LEARNING Edina Public Schools News - Winter 2012

Winter/Spring Edition 2012

ISD 273

Edina Public Schools News

Just Launched: Digital Libraries Let’s say you are an Edina student who wants to read The Maze Runner, a popular young adult science fiction title, on your computer or mobile device. You might join the wait list to download it from Hennepin County Libraries, where there are 60 patrons on the wait list for the nine available copies (expected wait time: 20 weeks, so you might begin reading by June 18th). Or, you could download it today from the Edina Public Schools’ new digital Library.

Launched just before winter break in December 2011, the digital library is a partnership between the media centers at South View and Valley View Middle Schools and Edina High School along with their technology partner, OverDrive. Edina is one of only 5 school districts in Minnesota with digital libraries. Edina’s catalog so far includes about 250 e-books and 10 audio books purchased by media specialists at each of the schools, and students have access to an additional 34,000 public domain titles. Just a few short weeks into the project, over 150 e-books have already been downloaded by Edina students.

“I personally love a paper book,” says South View Media Specialist Cathy Heller, “but to get kids hooked on reading—so important for academic and lifelong success—we have to meet them where they are. A Pew Center study found that ownership of ebook readers among both adults and students surged over winter break 2011.

We see this as a unique opportunity to engage students and launch them into the world of reading at South View.”

Edina High School Media Specialist Sara Swenson concurs. “Our students are excited to be able to check out ebooks. We are thrilled to give them the option of grabbing a hard copy of the book from the school library, or downloading one to their own device.”

Commonly recognized benefits of e-books include the idea that they are available anytime, anywhere, they are less expensive for libraries to purchase, they are easier to update, and they conserve natural resources.

E-books can be searchable, annotated without harming the original book, and often include interactive, multi-media “I downloaded a book from components including the Edina school library to my still and moving images, and built-in phone, and it was perfect.” sound, dictionaries.

“I wanted a book to read on vacation over winter break, but had to pack light. I downloaded a book from the Edina school library to my phone, and it was perfect. Plus, I didn’t have to worry about losing the book,” said Rebekah Barnes, an 8th grader at South View.

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One of the areas of greatest potential for digital books in school libraries lies in their flexibility and opportunities to personalize reading experiences. Readers can change font 2/9/12 9:39 AM size, style and color to suit their preferences.

An accessibility program is available to printdisabled Edina Public Schools patrons. English Language Learners can listen to an audio version of a book while visually following along with an electronic version of the text. Seeing only one page at a time helps some students focus on the text at hand rather than worrying about the pages to come, and reading on electronic devices that mask the title of the book allows all students to read books that are appropriate for them without suffering social stigma. Advanced middle school readers now have access to the high school’s digital library.

Students are able to check out one e-book at a time, and to keep the title for three weeks before it is automatically returned to the library.

“Our biggest question,” says Heller, “is students asking how they can return their book early so they can download a new one.”

Learn more about Edina’s digital library on Middle School and High School Media Center webpages.

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Learning: Edina Public Schools News is published three times a year by the Edina Public Schools (ISD 273) Communications Department and is distributed at no charge to residents of the District. The cost to produce Learning is largely offset by community advertisers.

Editor Alyssa Diamond Communications Specialist Columnist Ric Dressen Superintendent

More stories and a complete calendar of events can be found at www.edina.k12.mn.us

Edina Public Schools Board of Education Randy Meyer, Chair Idith Almog Cathy Cella Regina Neville Sarah Patzloff Lonni Skrentner Leny Wallen-Friedman

For advertising information, contact JLP Marketing at 952-848-3943 or JLPMarketing@hotmail.com

Edina Public Schools Communications Department Valerie Burke Dir. of Community Education Services 952-848-3960 valburke@edina.k12.mn.us Alyssa Diamond Communications Specialist 952-848-3959 alydiamond@edina.k12.mn.us Cheryl Gunness Communications Associate 952-848-3944 chegunness@edina.k12.mn.us

Superintendent’s Column Transitions

by Ric Dressen, Superintendent superintendent@edina.k12.mn.us Earlier this week, I met with Annie, a 3-year-old who will be a part of Edina’s class of 2027. She stopped by after her ECFE class in the Community Center to see her older brother’s artwork, on display in the District Office.

She may not realize it, but all around her, supports and plans are in motion to ensure that Annie’s journey through the Edina Public Schools is a smooth one.

One of our District’s main strategic goals is to ensure a coherent program of study, with seamless transitions at every stage. Annie’s preschool class at the Edina Family Center prepares Annie for success in kindergarten. Next year’s kindergarteners met teachers and principals and toured their new schools on the January 26th registration day. Current 5th graders are meeting middle school students and counselors, and will register for next year’s courses by the end of February. Eighth graders are using EXPLORE test results to identify strengths and interests and chart their individual course through high school. 11th graders are meeting individually with their counselors this month to begin transitions to the opportunities beyond high school. On a district-wide level, we are working to ensure that the

curriculum we teach, the technologies available to deliver that curriculum, and the buildings and spaces where the learning occurs continually reach for new standards of excellence.

We approach our strategic planning with renewed energy, enthusiasm and optimism this year. I don’t think we have been betterpositioned at any time in the past 25 years. Our financial base is stable. Having cut over $7 million dollars from our budget over the past decade, including $2.3 million for the current fiscal year, our financial outlook is stable. We are not facing a Budget Reduction, Reallocation, and Revenue Generation (BRRRG) process this year. Bucking local and national declining enrollment trends, our right-sized district enjoys strong and growing resident Kindergarten enrollment. We are grateful for solid community support for our schools and our teachers.

Our District’s commitment to strategic planning paves the way for our students to transition smoothly from Edina Public Schools onto a national—and increasingly international— stage. Our demonstrated success with strategic planning ensures that all of our students, ranging from this year’s seniors to Annie’s class of 2027 and beyond, will leave Edina Public Schools ready to embrace college, career and life.

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Moving Beyond Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) In the most recent round of testing, Edina Public Schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), a national standard set forth by the No Child Left Behind law. ”As the standards got higher, our district pulled together and we made it,” said Mary Manderfeld, Director of Enrollment and School Improvement. “All groups made progress.”

Recently, Minnesota was granted a waiver to No Child Left Behind. Edina administrators are hopeful that the waiver will allow schools and districts to focus on the growth students make as their target, rather than a specific, single score target for all students on a given assessment. According to Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius: “With this new system, we will move beyond AYP to look at multiple measures of school performance.”

Defining Excellence NATIONAL RECOGNITION Edina Named One of the Nation’s 100 Best Communities for Young People America’s Promise Alliance (Oct. 2011)

Highlands Elementary School Named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School U.S. Department of Education (Oct. 2011)

Edina High School Named a “Best High Schools for Math and Science” U.S. News & World Report (Oct. 2011)

UPCOMING EVENTS* March

8 No School - ECSE, K-5, Parent/Teacher Conferences

9 No School - All Grades, Staff In-Service

12 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., ECC 349

19 Symphonic/Varsity Band Concert , 7:30 p.m., EHS Fick Auditorium

22 District Jazz Night, 7:30 p.m., EHS Fick Auditorium April - Volunteer Appreciation Month 2-6 No School - All Grades, Spring Break

9 School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., ECC 349 26-28 Spring Theater Show, 7:30 p.m., EPAC May

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National Teacher’s Day Happenin’ Concert, 7:30 p.m., Fick School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., ECC 349 No School - All Grades, Memorial Day

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6 Last day of school - ECSE, K-9

7 Last day of school - Grades 10-12 11 Commencement

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit us online at www.edina.k12.mn.us and click on “calendars.”

Edina High School Ranks 76 in Best High Schools in America Newsweek Magazine (July 2011)

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District News Teaching and Technology Update Now that the technology levy referendum has passed, will every teacher and student be getting an iPad?

When the new dollars become available beginning with the 2012-13 school year, spending will be targeted in three areas.

Steve Buettner, Director of Media and Technology for Edina Public Schools, occasionally gets that question. But more often, he says, the conversations about teaching and technology in the wake of last fall’s successful referendum are more thoughtprovoking, centering on a bigger question: What tools do we need now to unleash student passion for learning, and make Edina teachers exponentially more powerful?

Update and Standardize

These conversations are not new. For over a decade, District leaders, teachers, parents and community members have asked questions about the role technology can play as we prepare our learners for college, career and life. We have focused on the continual skillsupdating that teachers need to get students ready for 21st century jobs. Given unlimited wants but limited resources, we have grappled with the question of what makes the most sense for Edina. The overwhelming support for our Fall 2011 levy referendum reaffirms our community’s support and confidence that we are making sound, responsible choices.

So, while the new funds tied to the 2011 levy referendum mean that we will have additional resources to meet emerging challenges and opportunities in our classrooms, our district’s technology vision and plan does not change.

Our momentum in this area remains strong and steady.

Currently, we have 3,889 computers in Edina schools. We do not plan to add to the total number of computers in our system, but we do want to improve the efficiency and reliability of the tools teachers and students rely on every day.

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Over the summer, all eligible computers will be upgraded to Windows 7 and Office 2010. Computers too old to be upgraded will be replaced. Per district policy, as these older computers are retired from our system, they will first be offered to the community, and if unwanted, responsibly recycled Our wireless network will be completed and strengthened, ensuring 100% wireless coverage in all buildings, so students and community members can effectively and efficiently use their own devices in our schools We will replace outdated computer monitors and overhead projectors, as well as aging printers, with more effective and more energy efficient models

Personalize and Innovate In addition to a standard set of digital tools in every classroom, we will provide opportunities for schools, teams and individual teachers to personalize the technology at their fingertips.

Examples may include:

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Additional classroom multi-media production equipment

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Audio and interactivity enhancements

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Trending technology, such as iPads, netbooks, e-readers and tablets

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A competitive grant process to pilot new and emerging technologies in classrooms throughout the district

Build Partnerships We will continue to build partnerships—both internally and externally— to maximize our investments in technology and the learning it enables.

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Teacher training and professionalization increasingly happens in peer-to-peer and teacher cohort settings

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As one of just ten internationally recognized “Gone Google” organizations, we will build upon and expand this successful partnership

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We continue to explore partnerships with other school districts, including those in the TIES consortium

You’re invited!

Community members will have an opportunity to learn more and work hands-on with technology being used in Edina classrooms on Saturday, April 21st from 9:00 am to Noon.

Watch for more information later this spring.

MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY BUDGET SNAPSHOT Pre-referendum Budget 10 year period up to and including 2011-12 School Year

Post-Referendum Budget 10 year period beginning with 2012-13 School Year

Media and Technology Budget: $3.5 million

Media and Technology Budget: $5 million

Levy Dollars Available: $1 million

Levy Dollars available: $4.5 million

Difference made up from general and capital fund: $2.5 million

Money spent from general fund (staffing): $500,000

Bottom line: close to $2 million in spending recaptured for general and capital funds; this is one of the main reasons our district is not facing a BRRRG process for the 2012-13 school year.

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18 Writing Cohort Teachers complete Writing and Critical Literacy Certification Program

Writing Cohort Members

Congratulations to the Writing and Critical Literacy Cohort for completing their Writing and Critical Literacy Certification Program. A dynamic partnership between Edina Public Schools, the Edina Education Fund, the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Writing Project, the cohort has been working toward this certification since 2009. The K-12 teacher-scholars completed several University of Minnesota classes on writing, digital media, and assessment; participated in the Minnesota Writing Project’s Summer Invitational Institute; and designed a capstone research project.

The cohort has strengthened collaboration between teachers at all grade levels throughout the District. Cohort members will now work to reevaluate and transform the District’s writing curriculum in light of the new CORE standards and 21st century literacy frameworks. They will continue to model best-practice writing instruction in their classrooms and for teachers in all disciplines throughout the District. Their work will invigorate student writing and critical thinking on the 9th grade GRAD Writing Test and beyond.

The cohort has plans in place for the next two years including meeting four times a year as a group, addressing other teachers at internal training sessions in the spring, and meeting with their grade level teachers on a regular basis at their sites.

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Kimberly Jo Moore, Concord Grade 1

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Maria Theissen, Concord Grade 3

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Janice Laven, Cornelia Grade 4

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Paul Beverage, Countryside Grade 5

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Kristin Davis, Countryside CP Grades 1 and 2

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Michelle Shaw, Countryside Grade 5

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JoAnn Blatchley, Creek Valley ESL

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Zach Prowell, Highlands Grade 5

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Molly Swiderski, Normandale Grade 4 and English LA

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Kelsey Wolf, Normandale Kindergarten

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Theresa Bademan, South View Grade 8

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Natalia Wegner, Valley View ESL

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Elizabeth Barniskis, EHS Grades 10-12 LA

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Patricia Corcoran, EHS Grades 11-12 Biology

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Mary Kirchhof, Literacy Coordinator

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Deborah Krengel, Special Education K-5

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Isabelle Punchard, Elementary Curriculum Coordinator

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Debra Stortz, Response to Intervention Specialist

Athletic Opportunities for All Students The Edina Hornets Special Olympics team kicked off their winter swim season on January 31st.

Edina is the only metro school district to offer both Adapted Athletics and Special Olympics. In 1992, the Minnesota State High School League became the first high school activity association in the nation to sponsor adapted athletic programs, and Edina programs in soccer, floor hockey and softball for students with mild to moderate cognitive and physical impairments soon followed.

For Edina students with more significant disabilities, however, there weren’t many opportunities. “Edina has always been a trailblazer,” said Edina Public Schools Director of Special Services Penny Kodrich. “That is one of the hallmarks of the Edina community and the Edina schools. We really strive toward equity. We want to give all students opportunities to experience their “This program doesn’t just maximum potential.”

impact the lives of the athletes.

It transforms the lives of everyone they’ve touched.”

Kodrich, working closely with Special Education Teacher and Coach Lisa Hanson and

a group of parents, established Edina’s Special Olympics Team in 2001 to meet the needs of these students. They compete in bowling in the fall, swimming in winter, and track and field in the spring. In its 10 years of competition, the Edina team has been instrumental in making Special Olympics Minnesota even more open and inclusive. Kodrich and Hanson have worked with the organization to change rules so that athletes who need assistance (such as holding the starting line)to participate can now have coaches present without being disqualified.

Kodrich was recently honored for her support of Special Olympics in Edina over the past 10 years, and was given a Special Olympics gold medal. “This program doesn’t just impact the lives of the athletes. It transforms the lives of everyone they’ve touched,” she said. “Many lives, including mine, have been touched over the last ten years.” www.edina.k12.mn.us | 5

Personnel Updates

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Patzloff and Wallen-Friedman Join School Board

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Sarah Patzloff joined the school board in January 2012. She has been a resident of Edina since 2000 and has two children at Highlands elementary. Sarah has been an active parent volunteer in the school district; serving on the Family Center PTO, The Parent Leadership Council (PLC), the Community Education Services Board and the Parent Communication Network (PCN). Prior to Sarah’s volunteer work, she worked in advertising. Sarah is passionate about Edina’s schools and their level of excellence. She looks forward to helping shape our schools’ future in a time of changing norms.

Leny Wallen-Friedman joined the Edina School Board in January 2012. Has been involved with the school district as a parent of 3 children for the past 18 years: two children have graduated from Edina Public Schools, and one is a third-grader at Normandale Elementary.

He served as a member of the Board Finance and Facilities Committee for 17 years as well as the three most recent BRRRG committees. He aims to leverage his legal and financial training as he listens to the issues, gets community input, and works to propose solutions.

Normandale Welcomes New Principal Gerry Lukaska Gerry Lee Lukaska joined Normandale Elementary French Immersion School as the new principal beginning at the end of January. Lukaska replaced previous principal, John Devine, who returned to the classroom this fall, teaching second grade at Creek Valley Elementary. Isabelle Punchard,

director of Immersion Programs, served as the interim leader.

Lukaska was previously dean of students at Valley View Middle School from 2002-2005 and taught third grade at Normandale from 1994-2001. Most recently, she was principal of Park Spanish Immersion School in St. Louis Park and has also been academic director, principal and superintendent of Académie Lafayette, a K-8 French Immersion Charter School in Kansas City, Missouri.

“Gerry Lukaska brings a wealth of experience and expertise in leadership and

in immersion programming to Normandale Elementary,” said Superintendent Ric Dressen.

Lukaska has a B.S. in French Education from the University of Minnesota, elementary licensure from Augsburg College, and an M.A. in Literacy from Hamline University.

She has also participated in a number of professional development workshops focused on immersion best practices and is a member of the Minnesota Advocates for Immersion Network (MAIN) Board of Directors.

Bruce Locklear Poised to Make National Impact Congratulations to Bruce Locklear, principal of Edina High School, who was chosen by colleagues in a statewide election to serve on the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Board of Directors.

Members have a significant presence on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., lobbying congress for effective educational policy and K-12 school reform. In addition, the NASSP Board works with state leaders nationally to provide cutting-edge professional development to approximately 30,000 6|

principals who are members of NASSP, enabling them to be visionary school leaders.

Dr. Locklear will attend quarterly national meetings of the NASSP and serve as a liaison between the national board and the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

He will represent secondary school principals not only from Minnesota, but also from Wisconsin, Michigan, North and South Dakota and Wyoming. It has been over a decade since a principal from Minnesota has served on the NASSP Board.

“Needless to say, I am honored to represent the Edina school district and the Midwest in the journey that lies ahead,” said Dr. Locklear. “I am humbled by this opportunity to serve, and I hope to assist in shaping the next generation of school leaders to support our teachers and students.”

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Community News

BODY • FOOD • TECH • MORE!

Jumpstart to Kindergarten with Early Education

Classes starting soon!

Edina Center for Adult Education Spring/Summer 2012

www.edinacommunityed.org

With kindergarten registration underway for the incoming class of 2025, some families might be wondering, “Is my child ready?” or even, “Am I ready?” You aren’t alone. Edina Public Schools is full of opportunities and resources to help young learners and families make the leap from kaleidoscopes to chemistry goggles into the K-12 education system. Know your options: The Edina Family Center, a program of Edina Community Education, offers parent education and high-quality early education programs for families with children from birth through age five. Families who participate in the Family Center get an early taste of Edina Public Schools curriculum and are able to foster ties with the school district well before kindergarten. Every summer, the Family Center offers a Kindergarten Camp for incoming kindergarteners to experience a kindergarten classroom and get excited and prepared for the fall.

School Readiness, offered through the Edina Family Center, offers an integrated curriculum including language, literacy, math and science for learners 3 ½ to 5 years old who may not otherwise be prepared for a successful school experience.

Early Childhood Developmental Screening helps to identify health or learning concerns that may require special attention before a child enters kindergarten.

Screening is recommended when a child is 3 ½ to 4 years old, but must be completed before starting kindergarten in a Minnesota public school.

EdinaSchools-Camp-Feb2012_Layout 1 2/8/12 8:27 PM Page 1

Early Childhood Special Education, located in the Edina Community Center, provides early intervention to young children, age birth to kindergarten, who show developmental delay in the areas of speech and language, motor skills, social and emotional behavior, cognitive and/or adaptive skills, or have vision or hearing losses.

Early education not only helps young learners, but helps families foster learning outside of the classroom. When parents are involved with early education, it creates a positive home learning environment that makes kids more ready for kindergarten and beyond.

Successful experiences in Edina Public Schools don’t just start with kindergarten.

Early education enables successful school experiences, transitioning young learners from coloring books to AP Art, from sharing a snack to leading the way.

Kindergarten Readiness Resources Edina Family Center - www.edinacommunityed.org, 952-848-3980 Early education and family programming for birth to age 5 School Readiness - Mary Streier, 952-848-3985 Resources and financial support for kindergarten preparedness

Ages 8–18 All levels

The Twin Cities’ finest theatre camp experience!

Week-long sessions all summer starting June 18!

Camp registration includes one FREE show-only ticket to

★ ACTING ★ DANCE ★ MOVEMENT ★ VOICE

Early Childhood Screening - Sue Kemper, 952-848-4299 Minnesota requirement, recommended at age 3 ½ Early Childhood Special Education - 952-848-4236 Special education and intervention for birth to kindergarten

952-934-1525 800-362-3515 W W W . C H A N H A S S E N D T. C O M www.edina.k12.mn.us | 7

ISD 273 Winter/Spring Edition 2012

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Great stories happen everyday. Stay connected.

SNAPSHOT: Edina Ed Fund Show & Tell Lunch

Ed Fund Sets New Initiatives The Edina Education Fund announced three new initiatives at their annual Show and Tell Lunch held on February 6, 2012. They will support a Math Center at Valley View Middle School, a Writing Center at South View Middle School and “Ecademy,” a new online digital learning website for students and families.

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