School has been in session now for four months and it's a pleasure to be learning alongside your children. I look forward to the new year and increasing our opportunities for work and play.

Thank you all for your generous support of time, energy and resources. They are indeed precious and valued gifts that make Normandale the school it is today.

I wish you and your terrific children a wonderful winter holiday break.

Have fun, make memories and enjoy the time together.

My door is always open,

Gerry Lukaska

952-848-4199

The Science of Spin is coming to Normandale Elementary!

What! Physics in Gym Class - Grades 3-5?

Yo-yo Master Dazzling Dave recently presented an amazing performance for Normandale! Dave is also including instruction during PE classes to expose students to safe yo-yo play, skills, and tricks for grades 3-5. This week, Tuesday-Friday, December 10-13, "Dazzling Dave" Schulte, National Yo-Yo Master, will present a program called the Science of Spin�. As part of this program he will also teach the sport of yo-yo in workshops.

Dave teaches science through the use of toys and sporting equipment. This helps children understand how physics play a part of their everyday life. Yo-Yoing is a part of his demonstration. It is a skill that develops hand-eye coordination, builds self-esteem, enhances motor skills, and teaches the benefits of practice. It is also a lot of fun!

Yo-Yos will be provided for the workshops, so buying a yo-yo is not mandatory. However, if your child does not have a good working yo-yo, the high quality type used in the classes will be available at school for five days following the program. For grades K, 1 & 2, sales will take place in the cafeteria during their lunch period on Wednesday only. 3rd, 4th & 5th grade purchases will be done during PE class and also during Fitness club before school.

The flyer here details what is available. Part of the proceeds will go to our school! Cash with correct change is preferred, however checks can be made payable to the school.

We look forward to this program and are sure this will be a valuable, and enjoyable activity for our students. Dazzling Dave stresses the importance of safe yo-yoing both in the initial program, and in the workshops. The children will be allowed to use their yo-yo at recess as long as they do so safely.

To Learn more about Dazzling Dave and his yo-yos, visit: dazzlingdave.com

Outerwear Expectations

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Just a reminder about our common expectations for outerwear and the consequences for not wearing appropriate outerwear:

1. A visual display in each classroom will help students understand what they need to wear to recess on a given day. Classroom teachers, along with recess supervisors, will help reinforce expectations.

2. Students will hang their coats before lunch when coats are required for recess.

3. If it is below 40 degrees students have to have a coat. (If they are hot, they unzip their coat.)

4. Snowpants and boots are required when there is accumulated snow on the ground. No snowpants or boots means that students have to stay on the blacktop. Teacher can restrict where students can sit or walk in the classroom if they have wet apparel.

5. Boots worn outside cannot be the same boots worn inside. For example, if girls choose to wear Uggs or fashion boots in school, they need snow boots for outside. If boys have shoes/boots, they must have separate shoes/boots for outside.

6. Hats, mittens, etc., are required when it's below freezing (32 degrees). No coat, hat/hood, mittens means that students deal with being cold and the teacher chooses whether or not to contact the parents.

Also, a reminder to please label all clothing with your child's name! Thank you!

Incoming Kindergarten Sibling Preference for 2014

For current Normandale families with a child who will be kindergarten age by September 2014, please remember that to receive "sibling preference" for Normandale, you must notify the district office by 4:00 PM on January 13, 2014.

You should have already received your mailing from the district. Instead of an envelope this year, it is a 5-fold cardstock brochure with the "pink" Program Preference Form as one of the panels. There are different options this year for submitting your information.

1) You can tear this "pink" page off and mail it in. You will receive an email confirmation that it has been received.

2) You can drop it off at the Welcome Center on the first floor of the Edina Community Center.

3) You can fill it out online. The web address is listed on the pink page. You will receive a message that your form has been submitted.

Information turned in after the deadline will be numbered in the order received and placed at the end of the waitlist if a lottery is necessary.

If you should have any questions about the process, please contact the Normandale office at 952-848-4100.

Health Office Request

PANTS NEEDED!

The Health Office is looking for pants donations (all sizes). Elastic waist pants are preferred. Donations can be brought directly to the Health Office. Thank you for your help!

5th Grade Orchestra Concert

Save the Date!

Attention All 5th grade orchestra parents! The 5th grade Winter Orchestra Concert performance is scheduled for December 16th at 7:30 PM in the Normandale auditorium. Parents are welcome to attend. See you there!

Last Week's News

Previously included La Liaison articles are listed below in case you missed them.

Principal's Weekly Update
Barnes and Noble Bookfair
Outerwear Expectations
Incoming Kindergarten Sibling Preference
Holiday Boutique
Health Office Request
National Education Week
5th Grade Band Concert

You can always view last week's newsletter on Normandale's PTO website or on the Newsletters page of the Normandale Website.

Happening in the Community

Capturing the Excitement of Edina Public Schools!

Stay connected with Edina Public Schools by visiting the EPS website, and/or the EPS Facebook Page.

Also, you can check out some fabulous Community Opportunities for Youth on Facebook.

La Liaison is published every Friday. Submit articles to LaLiaison_MN@hotmail.com by noon Wednesday prior to your desired publication date. Articles pertaining to the following week's issues will take precedence.

Previous editions of this newsletter are saved in the La Liaison Archives.

Editors: Libby Cecchi and Cindy Akyuz