WPS August 2014 Communicator

September 2014

Excellence. For each and every student.

Communicator Construction Committees Busy Over the Summer WHS Addition and New Elementary School Design Development Progress Thanks to supportive voters last February, committees were busy this summer moving plans forward to add onto to Wayzata High School (WHS) and build an eighth elementary school to meet the needs of our growing resident student population.

These planning committees are made up of representatives from: district staff, parents and students, Wold Architects and Engineers and Kraus Anderson. A full list of committee and subcommittee members can be found on the District web site at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/construction.

After touring other metro schools to see what else is out there and developing guiding principles to serve as a foundation for the design process, the High School and Elementary Core Planning Teams have been working with architects to develop schematic designs.

The preliminary designs for the WHS addition were shared with the Wayzata School Board at its August 25 Work Session and additional input will now be gathered in September and October from user groups, made up of staff, parents, community members and students, who will share their insights on specific aspects of the high school construction project. The schematic design for the new elementary school will be presented to the School Board at the end of September.

Once the user group feedback is incorporated, design development will continue and each schematic design will then be analyzed for feasibility based on financial, structural, mechanical and other realities. The design development phase for the high school is anticipated to be final by the end of October or early November. Design development for the elementary school will be complete by late November or early December. It is possible that preliminary site utility work may begin at Wayzata High School yet this fall, with formal ground breaking for both the WHS addition and new elementary school happening in the spring of 2015.

New Elementary School Site Determined Pending necessary approvals, the new elementary school will be built near the intersection of Lawndale Lane and County Road 47. The new school will be adjacent to property recently purchased by the City of Plymouth at the corner of Lawndale Lane and County Road 47 as part of its Northwest Greenway Plan.

School Boundary Adjustment Process to be Shared this Fall With the addition of an eighth elementary school, a process to reconfigure

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school attendance areas and balance enrollment at all elementary schools will be shared with parents and the community this fall. Both the new elementary school and key portions of the WHS additions are scheduled to be open in the fall of 2016.

Safety, Security and Technology Infrastructure Improvements Remodeling to enhance security was completed over the summer to the front entrance of Central Middle School. Security enhancements at East and West Middle Schools are expected to begin in the spring of 2015 and be completed sometime during the summer or fall of 2015. In addition, a multi-year fiber optic infrastructure update got underway this summer to modernize and increase connectivity to meet our growing and evolving technology needs.

Updates will continue to be shared as the construction projects proceed. For more information, visit our website at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/construction, call and leave your questions on the Construction Hotline at 763-745-5050, or send an email to construction@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

2014-15 School Year Off to a Great Start

never cease to be amazed by the excitement surrounding the start of a new school year. We are pleased to welcome back students, families and staff to what promises to be another great year of learning in the Wayzata Public Schools!

Construction Planning Process Continues What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time we were sharing our need for more facilities to meet the needs of our growing resident student population. Since then, voters approved a referendum last February to add onto Wayzata High School, build an eighth elementary school and begin infrastructure updates in the areas of technology and safe and secure entrances to our schools.

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Preliminary designs for the Wayzata High School additions were presented to the Wayzata School Board August 25. Plans for the new elementary school will be presented at the end of September. To see more, visit www. wayzata.k12.mn.us/construction.

I hope you take a moment to read about the progress we are making in the construction planning process in this month’s Communicator.

And special thanks to the parents, staff and community members who have been serving on important planning committees over the summer to keep things moving so the new spaces are completed by the fall of 2016.

MyWay for Student Learning iPad Initiative Now K-12 Our groundbreaking MyWay for Student Learning iPad Initiative has opened up a whole new world of opportunity for personalized Continued on Page 2

From THE SUPERINTENDENT

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School Traffic Affected by Road Closures

raffic is expected to be challenging this fall due to road construction currently underway north of Wayzata High School. Wayzata Public Schools’ Transportation Department has been making necessary adjustments to bus routes and schedules, and we strongly encourage families to plan alternate routes and add extra time as necessary during the Peony Lane Extension Project.

Peony Lane north of Wayzata High School will be extended to the Maple Grove border.

Once finished, Peony Lane will provide another major north-south alternate route to Vicksburg Lane in the northwest Plymouth. Long-term, the Peony Lane extension will better serve the growing population in Plymouth’s northwest quadrant. In the short-term, Peony Lane will serve as alternate route when Vicksburg Lane is reconstructed in 2015-16.

Peony Lane north of Wayzata High School will be built out to connect with Lawndale Lane – and Lawndale Lane will be reconstructed. With work now underway, Peony is closed north of the high school and the Lawndale Lane/County Road 47 intersection is closed. In addition, Lawndale Lane north of County Road 47 will also be shut down. Construction will continue through the fall, resume in the spring of 2015, with completion anticipated by September 2015.

For more information, and to sign up to receive regular updates on the road construction progress, visit the City of Plymouth website at www.plymouthmn.gov/peonylane and the City of Maple Grove website at http://www.maplegrovemn.gov/departments/engineering/ current-projects/la/.

Superintendent’s Column from Page 1 teaching and learning. In the final year of a three-year, phase-in plan, MyWay is expanding to include high school juniors and seniors. Now each and every student in our district, Kindergarten through 12th grade, will have access to an iPad for research, collaboration, online work and easy communication with teachers. Students in grades K-3 have access to iPads at a 3:1 ratio and students in grades 4-12 have 1:1 access. We also continue to partner with families in this important work by providing resources and tools to help students be responsible digital citizens and stay safe online.

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Pictured above is the closure of Peony Lane north of Wayzata High School.

All-Day Kindergarten Now in Place As you may remember, last spring the Legislature approved funding for all-day Kindergarten across the state. Starting this fall, all Wayzata kindergarteners will be participating in an all-day program. We are excited about this wonderful opportunity to even better prepare our youngest learners to get off to the best possible start to their educational journey in the Wayzata Public Schools. Most of our kindergarteners will be in their home schools, but due to a shortage of space, kindergarteners at Birchview Elementary School will spend the next two school years in classrooms located at Central Middle School. Once the new elementary school is completed in the fall of 2016, kindergarteners will return to Birchview.

Welcome New Staff We are excited to welcome 64 new teachers to the Wayzata Public Schools for the 2014-15 school year. In addition, two new administrators were also hired over the summer. Please learn about them by reading more below.

We remain committed to providing an excellent educational experience for each and every one of our students. As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. Please send me an email to chace.anderson@wayzata.k12.mn.us or call me at 763-745-5000.

– Chace B. Anderson, Ph.D. is Superintendent of Wayzata Public Schools

Two New Adminstrators Start Their Roles at Wayzata Public Schools This Year

andi Arndt has started in the position of Family Learning Center Coordinator, following the retirement of Marcia Treno.

Arndt earned her undergraduate degrees of elementary education, French and coaching from the University of Minnesota in Morris and began her elementary teaching career at Chokio-Alberta. She then went on to complete her masters of science degree in curriculum and instruction and her administrative degree at St. Cloud State University.

She took her first principal position in Canby as an elementary principal for grades pre-K through 6 where she began her early childhood experience. After 12 years as a principal in Canby, Arndt took a principal position in Dassel-Cokato at a K-4 school that included early childhood special education. She finished her doctorate in education administration in December 2012.

Arndt said she is looking forward to the excitement and energy of working with our youngest learners and being able to focus on this one specific age group at Wayzata Public Schools.

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ori Thomas is the new Special Education Supervisor for Wayzata High School. She has a bachelor of science in Education from Boston University, a master’s degree from Boston College in social work and child welfare, special education administration and administrative licensure from TEC/Boston University, and administrative licensure from the University of Minnesota.

Thomas previously worked in Edina Public Schools as a program specialist. Prior to her work in Edina, she worked in a variety of special education settings in Massachusetts as a team facilitator and coordinator for special education services, elementary through high school.

Thomas said she is excited to lead and support students and staff this year. She’s looking forward to working in a building in place of working in a district-wide position so she can be part of a smaller community and culture.

Westrum Receives International Award for Outstanding School Business Management

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im Westrum, executive director of finance and business services for Wayzata Public Schools, was recently honored by the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) as one of only three winners across the nation of its Distinguished Eagle Award. ASBO International bestows the prestigious, annual award upon its members who are models in the school business management profession and demonstrate outstanding leadership.

Westrum will be presented with the Distinguished Eagle

Award on September 20 at the 2014 ASBO International Annual Meeting and Expo in Kissimmee, FL. As an Eagle Award recipient, he will receive a $2,500 college scholarship to present to a Wayzata High School student, a crystal Eagle Award, and an invitation to attend the ASBO International Eagle Institute next summer. The Eagle Institute is a threeday conference that brings together the best and brightest of the school business management profession and focuses on exemplary leadership.

WHS Teacher Returns From CERN with Worldwide Network, Student Opportunities

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arin Foss has returned from her summer research trip to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and has plenty of experiences, knowledge and networks to share with her students regarding the study of particle physics.

CERN is the home of the largest machine in the world, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which sits 574 feet beneath the French and Swiss border and is 17 miles in circumference.

“The experience was invigorating; I can’t wait to get back into the classroom and share what I experienced with my students,” said Foss. Pursuing an interest to expand her ability to teach particle physics to her students, Wayzata High School teacher Karin Foss was selected to spend time at CERN this summer in order to bring back real-life particle physics experience back to her students.

Foss said there were 54 teachers participating in the HST (High School Teacher’s Program). “It was amazing to work with the incredibly talented educators from all over the world – India, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, France, UK, Rwanda, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Nepal, China, Japan, Thailand, Australia…the list goes on and on – I think around 28 countries were represented,” she said.

Over the three week experience, the teachers heard 35 hours of lecture (by top theoretical and experimental physicists working at CERN), spent 10 hours visiting the labs (learned about the various detectors and what they could detect along with the Large Hadron Collider and how it accelerates protons along their 27 km path), and had 25 hours of working group time. She said her small working group focused on cosmic rays and created classroom resources that they and other teachers can use with high school students. “At the end of the

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Above, WHS physics teacher Karin Foss is pictured in front of the Compact Mupc Solenoid (CMS) detector at CERN during her trip to the research facility this summer in Switzerland. At right, Karin is pictured with her small touring group in front of the CMS detector.

experience we created a google site to share resources and benefit from the work of the other working groups,” she said.

“I found myself very connected to the other teachers in the group and I’m sure that we will continue working together to develop activities and expand the teaching of particle physics to high school students,” said Foss.

LAC Candidate Forum Set for October 20

arents, community members and staff members are invited to attend the 2014 Legislative Candidate Forum set for Monday, October 20, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Central Middle School auditorium at 305 Vicksburg Lane in Plymouth. Mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend.

All state House of Representative candidates from District 33A, 34B, 44A, 44B and 46A will be invited to participate in the forum.

The forum is an opportunity for voters to learn more about legislative candidates prior

to Election Day on Tuesday, November 4. The forum will include opportunities for attendees to interact with candidates from their specific House district. The forum is sponsored by the Wayzata Public Schools Legislative Action Committee (LAC). All questions will focus on issues that affect public education.

If you have questions about the forum, contact Amy Parnell, director of communications and community engagement, at amy.parnell@ wayzata.k12..mn.us or 763-745-5068.

State candidates met in small sessions based on Senate Districts to answer participant questions during the 2012 Wayzata Public Schools Candidate Forum.

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Parenting With Vision Series Offers Tools for Parents

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ayzata Public Schools Parenting With Vision series features evening programs that focus on important issues and milestones that may be faced in a child’s school life. This year’s series is a combination of presentations, panel discussions and a workshop designed to provide parents with tools to support their children. Each session will provide an opportunity for questions and answers. All programs are free; registration is required only for the writing workshop. The Parenting with Vision series is collaboratively presented by: Wayzata Community Education, Wayzata Schools’ PTA/PTO/Liaison Committee, Communities in Collaboration Council, and Wayzata Public Schools.

Tuesday, October 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Navigating Teen Stress: Helping Your Teen Find Balance in a Chaotic World.”

Teens today face many challenges: academic, social, athletic and in relationships. At times these challenges become overwhelming and highly stressful. As parents, we all need tools to help our kids manage stress effectively so they can live healthy, happy and balanced lives. This presentation will provide insight and identify strategies to reduce stress and enhance well-being. At Wayzata High School, Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, October 28, 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Mom, YOU Forgot My Boots!”

What happens when kids don’t learn responsibility as they’re growing up?

What kinds of responsible behavior can we expect from kids? What types of responsibility should our kids be learning? What are ways we can help them learn in these areas? Licensed Parent Educatior Gerri Fisher will discuss these questions. At Central Middle School, Auditorium, 7 p.m. Presentation/ Discussion

Thursday, November 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m. “Parents As Writing Partners” Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the skills you need to help your child become a better writer. Learn to recognize strengths and weaknesses in your child’s writing for their age/grade and how to help them take the next step to better writing. Geared toward parents of students in 4th–6th grade. At Central Middle School, Media Center, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Space is limited. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED through Community Education. Visit www.ceregistration.wayzata.k12.mn.us to register.

Tuesday, November 18, 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Demystifying Kindergarten” Discover what life is like in a day of a kindergartener during this panel presentation. Geared for parents of incoming kindergarten students.

Central Middle School, Auditorium, 6:30 pm Resource Fair, 7 p.m.

Presentation/Discussion Other Parenting with Vision program dates in 2015 (more details to come): • Thursday, January 8 “Demystifying the High School” designed for 8th grade parents • Tuesday, January 27 “Demystifying Middle School” • Tuesday, April 21 “Leaving the Nest” for parents of students graduating from High School For more information about the Parenting With Vision series, call Charlene Barghini, volunteer coordinator, at 763-745-5045 or charlene.barghini@ wayzata.k12.mn.us.

MyWay for Student Learning iPad Initiative is Now K-12

Following several distribution nights at Wayzata High School this month, Wayzata Public Schools’ MyWay for Student Learning iPad initiative is now in all buildings K-12. All students in the district now have access to an iPad for research, collaboration, online work and easy communication with teachers.

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Parents as Writing Partners Program Offered

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arents of students in 4th–6th grade are invited to participate in a new workshop designed to teach them the skills to help their children become better writers. Taught by Wayzata Schools Language Arts Resource Teacher, Nancy McCoy, the workshop will help parents learn to recognize strengths and weaknesses in their child’s writing for their age/grade and how to take the next step to better writing. Expectations of the Minnesota State Standards will also be addressed.

This FREE workshop is offered in partnership with Wayzata Schools Community Education, Teaching and Learning and Communities in Collaboration Council.

Space is limited, registration is required. Visit www.ceregistration.wayzata.k12. mn.us to register. For more information, call Deb Slomkowski at 763-7455205.

Automated Phone Notification for Bus Delays

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f necessary, the District’s automated phone notification system will be used to notify parents in case of bus delays. Calls can be made by bus route number on morning, afternoon and kindergarten routes. In order to provide consistency among schools and to create common expectations for parents on when they may be notified, the following guidelines have been established: Weather-related or district-wide delays • If situations arise – such as delays caused by serious inclement weather or by local traffic issues – that will cause bus delays of more than 25 minutes affecting all or multiple schools, the decision to initiate a parent call will come from the district’s transportation department. School offices will be

notified when these calls will be made.

• These calls will be made to all parent phone numbers included in the Family Access system.

General Delays • It is assumed that the expected departure time for buses from a school’s parking lot is within 10 minutes after the dismissal time.

• If a bus or buses are late in leaving a school’s parking lot (25 minutes after dismissal time or 15 minutes after expected departure time), a call may be made to alert parents of the late bus or buses.

This decision is at the discretion of the principal.

• The calls will be sent to only those parents of students on the buses that are late.

• These calls will be sent to all parent phone

numbers included in the Family Access system.

• Similar guidelines will apply to morning bus routes. If a bus is going to be more than 15 minutes late in picking up students, a call may be made to parents.

The guidelines for general delays do not apply to the following situations: • First two weeks of school in the fall – it takes up to two weeks to make adjustments to the bus routes.

• Late-run activity buses.

• Special transportation including special education and early childhood special education— notification will be handled by the district’s transportation department.

School Closings or Late Start Information

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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 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: a. Dismissal #1 – Wayzata High School, Greenwood and Oakwood b. 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 c. Dismissal #3 (will begin about 45 minutes after dismissal #2) – Birchview, Gleason Lake, Kimberly Lane, Plymouth Creek, Sunset Hill and Blake-Highcroft

FLC and ESCE 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.

A decision to close or delay the start of school will be made by as early as possible. School closing or late start announcements for Wayzata Public Schools will be on WCCO 830 AM radio; WCCO-TV Channel 4; KSTP-TV Channel 5; KMSP/FOXTV Channel 9; KARE-TV Channel 11; and posted at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us. Phone calls using the district’s emergency notification system will also be made to all parents and staff members.

Culinary Express Department Launches NutriSlice

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new interactive way to view Wayzata Public Schools menus is now available online.

Parents and students can now view lunch menus by school, as well as nutrition information, ingredient and allergen information, photos and a description of each food item just by mousing over the item on the menu. There is also a section that allows parents to customize the menu by eliminating the foods that may contain a specific allergen.

To use the NutriSlice site, click on the link to

NutriSlice on the Culinary Express page (www. wayzata.k12.mn.us/CulinaryExpress) or any individual school webpage. To view a menu, choose your school from the drop-down menu, then choose a meal (breakfast or lunch) from the second drop-down menu. The menu for the current month will appear. To view each menu item information, hover the mouse over any menu item to see a photo, description, nutrition, ingredient and allergen information pop up. To customize a menu and eliminate an allergen, click on the “filter special diets” button at the top right

of the online menu. A liability statement must be accepted before continuing at this point. Choose the allergen listed that should be avoided. All menu items containing that ingredient will be crossed off the online menu.

Links to PayPAMS and back to the Culinary Express main page are also available as well as links to download mobile apps for NutriSlice.

For more information, contact Kim Harren at 763-745-5155 or by email at kimberly.harren@ wayzata.k12.mn.us.

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WHS Seniors win Twin Cities Regional High School Muskie Tournament

Wayzata High School seniors Lydia Boike, Isaac Foote and Trisha Morrison placed first at the International Competition in the main team competition in Future Problem Solvers for 2014.

WHS Future Problem Solvers Take First at International Competition The Wayzata High School Future Problem Solvers (FPS) team of seniors Lydia Boike, Isaac Foote and Trisha Morrison, placed first at the International Competition in the main team competition.

Senior Emily Chen was a part of the team through the regional and state rounds, but could not join the team for the International Competition.

The International Competition comprises the best teams from most of the states and many other countries around the world.

Only about three percent of students involved in FPS ever make it to the International Competition in their entire careers, much less place at the competition.

This WHS team has attended three of its four years in high school and this year, beat every other team for the win.

WHS Sports Schedules are Online

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he most current schedules for all Wayzata High School athletic teams are available online. For current and up-to-date athletic schedules and directions, visit the Lake Conference website, www.lakeconference.org and click on “Wayzata High School” and pick the schedule you are interested in. Directions to athletic venues can also be found on the site. You can also go to www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/whs/ and click on “Athletics and Activities” in the menu bar.

Smarphone users may scan the code at right to quickly access the athletics calendar page on the website.

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2014 graduating Wayzata High School seniors Mavrik Joos and Justin Bergeron won the 2014 Twin Cities Regional High School Muskie Tournament. They advanced to and competed in the state tournament this summer.

WHS Students Earn Top Places at 2014 Physics Bowl

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everal Wayzata High School students earned top places in the 2014 Physics Bowl.

Senior Mason Zhang was the top scorer in Division 1, Region 9. The top five scores earned the “Highest Scoring School” award for Division 1, Region 9 and included seniors Mason Zhang and Leighton Zhao and juniors James Harley, Daniel Qu and Ryan Wang.

Wayzata High School received $50 for the team award, which will be used by physics teacher Karin Foss on materials for AP Physics.

Literacy Volunteers needed to help students practice reading

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ayzata Public Schools is in need of volunteers for the district’s Literacy Volunteer Program, which pairs adults with third through fifth grade students that are struggling readers.

Students read to the volunteers using a curriculum that is focused around award-winning children’s literature. Volunteer options include once or twice a week or every other week for a half hour at a time. Training is provided by the district’s language arts resource teacher and there is room to work around individual schedules. For more information, contact Charlene Barghini at 763745-5045 or by email at charlene.barghini@wayzata.k12.mn.us.

2014-15 School Board Meeting Schedule

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he following is the schedule of the Wayzata School Board meetings for the 2014-15 school year.

• September 8 — regular meeting • September 22 — work session • October 13 — regular meeting • October 27 — work session • November 10 — regular meeting • November 24 — work session • December 1 — special work session • December 8 — regular meeting • December 15 — work session • January 12 — organizational/regular meeting • January 26 — work session • February 9 — regular meeting • February 23 — work session • March 9 — regular meeting • March 23 — work session • April 13 — regular meeting • April 27 — work session • May 11 — regular meeting (6 p.m. start time) • May 18 — work session • June 8 — regular meeting • June 22 — work session

The start time of regular meetings is 7 p.m.

Work sessions begin at 4 p.m.

A list of agenda items for each work session, regular and special board meeting is posted in all district buildings prior to the meeting and on the district’s website (www.wayzata.k12.mn.us).

Regular board meetings are held in Wayzata City Hall, 600 Rice Street, Wayzata, and work sessions are held in the board room of the District Administration building, 210 County Road 101 North, Plymouth. In addition, all regular board meetings are scheduled to be cablecast live and replayed on ED’s TV, the West Metro Education Channel. ED’s TV can be found on the following channels: • Cable Channel 22 — Comcast Cable, Plymouth and northwest suburbs • Cable Channel 19 — Mediacom Cable, Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka area • Cable Channel 17 — Comcast Cable, Minnetonka and southwest suburbs (replay only) For replay dates and times, check the “School Board Meetings” section of the ED’s TV web pages on the district’s website.

Lifetime of Learning Event Planned September 18

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he Lifetime of Learning Task Force has planned an event on Thursday, September 18 at 7 p.m. at Armstrong High School that will feature iconic Twin Cities broadcast journalist Don Shelby.

Shelby, a respected anchor, author, artist and actor, will cover his own journey into retirement and talk about inventing a creative retirement. Learn how he “jumped into the mouth of the wolf,” and borrow some of his ideas for your innovative next chapter.

The event is free and reservations will not be taken. Seating is limited and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 763-504-6980. The Lifetime of Learning Task Force is a west metro group of community organizations including Plymouth/Wayzata Libraries, cities of Plymouth and Wayzata, Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, YMCA, and the Wayzata and Robbinsdale school districts. The Lifetime of Learning Task Force is committed to advancing healthy aging through lifelong learning in adults age 55 and older.

Young Scientist Roundtables Planned for 2014-15

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he Young Scientist Roundtable will begin another season of programs beginning Monday, October 6 at 7 p.m. at Central Middle School (CMS).

The Young Scientist Roundtable programs introduce students in grades K-12 to working academic and industrial scientists who share their research, discoveries and innovations.

The complete schedule for the upcoming 20142015 year is: Monday, October 6; Tuesday, November 11; Monday, December 1; Tuesday, January 6; Monday, February 2; Monday, March 2; and Tuesday, April 7 All Young Scientist Roundtable events are free and open to students in grades K-12 and their parents/ guardians . No registration is needed. All Young Scientist Roundtable programs are held at CMS at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Charlene Barghini at charlene.barghini@wayzata.k12.mn.us The Young Scientist Roundtable is funded, in part,

by The General Mills Foundation.

WHS Graduate Places First in Investwrite

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lec Overland, a Wayzata High School class of 2014 senior, placed first in the state and seventh in the nation in the Investwrite Essay Competition.

Investwrite is an innovative national writing competition produced by The Stock Market Game program that adds a critical thinking component to help reinforce concepts learned in the classroom. Students select an investment from their team’s portfolio and discuss its impact on creating new jobs and strengthening our economy. Overland competed against thousands of students nationwide. He is taught by WHS business teacher Candy Lee.

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Communicator WHS Brothers Named Rainbow of Hope Award Recipients

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We are pleased to welcome back students, families and staff to what promises to be another great year of learning in the Wayzata Public Schools!

- Superintendent Chace Anderson

Nonprofit Org. US Postage Wayzata, MN Permit 43

ayzata High School (WHS) juniors and twin brothers Jacob and Nathan Ritter were recently named the recipients of the Rainbow of Hope award.

Rainbow of Hope is an award given by Shriners Hospitals each year to three current or former patients who are recognized for Wayzata High School brothers Jacob and Nathan contributions they have made to Ritter were named recipients of the Rainbow of their respective communities and Hope award for their work in the community and schools, and for overcoming life’s school. challenges. They are considered to be role models in their community. and assisted living facilities, adjusting their The two are a “dynamic duo” sponsored selection of music to meet the needs and

by Zuhrah Temple. While Jacob and musical familiarity of the particular group.

Nathan definitely stand alone in their In addition to being gifted musicians, the particular areas of interest, they speak two have won numerous awards for their loudly as a pair when it comes to being the ability at the game of chess. Jacob was the definition of role models. first place winner in the 2011 Plymouth’s Got Talent competition. Nathan took 1st The two brothers both consistently place honors at the same competition the maintain a 4.0 GPA, and manage to pull next year. Enjoying the game doesn’t seem to it off while also pursuing outside interests, be enough for these two, so they have taken tutoring, and playing adaptive sports. it another step by mentoring elementary age Both Jacob and Nathan are accomplished students eager to learn to play chess. pianists, playing at a college level. Recently According to a Shriners International they planned, coordinated and performed press release, “Both Jacob and Nathan a piano concert at WHS to raise money for exhibit courage and a strong will to succeed Feed My Starving Children. They raised enough money to provide over 1,000 meals, at whatever they choose to do. They are kind, considerate of others, and always and as a result were recognized by Mark willing to go the extra mile for someone Crea, CEO of the foundation. When they else.” were asked to play piano at the Minnesota Physical Education Conference luncheon Rainbow of Hope Award recipients held at WHS last year, they agreed as long as receive a monetary scholarship award in the they could donate any money they received amount of $1000 and their name is placed in tips to Feed My Starving Children. on the Rainbow of Hope perpetual plaque, which remains on display in the main lobby Jacob and Nathan frequently give concerts at nursing homes, senior programs of the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital.

The Communicator is published for residents and staff of Wayzata Public Schools. Contact Amy Parnell, director of communications and community engagement, at 763-745-5068 or amy.parnell@wayzata.k12.mn.us with questions or comments.

Excellence. For each and every student.

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

September 2014

Classes Open in Family Learning Center

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egistration is open for Wayzata Public Schools Family Learning Center fall classes.

Baby Classes are available for parents and babies ages 0-6 months and 6-12 months. There are also class openings for parents and children ages 12-months to 5-years-old.

Peppermint Fence Preschool has openings for children ages 2-5. The classes start September 8 and run through June 5, 2015. Peppermint Fence Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and has the highest four-star rating awarded from the Minnesota Department of Education.

BLOCK Time is a drop-off program for children 16-months to 5-years-old. BLOCK Time curriculum is licensed.

The Family Learning Center is located at Central Middle School, 305 Vicksburg Lane, Plymouth. Online registration is available at www.wayzata.k12.mn.us/flc (select Registration). For more information, call 763-745-5290.

Wayzata Drive 4 Excellence Golf Event Benefits all Wayzata Public Schools

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he Wayzata Public Schools Education Foundation (WPSEF) will be hosting its second annual golf event at the Wayzata Country Club on Monday, September 15 with an 18-hole best ball scramble.

The event includes a chance to win a hole-in-one car, putting contest prizes, a general drawing for prizes and appetizers following the event.

Sponsorship and golfing opportunities are still available. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Roger Remark at remark4@msn.com or visit the WPSEF website at www.WPSEF.org.

WPSEF’s sole focus is to help sustain the high quality of education in the Wayzata Public Schools. Since 2007, nearly $130,000 has been awarded in grants to the Wayzata Public Schools.

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