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Feb. 13, 2014 | Vol. 2, Issue 24
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|  EPS News | |
 Countryside Against Hunger continues to ignite students with a passion for service Annual service-learning campaign packs 65,992 meals for impoverished children If a hug can be felt from 2,000 or 8,000 miles away, then Countryside Elementary students, staff and 150 volunteers
touched the hearts of more than 65,992 people on Feb. 7.
For one entire day, the school packed meals for starving
people
in Haiti and the Horn of Africa during its seventh annual ImpactLives Countryside Against Huger Campaign
(CAH), a service-learning curriculum aimed to end world
All 17 of Edina High School National Merit Scholarship  candidates advance to finalist standing
In September 2013, 17 Edina High School (EHS) seniors qualified as semifinalists for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. On Jan. 30, 2014, EPS learned that every single one of those semifinalists advanced to the final round of competition for the scholarship. READ MORE
 Edina Community Education introduces "voluntourism," a new form of volunteeringPartnership with Edina-based Erik's Minnesota Adventures provides meaningful connections for adults with autism
Meet Erik, Maddy, Mariah, Ricky and TJ: passionate young adults who use their expertise to guide small group limousine tours that provide an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look into local history and attractions. READ MORE
Edina Education Foundation hosts
Personal Financial Literacy Day
Public forum on behavioral economics encourages making financial management a focused priority
Last year, with the help of an innovation grant from the Edina Education Fund, Edina High School (EHS) began offering a "Jumpstart to Personal Finance" course, a semester-long course open to all students. READ MORE
Edina students buzz their way to Scripps Spelling Bee victory 
Grade 5-8 competitors move from classroom and school-wide bees to regional competition
What do the words focaccia, genoise, smorgasbord and mackerel have in common? These edible words were a few of the 375 challenging entries for the 2014 Scripps National School-Wide Spelling Bee, which every Edina elementary and middle school participated in earlier this year. READ MORE
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 | Revised School Calendar | |
Reminder of make up days for recent cancellations
District will use planned staff days to recapture lost student learning time
EPS students are in session on the following days:
- 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
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| Nominations for "Teacher Tuesday" | |
 New website feature created to showcase the diverse, innovative and inspiring educators of Edina Public Schools
Know a teacher or group of teachers who are deserving of recognition? Send your nominations to [email protected] to be considered for the weekly "Teacher Tuesday" spotlight, a new website section housed under the District News, Meet Our Teachers link.
Teacher Tuesdays will be featured on all district media outlets. Click here to learn about this week's honoree, Edina High School Language Arts Teacher Sally Larkins, who
has been accepted to the prestigious Bread Loaf School of English.
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| News 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 the family, friends and colleagues of Cheryl Erickson, South View Middle School Teacher, who passed away Wednesday.
- Our condolences to Greg Banko, South View Middle School Academic Support Specialist, on the recent passing of his brother-in-law.
- Our condolences to Stacy Sullwold, 3rd Grade Teacher at Concord, and Melanie Sullwold, Human Resources Compensation Specialist at the District Office, on the recent passing of their father-in-law, Wayne H. Sullwold.
- Our condolences to Chris Tower, 5th Grade Teacher at Concord, on the recent passing of his father-in-law Dr. Donald Henry DeKrey.
Reminder to take advantage of TIES February Workshops
Click here to browse a list of available classes, then schedule and complete a registration form online. From learning how to use YouTube effectively in the classroom, to a class on flipped learning and personalized coaching, there is something for everyone. Classes are free for all Edina Public Schools employees.
Register for Connecting With Kids Leadership Breakfast on Feb. 28
Connecting With Kids is a program of the Edina Community Foundation that supports the mission of connecting all children with the community resources they need to become responsible, healthy and caring adults.
 This year's Community Leadership Award recipients were chosen because of their direct and positive impact on Edina, specifically by fostering greater ties between youth and adults while building developmental assets in children.
- Dr. Beverly Claflin, Director of Music at Mount Olivet
- Edina Fire Department
- Nancy Schaber, Fairview Southdale Volunteer Specialist
- John Flynn, Camp Enterprise Leader
- Kathleen Foye MacLennan, STRIVE volunteer & ACCESS founder
- Creek Valley PTA Wellness Team
Register online to attend the leadership breakfast on Feb. 28 at Braemar Clubhouse from 7:30-9 a.m. The event keynote speaker will be KFAN radio personality, Ben Leber.
Clarification on Edina Public Schools' school lunch policy
Recent media stories have included accounts of schools denying lunch to students whose meal accounts carry a negative balance. We want to stress that our procedures in Edina Public Schools do not allow for the denial of food to any student, regardless of ability to pay. In addition, we believe Edina was mischaracterized in the report as denying hot lunch to students who qualify for reduced-priced lunch and have a negative account balance. 
We are currently reviewing our practices and procedures. While we do have an option for a cold/bag lunch for students with negative balances, we have not denied hot lunches to a student for inability to pay. Instead, we partner with families, often connecting with them when their accounts get low, to work out a solution. We are also exploring options with local charitable organizations to build an emergency fund that can be credited to student meal accounts in the event they go in the red. Finally, the District continues to review current practices and procedures as part of our ongoing management review.
Edina Public Schools believes, as Governor Dayton referenced in a recent interview, that having a healthy lunch is integral to a student being successful in school. It is important that we continue to look at the whole student, to include not only academic achievement, but also healthy lifestyle choices and a commitment to wellness.
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| Classroom Snapshot of the Week
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Students show compassion for Edina community with handmade valentines
Earlier this week, students from Creek Valley, Concord, Highlands, Countryside Elementary and South View Middle School created valentines for local recipients of Meals on Wheels. Hundreds of colorful cards were turned in, and each will be distributed with a hot meal to seniors and others in need. Some teachers, like 3rd grade Teacher Colin Frider, also facilitated classroom discussions about empathy and kindness to go along with the craft making.
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| School Board News | | |
Feb. 10 School Board Meeting
The Board met for a work session on Feb. 10 to continue discussions on budget and staffing plans for 2014-15, as well as long-range planning. The next regular School Board meeting is scheduled for Feb. 24. As part of its ongoing study to maintain and update facilities to better align with programs and instructional needs as they relate to the district's strategic plan, the Board also discussed its plan to contract with an architectural/engineering firm that can help the district plan for future facility needs. READ MORE
Previous School Board Meetings
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 | Upcoming Events |
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Detailed calendars of events for each school can be found online. Important upcoming dates include:
Edina Concert Band's OlymPOPS Concert
Feb. 21-22, Feb. Feb. 27-28 and March 1
in Fick Auditorium at 7 p.m.
The Edina Concert Band will play their instruments with a salute to the Olympics, celebrating the spirit, work ethic and jubilee that characterize the historic event. Titled OlymPOPS, the show will feature an opening ceremony parade of instruments by section, videos of band members undertaking Olympic endeavors, skits and a variety of Olympic-themed musical arrangements. An abbreviated, MiniPOPS,version of the play will be on March 1 at 1 p.m. in Fick Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased online, or at the door.
Women and Islam
Thursday, March 6 in Edina Community Center Room 165 from 7-9:00 p.m.
 This community education class gives an overview of the role of women in society according to Islamic teachings. Islamic Resource Group will talk about common misconceptions regarding Muslim women, and explain gender equity in the spiritual, social, and economic aspect of life. Muslim women and culture/diversity will also be discussed. The presentation concludes with examples of Muslim women and their role in history and today.The cost to attend is $10. Click here to register online.
Edina Public Schools staff receive 20% off all Edina Community Education classes. Please call 952-848-3952 to register.
 PCN presents "Learning From Mistakes: Moving Outside Your Comfort Zone" March 10 at Creek Valley Gymnasium from 7-9 p.m. This free forum will prove engaging for parents, grandparents, teachers and children ages 9 and older accompanied by an adult. Paul Bernabei, Director of Top 20 Training, will provide training seminars and materials to empower youth and adults to develop their potential and the potential of others.  Russian Dinner Party Favorites Tuesday, March 11 in Edina Community Center Room 165 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. In Lesson 3 of Blini, Borscht, and Beyond: A Series on Russian Cuisine, learn to make exquisite versions of Russia's most beloved entrees and small bites. Prepare satisfying Cabbage Rolls, rich and luscious Beef Stroganoff, and fluffy Russian blini topped with classic garnishes. Master these and other recipes to wow your guests - don't be surprised if questions about your Russian heritage arise around the dinner table! The cost to attend is $59. Click here to register online. Instructor Gary Krasner has held the Executive Chef position for the past fourteen years at Moscow on the Hill Edina Public Schools staff receive 20% off all Edina Community Education classes. Please call 952-848-3952 to register.
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| Did You Know? | | |
Multicultural Dates to Note
As part of our efforts to increase the awareness of the changing demographics of our Edina Public Schools community and help EPS staff understand the various backgrounds of our students, once a month The Weekly Buzz will include a listing of some upcoming multicultural and religious holidays and events. For background on many of the events noted, click here. 
- Feb. 13: Saint Valentine's Day, Christian
- Feb. 15: Nirvana Day, Buddhist - Jain
- Feb. 16: Triodion begins, Christian
- Feb. 26-March 1: Intercalary Days, Baha'i
- Feb. 28: Maha Shivaratri, Hindu
- March 1: Saint David of Wales, Christian
- March 2: Transfiguration Sunday, Christian | Meatfare Sunday, Orthodox Christian
- March 2-20: Nineteen Day Fast, Baha'i
- March 3: Clean Monday (Lent begins), Orthodox Christian
- March 4: Shrove Tuesday, Christian
- March 5: Ash Wednesday (Lent begins), Christian
- March 9: Orthodox Sunday
- March 13: H. Ron Hubbard birthday, Scientology
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Be(e) a part of the Buzz
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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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Community Opportunities for Youth
