The Buzz | Aug. 24, 2017

Snapshot: EPS welcomed more than 50 new teachers to the District this week.

Staff News

2017 Fall Workshop Schedule/District Kickoff WORKSHOPS begin Monday, Aug. 28. Download this year's fall workshop schedule for details. DISTRICT KICKOFF is Wednesday, Aug. 30, beginning at 7 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed by the EHS Marching Band at 7:55 a.m. SELFIE PHOTO BOOTH will record the joyous look on your face when you reunite with colleagues, or the mysterious look on your face when you slap on a mustache. Look for the selfie photo booth during breakfast and then tweet yourself(ie) to the big screen in the auditorium! Things to know for Kick-off: Due to construction, PARKING is very limited at EHS and VVMS, please CARPOOL if possible. PARK in lots on west side of EHS or the east side Valley View lot. ENTER the building through the new main entrance at Door 5. PLEASE LEAVE following the kickoff event. (And we mean that in the nicest possible way!) EHS teachers will be very busy unpacking their classrooms and there will be many contractors working on punch list items that need to be completed before students arrive. Touring the building will create congestion and disruption. Thank you for your understanding and watch for an opportunity to tour the building at a later date.

Update your contact information! As we prepare for the start of the school year, and principals and district administration begin to send voice and email updates, we ask that you login to the new Employee Access System (EAC) and check your contact information. We have learned of several instances where phone numbers did not correctly migrate to the new system and some staff members did not receive messages last week. Please check to be sure your information is listed correctly and update/correct if necessary. Access the EAC through the Portal . EAC Log in information Username: Employee Number Password: Last four digits of SSN NOTE: If you are submitting a leave request, you must access the EAC through Internet Explorer or Safari.**

Reminder about cleaning supplies Just a reminder that the District will provide a certified-safe cleaning product for use in classrooms, so there is no need for teachers to bring their own when coming back to their classrooms. Also, the products supplied by the District are approved for use in schools, fit guidelines for new furniture, and have documented SDS sheets on file.

Milestones Congratulation to Daniel Amborn, EHS language arts teacher, on the recent birth of his son Nathaniel Wade. Condolences to Bridget Stangl, special education paraprofessional at Cornelia, on the recent passing of her father. Condolences to Chandra Erickson, Valley View Spanish teacher, on the recent passing of her mother. Condolences to Pierre Schmidt, Valley View French teacher, on the recent passing of his brother. Condolences to Jennifer Johnson, Normandale learning specialist, on the recent passing of her father.

The Buzz publishes every-other week during the school year with important information for staff about what's going on throughout the school district. See past issues of The Buzz .

Latest Headlines

Board approves operating levy question, sets community referendum and school board vote for November 7 At its Aug. 14 meeting, the Edina School Board voted unanimously to authorize a special election on Tuesday, Nov. 7 for the community to vote on a ballot question for an operating levy. The levy referendum will coincide with the general election in which voters will elect four school board members, each for a term of four years. Read more

Twelve candidates vie for four seats in November School Board Election Filing for the Edina School Board closed Tuesday, Aug. 15, with 12 community members filing affidavits of candidacy. Two incumbents and 10 newcomers are running for one of four seats. Read more

CES plans new after-school programming for middle school

Edina Community Education is excited to launch a new model of after-school programs for middle school students this fall! An expanded variety of clubs and activities will include academic support, recreation, service and leadership opportunities, and more. New activities and clubs will be offered each season (Fall, Winter 1, Winter 2, and Spring). Students registered for Middle School Clubs and Activities will receive an Activity Bus pass. All students must be registered for a club or activity to remain in the building after school. Financial Assistance is available. Middle School Clubs and Activities @ South View will contribute to a positive school climate where all students feel welcome, connected and valued. Read more about clubs and activities options and register on the Community Education website.

Construction Update

Construction budget remains on track as busy summer construction season nears completion

The move-in phase has begun at school sites where extensive renovation and enhancements have been completed this summer. As construction wraps up, new furniture, along with boxes of books and materials, are being moved into classrooms and teachers are settling into new learning environments. The Early Learning Center, four of six elementary schools – Concord, Countryside, Cornelia and Normandale, Edina High School (EHS), and the first phase of an 18-month project at South View Middle School, have reimagined traditional classrooms to create a variety of flexible learning environments to meet the diverse learning needs of students and new instructional approaches. Transportation staff, and all district buses and vehicles have migrated to the new facility, located at 7600 Metro Boulevard, in southwest Edina. Read more; View budget infographic

Construction Update in 80: Cornelia Elementary and EHS

We are looking forward to welcoming students to newly renovated and created spaces at eight of our school sites for the coming school year on Sept. 5 (Sept. 6 for Early Learning Center and Kindergarten). While some construction work will continue into the school year, maintaining a comfortable and safe environment will remain our top priority as students embark on another exciting school year, full of learning. Watch the two most recent construction "Update in 80" videos below. For all previous Update in 80 videos, including Normandale, Countryside and Concord, click here .

Edina High School

Cornelia Elementary School

More News

Reminder: 2017-18 school start and end times

A reminder that the start and end times for some district schools has changed. Here are start and end times for the 2017-18 school year:

South View | 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Valley View | 7:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Edina HS | 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Normandale | 8:40 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Concord | 9:25 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cornelia | 9:25 a.m. - 4 p.m. Countryside | 9:25 a.m. - 4 p.m. Creek Valley | 9:25 a.m. - 4 p.m. Highlands | 9:25 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Back-to-school information, publications, events

The district is ready to help you prepare for the first days of school! District and school websites are being updated, publications are in print and events are planned. Here are a few things that you should look for: The 2017-18 Family Handbook arrived at homes recently. It is full of information and forms for the coming school year Watch your email for messages from principals, the district and e-newsletters with updates and information Check your school website for details on Open House and Get Connected events  Pick up a 2017-18 Activities Calendar at Open Houses and Get Connected days Check meal account balances

Geek Squad opt out forms available

This year, families will have the option to opt out of Geek Squad services for devices they have purchased for their students. Through the district’s technology agreement with Best Buy, the Geek Squad provides tech support at the district’s secondary schools. If families DO NOT wish to have the Geek Squad service a device they have personally paid for, they should complete the form available at the technology table on Get Connected Day, or print the online form and return it their school.

Activity Calendar changes

Please note the following changes to the 2017-18 Activity Calendar: Highlands Elementary Open House will be Thursday, Aug. 31, 4-6 p.m., Gym EHS Fall Play "The Visit" will be Thursday, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 2-4, 7 p.m., EPAC (This year's musical will be staged in February)

Save the Date

Sept. 5 | First day of school, Gr. 1-12 Sept. 6 | First day of school, Kindergarten and Early Learning Center Sept. 28 | EHS Homecoming Parade, 4:30 p.m., Wooddale Avenue          Football game, 7 p.m., Kuhlman Stadium

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