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La Liaison
A Publication of the Normandale PTO
January 24, 2014
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Coming Up Next Week
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JANUARY
29, 30 Scholastic Book Fair, Room 303 ECC 8 AM - 6 PM
30 Kindergarten Registration, 3:30 - 5 PM
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Principal's Weekly
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Normandale Families,
We're experiencing historic weather and school closings. Thank you in advance for partnering with us for the safety of all children. It's a challenge for parents when there are last minute changes and I greatly appreciate your understanding and flexibility.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- First semester grades are available through SchoolView after 5 PM today. If you need assistance with your log-in please contact the Normandale School office.
- Come join me at the BOOK FAIR next Wednesday. Park on the north side of the community center, come up to Room 303 to peruse the books; you'll have the principal's ear and have a good time supporting the school!
My door is always open,
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Scholastic Book Fair
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Annual Scholastic Book Fair - Wednesday and Thursday!
DATES: January 29th and 30th
TIME: 8 AM - 6 PM
LOCATION: Community Center in room 303.
Bring a parent, grandparent, or special friend after school on Thursday the 30th and enjoy coffee, donuts and hot chocolate.
We will raffle off a basket of free books for all that attend the book fair!
Again, please note the location change from past years: we will be on the 3rd floor of the Community Center in room 303. The best doors to enter are doors 4 or 7 on the east side of the building and go directly to the 3rd floor. You DO NOT need to check in or enter through Normandale.
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Rally Week Is On Its Way
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February 3rd to 7th is Rally Week!
Rally Week is when we celebrate the success of our French Intern Experience and rally to support it for the upcoming school year. Our goal is to sign up enough host families and other support so we can commit to bringing 24 French Interns to Edina for the 2014-15 school year. Look in your child's backpack on January 31st for more information!
Please visit www.edinainterns.org for details, including Trivia Contest and Coloring Contest entry forms.
Monday, February 3rd: Blue, White, and Red Day
Show your school spirit by dressing in the colors of the French flag.
Solve the Monday online trivia contest to be eligible for Tuesday's prize drawings!
Tuesday, February 4th: Cookies & Milk Night
Join the Interns in the Normandale Auditorium from 6:30 - 7:30 PM to:
- Enjoy a bedtime snack of Cookies and Milk.
- See the Interns act out a story in French.
- Wear your PJs!
- Parents must attend with their children, THIS IS NOT A DROP OFF EVENT!
Don't forget to finish your coloring contest entry and solve the Tuesday online trivia contest to be eligible for Wednesday's prize drawings!
Wednesday, February 5th: complete your Coloring Contest entry
This is a school late start day, so use that time to complete your Coloring Contest entry! Hand in your Coloring Contest entry "My intern is special because..." to your classroom teacher to be eligible for Friday's prize drawings. These entries will be collected and given to the interns as a keepsake. Solve the Wednesday online trivia contest to be eligible for Thursday's prize drawings!
Thursday, February 6th: Lunch Treat
Lunchtime fun! All grades will get a traditional French treat during lunchtime to celebrate Rally Week! Solve the Thursday online trivia contest to be eligible for Friday's prize drawings!
Friday, February 7th: Spirit Day
Wear your Normandale/Edina gear to school and show your school spirit! Coloring contest winners will be announced.
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We need parent volunteers during Rally Week to help with Milk & Cookies night, someone to video record the intern's performance, and help during lunchtime to pass out Thursday's surprise treats! Sign up to help during these fun events.
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Host Families for 2014-15
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We're Looking for Host Families for 2014 -2015 School Year!
 Please consider hosting an intern next school year. They are an essential part of our children's immersion education and you can enrich your family's immersion experience by welcoming an intern into your home.
Did You Know? It's a year-long process to get the interns for each school year. Please consider signing up to host for either fall or spring of 2014-15. We need 55 families to invite all 24 interns. Invitations to the interns will go out March 1st so that their paperwork isn't delayed. We need all the families signed up by February 24th deadline. And it's SO EASY to sign-up. If you have questions please contact Anne Jennen or Kris Wetmore.
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Junior Great Books is Starting
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Register for Junior Great Books Today!
What is Junior Great Books (JGB)?
Junior Great Books is a wonderful reading program that Normandale participates in. It is open to children grade 2 through grade 5. The parent-led groups meet once a week during the students' lunch and recess. When students participate in JGB programs, they evolve from passive listeners to critical thinkers. Through reading, discussion, writing, and other classroom activities, students improve their:
- critical thinking
- reading comprehension
- writing
- listening
- speaking
What is expected from the children during the meetings?
The students will be responsible for reading the selection for the week two times before the meeting (or having their parents read it to them). The children eat their bag lunch during the beginning of the group time, and are asked to help clean up the area afterwards. Deep comprehension of the reading material is the goal. Many forms of interpreting the story will be used, such as "Shared Inquiry" group discussion, drawings, brief worksheets, acting out the story, etc.
What is the time commitment for children participating?
Meetings are once a week during the months of March - May. This amounts to 10-12 classes which are held during the lunch and recess period. Students will forgo their recess on the JGB day in order to participate.
Consider becoming a leader!
Discussion groups are lead by trained parent volunteer leaders. This program is completely dependent on the support of the volunteer leaders. The success of the program depends on keeping class sizes manageable and not overcrowded. As a volunteer, you'll have the chance to work directly with students. Your own enthusiasm for literature and for sharing ideas will foster the students' love of literature and learning.
For questions or to get more information, you can contact Jennifer Haenel.
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Garage Sale for Haiti
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Third Grade students are planning and hosting the 3rd annual Vide-Grenier (garage sale). Third Grade families are donating items that will be sold and all proceeds will be used to help the community of Lougou, Haiti, through the organization COFHED. If you would like to support this project, please consider allowing your child to purchase these items during the day of our sale. All classes at Normandale, just as with the Scholastic Book Fair, will have the opportunity to come to the vide-grenier during the day to shop around. Most items will be priced at $2 or less.
DATE: Friday, February 14
TIME: 9 AM - 1:30 PM
LOCATION: Room 303
If you would like to donate items for the Garage Sale, here are the guidelines:
- It can be something from your work company such as old office supplies
- No weapons or items of a violent nature (e.g., guns and swords)
- No stuffed animals
- Only E or G rated CDs, DVDs and game disks
- No broken toys or toys with missing parts
- No items that require trying on (ice skates, soccer shoes, etc.)
- If items have multiple parts, please label items (tell us what they are) and put them all in a clear plastic bag so parts do not get misplaced
- Books appropriate for ages K-5 in any language are acceptable.
PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO ANY 3RD GRADE TEACHER THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10TH. MERCI!
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Save the Date: Imagination Fair
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Normandale Imagination Fair
DATE: Tuesday, March 4th TIME: 6:00 -7:30 PMLOCATION: Auditorium
Our annual Imagination Fair is an opportunity for Normandale students to showcase their experiments, inventions, or creations. All Normandale students are invited to participate. Students may work alone, with another student, or in a group.
Online Project Registration: Feb 15 - March 1, 2014
Don't know where to start?
Projects don't have to be complicated! Let your child's imagination, creativity, and inventiveness guide you as you help your child explore whatever may interest him/her at this moment... nature, mechanics, art, technology, fashion, chemistry, photography, animals, weather, crafts, or any other hobbies.
For more information, please check Normandale PTO website or contact Cheche Lacsamana for questions.
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Pajama Jamboree Concert
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A Concert for Elementary Students, Performed by the High School Orchestra
Tuesday, January 28 
6:00 PM
Edina High School, Fick Auditorium
12 and under - FREE, adults $3.00
Music performances by the Varsity and Symphony Orchestras featuring music from Aladdin, Brave, Beauty and the Beast, and other Pixar favorites. All ages welcome! Face painting, storytelling, and instrument petting zoo.Wear your pajamas and bring a blanket or a favorite stuffed animal.
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Education Fund Lunch
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Edina Education Fund Show & Tell Luncheon
Please join the Edina Education Fund for lunch and an exciting program! You'll experience firsthand the profound impact the Edina Education Fund has on students throughout Edina Public Schools. There will be demonstrations from our most recent grant recipients, live presentations and more.
Monday, February 3, 2014 
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Edina
6820 St. Patrick's Lane
Edina, MN 55439
Please make your reservation by January 27.
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National Speaker Event
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"Parenting from the Neck Up: Navigating the Magic Decades"
Dr. JoAnn Deak, Ph. D.
Learn your role as a neurosculptor, guiding magical stages of brain development in early childhood and adolescence. World-renowned educator and psychologist Dr. JoAnn Deak demystifies the latest cognitive research about gender differences, learning styles, character formation and the building of self-confidence. Every interaction your child has advances the adult they become.
Monday, February 3
7 - 9 PM
Edina High School, EPAC Auditorium
Tickets: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
Equip yourself for the journey!
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Last Week's News
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Previously included La Liaison articles are listed below in case you missed them.
- Principal's Weekly Update
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Host Families Needed
- Pajama Jamboree Concert
- Edina Education Fund Lunch
- PCN National Speaker
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Happening in the Community
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The combined choirs Edina Children's Choir will present the  semi-staged version of Aladdin Kids for our May Concert as well as the National anthem at the Minnesota Twins game April 9. Please make sure your son or daughter is signed up through Edina Community Ed. Rehearsals begin next week (January 27, 28).
Edina High School Boy's Hockey Presents  Sunday, January 26 1:00-2:30 pm, Braemar Arena
Capturing the Excitement of Edina Public Schools!
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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.
Editors: Libby Cecchi and Cindy Akyuz |
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