In the Know

September 17, 2020

SNAPSHOT: The first days of school looked different than previous years, but the EPS community adapted and welcomed the 2020-21 school year with resilience. View more photos in the EPS in Focus photo blog!

Latest Headlines

EPS students maintain high AP results despite COVID More than 86% of Edina students who took AP tests last spring scored 3 or higher, consistent with scores over the past four years despite the unique challenges presented by COVID-19. Of the 1,176 Edina students who took AP exams, 507 earned recognition as AP Scholars in four categories.

Literacy specialist joins EPS staff Edina Public Schools is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Bonnie D. Houck as Instruction Supervisor for Literacy.

EHS students selected as National Merit Semifinalists Twenty-five EHS seniors have been selected as semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship program.

ECC, Valley View construction advances Construction continues in two district buildings. At the Edina Community Center (ECC), mechanical upgrades are in process in spaces along the north hallway, in addition to remodeling of the Board Room and construction of new Community Education offices. Community Ed is scheduled to move to third floor in November/December. Board Room construction is slated to be finished in February.

Mechanical work in the ECC gyms included removal of the ceiling in the North Gym, exposing the original wood beamed ceiling. The wood structure was determined to be in good condition. Joists will be sanded and sealed, returning the gym ceiling to its original look. Work in the ECC lower level locker rooms and the woodshop is also underway. At Valley View Middle School, work on the auditorium and gyms is nearing completion.

More District News

Back To School

View Q&A and Technology 101 for Parents on YouTube In case you missed the Sept. 10 Virtual Q&A, or Technology 101 classes, they are all available for viewing on the district's YouTube channel!

Important links: Semester 1 Hybrid Calendar Family Dashboard Meal Deivery Request Form

More About COVID

The Minnesota Department of Health periodically releases new information about safety protocols and guidance related to the COVID pandemic. We will share information and links here to MDH updates and then post the information on the Family Dashboard. COVID-19 Attendance Guide for Parents and Families Parents and guardians can use this FAQ-style guide to understand when their child can attend school, youth programs and childcare during COVID. Home Screening Tool for COVID-19 Symptoms Similar to the at-home screening pdf posted on the Dashboard, this questionnaire walks you through the symptoms and provides a better understanding of how to judge symptoms and when to keep students home. Contact your School Nurse if you have questions!

School Board Update

Regular School Board meeting: Monday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. Dates and full agendas for Regular Meetings and Board Work Sessions are posted in the Agenda and Minutes section of the School Board Meetings page three days prior to the meeting. Meeting agendas, dates and times are subject to change.

Board Meeting Highlights Highlights of the Sept. 14 regular meeting of the School Board include: Preliminary discussion of the renewal of the 10-year Technology Levy, which will expire June 30, 2021. Approval of the 2020 Pay 2021 Property Tax Levy with an estimated 2.61% increase to $60.9M. Approval of the purchase of 1,900 Chromebooks and Google management licenses. This purchase is funded by the federal CARES Act. Due to international shortage of devices, this order is being placed now so devices are received by the end of year. Approval of purchase of interactive panels and classroom A/V wiring upgrades to meet increased interactivity due to COVID learning models. This purchase is funded by the federal CARES Act. Approval of revised Policy 601 - Educational Competencies Academic Standards and Instructional Curriculum. Approval of Superintendent and School Board goals for the 2020-21 school year. Find details in the Agenda for the meeting. (Click the Bookmark icon on the far upper right of the PDF to navigate through the document.)

School Board shifts to partial in-person meetings School Board Chair Erica Allenburg announced at the Sept. 14 meeting that the Board has begun conducting its regular meetings in a partial in-person format at the District Office Conference Room, with limited public seating available in the adjacent collaborative space. Construction in the ECC Board Room is expected to be completed in February.

School Board Information

In The News

Sun Current: Edina elementary school girls publish own novel during pandemic Despite the pandemic, three third-grade girls from Edina wrote and published their own novel – all while finishing it virtually. KSTP: School districts offer technology support as students go back for first day of class School is back in session but for many students that doesn't mean back to the classroom. The Edina district is hosting parent and guardian classes this week, which are focused on technology.

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Did You Know?

Edina Public Schools is hiring paraprofessionals EPS is looking to fill a number of elementary paraprofessional roles.There is a need for both Instructional Assistants and Special Education paraprofessionals. Visit the EPS Employment page to apply.

Save the Date

Oct. 6 - Community Flu Shot Clinic, 4-6 p.m., ECC Room 170 (Door 3 or 4) Oct. 15 & 16 - No School/MEA

STAY CONNECTED

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