Lady Tommies Tournament Begins Thursday, March 3, 7pm @ Edison!

Elementary Night @ Lady Tommies Basketball Feb. 18 7:00 pm

Attention, Future Tommies!

DON'T MISS YOUR NIGHT OF FUN AT THOMAS EDISON HIGH SCHOOL!

February 18th

Elementary School Night

We hope you'll plan to join us for this exciting Lady Tommies basketball game!

We've got lots of fun things planned for all of our Future Tommies including musical performances, a dance competition, cheering, and a Fan of the Game competition, just to make it a little bit more fun.

ALL KIDS GET IN FREE!

BELONG. BELIEVE. BECOME.

Middle School Night @ Lady Tommie Basketball Game, 1/27, 7 pm

Middle School Night!

at Lady Tommie Basketball Game

Thursday, January 27, 7:00pm

Edison vs. Patrick Henry

Edison Gym

700 22^nd Avenue NE

Come cheer on the defending sub-section 4AA champs!

Eastside Minneapolis Middle School Students get in for free! 

(regular admission $6/adults, $4students, free/children under 7)

Performances by the Edison Band and the Edison Alumni Band.

Middle school students: Win a TV with half court shot!

Compete to be “Fan of the Game.”

Sightings of Eastside Middle School Celebrities likely!

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

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

Minutes: February 22, 2010

Attendees: Dean DeGroot (NEMS), Stephanie Ollila (Edison), Larry Umphrey (Waite Park/Audubon Park), Huy Nguyen (NE Park), Marcia Thomas (Pillsbury/NEMS), Sara Ackmann (Parks/Rec), Alita Bergan (Waite Park Community Council), Jill Davis (NEMS, MPS School Board), Liz Wielinski (Park Board), Jenny Arneson (Waite Park), Chris Aarseth (Edison), Mike Iacarella (Edison), Sarah Larson (Audubon Park Neighborhood), Kris Solz (NEMS/Edison), Bridget Altmann (Marcy/Edison), Troy Wellington (Edison), Shaun Wakaruk (Parks Wrestling), Jamison Rusthoven (Edison), John Washington (MPS District), Mandy Larson (Edison), Tammy Rusnacko (Waite Park), Angie Powell (NEMS), Kimberlee Adams (NEMS), Debbie Nelson (NEMS), Kurt Nowacki (Edison), Shannon McDonough (City Council Aide), Kevin Reich (NEMS/City Council Member), Laura Ericksen-White (Pillsbury), and Paul Werni (Waite Park/Parks Wrestling)

Jenny Arneson led a discussion on sports in NE as a follow-up to last Spring’s initial meeting on the subject.

The goal was to address sports competitiveness and gaps in offerings, with participants who were provided key questions to address. Ideas to fill these gaps were brainstormed, with special focus on middle years sports opportunities.

• What has been accomplished in the effort to fill the sports gap?
• What needs to be done, and how can we work to accomplish our goals?
• How can K-8 fit within the middle school/high school partnership?
• How can the Parks best help kids make the transition to competitive or high school sports?
• How can the community assist with the recruitment, publicity, and funding needed to make NE athletic pathways thrive?

Paul Werni said that the youth wrestling team (Minneapolis United Team) was recently involved in an individual competition at the gopher state tourney—NYAF. Kids from all over Minneapolis competed with various teams outside of the city and metro. At this point, competition is relegated mostly to one league. Paul reported that currently there are 15-20 kids from NE; some clubs/leagues have over 130 kids; most practices have been held at Edison. There is a desire to have a central location in NE, with more opportunities for competitive matches. The United Team has kids that go thru 6th grade. Minneapolis Park & Rec. can provide wrestling through 7 & 8th grades. Efforts are underway to attempt to get wrestling facilities at NE Middle School (NEMS).

According to one coach, kids can join HS teams from 7th grade onward. If wrestling occurs at NEMS, the team will need to join a league (probably outside of Minneapolis). A transition is needed for wrestling at the middle school ages—same age group competition. Middle School wrestling in the parks hasn’t seemed to work in the past. The sentiment is that if no competitive wrestling is in place, a number of wrestlers will choose to leave MPS. There is an information void about these opportunities. Some kids get brochures/etc., while others lack the information. Kimberlee Adams said NEMS is interested in having a wrestling program. Space could be made available in the cafeteria and sometimes in the gym; transportation costs would likely be covered by NEMS and possibly expenses for uniforms, but details still need to be sorted out. What other costs exist?

Deb Nelson reported that a few NEMS students are playing at the HS level to get competitive sports. How can we get separate teams so they can get same-age, challenging competition? Games played in middle school occur right after school; Parks/Rec. games occur in the evening. What may work for one sport may not work for another because of the scheduling and facility differences between sports. For example, there are limited swimming facilities: NEMS has a pool; the University of MN provides opportunities for 6th/7th graders, but it can be an expensive option. There is the need for trained staff, i.e., liability issues, and there are start time differences between sports.

Mike Iacarella mentioned the issue of park identity. Everything is spread out and no one knows where/what sports are offered at the various parks. Park Identity also plays out in terms of funding issues (e.g. Bottineau Boosters only want to fund Logan Park). Larry Umphrey told of efforts to establish several “pots" - districts that funnel kids towards Edison. Having certain parks specializing in certain sports during the seasons will enable the community to know where to go. Also, pooling kids from several parks for one sport (e.g., Upper NE Soccer) will also allow for viable teams to be created.

Laura Ericksen-White said that her local park (Windom) has been a wonderful skating rink, but it is no longer available. She was concerned that with the early closing of the rink, nearby kids will skate at St. Anthony. This is a problem, because it opens the door to kids/families exploring other options there for hockey. Larry mentioned that there are cost issues in keeping the rinks open after President's Day. Sara Ackmann stated that this will change next year. What’s the cost to keep rink open for 2 more weeks? Is this an expense that parents/organizations could cover?

Kevin Reich questioned how could we ensure resources at Parks. Perhaps there could be plans to better manage the resources? Jill Davis stated that a Middle School Sports group existed in the past. We need a NE Sports Collaborative—looking at collaborative efforts for pooling resources. Community Foundations also need to be explored. Jill stated the she recently spoke with the CEO of Graco, who is an Edison graduate, and their foundation funds sports. Kevin added that Graco is currently funding some sports efforts, but not in any systematic fashion. Perhaps we need a clearinghouse to provide this structure. Laura mentioned that parents who work at Graco can get $1000 scholarships if they volunteer for any nonprofit. Finally, Jill mentioned that Dick Mammen (MPRB) is willing to host a kick-off lunch to get something going on this topic.

Kurt Nowacki posed the following question: Can Edison Sports Foundation form a subcommittee to allot money to local sports?

Jenny asked if Bottineau Boosters Club could expand their focus. Mike wondered who to talk with there? Bernie Kunza? Dick Anderson? Gold Brick Club? We need sponsoring for teams/shirts. Lion’s Club needs to get back on track—fund NE and not St. Anthony.

Kimberlee believes that Parks & Rec sports should not compete with local school teams. Better coordinated efforts need to take place to prevent this.

Deb Nelson mentioned that kids at the schools are from all over the city, not just NE and North.

Tammy Rusnacko supported the efforts of having programs for fun vs. competition. But for those kids who want to be on competitive sports teams, the community needs to provide options. If competitive teams start younger, these athletes will be competitive in high school. What programs are going to make that happen?

Kimberlee stated that in order to build these strong programs, one needed strong parent involvement with funding.

John Washington stated that the MPS City Conference website captures the whole season of high school sports—which can be useful for parents. http://www.mplscity.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=6

When asked about linking to this site, John said that it would be expensive to add a link to other sports team sites.

Liz Wielinski mentioned that the Minneapolis Park & Rec. Board was having new IT developed, which will enable consumers to see what is happening at each field. It will then be easier to tell what is going on city-wide. It is uncertain when this site will be ready to go.

Dean DeGroot believes in the value of developing of “coaches clinics” through community education. If 1-2 classes were offered each quarter throughout the year, it would provide training for community members who may be more willing to coach amateur sports as well as provide a way of linking families with kids to the various sports offerings in the community.

Jamison Rusthoven has a vision of the Edison gym as more of a community gym, opened 24/7/365. He needs help finding ways to utilize it and staff it. He mentioned that his coaches at Edison are very motivated to be involved in the community. They are also open to conducting coaches’ clinics. John mentioned tapping into the Hennepin Youth Sports Foundation—dollars from Twin’s Stadium sources—tap into this, since money is being offered to local sports initiatives.

Mike believes there needs to be more involvement with The Northeaster—coverage of more local sports information. St. Anthony/New Brighton has their own newspaper. Marcia Thomas also stated that there are online options for covering sports. Marcia added that Pillsbury School offers cross-country skiing classes. Skis are donated. This could provide a link to middle school youth.

Key Sports Issues and Action Items:

• Funding: coordinating with organizations.
• Coordination between school, park, and community.
• Need a central sports information website with updated schedules. Who are the contacts? HS schedules are currently available, but not other levels of sports.
• Form a committee, which will report to PEN on a quarterly basis.

NE Sports Committee:

Chris Aarseth

Sarah Ackmann

Kimberlee Adams

Jenny Arneson

Jill Davis

Laura Erickson-White

Kurt Nowacki

Angie Powell

Tammy Rusnacko

Jamison Rusthoven

Kris Solz

Marcia Thomas

Larry Umphrey

Paul Werni

Liz Wielinski

Next PEN Meeting: Monday, March 15, 6:30 pm @ Edison Media Center

Agenda items: Sheridan Arts Work Group update, Special Ed./CSO Transitions Report (SEAC Rep.), Friends of NE Youth non-profit formation

Lady Tommies Varsity Basketball Team Plays in Region 4AA Tournament!

March 6, 2010, 7:00 pm

Congratulations to Thomas Edison High School’s Girls’ Basketball Team for being the number #1 seed in the West Subsection bracket of the Region 4AA Tournament.  We will host only ONE home game for the play-offs (the semi-final game).  The game will be played here at Thomas Edison High School on Saturday March 6th at 7 pm.  We will be playing either Blake or Columbia Heights.

Show your Tommie Spirit and cheer our team onto vicotry!  There will be face painting and prizes will be given away, including the chance to win a 42” flat screen plasma TV.  This is a game that you will not want to miss!

Lady Tommies Coach Charlita Williamson wins Coach of the Year Award!
Congratulations Charlita for being selected as coach of the year for the Girls’ Basketball Minneapolis conference.  She was nominated by her colleagues for her effortless work on building and leading our Lady Tommie Basketball program.

 

PEN Meeting Monday February 22, 6:30 - 8:00 pm @ Edison

Last May we met to discuss Sports opportunities for NE youth, both through the public schools and through the parks. Our primary take-away from the meeting was that there exists a gap in competitive sports programming for our kids at the middle school level.

One of the great accomplishments of last year's meeting was providing a place for major stakeholders of this discussion to meet and brainstorm. We want to continue this conversation – we know a main issue is the middle school gap and we want this meeting to be a forum of ideas to address that problem. The discussion will include:

· An introduction of new stakeholders. For example, new NEMS athletic directors

· What has been accomplished in the effort to fill the sports gap?

· What needs to be done to introduce new options for sports still struggling with Middle School gaps?

· How can our local K-8 schools fit within the middle school/high school partnership?

· How can the community assist with the recruitment, publicity, and funding needed to make NE athletic pathways thrive?

This will be the only agenda topic for this month's meeting. It's a big topic and we are dedicated to ending the meeting on time (8:00 pm)! If you have anything to add to this conversation, but do not think you'll be able to attend this meeting, please contact Jenny Arneson either via email (arneson.jenny@gmail.com) or phone (612-789-2697).

Thomas Edison High School Fundraiser

It's a Home Game! 

Pre-Game starts at 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

Boys' Varsity Basketball - Edison vs. Southwest

Bring your friends, family and neighbors!!!

Adults $6.50, studetns $4.50 and children 7 and under are free!

Attractions

Watch an action-packed basketball game while supporting Zone 1 schools (half of your ticket price will be donated to the Zone 1 school of your choice)

Chance to win a 42" flat screen plasma TV by making the half court shot

Chance to win gift certificates for the Modern Cafe, sen yai sen lek, Lily's and Marino's by making a 3 point shot

Performances by Edison's Dance Team, Rock Band and Drum Line

Half-time to be MC'd by Kevin Reich, Edison class of '85 and Ward 1 City Councilman

Special pre-game performance by the Edison Alumni Band

Game kick-off with Dan Kuch's trumpet rendition of the Star Spangled Banner

Other opportunities to win prizes, get your face painted and rub elbows with local celebrities!

Edison Basketball Fundraiser for All Zone 1 Schools!

Would you like to have a chance to win a 36” (maybe even larger) flat screen T.V? Come join in the fun while supporting your neighborhood schools by attending the following basketball games:

Mark your calendars:

Tuesday, January 19th at 7:00pm: Girls’ Varsity vs. Henry at Thomas Edison High School

Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00pm: Boys’ Varsity vs. Southwest at Thomas Edison High School.

Half the cost of your ticket goes towards Thomas Edison High School and the other half of your ticket goes to the school of your choice in Zone 1.

There will be quite a show during half-time. Come see the Thomas Edison dance team and see our very own robot deliver the basketball for the half court shot that, if made successfully, the winner will get a new flat screen T.V. Other prizes will be given away throughout the evening.

These are two games that you will not want to miss! Bring your family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who would like to join us for these action packed evenings.

Edison Football Team Rakes for Waite Park

Last spring, Heather Tracey attended Waite Park Community School's Spring Fundraiser - "Wine & Dine 2009" - an evening Gala, including a buffet dinner contributed by numerous Northeast restaurants, live entertainment, a meat raffle, and a huge Silent Auction.  Ms. Tracey bid on and won the Edison Football team's contribution to the event: a day of leaf-raking in the Fall.

Thanks to the Edison Football Team for this generous contribution to Waite Park Community School.  It's partnerships like this that make our Northeast community and school pathways strong!

Vikings' Greenway, Dairy Council Tackle Childhood Obesity

Northeast Middle School was on televised NEWS again, when Chad Greenway visited to talk to students about the importance of keeping fit and eating right.  Kicking off the school's Fuel Up and Play 60 program, the Minnesota Viking even inspired the middle school teachers to break out dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies" for the kids.  Another article about the event, printed in the Farmer, highlighted the school's proactive stance against childhood obesity.  Northeast Middle School does it again, with ground-breaking programming for our middle schoolers!

Edison Football Team hosts Clinic at Waite Park

Earlier this summer, the Edison football team hosted a clinic for elementary-aged kids at the high school football field. It was a big success, so another clinic has been scheduled. This one will be at Waite Park, and is open to any NE kid who is interested in learing some football skills.

Thursday, July 30 (6:30-8:00) for kids going into 3^rd-8^th grade.

Hosted by the Edison Football Team. Clinic will be held outside on the football field at Waite Park.

To register e-mail Larry at lumphrey@minneapolisparks.org or call Waite Park Recreation Center at 612-370-4959.

IT'S FREE.

Athletic Opportunity for NE Students

One of the primary focus topics on the 2008-2009 PEN calendar was about athletic opportunities for NE students. Together, we identified a gap in what was offered by the schools and the Parks/Rec Centers at around the upper elementary/middle school age range. This lack of competitive sports offerings prior to the beginning of Edison's wide range of high school athletics seemed to be the cause of many NE families choosing to look outside of the neighborhood for more competitive athletic opportunities. Jenny Arneson has been searching out ways to fill this gap and has found a fantastic opportunity for soccer players.

Minneapolis United Soccer Club (MU) operates a city-wide soccer program that allows kids to expand their soccer playing experience. This group is for soccer players who are looking to play soccer beyond the Parks/Rec opportunities or NE/SE soccer.

Teams determine their own practice location, but play games in many locations throughout the city. Try-outs are happening now for the younger ages!

Thanks, Jenny!

K - 8 Football Clinic at Edison

The first Edison Tommie Football Clinic was a success. Thirty-six K - 8th grade kids attended on a hot afternoon, ready to learn some football skills and have a good time with Edison Football coaches and players. The clinic started with the players leading a stretch and agility run. The kids then got to take a water break just like the Edison players. Some of the kids were too short and Edison players had to lift them at the watering trough.

After the water break, the young athletes moved through six skill stations that focused on the various aspects of football. After the skills work, the kids played flag football games, with three different games taking place at once. The last ten minutes of the clinic concluded with hot dogs and chips for the kids, staff, and parents. Each person attending the clinic received an Edison Football T-Shirt. The clinic was a huge success, and we look forward to doubling our numbers next year.

Mike Minnema
Eidson High School Football Coach

PEN Minutes: 5/18/09

Attendees: Dean DeGroot, Carla Steinbach, Ann England, Jenny Arneson, Mandy Larson, Jenn Bennington, Mike Iacarella, John Vandermyde, Mike Minnema, John Washington, Bridget Altmann, Jamison Rusthoven, Kevin Reich, Charlita Williamson, Gretchen Tate, Julia Janousek, Penny Hinderaker, Kris Solz, Larry Umphrey, Tammy Rusnacko, Kurt Nowacki, Lloyd Winfield, Paul Werni, Shaun Wakarek, Liz Wielinski

Community Theater Initiative:

Macy Ashby couldn't make it tonight, but is willing to be a leader in the community theater initiative sub-committee.

Carla Steinbach, Edison Principal, is in the midst of putting together an Arts Council at Edison. She has a contact at Perpich that is working with her, but she would also like names of people that would good for her to contact in that regard. Please email suggestions to Carla at: carla.steinbach@mpls.k12.mn.us

Rod Nelson volunteered at our last meeting to put together a list of theater activities currently existing at NE schools. He has received information from Edison, Northeast Middle, and Waite Park, but not heard from Pillsbury or Sheridan. Representatives from those schools, please email Rod at: lerone01@comcast.net

Julia Janousek, who is a Marcy Open parent, provided the name of Marcy's parent liasian and Jenn Bennington will follow up with him to receive information about Marcy for Rod, and for the PEN blogsite in general.

John Vandermyde mentioned that Dave Larson, at the Guthrie, could bring something to the community theater group. John will provide Dave's contact information to Carla.

Laura McQuiston, a Pillsbury parent who attended our last meeting, is interested in being part of Community Theater Initiative sub-committee as well.

Community Theater Initiative Sub-Committee Leaders:

Macy Ashby - macyashby@hotmail.com

Laura McQuiston - Laura.McQuiston@anoka.k12.mn.us

Bridget Altmann - bridget.altmann@mpls.k12.mn.us

Changing School Options (CSO) Update:

The school board asked district to figure out attendance boundaries prior to deciding about school changes, and to focus the CSO recommendations on closing the achievement gap. Dean DeGroot stated that now is the time to advocate for a vision for this region of the city. We have fewer schools in NE than the rest of the city. The only real feeder into Edison is Northeast Middle School (NEMS) and many of those kids choose to go to Henry in order to follow the IB program. Edison has fewer paths leading to it than any other high school in the city. In this regard, the last set of recommendations presented to the board appeared to be setting up Edison to fail. How can we plug more kids into Edison so that it can grow, thrive, & provide a well-rounded education that is attractive to local residents? This is a good time to gather ideas, Sheridan was left a "TBD" magnet school, with the NE community to provide input as to what sort of a school Sheridan will become. Right now, Sheridan has a Global Arts focus which serves primarily residents of North rather than Northeast. Providing greater connections and pathways between Sheridan and Edison are needed.

Jenny Arneson and Tammy Rusnacko pointed out that families in North need to be part of the conversation about Sheridan's future. Sheridan is a K-8 that has not been "pathed" to any specific high school in the city. Northeast residents tend to head to South HS from Sheridan. Tammy mentioned that busing changes could effect kids at Sheridan in that most of them will not end up at Edison because 70% of them live in North Minneapolis. Conversations need to happen with both Sheridan and Marcy Open about pathways to Edison.

Julia Janousek, a Marcy parent, said that the Edison Arts Council is a good idea, and will pair well with the Northeast community, Sheridan & Marcy. The Marcy Arts Partnership would also be a good contact for Edison's Arts Council. With NE Minneapolis having the only designated Arts District in the city, and Edison being the closest high school to it, art avenues would appear to be a great connection.

Kevin Reich commented that parents of younger children are the easier to talk with about their eventual high school destination (Edison vs. South) from Marcy Open. Linking the programs with extra-curricular opportunities will make the decision a simple one.

Tammy said that strengthening attendance boundaries, however, may be the only way to change a school's reputation and culture - once people enter the school and discover the reality of it rather than the rumors, its reputation changes. She pointed to the changing perception of Washburn High as an example. Dean DeGroot brought up the idea of conducting a survey about high school options of Northeast students, specifically focusing on the importance of curricular and extra-curricular offerings in making school choices.

John Washington, Director of Athletics for MPS, stated that a student survey is already done every three years about athletics. The results will be made available to PEN.

Sports in Northeast Discussion:

Jenny Arneson facilitated a discussion about what athletics pathways currently exist in Northeast, and where there might be gaps in these pathways. The challenge that presents itself is that we loose kids to St. Anthony because of what is seen as increased vigor at a young age. There seems to be a conflict between participatory and competitive programs, Minneapolis Park & Recreation focusing more on the former.

Paul Werni spoke up about wrestling as an excellent example: The Park/Rec programs can be limited because athletes end up competing against the same kids over and over. Maybe a "united" team that could compete against other teams and would raise competition and retain kids in the city? Northeast park/rec programs tend to loose kids at about age 11/12 because St. Anthony Middle School has a wrestling program, and Northeast Middle School does not.

John Washington explained there is no more funding from the sports commission, which is why we have trouble maintaining or starting middle school teams.

It was largely agreed by representatives of athletic programming that the Parks/Rec programs are a great way to get kids started in sports, as participatory programs. However, kids want to compete at a more advanced level in the schools, so we must create a pyramid-style pathway for those opportunities to exist withing the community. It may seem that we loose kids when they begin middle school, but actually 4th/5th grade is when we begin to loose them because they begin to look ahead to sports and school pathways at that age. St. Anthony has a clear pathway for those kids in a variety of sports, and NE Minneapolis does not. This table shows some of the sports currently available in NE and where there appears to be a gap/break in the logical pathway for students:

Sport	Pre-K (age 3-4)	Early Elementary (age 5-7)	Middle Elementary (age 8-11)	Middle School (age 12-14)	High School (age 15 - 18)
Wrestling		Park/Rec	Park/Rec		Edison
Hockey	Association	Park/Rec Association	Park/Rec (small) Association	Park/Rec	Park/Rec Combined school team
Soccer	Park/Rec	Park/Rec NE/SE	Park/Rec NE/SE	Park/Rec NE/SE	Park/Rec Edison
Football		Park/Rec (flag)	Park/Rec (?)	Park/Rec (?) NEMS	Park/Rec (?) Edison
Baseball		Park/Rec	Park/Rec NE Boosters	Park/Rec NE Boosters NEMS	Park/Rec NE Boosters Edison
Softball			Park/Rec	Park/Rec NEMS	Park/Rec Edison
Track/CC	Hosp. House*	Hosp. House*	Hosp. House* Park/Rec	Hosp. House* Park/Rec	Hosp. House* Edison
Tennis		Park/Rec	Park/Rec	Park/Rec Edison	Park/Rec Edison
Basketball	Park/Rec	Park/Rec	Park/Rec	Park/Rec NEMS	Park/Rec Edison
Volleyball			Park/Rec	NEMS	Edison

*Hospitality House Youth Directions, Inc. is a non-profit, church-based organization in North Minneapolis that offers competitive athletic opportunities for neighborhood youth.

Lloyd Winfield said that right now they in the process of hiring a new athletic director at NEMS.

Jamison Rusthoven talked about how Edison is adding athletic opportunities and he is working to create the same type of successful program in the NE community as the one he put together at Southwest High School and that neighborhood. The marketing of Edison's athletic offerings will begin next year.

Mandy Larson pointed out that student athletes can create coaching connections through the parks, and that her tennis players at Edison have done so already. Getting older students into elementary schools makes a big impact.

It was decided that middle school age is site of the main gaps, where we need more parent involvement. NEMS and Edison athletic directors need to know where to recruit, so would like a list of what is happening around Area A when it comes to athletics.

ACTION ITEMS:

- Identify who is doing what with athletics. Jenny Areneson will collect names and contact information of coaches/athletic directors from all sports. Please email this information to her at: thearnesons@att.net

- John Washington will get survey data to Dean DeGroot.

- Mike Iacarella and John Vandemyde said that Edison Sports Foundation could produce funding for mailing/marketing purposes regarding NE athletics.

- Jamison Rusthoven will use the information gathered by Jenny to make connections with existing programs so that Northeast student athletes will only see one path: the path to Edison.

- Attend the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board meeting at Bottineau Park on June 3, 5:30 pm. See attached flyer for more details.

PEN needs your help! A few people are needed to step up and get involved with the planning process and commit to a role of leader. If you are on this e-mail list, you must have a passion for NE schools. Keep our efforts strong and get involved! Contact Dean about your interest: 612-789-9596 or email: deand@visi.com

“Fun & Events Calendar”: Each school will provide a listing of musical, sport, theatrical, and other fun events on one master calendar for the community. This listing of activities will now be both emailed on the present email list (over 215 names) as well as on Facebook and our blogsite: http://publicedne.blogspot.com/ . We are also asking each school to link to this blogsite from their individual school websites. Jenn Bennington is our wonderful webmaster. She can be contacted at: jbennington@gmail.com . If there’s an experience worth sharing, we’ll send it out ASAP!

Future Considerations/next meeting:

PEN will meet on Monday, June 15 at 6:30 – 8 PM, location TBA. The agenda: Changing School Options: NE Area Academic Needs. We’re hoping to have Bernadeia Johnson and other Chiefs and Area Superintendents available.

Agenda: May 18 Meeting

Welcome/Introductions: 5 minutes (All)

Enhancing Sports Opportunities in Northeast Schools: Please join MPS Director, John Washington, Edison coaches and AD, Park & Rec. representatives, and other Sports Boosters (youth hockey, wrestling, and others). Jenny & Dean (50-60 minutes)

Specifically, we hope to accomplish by the end of the meeting:

What pathways currently exist and where are the gaps.

At what level do we move from fundamental to competitive? How do we balance the need for both.

How can community boosters connect with all of NE.

How can we make sure all families are aware of sport options.

Look at Community Theatre options: Follow-up (5-10 mns.)

Changing School Options: Advocating for equity and excellence: Jenny & Dean (15 mn)

Announcements: (5 mn)

• Area A Meetings

Future Considerations/next meeting: Possible speaker: Bernadeia Johnson, Deputy Superintendent, MPS

Time: June 15, 2009: Location TBD: 6:30 – 8:00