Students selected for honors orchestra Ninth graders Sophie Klein, Josefina Scozzari, Lukas Oddsson, Ananth Veluvali, Olivia Sedarski, and Liv Hackbarth performed at the Minnesota Music Educators Association conference. Experience Edina Public Schools / Spring 2019 Noteworthy Students receive women in computing awards Three EHS students have re- ceived Aspiration in Comput- ing awards presented by the National Center for Women and Information Technology. Recipients are: Annie Snyder, senior, National Honorable Mention and a Minnesota Affiliate Award; Grace Bowe, junior, Minnesota Affiliate Award; and Quinn Cowing, junior, Minnesota Affiliate Honorable Mention. These students will receive scholarship opportunities, entry to peer -network of technical women in the NCWIT AiC communi- ty, and an engraved award. A summer job fair held at school helps students find opportunities for real world experience. Other notable awards are the National Computing Certificate of Distinction to juniors Bella EHS students graduate ready for their futures Boeckenstedt, Sofie Shand, and Maggie Tian; and the Minnesota Affiliate Rising Star ast spring, U.S. News & World Report again The EHS schedule is designed to provide college prep Award to sophomore Sarah named Edina High School (EHS) a Gold Medal time. Counselors work with students during Advisory, Swann. Students are selected school—one of only seven in the state—for building their post-secondary plan in a virtual “locker” for AiC awards based on L demonstrated interest and college preparedness. called Naviance. Weekly Flex Block is time to work directly with teachers for catch-up work, one-on-one achievements in computing, In September, the College Board released their annual proven leadership ability, aca- support, or to attend a college prep seminar offered College Readiness Report, which predicts success in demic performance, and plans by the counselors. They may also visit with one of the college based on ACT scores. Of last year’s graduating for post-secondary education. more the 250 college representatives that visit EHS seniors who took the ACT, 86 percent met the college each year. Seniors use May Term, a program unique English composition benchmark, 71 percent met to EHS, to plan projects and real-world experiences the college algebra benchmark, 76 percent met the District grounds crew by seeking mentorships. receives Environmental college social studies benchmark, and 72 percent met Leadership Award the college biology benchmark. Edina Public Schools has re- Most recently, Niche.com named EHS the No. 1 “I think our kids are growing ceived the 2019 Environmental Best College Prep School in Minnesota. While each into future leaders.” Leadership award for adopting of the rankings is based on slightly different data “cutting edge techniques” for snow and ice management. and methods of analysis, they all point to the same The district was recognized conclusion—EHS students leave school ready for their during the 2019 Road Salt Teaching staff also drive student opportunities. futures. Symposium in February. A Several years ago, social studies teacher Betsy Nimmo combination of training, effi- Rigorous academics are essential to preparing students helped create the Model U.N. club, which now attracts cient equipment and creativity for their next phase. At EHS, relationships and op- more than 200 student members. Science teacher and has led to the reduction of salt portunity are just as important. Those intangibles are Fulbright Fellow Lindsey Smaka brought travel-based use from 84 pallets per year to difficult to measure, but the evidence is everywhere. 14 pallets or less. This is a cost learning to EHS, facilitating 19 students on a trip to savings of $10-12,000 per year, Bill Hicks, director of the EHS College and Career Fiji last summer to work side-by-side with environ- and a huge reduction in the Center, said the career center and counselors work mental scientists. “The more exploration of subjects amount of salt making its way into the groundwater system. proactively to keep students and their parents in- students are exposed to, the better prepared for col- lege they will be,” she said. Brent Kaley, district grounds formed about opportunities. “The intent is for every supervisor, is credited with student to be getting information that suits their needs Parent volunteers support students through the creating a salt brining system moving forward,” he said. “We keep providing more Access program, where they are trained in how that is now used throughout the district. opportunities, as our student population evolves.” Continues on next page. College Preparedness continued from page 1 Perspective Noteworthy to provide assistance to students navigating the post-secondary process, such as completing college Support system applications or applying for financial aid. for students grows Robotics team advances Edina students recognize and take full advantage of to World Championship all the options available. Last year, 84 percent of EHS Jeff Jorgensen, Director of Student Support Services An Edina robotics team, students participated in an activity, team, club or a dina Public Schools focuses “Piece of Cake,” will compete fine arts program. “I was able to discover my passion on academic rigor and in the FIRST Tech Challenge for business through DECA,” said EHS senior Caroline (FTC) World Robotics Cham- providing students with Sprenkle said, adding that her plans for May Term E pionship. Members are: South opportunities to discover their View eighth graders, Alec will dovetail with that passion when she shadows a strengths and passions. How- Becker, Narendra Ghate, JJ marketing communications specialist. Senior Clara ever, we know that in order for Irons, William O’Connell and Bils found the “plethora” of AP courses helped her our students to maximize their Alex Wicklund; and EHS ninth understand the academic rigor of college. “I also do graders, Teddy Cunio and opportunities, to be successful PSEO which allows me to attend actual college Jack Zentner. They will com- academically, and most impor- pete in Detroit April 24-28 classes at the University of Minnesota,” she said. tantly to be happy, they need to be healthy mentally, with students from more than EHS Principal Andy Beaton said the culmination of emotionally and physically. a dozen countries. excellent college readiness is not only success for Over the past several years, the district has increased students in college, career and life, but young peo- efforts to create a strong system of support for students ple who want to be involved and make a difference. throughout the district. This year we have added “I think our kids are growing into future leaders,” significantly to the resources available to all families. he said, “and our programs are designed to prepare them for that work.” In January, we began a partnership with Relate Coun- seling Center, which specializes in chemical dependency intervention. An on-site counselor at EHS helps identify and support students and families struggling with issues that include vaping, smoking, use of drugs and Experience is mailed periodically to other unhealthy lifestyle choices. Education of staff all residents in Edina Public Schools, and administration is also a key part of his role. District 273, to keep you up-to-date on the activities and accomplishments In February, we expanded our co-located mental health of students, staff and the district. service agreement with Fraser to include secondary Questions or comments are welcome schools. Fraser has been working with EPS over the past at [email protected] or 952.848.3919. three years, serving students in early childhood and Mary Woitte elementary buildings. Demand for services has Communications Coordinator grown to the point where there are now four full-time Jordan Johnson therapists with hours on-site at each of those schools. Communications Specialist Fehintola Olumide The Edina Education Fund generously provided seed Communications Specialist Concord Principal Susie Prather happily accepts an Ed money to establish a Fraser therapist who will serve Edina Public Schools Fund grant for diagnostic reading assessment materials. students on-site at the secondary schools. Our hope is Main: 952.848.4900 to have a full-time therapist at each secondary school [email protected] in the fall of 2019. Enrollment: 952.848.4585 Ed Fund grants support Superintendent At the heart of this support system are mental health John W. Schultz, Ph.D. students across district practitioners employed by the school district. School 952.848.4000, suprintendent psychologists, social workers and counselors in every he Edina Education Fund has awarded six @edinaschools.org school work closely with teachers and staff to identify Education Grants totaling $35,000 to support Edina School Board and provide support that students and families need. schools, teachers and staff, and benefit students Erica Allenburg T Together, staff and partnerships form a support system across the district. Ed Fund representatives travelled 952.848.3612, erica.allenburg that is helping Edina students be healthy mentally @edinaschools.org around the district in late January, surprising grant and emotionally so that nothing gets in the way of Matt Fox recipients with the news. 952.848.3613, matthew.fox their potential. @edinaschools.org The grants support a wide range of needs and inno- Amir Gharbi vative ideas that would otherwise be challenged to 952.848.3611,