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EPS HEADLINES
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools
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Local partnership brings books to young learners
Apartment-based lending library is creating connections
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A book in the hands of a child can be the beginning of a lifelong love of reading and learning. Edina Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) staff know that. They also know that it is never too early to start that relationship. This September, ECFE started a lending library at the Parklawn Apartments, home to many of the district's early childhood students. "Many of the families do not have access to books or transportation to the library," said Mary Streier, early childhood targeted services manager, who was instrumental in getting the library started. The library consists of a bookshelf that is already chock full of books primarily for very early readers through middle school. "People donated books to us, we had some that we receive from publishers and some of the early childhood staff brought their used books in," Streier said. READ MORE
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GIRLS TENNIS HONORED WITH AWARD
Edina Public Schools is legendary for many reasons: excellent academic opportunities, excellent staff, excellent alumni and excellent students. But the district is also known for top-notch sports performances, especially when it comes to the girls' tennis team, which won its 18th consecutive state title on Oct. 22. For this honor, the team has been selected to receive the 2015 Minnesota Milestone Award. READ MORE
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VALLEY VIEW TEACHERS PILOT FLEXIBLE GOVERNMENT CLASS
Two seasoned government teachers at VVMS had been percolating some ideas about how to personalize learning for their students, but were not sure how to make it work without outside help. They wanted to be able to think about time and space in the classroom differently, and maybe even work together to be able to give more student groups the attention they need. READ MORE
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ED FUND UPDATE
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Edina Ed Fund continues commitment to staff and students
The Edina Education Fund recognizes that a key part of the success of Edina Public Schools (EPS) is its outstanding teachers and staff, which is why we are thrilled to provide our support and continue the efforts of staff through enhanced curriculum, staff training, innovative projects and grants. We are proud to have awarded more than $4.4 million to EPS since 1995. Whether through innovation grants to individual teachers, school-based project grants, such as the writing centers at Edina High School and South View Middle School, a math center at Valley View Middle School, or larger, district-wide projects such as Ecademy and the Workflow Institute, the Ed Fund is committed to supporting our teachers and staff and advancing the district's Next Generation of EPS Strategic Plan.
Recently, we announced to district staff a call for proposals for 2014-15 Innovation Grants, which provide seed money for teachers to try new strategies and tools that advance the district's strategic efforts. Since 1999, 294 grants have been awarded to staff at all nine schools. We look forward to the innovations and excitement EPS educators will submit this year.
Supporting our all learners - student, staff, families, community - is our core mission at the Edina Education Fund. We are honored to be a part of a community with a strong tradition of philanthropy and commitment to education.
If you are interested in helping us continue our support of Edina Public Schools, we encourage you to consider making a gift to the Edina Education Fund. To make a one-time contribution, click here.
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TEACHER TUESDAY SPOTLIGHT
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LIBBY SANDVICK
Teacher evaluation facilitator
After teaching physics in upstate New York and at Valley View Middle School for a combined 10 years, Libby Sandvick joined the Alt Comp team at the Edina Public Schools (EPS) district office. As a part of the Alt Comp staff, Sandvick spent three years as a peer coach before becoming the district's teacher evaluation facilitator, where she has helped EPS teachers grow professionally for the past three years.
In addition to her work in EPS, Sandvick is also a National Board Certified Teacher. Read more about Sandvick's behind-the-scenes work to advance education and excellence in our district.
Do you know a teacher or group of teachers who deserve recognition? Send your nominations to communicati[email protected] to be considered for the weekly blog spotlight.
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NEXT GENERATION MAGAZINE
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JUST RELEASED:
NEXT GENERATION ONLINE MAGAZINE
Today, Edina Public Schools releases the first issue of a new online magazine that is devoted to sharing stories about the strategic work of the district. What does the Next Generation of Edina Public Schools Strategic Plan mean
for you, your student, family and the community? CLICK HERE, or on the cover photo to view the premier issue.
Stories include:
- Global Learning Abroad in China
- Classrooms of the Future pilots
- Profiles of students and teachers
- Strategic Roadmap to 2017
- The history of strategic planning
- The latest on the grade configuration
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Important news for EPS families and the community
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Election Day Reminders
Don't forget to vote on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at Concord, Cornelia, Countryside, South View Middle School and Valley View Middle School. To find the right voting location for you, visit the Secretary of State's Pollfinder website.
Celebrating Veterans Day
Nov. 11, Valley View Middle School, South Gymnasium Valley View Middle School (VVMS) invites the community, veterans and their families, to join them as they recognize Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. There are two assemblies, at 9:10 a.m. and 10 a.m. with the same program at each. A guest speaker will reflect on his years in the service and student groups will perform musical tributes. All veterans attending the assembly will be recognized for their service. Light refreshments will be served following each program.
This is the 13th year that VVMS has organized a Veterans Day assembly for students and community members around the theme of "Honoring All Who Served." Veterans and their families are cordially invited to attend and be recognized, and the public is invited to attend either of the assemblies. Coffee and cookies will be served to guests following each program. Please sign in at the front desk or main office when you enter the building.
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SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
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Oct. 22 Board Meeting Recap
At its regular meeting on Oct. 20, the Board recognized several district students for their achievements in the Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search.
Director of Communications and Community Engagement Susan Brott updated the Board on the district's facilities planning. Additional Board discussion is slated for November, with administration planning to bring a recommendation for discussion and action in December or January regarding a potential May 2015 special election.
The Board also received an update on the district's annual financial audit and annual enrollment report. The financial auditors issued a clean opinion on financial statements, internal controls and compliance reports. As for enrollment, changes from the fall of 2013 to the fall of 2014 included an overall increase of 57 students, mostly at the elementary and high school levels. Current projections indicate a relatively stable enrollment, perhaps a modest increase an overall increase in K-12 student enrollment over the next five years of about 200 students.
The Board concluded its meeting by recognizing staff members Matt Lindsay, Margaret Galvin and Melanie Padden, who were recently recognized by colleagues and families for their outstanding commitment to their work.
Previous School Board Meetings
- Recaps and videos of past School Board meetings are available online.
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EPS IN THE NEWS
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Prep athlete of the week: Caitlyn Merzbacher
Her style is unconventional, but it has been very successful. Hitting from her heels like a baseball slugger, Merzbacher put on a commanding display in the Class 2A state tournament. She won three matches in leading the Hornets to their 18th consecutive team championship, then four more en route to her second individual singles championship in a row.
Read more about Edina girls' tennis player Caitlyn Merzbacher from the Star Tribune.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Second Annual STEM Career Night
Nov. 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Edina High School Fick Auditorium Sponsored by Edina Robotics
What does it really mean to have a career in STEM? Come find out along with The Green Machine at the STEM Career Showcase and Career Fair at Edina High School. Those attending this evening's event will get to hear and see many STEM careers in action. Geared primarily to students in middle-school and older, there will be lightning talks and STEM booths staffed by representatives from STEM-related fields and disciplines. 1816 has arranged for speakers from different STEM fields - including biomedical engineering, product research engineering, medical science and computer engineering. There are a vast variety of careers STEM covers -- The Green Machine welcomes you to come find out more and leave inspired to pursue a STEM career in college and beyond! This is a free event and all are welcome. Vision Edina: Community Engagement Workshops Nov. 10, 7-8:30 p.m., Edina Community Center Room 350
Vision Edina is an ambitious, broad-based and inclusive community visioning process. It will also serve as an important foundation for other strategic efforts, such as theCity's Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvement Plans. The Community Engagement Workshops build on the first Vision Edina workshop held on September 9 and 11. That workshop, attended by approximately 110 people, developed a series of plausible scenarios for the future of Edina. The Community Engagement Workshops are designed to allow broad community input and discussion about the future. They will build on the framework already developed and will give each resident the chance to a direct input into formulating our future vision.For more information, please contact Heather Branigin at 952-826-0403 or [email protected]. EHS Thespians Present: Little Shop of Horrors Opening Nov. 6 at Edina PAC Tickets are on sale now for "The Little Shop of Horrors," presented by the EHS Thespians. This campy musical is based on the 1960s cult horror film where a nerdy florist's clerk buys and nourishes a Venus fly trap-type plant, which grows big enough to devour everything in its path. Enjoy music in the style of early 1960s rock-and-roll and doo-wop, as well as more traditional Broadway ballads. "Little Shop of Horrors" performances will be at the Edina Performing Arts Center on Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15, at 7 p.m. There will be a matinee performance on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at edinatheater.org. |
DID YOU KNOW?
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DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS SUNDAY This is a reminder that daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 2. Remember to set your clocks back one hour, either before or when you wake up Sunday morning. Daylight saving time will resume on Sunday, March 8, 2015. |
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!
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5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
952.848.3000
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