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La Liaison
A Publication of the Normandale PTO
September 19, 2014
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Coming Up
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SEPTEMBER
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Facilities Advisory Task Force Meeting, 6:30pm, Edina Community Center Room 350
| | 23 | Edina School Board Meeting, 7:00 pm, Edina Community Center Room 349 | | 24-26 | Mile Run, Grades 3-5 |
OCTOBER
| 2 | Innisbrook Gift Wrap Fundraiser Ends |
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From the Principal
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Dear Normandale Families,
During September and October, Normandale students in grades three through five will take an assessment called the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). The MAP assessments are administered in multiple sessions so that students do not become fatigued by testing. The segments will address both mathematics and reading. Your child will take the tests on a computer. On average, students will require about 40-45 minutes to complete each subject-area test. However, the tests are not timed and students may take as much time as needed.
MAP assessments are unique in that they adapt to each child's level of learning. No one is expected to get all of the answers correct. It is your child's personal best that we are interested in. Over their years at Normandale, students will take the MAP test in the fall and spring of their third, fourth, and fifth grade years. Their growth will be charted over time. Their growth, regardless of their starting point, is what is of most interest. Data from these assessments also assists educators in personalizing learning for each student. You will receive a report of your child's achievement near the time of parent-teacher conferences this fall. You will also be able to access MAP test results via SchoolView approximately two weeks after testing is completed. If you have any questions about the testing, please contact your child's teacher or me at 952-848-4199.
Chris Holden
Principal, Normandale Elementary French Immersion School
952-848-4199
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Teacher Bio: Meet Mlle King
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My name is Allyson King and I am the new math gifted education teacher! After graduating from Edina High School I attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and majored in elementary education with a specialty in mathematics. Last year I worked with third, fourth, and fifth graders as a Title 1 math teacher at Cornelia. Additionally I worked at Creek Valley as a fourth grade paraprofessional and this will be my third year teaching Success Center.I was born and raised in Edina and am thrilled to be working in such a wonderful community. This summer my fiancé and I bought our first home and our summer was spent painting and decorating. I am still waiting for my "green thumb" to bloom but I have definitely mastered lawn mowing. In my spare time I enjoy book club, drinking coffee, running races and of course solving math problems.
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French Enrichment Classes
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Want to have fun in French with our talented Normandale Interns? Sign up for our French Enrichment classes! Each class will be a combination of interactive learning, structured play, and French language and culture lessons. For all students, the French Enrichment classes create a fun, constructive environment for your student to explore the French language with our fabulous interns.
- The classes are open to all students, Kindergarten through 5th grade
- Classes are held Wednesdays from 3:05 - 4:10pm. Pickup is in the Auditorium. Please be sure to park in the lot and come into the building to pick up your child.
- Cost is $75 per session and all fees go toward supporting the French Intern program.
- Scholarships are available. Please contact Principal Holden at 952-848-4199.
We will be offering two six-week sessions. You may sign up for either or both. The dates are:
First Session: Wednesdays; 11/5/2014, 11/12/2014, 12/3/2014, 12/10/2014, 1/7/2015, 1/14/2015
Second Session: Wednesdays; 3/4/2015, 3/11/2015, 3/18/2015, 4/8/2015, 4/15/2015, 4/22/2015
There are a limited number of spaces in each session to ensure the low student-to-intern ratio. If you are interested, please complete the sign-up form and return the form, with payment, directly to the Normandale office. The enrollment deadline is Friday, October 10th.
Thank you!
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For parents interested in cheering on their children or running with them, please join us for the mile run on September 24-26. The mile run is during your child's second PE class within those days (for example, if they have PE on Wednesday and Friday, you'd come on Friday, September 26th). Check in at the front office and then join us in the small gym for a warmup and stretch beforehand, or meet us on the track about 10-12 minutes into class. If you're not able to make it, ensure your child gets adequate rest leading up to the mile run, double check that they have their running shoes, and ask how it went later that day.
Happy running!
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News from the Social Worker
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October is Bullying Prevention Month
As we move into the 2014-15 school year, it has been fun to see the excitement our students have for learning new academic content and developing new relationships while they maintain and nurture the friendships they already have. I continue to work with students on problem solving and good decision making in my office, as well as teaching social skills in classrooms. In particular I am working with the primary grades on developing a positive approach to developing responsibility for one's actions.
During October, which is designated as "Bullying Prevention Month," I will be giving lessons in all classrooms around the issue of bullying. This will coincide with the national emphasis on raising awareness about creating a safe and welcoming social climate at school and in the community. At Normandale we will be focusing on Friendship and Respect. Although there are many aspects involved in building healthy social relationships, we will be focusing on Empathy (putting oneself in someone else's shoes) and "The Golden Rule" (treating others how one would want to be treated). Thinking and caring about others are key components in the formation of character building that will act in a way to prevent behaviors that harm other people. Some of the other activities we will be having will be student-led morning announcements and art work around the building.
To strengthen the connection between school and home on this important issue, we will be holding our second annual "Normandale Family Forum on Friendship" during the month of November. More details will be forthcoming, but it is an event for both parents and children. You can also support your child in his/her character development by doing activities such as:
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
Sandi Stein, School Social Worker
952 848-4108
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Does your child have a birthday or special occasion coming up? Please consider the Birthday Book Program.
Participation in the Birthday Book Program is easy and fun for your child! If your family would like to make a $15.00 donation to the Birthday Book fund, your child may select one of the books which has been reserved for the program. There are a wide variety of books to choose from so students can find a book that interests them. On or near the date of your child's birthday, he or she will be notified to come to the media center to select a book. The media staff will place a special bookplate inside the cover. The student's name, date and event will be recorded on the bookplate. Once this is completed, your child will be the first one to check out the book to share with the class and family.
While we do refer to this as the "Birthday Book Program," these books may also honor a teacher, special school year or other event. If you are purchasing a book for a non-birthday event, be sure to include that information when sending in your check. You may also donate a book you have purchased; these are very welcome!
To participate in the Birthday Book Program, please fill out this form. Thank you so much for your support and for participating.
Tracy Pearson
Media Specialist
952-848-4121
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Logic Club - Grades 3-5
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 The mind is a beautiful thing. Let's push it to the limit!
You may not have known that Mr. Hannemann has a passion for logic games, and even coached a chess team to 1st place in a southern California regional tournament. Now you do! Logic Club is for students in grades three through five who are interested in exploring logic-based games and puzzles. We'll play Rush Hour, Squeezed Out, Chess, Sudoku, Rubik's Cube, Rubik's Magic, Brick by Brick and much more. Don't know how to play these? Mr. Hannemann will teach you! We'll also ponder riddles and create mazes. Strangely enough, he even includes a different way to tie your shoes that is faster than any other way. Did you know that the first part of tying your shoes sets up which way the finished knot goes?
Sign up on the Edina Community Education website.
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There has been a lot of media attention lately about a cold-like virus impacting children in several states. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is closely monitoring the spread of the virus, and as of this week has reported only one official case of Enterovirus D68. However, many hospitals and clinics are reporting increased cases of acute respiratory infections. Edina Public Schools Health Services is in contact with MDH as well as county and local public health officials and will update staff and families should additional precautions be warranted. In the meantime, we are all reminded that the best prevention of this and other viruses is frequent hand-washing and covering your cough. Additional information can be found in MDH's Frequently Asked Questions.
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Happening in the Community
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Edina Day of Service
Edina's sixth annual Day of Service is quickly approaching, and we hope you'll let us know if you have an event planned or if you'd like to plan something. The Day of Service will be Saturday, October 25, which coincides with National Make A Difference Day. People across the United States will be working to improve their communities, help their neighbors, and help build healthy kids through a healthy community. We hope you'll join us.
Please go to www.edinadayofservice.org and let us know what you've got planned and what we might do to help.
Kris Marshall, Director
Connecting With Kids
Connecting with Kids is a program of the Edina Community Foundation which supports our mission of connecting community resources for all children so they grow up to be responsible, healthy and caring adults.
Jr FIRST LEGO League Expo New to Edina and to the Twin Cities Metro area this year is a Jr FIRST LEGO League (JrFLL) Expo, which will be held December 13, 2014 at the Edina Performing Arts Center Atrium, Edina High School. JrFLL is designed for children ages six to nine, and it features real-world concepts to be explored through research, teamwork, LEGO construction, and imagination.
Each year, JrFLL presents a different "Think Tank Challenge" that relates to an important real-world issue. Teams of two to six children are coached by parents, with help from our Edina High School students, to examine the topic in-depth, build a LEGO brick model to represent their solution, and present the information they have learned to judges using their LEGO model and a "Show Me" poster. Consider it similar to a science fair, but they get to build with LEGOs!
Information about JrFLL and details on how to register teams is available on the FIRST website. Specifics on the 2014 Think Tank Challenge, "Redefining Learning," can be found on the JrFLL website.
Kris Pastor is the local contact for JrFLL. Laurie Shimizu is a local contact for FIRST.
Capturing the Excitement of Edina Public Schools!
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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.
- Teacher Bio: Meet Monsieur Goss
- Innisbrook Fundraiser Underway
- Normandale Learning Specialists
- Edina Fitness Club
- Have News to Share?
- Youth and Adult Enrichment Classes
- Happening in the Community
You can always view last week's newsletter on Normandale's PTO website or on the Newsletters page of the Normandale Website.
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La Liaison is published every Friday. Submit articles to LaLiaisonMN@gmail.com by noon Wednesday prior to your desired publication date. Articles pertaining to the following week's issues will take precedence.
Editors: Kate Frederick and Erica Amevo |
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