|
From Mme Lukaska
| |
Dear Normandale Families,
We're off to a great start at Normandale! As a TEAM, we are poised to be the best immersion school in the country. To that end, you will hear from me each week in La Liaison. I am committed to improving my communication with the community because I believe in open dialogue and the pursuit of the Edina mission - All for All - in partnership with you. I promise to give you my all and will ask for your help. The combination of our strengths provides for greater growth and the creation of an engaging learning environment. Many thanks for joining the staff, teachers and me on the 2013-14 journey! Allons-y!
Kindergarten teachers will continue to meet their students every morning on the playground through next Friday, Sept. 13th. All other students are invited to go directly to their classrooms starting at 8:20.
Karen Roach manages my calendar (952-484-4100) so that I can be in classrooms as much as possible. You are welcome to contact me with any concerns or questions by phone (952-848-4199), email, or with an in-person meeting. I look forward to keeping in close contact.
Have a great weekend. Rest up. We'll be ready to roll again on Monday. A lundi!
Mme Lukaska
|
|
Smile! It's Picture Day!
|
Pictures will be taken Thursday, September 12th. Order forms will be in your child's backpack this afternoon. Be sure to send your order form and payment no later than picture day. Questions? Email Shannon Sieve or call her at 952-916-1655.
.
|
|
Important Forms and Dues Are Due
|
When Should I Pay Dues? The time is now. Did you know that until we get a majority of dues and fees paid we cannot give funds to classroom parents to plan parties? The dues and fees cover room parties, field trips, directories, staff development, the intern program and more. This also is your chance to order a yearbook. Please make every effort to play in a timely fashion so we can figure out finances for the year. You can pay using PayPal or you can print off a dues form and put a check in the PTO Treasurer box in the front office.
In addition, we also need families to complete their Enrollment/Emergency Form and Health Forms really, really, really soon. The forms can be found on the Normandale website. Please return them to the front office and nurse's office as soon as possible. Merci beacoup!
|
|
Communications from Normandale
|
Visit the Normandale Elementary home page and note there are links there to district and Normandale calendars and a link to the PTO website. It is updated year-round to feature links to current topics, including special events, enrichment activities, volunteering opportunities, fundraiser details, and more.
Stay in the know! Don't let us land in spam. Please take a moment to "whitelist" the following addresses, so we don't land in your spam folder:
Here are instructions for whitelisting for various email service providers.
Like us on Facebook!
|
|
Welcome Back
|
Dear Families,
Yes, we have officially said good-bye to our summer routines and bonjour to the new school year. C'est la rentreé! Hopefully you've been able to greet familiar faces along with some new ones too!
- Amandine Schonecker from France is joining the 1st grade team. Two years ago she was an intern in Mme Heffelfinger's class.
- Cara Coen-Pesch is also joining the 1st grade team after a couple of years away to raise her children. Previously she taught 4th grade here.
- Caroline White, a native French speaker, comes to us from the International School in Eden Prairie and will be joining the 2nd grade team.
- Megan Botham is re-joining the Normandale staff as a 3rd grade teacher after being a fantastic long-term substitute last year.
- Katherine Kazemba is our new math and reading G.T. teacher.
- Jennifer Johnson and Laura Hanson are going to be our reading and math Learning Specialists.
- Molly Smolinski is going to be the school psychologist.
- Kris Hayes will be our part-time media clerk.
I want to extend a special greeting to new families beginning their Normandale journey, welcome, et bienvenue! This is a building of committed and passionate teachers eager to partner with families.
Last year we launched the year with energy and a focus on collaboration. This year we are intentionally kicking it up a notch. Normandale is a professional learning community (PLC) and all the grade levels will meet as collaborative teams to learn from each other, to review data, to monitor student progress and share instructional strategies. Our focus will be:
- What do we want the students to know?
- How will we know if they know it?
- What do we do for students who need additional support to know it?
- What do we do for students who are able to demonstrate mastery and need enrichment?
Not only do we have native French speakers on every grade level team, we have 19 new French interns joining the staff this year who are eager to share their language and culture. This program is entirely supported through PTO fundraisers and greatly enriches the immersion experience. The interns are an invaluable asset we wouldn't be able to provide without your continued support. Merci beaucoup!
We're off to a remarkable year!
Mme Lukaska
|
|
New Teacher Bio: Mme Kazemba
|
Bonjour. My name is Mme Kazemba, and I am so excited to be part of the Normandale community! It is going to be a fun year full of learning and new adventures.
I recently moved to the Twin Cities Metro Area from Rochester, Minnesota. Education is a second career for me, as I previously worked as a Respiratory Therapist for Mayo Clinic Foundation hospitals. I have been teaching in public education for 15 years, including positions in which I differentiated learning and instruction for students of all academic needs. I have over 13 years experience with the Everyday Math curriculum and experience in aligning language arts and math goals with state standards. I look forward to many more wonderful years in public education.
I graduated from Winona State University, where I earned a Masters in Science Degree with a major in elementary education and a minor in science. I also completed graduate coursework at Hamline University, earning Reading Specialist certification.
Some of you may be wondering how students are identified to receive gifted services. Identification meetings were held during the summer months with the Gifted Education Specialists and Deb Richards, Coordinator of Gifted Education Services. Families of students newly identified for gifted education services were notified by mail in August. Identification will occur again shortly, following Fall MAP testing. If you have specific questions regarding your child's eligibility for gifted education services you can contact me or Deb Richards.
Again, I am excited to join the Normandale community and anticipate a wonderful school year!
Thank you,
Kate Kazemba
Normandale Gifted Teacher
952-848-4110
|
|
Call for Media Center Volunteers
|
Are you looking for a place you can volunteer and help make a difference at your child's school? Please consider volunteering in the Media Center. We are needing help with book checkout, shelving books, digitizing our Media collection. Come help and share a few minutes with your student(s) when they come to the Media Center. You don't have to commit to a long period of time or a specific time every week. The sign up is on line and you can volunteer for a little as an hour at a time.
We will have a short training/signup session on Wednesday, September 11th at 9:00 AM in the Media Center. We will have treats to welcome you and meet other volunteers. If you have questions or would simply like to schedule a time you can help contact Michelle Langefels, 952-941-2247 or Tracy Pearson at 952 848-4121.
Thank you. We look forward to seeing you!
|
|
Innisbrook Volunteers Needed
|
3-4 volunteers to help label and stuff envelopes for Innisbrook wrapping paper fundraiser. Tuesday, September 10th from 8:45-11:30 in the Normandale conference room. You do not need to stay the entire time-just stop by for as long as your schedule allows. Please respond to Jennifer or Beth Ann. Thank you!
Jennifer Scott 952-239-9028 (call or text)
BethAnn Monsen 612-729-9363
|
|
Hornet Hustle to Benefit Edina Ed Fund
|
Hornet Hustle/Homecoming 2013 - A Family Fun(d) Run
Saturday, September 28, 2013 Rosland Park (Lake Cornelia), Edina 9:00 AM - 5K Run/Walk 10:00 AM - 1-Mile Run/Walk RAIN OR SHINE!!!
|
Learn About Edina Give and Go
|
EdinaGiveAndGo.org has a mission of making it easy for Edina community members to support the growing number of children who struggle to access educational youth activities - arts, athletics, academic enrichment - that exist within our community. Please visit the website today and see how easily you can make a difference in the life of deserving child. At EdinaGiveAndGo.org, you can choose to volunteer your time or donate the very small yet significant funding that will help an Edina child have access to educational enrichment programming.
|
|
Last Week's News
| |
Previously included La Liaison articles are repeated below in case you missed them.
|
|
Happening in the Community
| |
Stay connected with Edina Public Schools by visiting the EPS website, and/or the EPS Facebook Page.
|
|
