Dear Normandale families,

The Holden family is hosting Thanksgiving this year; Costco runs have been made and seating arrangements have been finalized. Our family is thankful for the opportunity to gather as our lives slowly return to normal. 

Here at Normandale we also have much to be thankful for this school year. My list of things to be thankful for include:

• Healthy students and staff as mitigation efforts and vaccines work to keep us all safe. 
• Dedicated teachers willing to take on the numerous challenges of this school year.
• A renewed focus on French as Normandale students and staff return to 100% in-person learning.
• French speaking super subs and paraprofessionals that help Normandale run smoothly.
• In-person interns that serve as living language models for Normandale students and staff.
• Intentional work on mathematics by grade-level teams as Normandale finalizes the implementation of Singapore Math.
• A whole school focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) using our newly adopted Caring Schools Community curriculum. Teachers, administrators and Kids Club/Wise Guys staff are using this curriculum in small and large groups to reinforce behaviors/strategies that help students be successful with our return to 100% in-person learning.
• An active PTO that most recently organized lunch for Normandale staff. This luncheon served as a Thanksgiving warm-up for many of us!
• A warm fall that allowed us to eat snack and lunch outdoors as much as possible.

This list is just a beginning and there are many other reasons to be thankful this school year at Normandale. What are you thankful for this November?

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS - GET READY FOR FUN!

Community Connections events go LIVE on our Membership Toolkit platform on Thursday, November 18 at 9:00 am! Visit normandalepto.org/ccc and start planning your purchases!

There will be more than 50 Community Connections events to pick from this year. Along with your community-building favorites, look for fun new additions that you won't want to miss! Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with these experiences. It's a win-win; we make gift-giving a snap and you get to support French Immersion in the Edina Public Schools and delight your family!

We are excited to share our first Community Connections event of the fall with you - the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot! Join your Edina French Immersion friends for a #mercimile or keep going for more! Thank you to the Sabiston and Karber families for hosting this fun, new event!

Tickets for the Turkey Trot will be available for purchase through Membership Toolkit with the launch of the entire Community Connections program.

Families (up to 5 individuals in the same household): $30

Individual : $10

Teachers & Interns: free! (unlimited available)

REMEMBER YOUR MASK EVERY DAY!

We have been passing out a significant number of replacement masks lately at school. Please make sure your child has a mask before you drop them at school (keep extras in the car) and also have extra masks in their backpacks and/or lockers. Disposable masks often break during the day, so please especially have extras if your child uses disposable masks.  Please note that we have a limited supply of emergency masks available.

NOTES FROM THE INTERN COMMITTEE

Let's show our hard-working teachers and interns how much we appreciate them!

Once a month, we are asking volunteers to bring in something to brighten our teachers' and interns' day. This can be food, decorations, or anything else you think would show them the recognition they deserve. Please see the sign up sheet for more details and how to participate!

Fundraising Coupons Needed

We are looking for extra pizza fundraising coupons from various sport/fundraising efforts. We realize that these coupons often go unused. Our interns have several events throughout the year and these coupons could be put to good use!

Please note: we are not purchasing fundraising coupons. We are asking for donations of coupons that are not being used or set to expire soon. 

Please feel free to drop them off at 

Kelly Ingvaldson (intern committee member)

5505 Oaklawn Ave

Edina, MN 55424 

Questions: kingvaldson@gmail.com

LUNCHTIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need volunteers EVERY DAY to supervise home lunch (warmer days outside and colder days inside). Please sign up HERE if you are able to help. Volunteers are what allows us to offer a separate space for home lunch students.

M-F mornings the Normandale PTO website will be updated with the day's inside/outside status.

Vaccines for 12-17 year olds:

“Kids Deserve a Shot,” a vaccine incentive program consists of two sets of rewards: a $200 Visa gift card for 12-17-year-olds who start and complete their vaccine series between October 18 and November 30, and five drawings of $100,000 Minnesota college scholarships for any 12-17 years old in Minnesota with a complete vaccine series.

Full program details and rules and online registration are available here.

Vaccines for Under 12:

FDA Panel recommends Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11! Read the NPR article for more info.

Edina is holding a second round of vaccine clinics for students, SAVE THE DATE!

PAULINE KREMER - FIFTH GRADE

About me...:  I was born in Lorraine, in the east of France. Last year I finished my master's degree in education and teaching, to become a school teacher. I have a brother who is a policeman, he is currently in Iraq to supervise the French embassy. My parents work in France, my father was a soldier but today he supervises the work in the army buildings. My mother is a secretary in an a town hall.

I love music, nature, I love to paint, draw, cook ... I love to run, swim, dance, and I'm passionate about Crossfit!



In The US...: In the United States I would like to visit many states like florida, california etc ... There are many festivals and concerts that I would love to do! I can't wait to celebrate Halloween and Christmas here to discover your customs!

I would love to taste all American food! and try out many crossfit boxes.

But above all I look forward to meeting new people, especially the children and teachers of Normandale, as well as the host families.

My favorite food…:  I love ALLL the food, I especially like chocolate (French chocolate :)) )

I am excited about…: New things ! And discover all that will be around me here !

Cake-Off is back! Join us in person (or via Zoom) on Friday, November 19th 10:00 AM at Church of St. Patrick. Enjoy coffee, time with fellow community members and of course, cake! The program begins at 10:30 and will highlight Ed Fund’s work with EPS in STEAM, Literacy & Mental Health, remarks from Superintendent Dr. Stanley and a live auction to finish the event.

Learn about all the programs and lives you touch through your donation and hear what's next for our kids. The event is free, please register here: https://www.edinaedfund.org/s/cake-off

Are you a baker? Check out the virtual Cake-Off Home Edition, get creative and have some fun! Bake a cake, cupcakes, pie, cookies, any baked good you love! Email us a picture of your creation and enjoy your baked good with your family. Entries accepted NOW through Friday, November 12th. All entries will be featured on the Ed Fund website and prizes awarded for most votes. Click here for more information: https://www.edinaedfund.org/s/cake-off

Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to find out more about this fun event!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

-Edina Education Fund

Normandale PTO| [normandalepto.org]