|
|
|
|
EPS HEADLINES
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOPE AND HAPPINESS
|
KID PRESIDENT PEP TALK FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS
With the first week of school coming to an end, in
the words of Kid President, "It's time to wake up people!" By staying motivated and inspired, we will be better able to continue living out this year's theme of Bringing Hope and Happiness to Our Future. Click here, or on the photo, for a pep talk from the inspiring Kid President.
|
TEACHER TUESDAY SPOTLIGHT
|
Katie Burk
Vocal music teacher at South View
After student teaching at Valley View Middle School last fall, Katie Burk joins Edina Public Schools this year as a vocal music teacher at South View Middle School. With this being her first teaching job, Burk is excited to learn from staff and the choral music team, where she will be teaching three choirs and two sections of the 6th grade World of Music class. She is also eager to work with students, who inspire her to be the best teacher that she can be on a daily basis.
"I am inspired by their energy, passion and journey of self-discovery, and I am honored to play a part in their growth as musicians and learners!" she says.
Read more about Burk's hopes and plans for the 2014-15 school year and her knack for curriculum development.
Do you know a teacher or group of teachers who deserve recognition? Send your nominations to communications@edinaschools.org to be considered for the weekly blog spotlight.
|
STAFF NEWS
Important EPS employee news
|
To submit an entry for Staff Milestones, please include staff name, job title/type, employment location and major life event/announcement information to communications@edinashools.org.
- Our condolences to Bill Webb, Edina band teacher, on the recent passing of his father, Harry Webb.
NEED YOUR INPUT: August Training Evaluation Survey
All staff are invited and encouraged to complete the (very brief) 2014-15 August Training Evaluation Survey which will be open through Sunday, Sept. 7. Your feedback is essential to our continuous improvements efforts and planning for future professional development opportunties.
REMINDER: USDA sets new "Smart Snacks" nutrition criteria
In an attempt to stifle childhood obesity and improve school nutrition, the U.S. government passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act in December 2010. A recently enacted new aspect of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act includes new nutritional standards for all foods regularly sold in schools, including those sold as fundraisers during the school day.
These new requirements are the result of new the USDA's new "Smart Snacks in School" nutrition standards* (see picture below), which took effective on July 1, 2014. It is NOT the result of the district's transition to our new food service vendor, Chartwells. The Smart Snacks guidelines provide updated nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold to students during the school day on the school campus, outside of the district's school meal program. Click here for a detailed flyer about USDA's "Smart Snacks in School."
*Note: All fundraisers from PTOs and school clubs/groups must be approved by the school's principal. Groups selling food must submit a Fundraiser Request Form 60 days prior to the date of the fundraiser.
SIGN UP TODAY! e.Leadership: an opportunity to grow your leadership skills
 Edina Public Schools will again be offering e.leadership, a four-session leadership skills course for all EPS staff. The course is open to staff members involved in leadership positions within their sites or programs, and provides training and applied learning in a collegial, cohort model. Over 70 teachers, custodians, coordinators, administrators, and support staff have completed the training. The commitment involves four 1½-hour sessions over the fall and early winter months, which are facilitated by Research and Evaluation Director
Chad Schmidt and Superintendent Ric Dressen.
- Meeting time: 4:30-6 p.m.
- Meeting dates:
- Thursday, Sept. 25
- Tuesday, Oct. 21
- Tuesday, Nov. 11
- Tuesday, Dec. 9
- Location: Edina Community Center, room TBD
- Registration: Sign up via KeepCertified
- Program details:
- Click here for a screencast that provides more information (note you must be logged into Edina Apps before clicking on the link).
- For additional information, please contact Chad Schmidt
MyTime Users: having trouble with MyTime?
Here are some solutions to help you with certain situations:
Order your business cards online
EPS Staff can order their own business cards online at any time of the year.
Follow the instructions below to complete your order. (also available in the Staff Resources tab of the district website.) NOTE: You must have your own budget code for business cards, the Communications Dept. does not cover the cost of printing.  - Visit http://www.jessenpress.com and click on "customer login"
in the upper right corner. - Login using the Edina Public Schools account:
- Username: edinapublicschools
- Click on "Document Library" in the left side navigation.
- Select the quantity of business cards you would like to order
and click "continue." - Enter your information as you would like it to appear; any fields left blank will not appear on your card; once you are finished,
click "preview." - The site will generate a preview of your order; click "order"
to place order or "modify" if you need to make changes. - Fill in the requested information and click "submit request"
at the bottom of the screen.
|
Next Generation FATF Update
|
Facilities Advisory Task Force Aug. 26 Meeting Recap
 On Aug. 26, the Facilities Advisory Task Force (FATF) held its inaugural meeting to analyze pertinent information and consider options for facilities to meet the need of EPS' Next Generation learners. After a review of the group's charge and meeting process, the FATF participated in team development activities to get to know one another better and encourage group engagement, during which they discussed what school was like for them and how their experience was different from school today. Members also identified any preconceptions they had about current EPS facilities. The FATF then heard from Superintendent Ric Dressen and Director of Teaching & Learning Randy Smasal on the history of Edina Public Schools and the Next Generation Strategic Plan. Visit edinaschools.org/FATF to learn more about how the group will work together to rethink and envision facilities to meet the needs of Edina Public Schools' Next Generation learners. - All meeting materials and resources are available online.
- The next FATF meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Edina Community Center, Room 350. All meetings are open to the public.
|
EPS IN THE NEWS
|
Learning from the masters (Sun Current)
1998 Edina High School graduate Kyle Hawkins recently completed
a Supreme Court clerkship, saying that his educational background
helped prepare him for the demanding workload and expectations.
Now that he has completed the clerkship, Kyle is trying to discern the next step in his career. Read more about his Supreme Court work experiences here.
|
EVENTS
|
-
 Sept. 1: Labor Day (No School) - Sept. 2
- Creek Valley Fest, 5-7 p.m.
- Sept. 2: Facilities Advisory Task Force Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m.,
Edina Community Center, Room 350 - Edina High School PTO Forum: Your Student and the Law, 7-9 p.m.,
Edina Performing Arts Center
- Sept. 4
- SVMS Back to School Night For Parents, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- VVMS Curriculum night for grades 7-9, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
|
DID YOU KNOW?
|
Multicultural Dates to NoteAs 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, The Weekly Buzz will periodically include a listing of some upcoming multicultural and religious holidays and events. Additionally, we are including other dates of interest for your classroom and program planning. For background on many of the multicultural events noted, click here. 
- Sept. 1: Ecclesiastical year begins, Orthodox Christian
- Sept. 7-13: Arts In Education Week
- Sept. 11: Patriot Day
- Sept. 15-Oct. 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Sept. 23: First Day of Autumn
- Sept. 24-26: Rosh Hashanah, Jewish
- Oct. 4: Yom Kippur, Jewish
- Oct. 4: Dasara, Hindu
- Oct. 4-7: Eid al Adha, Islam
- Oct. 9-15: Sukkot, Jewish
|
Help us keep the 2014-15 school year Hope & Happiness theme alive.
|
5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
952.848.3000
|
|
|
|
|
|
