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La Liaison
A Publication of the Normandale PTO
February 7, 2014
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Coming Up Next Week
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FEBRUARY
12 Scholastic Book Order, Online Deadline
14 Junior Great Books, Registration Deadline
14 Friendship Parties, 1:45 - 3:00 PM
14 Haiti Fundraiser, 9:00 - 1:30 PM, Room 303
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Principal's Weekly
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Normandale Families,
It's been a cold winter but the Normandale Community has warmly embraced our wonderful interns! Thanks for hosting, partnering, fundraising and providing rides.
The ND learning environment is founded on the belief students are able to learn content in a second language when immersed in the target language.
Therefore our native-speaking interns play a significant and much valued role in providing that language bath for all learners. As a community we are able to collaborate and make it happen! Your participation is needed to ensure that we have interns in classes next year. Past host families and members of the intern committee are able to answer any and all questions (see details in this La Liaison).
IMPORTANT REMINDERS for next week:
- Vide Grenier (Garage Sale or literally empty-the-attic) is on Friday. It's an all French event where students transact all buying with peers in French.
- Friendship Parties on Friday afternoon
- Check out the Lost and Found whenever you happen to be in the building
Anything on your mind about school? Please know my door is open and I welcome the opportunity to learn and partner with you.
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Scholastic Book Fair Online
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 Shop online now until February 12th! A huge thank you for everyone who came to support the Scholastic Book Fair. It was a big success. The money raised goes toward our intern program.
You can still shop online until February 12th. All orders ship to school for FREE! Go to www.scholastic.com and select Normandale Elementary school.
Congratulations to Sarah Heinecke in 2nd grade for winning the raffle. She received a basket of books and goodies. Thank you!
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Host Families
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We're Looking for Host Families for 2014 - 2015 School Year!
It's RALLY WEEK!
It's TIME to SIGN UP to HOST!!
We NEED 45 more families to sign up to host for next year.
We HAVE 10 families.
We can invite four interns.
More families signing up = More interns we can invite.
Sign up deadline is February 24th
Invitations go to the interns by March 1st
Intern candidates are being interviewed this week and next by Sharon Norlander, first grade, and Rolland Talan, fifth grade, in France. We are in the 5th month of the process for next year's interns.
Consider whether you can welcome an intern into your home. Host families provide room and board for half the school year and must have a legal bedroom with an egress window.
Additional information can be found at www.edinainterns.org or contact www.edinainterns.org to help answer any questions.
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Jump Rope for Heart
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 Jump Rope for Heart is coming to Normandale at the end of February! Next week, students will be bringing home a sheet with heart attack warning signs. This is great information to go over with your child and reinforce what you already know. Students who are interested, can also pursue collecting donations for the American Heart Association. Please check the Normandale Jump Rope for Heart website for more information. John Hannemann and Julie Hoecherl
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Last Call for Junior Great Books!
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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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Lunch Brunch!
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"Lunch Brunch:" A casual way to interact with peers for grades 1-5
I would like to offer students a chance to increase their socialization with other children in a casual, informal manner during their lunch/recess period. I have found that lunch/recess can sometimes be a stressful time for students because they may be going through a lull with some of their friends or don't exactly know how to connect with others.
My office is a cozy place for students to eat lunch, have some conversation, and relax. Social skills can be increased just by the opportunity to have shared time with others; some direct instruction by me may take place but the emphasis would be on students having fun and getting to know others. There would be no academic time lost.
If you are interested please contact me by phone or email,
Sandi Stein, MSW, LGSW School Social Worker Normandale Elementary Edina Schools 952 848-4108
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Free Tax Preparation
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Free Tax Preparation!
 Tax assistance is available for income qualifying households. Call the Edina Resource Center at 952-848-3936 for: - local tax clinic locations
- dates and times
- what to bring to the tax clinic
Remember the Earned Income Tax Credit and MN K-12 Education Subtraction |
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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 - Mar 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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Valley View 6th Grade Info Night
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Valley View Middle School 6th Grade Registration Information Night
Please join us at the Valley View Middle School 6th Grade Registration Information Evening on Thursday, February 27, 2014 from 6:30-8:00 PM. Our program, the first step in the transition process, is an informational evening for parents. Our program will be held in the Valley View Auditorium.
Please note that Normandale 5th grade students will visit Valley View on May 22nd at 1:00 pm.
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Edina Bands Presents: OlymPOPs!
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OlymPOPs!
The Edina High School Concert Band is pleased to invite the families, students and staff of Normandale to the 61st Annual Pops Concert: OlymPOPS!
Of special interest to our elementary families is the first annual MiniPOPS! This is a one hour, abbreviated version of POPS!, tailored to our younger and senior audience members, and will be presented on March 1, 1pm, at Fick Auditorium. Tickets are $3.
The EHS POPS! concerts are a terrific way to get our elementary-aged students excited about music and the terrific band program available in Edina Schools. This Edina tradition incorporates big band music with song and dance production numbers, comedy, and unique performances; it is colorful and entertaining.
This years' theme, OlymPOPS!, celebrates the spirit and exhilaration of the Winter and Summer Olympic games, and features an Olympic style opening ceremony and parade production piece.
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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
- Rally Week
- Ken Jennings
- Host Families Needed
- Garage Sale Benefiting Haiti
- Imagination Fair
- PCN National Speaker
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Happening in the Community
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School Board Meeting
Monday February 10, 7:00PM
Edina Community Center
Room 349
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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