NEMS Int'l Night of Sharing, Thurs., 12/9 5:30 pm

Northeast Middle School's

International Night of Sharing

December 9th, 2010

Dinner 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

School play follows (curtain rises at 7:00 PM)

A full evening of conversation, connection, and entertainment!

Pre-Game Fundraising Event at Sen Yai Sen Lek, 12/2, 4:45 pm

Morris Park Players' "Annie" at Edison Nov. 19 & 20

Morris Park Players Community Theatre proudly opens its 10-11 season with the Broadway musical monster-hit Annie, November 5, 6, 12, 19, 20 at 7:30 pm and November 13 and 14 at 2:00 pm at their new home of Thomas Edison High School Auditorium. Annie is one of Broadway’s longest running shows ever, full of great songs and the delightfully heart-warming tale of the Depression-era orphan girl who finds happiness with a grouchy millionaire and his loving gal.

Morris Park Players announces Annie cameo guest appearances by City of Minneapolis Council Member for Ward One Kevin Reich (Nov 5 and 12), the WCCO Radio host John Hines (Nov 6), Thomas Edison High School Principal Carla Steinbach (Nov 13), WCCO TV reporter Jason DeRusha (Nov 14), and KSTP 5 Eyewitness News sports anchor Joe Schmit (Nov 20). Nov 19 guest to be announced. Guests will perform the role of "Judge Brandeis." See cameo biographies below.

Tickets ($12-$15) are available at http://www.morrisparkplayers.org/ or 612-724-8373.

Move to Thomas Edison High School

After Folwell Middle School closed its doors due to budget cuts, Morris Park Players (MPP) needed to leave their residence in south Minneapolis after 25 years. The loyal audience of MPP has followed their productions from previous locations of Nokomis Junior High and Roosevelt Senior High for many years prior to that. Thomas Edison High School in northeast Minneapolis has invited and welcomed MPP into their Auditorium and school as their new permanent home.

Edison’s teacher Stacey Kilton will play the role of Sophie, and 12th grade student Taji Robinson, and 9th grade student Skye Horton will perform as part of the adult chorus in this production of Annie.

The Showcase is Coming!

Kids Vote Minneapolis!

E-DAY (Election Day) is this Tuesday, Nov. 2!

Kids Voting Minneapolis will be at your polling place, so bring your students because they can vote anytime from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at their special voting booth on their special ballot. Kids, like adults, will be better informed voters if they take a little time to read about the candidates. As a parent, you can help them Google almost any candidate’s name and that will lead to the candidate’s website. You can check out the sites for the State Constitutional Officers (Gov., Sec. of State, State Auditor, Attorney Gen), 5^th Dist. U.S. Congressional Rep., and MPS School Board. 

We still need volunteers for 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. shifts to assist the students. Contact Ellie Wikstrom at wikst016@umn.edu or 612.721.6116.

Area A (Zone 1) Meeting Thursday Oct. 28 6:30 pm @ PACER Center

The Area A (Zone 1) meeting for Thursday October 28th, is being changed from Olson Middle School to the PACER Center in Bloomington.    

This is Parent Involvement Month and in honor of that PACER Center is offering a Free Dinner meeting at their offices in Bloomington.    For those who do not have transportation, PACER will provide transportation either with a bus, van or taxi.  While childcare is not provided, there is a cash stipend at the end of the meeting to cover your childcare.  

Directions to PACER Center: - (see the map)
From I-494 take the Normandale Boulevard exit south to 84th Street; turn left.
Take the next left onto the frontage road.
PACER Center is a one-story brick building immediately north of the bridge.
Turn right into the parking lot. Enter on the north side of the building.

Fundraiser: Wednesday, October 20 5-7 pm

Dedication of Outdoor Musical Instruments at Jackson Square Park Friday, Sept. 24

Belong. Believe. Become.

The Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club is donating seven outdoor musical instruments at Jackson Square Park in celebration of its 25^th anniversary (1985-2010). The installation of these instruments started yesterday (9-15-2010) and will be completed in time for the ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication on the afternoon of our homecoming game, Friday, September 24^th. Knutson Construction has donated the installation of these instruments. 

John Vandermyde Sr. is a member of the Rotary Club and has participated in this project with Kevin Reich, Edison class of ’85 and City of Minneapolis First Ward City Councilmember, Minneapolis Park Board staff, Minneapolis Park Commissioners, Douglas Schmitt from Schmidt music, Bob Gardner of Knutson Construction, and Beth Hulteng, Edison band teacher, as well as many members of the Rotary Club. John is also a member of the Edison Community/Sports Foundation and is an Edison Class of ’58 Alumni. Scott Lipscomb from the University of Minnesota Music Department will have his students complete a research project. This one to two year study will involve students observing how these instruments are used through the community and school. To find out more information about these instruments, please go to http://www.freenotesharmonypark.com/

Jackson Square Park is on its way to be one of the most amazing parks in Northeast Minneapolis. Please show your support and appreciation for the arts by attending the ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 24^th between 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

NE School Showcase Planning Meeting TONIGHT 6:30 @ Edison!

Join us tonight as we begin planning the very successful NE School Showcase. This year's showcase is set for Saturday, November 13 from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the Edison High School Community GYM!

Make sure your school is represented! See you tonight!

Inviting Un-Enrolled Students to "Come Home to Minneapolis"

Too many young people leave school before earning their diploma. We want them to know that we can work with them on a plan to come back to school and earn their diploma. We want them back.

WWYB Centrals

* Broadway School 1250 West Broadway Ave.
Diane Glawe, team leader
Open from 10 to 4

* Wilder School 3345 Chicago Ave. S.
Diane Elkerton, team leader
Open from 10 to 4

On site:

• Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) : Placement staff, & social workers

• Translators (City of Minneapolis Neighborhoods and Community Relations Department, Minneapolis Public Schools, and others)

• Hennepin County Front Door staff (social services & youth resources)

• Youth Link staff (youth workers)

• American Sign Language Interpreter (note: Broadway location only)

• City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations Department

• City of Minneapolis Nurse (note: at Wilder only – immunizations)

• AchieveMpls - STEP-UP Summer Jobs Program

4th Annual Edison BBQ a HUGE Event!

The 4th Annual Edison Community BBQ tally is in! The community, Edison students and staff served 1400 burgers, brats, polishes and sen yai sen lek chicken cuts. Plus, we went through 20 gallons of coleslaw, 25 gallons of potato salad, 18 gallons of baked beans, over 1500 bottles of water & sodas, 5 gallons of pickle spears, 600 lbs of melons and1000 brownies personally made by Amy Fields, the GM of the Eastside Food Cooperative. We estimate approximately 1100 people visited the BBQ!

Special thanks to the following 2010 Grill Meisters:

Legendary Grill Meister Shaun Wakaruk

Celebrity Grill Meister's Bill Jaap & Joe Surisook

Relief Grill Meister's Gerald Miller, John Vandermyde Sr. and CM Kevin Reich filled in for Legendary Grill Meister Niles Schulz this year and did a great job too.

Special thanks to those that showed up and said, "I'm here. Put me to work!"

Jennifer Arneson, Lisa Brock, Tamsen Brock, Amy Fields, Rebecca Gagnon, Egan Haugasag, Stephanie Johnson, Adelheid Koski, Sarah Larson, Shannon McDonough, Jeff Morrison, John Moore, Kurt Nowacki, Kevin Obrien, Karen Peterson, Ian Pierce, Ward 1 CM Kevin Reich, Eric Skoglund, Laura Subak, John Vandermyde Sr., Doug Werner and more...sorry if we didn't mention you.

Of course, the event can't happen without the sponsors. Thank You!

The 2010 Edison Community BBQ sponsors were...

Eastside Food Cooperative

Good Carma Volkswagen

Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association

Jim Lupient Buick GMC

Larson Dental

MM Handyman Services

M&M Mortgage

Northeast Kiwanis

Rock Solid Companies

sen yai sen lek

Signature Mechanical

West Title

Special thanks to the Edison students for their leadership and hard work!

The Edison Staff and community members working the event were most impressed this year with how the Edison Students took a leadership role! Thanks to so many Edison students for working this event so your parents, the majority of the staff and the community could relax and enjoy a great night. We all think it's great to see how many student leaders are rising to the call at Thomas Edison High School.

Special thanks to everyone who spread the word on facebook or invited others with a call, email, handwritten note or by word of mouth. It was great to see the our local newspaper, the Northeaster promote the event on several occasions too!

This was a group effort. It takes many, many mini-promoters to get over 1000 people to show up at a BBQ. This team of promoters created a great sounding board. One person noted that he had received an invite from 5 different people. Every single person that invited someone else promoted this event and should be proud for doing so.

It's a great way to start a year ! Please join us for our upcoming school events, cheer us on at our games and see our performing arts productions. To learn more about our school and to see the latest news and happenings, visit our web page at: edison.mpls.k12.mn.us. Is there an event you would like us to share with others? Please e-mail Pamela Vertina, Public Relations Coordinator at pamela.vertina@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Carla Steinbach
Principal of Thomas Edison High School

4th Annual Edison Open House/NE Community BBQ

Edison Junior Achievement Honors

Congratulations to the Edison students who took 4th place in the Junior Achievement National Competition of the Year on Tuesday, July 20. Their Edison Tommie Co., which created and marketed a cookbook triumphed over 20 other teams from the United States and Canada, all of whom went through district and state competitions before getting to the national level.

Sustainable Transformation for Our Failing Schools

Here in Minnesota and in more than a dozen other states, community organizations are gathering to share new information about who is affected by the current approach to school "turnarounds", and to propose a sustainable transformation plan that puts resources where they are really needed, and engages the community in decision making. Please join concerned parents, students, teachers, and community members to learn how together,... we can make important changes to give all of our kids the opportunities they deserve.

Where: Fairview Park Recreation Center 621 29h Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55411 When:  Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 Light refreshments will be provided! ___________________________________________________________________ Minnesota Neighborhoods Organizing for Change (NOC) is a new non-profit committed to building power in low-income and moderate-income neighborhoods through community organizing, civic engagement, and education. NOC is a member-funded and member-run organization that takes on the social and economic justice issues that impact our community the most. Whether it's huge issues like healthcare and bank reform, or a small neighborhood concern like getting a stop sign installed at a dangerous intersection, NOC members work together to apply their collective strength and get things done. Learn more at www.mnnoc.org

MPS Kids Really Can Eat Well!

From its colorful salads, trendy sandwiches and new menu of fresh entrees, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) are making big strides with Farm to School. Rosemary Dederichs, MPS Director of Nutrition, knows the challenges inherent in sourcing 25,000 servings of farm-fresh produce, but her collaboration with produce supplier Cre8it, Inc. and a new venture with organic grower Featherstone Farms are proving that the district's volume challenges can be met.

MPS staff work with Twin Cities-based Cre8it to purchase local produce like tomatoes, onions and peppers for Garde Mange (translation: fresh cuisine) salads and sandwiches. Plus, Cre8it will supply locally grown, pre-cut cabbage, potatoes, squash, cranberries and other fresh foods on days when fresh fruits and vegetables are menued.

Beginning in September 2010, MPS will also partner with Featherstone Farms to incorporate Featherstone's organically grown produce into the district's meal offerings. This effort grew out of a partnership developed by a school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Featherstone's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Lastly, MPS is developing a comprehensive communications plan to help inform students and parents about its fresh new menu and locally grown foods.

For more detailed information, contact:

Rosemary Dederichs
Phone: 612-668-2820
Rosemary.Dederichs@mpls.k12.mn.us

Art in the Park @ Windom

Kids in grades K-6 are invited to Windom Park, 2251 Hayes St NE, for a free art program put on by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 20, 22, 27 & 29, 1:30 pm.  Visit www.artsmia.org or call 612-870-3104 for more information.

Art in the Park @ Logan

Come explore math through the power of art in the park! Play with scale and size to create art of your own and express yourself with numbers!

Art in the Park will be at…

Logan Park: Fridays, July 9, 16, 23 at 10:30-12p.m.

Grades K-6

FREE

Visit www.artsmia.org or call us at (612) 870-3104

or

Register online at mineapolisparks.org

2010 Edison Tommie Youth Football Clinic

June 24, 2010

PLACE: Edison High School

Football Stadium

Time:  4-6PM

Cost: $7 (Covers Camp T-shirt and Hot Dogs)

Who: Kids K-8^th Grade

New Schools Community Meeting - June 23

 Minneapolis Public Schools invites you to attend our New Schools Community Meeting on June 23, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Webster Building.  Please come to learn more about Minneapolis College Preparatory, a new school applying to MPS for approval by the Board of Education.

More detail about this event as well as location information can be found in the attached invitation and map.  Please feel free to forward invitation to anyone you think may be interested in attending this community meeting.

RSVP to Vicki Walzer at: mswalz@comcast.net by June 21, 2010.

We hope to see you next week!

Jon Bacal

Executive Director, Office of New Schools

Adrienne Jordan

Program Manager, Office of New Schools

Northeast Parade: June 22, 2010

 The Celebrate Northeast Parade occurs on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 from 6:30-9:00pm. The parade, celebrating its 81st anniversary, is the second oldest in Minnesota . The parade draws 8,000 people along the thirteen block route of Central Avenue. Approximately, 120 entrants participate in the parade including visiting community royalty, Shriner’s Clubs, marching bands, entertainers, non-profit groups, local politicians and community organizations, many of them unique to the Celebrate Northeast Parade.

All five NE public schools will be in the parade and are #70-75 in the line-up.  Come march with your school!  The parade begins at Central/ & 28th Ave NE and ends at Central & 14th Ave NE.   Join us in celebrating NE and our fabulous schools!

PEN Meeting - Monday, June 14, 2010, 6:30 pm @ Edison

AGENDA

Welcome/Introductions: 5 minutes (All)

Meet the New Principals: 3 new principals will be at the helm in our community. A couple will be able to join us to introduce themselves (10 mn)

Future of PEN: After five years, it’s time to reevaluate (50-75 min.)

• Revisit the vision/mission
• What has worked/not worked?
• What else should PEN do?
• How often should PEN meet?
• Priorities?
• What would a workable leadership team look like?

Leadership at Thomas Edison High School Stabilizes!

 Thomas Edison High School is pleased to announce that Carla Steinbach will continue as principal. It has been determined that since a formal turnaround plan is on file with the district and state, Edison is able to keep their existing principal. Edison is fortunate to have the tremendous support of their staff, students, parents and community members. Many came together and attended information meetings, sent letters to the state, and gave feedback to the district. This support was invaluable!  Yes, that's Carla with Will Smith in that photo to the left...

Congressman Keith Ellison Hosts Achievement Gap Discussion

"The Future of Our Schools: Closing the Achievement Gap"

Monday, May 17th, 2010

4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Columbia Heights Senior High School - Hylander Center

1400 49th Avenue Northeast

Columbia Heights, MN 55421-1939

Featuring the following honored guest:

Mr. Carl Harris - Carl Harris serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy & Strategic Initiatives of Elementary and Secondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education. Mr. Harris has taken an active role in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Since 2006, Mr. Harris had served as superintendent of schools in Durham, N.C. and in Franklin County, N.C. In 2009 he was honored with the Central Carolina Regional Superintendent of the Year award. He earned his Ph.D. in Education Administration from North Carolina State University.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Darlynn Benjamin, Deputy District Director, at 612-522-1212 or darlynn.benjamin@mail.house.gov.

Northeast Middle School Beautification Day - May 15

Sake Brewing Demonstration & Silent Auction Fundraiser for MPS

Join the Advocates for Minneapolis Public Education (AMPE) – a group of young professionals in the Twin Cities area who are concerned with providing an excellent, equitable education for all students in Minneapolis Public Schools.  AMPE is partnering with Moto-I, the first sake brewery outside of Japan!

May 19, 2010
5:30 pm 
at Moto-I
2940 Lyndale Ave S.
Minneapolis

Your ticket includes a sake brewing demonstration, sake tasting, appetizers, soft drinks, and an awesome silent auction line-up on their stellar rooftop patio!

Silent auction items include a week stay in Paris, theater tickets, restaurant gift certificates and local outdoor activities.

Additional food and beverages are also available at happy hour prices.

$20 Pre-registration

$25 Day-of

Register online at:

https://www.achievempls.org/events/uape-social-hour/

or call Sara 612-455-1551

We want that 200-capacity hot-spot rooftop to be standing room only! Bring a friend, and we'll see you there!

Zone 1 - Area A Parent Meeting

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN US TO WORK ON 

IMPROVING STUDENT PROGRESS !

April 28, 2010 6-8pm 

Jenny Lind/Olson Lower Campus

5025 Bryant Avenue North

AGENDA 

Introductions – Co-Chair: Celeste Brown, Parent Liaison: Lynne Crockett
Your name, school(s) and what brought you to the meeting tonight.

DISCUSSION TOPICS:
Turnaround Schools process – Steve Dibb, MN Department of Education
 Choices have now been made about what to do to raise achievement in the turnaround schools.    Steve Dibb from the State of Minnesota will explain what led to this process and answer parent questions. A representative from the district will be there to explain how the decisions were reached.

Parent Liaisions - Snapshot of parent involvement opportunities at Area A schools. Come share with us what your school is doing to allow parents to get involved in the school and connect with other parents.

Food and childcare provided.

We're saving a seat for you!

We thank You and our Parent Liaisons for joining us.

Audubon Park Spring WingDing this Weekend!

Audubon Neighborhood Association invites you to its annual community festival honoring our urban ecology.  Enjoy food, fun, games, and to meet like-minded folks who cherish the environment we share. The event will be held on Saturday, April 24th, 11am–2pm, at Audubon Park, 29th Ave. and Buchanan St. NE and will offer a variety of activities for both kids and grown-ups. Stop by anytime; the WingDing will be held rain or shine!

Activities will include:

• Bird tours with Audubon Society experts at 10:00 and 11:15 am
• Making bird feeders with the 4-H kids and the Eastside Food Co-op
• Making environmentally-safe household cleaner with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization
• Carnival games and an inflatable castle for kids
• Fun activities with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• Info on making your home more energy efficient
• A performance by the Northeast Middle School band
• Pizza from local restaurant Amici

Bye Bye Birdie at Edison This Weekend!

MPS headquarters vote rescheduled

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis Board of Education’s planned vote on proposals for new administrative headquarters, initially scheduled for today, April 13, has been rescheduled for April 27.

“We thank the community for its patience as we continue educating the public about the three proposals that the board is considering,” said Superintendent Bill Green. “Two additional public informational meetings will be scheduled over the next two weeks for members of the public who were unable to attend earlier meetings.”

Details about informational meeting times, dates and locations will be publicized and posted at www.mpls.k12.mn.us when they are available.

Currently, MPS operates administrative offices in four buildings: 807 NE Broadway, Webster, 1250 W Broadway and the Lehmann Center. The new headquarters proposals right-size the amount of administrative space to the number of employees, reducing administrative office space from 633,000 square feet to 275,000. Consolidating space into one facility will save approximately $10 million over the next three decades and provide administrative staff with an appropriate place to work.

The three proposals to be reviewed at the rescheduled meeting include:

• 1250 West Broadway: New build-to-suit structure for District Headquarters/Welcome Center. The proposal includes a partial renovation of the former Anishinabe building at 2225 East Lake St. for Welcome Center/Community Ed/Adult Basic Education. (This satellite option could be part of the 807 renovation as well.)

• 807 NE Broadway (current headquarters): Full renovation of existing district administration building

• 11th Avenue & 3rd Street South (Valspar Building): Lease of an existing single tenant office building with parking ramp