March 4, 2016 | VOLUME 4 ISSUE 27

SNAPSHOT | HEADLINES | COMMUNITY NEWS | I AM EPS

SAVE THE DATE | DID YOU KNOW

SNAPSHOT: Creek Valley students and staff celebrated I Love to Read Month last week by dressing up like their favorite book characters. Yesterday was also Read Across America Day (Dr. Suess' Birthday), which inspired many "Cat in the Hat" or "Thing 1,2,3" costumes around the district.

EPS HEADLINES


EHS STUDENTS COLLABORATE WITH GERMAN PEERS IN INTERCULTURAL LEARNING PROJECT Lindsay Smaka's enriched chemistry students crowded around laptops so they could see the faces of their project partners. It was a half hour before school begins at Edina High School (EHS) but it was the end of the day for their partners -- students at Geschwister-Scholl Schule in southwestern Germany. Read more	STUDENT CREATIVITY ON DISPLAY AT EDINA LIBRARY ART SHOW More than 350 works of art by Edina elementary students will be on display at the annual Student Art Show at the Edina Public Library, March 17 through April 17. It will open with a reception on Thursday, March 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., celebrating the artists. Read more

DISTRICT UPDATE

Budget Advisory Task Force reviews draft recommendations, provides additional suggestions for administration to consider

At its second meeting, the Budget Advisory Task Force (BATF) reviewed additional budget data, including how district expenditures compare with other metro schools districts. BATF members then assessed draft recommendations for approximately $600,000 in budget adjustments developed by administration. These draft recommendations were based on priorities determined by the task force last week as well as prior year budget discussions. Working in small groups, task force members used the information to provide further feedback on opportunities and challenges to the draft adjustments.

Administration then presented some additional adjustment considerations for budget reduction, reallocation and/or revenue generation. BATF teams were charged with prioritizing the considerations and providing additional insights, which administration will then process and combine with the draft adjustments to create a total recommendation package that totals between $750,000 to $1 million for 2016-17.

The BATF will hold its last meeting next week during which they will provide additional feedback on administration's recommendations for 2016-17 and then move into planning for 2017-18 and beyond.

Learn more about the BATF and see meeting agendas and minutes at edinaschools.org/BATF

READ MORE HEADLINES!

COMMUNITY NEWS

Chamber seeks nominations for Teacher of the Year

The Edina Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for their annual Teacher of the Year Award. The recipient will receive a $500 cash award, sponsored by Royal Credit Union, and is recognized at the Chamber's annual meeting in May. Also, the Chamber's education committee plans a "classroom surprise" to notify the selected teacher. To nominate a teacher who has made a difference in your student's life, complete this nomination form by April 8.

Changes to 2016-17 school year calendar approved

The school board approved two changes to the 2016-17 calendar affecting early release dates in September and December. The changes are:

Early release day on Sept. 28 has changed to Sept. 30
Early release day on Dec. 9 has changed to Dec. 7

The one-page school year calendars posted on district and school websites have been revised.

I AM EPS

Meet Jon Moore, sixth grade language arts teacher at Valley View

Rather than staying in the same classroom throughout the day, Jon travels to different rooms to teach his classes, whether it is a basic classroom, a physics room, or even the Valley View foyer.

"I haven't had a classroom in four years."

Read more about how Jon looks at space differently

If you have an idea for someone to feature, email us at communications@edinaschools.org with the subject: I am EPS Blog. Or tweet us using the hashtag #IamEPS with your story and what makes you Edina Public Schools.

SAVE THE DATE

March 14: PCN presents

Fight or Flight - Understand Your Child's Emotions

Monday, March 14, 7-9 p.m.
South View Middle School Auditorium - FREE
One in a series of forums presented by Edina Parent Communication Network
Todd Mulliken, LPCC and owner of Mulliken Counseling Center in Edina, has over 30 years experience in the mental health field. This forum will help parents and educators navigate the sometimes tricky world of our children's emotions - and our own! Topics of discussion will include: the shaping of emotions, fighters vs. flighters, and how to fight fair with our kids.