SUMMER 2017 www.edinaschools.org EXPANDED SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PREPARE STAFF FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

This summer, learning was centered on choice. Learners After the last day of school in June, teachers met in teams could pick what they wanted to learn, how they wanted to to select an area of focus for their summer learning. learn it, and whether to work in groups or to work alone. Content areas included assessment, increasing student In addition, there was more than one way to demonstrate voice in learning, and curriculum analysis. If teachers what they learned. In this case, the learners were not our did not see a topic that piqued their interest, they could students; they were our teachers. design their own training and submit a proposal. They were also able to choose how they wanted to learn, including Approximately 250 teachers participated in summer in-person Personalized Learning Community (PLC) work, learning opportunities that reflected the kind of learning online PLC work, individual learning, and several conference they are trying to model for students during the school options. No matter the pathway, the priority was always to year. This is about twice as many teachers participating focus on what is best for students. compared to last year, and more than any other summer, according to Randy Smasal, director of Teaching and Laura Mestler and Jon Moore, Valley View Middle School Learning. Smasal attributes the significant increase in language arts teachers, explored ways to align lessons and participation to the more personalized approach to assessments to specific academic standards. “Our work professional development and the expanded variety of will help students see the significance of that standard and opportunities available to staff. help them to focus on what is truly essential learning,” said Mestler. “This will help the students who struggle, yet give “The goal this summer was to have teachers reflect on teachers the flexibility to challenge students who excel.” what they wanted to learn or accomplish before the school year began, then to provide multiple pathways for them to Edina High School (EHS) Spanish teacher Meggie Trenda, achieve their objectives,” he said. “This resulted in a more and the PLC she is part of, continued efforts to move the personalized professional learning experience for staff than world language department to a proficiency-based learning in previous years.” model. CONTINUES ON PAGE 6 SUPERINTENDENT’S EXPERIENCE New Spaces, new faces, one amazing community transforming learning and activity spaces in ways that It has been amazing journey since officially starting will enhance our students’ educational experience. my role on July 1, one that has allowed me to clearly Programmatically, our curriculum, teaching and define my transition to Edina Public Schools as educational technologies are continuously adapting to exciting, welcoming and energizing. I am jazzed by the the better meet the needs of students and help them commitment this community has about education and understand how their learning is connected to the the high value placed on learning and serving each and bigger the world. Edina students are fortunate to be every student. in a school district that takes the time to reflect about their needs and the world in which they will learn, live, Over the past couple months, I have had the pleasure play and work. to meet with many parents and community leaders, all of whom expect excellence for all Edina students. And I And so, it is with much pride and excitement that I am impressed with the commitment of our EPS families welcome you to the 2017-18 school year. Every school in their interest and willingness to partner with our year brings with it anticipation, opportunities and staff and district. In reflecting on how I can best serve even challenges. When our students and community this incredible community, it is my desire to exceed this members enter the doors of Edina schools, they enter expectation and ensure that not only will we continue an environment that is welcoming and caring. I know to provide quality educational opportunities, but we will this for a fact because when I entered Edina schools also ensure that all Edina students are engaged and this summer as the new guy in town, I was greeted with achieving in all aspects of their learning. smiles by many kids, staff, parents and local leaders who showed a genuine interest and greeted me with This collaborative approach helps reinforce the small a thoughtful conversation. As superintendent, I hope town feel of the Edina Public Schools community and expect that anyone who enters our schools will others had told me about. Knowing that a student’s have a similar experience. The start of my first year achievement and success is enhanced by this and new career in Edina began by engaging with many John W. Schultz, Ph.D., Superintendent partnership of school, family and community, I am individuals committed to forming lasting relationships. I [email protected] excited to have the opportunity to be a leader among can’t think of anything better for a learning climate. many in a school district that has such authentic community engagement. I thank you all for the opportunity to help lead Edina Public Schools and be a part of this community of It is also fun to be part of a school district that is caring, engaging and thoughtful people. I look forward redefining education for the learners of today and to meeting many more of you over the coming weeks tomorrow. We are seeing this physically play out as the and months. first phase of school construction nears completion, Go Hornets! www.blizzardmn.com BOARD APPROVES OPERATING LEVY QUESTION, SETS COMMUNITY REFERENDUM AND SCHOOL BOARD VOTE FOR NOV. 7

At its Aug. 14 meeting, the Edina School Board voted The District seeks to renew and increase the district’s unanimously to authorize a special election on Tuesday, current operating levy in order to sustain the quality Nov. 7 for the community to vote on a ballot question of educational programs expected by the Edina for an operating levy. The levy referendum will coincide community, according to Superintendent John Schultz. with the general election in which voters will elect four school board members, each for a term of four years. “I have always known Edina to be a high-quality, destination school district. This has become even The operating levy question seeks to renew the more clear to me since taking over leadership expiring operating levy and increase the district’s local responsibilities in July,” Schultz said. “Yet in order to revenue authority to provide needed operating funds address the persistent budget gap, provide the quality for day-to-day expenses such as teachers, curriculum, learning experience our students need, and be mindful transportation and utilities. The district’s current voter- of our taxpayers’ investment, we feel this two-step approved operating levy, which generates $1,412.46 approach to our operating levy renewal is the most per pupil or approximately $13 million in local funding fiscally sound.” for the district, will expire at the end of the 2017-18 school year. The proposed operating levy set forth If approved, the district estimates that for the average by the School Board seeks to renew and increase the value home in Edina, property owners would see a tax district’s levy authority in a two-step process over the increase in the first year of $182 per year, or about $15 next 10 years. per month. When the levy authority increases in 2020, programs and services, but it will allow us to maintain homeowners would see an additional increase of $5 what we have, and that’s important.” In the first step, for taxes payable in 2018 and 2019, per month, or about $60 per year. the district is seeking levy authority of $1857.46 per District officials noted that additional information and pupil, an increase of $445 per pupil over the current School Board Vice Chair Sarah Patzloff said that the details about what the operating levy supports, tax operating levy. In the second step, for taxes payable two-step approach of the referendum question serves impact and voter information will be shared through in 2020 through 2027, the levy would increase to to help address the annual budget shortfall while also various district communication channels, including $2,075.07 per pupil. Each year the levy would be showing a willingness to understand the burden on both print and digital publications, over the next three adjusted for inflation according the state inflationary local taxpayers. “We know that any levy has an impact months in an effort to inform voters on the proposal. index. If approved, the proposed new referendum on our local taxpayers,” said Patzloff, “but we also must Additional information can be found on the district revenue authorization would be applicable for a seek additional revenue when we can to ensure we are website at edinaschools.org. total of 10 years. able to continue offering the programs and services our students need. This levy will not allow us to add EHS UNIFIED SOCCER TEAM PROMOTES INCLUSION FOR MINNESOTA Members of the Edina High School (EHS) Unified Soccer Matthew Glavan, Henry Gustafson, Ryan Hunt, Emily Principal Troy Stein joined the team on the field, Team represented Minnesota this summer as the first Klippenstein, Matt McGuire, Will Moore, Andrew Olson, cheering from the sidelines. official Minnesota United Unified Team, a program Mikhail Pearthree, Patrick Rzepecki, Libby Thompson, operating through Special Olympics. and Harry Tuttle. The team is coached by Lisa Hanson, In August, two Edina players, Mikhail Pearthree and EHS special education teacher; and Donna Dyson and Matt McGuire, represented Minnesota in the Major This is the first year for the Special Olympics Unified Kelly Carr, educational associates at EHS. League Soccer Unified All-Star Game in Chicago, a Soccer program, bringing together teams of athletes match that followed the MLS All-Star game vs. Real with and without intellectual disabilities to promote The unified team played their first game at TCF Bank Madrid. inclusion and acceptance. The EHS team, one of many Stadium in July against the unified team from Houston, unified opportunities through Hornet Connections, Texas, following a major league match between the The team’s last game comes at the end of September was chosen to represent Minnesota following an April MNFC Loons and the Houston Dynamos. when they travel to Houston for a rematch with the tournament that included 10 teams from six schools. Houston Dynamo Unified team. Travel and participation Since then, they have been under the mentorship Prior to the game, the team met up with Houston’s in the program is paid for by Special Olympics and of the Minnesota United FC for an official signing unified players for a Twins game and a visit to the Major League Soccer. ceremony and presentation of jerseys, as well as Minnesota Zoo. Unfortunately thunderstorms cut the training and practice sessions with the professionals. unified game short, but fans in the stands kept the “This has been an incredible honor and opportunity for team’s spirits up with chants, cheering and playing all involved,” said Hanson. Members of the Minnesota United Unified Team are: instruments. EHS Principal Andy Beaton and Assistant LEARNING WAS FUN ALL SUMMER WITH EDINA COMMUNITY ED Edina Community Education Services kept the learning going all summer long with programs like Kindergarten Camp, KIDS Club/WISE Guys and middle school programming, Youth Enrichment classes and camps, Summer Success, and adult fitness. There were 3,169 enrollments in programs held in 11 locations, and almost daily field trips all around the metro area. Providing support were 40 summer volunteers who contributed 2,215 hours and helped make summer learning a lot of fun!

FALL 2017 www.edinaschools.org CONTINUED - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Her PLC’s focus this summer was finding resources that are more authentic for the came in. Walker and Eberhart helped teachers with any technical questions they had Spanish III course at EHS. “Once we have our sources, we have to make sure that while going through a course and wrote questions for an online assessment teachers our common assessments align with those resources or make changes as needed,” completed. “It was awesome,” said Eberhart. “Our teachers loved being able to do this Trenda said. work on their own time, with the teachers they work with during the school year.”

EPS adopted the PLC model of professional learning about five years ago. PLCs “I normally participate in ELI because it is a great opportunity to improve skills,” said are a collaborative approach based on teams of job-alike teachers (e.g. grade level Mestler. “I think the increase in [this summer’s] enrollment is that the topics are near or content area). Teams meet regularly during the school year, focusing on four and dear to our hearts and the format was flexible.” essential questions: “We are so grateful that our teachers would come together during the summer,” • What do teachers want their students to know, understand and be Smasal said. “It really speaks to the commitment our teachers have to improving the able to do; learning experience for our kids, and how we can model personalized learning • How will teachers know that students learned it; for all students.” • How will a teacher-team respond when students aren’t learning or haven’t learned it; • How will a teacher-team respond if students are learning faster than other students are, or already know it?

In addition to working with her PLC, Trenda attended a conference about the value of PLCs in ensuring that “all of our students learn at high levels,” and the importance of collaboration within teams. “I know that by working collaboratively, our students are more likely to reach proficiency,” said Trenda. “By working together, we ensure that all of the students enrolled in our course will get the same information and will be assessed in the same way.”

The District’s staff development committee, comprised of teachers and administrators, developed this summer’s professional learning opportunities, which, in past years, had taken the form of the Edina Learning Institute (ELI) — a weeklong conference in which teachers could learn from peers about technology, curriculum, pedagogy and more. This year, districtwide construction made it impossible to hold the conference on site. The committee viewed this as an opportunity to create the multiple pathways through which staff could learn.

The variety of courses and training available took a lot of technical coordination, which is where technology integration specialists Mike Walker and Meghan Eberhart 2017 COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS Community gives school district ratings among highest in metro area; survey shows ‘outstanding’ fiscal credibility Edina Public Schools (EPS) continues to receive high marks from the community in areas of quality of education, fiscal management and strategic direction according to the district’s annual community survey. The telephone survey was a random sampling of EPS district households conducted in late May by the Morris Leatherman Company, a Twin Cities based market research firm that has conducted surveys in Edina for over 25 years. In his report to the School Board in June, Dr. Bill Morris, president of Morris Leatherman, stated that several of the ratings by the community place EPS in the top quartile and higher among metropolitan area school districts. Here are highlights from the 2017 Community Survey. For a detailed report, go to edinaschools.org/surveys.

Agree “district does a good job % of involving community leaders, 83 parents and interested citizens in

Agree “district admin spent tax % money effectively and efficiently 70 during the last couple of years” Percent94 rate the 92Percent agree quality of education at “Community receives a good Rate financial management of EPS Edina Public Schools as value from its investment in local % “excellent” or “good” “excellent” or “good” public schools” 68 *top quartile of the metro area

Mention code EDN17 to start your winter adventure! HOPDINA PARTNERSHIPS OFFER SUMMER LEARNING FOR STUDENTS Pooled resources, combined students, and financial support from the state all came together to provide more than 130 Edina and Hopkins students summer learning opportunities designed to help them hit the ground running when school resumes this fall.

The collaboration was a natural off shoot of the growing HopDina partnership between the Hopkins and Edina school districts. Two teams of teachers applied for funding through the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) Achievement and Integration Incentive Aid. Established by state statute, the program supports eligible districts to “pursue racial and economic integration, increase student achieve- ment, create equitable education opportunities and reduce academic disparities based on students’ diverse racial, ethnic and economic background in Minnesota public schools.”

With funding in hand, the teams each created a three-week summer program for two groups of students at very different transitional stages of their educational journey. The programs were coordinated and taught by a mix of 25 staff and educators from both Edina and Hopkins.

Jumpstart to Kindergarten “You are all walking in a great line!” Shelly Doran cheered as the group filed by. It may seem a small thing, but Doran said learning to walk in a line, sit and listen, maneuver the lunch room and ride a bus are all part of being ready for kindergarten. Doran, a teacher and parent educator with Edina’s Early Learning Center, and Teresa Van Batavia, a Hopkins kindergarten-plus teacher, co-coordinated the program. A straight coordinator for grades 8 and 9. Matt is a science teacher at Hopkins High School and and orderly line was an example of the “amazing” learning the students had made in AVID coordinator for his district. just the first six days of the program. AVID is the acronym for a nationwide program, Advancement Via Individual Determi- Jumpstart brought 91 little learners from Edina and Hopkins together for four days a nation, focused on closing the achievement gap among students traditionally under- week, from 8:30 to noon, at Alice Smith Elementary in Hopkins. Divided into class- represented in higher education. The program teaches critical skills and behaviors, rooms of about 20 children each, the students learned “self-help” skills, like following while also creating a “positive peer group” with the goal of “college readiness and suc- directions, and were provided opportunities for learning social skills too. Classroom cess in a global society.” Given their common jobs and interests, it is not surprising meetings, chalk drawing on the sidewalk and group activities with a giant “parachute” that the Kappels had many conversations at home about the potential for a summer exposed students to a typical kindergarten day. At the end of three weeks they took learning program. home worksheets and information on literacy and math so they can continue their learning at home with their parents. “We’ve been dreaming about it for a couple of years — wouldn’t it be great if…” Matt said. “We both know the power of AVID.” “It is excellent learning for children to meet kids they may not otherwise meet,” Doran said, adding that the mix of Edina and Hopkins students “diversifies the diversity” “September is the hardest month for students in AVID,” Matt said. “It is very easy with each district having different predominant cultures and ethnicities represented. to be overwhelmed by a new school, classroom environment and classmates. We “Being exposed to new friends and new places will help their transition to kindergar- wanted to pre-load some skills and curriculum so when they begin the school year ten,” she said. they can hit the ground running.”

Although kindergarten was still weeks away for the Jumpstarters, Doran said the pro- Making summer learning fun is a little harder to do with middle schoolers than it gram builds familiarity. “When they start school in the fall,” she said, “this will all come is with kindergarteners, but the Kappels pulled it off with creative topics and some back to them and they will remember what they learned here.” real-life approaches to learning. Each day consisted of four classes: a science class based on a crime scene investigation scenario; AP prep focused on contextual AVID Summer Bridge reading and vocabulary acquisition under a humanities theme, including portions of During the same three weeks, a group of 45 incoming seventh and eighth graders the Declaration of Independence and poetry; and different levels of math to meet the from Edina and Hopkins were also learning skills geared toward helping them be needs of the varied age group. successful in the next school year and beyond. Hopkins High School served as home base for AVID Summer Bridge. The program was planned by a team that takes the The fourth was an AVID class that honed in on skills identified as keys to success HopDina relationship to a new level — they are husband and wife, Matt and Alisa in higher learning — writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading. This Kappel. Alisa is a science teacher at Edina’s Valley View Middle School and AVID was taught in a hands-on fashion, such as the day Edina AVID teacher Greg Banko propped his bicycle up on a table and explained the process for locating and fixing a leaky tire tube. Students took notes, asked questions and used critical thinking skills to pose possible solutions. They also took a field trip to The Nerdery, a local digital development company, to see those same skills being put to use in real life. Other field trips, such as rock climbing and a high ropes course, provided new experienc- es and helped to build confidence for students. Visits to nearby college campuses rounded out the three weeks.

Learning for all While classes focused on learning for students, kids were not the only ones to ac- quire new ideas and skills. Doran said with one Jumpstart program under their belts, they are already thinking of how they can grow the program next year. “We would get the word out much earlier,” she said.

In addition, there was a learning benefit that is at the core of the HopDina partner- ship. “Anytime you combine two different groups of teachers, you all are better for it,” Doran said. “Working with people outside of your ‘home’ group always stretches you and makes you better. You see things in a different way and in the end, it is so good for the kids.” WELCOME TO THREE NEW ADMINISTRATORS STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Two new staff members join Edina Public Schools to further advance the district’s Equity and Inclusion mission.

Albert McGee (pictured left) joins the district as the Equity and Inclusion Specialist. Albert’s role in the district is to New Edina High School (EHS) principal Andrew “Andy” Beaton (pictured left) joins the district replacing Dr. Bruce Locklear, who retired June 30, 2017. Beaton joins the district after having been the principal of nearby Bloomington Kennedy High promote and sustain an environment of School. While there, Beaton championed a variety of innovative personalized learning approaches to help all students re- inclusion district-wide. ceive the support they need to be successful. Beaton’s approach to high school leadership is focused on high expectations for all students, research-based instruction, and school-wide support, “so that all of our students can meet their potential.” Priya Rao (right) expands her duties within the district as the new South New Concord Elementary school principal Susan “Susie” Prather (pictured center) joins the district replacing Tony Asian Cultural Liaison. She is also a Washington, who left Concord on June 30, 2017. Prather joins the district after having been principal of Hudson Elementary parent educator in the Early Learning School in Hudson, Wis. for the past nine years. During her tenure, she led several programs and strategic initiatives focused Center. Priya joins the district’s Somali on personalized learning and improving student outcomes. Prather’s previous school has seen significant gains in student and Spanish-speaking cultural liaisons, achievement and family engagement. She said she looks forward to continuing this approach at Concord. in their focus to engage and support After looking at staffing and supervision needs for the new grade 9-12 high school, the district added a fourth assistant students and families from those cultures, principal position. Former Dean of Students, Jennifer “Jenn” Carter (pictured right) was selected from a strong field of and working with staff in providing candidates. Having worked for 17 years at EPS, 14 years as a Spanish teacher, Carter has a strong instructional background training and insight into issues of racial and experience in Edina, saying she is excited to continue working with students and help them on their path to graduation. and cultural diversity and inclusion. TWELVE CANDIDATES VIE FOR FOUR SEATS IN CALENDAR NOVEMBER SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS SEPTEMBER 2017 Filing for the Edina School Board closed Tuesday, Aug. 15, 5 First Day of School Gr. 1-12 with 12 community members filing affidavits of candidacy. 6 First Day of School K and ELC Two incumbents and 10 newcomers are running for one of four seats —Gabe Aderhold, Erica Allenburg, Chad Bell, 18 School Board Candidate Forum, Faisal Deri, Matthew Fox, David Goldstein, Heidi Hilliker, 7 p.m., Edina City Hall Ellen Jones, Matt Loucks, Owen Michaelson, Lisa O’Brien 25 School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., and Chris Tuescher. Edina Community Ctr., Room 349

Edina voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 7 to elect four school board members. Each member will be OCTOBER 2017 elected to a term of four years - January 1, 2018 through 9 School Board Candidate Forum, December 31, 2021. 9:30 a.m., ECC Room 349 12 Levy Referendum Community All candidates have been invited to participate in two Conversation, 7 p.m., ECC 349 upcoming candidate forums: 18 Early Release - 2 Hours • Monday, Sept. 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Edina City Hall Council Chambers, sponsored by the League 19-20 No School of Women Voters-Edina 23 School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., • Monday, Oct. 9 from 10-11:30 in Room 349 of the Edina Community Ctr., Room 349 Edina Community Center, sponsored by the Edina 24 Levy Referendum Community Parent Leadership Council Conversation, 7 p.m., EHS

Each candidate will have an opportunity to make an Please visit www.edinaschools.org/calendar opening statement, followed by questions and answers for details and a complete list of events from forum facilitators and the audience. Both forums will be recorded for playback on local cable as well as on the Edina Public Schools and League of Women Voters-Edina websites.

Links to candidate information is available on the district website at www.edinaschools.org/boardelection www.blizzardmn.com NEW SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER JOINS EPS By Debbie Townsend, City of Edina Communications Assistant Edina Police Chief Dave Nelson served as the City’s first school resource officer back in 1994. “I think it’s a Edina Police Officer Morgan Piper has begun work as critical partnership,” Nelson said. “It’s very important we the new school resource officer, replacing Eric Carlson. have a strong relationship with the schools.” Piper will be based out of Valley View and South View Middle Schools but will work with students, parents and The position often allows officers to see more parts of staff at all nine Edina schools in partnership with David a student’s life, shedding light on what might be behind Boosalis, the school resource officer based at Edina troublesome behavior. “Let’s focus on what’s the best High School. The positions are a partnership between solution for the student to correct the behavior,” Edina Public Schools and the City of Edina. Nelson said.

It’s a good fit for Piper, who prefers community policing Piper, who has been with the Edina Police Department where officers build relationships and help people. for seven years, didn’t plan on becoming a police “I like to be able to sit down and talk with people,” Piper officer. She was an English major, which could come said. in handy while working in schools. Her desire to help people led her to police work. That’s exactly what an Edina Public Schools committee was looking for when it chose Piper, said Ryan Carlson, Those qualities – compassion, being personable, calm South View Middle School assistant principal. and communicative – make her ideal for the job, Nelson said. He also pointed to her experience as a crisis “I think the ability to build relationships is really, really intervention negotiator. She has the ability and the key,” said Carlson, who served on the committee. “She training to talk to people who are going through difficult came across as someone who would be able to build times and find help for them. those relationships.” Piper’s message to students and staff this fall will be School resource officers do far more than patrol that she is there to serve as a resource. “I’m not here referring people to help they need, or just being a schools and investigate crimes on campus. They to get you into trouble. I’m not here to arrest you,” she listener. develop and present prevention and safety programs said. for youth and are a supportive presence in the schools, “If you need help, come and talk to me,” she said. counseling and mentoring students as needed. While She will, of course, respond to any police-related For more information about school resource officers, students are well aware the person is a police officer, incident on campuses. But she expects to spend the call the Edina Police Department at 952-826-1610. school resource officers wear plain clothes and majority of her time explaining possible consequences approach situations in collaboration with school staff. to students, making presentations, offering advice, BUSY SUMMER OF CONSTRUCTION WRAPS UP

CONSTRUCTION BUDGET $124.9M Facilities Bond Referendum

6.39% Site-based improvements to enhance the safety and security 1 of district facilities

80.76% Create variety of learning spaces to compliment current educational environments, meet needs of diverse learning and instruction.

12.85% Enhance the safety of and maintain the investment in district facilities.

2 PROJECTS 85% BID Planning for Next Gen Construction was done as a whole - district wide - ensuring that all sites receive similar enhancements. Projects are 85% bid and on budget and on track for completion in fall 2018

AVERAGE PERCENTAGE ACROSS ALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

3 4

New learning spaces welcomed many Edina students The projects are all part of the Next Generation Facilities and staff back to school following a summer of extensive Plan, funded by the 2015 facilities bond referendum. The 74.86 construction around the district. transformation of learning and activity spaces includes CONSTRUCTION new, flexible student furniture that is adaptable to different The Early Learning Center, four of six elementary schools learning and teaching styles. “Punch list” items will continue – Concord, Countryside, Cornelia and Normandale, Edina to be addressed over the next several weeks. The new High School (EHS), and the first phase of an 18-month activities space at EHS is expected to be complete in late project at South View Middle School, have reimagined fall. Read more about EPS construction on the district 7.0 6.97 traditional classrooms to create a variety of flexible learning website at edinaschools.org/constructionupdate environments to meet the diverse learning needs of 11.2 students and new instructional approaches. Transportation Pictured above: staff, and all district buses and vehicles have migrated 1. Cornelia Media Center to the new facility, located at 7600 Metro Boulevard, in 2. Transportation facility southwest Edina. 3. Normandale extended learning space FURNITURE, FIXTURES & EQUIPMENT 4. EHS extended learning space TESTING, FEES & SERVICES CONTINGENCY

FALL 2017 www.edinaschools.org NEWS IN BRIEF More stories at edinaschools.org/news Adaptive sports championships added to EHS MCA scores help inform District continuous The MCAs are state tests in reading, math and state title records improvement efforts science that measure schools’ alignment with State championships state standards, and are used to meet federal won by adaptive athletic and state legislative requirements. Recognizing programs that include that numerous factors can affect test scores and Edina High School (EHS) that the MCAs are just one measure of student students are being performance, EPS administrators and staff look added to the school’s closely at this data, along with other student championship tally. Since achievement indicators, as a part of the continuous 1988, Edina students improvement process at both the district and site have participated in a levels. cooperative program called the South Suburban Flyers with students EPS communications department recognized from high schools in Richfield, Eden Prairie and for excellence The National School Public Relations Association Bloomington. The Minnesota State High School League (NSPRA) has recognized Edina Public Schools’ (MSHSL) started sponsoring state adaptive athletic Edina Public Schools (EPS) continues to be academically communications department with eight awards for programs in 1993. one of the highest performing districts in the state, according to the 2017 Minnesota Comprehensive outstanding work in five categories of publication and electronic media communications. The awards It is not known why the adaptive titles were not Assessment (MCA) results, released by the Minnesota were presented at NSPRA’s national seminar in San included in the school’s championship totals. “It was Department of Education (MDE) in early August. Antonio, Texas, in early July. brought to my attention this summer and we are going to correct the records,” he said. “This recognition of the EPS scores in reading rose slightly from 78.8 to 80.1 NSPRA received 948 entries from school districts accomplishments of our adaptive student-athletes at percent, seeing increases in proficiency for nearly every across the country for this year’s Publications and Edina is long overdue,” said Troy Stein, EHS assistant grade level, and were 19.7 points above the state reading Electronic Media Awards. EPS received an Award principal and activities director. scores. EPS math proficiency dropped slightly last year, of Excellence for the 2015-16 Edina Public Schools The Flyers have won the following state championships but remained relatively flat when looking at multi-year All for All Mission Report, as well as three Awards since becoming MSHSL-sponsored: 1994 and 1995 trends. Similar to reading, math scores also exceeded the of Merit for video produced in-house, and four - the first two Cognitively Impaired (CI) Division State state by 20.2 points. EPS science scores fell by four points Honorable Mention awards in e-newsletter, writing, Adaptive Floor Hockey Championships; 2000 - CI from last year, but exceeded the state science scores by handbook and infographic categories. Division State Adaptive Soccer Championship. 13.2 points.

FALL 2017 www.edinaschools.org SKI

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FREESTYLE MENTION CODE EDN17 TO START GRADES K-12 YOUR WINTER GET YOUR KIDS ADVENTURE! OFF THE COUCH ALL ABILITY LEVELS AND ON THE PROFESSIONAL SLOPES! INSTRUCTION

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