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A PUBLICATION OF THE NORMANDALE PTO

BOOK IT TO THE FAIR

There’s nothing more exciting than a fair. Except maybe a BOOK FAIR. It’s one of the greatest days in any elementary kid’s life. The rows and rows of colorful glossy covers. The smell of fresh paper – pressed and bound together with non-toxic, child-safe glue. Soft covers, hard covers, magazines, books en Francaise. Novels, short stories, science, fantasy, sports, action, mysteries, galore…Parents be warned, puppy dog eyes, pouty lips, begging, pleading and bargaining for just “one more, pretty pleeeaasse” are all in our futures on Thursday and Friday at the fair. Book it! 

MARCH CALENDAR DATES

  • 3/7-3/8: School Book Fair
  • 3/8: No School & Spring Conferences, Lost + Found Donated
  • 3/18-3/22: No School (Spring Break)
  • 3/31: Parent Input Form Due

APRIL CALENDAR DATES

  • 4/1: Yearbook Orders Due
  • 4/2: Imagination Fair
  • 4/19: No School (Professional Development)

SALUT FROM PRINCIPAL HOLDEN

February was a fast, full and fun month! We kicked off our annual read-a-thon, La Lecture ca déchire! Students read furiously and at last count they had logged 737,662 minutes! With the help of PTO, authors, storytellers and publishers like Djenane St. Juste, Shelly Breen, Terrell Woods and Abdo publishing visited with and presented to students during the month of February.  


Normandale 5th graders and their families also welcomed a group of 23 French students and 3 chaperones to Edina and Normandale for two weeks. These students from Bordeaux, France lived with 5th graders and when they weren’t sight-seeing in the Twin Cities, they attended class with their hosts. Normandale 5th graders will close this cross-cultural exchange loop when they visit Bordeaux the first two weeks in June.  


Finally, the Normandale PTO hosted its first ever Fête des Cultures on February 29. Over 50 students prepared presentations and poster boards for this fun event. Even if students were not able to attend Fête des Cultures, they got to see their classmates' presentations during the school day. It was fun to see students sharing their cultural heritage with their Normandale classmates. The evening of the 29th, over 500 people enjoyed food, music and dance from around the world! One of our school goals is to build community and a sense of belonging. The fast, full and fun month of February certainly helped us with this goal!

SCHOOL SUBJECTS

BOOK FAIR

March 7th - 8th

Normandale's Annual Book Fair is happening this week on March 7th and 8th in the auditorium, partnering with Literati and Alliance Française. New this year, students will be visiting the book fair during the school day to create wish lists but will not be purchasing books during the school day. Rather, parents can make book purchases with their students after school on Thursday or during conference hours on Friday.


Book Fair Shopping Hours

  • Thursday March 7th, 3:15pm-6:00pm (after school with parents)
  • Friday March 8th, 8:00am-4:30pm (during parent/teacher conferences)


Can't make it to the fair? No worries - you can also purchase books online! Click the link below for more book fair details.

BOOK FAIR FLYER

We are also looking for some volunteers for the book fair to help with setup, teardown, cashier, and general support during the event. Please consider signing up for a shift to make this a smooth event!

BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

SPRING CONFERENCES

Friday, March 8th

Spring conferences will be held this week on Friday, March 8th from 8:00am-4:00pm. Childcare for children 3+ years old and potty trained will be available during this time in the cafeteria. Teachers also have some time available outside of this date. Parents should have received an email on Monday, February 12th with their teacher's Sign Up Genius link.


Please contact the Normandale Office at 952-848-4100 if you did not receive an email to sign up or if you have any additional questions.

READ-A-THON UPDATE

The Final Week!

It's the final week of the Read-a-Thon! Don't forget to log your student's minutes of reading in the Get Movin' Fund Hub linked below. Thank you for your support!

GET MOVIN' FUND HUB

PARENT INPUT FORM

Due March 31st

Each spring, teachers and support staff meet and confer to develop class lists for the coming year. It is our goal to have balanced classes across each grade level. We consider many factors as we try to balance classes and accommodate individual needs such as gender balance, emotional/social combinations, performance levels, special learning needs, teaching/learning styles, and behavioral factors.


Although requests for specific teachers are not considered, if you have information about your child that should be taken into consideration, please complete the Parent Input Form linked below by Sunday, March 31st.


Note that this form is optional. Additionally, information that comes in after the deadline may not be considered as the placement process will have already started.


Haga clic aquí para obtener la versión en español de este formulario.

PARENT INPUT FORM

IMAGINATION FAIR

Save-the-Date: April 2nd

Our annual Imagination Fair is an opportunity for Normandale students to showcase their experiments, inventions, or creations. All Normandale students, from Kindergarten – 5th grade are invited to participate. Students may work alone, with another student, or in a group.


Don’t know where to start? Projects don’t have to be complicated! Let your imagination, creativity, and inventiveness guide you. Explore whatever interests you at the moment…nature, mechanics, art, technology, fashion, chemistry, photography, animals, weather, crafts, or any other hobbies.


Click the link below to register your project or learn more about the event. All project registrations must be submitted by Friday, March 29th.

FAIR INFO + REGISTRATION

We are also looking for a few volunteers for setup, teardown, and support during the fair. Please consider signing up for a shift at the link below!

FAIR VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

WRITING CONTEST

Now - March 15th

It’s time for the Edina Reads Creative Writing Contest! This annual contest, coordinated by EHS students and sponsored by the Edina Community Foundation, is open to EPS K-12 students and adults who live or work in the community.

 

Contest submissions are accepted until March 15th. The poster QR code links to the submission document. A celebration and reading of the winning entries will take place on April 15th, 6:30 pm at Dragseth Auditorium, South View Middle School.

CONTEST DETAILS + ENTRY LINK

PARENT PASS

LOST + FOUND

Claim Items by Friday, March 8th

Normandale's Lost and Found is on display in the lobby this week, so please take a look when you are in the building for conferences. Any unclaimed items will be donated after this Friday, March 8th. Thanks!

ELEMENTARY ART SHOW

March 14th - April 19th

Artwork by students from six Edina elementary schools, including Normandale, will be on display from March 14 – April 19 at the Edina Library located at 5280 Grandview Square.


An Artist Celebration & Open House Reception will also be held on Thursday, March 14 from 5:30-7:00pm.


Any questions, please contact Mme French-Amara at leanne.french-amara@edinaschools.org.

FREE TREE SAPLINGS

Register by March 15th

In partnership with Neighborhood Forest, Normandale families may sign up by March 15th to receive a free tree sapling. Trees will be distributed at school the week of Earth Day (April 22nd). The registration link and additional details about the program are linked below.

FREE TREE REGISTRATION

SUMMER BONJOUR CAMP

Are you interested in having your child practice French over the summer? Through the Edina Community Education program, we have Normandale teachers Madame Abdo (K), Madame Thomas (1st), Madame Heffelfinger (2nd), Madame Coldagelli (3rd), and Madame May (4th/5th) teaching our Bonjour Camps! This is a great opportunity for our students to practice their French before the fall. 


Registration links and dates for camps are listed below. Please note that the grade level is the grade they will be entering in the fall.

BADMINTON CLUB: GR. 2-5

8 Spots Remaining

Mme Hoecherl is leading a Badminton Club this spring as part of the Edina Community Education program and there are a few spots remaining! Students in grades 2-5 will practice badminton skills including serving and hitting techniques, and participate in the King/Queen of the court tournament. Equipment and great music provided! See course information below and contact julie.hoecherl@edinaschool.org for questions.


Community Ed course # 325-L3000

Edina Community Center: ECC Gym - Large Gym

Mon/Thu, Mar 25 - Apr 11, 7:45 - 8:30 AM 

BADMINTON CLUB REGISTRATION

DISCOVERY KITCHEN

Next Event is March 12th

Volunteer to help hand out new fruit and veggie recipe samples to students during their lunch period. Remaining sampling dates are March 12th, April 16th, and May 21st. Sign up to volunteer for a 35-minute shift using the link below!

DISCOVERY KITCHEN SIGN UP

YEARBOOK ORDERS

Orders due April 1st

Have you ordered your yearbook yet? If not, please your order by April 1st for on time delivery. Not sure if you have already placed an order? Contact the Normandale office to verify.

ORDER YEARBOOK HERE

WE GOT SPIRIT. DO YOU?

Last chance to order sweatshirts and winter hats for the season. New warm weather styles coming soon!

Need some new French Immersion couture and Normandale apparel in the New Year? Visit our online stores to get the latest school styles shipped directly to your door.

Click the links below to visit our fantastique online stores today.

SHOP KIDS APPAREL HERE
SHOP ADULT APPAREL HERE

MERCI BEAUCOUP

Special Thanks & Gratitude

Thank you to Sarina Khariwala who organized our first ever Fête des Cultures with Aisha Alexander and Rabab Dairkee. We are so grateful for all of the volunteers who helped tirelessly all night long as well as the generous vendors that offered discounted rates or free services. Please give them your business as a way of thanking them!

  • Afro Deli 
  • Patisserie Margo
  • Cahill Bistro
  • Jerusalem Market
  • Holy Land
  • TequeArepa
  • Twin Cities Nordic Dance Group
  • Harisen Daiko Drums 
  • Zorongo Flamenco 
  • Afrocontigbo
  • Ragamala-Indian Classical
  • Hudson Irish Dance Company
  • Gracious Henna
  • Inherited Stories
  • Braids by Fatu

INTERN INTROS

INÉS MAURY 

Second Grade – Martinez

Hi, I live in Lorraine in a village with my parents, my mother Joëlle is a cashier and my father is a foreman in public works. I have a 25-year-old older brother named Lucas, he is an engineer, he moved to the west of France 8 hours from us by car. But we are very close, we see each other often. The last member of the family is Frimousse, our 13-year-old dog. I love sports, and enjoy bodybuilding. I love fashion...I'm in a headache to choose what things to take with me ah, I will have two suitcases of 23kg each..I love spending time with my friends and family, oh, and I like to laugh a lot.  

Favorite Foods: I love to eat, I love everything except coriander...Otherwise I love discovering new flavors and eating a variety of everything. 

 

In The US: I'm up for anything, and look forward to discovering new things and new people. I like to enjoy life and want to explore Minnesota but also other states. 


I am excited by adventure and the unknown. Minnesota seems to be full of incredible landscapes, I can't wait to observe them. In addition, I want to learn about American culture through the activities offered. 

NEIGHBOR NOTES

SEAC COFFEE + DONUTS

Saturday, March 9th: 9-11am

Edina Community Center, Room 170A

This Saturday morning, Edina Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is hosting a "Coffee & Donuts" for all Edina families with children in special education to come together to network & connect with each other. Normandale families who have children who receive special education services & would like to meet other families are invited!


Any questions, contact Anne Mondragon at aandersen26@yahoo.com.

EDINA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Nominations Due April 4th

The Edina Chamber of Commerce supports and fosters interaction between local schools, residents and the business community. In this spirit, The Edina Chamber wishes to recognize local teachers for their significant contributions in education and work with future leaders. Through the annual Teacher of the Year Award, a teacher who exemplifies creativity, enthusiasm, commitment and development of a positive learning environment will be honored. Nominees must be a teacher or team of teachers in the Edina Public Schools to be eligible for this award.

 

If you have an amazing teacher you would like to recognize, please complete a nomination at the link below by April 4th.

NOMINATE HERE

EDINA GIVE + GO

Edina Give and Go provides activity grants to students at Normandale and the other Edina Public School buildings so they can afford to participate in everything from basketball and hockey, after school chess club, choir and theater, reading & math tutoring, to summer camp. Over the past 9 years, Edina Give and Go has provided $1.4 million in activity grants to over 2,400 students in low-income households so they could participate in activities alongside their peers, helping to close the opportunity gap. 

 

Please consider making a donation to help one more student learn a new skill, discover his or her passion, and gain a sense of belonging. Thank you!

DONATE HERE

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

The Alliance Française is the non-profit French cultural center serving the Twin Cities and is a proud partner of French immersion schools and their families. Alliance Française offers a library, summer camps for children of all ages and levels, French classes for adults, cooking classes, and more than 150 cultural events each year. Learn more about Alliance Française Mpls/St Paul by clicking the button below.

AFMSP WEBSITE

EDINA EDUCATION FUND

The Edina Education Fund is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to the continued academic excellence of the Edina Public Schools.


The Ed Fund secures private, supplemental funding to support valuable education experiences and innovative projects in the Edina Public Schools. Funds raised augment school system revenues that are provided by taxes, state aid, and other parent and student led fundraising efforts. The Ed Fund is necessary to help ensure the caliber of educational programs we have come to expect of the Edina Public Schools. Your support means greater academic opportunities for all students, today and into the future.


We are fortunate to be part of the Edina community that has a strong, valued and well-respected school system. However, to protect and enhance the value of our homes and property and the quality of life we enjoy, we must further invest in our public school system. Edina Education Fund contributes to the development and financial support of district-wide programs within Literacy, STEAM and Mental Health/Wellness Services for all students and staff.

CONTRIBUTE HERE

VOILÀ – MERCI BEAUCOUP!

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