2011 01 January Communicator by Wayzata Public Schools

January 2011

Communicator Directions for answering Alertnow calls from the district

The areas in yellow on the map above were approved by the board to switch from Kimberly Lane to Greenwood Elementary School attendance.

Board approves boundary change for Kimberly Lane, Greenwood schools

t its November 8 meeting, the school board of Wayzata Public Schools approved a boundary adjustment for the Kimberly Lane attendance area and moved three designated areas to the Greenwood attendnace area effective immediately.

The boundary adjustment affects less than 10 students and they have been grandfathered into the Kimberly Lane attendance area. The changes were made due to future housing developments planned in these areas. Current and projected resident enrollment at Kimberly Lane created the need to make a boundary adjustment for the current and future years. Although resident enrollment growth within the current Kimberly Lane attendance area has been higher than projected, total enrollment within Greenwood’s attendance area has been slightly lower than projected. This shift should help to stabilize enrollments at both Kimberly Lane and Greenwood. The first census area that was moved includes current and future residences in the city of Plymouth, north of the current Plymouth Creek attendance area, extending north to the city of Maple Grove. Greenwood’s existing eastern boundary will be extended east from Lawndale Lane North to Vicksburg Lane North. It was recommended that the three current elementary students who are affected by this adjustment be given the option to continue their attendance at Kimberly Lane for the remainder of their

elementary years. The second census area that was moved includes approximately 45 future residences in a small census area in the city of Maple Grove. This area is contiguous to the current Greenwood attendance boundary. Greenwood’s northern attendance boundary has been extended north of County Road 47 to 63rd Avenue North. Greenwood’s eastern attendance boundary has been extended east of County Road 101 to Vagabond Lane North. At this time, there are no students currently residing in this area. The third census area that was moved includes approximately 63 current and future residences in a small census area in the city of Maple Grove. This area is contiguous to the current Greenwood attendance boundary. Greenwood’s northern attendance boundary has been extended north into the city of Maple Grove to 62nd Place North on both Queensland Lane North and Peony Lane North. It also includes all of Olive Lane North. Greenwood’s northern attendance boundary has been extended to Fieldstone Boulevard Lane on Merrimac Lane North. The eastern boundary for this attendance area is now Lawndale Lane North. The western boundary for this attendance area is now Queensland Lane North. One student who is affected by this adjustment will be given the option to continue attendance at Kimberly Lane for the remainder of his elementary years. Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to view a more detailed map of the boundary changes.

he district will be employing the Alertnow call-out system to send weather-related closing messages to parents and staff this winter.

To receive the messages, it is important to use the following steps: 1. For emergency calls from the district, the caller I.D. will come up as 411 2. Pick up the phone and say your greeting only once (if you keep repeating “hello” the system will reset everytime you speak and wait for a pause long enough to deliver the message. After saying your greeting, wait for the message to start. 3. If the message does not start playing right away after your greeting, you can press the 1 key on your phone to prompt it to begin. 4. If you have missed any part of the message, you can always hit the 1 key at anytime during the message to replay it in its entirety. 5. For emergency calls, the system will use all phone numbers and emails listed in Skyward.

For smart phone users, district employs 2D QR codes with print stories Sample

ou might have noticed the black and white squares associated with certain stories in this issue of the “Communicator.” These are 2D QR codes that can be used by smart phone users to quickly access additional information online relevant to a particular story.

To use one of these codes, you must have a bar code scanning application on your smart phone. To install this application, open your phone’s app store or marketplace and search “bar code scanner.” There are several free bar code scanner applications available for all smart phones. To scan a 2D QR code in this edition of the “Communicator,” open the bar code application and point your phone’s camera at the black and white square to scan it. It will then open your phone’s browser and go directly to the Wayzata Public Schools web page associated with this story. Additional information for stories found in the Communicator will often include videos, photo galleries, charts and graphs or just more detail about a subject than would fit in the district’s print publications. For readers without a smart phone, this additional information will always be available on the district’s website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us. This is the first issue the district has published with these codes and we are looking for feedback from users. Let us know if you like the use of these codes, whether you found the additional information helpful and if you had any problems accessing the content. Please contact the district’s communication department at 763745-5017 or by email at john.sucansky@wayzata.k12.mn.us, with any feedback.

Building Character Plymouth Creek partners with Hammer of Wayzata on character curriculum

t is sometimes said a stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet, but it always takes courage and character to make that acquaintance. As part of a new curriculum developed in partnership with Hammer of Wayzata, first grade students at Plymouth Creek Elementary will have an opportunity to develop the character and courage to meet new friends with disabilities through first hand experiences. For the first time in its history, Hammer has developed a classroom outreach curriculum to help students learn more about children and adults with developmental disabilities. According to Plymouth Creek Principal Karla Thompson, “This is a multi-phase, interactive model for learning tied to Character Counts month in October and introduces our students to stories about kids who live with disabilities.” Hammer’s “Unexpected Friendships: Finding the Lands of Courage and Kindness,” incorporates reading, painting and team participation in a question and answer board game. Thompson and the first grade teachers at Plymouth Creek were thrilled with the “first person” focus inherent in the curriculum components. Thompson said, “We’re excited about opening an avenue for a discussion on difference and this program ties in well with the school’s Panther Pride effort which encourages students to respect others and value difference.” An important component of the curriculum introduces students to Stacey Rekstein, an individual supported by Hammer who lives with developmental disability and is a co-facilitator of the curriculum. Rekstein will speak with students about her disability and give them a chance to ask their own questions or share their own stories. First grade students will paint board game pieces that are smaller versions of Hammers “Ralph” statues in early November and will then begin meeting with Rekstein in their classrooms to play the game and interact with each other.

Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to view more information and photos from this program.

Picture above and below, Sabrina Hagberg and Isaiah Spears, both first grade students, paint their “Ralph” statues for the game used in the curriculum to learn about disabilities. Lower left, Stacey Rekstein, an individual supported by Hammer, meets with students participating in the curriculum at Plymouth Creek Elementary.

Culinary Express launches mobile app for parents

he launch of Culinary Express’ mobile application for smart phones allows parents to manage their children’s lunch accounts from anywhere with the push of a button. The application is available to any user of any type of smart phone free of charge and provides the user access to the district’s lunch menus, nutritional analysis, ingredient labeling and the PayPams payment system. Parents can now check the status of their children’s lunch accounts and make payments over the phone through the use of this

application. To download the application to a smart phone, use the phone’s internet browser to access www.culinaryexpressmobile.com. Users can create an icon for the application to reside on their home screen for android phones by creating a bookmark in the browser program, then a shortcut in the phone’s home screen by choosing menu and shortcuts and selecting bookmarks from the menu. For iPhone users, follow the instructions provided with the application on your iPhone’s browser.

Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to access the Culinary Express mobile application.

District website redesign process has begun

arent and staff groups have been meeting regularly and moving forward with the district website reconfiguration and redesign process. Progress has been made by both groups in identifying key features for the district’s main page and an organizational structure for the website. In addition, the district has hired Schoolwires as the website provider. Schoolwires is a provider of strategic online communication, website and community management and productivity solutions. The company will build and host the district’s website. The technology and communication departments have been meeting with a designer from Schoolwires to develop a look and structure for the website and have been reporting progress in these areas to the staff and parent groups to gather input used as this process moves forward. The overall vision for the website reconfiguration/redesign project is to re-create the district’s website along with school and program pages, and the staff Intranet in order to accomplish the following: • Enhance the district’s web presence • Focus content to address the greatest interests of site visitors • Utilize the website as the district’s primary engagement tool with parents, staff members and community members The goal is to have the site developed and implemented by the summer of 2011.

3 Board adopts changes in student enrollment guidelines

t its December 13 regular meeting, the School Board of Wayzata Public Schools approved enrollment guidelines related to families who move out of the district. The board also established a set of open enrollment guidelines for the 2011-2012 school year. The guidelines are necessary to assist in managing overall student enrollment in the district. The following guideline related to families moving out of the district was approved for the current school year, and is effective as of December 14, 2010: • A student whose parent or guardian moves out of Wayzata Public Schools to another school district during the 2010-2011 school year will have the option to continue attending school in Wayzata until the end of the 2010-2011 school year. A student in grades 11 or 12 whose parent or guardian moves out of the district will have the option to continue in Wayzata until graduation. This provision is according to state law. The following guidelines related to families

In addition, the board approved the following open enrollment guidelines for the 2011-2012 school year: • Close open enrollment at grades 1-12 • Limit kindergarten open enrollment to a district-wide total enrollment not to exceed 700 students, as determined on February 15, 2011. If applications for open enrollment into the district exceed the number of available spaces, selection of students will be made by lottery. The complete set of guidelines is posted on the district’s website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us. If you have additional questions, contact Jim Westrum, executive director of business and finance, 763-7455023, or jim.westrum@wayzata. k12.mn.us. Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to view the complete set of guidelines.

Board approves 2011 legislative platform

t its December 13 regular meeting, the School Board of Wayzata Public Schools approved the 2011 legislative platform prepared by the Wayzata Legislative Action Committee (LAC). The platform is organized into two sections: short-term priorities and priorities for the state’s long term E-12 education vision. The short-term priorities represent the issues of greatest importance to the LAC and board for the 2011 legislative session. The platform’s short-term priorities include the following: • Support legislation to allow Wayzata Public Schools to qualify early for the state’s alternative facilities program • Support legislation to preserve E-12 education funding and make the investment in students a top priority in the budgeting process

moving out of the district after the end of the 2010-2011 school year were also approved: • If a student moves out of the district after the end of the 2010-2011 school year and before the start of the 2011-2012 school year, the student will attend a school in their new resident school district for summer school and/or the fall semester. • If a student moves out of the district during the first semester of the 2011-2012 school year, the student will have the option to complete the semester in Wayzata, and then will attend a school in their new resident school district beginning at the start of the second semester. • If a student moves out of the district during the second semester of the 2011-2012 school year, the student will have the option to complete the semester in Wayzata, and then will attend a school in their new resident district beginning for summer school or the fall semester of the 2012-2013 school year. These guidelines will remain in place for future school years or until revised by the school board.

• Establish a plan to incrementally pay back the aid payment shift rather than returning to the 90/10 payment formula in two years • Maintain support and funding for the state’s alternative compensation (QComp) program • Reduce the need for school districts to pay for the excess cost of special education programs by having the state pay its full share of special education costs • Oppose any legislation that would reduce state funding for districts with undesignated fund balances above a specified amount • Oppose any mandatory statewide school employee health insurance pool The platform is used to share the district’s legislative priorities with legislators. The platform is also communicated to parents and community members who are interested in communicating

with legislators. The district’s LAC is a group of citizens that monitors legislative activity as it affects E-12 education and advocates the positions on behalf of the district. The LAC is supported by the school board and administration. The complete legislative platform is posted on the district’s website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us or you can request a copy by contacting Bob Noyed, director of communication, at 763-745-5068 or robert.noyed@wayzata.k12. mn.us. Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to view the entire platform.

WHS students significantly reduce garbage from lunch by composting

he composting program that began at West Middle School four years ago has taken hold at Wayzata High School this year and students there have significantly reduced the amount of land-fill-bound garbage produced during lunch. Prior to the composting program, custodial staff regularly collected 84 bags of garbage per school day from the cafeteria. This has been reduced to 10 bags of garbage per day with the start of the composting program. Rene Maas, a technician with the district’s Culinary Express department, said staff members were surprised by the amount of garbage the program reduced and are continuing to find replacement products that are compostable. Currently, compostable items used by the Culinary Express department for lunch items include all plates, utensils, paper cups, napkins, paper bowls for sandwiches and milk cartons. The department is seeking replacement products for fruit cups, chip bags, fruit drinks and other plastic packaging. The switch from garbage to composting has brought new challenges that custodial staff is addressing. The school now uses 25 containers for compost bags, which are filled rapidly. WHS Head Custodian Kirk DeCamp, said the district is looking into a third pick-up per week for the compost containers in order to keep up with the program. Parent volunteers and student council representatives are helping students during lunch times to determine which items on their trays are compostable. Student council senior class president Drew Donlin, said the amount of garbage reduced by composting was surprising just in the first week of the program. He said student council members volunteered at lunch time near composting stations for the first month of this program until the student body has a better grip on what materials can be composted.

Students at Wayzata High School are using composting bins located throughout the cafeteria to greatly reduce the amount of trash destined for landfills. Within the first week of using the composting bins, students reduced landfill garbage from 84 bags per school day to 10 bags per day. Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to view more information, including a public service video produced by WHS students, on the topic of composting.

Session I ONLY

Do Teens “Date” Anymore?

What are the current trends regarding teens and their romantic relationships? Let’s discuss what the “dating” climate is like in middle and high school. Learn how parents can effectively guide and support teens to consider their family values as they discover how to navigate relationships in the 21st century. Session I - Parents of 5th-8th grade students Molly Snuggerud, Public Health Nurse & Program Director, West Suburban Teen Clinic

Blended Families: Three Common Pitfalls & Four Helpful Strategies

Two families that are living together will experience some very predictable situations that cause frustration and conflicts. This workshop will explore these situations and introduce techniques and methods to help create harmony among family members. Paul Buckley, Marriage and Family Therapist

Parenting with Love and Logic: Creating Happy Families and Responsible Kids

Are you tired of threatening when your kids are draining your energy? Imagine… no more arguing. Imagine… stress-free parenting. This presentation will give you practical skills for interacting with your kids. You will learn to avoid power struggles, stop arguments and back talk, get chores done without reminders and to parent with empathy and logical consequences. Your kids will learn to accept responsibility for their actions. Karen Arrett, M.D. and Heather Casella, Educator

The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander

When a bullying situation develops, everyone has a role and a responsibility. Learn what each of us needs to understand, what actions we can take, and how to promote safe and healthy environments for our children. Session I - Parents of elementary students Marcia Treno, Coordinator, WPS Family Learning Center

Ready, Set . . . KINDERGARTEN!!

What does my child need to know before kindergarten? When should I start “working” on this? What about summer birthdays? Is preschool necessary? Lach has worked with Wayzata Public Schools kindergarten teachers and knows what children need to be ready for kindergarten. Learn what you can do to ensure that your child is ready. Recommended for parents, teachers and caregivers of 3-5 year olds. Reneé Lach, School Readiness Manager, WPS Family Learning Center

Free Tutors and Homework Help!

What do you do when it’s Sunday night and your child needs help with an assignment due tomorrow? What if he struggles with a subject? What if she is writing a paper? In this hands-on session in the computer lab, learn how you can help your child access free, oneon-one educational services through the Internet with your free library card. Your child will thank you. Linnéa Fonnest, Youth Services Librarian, MLIS, Hennepin County Library

The College Search & Application Process - Advice for Parents

Are you wondering how you can help your student in the college search process? Attend this session and learn the basics of conducting a good college search and, ultimately, making a wise college choice. Learn about the admission process, how admission decisions are made, and hear an overview about financial aid and scholarships. Brian Peterson, Senior Associate Director of Admission, Hamline University

Session II ONLY Do Teens “Date” Anymore?

What are the current trends regarding teens and their romantic relationships? Let’s discuss what the “dating” climate is like in middle and high school. Learn how parents can effectively guide and support teens to consider their family values as they discover how to navigate relationships in the 21st century. Session II - Parents of 9th-12th grade students Molly Snuggerud, Public Health Nurse & Program Director, West Suburban Teen Clinic

The Perfect Storm: Kids, Media and Homework

One parent said getting their kids to do home work is like trying to teach a dog to fetch the newspaper in a yard full of squirrels. There’s just a bunch of pulling, yelling and frustration. We will look at the signs of problematic media use among children, tweens and teens, along with strategies to help reduce the negative effect of this growing concern within the family. Paul Buckley, Marriage and Family Therapist

The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander

When a bullying situation develops, everyone has a role and a responsibility. Learn what each of us needs to understand, what actions we can take, and how to promote safe and healthy environments for our children. Session II - Parents of middle school students Marcia Treno, Coordinator, WPS Family Learning Center

Infant Massage and Other Soothing Activities for Babies and Toddlers Infant massage is an age-old art that helps parents get in touch with their babies physically and emotionally. Massage and other soothing activities help infants and toddlers relax so that they learn more easily, sleep better and are more emotionally balanced. This parents-only class is an opportunity to learn more about the benefits and techniques of massage and other soothing activities for babies and toddlers. Jo Shubert, Parent Educator, Certified Infant Massage Instructor

ARENTING

THOSE WONDERFUL KID

A Free Community Fo

Saturday, February 5, 2011 Wayzata Central Middle School 305 Vicksburg Lane • • • • • • • • • • • Childcare available for children ages 2 to 1 (registration and fee required for childcare • • • • • • • • • • • This event is sponsored by Wayzata Schools’ PTAs a Wayzata Liaison Committee, Wayzata Commun in Collaboration Council and Wayzata Public Sc

8:15–8:30 a.m. Check-in and coffee 8:30–9:30 a.m. Welcoming remarks – WPS Superintendent Chac “Raising Resilient Children in a Risky World” Keynote speaker – Dr. Marti Erickson, Developm Psychologist and co-host of “Good Enough Mom 9:30–10 a.m. Marketplace 10–11 a.m. Session I 11–11:30 a.m. Marketplace/Break/Refreshments 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Session II

This is the 15th annual Parenting Forum, “Parenting Those Wonderful Ki implemented by parent volunteers from the Wayzata Public Schools. We w thank everyone involved in this event and hope you enjoy it. Information Education Units (CEUs) will be available in the Marketplace on the day o

Childcare

Childcare is available for children ages 2 through 12 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 Wayzata Central Middle School for a nominal fee of $3 per child or $6 m family. Childcare reservations are required and will be accepted on a first served basis. Call 763-745-5271 no later than January 26 to make your re the day of the forum, please allow 10 minutes to register your child. Pleas cancellations so room can be made for others.

General questions

Call Tasha Howard at 763-567-8904 for more information.

About our keynote address

These are challenging times for parents of children of all ages. Destructiv messages, greed and commercialism, pervasive violence, peer pressure an of family and community are forces that often work against our children a what key factors account for good outcomes among children and youth ev of today’s risks? And what can we do, as parents and concerned citizens, resilience in young people in our families and communities? Drawing on years of research on risk and resilience, Dr. Marti Erickson will discuss th ingredients to help our children, whatever their ages, develop values, attit behaviors that will enable them to become healthy, responsible, caring ad want to miss this important discussion.

• Coffee for the 15th Annual Parenting Forum is gen donated by Caribou Coffee. Wayzata Central Middle School is handicap accessible

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Sessions I & II

Ideas for Helping Children Become Successful Readers

Wondering if your child is growing as a reader may be a worry for parents whether your child is an excellent reader or a not-so-good reader or in between. This session will be about choosing appropriate books for kids, motivating kids to read, and supporting comprehension to ensure success on state and local tests. It will answer such questions as: What books should my child be reading? What’s all this about “levels” these days? What can I do as a parent to help my child grow in their reading? Nancy McCoy, WPS Language Arts Resource Teacher

Saying No in a Culture of Yes

Our children are growing up in a culture of “yes.” Let’s discuss some ways our children need us to say “no.” Gerri Fisher, WPS Parent Educator

Remember to Breathe! Parenting Strategies that Build Children’s Capacity for Successfully Managing Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are unavoidable experiences that all children must learn to tolerate and effectively manage at each stage of their development. Sometimes it is difficult for parents to discern when anxiety is “normal” and when it may be overwhelming a child’s capacity to cope. This workshop will provide specific tools that support a child’s acquisition of healthy coping skills, while offering assistance in determining when to seek professional help. Judy Hoy, MSW, LICSW

Create Success in Reading and Writing: New Software for Students K-12

Solo 6 is literacy software designed to meet the changing needs of diverse learners. The software includes four different programs: Read Out Loud, Write Out Loud, Draft Builder, and Co-Writer. This software provides support for reading and writing. Solo 6 will increase student ability to express thoughts and improve student engagement. Not only is Solo 6 loaded on every staff and student computer throughout Wayzata Public Schools, but students can download the software for home use. If you have a student in K-12, join us to learn how to use this software and how Solo 6 can make a difference in their school success! Carole Ries, WPS Assistive Technologist

Social Networking: Keeping Your Kids Safe

More and more, we are seeing how social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter are connecting our children to more and more people. It is a challenge to monitor who our children’s friends are and to keep them safe. This session will help you and your child understand how to use these tools safely. Dave Zukor, WPS District Technology Integration Specialist

Overcoming Challenges: Issues Faced by Teens and the Resources Available to Help

“Overcoming Challenges,” a video produced by the Wayzata High School Social Work Department, is viewed each year by all high school students. In this powerful video, students and staff share personal stories of challenges they have faced, what was helpful, and their advice for others. School resources are also identified. Topics addressed in the video are depression, anxiety, eating disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, grief and loss, and medical challenges. During this session, we will watch the video and discuss the issues facing Wayzata High School teens today. This is a don’t miss session for high school parents. Becky Halvorson, WHS Social Worker

Scream Free Parenting

“Screaming” comes in many different forms: the silent treatment, nagging, lecturing, etc. Kids need parents who are able to remain calm no matter what. This session will help you learn strategies and insights that will enable you to focus, calm yourself down and remain connected with your children. Mary O’Brien, Community Education Director, Hastings Public Schools

African-American Student Achievement: Pathways to Success

It is no secret. There is considerable research that confirms that dramatic increases in African-American student achievement can come from dramatic changes in student-teacher interactions, what parents can do at home with children, and what parents can do to work effectively with school personnel. This workshop will provide specific tools for parents to help increase the academic performance of their children – in and outside the classroom. Dr. Gabriel Lofton, WPS Director of Academic Excellence and Equity

We All Need A Good Night’s Sleep!

When the kids aren’t sleeping, the parents aren’t either. Dr. Garcia will help you to distinguish between normal sleep issues and more serious sleep concerns. Sleeping is a skill that children need to learn. Strategies for a good night sleep, how much sleep we need, childhood insomnia, and night terrors will be covered. Dr. John Garcia, Gillette Children’s Specialty Health Care

CrabbieMasters – Imaginary Fun with Real Results!

CrabbieMasters is a parenting and teaching tool that the presenter has used for more than 20 years. It helps children learn to manage the attitudes, emotions and behaviors that interfere with learning and relationships. CrabbieMasters helps build confidence in children and promotes a sense of team, while eliminating negative factors such as shame, guilt and the imbalances of power that are associated with antisocial behaviors such as bullying. Becky Undlin, M.Ed., Licensed Parent Educator & Preschool Owner/Operator

Healthy Kids, Healthy Food, Healthy Families!

In our fast-paced lifestyles, finding time for family meals is more important than ever. It takes time to plan meals, shop and find healthy and interesting foods that everyone will eat. In this workshop, you will learn more about how to introduce new foods and set the stage for family meal success. If you have a picky eater, don’t despair. You will sample foods and receive recipes for meals and snacks that include “stealth” nutrition. Join us in the Family Consumer Science room for recipes, taste testing and tricks of the trade. Mary Anderson, WPS Supervisor of Culinary Express Kristin Tollison, Mother of a Picky Eater

Special Care for Children with Special Needs

If you are a family caring for a dependent with special needs, come and learn about guardianships, why they are important and all that is involved in helping your special needs child as he/she becomes an adult. Maura Steblay, Licensed Parent Educator, Financial Advisor, Minneapolis Financial Group

Better Than Average: How to Help Your Child Achieve in School

Sometimes traditional classroom instruction fails to provide the best outcomes for students. This workshop will provide insights into how students learn. You will be taught how you can identify your student’s learning style and, finally, how to utilize strategies that will leverage learning strengths for kids to be successful in school. Allen Stock, Licensed Psychologist, LDA Minnesota

Marketplace Participants

The following organizations from our community will share information about their programs and resources during our Marketplace sessions: • Behavior Health • Hennepin County • Plymouth Fire • Virtuosos Music • Wayzata Legislative Services, Library - Plymouth Department Academy Action Committee University of • Huntington Learning • Plymouth Park • Wayzata • Wayzata Partners Minnesota Medical Center & Recreation Communities in in Prevention Center • Interfaith Outreach & • Plymouth Police Collaboration Council • Wayzata Special • Caring for Kids Community Partners Department • Wayzata Community Education Advisory Initiative • LDA Minnesota • Que’ Tal Language Education Adult Council • Children’s Dental • Minnesota Program Programs • Well-Fed Teach Me Services Psychological • RELATE Counseling • Wayzata Community to Eat • CONECT Resources Center Education Family • West Suburban Collaborative • Minnetonka Center • Sojourner Learning Center Teen Clinic • FOCUSed Father for the Arts • Storefront Group • Wayzata Community • YMCA – Ridgedale • Gillette Children’s • My Strong Family • Teens Alone Education Youth Hospital • Park Nicollet • Three Rivers Park Programs Melrose Institute District

Backpack Buddies provides nutrition and mentors for preschool students

unique partnership is helping to provide nutritious snacks and healthy eating habits for students that qualify for scholarships and reside in the Wayzata Public Schools community. Backpack Buddies is a partnership between Caring for Kids Initiative, Youth Extending Services (YES) at

WHS Sophomore Youth Extending Services Club member Conor Farley mentors 4-year-old Nathan Huberty in the Backpack Buddies program. Preschool students in Backpack Buddies work with their mentors from the YES Club on age-appropriate activities created by the Family Learning Center staff as part of the program.

Wayzata High School, the district’s Culinary Express department and the district’s Family Learning Center. Throughout the year, monthly, themed gatherings have been planned for 50, four-year-old, CfKI preschool students. YES students from WHS mentor and encourage healthy eating habits during age-appropriate activities

created by the FLC staff. Before preschool students are dismissed from the gathering, they receive a backpack filled with donations from General Mills, Cargill, the Minnesota Dairy Council, Con-Agra, Malt-o-Meal and B&H Way Foundation.

One more WHS student earns perfect score on ACT to make four for the year

Students at last year’s International Night visited booths in the gym to have their passports filled out and to learn about the different countries on display.

Oakwood will celebrate International Night January 27

akwood Elementary School’s eighth annual International Night celebration has been planned for Thursday, January 27, 2011, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. International Night is a unique opportunity to celebrate diversity and become familiar with traditions and customs throughout the world. Approximately 19 different countries will be represented as Oakwood families with an international heritage share displays and food from their countries. Students experience different cultures at booths stationed around the school’s gym and have their “passport” stamped at each booth. There is also a scavenger hunt as they explore the world of cultures. Students are also encouraged to wear a national costume for the international parade. This year, International Night has a focus on Ireland. Visitors will see Rince na Chrio and Escalate Irish Dance Groups, make a Celtic knot greeting card and sample traditional Irish food. Many families and several local businesses have donated time and resources to this year’s event. The evening is open to all families with elementary age children in Wayzata Public Schools and admission is free. Donations will be accepted but are not required.

my Wen, a senior at Wayzata High School, earned a perfect score of 36 on the ACT exam. Wen said she took the ACT exam previously in eighth and 10th grades. As an eighth grade student, she said she wasn’t familiar with a lot of the math components, but felt comfortable with the exam as a 10th grade student. To prepare for this final time taking the exam, Wen said she studied out of a practice book for a few days and made sure to get plenty of sleep and a have a good breakfast before the exam. During her time at WHS, Wen has participated in the Knowledge Masters Open, the Science Olympiad and Trojan Leadership Council. She also performs trumpet in the symphonic band and played in the marching band in 10th and 11th grade. She completed a summer internship in 2009 for the Tianjin Association of Chinese Enterprises with Foreign Investment in which she edited articles for its monthly magazine to correct the Chinese to English translations. During this recent summer, Wen traveled to Taiwan where she taught English. She has applied to 10 colleges and universities and her top choices include Stanford, Northwestern and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She said she is interested in pursuing a biology or science related major but is undecided for future career choices. Smart phone users can scan the code to the left to view information on all four of the district’s perfect ACT students.

In Brief Assistant Coach of the Year

Bill Miles, the assistant track and field coach at Wayzata High School, was named the 2010 Minnesota Class AA Assistant State Track and Field Coach of the Year. This award was presented to Miles by the track and field coaches association for his outstanding coaching during the 2010 season and in recognition of his success during the 40 years he has coached track and field. Miles coaches the boys’ distance runners. His runners have had success breaking school records, winning conference and section championships and placing highly at the state meet. Miles will be presented his award at the Bloomington Sheraton Convention Center on January 28, 2011 during the Minnesota Track and Field Coaches’ Association annual banquet.

Annual audit confirms finances well managed

The annual Wayzata Public Schools financial audit conducted by the Certified Public Accountant firm of Larson, Allen LLP., was presented to the school board at its December 13 regular meeting. It represents what is known as an unqualified, or “clean” audit report. Presented by Rachel Flanders, a representative of the Larson, Allen firm, the report found no issues in review of laws, regulations, contracts and grants that could have significant financial implications to the district, nor any “material weakness” in internal controls. The auditors did address technical issues regarding procedures the district must follow regarding the administration of federal money awarded to the district. These issues have been addressed. The audit shows the district continues to be in sound, stable financial health.

Board approves tax levy The school board of Wayzata Public Schools approved the tax levy that provides a portion of the funding for the 2011-12 school year at its December 13 regular meeting. School district administration recommended certification of the levy in the amount of $45,966,047.43 million, a decline of $60,858 from last year’s levy. The levy total reflects the funding for the district’s general fund, community service fund, debt service fund and OPEB pension fund.

Elementary menu descriptions available online

Wayzata Public Schools’ Culinary Express department has created an online menu descriptions booklet for elementary school lunches. The document includes all of the lunch items available at the district’s elementary schools with photos and descriptions of everything from side dishes to main entrees. Links to the document can be found at each of the elementary building websites as well as on the district’s main site under lunch menus at www. wayzata.k12.mn.us. Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to access the menu descriptions.

WHS football team wins 2010 5A State Championship

he Wayzata High School football team defeated Rosemount 31-14 November 26 at the Metrodome to win its third State 5A Championship in six years. WHS sophomore Mitch Underhill raced for three long touchdown runs in the third

quarter to break open a tightly contested defensive game. WHS led 10-7 at halftime as both teams capitalized off opponent’s turnovers. The Trojans were pinned down on their own half-yard line early in the third quarter. Soon after, Underhill ran for a 66-yard

score. He ran for two more successive 58yard runs, finishing with 247 yards rushing and earning player of the game honors with four touchdowns. The team is coached by head coach Brad Anderson, who led them to state championship titles in 2005 and 2008.

WHS boys’ cross country team wins 2010-11 state championship

he Wayzata High School Boys’ Cross Country Team won the 2010-11 State Championship held November 6 at St. Olaf College in Northfield. This is the team’s third state championship in the past four years. The team also qualified for the seven-state Heartland Regional Competition, which it won November 14 by defeating six other

state championship teams from around the Midwest. With the regional win, the WHS team qualified for the national competition held December 4 in Portland, Oregon. Seven students from the team competed at the national meet and took ninth place. Members of the 2010-11 state championship team include: seniors Steven Donahue, John Emmons, Mark Harries,

Nate Heintzeman, Karl Kabarowski, Andrew Long, Adam Moline, Brian Unekis and Preston White; juniors Joe Meister and Josh Thorson; sophomore Derek Peterson; and freshman Aaron Breyer. The team is coached by head coach Bill Miles, Chad Bartels, Aaron Berndt, Brandon Heebink, Eric Jahn, Ross Nelson, Steve O’Neill and Mark Popp.

Oakwood hosts another successful Family Service Night

ore than 300 people attended and volunteered their time at the Family Service Night, called “Doing Good Together,” held at Oakwood Elementary School on December 3. The event offered families an opportunity to participate in 10 different volunteer stations that had simple projects to benefit people in need and teach children the value of serving others. The event raised the following: • More than $600 was raised towards sponsorship of a Helping Paws service dog • 583 sandwiches made for homeless

people in Minneapolis • 155 sand scarves sewn for U.S. soldiers in the Middle East • 135 notes were made for Meals on Wheels recipients in Plymouth and Wayzata • 75 letters written to Minnesota soldiers serving overseas • Five ponytails were donated to Locks of Love • 50 fleece blankets made for children staying at HomeFree in Plymouth • 300 snack bags were assembled for IOCP foodshelf • 270 bags of rice were packed for the IOCP foodshelf

• 425 winter gear items were collected for homeless people in Minneapolis • 220 birthday bags were assembled for the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery • 70 sets of fleece hats and scarves were assembled to be distributed by three service organizations in Minneapolis Smart phone users can scan the code to the right to view a gallery of photos from the event.

‘Evening Stars’ preschool program has openings

ayzata Public Schools Family Learning Center’s Peppermint Fence preschool program still has openings for its evening preschool class called Evening Stars for the remainder of the year. This class is for children ages 3- to 4-years

old and runs through May. Evening Stars meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. Sibling care is available on Tuesday for children ages birth through kindergarten and financial assistance is available for qualifying families.

Limited openings remain, with financial assistance available to qualifying families. For more information or to arrange a tour, call 763-745-5294 or email joyce.heyer@ wayzata.k12.mn.us. More information is also available online at www.wayzata.k12. mn.us

Blackhawk to DARE class: You have graduated!

Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Wayzata, MN Permit 43

As a reward for their successful completion of the DARE program, fifth grade students at Greenwood Elementary School were paid a special visit by a Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopter crew in November. Students learned how the aircraft works and taught key messages about succeeding in life by the pilot and crew.

The Communicator is published for residents and staff of Wayzata Public Schools. Contact Bob Noyed, director of communication, at 763-745-5068 or robert.noyed@wayzata.k12.mn.us with questions or comments.

Communicator

Wayzata Public Schools 210 County Road 101 N. P.O. Box 660 Wayzata, MN 55391-0060

January 2011

8 WHS student will compete for $10,000 in national math contest

ohit Agrawal, a senior at Wayzata High School, is one of 10 students nationwide selected to compete for $10,000 in the 2011 national Who Wants to Be a Mathematician

contest. Agrawal has won first place in the Minnesota State High School Math League and qualified for the 2010 national Who Wants to Be a Mathematician contest. He was selected for the national Who Wants to Be a Mathematician contest based on his score on a qualifying test with questions on algebra, trigonometry, probability, and math history, which was administered by high school math teachers nationwide.

Employees of the Month Three employees have been recognized as Employees of the Month since the previous edition of the Communicator. They are: • November 2010 — John Batalden, career counselor at Wayzata High School and Judi Rovang, receptionist at Wayzata High School •December 2010 — Dan Roth, technology specialist at Gleason Lake Elementary

Smart phone users can scan the code above to view more information on current and past employees of the month.

Young Scientist Roundtable planned January 11

Young Scientist Roundtable will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 7 p.m. at Central Middle School. Dr. Ronald Poling, head of the school of physics and astronomy at the University of Minnesota will present “Neutrinos, Quarks and a Universe of Matter.” Following the presentation, a Teen Roundtable will be

held from 8:10 to 8:40 p.m. where students will have the opportunity to ask in-depth questions. The Young Scientist Roundtable is free for students in grades K - 12 and their families and no registration is required.

School Closings or Late Start Information

f inclement weather forces Wayzata Public Schools to close, start late or dismiss early, one of the three following announcements will be made: 1. Two-hour late start: All K-12 schools will open two hours later than regular start times. Morning kindergarten classes will be cancelled. All Family Learning Center (FLC), early childhood family education (ECFE), Peppermint Fence, and Care for Kids programs, and community education’s morning classes and activities will be cancelled. Home Base programs will open two hours later than regular start times. All after-school and evening classes and activities will meet as scheduled. 2. No school: All K-12 schools will be closed for the entire day. All FLC and ESCE classes, activities and athletics will be cancelled for the day. All community education after-school activities including Home Base programs will be cancelled. Evening community education and ECFE classes will also be cancelled. 3. Emergency early dismissal: All K-12 schools will close early and students will be sent home. If school is dismissed early, the buses will pick up students in the following order: • Dismissal #1 – Wayzata High School, Greenwood and

Oakwood • Dismissal #2 (will begin about 55 minutes after dismissal #1) – Central, East, and West middle schools, Holy Name, St. Bartholomew, Redeemer Lutheran and FAIR School shuttles • Dismissal #3 (will begin about 45 minutes after dismissal #2) – Birchview, Gleason Lake, Kimberly Lane, Plymouth Creek, Sunset Hill and Blake-Highcroft FLC and ECSE classes and activities for the remainder of the day (afternoon and evening) will be cancelled. All community education after school and evening classes will also be cancelled for the balance of the day. If possible, a decision to close or delay the start of school will be made by 5:30 a.m. School closing or late start announcements for Wayzata Public Schools will be on WCCO 830 AM radio; WCCO-TV, Channel 4; KSTPTV Channel 5; KMSP/FOX-TV, Channel 9; KARE-TV, Channel 11; and posted on the district’s website at www. wayzata.k12.mn.us. Phone calls using the district’s parent notification system will also be made to all parents and staff members.