SEPTEMBER 10, 2015 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6

SNAPSHOT  | EPS HEADLINES

SNAPSHOT:  Today was the Edina High School (EHS) Activities Fair, which featured more than 40 clubs, programs and activities available to students. The impressive showing, however, represented only part of the available activities at EHS. For more information on activities at EHS, click here
Headlines
EPS HEADLINES




20 EHS STUDENTS NAMED NATIONAL
MERIT SEMIFINALISTS
Edina Public Schools is pleased to announce that 20 Edina High School (EHS) seniors are among the 16,000 students chosen nationwide to compete for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship. Nearly 1.5 million students took the PSAT/NMSQT� exam, which serves as the initial screening assessment for the scholarship program. Read more
ADDITIONS TO SOCIAL WORK STAFF WILL HELP MEET STUDENT NEEDS
Three full time social workers have been added to district staff this year as recommendations from last year's Mental Health and Wellness Study are implemented. The increased staff will help meet the increasing needs of students.
THERE'S MORE!
inthenews
EPS IN THE NEWS

KARE11: Districts take a closer look at school start times 
Edina High School was featured in a KARE 11 news story on Sept. 7 about how later school start times benefit students. Click here to watch the story.
iameps
I AM EPS
Photo story: Normandale's third grade team personalizes learning for students

When it's time for math in third grade at Normandale, students might not learn from their assigned teacher. In fact, students might not be in the same room at all. 

Instead, third graders are split into groups and are taught by any of the four third grade teachers or two French interns. It is part of a collaborative effort by Normandale's third grade team - Kelsey Wolf, Sophie Toner, Karen Meyer and Benjamin Cornet - to personalize how students learn through a teaching style Meyer called "differentiation."




The theme for the 2015-16 school year is "I Am Edina Public Schools." Each week, we will feature a student, teacher, staff or community member/volunteer. If you have an idea for someone to feature, email us at [email protected] with the subject: I am EPS Blog. Or tweet us using the hashtag #IamEPS with your story and what makes you Edina Public Schools. 
feature
FEATURE
Welcome back, Volunteers!
from Carynn Roehrick, Volunteer Program Manager

We want to officially welcome you to the 2015-2016 school year!

Our theme for this school year is "I Am Edina Public Schools," which represents all of us - staff, students, teachers and you, our volunteers - using our unique talents to support all students. Every student in Edina Public Schools benefits in some way from the work of volunteers. Whether you are a parent, student or community volunteer, the time and talent you share in classrooms, school offices, at special events and in many other ways, contributes to our students' success. Your enthusiastic energy helps create a positive atmosphere that encourages learning.

We each have our own story to tell, and we are so glad you have decided to be a part of the Edina Public Schools story through volunteering. Whether you are a veteran volunteer with many years under your belt or are joining us for the first time, your commitment to helping our students succeed is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for being a part of our All for All mission. We are looking forward to an exciting year, working together with you for all of our students. You are Edina Public Schools.

Click here to learn more about volunteering at Edina Public Schools.
StaffNews
STAFF NEWS
Staff Milestones
  • Congratulations to Pierre Schmidt, VV extended French teacher, on the recent birth of his son, Aubin Lawrence.
  • Congratulations to Beth Cornwell, VV dean of students, on the recent birth of her daughter, Alaina Alexandra.
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]


WMEP Cultural Collaborative workshops available to EPS staff 
The WMEP Clutural Collaborate offers a host of workshops to member school districts at no cost. Among this year's courses is an Intercultural Leadership Development  workshop on Oct. 22. Or search the catalog for other offerings and register here.

Digital Age professional learning opportunities offered
There are a number of professional learning opportunities available to staff on various subjects around digital learning:
  • Gradebook and Moodle Help - Thursday, Sept. 17, 3:15 p.m. in the SV Media Center; and Monday, Sept. 21, 3 p.m. in the VV Media Center; Mike Walker will offer sessions on setting up your gradebook categories and your Moodle.
  • Fall Online Courses - Learn about Moodle, Google, Flipped Instruction, or Digital Citizenship and earn $300 in the process. Start anytime after Sept. 14 and complete the course by Nov. 29. Learn more here.
  • Teaching and Technology Cohort - Called "Hopdina," this partnership with the Hopkins district offers a Teaching and Technology Certificate through Hamline University. It is a great way to expand your understanding of digital age learning and earn college credits. The first class begins Sept. 29. Learn more here.
Video of Sharroky Hollie presentations available on Safari Montage
If you missed, or would like to review, any of the presentations on cultural responsiveness presented by Dr. Sharroky Hollie during kickoff week, you can view them through Safari Montage. Just login and search Sharrocky Hollie.

Support the Hornets through Booster Club, Spirit Store
The Edina Athletic Boosters support the Hornets through memberships and sales at their Spirit Store. Join now and receive benefits related to various membership levels. Check out 2015-16 Membership benefits on the Booster website. Then click over to the online Booster Spirit Store to see the latest in Hornet fashion. Purchases of spirit wear also support Hornet athletics.

Hwy 100 closures for Sept. 11-14
Beginning Friday, Sept. 11, weather permitting, motorists should expect the following closure and detour on Highway 100 between Highway 62 and I-494. The road and ramps will close Friday by 10 p.m. and reopen by 5 a.m. the following Monday.
  • Closed: Northbound Hwy 100 between Hwy 62 and I-494 closed
  • Detour: Eastbound I-494, northbound I-35W and westbound Hwy 62;
    or 
    westbound I-494, northbound Hwy 169, to eastbound Hwy 62
SchoolBoard
SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
Meet the School Board candidates TONIGHT
Seven candidates running for three seats
Candidate Forums will provide an opportunity for the community to see and hear the seven candidates running for three open seats on the Edina School Board. The League of Women Voters Edina will sponsor the first forum on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the Edina City Hall, 7 to 9 p.m. The community is invited to attend. If you are unable to be there, the LWVE will have the forum professionally video recorded and posted on their website.

A second Candidate Forum, sponsored by the Edina Parent Leadership Council, will be Oct. 12, 9:30 a.m. to noon in ECC Room 349.

Candidates running for school board are Melanie Allen, Layla Avila, Claudia Carr, Cathy Cella, Amir Gharbi, Sarah Patzloff and Leny Wallen-Friedman. The school board election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3.
 
For more information, visit edinaschools.org/BoardElection .

School Board Meeting: September 21
The next regular meeting of the School Board will be Monday, Sept. 21. Complete agendas and meeting minutes are available online.

EVENTS
EVENTS 
TONIGHT: School Board Candidate Forum
  • Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-9 p.m. at Edina City Hall
  • Sponsored by League of Women Voters-Edina
  • See more information under School Board Update
Sept. 18: EHS Homecoming
  • Coronation - Thursday, Sept. 17, 2:25-3:10 p.m., EHS Gym
  • Parade - Friday, Sept. 18, 4:30 p.m., Begins at Edina Country Club and proceeds down Wooddale Ave.
  • Football Game - EHS vs. Prior Lake, Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. Kuhlman Field
Oct. 1: Edina A Better Chance Plans Fall Concert Fundraiser
  • Thursday, Oct. 1, 7 p.m. at EPAC
  • General admission tickets $25; VIP tickets $100 (include reserved seating, private reception with musical artists with light refreshments)
"A musical experience fusing the Minneapolis Sound with the Nashville Sound," the concert will feature Bryan White, Ricky Peterson, Stokley Williams and St. Paul Peterson. Proceeds support A Better Chance students attending Edina schools (read more below). Purchase tickets on the EABC website.
DidYouKnow
DID YOU KNOW?

Parent resources available to help
navigate eLearning2
Find answers to questions, options for providing a device for your student, and basic information about the district's digital initiative on the eLearning2 Parent Resources page of the website. There are also parenting resources there, including the "Parenting in the Digital World" course. And plan now to attend one of two eLearning2 parent information meetings:
  • Monday, Oct. 12, 6-7:30 p.m. at SV
  • Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-7:30 p.m. at VV

 

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