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SEPT. 26, 2014 
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7

CLASSROOM SNAPSHOT |
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FRIENDSHIP BUILDING STARTS HERE

For 40 years, the Edina Family Center has served as the first connection between families and the school district. It also serves as a place where our youngest learners can meet new friends and develop meaningful relationships. Pictured above: Hafsa Mohamed and Harriet Stotts bond during play time at Early Childhood Family Education preschool.

EPS HEADLINESHeadlines
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools
EHS STUDENT-ATHLETES COMMIT TO STAY SOBER, BE HEALTHY
Student-driven group establishes accountability system among all activities


Sports have long played a role in the development of culture, tradition, values and identity. But it's not the sports themselves that influence society; it's
the athletes who compete that have the power to impact the world. Jackie Robinson overcoming poverty and racism; Bethany Hamilton continuing
to surf after losing her left arm; Alex Rodriguez using steroids to enhance performance; Aaron Hernandez being charged with three murders - the decisions these athletes made influenced and affected others, whether the outcome was good or bad. 

 

Recognizing this significant opportunity for responsibility, accountability and impact, Edina High School (EHS) student-athletes formed a group that works to empower athletes and all students to make good, healthy decisions. In 2013, Activities Director Troy Stein and Principal Bruce Locklear collaborated with four student-athletes to launch Edina Committed. This year, junior Catherine MacLennan, senior Preston Carroll, junior Dan James and senior Annie Engen were selected to co-lead the 2014 initiative. READ MORE

 

 




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EDINA FITNESS CLUB PREPARES STUDENTS TO FOCUS AND EXCEL

Edina Fitness Club classes are geared toward students in grades 3-5 and run from 7:45-8:15 a.m. in the Edina Community Center small gym. The aim is to increase academic awareness and retention during the school day. READ MORE


SOUTH VIEW WRITING CENTER IS ONE-OF-A-KIND IN STATE

At South View, students are thrown a paper-writing lifeline. It's the Writing Center and as far as anyone knows, it is the only middle school writing center in the state.
READ MORE

 

 

BOARD APPROVES FRAMEWORK TO DEVELOP 2015-16 CALENDAR
At its meeting on Sept. 22, the Edina School Board approved a framework and charge for the Calendar Committee as they work to develop a learning year calendar, to include a pre-Labor Day start, for 2015-16. READ MORE.
TEACHER TUESDAY SPOTLIGHTTeacherTuesday 

ANDY RICHTER
 
Instrumental music teacher and Varsity Band director at EHS 


For three years of his college career, 
Andy Richter led the University of Minnesota Marching Band as the 53rd drum major. Following graduation, Richter served the Osseo and Anoka-Hennepin school districts before returning to his alma mater to teach instrumental music and director of the Edina High School Varsity Band. Now in his fifth year in Edina Public Schools (EPS), Richter has developed a reputation for outstanding leadership, building community and inspirational teaching techniques.


Richter is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Young Music Educator award presented by the American School Band Directors Association. He was also selected as the 2010 Minnesota State Representative for the School Band and Orchestra magazine's annual publication of "Fifty Directors That Make a Difference." 


EPS spoke with Richter about the importance of music education and how it exemplifies the 
Educational Competencies of Edina Public Schools learners READ MORE.


Do you know a teacher or group of teachers who deserve recognition? Send your nominations to [email protected] to be considered for the weekly blog spotlight.
 
ED FUND UPDATEedfund
The latest from the Edina Education Fund

Edina Education Fund: Planning for the next 20 year of innovation and partnership

by Karen Nelson, Executive Director

 

Beginning its 20th year as an organization, the Edina Education Fund is poised for exciting new challenges ahead. To help launch this next generation of the Edina Ed Fund, last year the Ed Fund Board engaged in a strategic planning process culminating in new focus areas and partnership opportunities aligned closely with the district's Next Generation of EPS Strategic Plan

 

One of the first new strategic initiatives of the Edina Ed Fund is the Workflow Institute. We are proud to be a sponsor of this exciting initiative aimed at supporting students, staff and families in their work and personal lives. Participants of the Workflow Institute, which
is led by Institute Coordinator and Highlands teacher Mark Wallace, are provided with support, training and innovative strategies to help manage what can sometimes seem like overwhelming workloads.  

 

As part of the Edina Learning Institute for teachers and staff this past August, Mark, or "Wally," as he is often known around EPS, facilitated a four-session workshop centered on installing, implementing and integrating methods of workflow systems into their teaching practice. Feedback from 30 workshop participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on Wally's passion for the topics. His enthusiasm inspired his EPS colleagues to increase productivity while savoring meaningful moments along the way. 

 

"Every Edina staff member should attend this Workflow Institute," noted one participant. "Stress is high in education and we all need to find better ways to balance our lives."

 

If you missed this summer's Workflow Institute, consider enrolling in a new offering through Edina Community Education, called, Redeeming Time, Attention and Sanity in an Overloaded World. We are proud to help sponsor this two-hour session on Oct. 2. The session is aimed at helping parents and families learn strategies to help create balance in their own lives. 

To learn more and register for the class, click here.

 

Throughout the year we will be sharing stories of how the Edina Ed Fund is working to support the mission and goals of the Edina Public Schools. Our strategic plan will focus on ways to not only continue supporting EPS students and staff, but will also look at ways to engage the community-at-large in the work of both the Ed Fund and the district.


To learn more about the Edina Ed Fund or to make a donation, click
here.

 

NEXT GENERATION FATF UPDATEFATF

Facilities Advisory Task Force Sept. 23 Meeting Recap

The Facilities Advisory Task Force (FATF) continues refining options for district facilities to meet the needs of EPS' Next Generation learners. At their fifth of six meetings on Sept. 23, the FATF further reviewed options for the district's indoor and outdoor facilities.

 

First, the group reviewed K-12 space options. At the elementary level, the FATF reviewed improvements that allow for more flexible learning spaces, safety and security updates, potential additions for increased specialist spaces, and ways to address maintenance needs. At the middle schools, the team assessed how to utilize spaces that will become available once ninth grade moves to the high school, in ways that provide a variety of flexible learning spaces for all middle school learners, safety and security updates, and maintenance upgrades. For the high school, discussions focused on additional space needs to accommodate ninth grade being incorporated into the high school, renovations that allow for a variety of learning opportunities, safety and security updates, and maintenance updates.

 

Discussions then moved to other areas about which administration needs further input, including spaces for early childhood and adult learning, and athletic spaces. Athletic spaces incorporated a potential addition at the high school for increased gymnasium and fitness spaces, both to accommodate more students (i.e. ninth grade) and to accommodate limitations of current athletic and activity team needs. Concerns about the condition of current fields and the possibility of adding artificial turf (both for safety and to extend the use of the fields) were discussed. 

 

Administration will now review the input provided and return for the FATF's final meeting on Sept. 30 with additional information requested by the group as well as draft recommendations on key needs and priorities for members to discuss. The goal of the last meeting is to reach consensus on recommendations to be forwarded to the administration.     

 

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. 23, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Edina Community Center, Room 350. All meetings are open to the public.
SCHOOL BOARD UPDATEboard

Recap of Sept. 22 Board Meetings 

The School Board will hold a work session on
Monday, Sept. 22 at which they discussed the district's efforts to close the academic achievement gap and reviewed parameters for the development of a 2015-16 learning year calendar.  

 

The Board then held its regular monthly business meeting at which they recognized Jamie Bodeau, EHS senior who recently achieved a perfect score on the ACT, and members of the 2013-14 Teaching and Technology Cohort. In addition, the Board held a public hearing on the the district's 2013-14 World's Best Workforce report, and heard updates on the district's annual student assessment report and the Facilities Advisory Task Force. 


 

Among key board actions, the Board approved the preliminary 2014 Payable 2015 Tax Levy, as well as policy updates and a work agreement with the Edina Administrative Council. The Board also approved the framework for the development of the 2015-16 learning year calendar. The Board also discussed frameworks for the district facilities plan and upcoming gifted and talented program study, both of which are scheduled for approval at the Oct. 6 special session.  


READ MORE
in the Sept. 23 edition of Board Recaps.

 

Catch up on previous School Board meetings 

Recaps and videos of past School Board meetings are available online.
 

EPS IN THE NEWSInTheNews

Edina coaches, former athletes inducted into Hall of Fame

Edina High Alpine skiing coach Dave Nelson, Edina youth hockey coach Jack Wright and two former Hornet athletes, Andy Tanghe and Dave Terwilliger, were inducted into the Edina High Athletic Hall of Fame at the banquet on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Edina Country Club. Read more from the Sun Current.


 

 

Cornelia playground featured on KARE 11

This morning, Cornelia Elementary was featured on the "What's Cool in School" segment of the KARE 11 Sunrise program. What's cool at Cornelia? The inclusive playground that has fun and developmental equipment that works for all students, including those with special needs. Click the link above, or on the photo to watch the full story.

 

 

 

Concord wildlife project featured in Uproar

For the last two years, students at Concord Elementary have held a "Kicks for Cats" compassion project to raise funds to sponsor animals that live at the non-profit, no-kill rescue facility located in Sandstone, Minn. called The Wildcat Sanctuary


The school has 
been sponsoring as many as three cats a year since 2004. Read more in the September issue of Uproar Magazine

UPCOMING EVENTSevents
2014 Candidate Forums
informed voter
Sept. 30, 7 p.m., Edina City Hall

The League of Women Voters of Edina will hold candidate forums at Edina City Hall before the Nov. 4 general election. You will have an opportunity to hear opening remarks, ask questions of the candidates and hear their closing remarks. The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 30: Edina City Council Candidates at 7 p.m.

 

Community Education presents: Life Reimagined
Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-noon, The Westin Edina Galleria

Are you at the point in your life where you're asking, "What's next?"
It's called
Life ReimaginedIn 2014-15, the community of Edina is coming together to host a series of Life Reimagined programming. Richard Leider is the featured speaker in this first session. His best-selling book, Life Reimagined: Discovering Your New Life Possibilities, will be available to be purchased and signed by the author himself following the presentation.This session is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Sign up online through Edina Community Education to reserve a spot.



What's Edina Reading? Edina Reads
 
Oct. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., Edina Senior Center, Fireside Room

Looking for something new to read? Come visit the Edina Senior Center, where the mayor of Edina and other notable community personalities will share what they have been reading and invite recommendations from the audience. Offer up your favorite titles, and they will be included in a booklist that will be compiled of the evening's suggestions and displayed in the library.

 

 

Edina Day of Service

Oct. 25, various locations

Each year, in partnership with the Edina Community
Foun
dation's Connecting With Kids program, an Edina Day of Service is held to celebrate and encourage a culture of service in the community. This year Edina Day of Service will be part of Make a Difference Day, a nationwide program with millions of volunteers working to improve the lives of others! To participate and learn more, click here.

 

Help us keep the 2014-15 school year Hope & Happiness theme alive. 

Contact the communications team at 952.848.3919 or email us at  [email protected] with news, story ideas or photos! 
Missed an issue of EDINA In The Know? Click here for archives.
 
 
5701 Normandale Road 
Edina, MN 55424
952.848.3000

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