The Countryside Newsline
February 26, 2016

 MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL | COUNTRYSIDE NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

 
2-26-16
 
Greetings Countryside Families!
 
Celebration of Cultures - A Great Success!
Thank you to everyone who made Countryside's Annual Celebration of Cultures a success!
The time and energy the parent volunteers and staff dedicated to this event created a venue in which....
  • Approximately 40 students prepared a cultural presentation.
  • Performers danced, sang and shared traditions from countries around the world.
  • Exotic foods were enjoyed, representing many countries and continents.
  • All students who completed the World Map activity page earned an international prize - prizes to be distributed next week through classroom teachers.
  • All Countryside students/classes made visits during the school day to view the fabulous displays.
  • A special "Thank You" to Ingrid Yelkin and Maggie Conway, our parent coordinatorsJ 
  • Most importantly, this event celebrated families, people and traditions from near and far, all of which are threads that make up our amazing Countryside community. 
 
Classroom Placement for Next Year - Parent Input Forms
Parents wishing to provide input as we begin the process for classroom placement for the fall are encouraged to go online or contact the school office for the Parent Input Form.  Essentially, this is an opportunity for parents to share their children's characteristics/needs and for the school staff to use that information to appropriately place students into classrooms for the fall.  This process is not intended for parents to name their child's teacher for next year, but to provide input to us as we make those decisions here at school.  Copies of the Parent Input Form (in English, Somali and Spanish) are available in the office or in "Quick Links" on the Countryside webpage.  All elementary schools in Edina will be using the same form and the same process.  Completed forms will be accepted until Friday, March 25th 
 
Save the Date - Science Fair/Book Fair/Art Gallery - March 22
Plans are underway for our annual Science Fair, set for March 22.  Check it out on the webpage flyer and pick up packets outside the Countryside office.  In addition to the science fair, we will again hold a mini Book Fair that day, as well as celebrate our art galleries.  Stay tuned and mark your calendars!
  • Science Fair/Book Fair/Art Gallery
  • Tuesday, March 22
 
Karen Bergman, Principal
CSNews
COUNTRYSIDE NEWS

 

 Mark Your Calendar                  

Friday, March 4                             No School, Parent/Teacher conferences

Monday, March 14                         Deadline for ordering Countryside 2015-16 Yearbook

Tuesday, March 22                        Science Fair, 5:30 -7:30pm 

Tuesday, March 22                        Book Fair, 4-7pm

Monday, March 28 - Friday, April 1st   Spring Break, No School

Tuesday, April 12                           PTO meeting, 7pm

Thursday, April 14                          Spring Picture Day

Thursday, April 21                          Late Start Day 


TEACHER SPOTLIGHTSMediaMatters
 
PE News
 In teaming up with the Timberwolves GET FIT program, we had 173 Countryside students in 1st-5th grade complete the necessary activity points to earn the incentive of poster of a Timberwolf player and a voucher for a ticket.  Way to go students.  This has been our 3rd year with GET FIT.  Just as a reminder that the voucher will be good for the Saturday, March 5th game vs. the Brooklyn Nets.  Please use the voucher that was handed out to your student if you have decided to go to the game.
 
In PE with Mr.Bleess and Mr. Koller our classes have been involved with the following activities.  Pillo Polo which is an activity similar to hockey, short jump ropes, cupstacking , and basketball skills and lead-up games.  Units that students will have coming up include cooperative games, floor hockey, and volleyball striking games and lead-ups.  Mr. Bleess will have his tradition of the 5th graders playing volleyball vs. some of the staff in a volleyball game right before we head out for spring break.  There will be a random made up 3 teams of 5th graders taking on the 5th grade teachers along with some other staff.  This event is always a fun one for students.
 
On conference day, Mr. Bleess and Mr. Koller will be available in our PE office if you would like to stop by to meet us or ask about your child's participation in PE.  
 
Mr. Craig Bleess
Mr. Nathan Koller

Save the date for our 2016-17 Success Program this summer!
The program for grades 1-5 will be held:
July 25-August 12
9:00-12:00
Edina Community Center/Normandale
5701 Normandale Rd,  55424
More information will be coming on this program.

PTONews
PTO NEWS


A letter from your paper towels:
 
Dear Countryside students,
 
Hello!  I enjoyed seeing you today at school!  Thank you for throwing me away after you used me, I really hate it when I have to lay on the floor all day.  What's new with you?  All is well here at Countryside.  Actually, I have some exciting news to tell you about.  I'm getting MY OWN trash can!  That's right, one just for me!  Countryside is about to get new GREEN "Organics" trash bins, and soon I will get to relax in there after you use me.  Isn't that exciting?  In fact, maybe you could help me out a little bit.  Since this will be a change from what you're all used to, you might need help remembering where to put me!  I have a challenge for all Countryside artists:
 
Design a poster telling everyone at our school about our new organics trash bins!  Because we're dealing with paper towels, we want your poster to somehow include paper towels!  This way everyone will know that the new bins are for paper towels!  Tap into your creative side and help us spread the word!  The winning posters will be displayed throughout the school, as a way to show people where their used paper towels belong.  This is open to all Countryside students.  Posters must be submitted to Ms. Kitzman by Friday, March 11.
 
Well, I hope you've had a good week, and I hope to show up in some of your artwork! 
Thanks for reading my letter everyone!
 
Sincerely,
YOUR PAPER TOWELS


TIME TO ORDER 2015-2016 COUNTRYSIDE YEARBOOKS!
 
Countryside Yearbooks are a great way to preserve the year's memories - make sure to get your orders in by the deadline of
MARCH 14th, 2016!  Yearbooks will continue to have a base price of $15, and there are also additional fee-based options that can be added to your child's yearbook order such as hard cover and personalization.  These options can be found on our Lifetouch online ordering page.
 
Ordering online is easy and fast, so don't delay!  The code for ordering is
1550616.  You can also search for Countryside Elementary by clicking on "search for your school's yearbook ID".
 
Order Online and Pay by Credit Card: Simple go to www.ybpay.lifetouch.com enter Countryside's yearbook ID #
1550616.
 
Please direct questions to Sara Friswold at [email protected] or Megan Ulland at [email protected]
 
Yearbook orders are distributed by the teachers in the final days of school each year.
 
SPRING BOOK FAIR - MARCH 22!
It's a Groovy time for a book fair!  Please join Countryside kids, parents and teachers and pick some great books at the Spring Scholastic Book Fair!
When: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 4pm-8pm
Where: Countryside School Band Room
Who: You!
What: find great new books to read and support the Countryside Media Center.
 
This book fair is being held in conjunction with the Countryside Science Fair.  There will be raffles for great books every 1/2 hour during the book fair.  Must be
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 
Click Below to Give your Time.
present to win.
Questions can be directed to Kelly Wellborn ([email protected]), Heide McDermott ([email protected]) or Megan Ulland ([email protected])
 
SCIENCE FAIR - MARCH 22!
 
The Science Fair will be Tuesday, March 22 5:30pm-7:30pm. More details will be coming home with your children and posted online soon. But make sure to come hungry - the
Taste of Target Field Food Truck will be on hand to purchase dinner!
 
HIP HAPPENINGS - REGISTER NOW ON THE PTO WEBSITE
 
Hip Happenings are fun gatherings outside of school to build community and socialize with other Countryside parents and kids. Register online now for these fun events:
 
Spots are limited so go to the PTO Website now to register and for additional details. If you have any questions or would like to host a new Hip Happening please contact Kelly Wellborn at [email protected].
 
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: MARATHON MONDAYS!
 
Parents, we need your help in supporting "Marathon Mondays"!  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 CLICK HERE to sign up on the Volunteer Page of the PTO Website
 

Join us for Fit Friday!  Where Fun meets Fitness!  
This free, one of kind health and wellness program is offered at Countryside every Friday morning at 8:15am.  
Kids bring a buddy, your parents, or even invite a teacher to join in!  
 
Fit Friday is a collaborative program developed by the Countryside Wellness Committee and Pros of the Rope.  The volunteer coaches are united in their passion for inspiring fitness, wellness and an active lifestyle in children of all ages.  We offer this program on Friday mornings, before school, to all Countryside students and invite them to try new and unique forms of activity.  The Fit Friday program both supports and promotes our core values of Focus, Commitment, Teamwork and Respect.  We challenge kids to learn body awareness, coordination and endurance through activities like fancy footwork ladders, jump rope, abdominal exercises, running and basketball drills and yoga.  And we drive healthy competition by awarding a Fit Friday Achievement award each week to the student who showcases our Core Values.  We invite any parent volunteers with a shared passion for health and wellness to come and help out with Fit Fridays (the only program of its kind offered in the district offered FREE of charge!) 
 


CommunityNews
COMMUNITY NEWS




 


Edina PCN Presents:
Fight or Flight: Understanding Your Child's Emotions, and Ours!
Monday, March 14. 2016,  Edina Southview Middle School Auditorium, 7-9PM  FREE!
Click here for additonal information

The Edina Family Center Presents:
Growing Up Workshop; Mothers and Daughters Connecting
Saturday, March 12, 2016, 9-12, Room 165, $40.00 per pair
Edina Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina
Click here for additional information
 

  

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