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NOVEMBER 10, 2016 | VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 8
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MEDIA LITERACY TEACHES CRITIAL THINKING, HANDS-ON TECHNOLOGY
Teaching a 21st Century Media Literacy class in the constant and constantly changing media landscape can sometimes mean making daily adjustments to lessons or discussion topics.
Read more
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KIDS VOTING EDINA SEES RECORD TURN OUT
Edina students voted to elect Hillary Clinton as the 45th president of the U.S. in the experiential Kids Voting Edina polls that were companion to the actual general election.
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AUTHOR VISITS MAKE READING COME ALIVE FOR STUDENTS
This fall, students across the district met authors and learned about the writing process. Author visits help engage students around reading for pleasure, help to motivate students to read and write, not to mention ignite sparks of creativity. Read more
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PUBLIC INVITED TO ANNUAL VETERANS' DAY EVENT AT VALLEY VIEW
In addition to class visits and lessons about Veterans Day, Valley View Middle School and Edina High School will gather students for schoolwide programs honoring veterans. Valley View has two programs scheduled for 9:10 and 9:50 a.m. A guest speaker will talk to students, and the Valley View band and choir will perform. Both Valley View Veterans Day programs are open to the public. Join Valley View in honoring veterans in the community.
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DISTRICT UPDATE
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Start/End Time Task Force finalizes options for advancement
The Task Force spent their last meeting on Nov. 1 assessing the prioritized values and considerations shared at the Oct. 25 meeting and reviewing the benefits and challenges of draft options. After engaging on the options in small groups, the Task Force identified the top options that they wanted to see advanced for consideration. The options will then be further refined by administration for presentation to the School Board at its meeting on Nov. 14. After the Board discussion, the community will have an opportunity to provide input on the options, which will be gathered by administration along with any additional information requested by the Board. Administration will then present its recommendation to the Board for action to the Board in December. Implementation of new school start/end times will be for the 2017-18 school year.
Additional information about the Start/End Time Task Force, including reviewed research and meeting materials will be archived on the district website at
http://www.edinaschools.org/StartTimes.
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SCHOOL BOARD
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School Board Special Meeting - Superintendent Search
At a special meeting of the Board on November 9, the School Board unanimously approved the proposal and authorized the HR committee to negotiate an agreement with BWP & Associates to conduct an executive search process for the next Edina Public School superintendent.
Click here for more information and a tentative timeline for the search process
The next regular meeting of the School Board will be Monday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., ECC Room 349.
Complete agendas and meeting minutes are available online. Watch video of past School Board meetings on the district website.
(Note: Due to staff absences, the Monday, Oct. 24 School Board meeting video will not be posted until next week. Likewise, it will not air on Southwest Community Television on Sunday.)
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I AM EPS
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 Elementary students write to honor local veteran
Students at Cornelia Elementary School came together to write letters of support and thanks for World War II veteran in their community. The letters were delivered to Donn Latourell during his Honor Flight on Oct. 29.
Read the I Am Edina Public Schools Blog
here.
Know someone who is doing great things in Edina Public Schools? Let us know! Email [email protected] with ideas for people to feature this year.
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RIC'S REFLECTIONS
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 Reflecting on the past to prepare for their future
By Superintendent Ric Dressen
Well, here we are, the election is over. After a contentious and divisive campaign, we are now sorting through the realities of the outcome. For some, it is a time of celebration, for others, it is a time of sadness. For all of us, it is a time filled with many emotions and questions about what lies ahead.
Regardless of your political leaning or which candidate you favored, we can all admit that this was an election season that did not always show the best of what this country has to offer. Yes, we can applaud that the pillars of our democracy were upheld with an election process that advanced with little disruption or interference from outside forces. We can and should be proud that we live in a country that allows for individuals to vote according to their personal beliefs and ideologies. And yet, many of us remain troubled by some of the rhetoric and comments raised by candidates on all sides. Combine that with recent incidents and discussions of race and culture that we've experienced here in Edina and we are left with confusion on how to heal and unite.
Read more
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STAFF NEWS
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**NEXT ISSUE of The Buzz will be Nov. 22 - submit Staff News items by Nov. 18
Staff Milestones
To submit an entry for Staff Milestones, please include staff name, job title/type, employment location and major life event/announcement information to
[email protected]
Benefits Open Enrollment period extended through midnight tomorrow!
If you have not yet made changes to your health benefits selections there is still time. The open enrollment period has been extended through midnight tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 11. Find links to more information in the
Staff Resources section of the district website. If you are having issues with the online system, with your password or did not receive you enrollment invite, please contact
Carmen Trettel at 952-873-7139 or
Heather Lynch at 952-939-0911, select option 3.
(If you are not planning to make changes in your enrollment you are still required to go online and confirm your choices. If this is not completed, your choices from 2016 will roll over to 2017.)
Don't let common flu myths keep you from being vaccinated
It is that time of the year -- flu season. There are often myths about the flu and the flu vaccine. Check out these posters for more information on the myths and truth of the flu and the flu vaccine:
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STUDENT VOICE
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EHS students were able to participate in Kids Vote Edina by casting a ballot at school.
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What do millennials think about today's political environment?
By Christina Orth, EHS Zephyrus writer
Young Americans are the largest voting group since the baby boomers, the most diverse demographic in United States history, the most highly educated generation, and the most exposed to a constant stream of media in every aspect of their lives. They are branded as naive, out-of-touch and apathetic to the political system, however, they are heralded as the new epitome of advocacy and justice.
High school and college-age students are changing America's identity by becoming more engaged and highly informed. Three Edina High School students and a teacher weigh in on today's political climate. Sam Hennenberg and Meti Regassa are seniors; Katherine Hulbert is a junior, and Betsy Nimmo is a social studies teacher. Read more
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DID YOU KNOW?
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Check Community Bulletin Board for Orchestra Fundraiser info
Did you know there is a digital Community Bulletin Board on the district website? Check it out for information about events, fundraisers and other opportunities sponsored by district partners -- such as the Davanni's Fundraiser for EPS Orchestras on Nov. 14. You can find the link to the Bulletin Board on the drop-down menu under Community Education, on the homepage of the district website. And don't forget -- if your organization is planning an event, it is the perfect place to publicize it! Send information to [email protected]
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ED FUND NEWS
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Deadline for Ed Fund grant applications Nov. 28!
Since 1999, nearly 300 Innovation Grants have been awarded in every school across the district, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The grants support projects that encourage and facilitate inspiration and creativity in the classroom, promote collaboration and exchange of ideas, and further academic excellence in Edina Public Schools.
In the 2016-2017 academic year, the Ed Fund is especially interested in supporting projects that align with three of the district's Educational Competencies: Globally Competent Individual, Motivated Lifelong Learner, and Well-Rounded Individual. In addition, funded projects will advance curriculum through best practice/staff development, curricular standards, and 21st century learning.
The grant process is open to all Edina Public Schools staff. For grant guidelines, applications, key dates and other related information visit the
Ed Fund website .
Don't delay -- Initial Project Concept Forms are due Nov. 28!
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SAVE THE DATE
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 Nov. 14: Parent Communication Network Presents: Stereotypes and Health Gender Identity
- Monday, Nov. 14, 7-9 p.m., EHS Performing Arts Center
- Presenter Dr. Jennifer Bryan, a nationally recognized expert on gender identity, will help navigate this topic, teaching the skills to give us the tools to have comfortable, open and empathetic conversations with our children about stereotypes, gender and identity. Click here for more information
- FREE (CEU credits available for $20)
Nov. 15: EHS Orchestra Concert
- Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m., Fick Auditorium
Nov. 19: Booster Club Holiday Spirit Store opens!
The Edina Athletic Booster Club will again have a Holiday Spirit Store at The Neighborhood Ice Cream Shoppe (61st and Kellogg). Gift items include coffee cups, tumblers, ornaments, hats, mittens and Hornet apparel in sizes from 6 months to adult men. The store will be open through Friday, Dec. 23.
Check here for days and times.
Nov. 23-25: NO SCHOOL
Nov. 29: Kindergarten Information Night
- Tuesday, Nov. 29, Kindergarten Information Night, 7 p.m.
- Concord, Cornelia, Countryside, Creek Valley and Highlands Elementary Schools
Dec. 6: Kindergarten Continuous Progress Program Information Night
- Countryside Elementary, 6:15 p.m., Media Center
- Highlands Elementary, 7 p.m., Cafeteria
Dec. 8: Kindergarten French Immersion Information Night
- Normandale Elementary, 7 p.m., Auditorium
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Contact the communications team at 952.848.3919 or email us at
[email protected] with news, story ideas or photos!
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5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
952.848.3900
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