The Countryside Newsline
September 25, 2015

 MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL | COUNTRYSIDE NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
9-25-15
 
Greetings Countryside Families!
 
We are having a great start to the school year - with lots of great things happening.  Check out all the updates here and in the PTO section of the Newsline.  Don't forget to join us for the All School Party tonight beginning at 6:00 PM.  See you there!
 
All School Party - Friday, September 25 - 6:00-7:30 PM
Plan to join us for the All School Party tonight!  All activities are planned for outdoors - if the weather cooperatesJ - so come dressed for an evening outside.  This event is for all Countryside families, so parents should plan to attend with their children.  Students should plan to follow their regular after school routine - going home and returning at 6:00 with their families.  Supervision will not be available between the end of the school day and the start of the Party.
 
2-Hour Early Release - Tuesday, September 29
To provide a time dedicated to the learning of our Edina school staff, Edina Public Schools has an early release on Tuesday, September 29.  All schools will end two hours early (1:50 at Countryside); busses will likewise run two hours earlier than usual.  Start times and morning bus routes will remain the same.  
 
Countryside Marathon - Parent Volunteers Needed for "Marathon Mondays"
Parents, we are launching the Countryside Marathon on October 1.  This year we are holding "Marathon Mondays" and we need your help!  Please sign up to visit Countryside as a designated walker/runner during breaks/recess.  We hope seeing their parents and friends' parents will provide extra motivation to our students!  Please sign up at the following: 
 
Title 1 Family Night Invitation - Curriculum Overview
As you may know, Countryside receives Title 1 funding from the federal government, enabling us to hire two hourly teachers.  Our Title 1 teachers are Nancy Hansen and Liz Denn.  They work with students in kindergarten through fifth grade in math and reading.  You and your children are cordially invited to learn more about our literacy and mathematics programs, as well as how Title 1 works.  Please join us on Tuesday, October 27 from 6:00-7:00 PM on the third floor of the community center, room 350.  You will have the opportunity to meet our district literacy coordinator, Caroline Linden, as well as our Title 1 teachers.  Since Creek Valley and Cornelia are also Title 1 schools, they too, are invited.  Childcare will be available for school-aged children.  A light meal will be served. 
  • For planning purposes, please click on the link below and complete the form if you plan to attend. 
 
Countryside Named a "2015 Reward School" by MN Dept. of Education
Congratulations to the students and staff of Countryside!  In recognition of our tremendous gains in State testing progress, Countryside was named a 2015 Reward School for the 2014-15 school year.  We received a letter of congratulations from MN Commissioner of Education, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, and I have posted it on the Countryside homepage.  Check it out!
 
FeePay Option Available through SchoolView
This fall we have turned on Feepay within SchoolView as a way for parents to have one place to pay for various school related fees.  Currently parents can access Feepay via SchoolView to pay for Community Education related activities, meals, and if configured, school related fees.  Also just to reiterate, we recognize this new system is a change for families and that it will take some adjustment so we will continue to process checks and cash as we have been doing all along.   We are confident, however, that you'll soon find this to be a convenient and easy way to pay fees and register for activities.  For parent support we have created this website http://www.edinaschools.org/feepay. We will be adding additional documents with translation in the near future.  
Videos have been created in English, Spanish and Somali to demonstrate how to easily access Feepay.  Those links can be accessed here:
 
See you tonight at the All School Party!
 
Karen Bergman, Principal
 
CSNews
COUNTRYSIDE NEWS

 

 Mark Your Calendar   

 

Friday, September 25                     All School Party, 6 - 7:30 PM

Monday, September 28                  Success Center begins

Monday, September 28                  Giftwrap Fundraiser begins

Monday, September 28                  Edina PCN, SVMS, 7 PM-Catching Up with Hi Tech Kids

Tuesday, September 29                 Pride Rally, 1:20pm - Wear your Pride Shirt

Tuesday, September 29                 Early Release, 1:50 PM

Friday, October 2, 8-9am                Fit Friday begins, check out the flyer from the Wellness Committee                           

Monday, October 5                        Marathon Monday! Parent Volunteers Needed

Thursday, October 8                      First Tasting during lunch - leafy greens

Saturday, October 24                     Countryside Bash Fall Fundraiser, 7pm

Tuesday, Oct. 27                           Title I Parent Night - 6:00 PM at ECC350


TEACHER SPOTLIGHTSMediaMatters
Dear Countryside Family,
 
Greetings from the Countryside Art Studio!  

Countryside artists have already been hard at work this fall learning the ropes of our new art studio and getting to know me, the new art teacher!  My name is Jessica Kitzman, and I am excited to be starting my first year at Countryside.  Also new this year is the art curriculum!  I will be teaching a choice-based curriculum called "Teaching for Artistic Behavior" or TAB.  You can read a lot more about TAB on the Countryside Art Studio Website, but in a nutshell, artists will be encouraged to use their own art ideas in art class, and as the teacher I will focus much more on teaching the process of making than teaching the final product.  Please contact me with any questions you may have!

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Call for Donations...
In building our new choice-based art program, I need your help finding some unconventional art supplies.  Below is a list of household items that you can help collect and donate to our new art program!  There will be a donation center in our main lobby.  You can send things with your artist to school or come in and put items in the donation center.  Thank you so much for anything you can contribute.  We'll put it to good use!  

Here is the current list.  I will keep a list posted on our website that is updated once we have enough of one category, and if I decide to add anything else.  

magazines
play doh
toy animals (drawing aids)
pine cones, walnuts and other natural "textured" items
newspaper
wooden skewers
paint chip samples
balloons
shoe boxes
clothespins
fabric scraps
variety of uncooked pasta
aluminum foil
chicken wire
rocks
(all shapes and sizes)
spray bottles (that have not contained chemicals)
 marbles
scraps of screen or wire mesh
bingo dabbers
sticks
(all shapes and sizes)
2-sided children's easel
magnifying glasses
nuts, bolts, and washers
dice
straws    
ping pong balls
Old unwanted CDs
Safety pins
Legos
masking tape
cool computer parts (keys, wires, chips etc.)
decks of cards (incomplete decks that you no longer use)
cereal boxes or other thin cardboard
unwanted or ripped books (will be cut up for collages)
cardboard tubes (from toilet paper/paper towel)
 Building blocks, wooden blocks, foam blocks, old jenga game, lincoln logs


Art Happenings in the Community

Global Cardboard Challenge October 10th 12-4 at the Science Museum
Inspired by the short film, Caine's Arcade, October 10th is the Global Cardboard Challenge.  The Science Museum of Minnesota invites you to come build anything you can dream up out of cardboard.  Come join your community in a day of play!  

Countryside Bash!  October 24th 7pm at Interlachen Country Club
Included in the Silent Auction will be original paintings made by each class of Countryside artists!  Click here for more info: Countryside PTO

Mini Maker Faire November 6-8 at the Galleria Barnes & Noble
Stop by Barnes & Noble throughout the weekend to join in the maker faire.  
"If you're a tech enthusiast, crafter, educator, tinkerer, hobbyist, engineer, science club member, author, artist, student, entrepreneur, or maker of any kind-join us! We're getting together in stores to learn from each other, hear from the experts, and work on projects."

Edina Lions & Blick Art Supply Annual Peace Poster Art Contest (Deadline Nov. 10)
This year's theme is "Share Peace".  Winners will be awarded a S50 gift certificate and Blick Art Materials in Edina will frame their posters!  Learn more here.



Notes from the Health Office:
 
We are off to a wonderful start in the Health office! I have enjoyed meeting the students. They have all given me a very warm welcome!
We are looking for gently used Boys pants in all sizes. Any donation would be much appreciated! Thank you.
 
Harriette Chwialkowski
Countryside Health Office, 
Edina Public Schools
952-848-4747 (Phone), 
952-848-4701 (Fax)


LifeChanger of the Year Award
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2015-16 national LifeChanger of the Year, and six additional awards have been added to this year's program.Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 public and private school educators and employees across the United States. Nominees positively influence the lives of students by exemplifying excellence and leadership.
  • How to Nominate - Anyone can nominate a LifeChanger. Parents, co-workers, community members, students and PTO/PTA members are encouraged to submit nominations for K-12 educators and employees. Nominees must be full-time K-12 school employees are making a positive difference in the lives of students and who meet the LifeChanger criteria. Past nominees and winners have included teachers, school nurses and guidance counselors, superintendents and principals, administrative staff, bus drivers and custodians.
  • Deadline: January 15, 2016.
  • Submit a nomination or for more information, visit the LifeChanger website


PTONews
PTO NEWS
REMINDER: The All School Party is tonight from 6-7:30pm
Free for all Countryside Families - Outside By the Playground
Dinner, DJ, Bounce House, and outdoor games.
We still need volunteers! Please sign-up at the link below:



Come to a Grade Level Party and Support the Countryside Bash Fundraiser!
 
In support of the Countryside Bash, parents in each grade (Neighborhood and CP combined) will be hosting an evening out to socialize with friends, meet new ones and help donate to the Countryside Bash Dream Wall with great prizes! Please visit the Countryside PTO Website and click on your Grade Evite for further details and to RSVP.

Shop for Countryside at Evereve
 Countryside's popular shopping event returns to Evereve in Edina on Thursday, October 8th from 7-9pm.  All Countryside moms and friends are welcome! Guests at the Evereve Shopping Event will enjoy a private shopping experience featuring fun Fall looks from great designers.  The staff will present the season's top trends to fit your lifestyle and look.  15% of the gross proceeds from the evening, as well as the $20 registration fee will be donated to the Countryside Elementary School PTO.  Beverages and snacks will be provided.  Tell your friends and join us for a night of shopping and fun mingling with other Countryside Moms.  You won't want to miss it!  Sign up at the PTO website using the link below:
 
 
Thank you for supporting Countryside!  We look forward to seeing you there


Countryside PTO General Meeting with Ric Dressen
Tuesday, October 6 @ 6:00pm
 
Please join us in the Countryside Media Center as Ric Dressen, Superintendent of Edina Schools, gives a 20 minute presentation and answers questions outlining important and timely topics including:
  • The district strategic plan for the year
  • "I am Edina Public Schools" school year theme
  • The newly passed Referendum and Countryside - how will it affect our school and your children
Ric Dressen's presentation will be followed by a short general Countryside PTO meeting to discuss events and fundraising efforts for the school year. This is a great chance to meet the new PTO Executive Board, ask questions and stay informed. We look forward to seeing you on October 6!

Submit Email Addresses for School Directory by Monday, September 28!
 
If you want your email address in the School Directory please go to the PTO website or click on the link below and submit your email address by
Monday, September 28.  Your email address must be re-submitted every year.


THE COUNTRYSIDE GIFT WRAP SALE BEGINS NEXT WEEK!!!!
 
The Innisbrook gift wrap sale is a great and easy way for friends and family to help raise money for Countryside.  This year the sale will be done entirely online and all purchases will be delivered directly to your home. The catalogs and online ordering instructions will be coming home with the youngest child in each family on Monday, September 28th.  Our goal is to raise $5,000!  To do this, we need every family to sell about 10 items.  The sale will end on Sunday, October 11th.  Please, help our school and support the gift wrap sale.
 




TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Saturday, October 24, 2015, 7pm
Interlachen Country Club
 
The Countryside Bash is a great evening out for parents to socialize with friends and have fun while raising money for Countryside. The event sells out each year so click HERE to go to the PTO Website for tickets and details!
 
If you have access to local tickets, restaurants, fun experiences, time shares, etc. that you would like to donate or help get donated, please let our team know. Contact The Bash Team at [email protected].


PICTURE DAY is Thursday October 8th!
Picture Day is just around the corner!  ALL STUDENTS WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED BUT ONLY THOSE WHO PURCHASE WILL RECEIVE A PACKAGE. Picture Day forms are being sent home in backpacks and extras are available in the front office.  
 
2 ways to order: 
 
1) Before Picture day: Order your student's Picture Day packages online using your credit card at MYLIFETOUCH.COM and enter Picture Day ID: MI 295029Y0.  Print the Picture Day Pass when prompted and send this form with your child on picture day.
 
2) Complete the form attached to the Picture Day flyer and send it in with your child to his/her teacher with correct amount (cash or check) included in envelope.  
 
Either way, pick the photo package and send in the forms today to be ready for Picture Day! Any questions please contact Sara Friswold ([email protected]) or Megan Ulland ([email protected])


Volunteer at the Welcome Desk!
Welcome desk volunteers help remind visitors at our school to sign-in and direct them to the appropriate location. Each shift is only 1.5 hours. Please click through the link to the Google doc & sign up today!



The Countryside Wellness Committee Presents....(drum roll please) 
 
Fit Fridays, Food Tastings and the Countryside Marathon!  
 
Fit Fridays:  Please join us Friday mornings, starting October 2nd from 8-9am, for our Morning Wellness Workout by Coach Johnny.  Run, jump, and throw your way to a fun and safe workout on the Countryside playground before school starts!  All Students welcome at no charge.  Volunteers needed!  Email Heide McDermott at [email protected] if interested in Fit Fridays!  Check out the PTO Website Current Events Page for more details!
 
Food Tastings:  Our first Countryside Food Tasting will be on Thursday, October 8th, in the Cafeteria during lunchtime.  The October Chartwells healthy Food Focus is Dark Leafy Greens and the tasting will be a Crunchy Kale, Local Apple and Cranberry Salad. Remember to ask if your child received an 'I tried it!' sticker and what they thought about the recipe.   Below is a link from Chartwells highlighting the food focus this month.  Take a look!  Volunteers needed.  Email [email protected] if interested in helping at Food Tastings!      
 
 
Countryside Marathon:  Get ready to start your engines!  On October 1st, we kick-off the Countryside Marathon.  The goal is to complete 26 miles over the course of the school year.  All running/walking will be done at school, during break or recess, at a designated area.  Kids that complete the Marathon will receive a Countryside Marathon t-shirt, be highlighted on the Countryside News Program and at the Pride Assembly.  Look for an email from your child's teacher for ways you can help!
 
As always, volunteers are needed to bring innovative and student-centered events to Countryside.  Please consider supporting our school and signing up to help at one of these events.  Thank you and think Healthy Thoughts!
Check out the Fit Fridays brochure here:

Questions?  Please email Heide McDermott at [email protected]
CommunityNews
COMMUNITY NEWS


EDINA ELEMENTARY CROSS-COUNTRY RUN


Once again it is time for the Edina Elementary Cross-Country Run.


* Who: This is an event for anyone in 4th-5th grade in the Edina Schools.
* Where: Edina High School Lower Fields, Edina
* When: Wednesday, October 7th, 2015 4:15 pm

Twelve boys and Twelve girls in each of the 4th and 5th grades, will be selected (based on their tryout times in their PE class using their fitness score in the Endurance Test) to represent Countryside in the grade level races.

The Countryside teams will be running against Concord, Cornelia, Highlands, Normandale, and Creek Valley teams.

There is also the "All Comer's Race" for those 4th or 5th graders who would like to participate in the event that are not apart of the grade level races. This race is more of an individual race. No team results will occur.

4th grade races will be a 1 mile race.
5th grade races will be a 1 mile race.
All Comer's Race will be a 1 mile race.

Permission slips will be handed out the 1st week of October and can be received from Mr. Bleess. Permission slips for the ALL Comer's Race will also be found on Mr. Bleess's webpage.

Permission slips will need to be handed back in to Mr. Bleess for the Grade level Team and the All Comer's Team. This is a great introduction to the sport of Cross-Country running. Many runners from the high school team received their first start to Cross-Country running at this event. Come on down and cheer the racers on!

Times for the event:
4:30 All Comer's Race
4:45 5th grade boys
5:00 5th grade girls
5:15 4th grade boys
5:30 4th grade girls
(This is a guideline but not exact)

After a student is finished with their race they can leave the meet with their parents/guardians or stay to cheer on the rest of the Countryside runners.

This event is put on by the Edina High School Cross-Country team and their coaches to draw future interest when students get to the middle school/high school. Families are responsible for bringing and picking up the child to the event. For more information please contact Mr. Bleess at [email protected] or 952-848-4741.





2015-16 BEYOND ECFE PARENTING CLASSES
Have Parenting Questions? We Have Answers. You came to rely on the Edina Family Center's high-quality,
Parent Aware 4-Star ECFE classes for children from birth to age 5. Now that your child has moved on to
your parenting concerns? The Edina Family Center is proud to offer Beyond ECFE classes to meet your needs.
Set some time aside once each month to learn new parenting skills, replenish your toolkit, and build your
healthy, age-appropriate child development. Guided discussion time allows you to share your joys and
Once-a-Month K-12 Parenting Classes: (9 sessions $153 includes registration fee)
PE-K: Parenting Your Kindergartner Taught by Deb Roberts
Time: Thursdays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Room 120
Dates: Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 3, Apr. 7 and May 5
PE-1&2: Parenting Your 1st - 2nd Grader Taught by Deb Roberts
Time: Thursdays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Room Dates: Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 10, Apr. 14 and May 12
PE-3-5: Parenting Your 3rd - 5th Grader Taught by Deb Roberts
Time: Thursdays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m., Room 120
Dates: Sept. 17, Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 17, Apr. 21 and May 19
PE-6&7: Parenting Your 6th - 7th Grader Taught by Kris Shelley
Time: Thursdays 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Room 135B
Dates: Sept. 10, Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, Mar. 3, Apr. 7 and May 5
PE-8&9: Parenting Your 8th - 9th Grader Taught by Kris Shelley
Time: Thursdays 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Room 135B
Dates: Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 10, Apr. 14 and May 12
PE-HS: Parenting Your High School Student Taught by Kris Shelley
Time: Thursdays 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Room 135B
Dates: Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 21, Feb. 18, Mar. 17, Apr. 21 and May 19
Time: Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., Room 135B
Dates: Sept. 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 11, Dec. 16, Jan. 20, Feb. 17, Mar. 16, Apr. 20 & May 18

Edina Family Center is a program of Edina Community Education Services of Edina Public Schools
Register online at www.edinaschools.org/familycenter
Day time child care may be available for your infant through kindergartner
Questions?
Call 952-848-3908
  

           

5701 Benton Ave. S
Edina, MN 55436
952-848-4700