Dear Edina: A Pen Pal Program is a partnership between Edina Community Education, Edina Senior Center and the Hennepin County Library. It connects young people with the community’s older adults at a time when connection is so important. More information at edinaschools.org/PenPals Experience Edina Public Schools / Summer 2020
Noteworthy Computing achievements recognized Six EHS students received Aspiration in Computing awards presented by the National Center for Women and Information Technology. The recipients of the awards include seniors Sofie Shand and Amy Wang, who received Minnesota Affiliate awards. EHS sopho- mores Dedeepya Guthikonda and Anna Wang received Certificates of Distinction. Sophomore Prudence Russell and junior Sarah Swann received the Minnesota Affiliate Rising Star. EPS students excel in Latin Clockwise, top left: Teacher Karen Meyer reviews fractions; Fourth grader Abdullahi works on his slideshow project; Fourth Twenty-six EPS middle and grader Sonja meets with her teacher and classmates; Senior Marnie Pardo gets it done with a buddy; Third grader Andrew high school students were listens to his teacher read a story; South View teachers participate in virtual professional development. recognized for achievements in the National Latin Exam. The 40-question multiple- Learning, connecting continues virtually choice test is sponsored by the American Classical League and ithin two hours of the Governor’s announce- relationships with students that are so important to their the National Junior Classical ment that schools would close their doors, learning. The creative and innovative ways that they are League. The test is offered to Wdozens of Edina Public Schools administrators, connecting and teaching students is truly a testament to students in seven levels. Stu- staff, principals and School Board members converged their talent and professionalism.” dents are tested on grammar, at the district offices to redesign the school system. Two comprehension, mythology, literature, Roman life, history, weeks later, Edina students were back, and doing school None of it was quite the same as “normal” in a whole new way. geography, and Latin in use in times, but everyone including teachers, the modern world. There were classes and small-group collaboration, music principals, staff, students and families lessons and concerts, office hours, and “face-to-face” adapted to meet the learning meetings with counselors and special education teachers. needs of students. Attendance was taken, and so were tests. As the virtual experience stretched into May, there were virtual awards Special attention has been given to the social and banquets. None of it was quite the same as “normal” emotional wellbeing of children and adults. District times, but everyone including teachers, principals, staff, experts offered resources and created a Virtual Calming students and families adapted to meet the learning needs Space with options for deep breathing, calming music, of students. visual relaxation, meditation and movement. The digital structure for the new learning model was Teams of staff also planned the childcare system for EHS senior is Dell Scholar essential workers, a part of the Governor’s executive designed by district tech staff and based on EPS practices EHS senior Ikraan Hassan is one order. And a system for providing breakfast and lunch for combined with resources that included several high of 500 students nationwide to performing international schools. Teaching and Learning any student age 18 and younger, quickly fell into place. It receive a $20,000 Dell Schol- staff, together with teachers and principals, addressed was soon augmented by a community organized program arship. The program started in curricular concerns, namely how to adapt lessons to a to provide food for dinners, too. 2004 and is designed to provide a support system for the chal- virtual format. District-designed professional develop- As this unusual school year came to a close, the district ment sessions provided teachers with information about lenges many students face while team began planning for the 2020-21 school year, set to pursuing a degree. Hassan has how the new learning model would work and taught begin Aug. 31. Various scenarios are being considered as been a student in the district’s digital skills they needed to be successful in the new summer strategizing for the unknown continues. “What college preparatory program environment. we know for sure is that school will happen this fall,” AVID, one of the key scholarship “Distance learning cannot replicate the face-to-face class- said Schultz, “and Edina Public Schools will be ready to criteria. She plans to attend the room experience,” said Superintendent John Schultz. welcome our students.” University of Minnesota. “But Edina teachers are committed to maintaining their More EPS photos at edinaschools.exposure.co USA Today ranks EPS top district in state for success
New Staff dina Public Schools is ranked the Best School Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National District in Minnesota for student success by USA Center for Education Statistics, USA Today determined District hires key leaders Today. The newspaper looked at school district the top school district in each state using a variety of Dr. Randy Smasal has been E quality around the country to determine where students measures, including high school graduation rate, teach- named Assistant Superinten- were most likely to succeed. Though there are many er-to-student ratio, and per-pupil spending. In addition, dent. Smasal has been the district’s Director of Teaching factors that impact a child’s educational future, “A good college entrance exam performances and data about and Learning for eight years, school district can greatly increase a child’s chances of proficiency tests for different subjects, provided by Niche, and has held leadership posi- future success,” the paper reported. was also analyzed. tions in several other districts. Smasal began his career in education as a middle and 2020 RESIDENTIAL/PARENT SURVEY high school science teacher for 12 years. He is currently an District gets high marks from adjunct faculty member at two parents, community in survey metro-area universities and has been a frequent presenter at Student-led Project Earth of Edina Public School parents and local, state and national educa- 93% residents rate the quality of schools tion conferences. takes charge in tackling “excellent” or “good” according to the district’s Nicole (Nikie) Tuescher joins environmental issues annual survey of stakeholders. the district as Director of The quality rating is among the highest for districts in Human Resources/Administra- roject Earth, an environmental, student-led club the metro area, according to Peter Leatherman, CEO of tive Services. Tuescher began at Edina High School, has carried out initiatives her career as a social studies The Morris Leatherman Company, a Twin Cities based throughout the school and community to encour- teacher. After completing her P market research firm that conducted the survey in law degree at Hamline Univer- age more environmentally friendly and sustainable ac- January and February. tions, including the installation of solar panels. “Project sity School of Law, she worked When asked to rate a variety of district descriptors, with an education law firm Earth had been interested in bringing renewable energy 97% of parents agreed that EPS “promotes excel- on issues related to students, to Edina for a long time,” said Natalie Swanson, a Project lence,” and 92% said it was “high achieving.” When employment law, compliance, Earth alumna. “We connected with school board leaders asked what they “like most” about Edina Schools, and policy matters. Tuescher and Buildings and Grounds, as well as organizations and was HR manager in EPS for teachers were ranked highest, followed by academic community members who could support us.” six years and is returning after topics such as “broad curriculum,” “high achieve- holding the Executive Director Through a fundraising event during the summer of 2018, ment statistics,” and “high quality academics.” of HR position in the Anoka- and continued community support, the group has raised On topics of management and leadership, 75% of total Hennepin School District for enough money to install solar panels at EHS. “This in- respondents agreed that the district spends financial the past six years. stallation is very exciting because of the data we can use resources “effectively and efficiently,” and 93% in different classes,” said Ana Martinez, one of Project Five instructional elementary agree that they receive “good value from their deans have been hired to Earth’s current leaders. “We hope to demonstrate that investment” in Edina schools. provide added leadership as renewable energies should be the future of all schools in the district prepares for the Edina, and eventually the city.” Areas of concern named by parents are large class implementation of strategic sizes, named by 10% of respondents, and “lack of Project Earth also organizes the Youth Climate Summit, initiatives in the coming school discipline” and “liberal political agenda” each named which was cancelled due to the pandemic. The summit, year. Each is currently on staff by 8%. Thirty-seven percent of parents indicated they in the district in another free to the public, included a panel of experts and leaders had no concerns and 91% said they had not considered capacity. discussing aspects of climate change, sustainable food taking their students out of the Edina school district. from local vendors and climate-related workshops. Overall, support for the district is strong, Leatherman “We know that not everyone can make big changes in reported. A comparison of the quality of Edina schools their lives in order to fight this problem,” said Martinez. to three years ago showed a 14% increase from 2018 in “We want to show them that there are small changes they respondents who said quality was “better.” Overall, can make which collectively will make a difference.” 92% of respondents said they are “proud and would Experience is mailed periodically to recommend the district to others.” all residents in Edina Public Schools, District 273, to keep you up-to-date Board meetings become Read more and find a link to the survey under District on the activities and accomplishments News at edinaschools.org of students, staff and the district. virtual during virus outbreak Questions or comments are welcome ollowing the Governor’s declaration of a state at [email protected] or 952.848.3919. of emergency, and health and safety guidelines announced by the Minnesota Department of Health Edina Public Schools F and the CDC, the Edina School Board transitioned in Main: 952.848.4900 March to holding its meetings virtually. [email protected] Enrollment: 952.848.4585 Other than the Board Chair, all members of the School Superintendent Board attend meetings electronically. Members of the John W. Schultz, Ph.D. public may attend meetings by accessing the livestream 952.848.4000 link on the district’s YouTube channel. Regular meetings [email protected] are live streamed and recorded. During this time, Board Edina School Board Work Sessions are also live streamed. [email protected] Members of the public may provide comments regarding Erica Allenburg items on the Board Meeting agenda by sending an email Matt Fox to [email protected], subject line: Board Hip hop team first at Nationals Julie Greene Meeting Comment, by noon on the day of the Board The EHS Hip Hop Competition Dance Team took first place Ellen Jones at DX Americup Nationals. The competition division consists Owen Michaelson Meeting. of teams from North Dakota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Janie Shaw For more information and full meeting agendas, visit and Mexico. Coach Ariel Enriquez was a founding member Leny Wallen-Friedman edinaschools.org/SchoolBoard of the team in 2005 and has been the coach since 2010. Noteworthy
Four honored for work with youth Connecting With Kids honored four EPS volunteers for their contributions toward positively impacting the youth of Edina. Pictured above are: Michael Weinkauf, Cornelia Elementary physical education teacher; Jaime Gaard Chapman, EHS Jessica Schmidt, a Normandale kindergarten teacher, visits an Early Learning Center four-year-old class to see how little girls’ basketball and tennis learners are being prepared for their next big step. coach and mentor; Matthew Hovelsrud, student leader; Teachers collaborate for kindergarten readiness and Chris Moquist, parent and Community Resource Program glance inside a classroom for four-year-olds at In the last two years, the ELC’s population has grown volunteer. They were among the Edina Early Learning Center (ELC) reveals from around 400 students to 775, and staff has increased seven honorees nominated by community members. Ateachers taking steps to improve the educational from 30 to 84. When a child attends preschool in the outcome of little learners. Students are given a founda- district program, kindergarten teachers are able to learn tion on which to successfully transition to kindergarten more about his or her educational background. as a result of a team of collaborators meeting every six CyberPatriot Team weeks to ensure synergy with curriculum. In the last two years, the ELC’s population wins first place has grown from 400 students to 775 . . . A team of six EHS students Three years ago, Early Childhood Coordinator Leah Byrd placed first in the Gold Tier in initiated meetings between preschool and kindergarten the 12th season of CyberPatriot, teachers with the goal of defining school readiness for “We are able to receive end-of-school assessment re- the Air Force Association’s Edina students. The work of the preschool kindergarten sults from the ELC staff which is really helpful for us as National Youth Cyber Defense collaboration team has grown to include conversations teachers to prepare for who is walking through our doors Competition. The competition about curriculum and assessment alignment. in the fall,” said Deborah Carroll, kindergarten teacher at challenges teams of students across the United States, Canada, Cornelia Elementary. “Being able to have a conversation The preschool kindergarten collaboration team also and other schools abroad to observe one another’s classrooms. “There are a lot of with the staff at ELC is invaluable.” find and resolve cybersecurity commonalities between the two classrooms,” said Byrd. Whether or not a student attends the ELC, educators vulnerabilities in simulated “All of us want to have perspective on where the kids are agree the preschool experience is important. “They need environments. coming from and where they are going.” For instance, at to begin learning school social and readiness skills before one meeting the teachers compared pre-K and kinder- they arrive in kindergarten,” said Cornelia Elementary garten emergent literacy to ensure alignment as learners kindergarten teacher Christine Mjoen, “so they can have Repertory Orchestra transition to the next level. a successful experience from day one.” rated superior EHS Repertory Orchestra received two Superior with U.S. News ranks EHS in top 10 in state Distinction ratings, the highest rating possible, at the dina High School is ranked among the top 10 New ranking methodology begun last year uses six MNSOTA Middle Level public non-charter high schools in Minnesota by “indicators of school quality,” each of which are weighted Orchestra Festival. The rating U.S. News and World Report in its annual Best to produce an overall score. Among the measures are represents an outstanding E performance in all major catego- High Schools Rankings. The publication ranked approx- state assessments, graduation rates, and AP/IB partici- ries for all selections performed imately 17,790 public high schools in the U.S. based on pation and exam scores. U.S. News no longer categorizes by the 77-member orchestra. 2017-18 data. EHS ranks No. 8 among public, non-charter schools with gold, silver or bronze designations. The Festival offers orchestras high schools in the state, and is No. 817 nationally. constructive criticism and comments to improve the group’s musical performance and to improve students’ under- Thanks for the memories and devoted service! standing of musical concepts. dina Public Schools bids a grateful farewell to Karen Roach, Crystal Sorensen, David Sponheim, 19 employees who are retiring from positions all Cynthia Thompson, Mary Watts, Michael Weinkauf, Eacross the district. Collectively, they contributed Keith Wolfe, and Nancy Zuber. (Two retirees did not 358 years of service to EPS students, families and wish to be recognized.) colleagues. We thank them and wish them well as they Current social distancing guidelines prevented the district begin the next chapter of their lives. from having the traditional retirement celebration. This year’s retirees are: Joan Boyd, Jane Bull, Jim Instead, retirees were recognized with a special EPS In Caspar, Lana Davis, Elizabeth Gerich, Ellen Guerin, Focus photo blog. Read the retirees’ favorite memories Terry Maxwell, Timothy McManus, Dale Pollesch, and retirement plans at edinaschools.exposure.co Edina Public Schools Distance Learning by the Numbers
These distance learning statistics were gathered between March 30 and May 8. children attended EPS childcare services for 30-50 essential workers each day. breakfast and lunch meals have been provided 27,236 for district students. dinners have been provided for families through a 15,160 collaborative COVID-19 Response organized by Edina Education Fund, Edina Meal Fund, and Edina Give and Go, with support from VEAP and The Sheridan Story. staff members attended a single Teaching and Learning 130 Google Meet session. educators from around the world attended the MN 7,000 Distance Learning Summit organized by EPS curricular technology specialists. EPS staff members were among the presenters. School attendance was higher in the first two weeks of Distance Second grader Morgan keeps up with assignments; Senior Olivia Pierce plays for her music teacher; Second grader Mack reads to an attentive audience. 2x Learning than the two corresponding weeks of 2019.
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Inside Learning continues virtually Page 1 Survey says District promotes excellence Page 2 USA Today ranks EPS top in state Page 2 Collaborating for kindergarten readiness Page 3
Congratulations Class of 2020 We are proud of YOU!