The Countryside Newsline
May 6. 2016

 MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL | COUNTRYSIDE NEWS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

 

 May 6, 2016

Greetings Countryside Families!
  
International Walk and Bike to School Day - An Amazing Day!
This was a fabulous experience!  We had over 125 bikers and 100+ walkers on Wednesday.  It was fun to see how many families participated with their children that day too.  Thank you to everyone who joined in and a BIG Thank You to parent volunteer and planner Lindsay Sorem.  She and her team did a fabulous job putting all the logistics together to make it a successful event.  Also, thank you to Edina Police Department, our building maintenance supervisor TJ Lyman and Charlie Barton and his Countryside patrol students for their efforts.  Wow!!
 
Berry Berry Kale Smoothie - A HUGE Hit!
The tasting on Thursday was great and everyone loved the Kale Berry smoothie.  Many students asked for a reprint of the recipe so it can be made at home.  Here you go:
 
Berry Berry Kale Smoothie
Makes:   One 12oz smoothie
Ingredients:
  • � cup strawberries, halved
  • 1 cup kale, chopped
  • � cup 100% orange juice
  • � cup ice cubes
  • � cup blueberries
  • 1 medium banana
  • � cup vanilla low fat yogurt
Directions:
  1. 1.       Rinse berries and kale
  2. 2.       Place ingredients in blender. Blend for 1 minute until smooth.
  3. 3.       Portion into serving cupes
  4. 4.       Serve chilled (Smoothie may be refrigerated overnight).
Hold at 40 degrees F or lower
 
MCA - Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments - Complete
After a long period of testing, we have finally finished with the State testing for our 3rd-5th grade students.  Students have worked hard and staff have supported them well.  Great job everyone!  Over the next few weeks teachers will be completing year-end classroom assessments and some of our students will be taking the MAP tests too.  Thanks for your ongoing support of your child as they complete this process.
 
The Barnes and Noble Galleria Book Fair is coming!  May 19
This spring, we've paired with Barnes and Noble, Galleria for one more chance to support Countryside's Media Center.  Did you know we have e-books at Countryside? This fair will help add more e-books to our library as well as other great resources.  What makes this book fair special?  We can benefit from purchases made *all over the country* and on-line.  
  • Encourage grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, colleagues to shop at Barnes and Noble on May 19th using the Book Fair Code: 11822061.
  • All purchases made mentioning the book fair code will benefit Countryside school - including food and drinks purchased at the Galleria Barnes and Noble Cafe - so pick up dinner for the family!  
  • A special day and evening has been planned:  Author Kelly Barnhill (Witch's Boy; Iron Hearted Violet; and others), who will be presenting to Countryside students at school on the 19th, will be at Barnes and Noble Galleria that evening from 6-7pm to sign books and meet kids.  Principal Bergman will be doing a read-aloud at 5:30pm.
  • And, of course, we need your help that night!  Please consider signing up to be a welcome host for the festivities that evening.
If you have questions, please email Megan Ulland at [email protected]
 
We are on the homestretch to the end of our school year.  Hang on!
 
Karen Bergman, Principal
CSNews
COUNTRYSIDE NEWS

 

 Mark Your Calendar                  

 

 Friday, May 13                             Countryside Carnival, 6 - 8:30pm - Save the Date!

Tuesday, May 17                           5th Gr Band Concert - 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 19                         Visiting Author & Barnes and Noble Bookfair (Galleria)

 Friday, May 27                             Field Day at Countryside

 Friday, June 3                              5th Grade Recognition, 9:45am

 Friday, June 3                              Last Day of School


TEACHER SPOTLIGHTSMediaMatters

Media Center News & Events
 
Visiting Edina Author
Minneapolis author Kelly Barnhill  will speak with 3rd-5th grade students about her fantasy books on May 19, 2016. That evening Ms.Barnhill will be at the Countryside Barnes and Noble Book Fair, Galleria to read from her books and sign copies of her books from 6:00-7:00 pm. Visit Kelly Barnhill's website to learn more about her and her magical stories.
 
Kickoff Summer Reading at Countryside's  Barnes and Noble Book Fair
Please join Countryside community on Thursday, May 19 from 5:00-9:30 pm at Barnes and Noble Galleria to launch summer reading. Mrs. Bergman will start the evening by reading a few of her favorite picture books between 5:30-6:00 pm. Then local author Kelly Barnhill will read and sign books from 6:00-7:00 pm. A percentage of the purchases from the evening event will support Countryside Media Center literacy initiatives. For more information about the event go to the link to the Book Fair flyer on the Countryside website's home page.

All Media Center Books Due Friday, May 20
Friday, May 13 is the last day for book checkout
Friday, May 20 all books are to be returned to Countryside Media Center.
 
Book Swap
The Book Swap will take place Friday, May 20. Start cleaning out books your children have outgrown and donate them to the book swap.
What is the Book Swap? The Book Swap is an opportunity for your child(ren) to bring in books from home that they have read and would like to swap for "new" books to take home and keep. Please bring in gently used books you own. Students can donate up to five books.

      Please do not donate board books or preschool themed books. Chapter books are the most popular books at the swap.

      Your child(ren) can drop off books in the front lobby of the school every morning May 16-19. Parent volunteers receiving the books will track the student's donations for the exchange during the swap.

      Participating students will visit the swap in the morning during school to select up to five "new" books.

      If students are absent on the day of the swap your child(ren)'s teacher will choose books and set them aside until your child returns to school.

 


FIELD DAY
Ready-Set-Go!!!  Once again it is time for Field Day at Countryside.  The date will be Friday, May 27th.  There is a modified rain date planned this year for Tuesday May 31st.  Volunteers are needed for both morning and afternoon sessions for Friday, May 27th. 
 
  • If the rain date is needed, we will only be using the afternoon of May 31st for Field Day for all grade levels.  Only 6 volunteers would be needed for the Kindergarten-through 2nd grades as they will only do the traditional events below the sledding hill.  The 3rd-5th grades will do a Tug-O-War Challenge and no volunteers will be needed.
Field day is a Countryside tradition where students participate in events for part of the school day.  Events are designed to provide students with an assortment of activities that include; high intensity activity, low intensity activity, individual participation, partner participation, gross motor skill practice, and some good old fashioned luck.
Times will be for the following grades:
            9:45-11:15      Kindergarten, 1st, 1/2CP, 2nd
            1:30-3:00        3rd, 3/4CP, 4th, 5th
            3:15-3:45        Tug Of Wars for 4th and 5th grade
Students will need to dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes to participate in (no sandals, flip flops, crocs please, etc.), and wear their PRIDE T-Shirt for the day.

Morning Session
The primary students of Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades will participate in the morning.  They will rotate as a grade level to a designated area where students will have 5-6 event choices, with the exception of the "Big Hill" events where they will get a chance to choose an event of their choice that they would like to perform in front of the grade level.   Kindergarten will not get to choose a "Big Hill" event as they will all do the same event.
  • We are in need of parent/guardian volunteers in the morning session for Kindergarten-2nd grade.  Needed are 25-30 volunteers to help with being in charge of running a station/event.  Equipment will all be set up for you ready to go.  Time commitment would be from 9:15-11:15. Please contact the PE Staff if you can help out. 
[email protected] or 952-848-4725
[email protected] or 952-848-4741

Afternoon Session
The intermediate students of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades will participate with a different format in the afternoon.  Students will stay with their class and rotate to 11 different events trying to get the best recorded time or score.  The classes will be working together to see who is the overall champion in each event.  We conclude the day with the 4th and 5th grade Tug-Of-Wars.  The 5th grade team that wins the Tug-Of-War gets to pull against the staff.
  • Mr. Bleess and Mr. Koller will need parent volunteers for 3rd grade-5th grade for Field Day.  Needed are approximately 25-30 volunteers to help run a station event.  Running a station event would include to give directions of the game, starting the event, timing an event and/or recording the class or group score.  Everything would be provided.  Time commitment would be from 1:00pm-3:15pm.  Please contact the PE Staff if you can help out.
[email protected] or 952-848-4725
or 952-848-4741  


PTONews
PTO NEWS

COUNTRYSIDE CARNIVAL - FRIDAY, MAY 13
 
The 2016 Countryside Carnival is coming up next week, Friday, May 13th from 6:00 - 8:30 pm.  Here some things for you to know:
 
Volunteering:  There are still many volunteer shifts available for running games, serving food, and other duties.  We especially need volunteers to sign up to help serve the Culver's menu items in the cafeteria.  This is a great job for older siblings to volunteer for, and responsible 5th graders are welcome to sign up as well!  Please visit the Sign-up Genius to reserve your volunteer spot:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044da9ab29a2fa7-2016
 
Donations for Games:  We are still in need of donations of nut-free cereal for the very popular Cereal Walk game.  Please drop off your cereal in the boxes in front of the school office by Monday, May 9th.  We are also still collecting donations of new or gently-used stuffed animals for the Stuffed Animal Walk.
 
Ticket Information:  If you would like to pre-order your unlimited game wristbands, food tickets and basket raffle tickets, you can use the Ticket Order form that was sent home in your youngest child's backpack folder this week.   If you did not receive the form, you can download and print one from the Carnival page of the PTO website:  https://sites.google.com/site/countrysideptosite/carnival.  You can pick up your pre-ordered tickets in the school office Thursday and Friday, May 12th and 13th.  You will also be able to purchase tickets at the Carnival ticket stand on the day of Carnival.  Please bring cash or checks for payment - Raffle tickets cannot be purchased with credit cards per state law.
 
Raffle Baskets:  Thanks to everyone who donated money towards the purchase of items for the Raffle Baskets!  The Raffle Basket committee is currently putting together some really fabulous prize baskets, which you will all have a chance to win during the Carnival.
 
For more details about the 2016 Carnival, visit the Carnival page on the PTO website:  https://sites.google.com/site/countrysideptosite/carnival.  For general questions about the Carnival, contact Jules Geisler at [email protected].
 
THE COUNTRYSIDE BOOK SWAP IS COMING!  
 
Got books at home you are done reading?  Want to get different books in time for summer reading?  Participate in the Annual Countryside Book Swap.
 
What:  Trade books with your classmates, schoolmates and friends
 
How:  Monday May 16th - Thursday May 19th from 8:45am-9:45am, bring up to 5 books - (Please NO board books/preschool books) to trade.  Volunteers will mark the number books each child brings to swap.  On Friday May 20th, the kids who have donated will be invited to select new books - the number of books you bring is the number of books you can pick.
 
Questions:  email Megan Ulland at [email protected]
 
Want to volunteer?  Email Megan Ulland at [email protected]  We need helpers to check books in Mon-Thur and helpers on Friday to set up the swap, help kids pick books and clean up from the swap.
 
 
ATTENTION FRIENDS OF THE EDINA BANDS! BANDBLAST! IS MAY 13!
 
The Edina community is warmly welcomed to BandBLAST!, an event benefitting the Edina Marching Band Uniform Drive, sponsored by the Edina High School Band Boosters. Please join us for music, fun, and marching band performances at Champions Hall Sport and Event Center on May 13, 7-11 pm, as we raise funds to replace our 23-year-old uniforms. Band alumni, and band families from the past, present and future are expressly invited to attend, as are ALL fans of the Edina Marching Band! Bring friends and enjoy a casual jamboree with the Edina Bands; food and beverage will be available to purchase.  More information and tickets at www.edinabands.com.
 
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




Attention Friends of the Edina Bands! BandBlast! is May 13!
 
The Edina community is warmly welcomed to BandBLAST!, an event benefitting the Edina Marching Band Uniform Drive, sponsored by the Edina High School Band Boosters. Please join us for music, fun, and marching band performances at Champions Hall Sport and Event Center on May 13, 7-11 pm, as we raise funds to replace our 23-year-old uniforms. Band alumni, and band families from the past, present and future are expressly invited to attend, as are ALL fans of the Edina Marching Band! Bring friends and enjoy a casual jamboree with the Edina Bands; food and beverage will be available to purchase.  More information and tickets at www.edinabands.com.
 

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