Countryside Elementary Newsletter
March 10, 2017
March 2017
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
13 14
G r. 1 Field Trip
Old Cahill
15
Gr 1 Field Trip
Old Cahill

CS Choir Concert Parents 8:15 am
16
Gr.1 Field Trip
Old Cahill

Parent Engagements/
Conferences 4pm
17
Fit Friday 8:15 am

Tasting Event: Wheat Berry Salad
20 21
Book Fair 4-8pm
Science Fair 5:30-7:30
Art Gallery Walk 
5:30-7:30
22
Deadline to Claim "Lost But Found" Items
23
Early Release
1:50 pm

Parent Input Forms Deadline to Submit
24
No School

27
No School
Spring Break
28
No School
Spring Break
29
No School
Spring Break
30
No School
Spring Break
31
No School 
Spring Break
April 2017
Mon Tues Wed  Thurs Fri
3 4
PTO General Mtg 
6pm Media Center
5 6 7
Fit Friday 8:15am
Staff Appreciation Lunch

10
MCA:Reading Testing Week
Gr 3-5
11 12 13
Spring Picture Day
14
Fit Friday 8:15am
17
MCA: Math Testing Week
Gr 3-5
18 19 20
Parent Engagement/
Conf
erences 4pm
21
Fit Friday 8:15am
Tasting Event

24
MCA: Science Testing Week
Gr. 5

25 26 27 28
Message From the Principal
March 10th, 2017

Hello Countryside Families!

Celebration of Cultures - A Great Success!
Thank you to everyone who made Countryside's Annual Celebration of Cultures a fabulous success!
The time and energy the parent volunteers and staff dedicated to this event created a venue in which....
  • Approximately 90 students prepared a cultural presentation.
  • Performers danced, sang and shared traditions from countries around the world.
  • Exotic foods were enjoyed, representing many countries and continents.
  • All Countryside students/classes made visits during the school day to view the fabulous displays.
  • A special "Thank You" to our parent coordinators and the many volunteers who supported students throughout the preparations and on the 28th.J
  • Most importantly, this event celebrated families, people and traditions from near and far, all of which are threads that make up our amazing Countryside community. 
A Big Day Coming Up on March 21 - Science Fair/Book Fair/Art Gallery
March 21st is going to be a Big Day here at Countryside, with lots of evening activities going on - The Scholastic Book Fair, The Art Gallery Walk and Studio, as well as the Science Fair.  We are looking forward to our students and families participating in these great events.  
*Please remember students should be accompanied by parents and should NOT plan to stay after school to wait for parents to arrive, as there will be no planned supervision. 

Phase I Construction Complete
We are so pleased to announce that our newly constructed classrooms are complete and we will begin using them in a variety of ways beginning next week - Yeah!  The two new classrooms will be used as flex spaces for the remainder of the year.  Some activities occurring will include:  tutors and paras working with small groups of students, large group gatherings of grade level/department teams for assemblies, and some specialist classes (like GT or Young Scholars).  On March 21st during our evening activities, the new classrooms will be open and accessible for families to tour.  Stop by and admire these great spaces!
 
Phase II Construction Planning Continues
Planning for our summer construction project is underway, and we are anxious for the new learning spaces we will have available to us in the fall.  Construction does not begin until June 2, but the plans for our reconfiguration are being finalized.  Stay tuned for more information and updates on how families can be a part of the preparations.
 
Grab and Go Breakfast Update
Beginning in the fall, we began making breakfast available for all interested Gr. 1-5 students in a "Grab and Go" format.  Student stop by the kiosk outside the office to "grab" breakfast and "go" to class.  School breakfast is available every day for $1.65 per student using their food service account and FREE for those accessing free and reduced priced meal benefits.  I am so pleased with the number of students who are accessing breakfast here at school.  In the next few editions of the Connect we will be sharing some information regarding the choices students can make in choosing their breakfast.  For now, check in with your child to ask about what they are choosing and look for more information to come.  Fuel up and get a great start to the day of learning!  
Countryside News & Announcements
Classroom Placement for Next Year - Parent Input Forms
 Parents wishing to provide input as we begin the process for classroom placement for the fall are encouraged to go online or contact the school office for the Parent Input Form.  Essentially, this is an opportunity for parents to share their children's characteristics/needs and for the school staff to use that information to appropriately place students into classrooms for the fall.  This process is not intended for parents to name their child's teacher for next year, but to provide input to us as we make those decisions here at school.  Copies of the Parent Input Form (in English, Somali and Spanish) are available in the office or in "Quick Links" on the Countryside webpage.  All elementary schools in Edina will be using the same form and the same process. 
Completed forms will be accepted until Thursday, March 23rd.



Tasting Event, Friday March 17th
Wheat Berry & Black Bean Salad
Recipe Card here!
The Spring Scholastic Book Fair is Coming! 
Ready for S'More reading? 

In conjunction with the Countryside Science Fair, the Spring Scholastic Book Fair will be Tuesday March 21st from 4-8pm. 

The  Taste of Target Field food truck will be onsite to offer dinner for purchase from 
 5-7:30 pm.This is a great chance to get a jump start on summer reading lists, teacher thank you gifts and much more!  We will also be collecting donations for
All For  Books All  again which supports literacy at our school and gives books to each of the Countryside Students on their birthday as well as supports those families in need in our community.  Scholastic then matches our donation amounts with a donation to literacy programs across the country.
The Countryside Gallery Walk & Open Studio
Join us on Tuesday,
March 21st, 5:30-7:30 pm
Come tour the Countryside Art Galleries &
enjoy making artwork with your student! 
  • A map of art galleries will be provided
  • Leave comments for your favorite artworks
  • Stop by the art studio with your student to make some art
Staff Appreciation Lunch!
Friday April 7th will be our last staff appreciation lunch of the school year. 

Please sign up to bring treats to feed our fantastic staff and help us show them how important they are!


Food should be delivered to the copy room in the office by 10:45 
on April 7.
If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Musolf at [email protected] or Sharon Bass at [email protected]
It is Almost Carnival Time!
2017 Carnival Basket Raffle

Countryside Carnival Baskets are a huge hit thanks to YOU, the parents of Countryside!
Each year, classroom families donate money towards themed baskets for the Carnival Basket Raffle.
Typically, families donate $10-15 per student (or whatever is comfortable).We typically collect over $4000! These donations fund the fabulous baskets you have an opportunity to win each year, and in turn help out our wonderful school.

Donations will be collected until Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017. 
More information about donating, click HERE!
Attention 4th Grade Families!  
Are you interested in joining Band or Orchestra next year?

Instrument Interviews will take place April 3-6, 2017 at the Edina Community Center - Small Gym  Signups are now ONLINE!!
Get all the details by clicking on this link
 
http://tinyurl.com/4thgradebandorchestra Interview times are filling up fast - don't delay, sign up today!
 
Mrs. Kyrsten Darby -  Orchestra Director - All Schools  [email protected]
Mr. Patrick Mulligan -   Band Director - Countryside, Creek Valley, Normandale  [email protected]
 
Kyrsten Darby
5th Grade Orchestra
Edina Public Schools
 

Maker's Space 2017-2018 School Year
Countryside Maker's Space
2017-2018 School Year!
The Maker's Space is a place to inspire innovation and creativity.  A different activity will be chosen each month.  Donations of yarn are being requested and accepted for the 2017-2018 school year. Thank you!
PTO News and Event Information
There are still spots available for select Countryside Get 
Togethers (aka Hip Happenings)!  You still have a chance to join us for the following events:
  • 3rd Grade Bowling Party at Park Tavern
  • 7th Annual Oceans Spa Pedicure Night
Limited spots remain so click the link below to go to our school store:
Visit the PTO WEBSITE/MY SCHOOL ANYWHERE:  HERE
Looking for cute Countryside apparel or water bottles? 
District News
Stay in the Loop!

There are so many exciting projects underway in the district.  For details and timelines of all of the district's construction projects, visit  HERE
Edina Public Schools Partner with Fraser
Fraser is one of the largest and most experienced providers of children's mental and behavioral health services in the Twin Cities. Fraser is partnering with Edina Public Schools to provide school based mental health services for students in kindergarten through 5th grade starting the 2016-2017 school year. This partnership is designed to meet the social, emotional and behavioral needs of children and their families. 

If you have concerns about your child and wish to pursue Fraser services, or have questions, please speak with the school psychologist ( Jake Mathiason) or social worker  (Sarah Tuma) at your child's elementary school for more information. They will guide you through the next steps for accessing Fraser services.