The benefits of a Growth Mindset, for 2015 and beyond

 The start of another year always brings the opportunity for everyone to make New Year's resolutions. While I believe in the continuous improvement process and value the steps of planning and goal setting often identified with making such resolutions, it's the review and reflection steps that I find most beneficial. 

Similarly, when we look back on 2014 as a school district, Edina Public Schools' students, staff and families can and should be proud of all that we have accomplished - from the school program/site level to the ind

ividual learner. All of these accomplishments are in large part attributable to our individual and collective response to adversity and challenge.

Stanford University's Dr. Carol Dweck, in her book Mindset, found that when individuals or groups have a "growth mindset," they demonstrate a clear focus on improvement and growth through both application and experience. As a result of this stretching effort, the growth mindset in turn brings greater success. I believe our school district community is filled with people who have this mindset in their work, learning and living.

Edina Public Schools recognizes the importance that all learners -- no matter their age - have this growth mindset. In fact, one of the educational competencies our district has identified as critical for ensuring a successful future is that of growing motivated lifelong learners, who:

• Understand their own needs as a learner and advocate appropriately,
• Persist when faced with challenge or adversity,
• Actively set personal learning goals and self-monitor progress, and
• Value continuous learning and seek opportunities for growth.

As we continue to update our programs and curriculum to reflect the needs of Next Gen learners, we will be embedding this core competency into learning experiences throughout our students' educational journeys. This mindset of persistence and grit is truly a college, career and life ready skill, and one that we have the responsibility to not only help our students learn, but also model and grow ourselves.

So as we move forward with plans for resolutions or new goals for 2015, I encourage us all to celebrate our many accomplishments of 2014 with a focus on how those accomplishments occurred. I am guessing the growth mindset described above played an important role in your overall success, and with each individual achievement. I ask that we apply this same persistence and grit to our 2015 continuous improvement efforts to help ensure all learners, including you, have the key skills to thrive and grow in the future.

Edina Public Schools believes strongly in doing everything we can to ensure our students are in school and learning, and therefore our preferred extreme cold emergency option will be a 2-hour delay rather than an all-day cancellation. This is a slight change from the district's approach to extreme weather last year. However, recognizing that each weather situation presents unique challenges, the district will consider each decision on a case-by-case basis to take into account all factors.

 The safety and well-being of students and staff is our top priority and the decision to delay or close school is no simple matter. Before deciding to close school due to extreme winter weather conditions, Superintendent Dressen consults with a variety of experts both inside and outside of the district. Our commitment is to keep families, staff and the community informed of weather-related school closings and cancellations.

We work collaboratively with the National Weather Service, as well as our neighboring districts to assess a variety of local conditions, including wind chills, air temperatures, road conditions and bus operations. The combination of these factors inform our decision about any necessary schedule changes.

 All school closing information will be communicated by the Communications Department through district communication channels, which include: parent and staff notification system (automated voicemail), email, district and school website, social media, local media outlets (WCCO 830-AM radio, WCCO-Ch. 4, KSTP-Ch. 5, FOX 9 KMSP, and KARE 11.)

READ MORE about Emergency Closing procedures

EHS Model United Nations Conference Jan. 10 

The Edina High School Model United Nations Conference (EMUNC) will be Saturday, Jan. 10. This year's conference topic is Human Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation. It is the first student-run high school Model United Nations Conference in the state. The EHS team began in 2010 as a result of a growing interest among students in international relations, world events and global issues. The conference gives students, who work in delegations, an opportunity to hone their skills in public speaking, coalition building and artful diplomacy. Delegations arrive at the conference with position papers and work to build coalitions and agreement throughout the day. Awards are presented for Best Delegation, Honorable Mention, Verbal Commendation and Best Position Paper.

 The opening ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in Fick Auditorium. Closing ceremonies are at

3:30 p.m.

Kindergarten Preference Forms Deadline 

Monday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m.

Families who are interested in having their kindergartener attend Normandale French Immersion School or one of the district's Continuous Progress programs at Highlands or Countryside elementary, should complete and return a Kindergarten Preference Form by Monday, Jan. 12. This form pertains to Edina district residents only. Families will hear back from schools on their child's placement mid- to late-January. To learn more about Kindergarten Options, click here. 

Edina PCN Forum - Digital Consciousness          

Monday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., SVMS 

The Edina Parent Communication Network (PCN) invites you to learn more about digital footprints and how to guide your students at a forum titled "Digital Consciousness: Public and Permanent." Richard Guerry, founder of the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell Phone Communication, will talk about introducing digital responsibility to a digital generation. He will offer guidelines to help prevent digital issues, promote cyber-safety, citizenship and anti-bullying. The forum is Monday, Jan. 12, from 7 -9 p.m. at the South View Middle School Auditorium. (CEU credits are available for $20.)

Pajama Jamboree Concert 

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m., EHS

The varsity and symphony orchestras at Edina High School (EHS) present the 2nd Annual Pajama Jamboree on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. in Fick Auditorium. The concert will feature music from your favorite Pixar movies including: Aladdin, Brave, Beauty and the Beast, and more. The event will include face painting, storytelling and an instrument petting zoo. All ages are welcome and attendees are invited to wear pajamas, bring a blanket and a favorite stuffed animal. Admission is $3; ages 12 and under are free.

EHS Thespians Present:

12 Angry Jurors

 

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24, 7 p.m.

Originally set in 1956 and titled 12 Angry Men, the once all-white, all-male cast has been updated with a diverse cast of males and females, as you would see on any urban jury today. The entire play is set in a jury room, around a long table littered with papers, cups and food containers. The deliberation starts light, as the jurors expect to be home before dinnertime. They start with a vote and only one votes "not guilty." What follows is a sometimes manic, often emotional afternoon.

 

The Odd Couple

Male Version: Thursday, Jan. 29, and Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m.

Female Version:  Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m.

Nearly everyone knows the story of Oscar and Felix, the original odd couple from Neil Simon's 1965 Broadway play, and later a hit television sit-com. You may not know that in 1985, Simon responded to the continued popularity of this odd pair by writing a female version for Broadway. The EHS Thespians present both versions on one weekend.

 

Tickets for all productions are available online. There is a reduced ticket price for patrons who want to see both versions of The Odd Couple.

Free Community Ed 'Try It' classes offered in January

Jump start your New Year's resolutions with a free Community Education 'Try It' class. Various fitness classes are offered during the month, at no cost, to encourage you to try something new and different. Try Piyo, a low impact class that is a fusion of pilates and yoga, or Xa Beat, a dance fitness class. And if you are ready for a challenge, try a class called Insanity. For details on dates, times and locations, check the Community Ed adult enrichment winter catalog . Look for the light green 'Try It' by the course number.