Dear Normandale Families,

Last year I started a monthly Google Meet to bridge the distance between home and school called, "Nouveautés à Normandale". I will be re-launching Nouveautés à Normandale where we will cover topics specific to Normandale, language immersion, and education in general.  

The topic of our first meeting this year will be Normandale’s French Intern Program. Normandale’s Intern Coordinators, Lisa Bekemeyer and Sharon Norlander, will join me as we share a behind the scenes look at our intern program. Please join us on November 3 @ 9 am as we share information about how we recruit, hire, train, and host interns. Spoiler alert, it is not as easy as it looks! If you plan on attending, please RSVP here so we can send you a Google Meet invite.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS ARE BACK!

Community Connections are events that come in all sizes – small, larger and just right. They are events for both students and parents hosted by Normandale, Valley View Middle School, and Edina High School families in the French Immersion Community. The events are designed to bring together our community while raising funds for our fantastic Edina French Intern Program. Eager to learn more?

Join members of the PTO and Gala Committee for Coffee & Croissants on Tuesday, October 12th, right after drop off in the Normandale Parking lot (near Kulman Field) at 8:45am. We will answer any questions you have about hosting an event, signing up and overall questions about how we raise funds to support our 100% parent funded French Intern Program. So come by, grab some caffeine and a treat, meet some fellow parents, and get involved in our amazing French immersion community!

This is mainly intended for K - 2nd grade parents (and families new to Normandale) who aren't familiar with community connections, but all are welcome!

Already have ideas for fabulous fêtes? Sign up on the Normandale PTO site!

LOST AND FOUND

Our lost and found is overflowing!

Please come collect your lost items any school day before 5pm or any time during conferences day, Tuesday, November 2.

Any items not claimed by November 5 will be donated.

Many items in the lost and found are not labeled! Need name stickers? Use this link for Name Bubbles and Normandale PTO will receive 20% of the subtotal of your purchase.

2021-22 SCHOOL PICTURES

Picture retake day is scheduled for Tuesday October 26th. If you would like your student to get picture retakes, please sign in to your Josten’s account and click ‘Sign Up For Retakes’ at the top of the page. If your student was absent on picture day, you do not need to sign up for retakes, they will automatically get their picture taken.

School pictures are ready to view and order online! Parents should have received an email from Jostens with information. The event code is FE74521. If parents are not able to access the pictures, please make a request using a different account and it will be approved. 

Note: Parents need to order the class composite if they would like to receive one this year. 

Questions: kingvaldson@gmail.com

Do you love books? Do you love kids? Are you an organizer? Do you like to be active in our learning community? Sign up to volunteer today! https://forms.gle/UdjFmDrbRhB6Vond9

Many hands make light work! Check out the media center calendar to view the schedule of classes. https://bit.ly/ndmediaschedule

Hello Normandale Families,

Let’s start with some good news, shall we?! 

VACCINES

Pfizer has officially submitted their data to the FDA for approval for COVID-19 vaccine for 5-11 year olds. FDA has set the advisory meeting for October 26th. Hang in there, we are close!

Expected timeframe for kids to be vaccinated? Halloween at the soonest; realistically, Thanksgiving.

If you or someone who is eligible for vaccine hasn’t been vaccinated yet, roll up your sleeves and find a vaccine location here: Find a vaccine location

Feel like you need more info on vaccine safety? COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Information

COVID 19 Prevention and Mitigation: Gatherings Indoor and Outdoor:

There are many judgment calls parents have to make while raising kids; COVID has forced us to weigh cost benefit in a way we never have before with potentially high stakes for perceived small mistakes. Here is some guidance to help you make those tough decisions and ways to make them safe for your family.

Taken from guidance from the CDC: Small and Large Gatherings

• If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a mask in indoor public places.
• In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases (hey that's us!), consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
• If you are fully vaccinated, to maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission (oh my gosh it's us again!)
• Choose events that take place outside with enough space for attendees to stay at least 6 feet apart.

Masks:

Information on masks from the previous two weeks: Mask Recommendations and Tips 

COVID 19 Testing:

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends Minnesotans test at least every other week for COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms. This video from MDH details the process for taking a test at home. 

You can order your test here: No Cost COVID-19 testing for All Minnesotans

If you need a test immediately for symptomatic person(s) in your household, you can find testing locations here: Find a Testing Location

In good health,

Normandale Health Office

Cesley Bergsten RN

Sheri Kyllo RN

MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT NORMANDALE

The Health and Safety Measures resolution that was approved by the Edina School Board on August 17 includes universal masking for all students and adults in Edina transportation and indoor school settings. Please remember your mask when you visit Normandale for Partnership Planning conferences and volunteering.

The Minnesota Department of Health is requesting that schools continue to track COVID related cases among their student population.  

Covid/Illness Reporting Form - Please use this form to report your child’s absence due to illness. It is helpful to us in tracking illness related absences and which families we need to follow up with to guide through the decision tree.

As always, call if you need consultation on whether or not your child should stay home, get tested, and where to get tested. We’re here to help!

CIRCLE DROP-OFF & PICK-UP

Here are a few important reminders about morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up from the circle at door 10 (the Normandale main door.)

• The Normandale Circle is for quick drop-offs and pick-ups only. If your student(s) need assistance getting in or out of your vehicle, please park in the lot and walk them up to the sidewalk.
• Please do not exit your vehicle during drop-off and pick-up.
• Please pull as far forward in the circle as you can before dropping off or picking up your student(s).
• To enter the circle, use the OUTSIDE lanes of the parking lot. You may not enter the circle from the middle lane of the parking lot.
• Please exit the circle as quickly and safely as possible. If you need to check your phone or take care of other tasks, move to the parking lot so you are not blocking the flow of traffic behind you.



Thank you for helping to keep traffic moving!

LUNCHTIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We continue to need volunteers to supervise outdoor home lunch. Please sign up HERE if you are able to help. As a reminder, volunteers are what allows us to offer outdoor lunch for students.

BACK TO BORDEAUX 2022

Dear 5th grade families,

We are excited to announce an (we are so optimistic...that it turns out to be possible) amazing opportunity for adventure and learning, the “Back-to-Back” exchange trip to Bordeaux, France in June 2022. 

Interested? Fill out this form that says you might be interested (this is not an application or any kind of commitment). Language & Friendship, our partner organization will be in touch with more details.

Want more information? A general overview, the logistics of the trip and what to expect are previewed here. You can also take a look at our website. 

Sign-up deadline is set for now as November 1, so there is still time to decide if this trip is right for your student and family.

Most warmly,

Lynnea West

lynnea.west@edinaschools.org

Colleen Mahin

colleen.mahin@edinaschools.org

Anna Calipel- FIRST GRADE

About me...: About my hometown, I was born in Clermont-Ferrand, the capital of Auvergne. But I grew up in a small village. It is a very friendly village, everyone knows each other, everyone speaks to each other.

Even if it is a small village, their is a castle, a small library, a bakery and a restaurant bar. People love to come out and have a drink on the terrace and talk to each other about their lives. This village is important to me because I spent all my childhood there, I went to the village school. All my childhood friends live here. I have many memories spent with them playing in the streets of the village but also memories of our school fairs that took place in the village party hall at the end of the school year. Even today we love to meet us all together with my friends at the parties organized by the village. I love my village because it is a very quiet village, surrounded by fields where we have a beautiful view of the Puy-de-Dôme and the Puys chain which is the emblem of the Auvergne. But thanks to my studies, I also have the chance to live the week in a big city, Clermont-Ferrand. It's a very nice town surrounded by the Puys chain. There are many students, it is a very lively town. I also love living in Clermont-Ferrand because there are a lot of activities to do.

About my family, so I come from a large family, I have three brothers and sisters. I have a big brother named Tristan, a little brother named Sacha and a little sister named Anouk. My father works at Michelin and my mother works in the city hall of my village but also in the small library of my village. My granparents, aunts, uncles and cousins live in Brittany and Normandy in northern France. Family is very important to me, I spend a lot of time with my family.

And since there are many of us, there is always someone at home, it's very lively, you never feel alone.

About my hobbies, I'm rather dynamic and I like to do things. I have many hobbies, I like reading, listening to music, drawing, cooking and especially baking cakes. But my favorite hobby is dancing, I love dancing. I have already practiced several styles of dance, now I do modern-jazz dance. Sometimes I like staying quiet, resting and doing nothing. I like to rest and watch series on netflix for example. But sometimes I like doing things, like going to bowling, skating or going out to watch movies.

In The US...: During my stay in the US, I would like to live for a few months as the Americans. I would like to discover American sports, such as baseball, ice hockey but also basketball. And I really wish I could attend an American football game.

I would like to discover and visit the state of Minnesota. I would also like to discover activities practiced at Minnesota. I also want to see the commercial center "Mall of America" which is obviously one of the largest shopping malls in the USA.

If it is possible, I would like to attend charity events, but also school parties.

I would also like to discover and learn about American traditions.

My favorite food…: My favorite food, I think it's vegetable dishes, I love ratatouille, soups and salads. I also like fish and dairy products, like cheese and yogurts.

I really like pasta and rice. But I also love sweet food, I love fruits and pastries.

I don't eat a lot of meat, but from time to time I eat it in a small amount.

I usually love Italian and Mexican food.

I am excited about…: I am very excited to have this experience and to come to Minnesota for several months because first of all I have always dreamed of coming to the United States and I have always been interested in the American culture.

I like to forge bonds and I'm excited to do this because I want to meet people, share my culture, French culture and be able to learn more about American culture.

Since high-school I've dreamed of coming to the United States so I'm really happy to have this experience. Moreover I would like to become an english teacher in France or a french teacher abroad so this experience is important for my studies and my future professional career.

EDINA COMMUNITY EDUCATION - MEA BREAK CAMPS

Robot Builders: Mighty Machines: Gr. 1-5: With the LEGO™ WeDo Robotics System, kids can build and program their robotic creations and explore different Robotic Themes. Students working in teams will work with simple machines, program models they design and create, measure time and distance, write, and much more! Thursday Oct 21, 9:00am-12:00pm

Colorful Critters Drawing Workshop: Gr. K-5: Animal lovers rejoice; an all new - all pastel workshop is here! Students will learn pastel drawing and texturing techniques to illustrate whimsical bees, a fanciful army of frogs, a striking owl and more artistic critters filled with detail. Challenge your creative kids by introducing them to the world of pastels. Thursday and Friday Oct 21/22, 9:00am-12:00pm

Will DeBerg: MEA Basketball Camp: Gr. 2-4

Will DeBerg: MEA Basketball Camp: Gr. 5-6: This is a great chance to work on your game as you are coached by current and former college and professional basketball players! Plenty of opportunities for individual coaching. Kids will be grouped by age and/or experience. It is a 2 day camp that runs Thursday and Friday. 9:00am-11:00am

Game Coding: Super Mario: Gr. 2-6: This course will give you hands-on experience developing your own game using Scratch 3, a visual coding platform. Students will learn how to think like programmers and learn coding concepts while creating a 2-dimensional, arcade-style Super Mario Bros.-themed game. The first part of the class will be instructor-led; with the time remaining, students will have the opportunity to customize their games. Thursday Oct 22, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Normandale PTO| [normandalepto.org]