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June 19, 2014 | Vol. 2, Issue 41
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| In this Issue: | |
Summer Publications Schedule The Weekly Buzz will continue on a normal schedule during June, but switch to a reduced schedule during July and August. It will resume its weekly schedule once school begins. So be sure to check your email inbox for the latest EPS news on: July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 21. We hope you all are having a great summer!
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| EPS News | |
Curious about coding EHS graduates partner with Edina Community Education to offer HTML coding summer course After a parent called the district in November 2013 looking for a way for her son to learn the basics of computer coding, Edina Community Education searched for an instructor to create a class to meet the request. Without much luck, they reached out to Edina High School AP Computer Science teacher Nancy Johnson to test student interest. That's when three seniors, Ben Selchke, Bjorn Johnson and John Norris, answered the call to help. READ MORE All the buzz Rising EHS 10th graders take honeybee service-learning project to City Hall On May 20, South View Middle School (SVMS) ninth graders Eleanor Carlson and Sarah Higgins took a service-learning project they created for school to an Edina City Council meeting to advocate on behalf of the world's honeybee population. The goal of the appearance was to receive approval from the mayor to plant bee-friendly gardens around Edina and remove the injunction against organize beekeeping in the city limits. READ MORE New Director of Student Support Services looks to help all students experience joy in learning Jeff Jorgensen excited to join leadership team and advance district vision
Edina Public Schools (EPS) proudly announces the hiring of
Jeff Jorgensen as the district's new Director of Student Support Services. Jorgensen replaces Penny Kodrich, who is retiring. Jorgensen will begin his tenure with EPS on July 1.
"I am excited to work with a high performing district like Edina and
I look forward to leveraging my skills to help the district accomplish its goals," Jorgensen said. "Looking at my history, I believe I bring an adaptability in working with diverse communities and populations and a breadth of knowledge that can help Edina identify appropriate interventions for all learners. I am eager to get to work and help enhance the already productive efforts of Edina Public Schools." 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 | |
Jason Szporn
Peer Coach, Edina Public Schools
The 2014-15 school year marks the beginning
of a new adventure for former Edina High School AP Economics teacher Jason Szporn, who was recently named a Peer Coach for Edina Public Schools (EPS). As a Peer Coach, he will sit in
on classes throughout the district to evaluate curriculum and provide feedback to teachers on their strengths and areas to improve on. Though he's worked for EPS for the past 10 years, Szporn says he has yet to be inside at least half of the school district's buildings-something he is looking forward to changing. READ MORE
Because learning never stops, we will continue our Teacher Tuesday spotlight throughout the summer months! Do you 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, housed on the website under the District News, Meet Our Teachers link.
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| 2014-15 Calendar Information | |
Back to School Mailing After surveying EPS families in April on how they use the print and online calendars, and assessing the cost of producing the print publication, we have decided to discontinue the full calendar publication to concentrate our efforts on helping families fully utilize the online calendar features. We will still send out a back to school mailing to all families in early August, which will include an abbreviated calendar with key district dates, as well as district-wide information, updates and forms. This will help further streamline communications and help reduce costs. Mark your calendar! Back to School Dates Please check with your school for detailed back to school information and scheduled events: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014 Elementary teacher assignments posted to SchoolView Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014 Get Connected Day: Edina High School, Valley View and South View Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014 Open House: Edina High School, Cornelia Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014 Open House: Edina Family Center, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Concord, Countryside, Creek Valley, Highlands and Normandale Monday, Aug. 25, 2014 First Day of School: Grades 1-12 Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014 First Day of School: Kindergarten, Edina Family Center and ECSE
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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].
FREE GIS Workshops for K-12 Teachers - June 16 through August 1
To help teachers develop skills to utilize in their classrooms, the Department of Education (MDE) is partnering with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) professionals at the local, county and state level. These professionals will teach a three-hour workshop-Introduction to ArcGIS Online-to be offered at various locations and dates in June and July 2014. Workshops provide teachers with the basics of spatial thinking, what is GIS and how ArcGIS Online can be used. In addition to hands-on exercises, Continuing Education Credits will be provided. For information, visit the MDE GIS in K-12 Web page. Invitation to Explore eBooks MN - Webinar June 19 State Library Services, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), is offering Explore eBooks MN, a series of programs that connect public, academic, school and special librarians and educators in a statewide effort to create a foundation for integrating eBooks in Minnesota's libraries. The next webinar is eBooks in Libraries: Consortial Models, presented by Jo Budler, Kansas State librarian, on Thursday, June 19, 2014, 1-2 p.m. Attendees will get an overview of the most common business models used by a consortium. Attendees will also develop a deep understanding of the eBook market and innovative approaches to address the challenges that impact academic, public and K-12 libraries in a consortium. In 2013, Budler was named Librarian of the Year for her work with the eBook consortium in Kansas and the stand she took regarding that consortium's ownership of those eBooks. To register and/or find more information, visit the eBook MN website, or contact Jennifer Verbrugge.
Be part of the 2014 VEAP Back to School Program
VEAP is collecting donations for the 2014 Back to School Program to serve up to 3,500 students in K-12 by providing them with a new backpack and grade appropriate school supplies. Please donate to help our neighbors in need. Every child deserves the tools for success in school! From July 16-Aug. 12, the Edina Resource Center will be collecting donations at inside door #3 at the Edina Community Education Services Office. For a list of needed items, visit VEAP's Back to School Program website. Click here for info about the Edina Resource Center or call Lana Davis at 952.848.3921.
Important Reminders
Let the the Edina Volunteer Program serve you
Those interested in using the Edina Volunteer Program
as a resource for the 2014-15 school year can click here for
a request form and additional information. Whether you need
a short-term or long-term volunteer, or have an academic or non-academic need, the program wants to hear from you to ensure they recruit the volunteer base necessary to meet your needs. Questions? Call or email Carrie Cabe - 952.848.3938.
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| Classroom Snapshot of the Week
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Students master art of crepe-making at French Cuisine Workshop
The kitchens of the Edina Community Center are bustling with young chefs in training this week for the first summer session of the French Cuisine Workshop: Bon App�tit. Native French speaker and Normandale third grade teacher Sophie Toner leads the entire class in French while showing how to cook French favorites like cr�pes, profiteroles, quiche lorraine and croque-monsieur.
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| School Board News |
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School Board Regular Meeting Recap - June 16
The Board held its monthly regular meeting on Monday, June 16 at 7 p.m. in ECC, Room 349. The Board honored Edina Public Schools' Deaf and Hard of Hearing educators and the Edina High School boys' golf team for their recent achievements.
Key agenda items included:
- Birth to Grade 5 Program Study Recommendations - Members of the Birth to Grade 5 design team presented their findings from the first year of study, to include a recommended framework of four core strategies and key outcomes. The framework includes tentative action items for the district to continue studying and developing specific implementation strategies next year. The Board discussed the recommendations and revisions made since the previous presentation to the Board on June 2. The Board will take action on the framework at their meeting on July 21.
- Alternative Facilities Plan - As discussed previously in two work sessions, the Board approved updates to the district's two- and 10-year alternative facilities plans addressing critical maintenance needs.
- Secondary Learning Experience - The Board approved the future direction of the district's secondary learning experience/grade configuration to be two grades 6-8 middle schools and one grades 9-12 high school. Administration noted that details and timelines will need to be further studied, but believes this configuration to be the best program for future EPS learners and is in alignment with the directions and recommendations articulated in the Next Generation of Edina Public Schools Strategic Plan.
- Location of Grade 9 at West Campus - The Board also approved a resolution noting that the future location of all grade nine programming will be on the west campus. Again, details and timelines are to be further assessed.
- Position Statements - The Board received district position statements in the areas of Personalized Learning and Racial/Cultural Equity. The purpose of these position statements is to define and clarify these key concepts, which are part of the district's strategic initiatives and educational programming and services. The statements are based on the district's current practices, educational research, and input from staff and district advisory groups. The position statements will become appendices to District Policy 105. Administration is continuing to develop two additional position statements on collaborative culture and socio-economic equity.
- Educational Competencies Narratives - With the advancement of the district's Educational Competencies for Next Generation Learners, administration developed narratives outlining key outcomes for the competencies as developmentally appropriate levels.
- Recognition of Staff - The Board received recognitions of staff by members of the community.
Previous School Board Meetings
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| Upcoming Events | |
Detailed event calendars for each school can be found online. Important upcoming dates include:
Edina Thespians' present "Fiddler on the Roof" June 19-20 at 7 p.m., Edina Performing Arts Center The cast of the Edina High School fall musical, "Fiddler on The Roof," has been selected to perform at the International Thespian Festival (June 23-28 at the University of Nebraska). More than 2,800 students will be in attendance, and only 10 schools were selected to perform. You have two chances to attend a send-off performance before the cast leaves town. Purchase your tickets online for either June 19 or 20 at 7 p.m. at the EPAC. Wise Guys Carnival & VEAP Food Drive July 1 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Kuhlman Field Save the date for the sixth annual summer Wise Guys Carnival & VEAP Food Drive. Every non-perishable food item that you donate is worth one ticket for games, food, a dunk tank and fun for everyone! Admission is free, so invite your friends and neighbors and come make a difference in the community while enjoying the outdoors together. |
| EPS In The News | | Edina alumnus helps rescue an injured woman from the Mississippi River Two college rowers and a pair of coaches pulled a woman Wednesday morning from a tangle of trees along the Mississippi River shoreline in Minneapolis and handed her over to emergency medical personnel. READ MORE about alum Emily Johansen's role in the rescue.
Kindergarten Readiness
Educator advice on preparing
your child for all-day kindergarten
Edina Public Schools kindergartners will have access to full days of instruction this fall. An adjustment period is normal
for many youngsters experiencing full-day school for the
first time. Experienced Edina educators offer advice about summer activities to best prepare your child for a successful transition. READ MORE from Edina Magazine.
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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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