OCT. 1, 2014 
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 8

CLASSROOM SNAPSHOT |
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PERSONALIZED LEARNING AT CONCORD ELEMENTARY

Earlier this week, Concord Elementary third grade teacher Tara Mumm led her students in a writing workshop to work on the latest skills they have been reviewing in class. Students were able to choose where and how they wanted to write during the workshop. Some opted to work on the floor with their personal device, while others chose to use pencil and paper to complete the writing exercise.

EPS HEADLINESHeadlines
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools
BREAKFAST BOOK CLUB CELEBRATES 14 YEARS
EHS students read for fun, apply books to life and learn from discussion


Opportunities and activities abound at Edina High School (EHS), but 14 years ago, EHS language arts teacher Martha Cosgrove, and media specialist Sara Swenson noticed that something was missing. Students were reading plenty in class, but there wasn't a group dedicated to reading outside of the school day.

 

"We saw a need for students to connect with other students around a book that they were reading for fun. We saw a need for a place where we could talk about a book with no pressure of a blue book exam," Swenson says.

 

These observations led the duo to create the Breakfast Book Club (BBC), which provides students the chance to read and discuss books for the simple joy of it, no tests or strings attached. The BBC reads between 4-5 books throughout the year, and meets two times per book at 7:45 a.m. for a student-led discussion about what the stories are teaching them. Meeting times are limited to accommodate students' busy schedules, but according to Swenson, that doesn't limit the impact and effect the BBC has on students. READ MORE

 





 
COUNTRYSIDE IRON PRIDE TRIATHLON PUTS CORE VALUES INTO ACTION

This year, the Wellness Committee is taking the application of the school's six values a step further by connecting them to health, wellness and exercise with the creation of the Countryside Iron Pride Triathlon. READ MORE


CREEK VALLEY CREATES ENGLISH LEARNER FAMILY FUN NIGHT

Parents of English Language (EL) learners at Creek Valley will enjoy a special event next week to welcome them in a way that is fun and informative for their families. It is the school's first EL Family Fun Night. 
 READ MORE

 

 

YOU CAN TEACH!
Community Education welcomes new teachers. If you love your hobby; if you like talking to people about what you do; if you have been successful at something and want to encourage others; if you want to stretch and grow your own abilities; if any or all of the above applies to you, then you can teach. READ MORE.
TEACHER TUESDAY SPOTLIGHTTeacherTuesday 

LARA SWANSON
 
Social studies teacher at Valley View


Growing up on a farm in Illinois, Valley View social studies teacher Lara Swanson observed firsthand the positive influence teachers could have on their students by watching her mother teach English. 
"She did an amazing job connecting with students deemed 'difficult' by most ... 

and that definitely influenced me," Swanson says.

 
In high school, Swanson helped a former teacher with her summer school students, and began seriously thinking about pursuing teaching. With a love for learning and helping others, Swanson knew the career path would be a great fit for her.

  

Read more about Swanson's soon-to-be published book, and how she makes learning relevant and personalized for her students.


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.

 
STAFF NEWSStaffNews
Important EPS employee news

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 Mariama Ka, Normandale paraprofessional, on the recent passing of her grandmother. 
REMINDER: Your input is needed to plan the 2015-16 calendar 
Survey Deadline Oct. 3
null
On Sept. 22, the School Board approved a guiding change document that provides a framework for the development of the 2015-16 learning year calendar. In an effort to create a calendar that aligns with the district's Next Generation of Edina Public Schools Strategic Plan, to include creating a yearlong schedule
that meets the needs of students, staff and families, the district is seeking feedback from EPS stakeholders. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey, which seeks input on various calendar options, which will help prioritize elements for the Calendar Committee as they develop the 2015-16 learning year calendar. Surveys must be completed by 4 p.m. on Oct. 3.

Enhance leadership with Edina Teaching & Technology Cohort

Starting October 2014, 25-30 teachers will begin a Teaching & Technology cohort focused on improving their leadership and technology skills through four blended courses. Teachers will also earn 15 graduate credits (an Edina lane change) and a Teaching and Technology Certificate through Hamline. The focus of these classes will be to enhance practice of integrating technology into Edina's curriculum as well as build leadership skills in teachers in the field of technology and learning. The cohort begins on Oct. 28, with the first face-to-face meeting, and ends on July 21, with the last course being 100 percent virtual. Interested staff must complete the online application by Oct. 7 to be considered for the cohort. 

 

Carpool to work and win!

Commuter Services in Edina is offering carpoolers an opportunity to win a $500 gas gift card during October, Carpool to Work Month. To participateyou must carpool at least once during October, which can include sharing a ride with a spouse, neighbor, friend or co-worker. If you don't know someone to carpool with, request a free carpool match. Go to 494corridor.org to sign up.  

 

Back to School VEAP Drive Update

VEAP

Thank you for your support to the VEAP Back to School Drive. With your help, VEAP supplied 3,175 children with new backpacks and school supplies this year! Time and time again we heard about how much this service helps the families and how hard it is to get everything the children need for school. Our families were extremely grateful for your donations.
All week long we saw their appreciation with kids grinning ear to ear wearing their new backpacks out the door. Thanks again for helping make it possible for VEAP to serve thousands of children this school year with the tools they need to learn.

 

EPS Staff Flu Shot Clinics

It's that time of year! Be prepared and avoid the flu by getting your flu shot. Once again, the District is offering two opportunities for staff and their families to receive a flu shot:
  • Tuesday, Oct. 7, 7-9 a.m. EHS, Community Room 
  • Thursday, Oct. 9, 1:30-5:30 p.m. SVMS, inside Door 7 
NOTE: You should not receive the vaccine at this clinic if:
  • You are allergic to any component of the flu vaccine 
  • You have had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (sometimes called French Polio) within 6 weeks of receiving a previous flu vaccination
Be sure to bring your health insurance or Medicare part B card to the clinic.

NEXT GENERATION FATF UPDATEFATF

Facilities Advisory Task Force Sept. 30 Meeting Recap

The Facilities Advisory Task Force (FATF) spent its final meeting on Sept. 30 holding additional discussions to clarify some areas (athletic fields/turf, activity center at EHS, and early childhood space). Following the discussions, the group reviewed draft recommendations as drafted by administration. 

The draft recommendations were compiled from previous discussions and data sharing of the FATF and were grouped into three categories: Foundational Improvements �about which there has been some previous general agreement; Additional Improvements that needed additional clarity and insight (as presented earlier in the meeting); and Unmet Needs, which identified additional elements under consideration by the Administration/School Board. 

The group spent time discussing, debating and modifying the recommendations in an effort to reach consensus on the first two categories. They then discussed and assessed the last category of options. The final FATF Report, slated to be presented to the School Board on
Oct. 6, will include the areas for which consensus was reached, while also including "additional options" with areas that did not achieve consensus but did receive majority support. The report will also include additional considerations (i.e., issues, concerns, suggestions) that the administration should take into account in developing a referendum proposal. 

These recommendations, options and considerations will be used as representative community input by the administration and School Board as they develop a possible 2015 bond referendum proposal. The Board is expected to hold a first reading on a proposal at its meeting on Oct. 20. 

 

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.
EPS IN THE NEWSInTheNews
Edina student to receive
Watershed Heroes award

A small wooden bridge at Concord Elementary School travels over a dip in the land where
water runoff pools and floods the field near the school. Edina High School 11th-grader Evan Lebakken hopes to stop that flooding with the creation of two new rain gardens at the school, designed and planted as part of his Eagle Scout project. Read more from the Sun Current. 


 

EHS Swimmer Named

Prep Athlete of the Week

Edina sophomore and swimmer Rachel Wittmer 

has been named a Star Tribune Prep Athlete of 

the Week! Read more about her team approach 

and accomplishments in this feature from the 

Star Tribune. 

UPCOMING EVENTSevents
Do Good Together: Make a Difference for Animals
Oct. 9, 6:30-8 p.m., Edina Community Center, Room 351


Animal-loving families with children are invited to create simple projects to benefit rescued animals. Activities include making chew toys, downsizing packets of dog food, and making fleece pet blankets. You'll also go home with an item or two for your favorite pet! The items you create will be donated to B.A.R.K., a wonderful local canine rescue group. The class cost $39 per family, or $10 for one person. Sign up online to reserve your spot now.

 

PCN Presents: Until it Hurts: America's
Obsession with Youth Sports and How it Hurts Kids
Oct. 13, 7-9 p.m, South View Auditorium

Oftentimes the lengths to which many of us go in pursuit of the American athletic dream can turn that vision into a nightmare. Come listen as Mark Hyman explores the balance of the adult-managed world of youth sports.
This event is free and open to the public.

What's Edina Reading?

Oct. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., Edina Senior Center


Looking for something new to read? Come visit the Edina Senior Center Fireside Room, where the m
ayor 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.

 

DID YOU KNOW?didyouknow

Volunteer Opportunities in Edina Public Schools

If you're interested in volunteering in our schools, we have immediate needs in the following areas:

 

Work on reading strategies with third grade students who are reading aloud

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 
    9:45-10:15 a.m. (30 minutes each shift)
  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 
    2:15-3:15 p.m. (1 hour each shift)

Help Students with Biology and/or Chemistry
in EHS Science Class

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: noon - 1p.m.

 

Help in Kindergarten art room (set up, pass papers, help students, clean up, read stories)

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 12:35-1:45 p.m.

 

Work on reading skills with small groups 

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

 

Click here to download the staff volunteer approval form and return it to Edina Volunteer Program staff in the Community Education office.

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 The Weekly Buzz? Click here for archives.
 
 
5701 Normandale Road 
Edina, MN 55424
952.848.3000

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