In the Know eNewsletter | October 1, 2020

In the Know

October 1, 2020

SNAPSHOT: Classes at the Early Learning Center are progressing! Masks and social distancing guidelines are not stopping students from having fun while learning. Registration for Taste of Preschool Twos classes is open and there are still a few open slots in 3’s Preschool and 4’s PreK. Visit the ELC website to register.

Latest Headlines

Additional solar projects capture savings, educational opportunity

Edina Public Schools has 1,684 more reasons to smile on sunny days. That’s the number of solar panels installed at three District sites over the past two months. The District expects to dramatically increase its savings in electricity costs -- savings that will continue to increase over time.

National Merit Commended Students announced

Twenty-two Edina High School students have been selected as Commended Students in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students place among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

More District News

News from Nutrition Services

USDA food program supports those with need

Free school breakfast and lunch has been extended by the USDA through December for those who need food support. It is not necessary to qualify for free/reduced benefits at this time, however we do not know if or for how long the program may be extended so it is important to complete the food benefits application now (see below). Meals are also available for pick up on days when students are not in school buildings. Families with transportation challenges may sign up for delivery. Visit edinaschools.org/NutritionServices for more information.

Apply now! Lunch benefits open doors to many additional benefits for students

School lunches and breakfasts may be free for now, but it is still very important to complete the application for free/reduced meals! Qualifying for meal benefits also qualifies students for additional benefits, including: free ACT test; participation in College Possible program; college scholarships; some government benefits; and discounts for things such as Comcast internet service, and tickets to the Minnesota Science Museum and Children's Museum.

You should apply if:

Your family qualified for meal benefits last year - a new application must be filed each year.
Your family applied last year but not meet income guidelines - the guidelines change each year and you may now qualify.
Your household income has been affected by unemployment, health crisis, death or other circumstance.

Visit this web page to download the application or to link to instructions for the online application via the Parent Portal. Questions? Contact Joanne Meyer, 952-848-3811.

More About COVID

CDC Guidance for a safe Halloween and other holidays and

Information about how to adapt your Halloween celebration to keep children and others safe. (Scroll through this document for information about other holiday celebrations!)

To help keep Halloween safe and fun for everyone, the City of Edina is organizing a HalloBoo Drive-Thru trick-or-treat event. They are currently looking for businesses and organizations to sponsor a station. Follow the link for information about how to sponsor a station.

Reminder: Consult your school Health Office for student return-to-school date after an absence

If your student is experiencing ANY symptoms of COVID-19, please follow the MDH Exclusion Guidelines and consult with staff in your school Health Office to determine a return-to-school date. Do not send your student back to school until a return-to-school date is established. Here’s how to understand the difference between Quarantine and Isolation. This is critical to ensuring the safety of all students. Thank you for completing the daily home screening before sending your student to school!

COVID Q&A

Q: If an asymptomatic person is tested for COVID-19 for reasons that may include curiosity, fearful and wants to know even if asymptomatic, or required for travel, can they continue to work/attend school while they await test results?

A: Yes, if someone is asymptomatic and not a close contact, but is testing for the reasons described above, they can continue to work/attend school.

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. 22 Special Meeting of the School Board include:

Approval of the para-educators contract;
Discussion about leadership equity plans;
Discussion about governing the Strategic Plan and learning models during the pandemic.

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

Regular meetings of the Edina School Board are held 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

Edina Magazine: EHS social media foodie sensation featured

Eli Ailloni, an EHS 11th grader, has millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok, all interested in what and where he's eating.

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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)

**EHS ONLY: Oct. 6 & 7 - Due to ACT testing, Tuesday, Oct. 6 will be the asynchronous day this week; Wedneday, Oct. 7 will be the second in-school day for the A Cohort.

Oct. 15 & 16 - No School/MEA

Nov. 3 - No School for Students/Election Day

STAY CONNECTED