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**Buzz summer publishing schedule**
The Weekly Buzz, as well as other district e-newsletters, is publishing on a less-frequent schedule during the summer. Look for The Buzz in your inbox on Aug. 6, 20 & 27.
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EPS HEADLINES
The latest stories about what's happening in our schools
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| High school students volunteer with CES summer programs in record numbers |
Thirty-five high school students, most of whom attend Edina High School (EHS) are engaging in their community by volunteering this summer in CES programs and classes. This number is up from about 10 volunteers last year and one of the contributing factors, according to Carynn Roehrick, volunteer program manager, was recruitment. READ MORE
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| 2015 GRAD AWARDED U of M NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Ian Smith, a 2015 graduate of Edina High School, has been awarded a college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship for the University of Minnesota. He is one of about 4,100 National Merit finalists to receive a scholarship sponsored by the college or university they will attend. College-sponsored awards are renewable for up to four years of undergraduate study at the sponsoring institution. The awards range between $500 and $2,000 per year. Smith will attend the Univsersity in the Twin Cities with plans to pursue a computer engineering degree.
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EPS RECEIVES TOP CREDIT RATINGS FROM INVESTOR SERVICE FIRMS
Two of the country's top investment rating services recently gave Edina Public Schools' (EPS) triple-A ratings, the highest rating attainable by a school district. The ratings are critical as the district moves ahead with Next Generation facilities planning and the issuing of bonds per the May 5 referendum. In assigning the credit ratings, both Moody's Investment Services and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
remarked on the district's fiscal stability and long history of responsible financial management.
READ MORE
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DISTRICT EARNS NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AWARDSThree of Edina Public School's publications and one video have received recognition from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) in its 2015 National School Communication Awards. Receiving recognition were two Community Education Services catalogs, the Educational competencies video and the Family Handbook. The 2014 Learning for Life Adult Catalog received an Award of Excellence.
READ MORE
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FACILITIES PLANNING UPDATE
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Work advances on planning for EHS renovations and additions
Core planning team identifies key criteria for spaces; schematic designs expected in September
 The core planning team (CPT) for Edina High School (EHS), comprised of staff, students, parents and community members, continues to meet this summer, laying the groundwork for the development of design plans for the school's new and renovated spaces. The team has formerly met three times, and toured, both virtually and in person, a variety of schools with modern classroom designs.
Representatives from Wold Architects and Engineers are facilitating the meetings, during which CPT Members discuss data collected and potential design options. At their most recent meeting on July 21, the team drafted commitments - philosophical statements about how the building should look and feel - and criteria - specific facility design needs - that will guide the architects in developing potential building designs. Some of the descriptors being used include spaces that are vibrant, energizing, safe, open, inviting, flexible and adaptable and easily accessible.
"The work of this core planning team is the next step in designing innovative, flexible learning activity spaces at Edina High School," said Vaughn Dierks, lead architect on the project. "They are providing critical feedback that we will use to to ensure our designs meet the needs of all learners and represent the wishes of the Edina Public Schools community."
The EHS CPT consists of 25 parents, students, staff and community members, in addition to representatives from district administration, Wold, and Kruas Anderson, the district's construction management firm. The group plans to meet twice more in August, with a tentative plan to submit a schematic design to the School Board at its Sept. 21 meeting.
Similar core planning teams for early childhood, elementary and middle school sites are slated to begin meeting this fall.
To follow along on the work of the EHS CPT, visit edinaschools.org/EHSconstruction.
To read more about the facilities planning process visit the district's website at edinaschools.org/FacilitiesPlanning.
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STAFF NEWS
Important EPS employee news
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Staff Milestones
- Condolences to Evelyn Emerson, vocal music teacher at Normandale, on the recent passing of her mother.
- Condolences to Theresa Myre, payroll supervisor, on the recent passing of her father.
- Condolences to Angela Hruby, Countryside Continuous Progress teacher, on the recent passing of her father.
- Condolences to Tracy Hickey, Countryside nurse, on the recent passing of her mother.
- Condolences to the Schuster family on the recent passing of Elliott, a 2015 graduate of EHS.
To submit an entry for Staff Milestones, please include staff name, job title/type, employment location and major life event/announcement information to communications@edinaschools.orgBack-to-school staff events, trainings scheduled Kickoff events and training opportunities are set as the district prepares to launch another successful school year. Here is a brief look at important August dates. Watch for more details in early August.
 August 17-20
- Edina Learning Institute - See the news item below for more information about this professional learning opportunity focused on the district educational competencies, EHS
- New Teacher Workshops, EHS
Monday, August 24
Community Education Services Kickoff - Food, speakers and activities, ECC Auditorium
Tuesday, August 25
All District Kickoff - Continental breakfast, EHS Marching Band, updates from Superintendent Ric Dressen, EHS Fick Auditorium
Wednesday, August 26
Awards Luncheon - Recognizing safe bus drivers, 25 years of service, staff achieving tenure and National Board Certification, EHS Cafeteria
 Patience is July theme for city's Street Smarts campaign
To educate street users about safety, the City of Edina Engineering and Police departments recently launched the "Edina Street Smarts" campaign. Each month of the spring, summer and fall, the departments will remind street users of ways to be safe and respectful of others. This month, the message is "Patience, not Patients. Avoid Injury. Be Aware of Other Street Users." Read safety suggestions for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians on the City of Edina website.  Hwy. 100 construction updates
77th Street ramp closures coming
Beginning Sunday, July 26, the southbound Hwy. 100 ramp to 77th Street and the 77th Street ramp to southbound Hwy. 100 will close. The ramps will reopen on August 1. Drivers will be rerouted to southbound Hwy 100, to I-494, to northbound Hwy 100 to reach your destination.Also, the northbound Hwy. 100 ramp to W. 77th Street and the W. 77th Street ramp to northbound Hwy. 100 that are currently closed will reopen by Saturday, July 25. Learn more about the Hwy. 100 construction project on the MNDOT website.
Professional Learning Opportunities
2015 Edina Learning Institute will focus on educational competencies
 August 1 is the registration deadline for the 2015 Edina Learning Institute, Aug. 17-20 at Edina High School. In addition to a great lineup of keynote speakers aligned with our
Educational Competencies, more than 30 workshops and 75 breakout sessions facilitated by your EPS colleagues have been proposed. Get more information about the speakers, the schedule, compensation and registration at the Edina Learning Institute website.
Summer Updates for Teaching & Learning include professional development plan and opportunities
Edina Public Schools staff received an email from Director Randy Smasal on June 1 outlining several items of information pertaining to professional development planning and opportunities, PLCs, and late start/early releases for the 2015-16 school year. Click here for more information.
Stay in the loop - update your contact info
Be sure to update your contact information so that you will be sure to get any important messages that may go out over the summer and in August as we prepare for another school year. Log into MyView, click on the Personal Information menu and go to Address & Contact Info to enter any new information.
Deadline for TIES workshop proposals is July 31
As we complete the first year of being fully 1:1 with eLearning2, we have learned a lot and have seen tremendous growth! We have seen also some amazing learning shared by our students.
You are encouraged to share your learning and experience at the TIES 2015 Education Technology Conference in December. The deadline for submitting workshop proposals is July 31, and the regular conference session proposal deadline is August 28.
Click here for details about proposal submissions. If you have any questions or would like assistance, contact Mike Walker at michael.walker@edinaschools.org.
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 Interested in a job with the Edina Education Fund? Events and Communications Manager position available
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Events and Communications Manager position is a new position for the Edina Education Fund. This position is part-time (average of 15/hours per week), has a schedule that is highly dependent upon on the communications and event needs of the Edina Education Fund, and includes some evenings and weekends. This position plays a key role in increasing community awareness of and support for the Edina Education Fund's mission and work.
Application deadline is Friday, August 7, 2015. View the entire job description here.
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 School Board Meeting: July 20
Highlights from the July 20 School Board meeting include:
- Discussion of calendar parameters regarding the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years
- Updates on BG5 and Mental Health and Wellness studies, and Secondary pilot studies
- Approval of committee appointments, liaisons and representative positions for the remainder of the year
- Approval of hiring of Hanover Research to help inform and direct the work of the strategic plan
Watch the video of the July 20 School Board meeting, or any past meeting, on the district website.
Next regular meeting of the School Board - Monday, August 17, 2015
Full agendas and meeting minutes are available online.
Filing period for open school board seats begins July 28
Information session to be held Aug. 3
The candidate filing period for the November 3, 2015 general election will be July 28 through August 11. This year's ballot will include three seats on the Edina School Board. The terms of board members Cathy Cella, Sarah Patzloff and Leny Wallen-Friedman will expire this year, each having served the most recent four-year term to which they were elected in 2011. Look for information about the Aug. 3 information session below, in Upcoming Events.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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School Board candidate information session August 3
 Learn more about role of school boardAn information session for district community members interested in running for election to the school board will be held Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m. in room 349 at the Edina Community Center. District administrators and board members will be on hand to talk about the roles and responsibilities of the board as a whole, and as individual members, and answer questions. The terms of three board members will be up for election this year on November 3. The candidate filing period is July 28 through August 11. Read more about the responsibilities and roles of the school board on the district website.  VEAP collecting school supplies through August 11
Drop off your donation at Edina Resource Center
VEAP is collecting donations for the 2015 Back-to-School Supply Drive to serve 3,400 K-12 students in need with new backpacks and school supplies. Please donate new, unused school supplies to help every child begin the school year with the tools they need to be successful. You can drop your donations at the Edina Resource Center, in the box located just outside the district Welcome Center.
Back-to-school dates posted on August calendars
Teacher assignments, bus routes coming to SchoolView Aug. 18
 Back-to-school dates and events for all district schools are posted on each school's online calendar, along with curriculum nights and other events coming in the fall. Watch for the 2015-16 Family Handbook to arrive in your mailbox in early August.
Elementary teacher assignments and bus route information will be posted on SchoolView on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 8 a.m. Be ready to click directly into your students' assignment pages by logging into SchoolView now to view the family contact and health information forms, and information release form. Make additions or updates as needed for the coming school year and on Aug. 18 you will be able to go directly to your students' pages. (Note that you only need to complete the information release form if you DO NOT want your students' directory information or photo to appear in school directories, yearbooks, district or school websites and publications, etc.)
Here is an overview of important dates. Check your schools' websites for more details, supply lists and other back-to-school information.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Get Connected Day: South View and Valley View
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Get Connected Day: Edina High School
Wednesday, Aug. 26
6th grade WEB/Orientation Day at South View
Thursday, Aug. 27
Open House: Concord, Countryside, Cornelia, Edina Family Center, ECSE, Edina High School, Highlands, Normandale
6th grade Orientation at Valley View
Friday, Aug. 28
Open House: Creek Valley
Monday, Aug. 31
First Day of School: Grades 1-12
Tuesday, Sept. 1
First Day of School: Kindergarten, Edina Family Center and ECSE
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DID YOU KNOW?
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 Water is the original energy drink
Go for H2O this summer
Did you know that we can survive 3 weeks without food but only 72 hours without water? Your body is composed of almost 60-70 percent water and losing just two percent of your body water can cause headache and fatigue, while a five percent loss can cause heat exhaustion. "Water is the key to our metabolism, it helps to regulate body temperature, carries oxygen throughout our body, gets rid of waste, and much more," said Courtney Sanders, registered dietitian with Chartwells, the district's food service partner.
With summer in full swing, it's important to drink water! Helpful tips include:
- Carry a re-useable water bottle throughout the day and to various activities.
- If you're feeling creative, try fruit or herb infused water. Examples are cucumber and mint, lemon-lime, or chopped strawberry and basil.
- Have plenty of fruits and vegetables around for snacks, as most are packed with water and help hydration. Great choices for summer are diced watermelon or cantaloupe, grapes or frozen fruit to make smoothies. Click here for a strawberry and watermelon smoothie recipe.
- Drink water before and during exercise, and when the temperatures rise.
- Keep in mind, if you're active for 60 minutes or more or outside in hot temperatures, replacing electrolytes is also important - so it's good to include sports drinks in moderation.
- Let thirst be your guide. There are both ends of the spectrum from drinking too much water to drinking too little.
Staying hydrated is key to feeling well. It will help you maintain your ability to think clearly, and to have a great day in sports or other outdoor activities. For students, instead of reaching for a sugary drink like pop or juice with added sugars, first drink more water and eat fruits and vegetables. Remember everyone's water needs vary depending on age, activity level, air temperatures & humidity.
All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
952.848.3000
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