Fick Auditorium from 1-2 p.m.

Edina High School will dedicate an assembly to Personal Financial Literacy Day, featuring guest speaker Terrance Odean, a UC Berkeley professor. Odean is also a native of Minnesota, works closely with Carlton College and is a leading researcher in the field of Behavioral Economics. 

 

 

 

  


  

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?

Hot Off the Press: Experience EPS Winter Newsletter

 

In the second issue of the Edina Public Schools newsletter, Experience EPS (formerly "Learning"), you will learn more about how service-learning connects the curriculum to the real world and engages students in local and global issues and needs. Contents also include stories about: 

  • Early Education Partnership
  • EHS Collaborative Wednesdays
  • When the Bell Rings: A look at student involvement in after school activities
  • Financial Planning
  • Homework Help
  • And more!

Download the interactive Winter 2014 Issue

 

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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