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THURSDAY, SEPT. 8, 2011
EDEN PRAIRIE
news Program aims to find hosts for homeless youth
New year, new school Parents share thoughts on new elementary school BY LEAH SHAFFER lshaffer@swpub.com
O
n the fi rst day of school Tuesday, the kids of Gateway Lane chatted excitedly near the bus stop. In many ways it was like any other year for the students, but most in the neighborhood will be getting a new experience at a new school. Because of the boundary change, many children in the neighborhood are going to Oak Point Elementary instead of Cedar Ridge. Oak Point was the new elementary school created as part of the transition the district has made from K-4 to K-6 schools. The school is housed in what was Oak Point Intermediate and shares the building with Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School. For the Johnson family, who live in the Gateway neighborhood, the change has its ups and downs. New this year is a far longer bus ride, but, Terri Johnson is also glad all three of her girls can be at the same facility. Her daughter, Nicolette starts fi rst grade; Charlotte is a fourth-grader and Rochelle is in the last class of sixth-graders at Oak Point. “I’m kind of happy that my sisters are with me at school,” said Rochelle, as she waited for the school bus on the fi rst day.
PHOTOS BY LEAH SHAFFER
(From left) Charlotte Johnson, 9, Nicolette Johnson, 6, and Rochelle Johnson, 11, pose for a photo before their first day of school at Oak Point Elementary. Last year, both Charlotte and Nicolette attended Cedar Ridge, but were moved to Oak Point as part of the boundary change. Left — The kids from the Gateway Lane neighborhood get on the bus for the first day of school. Many in the neighborhood moved from Cedar Ridge to Oak Point Elementary this year.
City Council OK’s preliminary levy BY KARLA WENNERSTROM editor@edenprairienews.com
The Eden Prairie City Council approved its preliminary tax levy, an increase of 0.91 percent from last year, at its Sept. 6 regular meeting. The 2012 property tax levy for the city of Eden Prairie totals $32,258,990. With the unanimous approval of the City Council Tuesday, that levy can be reduced, but cannot be raised. “We’re basically setting our ceiling tonight,” said City Manager Rick Getschow.
Volunteers are needed for the Suburban Host Home program
Suburban Host Home Program
BY LEAH SHAFFER lshaffer@swpub.com
Where: Eden Prairie Library, 565 Prairie Center Drive
They may look no different than any other typical Eden Prairie student but the conditions they face may be dire. Few are aware of the fact that there are homeless suburban youth, said Lydia Kihm, executive director of Teens Alone, an organization that works with homeless teens. “Chances are they’re couch-hopping,” said Kihm. “Then those couches start running out.” From there, the homeless teens might turn to living in their car, garage or a place that might not be safe, she added. It’s a situation that organizations like Teens Alone are looking to prevent through a new host-home program that will be starting up this year in the suburbs. An upcoming meeting Sept. 22 at the Eden Prairie Library will provide more details about the program, called the Suburban Host Home program. The program sets up a system where homeless youth can find housing with host families. According to a news release, “after extensive study of housing and services options, the Suburban Host Home Action Council, a grassroots
The proposed budget amount for 2012 is $38,345,174. For the owner of the median value home in Eden Prairie valued at $326,800, the tax impact was expected to be $1,101, up $6 from last year, a change of 0.5 percent. The General Fund budget is set to increase 3.9 percent in 2012 and 2.7 percent in 2013. The city has budgeted for a Fire Department duty crew in this proposal, which adds $140,000 to the budget for 2012 and
City Council to page 5 ®
Vern Pennie of Marine on St. Croix points to the list of items to be done and checked off today in his datebook, where he is also making note of important or interesting things to remember. “I can see how later on it will become very helpful,” Vern said. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before age 65 and believes that the date book will help supplement his memory as it fades. “I’m using it every day now so it becomes completely ingrained,” he said. It’s only one of several habits that he and his wife, Dawn, are working to form as part of a Mayo Clinic program in Eden Prairie for those with mild cognitive impairment. During the day they would participate in one-on-one training on the memory support system, medical disease management, emotional health, exercise and movement and wellness education. In group therapy, participants discuss their lives. “Even with Alzheimer’s, the memor ie s t h at m ade you who
GETTING INVOLVED One notable advantage of the new program is that young people get to choose the host they will be staying with. Additionally, there’s no money involved in taking in the teens.
Homeless to page 5 ®
PHOTO BY KARLA WENNERSTROM
Vern Pennie works on brain training as part of the Mayo Clinic program. you are are still in there,” said Dr. Glenn Smith, a clinical neurophysiolog ist sp ecia li zi ng i n Alzheimer’s disease.
Summit to page 5 ®
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collaboration of youth-serving agencies, local schools, faith organizations and others from the suburban communities, selected the host home program model and turned to youthserving agencies for help in implementation. Avenues for Homeless Youth, which has deep experience coordinating the successful GLBT Host Home Program, is the ‘host’ and guide for the program. Teens Alone, YMCA POINT Northwest and Oasis for Youth in partnership with other youth service providers will provide case management support for the youth in the program.”
VOL. 37, ISSUE 44/36
JoeAndCindy.com Eden Prairie Residents Team@JoeAndCindy.com
Info: suburbanhosthome.org
Mayo Clinic program offered in Eden Prairie can benefit those with early cognitive impairment and early stages of Alzheimer’s disease
Eden Prairie’s Most Trusted Team
Joe and Cindy Welu
When: 6-8 p.m. Sept. 22
Habit forming
INSIDE OPINION/4 OBITUARIES/6 SPORTS/13-14 CALENDAR/18 CLASSIFIEDS/22-25 LIVING IN EP/26 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6682 EDITOR: (952) 942-7885 OR EMAIL EDITOR@EDENPRAIRIENEWS.COM.
91 homes
What: Informational meeting
BY KARLA WENNERSTROM editor@edenprairienews.com
SEE E.P. ENROLLMENT ESTIMATES ON PAGE 5 AND MORE FIRST DAY PHOTOS ON PAGE 11.
Back to school to page 5 ®
VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER. SEE PAGES 3, 4 AND 11 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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