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May 30, 2014 | Vol. 2, Issue 38
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| In this Issue: |  | |
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 |  EPS News | |
Heimlich hero saves Concord classmate from choking
Third grader Zach Furman responds to emergency with courage
 Concord elementary 3rd grader Zach Furman didn't think he would ever use the Heimlich techniques his father taught him last year when they moved to Minnesota. But on a sunny afternoon on May 22, Zach's courage and newly learned skills were tested when a classmate began choking during the school's annual picnic. As Zach's teacher, Colin Friden, helped the class get settled, some of the students excitedly started eating their hot dogs and fries-a rare treat in the school lunchroom. READ MORE
Enduring through the Last Mile
 EPS ensures college readiness support extends beyond the graduation ceremony
When Jeff Lu moved to Edina from China four years ago,
he barely knew English let alone what the roadmap to
college readiness should look like. Lu's only brother had
never attended college and opted out of moving to America, so that left him with his uncle and mother to turn to in Minnesota. The future seemed hazy, but things changed
once Lu entered Edina Public Schools. READ MORE
 All things new: Gardens growing throughout EPS Five schools establish community produce gardens
In addition to providing lots of hands-on learning opportunities for students, Edina Public Schools gardens instill the community with
an appreciation for the environment, nutrition and service. Within the last four years, five schools have established on-site gardens, with Cornelia and Countryside Elementary breaking ground this month. Here's everything you need to know about EPS' growing gardens
and how you can get involved. READ MORE
Great stories happen everyday!
Like Edina Public Schools on Facebook and follow us Twitter for daily stories about EPS students, staff and programs.
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| Teacher Tuesday Spotlight | |
Emily Hockert & Rosie Rink
3rd grade teachers at Creek Valley Elementary
Last summer, Creek Valley Elementary principal Kari Dahlquist educated her staff about Sean Covey's The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, a book that aligns with the school's Leader in Me initiatives, which aim to develop students' leadership skills. Third grade teacher teammates Emily Hockert and Rosie Rink were instantly hooked. The book had several examples of schools that saw positive change in their students after adopting its principles, and Hockert and Rink were inspired to learn more. They even visited one of the schools to see the book's strategies in action.
Today, the two are working hard to empower each Creek Valley student to become a strong and confident learner by educating more teachers about the power of The 7 Habits of Happy Kids. READ MORE
Know a teacher or group of teachers who are deserving of recognition? Send your nominations to communications@edinaschools.org to be considered for the weekly "Teacher Tuesday" spotlight, a new website section housed under the District News, Meet Our Teachers link.
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| Community News | |
Congratulations to the 2014 Edina Public Schools retirees!
 The district was proud to recognize 28 valued staff members at the 2014 Retirement Recognition luncheon on May 28. Together, they have contributed a combined 548 years of service to the success of our schools. We thank them for all they have done! Click here to view the online photo gallery of yesterday's event.
 Scholarship Breakfast Recap
At the May 23 Edina High School's Local Scholarship Breakfast, the scholarship committee awarded 101 students with scholarships worth nearly $300,000. The scholarships
are made possible by the generosity of the community,
and funded by businesses, civic organizations, sports associations, school district groups, foundations and families. Some are awarded in honor of specific teachers and students, while others are designed to recognize students with specific accomplishments - but all are given in the Edina spirit of supporting our students and helping them achieve their goals. More than 300 students, parents and scholarship donors attended the annual breakfast this year. Thanks to everyone who participated!
You're invited: AP Environmental Science Organics Research Presentations  Edina High School students from Eric Burfeind's AP Environmental Science class have been researching ways to make the school even more green. Join them as they present their findings in class on June 2 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. A discussion about increasing composting levels at the high school will follow the student presentation.
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| Classroom Snapshot of the Week
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South View Middle School students wear hats for troops
On May 22, the Classroom Connections student leadership team at South View Middle School organized a "Hats for Troops" fundraiser to benefit Minnesota veterans. In addition to giving donations, students wore hats to honor those who have served. Together, they raised $395 for the GI Go Fund, which helps veterans find a job, go to college, get healthcare and find housing.
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| School Board News |
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Key School Board Actions - May 19 Meeting
Reminder: The following are key policy changes to note from the May 19 School Board meeting.
 - Food Service Management Contract - The Board approved a contract with Chartwells to provide food service management for the district effective with the 2014-15 school year. Director of Business Services Margo Bauck and Board member Sarah Patzloff noted that the innovations proposed by Chartwells align well with the strategic directions of the district. Bauck added that the district greatly appreciates the service Sodexo has provided to the district and is hopeful that most staff members will be retained by Chartwells for next year.
- Meal Price Increase - The Board approved increases in breakfast and lunch prices for the 2014-15. Bauck said that the increases were necessary to offset rising food costs and new federal requirements.
- Breakfast - Breakfast meal prices will increase five cents for elementary (to $1.45), fifteen cents for secondary (to $1.55)
- Lunch - Lunch meal prices will increase fifteen cents for elementary (to $2.55) and ten cents for secondary ($2.70)
- Milk - milk prices will also increase by five cents next year.
- 2014-15 Calendar Modification - The Board revised the 2014-15 calendar that was approved at the Jan. 28, 2013 meeting. The calendar will now have four late starts instead of two late starts and two early release dates. Administration recommended the change to provide more consistency for students and families, and to align professional learning opportunities for staff.
School Board Special Meeting Preview During a special meeting at 5 p.m. on June 2, the Board will discuss strategic recommendations, presented by administration, for the Next Generation of Edina Public Schools, including Secondary and Birth to Grade 5 programs. Click here for the meeting agenda. Previous School Board Meetings
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| EPS In The News | | |
Edina 7th-grader knocked out of Scripps Spelling Bee
As published by MPR News, Tim Post 
A 13-year-old Edina student who made it to the semi-finals of
the Scripps National Spelling Bee has been knocked out of the competition.
Mark Kivimaki, a 7th grader at Valley View Middle School,
was among 46 students who made it into the sixth round of
the spelling bee on Thursday.
He was tripped up by the word "ananke," which means "the personification of fate."
"I know if I had gotten a different word, I would have been able
to make it farther, so it's just a little bit disappointing," he said.
"But I know I made it this far and it's my first year."
Kivimaki said he spent an hour a day studying leading up to the competition.
He plans to take some time off and then start studying for next year's contest over the summer.
Four other Minnesota students made it to the national spelling bee but were eliminated in earlier rounds.
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| Upcoming Events | | |
Detailed calendars of events for each school can be found online. Important upcoming dates include:
Current Jam
May 30-31, Edina Performing Arts Center
Only two days left to see the 2014 Edina High School Current Jam concert! Watch students perform a combination of solo and ensemble pop arrangements live tonight at 7 p.m., or tomorrow at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online.
 Edina Education Fund Golf & Tennis Classic June 1 at 6:30 p.m. and June 2 at noon, Edina Country Club Join the Edina Education Fund (EEF) at their capstone fundraiser of the year and support innovation in Edina Public Schools. The event starts June 1, with a kick-off dinner, games and a live, silent auction. On Monday, activities resume with a lunch at noon, followed by many exciting rounds of golf and tennis. Click here to RSVP online, or call the EEF at 952.848.4222. Edina Senior Party Open House June 9 from 3-7 p.m. at Edina High School This free event is planned, funded and organized by the parents of Edina High School seniors to celebrate the graduating class' achievements. The Senior Party is open to the public, so you can join the fun! Parents will transform two floors of the high school into a carnival and entertainment center for all to partake in. |
| Did You Know? | | |
Get a jumpstart on language education with elementary Spanish classes
2014-15 classes are now open for registration | Register by Aug. 1 for discount
2014-15 SCHOOL YEAR SPANISH
Edina Community Education before and after school Spanish classes offer a unique method of instruction using the building block method of learning, based on level system. The curriculum incorporates traditional Spanish components, such as vocabulary and grammar, in a fun manner using songs, games and cultural activities. Every year students graduate from two levels of Spanish, and the year-long commitment provides the best results in building language acquisition. Class times are as follows:
 - Concord: Thursdays, 3:10 - 4:10 p.m.
- Cornelia: Thursdays, 8:10 - 9:10 a.m.
- Countryside: Mondays, 3:55 - 4:55 p.m.
- Creek Valley: Mondays, 3:55 - 4:55 p.m.
- Highlands: Tuesdays, 3:55 - 4:55 p.m.
- Normandale: Tuesdays, 3:10 - 4:10 p.m.
Classes run for 20 weeks beginning the first week of October. Click here for details and to register online. Register by Aug. 1 and save $20. SUMMER LESSONS New and returning students are also encouraged to continue their Spanish and explore vocabulary through a summer immersion-style setting. Activities will include; practice ordering food in a restaurant, setting the table, preparing and sampling authentic Spanish foods. Note: Students who attended level two or four classes during the school year will be challenged with all new vocabulary. Registration Options: Visit the website for more info or call 952.848.3952. Financial assistance is available. |
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Help EDINA be In The Know
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Help us make EDINA In The Know REMARKABLE. Contact the communications team at 952.848.3919 or email us at communications@edinaschools.org with news, story ideas or photos!
Missed a past issue of EDINA In The Know? Check out archived issues online in the News & Events section of the district website.
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