Feb. 26, 2015 
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 26

COMMUNITY NEWS
 
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Highlands celebrates science with Imagination Fair 
Students share knowledge with experiments and displays 

A record-breaking 103 students at Highlands Elementary created science experiments and displays for the annual Imagination Fair and Science Expo on Feb. 24. Students in grades K-5 developed their own demonstration booths which covered science topics ranging from robotics and volcanoes, to frog dissection. An interested crowd of more than 300 parents and students made their way through the maze of displays set up in the gym. New this year was an opportunity for participants to have their display judged based on a set criteria. They received scores and feedback on the creativity, presentation and informative value of their project. Judges included five parent volunteers and seven high school volunteers from the Project Lead The Way engineering class at EHS.HEADLINES

EPS HEADLINES
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools

Students journey back in time during Black History Month

Local author, district staff speak with students about historical figures


Guest speaker, Lehman Riley, gave Normandale Elementary School students a glimpse into history on Wednesday with the help of his grandfather, Papa Lemon. Riley, a children's book author from Minneapolis, spoke to in Michele Skold's fifth grade class about important figures in American history through the scope of his children's book series, "The Adventures of Papa Lemon's Little Wanderers." The books tell the story of five kids who board a magic train and travel back in time to important dates in American history with African-American grandfather, Papa Lemon.

READ MORE



THREE EPS STUDENTS TO COMPETE AT SCRIPPS REGIONAL SPELLING BEE

Meghna Bosco has no secret methods or lucky charms when she is competing in a spelling bee. Her approach to preparation is pretty simple, "I review and review and review, and if I miss some words in practice, 

I review those more," she said. She is one of three students who will represent Edina Public Schools at regional competition for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. READ MORE

TRENDA IS TEACHER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALIST

The field of possible candidates for this year's Minnesota Teacher of the Year

honor has been narrowed to 30, and Edina Public School's Meggie Trenda is on the list. Trenda teaches Spanish at Edina High School. This is her 14th year in the district. She is also one of the district's equity trainers. Ten finalists will be announced in late March. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet on May 3.

EPS TOPS STATE GRADUATION RATE BY 15 PERCENT
While graduation rates statewide are rising, Edina Public Schools' (EPS) graduates continue to outperform their peers. According to information released this week by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), EPS' four-year graduation rate is 15 percent higher than the state, with 2013-14 data showing more than 96 percent of EPS students graduated in four years, compared to a state average of just over 81.
ONLINE NEWS ARCHIVESReferendum
FACILITIES REFERENDUM UPDATE

Check out this video to hear why Edina Public Schools believes it is time to invest in the district's facilities.

2015 Edina Public Schools Bond Referendum
2015 Edina Public Schools Bond Referendum

 

You are invited to a dialogue about the future of our schools

Two community engagement opportunities have been scheduled to provide opportunities to learn more about the May 5 Facilities Bond Referendum. Superintendent Ric Dressen and other district leaders will talk about the components of the Next Generation Facilities Plan, details on how referendum dollars would be spent, and the design process and input opportunities ahead, should the referendum pass. There will also be time for questions and answers. Plan now to attend one of these meetings:
  • Thursday, March 19 at 7 p.m., EPAC at Edina High School
  • Tuesday, April 7 at 7 p.m., Auditorium at South View Middle School

Visit the Referendum 2015 website for more info

Find everything you need to know about the 2015 Bond Referendum on the district website at www.edinaschools.org/Referendum2015. This site will be continuously updated with additional information, including more videos, a Frequently Asked Questions section and details on the components of the facilities plan, so be sure to check back often!


If you have questions regarding the referendum or facilities planning, contact the 2015 Referendum Hotline - email [email protected] or call Hotline 952-848-4038. Teachers 

TEACHER TUESDAY SPOTLIGHT 

Linda Friede

Math Learning Specialist, Cornelia Elementary School

 

Hometown:  Born in the Chicago area, Linda moved to Door County, Wisconsin at age 12. "One thing is certain - I will forever be a Packer fan!" 

(Linda at right with her family)

 

Education: Bachelor's degree, with high distinction, in elementary education and an English concentration from the University of Minnesota. "It's kind of ironic that I found my 'sweet spot' teaching math."

 

Experience: After a long career in hotel marketing, Linda began teaching at Concord Elementary in 2001. She joined the Cornelia staff in 2009.

 

It is all about the kids for Linda - the smile on faces, seeing them succeed and hearing from them years later, that math has gotten a little bit easier. EPS asked Linda to share the secrets of her success in turning math from a struggle to fun for her students. READ MORE

 

(Linda is pictured with her family, back row: son Kevin, husband Keith, son Kenny; daughter-in-law Schell and Linda. Both Kevin and Kenny are EHS grads.)

 

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.EdFund

 
ED FUND UPDATE

Executive director steps down after eight years of service

Karen Nelson says Ed Fund is in a 'great place'

After eight years at the helm of the Edina Education Fund, Karen Nelson has announced that she will step down as executive director at the end of February.  "Leaving is hard, but I am very confident that the Ed Fund is in a great place right now," said Nelson. 

 

Nelson said that this is a good time for a transition. "We recently, with the help of many volunteers, have finished our innovation grant process, had our annual Show and Tell luncheon, finalized the production of a wonderful new Ed Fund video and developed a new logo." She reported that she started thinking about stepping down a couple of months ago, but she wanted to get through the projects first. 

 

For Nelson, her 12 years with the Ed Fund has been a "passion-filled" experience. She began as a board member for four years, two of which as co-chair. She became executive director in 2006 when the youngest of her three children was in seventh grade.  When she started the position, Nelson had a number of goals to help make a difference in the schools: grow the donor and volunteer bases, recruit donors for special projects and establish some large initiatives.

 

Eight years later, Edina Public Schools (EPS) has seen a number of successful initiatives such as Project Lead the Way, the Edina High School writing center (which spawned the South View Middle School writing center), Workflow Institute, World Savvy and Personal Finance Literacy - all funded by district-wide grants provided by the Ed Fund.

 

Additionally, during Nelson's tenure, the Ed Fund has awarded 205 innovation grants to teachers at every school.  "All of these projects are made possible through the generosity of our donors, the real heros of our story," she adds. 

 

"I leave this position believing Edina Public Schools have never been stronger! Our community is so unique due to resources like the Edina Education Fund," Nelson said. "I have had the privilege of working with so many wonderful people during my time here."

 

Now, with her youngest a sophomore in college, Nelson said she is excited to explore the next chapter in her career. 


 
The Ed Fund board has named Val Stidman as interim director and hopes to name a permanent replacement later this spring. EPSintheNews

EPS IN THE NEWS

EHS cymbals player featured in MSHSL blog

 

Sometimes there is as much action in the stands as there is on the ice. That's what Minnesota State High School League Media Specialist John Millea found during last week's girls hockey playoffs. He couldn't stop watching the enthusiastic cymbal stylings of EHS senior Anna Albitz who was playing with the Hornet Pep Band. Scroll down through Millea's blog to read an entry about his conversation with Anna in John's Journal. (Photo by MSHSL)


 

StaffNews
 

COMMUNITY NEWS

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
  • Learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit and MN K-12 Education SubtractionBoardUpdate
BOARD UPDATE
School Board Meeting - Feb. 23 
At their regular monthly meeting, the Board recognized EHS junior and 2014 State Debate Champion, Arvind Veluvali, who noted how being involved in debate has enhanced his critical thinking skills and ability to look at problems and make assessments from a variety of perspectives. The Board also recognized EHS teachers
Kim Caster, Jessica Froehlich, and Erik Gronberg, as well as South View Middle School teacher Charlie Weise, who was unavailable to attend Monday's meeting, on recently completing their National Board Certification. The teachers all noted how going through the rigorous certification process has made them better teachers and more intentional in their practice. 

 

During public comments, the Board heard from several community members who reside in the City of Edina but are not residents of the Edina Public School District advocated for changes to the district's Open Enrollment Policy 510.

 

The Board then discussed budget planning for the 2015-16 school year, and received a Referendum Update from administration. Among the Board's actions, they awarded a contract bid for mechanical upgrades at Countryside Elementary, scheduled for this summer as part of the alternative facilities plan, and approved 2-15 Legislative Priorities. 

 

Read more in the meeting recap.

 

Previous School Board Meetings  

Agendas, minutes, recaps and videos of past School Board meetings are available online. Events

UPCOMING EVENTS

We're off to see The Wizard of POPZ

Annual pops concert Feb. 26-28 at Fick Auditorium


The Edina High School (EHS) Concert Band, under the direction of Paul Kile, presents
The Wizard of POPZ, Feb. 26-28. An Edina community tradition, the Edina pops concert is in its 62nd year. This year the band celebrates the 75th anniversary of the MGM classic, The Wizard of Oz, with music from the film and from the Oz-inspired shows Wicked and The Wiz. The band will also debut an original piece, The City of Emerald, commissioned for the band specifically for this year's pops concert. The magic of Oz and the colors of the Emerald City are recreated as a vibrant mix of musical selections, song, dance and video performances combine to create the Edina pops experience.


The Wizard of POPZ performances are Feb. 26-28 at 7 p.m., at Edina High School's Fick Auditorium. Tickets are $6 for senior and student general admission, $10 for adult general admission, and $13 for reserved seating. On Thursday, Feb. 26, student tickets are just $3, and all other tickets are half off.

 

MiniPops matinee returns

The EHS Concert Band is excited to offer an abbreviated version of The Wizard of POPZ on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. This unique show is a one-hour condensed version of POPZ, geared for our younger and senior audience members. It features a sampling of the full Wizard of POPZ show with the same magic, color and sound.

 

More information about the Edina High School Band program, including The Wizard of POPZ ticket information and purchasing, can be found at www.edinabands.com.

 

State of the Community

March 2, 7 p.m. at Edina City Hall


The annual State of the Community is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, March 2, at Edina City Hall, 4801 W. 50th St. The address is a combination of the state of the city, given by Mayor Jim Hovland and City Manager Scott Neal, and the state of Edina Public Schools, given by Superintendent Ric Dressen.  

 

PCN Forum: Parenting Different Personality Types

March 2, 7 p.m. at South View Auditorium


Jane Kise, founder of
Differentiated Coaching Associates, will address the strengths and needs pertinent to each of the unique children in your care at the next Edina Parent Communication Network (PCN) Forum on Monday, March 2 at 7 p.m. Titled Parenting Different Personality Types: Identifying Strategies for Success, this forum will help you: 

  • determine how your child learns best
  • identify strategies that best assist each child in finding their success
  • find better ways to help your child navigate the worlds of school, friendships, siblings and sports

With these tools you can better develop homework, discipline, and family routines, and other strategies that will work to strengthen your child's development.

 

Kise is a consultant who works with business and education leaders, including teachers, who are leaders in the classroom. She is the co-author of 20 books, holds an MBA from Carlson School of Management, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of St. Thomas. She has worked with various organizations across North American, in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

 

The forum will be in South View Middle School auditorium. Admission is free; CEU credits are available for $20.

 

Growing Up Workshop: Mothers & Daughters Connecting

Saturday, March 7, 9 a.m.-Noon, ECC

Growing up can be exciting, exhilarating, confusing and scary - all at the same time. Join educators from myHealth for Teens and Young Adults for a fun and informative three-hour workshop that will take some of the mystery out of puberty and the questions out of adolescence. This Edina Family Center workshop is geared toward girls ages 9-12 and their trusted female adult. Fun and thought-provoking activites will help girls learn about growing up. Cost is $40 per pair. Read more here and register online.

 
DID YOU KNOW?didyaknow

REMINDER: No School Friday, March 6  

There will be no school on March 6 for a teacher inservice. Teachers use this valuable time to collaborate and evaluate how the year is going. 

 

EPS Experience winter edition online

The winter edition of the EPS Experience, the district's quarterly newsletter, is now available online. Learn about a interdisciplinary pilot study at South View Middle School, the district's facilities plan, and the EHS Twitter campaign promoting responsible use of social media, and more.
Click here to see an interactive online version.

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