The Buzz
August 15, 2019
SNAPSHOT: Valley View Middle School held its Get Connected Day on Aug. 12. Parents were able to turn in forms, ask questions, and learn about groups like the Edina Education Fund , Edina Give and Go , and the PTO. Students reconnected with friends and teachers. View the Online Handbook for links to district Back to School webpages and a calendar of Get Connected and Open House Days.
Staff News
Milestones

  • Condolences to Liz Gerich, EPS Occupational Therapist, on the recent passing of her husband.

New Hires

  • Welcome to Valerie Evans who joined Business Services as Accounts Payable Specialist.

Staffing Changes

  • Congratulations to Brittany Montgomery on her new role as Human Resources Specialist.

New location for All Staff District Kickoff, Wed. Aug. 21

This year the All District Staff Kickoff will be at the EHS Activity Center, Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 10:15 a.m. The Kickoff will be immediately followed by the All Staff Picnic in the EHS Cafeteria, noon to 1:30 p.m.
To ease traffic and parking, busing to EHS will be provided for East Campus staff, leaving their sites at 10 a.m. from the following locations:

  • ELC and Normandale staff – pickup at Door 3
  • South View staff – pickup at Door 1
  • Concord staff – pick up at Main Door
  • Cornelia staff – pick up at Main Door

Anyone driving is encouraged to carpool!

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

Start your back to school planning with the new, online 2019 Family Handbook. You’ll find links to information, resources and forms, important dates, a printable Back To School Checklist, and links to Back To School pages on each school website.
Latest Headlines

Niche, an online ranking site, has again reported Edina High School as the No. 1 Best College Prep High School in Minnesota. Their recently released 2020 Best Schools report places EHS No. 3 in the Best Public High School in Minnesota category.The rankings are based on graduation rates, AP enrollment, SAT/ACT scores, state test scores, and the quality of colleges students consider. EHS received an A+ Overall Niche Grade, which incorporates Niche grades for academics, teachers, clubs and activities, health and safety, and diversity.
New school leadership announced

Two educators familiar to Edina families have recently accepted new leadership positions in EPS schools:

Mark DeYoung is the new Assistant Principal at Concord Elementary. Mark has been Dean of Students at Concord, Countryside and Cornelia for the past three years. Prior to that, he was a classroom teacher at Countryside for 24 years.

Tim Berndt is the interim Dean of Students at Valley View Middle School. Tim returns to EPS following a year of teaching in the Columbia Heights district. He previously taught middle school STEM courses for eight years in Edina. Tim replaces Erik Lowe, who is Valley View’s interim Assistant Principal during Beth Cornwell’s leave.
School Board Update
Slate of
Candidate list, voter resources coming to website
The slate of candidates for the three open School Board positions will be posted on the district website on Friday, Aug. 16. In addition, Voter Resources pages will provide information about early voting, polling locations and an Election Calendar with details on scheduled candidate forums and more. Visit edinaschools.org/2019Election for more information.

Next Board meeting: Monday, September 16
The meeting begins at 7 p.m., in ECC Room 349. A complete meeting agenda is posted three days prior to the meeting. Regular meetings of the School Board are live streamed on the district's YouTube channel. To watch, click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of every district website page, or find the link on the School Board meetings web page.

Q&A Sessions are held as requested. View more information about Q&A sessions and the form to submit questions. Questions must be submitted by 3 p.m. one week prior to each session. Sessions are held at 6:30 p.m., prior to a regular Board meeting.

Meeting schedule, dates and times are subject to change. For the most current information, view the Board Meeting calendar , and meeting notices and agendas on the district website. (Agendas are posted three days prior to meetings)
Did You Know?
Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps seeks tutors for EPS

Minnesota Reading and Math Corps is looking for reading and math tutors for the 2019-20 school year in EPS. Tutors can elect to serve 35, 25, or 18 hours per week and receive a living stipend and tuition and loan repayment. Visit their website to learn more.
Upcoming Events
Check the Community Bulletin Board for postings
about fundraisers and other opportunities!
*Visit school websites for details on Open House and Get Connected Days
Aug 26: First Day of School
Aug 27: First Day of School for Kindergarten
Sep 2: Labor Day, No School
Sep 3: First Day of School Early Learning Center and ECSE
Sep 7 & 8: Edina Give & Go Gear Swap , ECC Gym (Door 7)
STAY CONNECTED