The Countryside Newsline
March 25. 2016

 MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL | COUNTRYSIDE NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

 

 
3-24-16
 
Greetings Countryside Families!
 
Young Scientists and Artists Share Their Talents
On March 22nd, Countryside families, students and staff were treated to a celebration of learning at our Science and Innovation Fair, along with the first Artists Gallery Walk. This year's science fair included participation from over 60 students from all grades and each project amazed and fascinated our Countryside students and families.  Some students will show their talents on a bigger stage as they participate in the Regional Science Fair in Mankato in April.  Hundreds of Countryside students also shared their love of art and their talents as they visited the Art Studio and showed off their talent by displaying their art in the galleries around our school.  Congratulations to our young scientists and artists and "Thank You" to science fair parent coordinator Tamara Whear and Ms. Kitzman for planning and assisting students in displaying their art work.  Well done everyone!
 
ONLINE BOOK FAIR OPEN THROUGH MARCH 30!
Thank you to everyone who came out Tuesday night to support the Spring Book Fair. It was a great turnout! If you couldn't make it no worries - you can buy books online until March 30! Books ordered online will be sent to school for distribution after the March 30 deadline. Click the link below to shop:
 
LAST CALL FOR YEARBOOK ORDERS!!
Order your Countryside 2015-2016 yearbook! DEADLINE for ordering is APRIL 5th 2016! Please order your yearbook by visiting:  https://ybpay.lifetouch.com
School ID code: 1550616
Contact Sara Friswold ([email protected]) or Megan Ulland ([email protected]) with questions.
 
Congratulations to our First Countryside Marathon Finishers!
We have our first finishers of the year in the Countryside Marathon.  What a great accomplishment for these "Fit Countryside Cougars!" 
Congratulations goes to:
  • Grade 1 Borries - Per G., Nolan S., MJ H., Luke M. and Flynn D.
  • Grade 1 Dang - Marcus T.
  • Grade 1 Venne - Vincent C., Evan G., DeAndre W., Ben S. and Bode M.
  • Grade 2 Hammel - Carston K.
 
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
Students in grades 3-5 began taking the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) the week of April 12.  With a few exceptions for individual students, all the assessments this year will be online.  Classroom teachers will send specific dates and times for their students.  Please be aware of the dates and know that it is recommended students be in attendance, if at all possible, on their assigned testing dates.  We will schedule makeup assessments, but that can be a cumbersome task, so your assistance is appreciated in making sure your student(s) are at school on their testing dates.
Building Schedule for MCAs - Countryside:
  • April 12-13                          Grade 3 Reading
  • April 14-15                          Grades 4-5 Reading
  • April 19-20                          Grade 3 Math
  • April 28-29                          Grades 4-5 Math
  • May 2 and 5                       Grade 5 Science
 
PTO Leadership Position for 2016-17 - President Needed
We are so very fortunate at Countryside to be supported by our fabulous parents, and every day we benefit from those who share their time and talents as members of the PTO.  Our current PTO executive board has done a fantastic job making "it all happen," and now we are in need of a leader to move us into next year.  Please consider being a part of this valuable team that supports our students and staff every day.  A PTO president is needed to join the team of parents already in place for next year.  The President oversees PTO sponsored community events through coordination with event chairs and committees, including Back to School and school supply ordering, All School Party, Book Fair, Science Fair, Countryside Against Hunger, and Celebration of Cultures, and assists the VP of fundraising on fundraising events as the need arises. The President presides over semi-annual PTO general meetings and monthly executive committee meetings and collaborates with the PTO executive board to plan events and manage the budget. The President communicates regularly with the principal and school staff to ensure that the needs of the school and students are being met in the best way possible.  If you are interested in taking on the challenge of leading our Countryside PTO, contact current president, Jennifer Musolf, at [email protected].
 
Interested in new events? Have an event to share?   
Check out what events are happening in Edina. If you know of a non-profit partner who has an event to share, post it at the Edina Community Bulletin Board.
 
See you in April after Spring Break - thinking Spring!
 
Karen Bergman, Principal
CSNews
COUNTRYSIDE NEWS

 

 Mark Your Calendar                  

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

Tuesday, April 12                           PTO meeting, 6pm

Thursday, April 21                          Late Start Day

Tuesday, April 26                         Spring Picture Day (Note New Date!) 


TEACHER SPOTLIGHTSMediaMatters
 
Media Center Events

Scholastic Spring Book Fair Thank you!
Thank you for your generous support of the Spring book fair. The proceeds will benefit the Media Center and literacy initiative throughout the school by supporting visiting authors, reading incentives and book purchases.Thank you book fair committee Megan Ulland, Heide McDermott, and Kelly Wellborn for a wonderful and fun book fair.

Visiting Edina Author
KARE 11 Chief Meteorologist and Countryside parent Belinda Jensen will speak with 1st and 2nd grade students about her new book series, Bel the Weather Girl on Earth Day, April 22, 2016. Visit Bel the Weather Girl website to find weather related science experiments and information about the books.

Book Checkout
23,730 book checkout transactions have taken place since the first day of school to mid March. Students have done an amazing job of managing their books and bringing them back on time or renewing. Thank you for helping your child(ren) learn organizing and library skills. If you have received an overdue book notice through your email please help your child(ren) return the book or if the book is lost to reconcile the fine with a check or cash. Overdue notices are sent electronically to the parent or guardian's email address. If you would like more information please contact Media Specialist, Janet Parker at [email protected].
Summer Reading Kickoff
Please join Countryside community on Thursday, May 19, 2016 5:00-9:30 at Barnes and Noble Galleria to launch Summer reading. Local author Erin Barnhill will visit Countryside during the day and meet with students in grades 3-5. She will then be at Barnes and Noble in the evening to sign books. A percentage of the purchases from the evening of the event will support Countryside Media Center literacy initiatives. Watch for more information.

From the Health Office
Influenza is on the rise in Minnesota. Symptoms of an influenza-like-illness (ILI) include a fever (100 degrees and greater), dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme tiredness, nasal congestion, and body aches.

We will be working with the staff and students at Countryside to decrease exposure to germs. Please keep sick children at home to prevent the spread of illness. Students must be fever free for 24 hours without medication to return to school.

Remember that good hand washing is your best defense!
Thank you for your help!
 

Attention all 4
th Grade Families - do you want to play in Band or Orchestra next year?
 
Sign up for a Band/Orchestra interview time now!
 
All the details are online - follow the link below
 
 
 
Don't delay - sign up today!
 Patrick Mulligan
Edina Public Schools
Instrumental Music


PTONews
PTO NEWS

LAST CALL FOR YEARBOOK ORDERS!!
 
Order your Countryside 2015-2016 yearbook! DEADLINE for ordering is APRIL 5th 2016! Please order your yearbook by visiting:
 
 
School ID code: 1550616
 
Any questions contact Sara Friswold ([email protected]) or Megan Ulland ([email protected])
 
ONLINE BOOK FAIR OPEN THROUGH MARCH 30!
 
Thank you to everyone who came out Tuesday night to support the Spring Book Fair. It was a great turnout! If you couldn't make it no worries - you can buy books online until March 30! Books ordered online will be sent to school for distribution after the March 30 deadline. Click the link below to shop:
 
 
PTO SURVEY QUESTION- WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
 
Please click the link below to give us your ideas for new projects or programs for the PTO to fund.
 
 
PTO 2016-2017 PRESIDENT POSITION OPEN
 
Countryside needs YOU! Are you looking for a way to get more involved at school? The Countryside PTO needs a dedicated parent to serve as president for the 2016-17 school year. This is a fantastic way to have a positive impact on your child's school and meet other parents and staff members at Countryside. Interested or have questions? Contact current PTO President Jennifer Musolf 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.

 
CommunityNews
COMMUNITY NEWS



Planning for Next Gen gifted services is underway
SAVE THE DATE: Community invited to review draft recommendations, provide feedback
As part of the district's implementation of its Next Generation Strategic Plan, a study of gifted and talented services has been looking at how best to personalize instruction and continue to challenge learners so they can achieve their full potential. The study's design team, comprised of teachers and administrators, have developed draft recommendations that will be shared with stakeholders this spring. In addition to gathering feedback from staff and the Gifted Advisory Committee, the district is also seeking broader parent and community input.
  •   WHAT: Gifted and talented program study recommendation input sessions
  •   WHEN
    •          Monday, April 11, 5-6:30 p.m.
    •          Monday, April 18, 6:30-8 p.m.
  •   WHERE: Normandale Elementary Auditorium
  •   For more information, contact Debra Richards, Gifted and Talented Coordinator (952-848-4935)

5th Annual Edina Environmental Forum:
A Smart Energy Future; Will Edina Lead the Way?
Thursday April 14th, Fick Auditorium, EHS (Enter Door No. 3)
6-7pm Action Resource Fair and Refreshments
7pm Program; Keynote Speaker Dr Elizabeth Wilson, 
U of M Professor of Energy and Environmental Policy & Law


Edina Community Education Presents:
Father and Son Connecting, Saturday, April 16th, 2016, 9-12, Edina Community Center - $40.00/pair
Click here for additional information
  

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