Jan. 29, 2015 
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 22

Continuous Progress students reach out to community
Countryside students build sandwiches for hungry
Continuous Progress students at Countryside Elementary School spent part of their day Jan. 23 building sandwiches. As part of a service-learning project, the students and family volunteers built about 1,200 sandwiches, which were donated to the 363 Days Food Program. The program coordinates with community groups, churches, schools and companies to help feed the homeless and hungry in the Twin Cities. Allan Law, program founder, personally delivers the donated sandwiches each night in the metro area. 

In addition to helping locally, this event served as a way to raise money for the upcoming Countryside Against Hunger event. Instead of asking for donations, students asked for family and friends to "sponsor" their sandwich-making venture. On Feb. 6, students, staff and volunteers will spend the entire school day making sandwiches, in partnership with Impact Lives, a world-wide organization that works to feed the hungry. The school hopes to pack 66,000 lunches by the end of the day. Headlines
EPS HEADLINES
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools

12 Innovation Grants awarded by Edina Ed Fund

Funding will enrich curriculum for students district-wide


The Edina Education Fund awarded 12 Innovation Grants to Edina Public Schools (EPS) on Jan. 27.  The grants total $53,315 and will financially support a wide variety of projects that will enrich coursework for K-12 learners throughout the district. "We are pleased to be able to fund creative ideas that come from our own staff and benefit all of the district's students," said Karen Nelson, Education Fund director. READ MORE

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DAY

Welcome, Class of 2028! On Jan. 29, next year's kindergarten students registered for their first year at Edina Public Schools. Parents and future Next Generation learners visited their schools to turn in enrollment forms, meet staff members and see classrooms. 

CORNELIA STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM PROMOTES RECYCLING

Cornelia Elementary School's Student Leadership Team (SLT) has taken the school's recycling program under its wing as part of its service learning project for the year. The project aims to build awareness among students and staff around the proper ways to dispose of various trash items.  

ONLINE NEWS ARCHIVESREFERENDUM
FACILITIES REFERENDUM UPDATE

Concept Proposal refined following community input

Revised estimated tax impact is lower


 
Following meetings with community stakeholders, the district has refined parts of the facilities Concept Proposal and presented a revised document to the school board. Director of Communications and Community Engagement Susan Brott, Director of Business Services Margo Bauck, and Vaughn Dierks with WOLD Architects and Engineering, presented the update at the Jan. 26 board meeting.


Brott noted that since the Board's approval of the Concept Plan on Jan. 12, administration has continued to research and meet with community stakeholders to refine the proposal. Updates included:
  • re-categorization of facilities projects: renovations and additions of Next Generation Learning Spaces (81%), enhancement of building security, and infrastructure improvements;
  • reassessment of parking needs and the location of a service access drive on the west campus that does not include extension of Creek Valley Road;
  • revised estimated tax impacts, which are lower than previous calculated. The new calculation puts the estimated annual tax impact on an average Edina residence ($400,000 value) at $299.Teachers
TEACHER TUESDAY SPOTLIGHT 

Meghan Haselbauer

Math Teacher, South View Middle School


Meghan is in her sixth year at EPS, teaching 6th - 8th grade math at South View Middle School. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Creighton University, Master's of Education from the University of Nebraska and a math license from the University of Minnesota. 


Meghan continues to use her passion for teaching to inspire lifelong learners and prepare students for the rapidly changing world in front of them. EPS asked Meghan about her love of teaching middle school math and her experience at Google Teacher Academy. 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.Digital

 
EPS DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP MONTH
January 5 - February 6, 2015

The district's digital learning specialists are working with classroom teachers throughout the district to create curriculum and activities to teach our 21st Century students how to be safe, responsible digital citizens. Here is what was happening in classrooms this week.

January 26-30: Information Literacy
Cornelia students learn online lessons through offline methods

 

For many students, finding reliable information on the Internet can be a daunting task. The sheer volume of information available dilutes the amount that is factual and credible. This week's Digital Citizenship Month theme was Information Literacy, which aimed to quell any uncertainty students may have about searching for information online. Lessons included information about safe search, website credibility, keywords, online sources and information privacy.

 

Third graders at Cornelia Elementary School learned this information offline, in the form of a book. During time in the media center, students read "But I Read in on the Internet!" by Toni Buzzeo. In the book, "'super librarian,' Mrs. Skorupski, helps fourth graders on their presidential fact-finding mission by teaching them how to evaluate and cite their resources, providing them with a terrific research tool - her 'Website Evaluation Gizmo,'" said Cornelia media specialist, Sherron Gaughan. 

 

January is Digital Citizenship Month and each week, media specialists at EPS schools design age-appropriate curriculum to teach various lessons depending on that week's theme. Concepts learned during the month-long initiative will continue to be reinforced throughout the year in both the classroom and in the media centers at each school. Next week's lessons will cover creating a positive digital footprint. 

 

Read more about more Digital Citizenship Month on the district website.StaffNews

STAFF NEWS
Important EPS employee news

Staff Milestones

  • Condolences to Peggy Werness, 2nd grade teacher at Normandale Elementary, on the recent passing of her mother. 
  • Condolences to the family of Dennis Wegner, former 5th grade teacher at Countryside Elementary, who recently passed away. 

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].

 

Free tax preparation available

Tax preparation assistance is available for income qualifying households. Call the Edina Resource Center at 952-848-3936 for:

  • Local tax clinic locations
  • Dates and times
  • What to bring to the tax clinic

Remember the Earned Income Tax Credit & MN K-12 Education Subtraction.

 

Stretch yourself with CES learning opportunities

Many adult enrichment opportunities are available through Community Education, including professional learning and cultural classes. Fitness classes offer a drop-in option if you are thinking of trying something new but want to check it out first. And don't forget - EPS employees enjoy a 20 percent discount on CES classes. Check the Adult Education Catalog to see all of your choices!

 

Reminder: Review Staff Handbook As a new calendar year begins, it is a good idea to review the Staff Handbook, especially forms and applicable policies. Be sure to talk with your supervisor or HR with any questions.

 

Review your Jan. 15 payroll document

Please review your payroll payment for Jan. 15. There are new income tax withholding rates and PERA rates. Also, review your insurance contributions, especially if you elected a change for 2015. You can view your elected coverage in your myView account, under the Personal Information/Wages and Benefits section. If you have questions, please contact the following payroll staff:

  • Insurance coverage questions:  Emily LaFave, 952-848-4936
  • Certified staff questions:  Theresa Myre, 952-848-4918
  • All other staff questions:  Pam Olson, 952-848-4929
  • Check the website for tax and other related information. 

The new mileage rate for 2015 is .575 cents per mile. (The 2014 rate was .56)


 
2014 Electronic W-2 now available in myView

You may still elect to receive the electronic version if you have not done so yet. Consent for the electronic W-2 remains for future years unless withdrawn. Login to your TIES myView account to access your electronic W-2 or to request the electronic version.
 

Your official 2014 electronic W-2 is now available in myView for employees who requested it. For others, the paper W-2 forms will be mailed to your home address on file by the end of January. You can verify your address in your myView account and change it if needed. This paper format is required only if you file your taxes on paper. Board

 

BOARD UPDATE
January Board Meetings 

JANUARY 26, 2015
REGULAR MEETING RECAP


In addition to recognitions, a leadership update and a discussion of legislative priorities, here are highlights from the Jan. 26 board meeting:
  • Assessment Report - Susan Costello-Tennyson, Interim Director of Research and Evaluation, provided the annual student assessment report highlighting MCA, MAP and ACT scores. Costello-Tennyson noted that overall, EPS students continue to outperform state and national peers, although a significant achievement gap between some student groups remains. The Board charged administration with continuing to dig into the data to identify areas of strength and weakness so as to ensure all students are achieving to their full potential.
  • Budget Parameters for 2015-16 - The Board approved the 2015-2016 budget parameters, which include enrollment, revenue and expenditure assumptions, and fund balance guidelines as presented. Bauck noted that the parameters, which call for a balanced budget for 2015-16, do not indicate a need for significant budget reductions, although the district will continue to align financial resources with the goals and directions of the Next Generation of EPS Strategic Plan.
  • 2015-16 Calendar Amendment- The Board accepted a change to the 2015-16 Calendar noting the change of commencement to June 4, 2016, to correspond with the new end of the school year on June 3, as approved by the Board on Jan. 12.
  • Facilities Referendum Update  - The Board discussed the Review and Comment document, slated for action at the business meeting later in the evening. The document, a technical explanation of the projects proposed in the Next Generation Facilities Concept Plan and the May 5 Bond Referendum, is required to be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education for review. Administration highlighted that while overall project concepts and total dollars remained the same as presented in the Concept Plan on Jan. 12, as the result of continued community input and state requirements, the categorization of the projects and resultant category costs have been adjusted. The Review and Comment document was previously reviewed by the Board's Facilities Committee.

Full agendas are available online.  

 

Previous School Board Meetings  

Recaps and videos of past School Board meetings are available onlineEvents

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

EHS Thespians Present:

 

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. Note that there will be a reduced ticket price for patrons who want to see both versions of The Odd Couple.


Ed Fund Show and Tell Luncheon Feb. 2 
See and hear about Edina Education Fund grants at work in the district at the 2015 Show and Tell Luncheon, Monday, Feb. 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina. The annual event features demonstrations by students and staff that highlight some of the ways Edina Education Fund grants have been used to enrich education for students around the district. The luncheon is free and open to everyone, however an RSVP is requested. Bring a friend!

DID YOU KNOW?didyaknow

REMINDER: Late start on February 4

Edina Public Schools has a late start scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4. All schools will start two hours later than usual; buses will likewise run two hours later than their normal scheduled time in the morning. Dismissal times and afternoon bus routes will remain as normal.

 

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