Agenda: January 25, 2010

Monday, January 25, 2010
6:30 - 8:00 pm
Edison Media Center

What’s Happening at Our Schools—Representatives from each school (Edison, NE Middle, Sheridan, Marcy, Pillsbury, & Waite Park) will provide a brief update (50-60 mn)

* Key activities/initiatives/changes this year
* Challenges & concerns
* Ways PEN can help (1-3 wishes/needs)

MPS Board Update: School Board Director, Jill Davis— (10-20 mns.)

* Changing school options
* New schools initiatives

Other Issues—(5 mns.)

* Should we revisit the idea of a community theatre initiative?

Next PEN Meeting:
Monday, February 22, 2010
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Edison Media Center

TOPIC: Athletic Opportunities for NE Kids

Winter Warm-Up Fundraiser for Northeast Middle School

Thursday, January 21, 7:00 - 11:00 pm
Rushford Hall, 2223 Central Ave NE
$25 (tax deductable)

...to benefit NEMS Theatre program! Now in its’ 3rd year, this growing program has doubled its productions and student participation. A record 75 students expressed interest in being involved with the musical, making it one of the most popular after school activities. This year we will produce both a play and musical, involving over 100 students on and back stage.

The Fall Play, The Odyssey, showcased students’ ability to tell a moving story from one of the oldest pieces of classical literature. The musical, Seussical Jr. takes us to the other end of the spectrum to the colorful and imaginative world of Dr. Seuss.

While the theatre program enjoys support from staff, volunteers and community support, it still takes money. Middle School needs to raise $10,000 to make this opportunity a reality for it’s’ students.

We are pleased to announce our Headline Entertainment, Whiskey Mondays, NEMS staff member Sean Baldwin’s American Band!

Doors open at 7:00, Silent Auction bidding closes at 9:00. Donations are still being accepted for Food & Beverage and Silent Auction items. Please contact Kimberlee Adams 612-668-1483 for more information.

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.

Thomas Edison High School is now an official International Baccalaureate World School!  Edison has received their official authorization certificate from the International Baccalaureate Home Office in Geneva, Switzerland for the 11th and 12th grade Diploma Programmme. 

Edison currently has 12 teachers trained in the IB Diploma Programme and they are incorporating IB methodology into their current classes.  Edison staff are in the process of recruiting 10th grade students to be included in the 2010-11 official first class. 

To learn more, please visit the official IB website at http://www.ibo.org/school/004851/

Northeast Middle School's Fall Play: The Odyssey

The Northeast Middle School Fall Play, The Odyssey, showcased students’ ability to tell a moving story from one of the oldest pieces of classical literature.  The upcoming Gala Fundraiser will benefit the NEMS Theater Program, which has become increasingly active and popular among students at the school.  

NEMS Winter Warm-Up Fundraiser will be held on January 21, 7:00 pm at Rushford Hall (Italian-American Club), 2223 Central Ave. NE.  Tickets are $25 (tax deductable) and will be available at the door.

Wondering what all the talk about CSO is about?

Changing School Options (CSO) is a Minneapolis Public Schools initiative that creates three regional zones for transportation.  The North/Northeast area of Minneapolis is in Zone 1.  (Maps are available on the MPS website under "Transitioning for 2010-11").  With the exception of a few citywide options, students will attend an elementary, middle and high school in their zone.  This three zone transportation model reduces transportation costs, retains choice for families since each one offers at least three magnet options in addition to a community school and allows students to attend schools closer to home.

Each zone will offer K-8 students access to the following magnet programs:  International Baccalaureate (IB:  Elizabeth Hall & Northeast Middle School) ; Teaching philosophy:  Open or Montessori (Open: Marcy); Spanish Dual Immersion (Emerson); Curricular:  Arts and Science (Arts: Sheridan).  Each zone will offer 9-12 students access to comprehensive high school programming. Edison and Henry are the community highs schools for Zone 1.

Families with children enrolled in a citywide special education or English Language Learner program will continue to receive transportation across zones.  Based on the state's open enrollment law, families still have the option to enroll at any school in the city provided there is space available and they provide their own transportation.  Students currently attending magnet, middle or high schools outside of their home attendance area or zone will have the option of grandfathering, or being guaranteed a seat in their current school, but must provide their own transportation.

For more information:  Transitions office - 612.668.0478.  Zone 1 parent contacts:  DPAC Area A Chairs, Todd Bennington (Waite Park) and Celeste Brown (Parkview), and Zone 1 Community Liaison, Lynne Crockett.

Each month parents of all Zone 1 schools are invited to attend the Zone 1 (Area A) Parent Advisory Council Meeting.  These meetings are held to share current information about District issues and policies as well as to collect ideas and concerns from parents to take to the District at DPAC meetings. Area A meetings are the third Wednesday of every month at a different Area A school each month.  The next meeting will be at Parkview on January 27, 2010.  Please check the DPAC Meeting Schedule website for the dates and locations of future Area A meetings  (the February meeting will be at Waite Park).

New Year's Eve Fun for a Great Cause!

89.3 The Current and Vega Productions Present:

2010: The Year We Make Contact -

A Benefit for the Music Programs at Edison High School in Minneapolis

Marriott City Center Grand Ballroom

12.31.2009 

An evening of music and entertainment featuring...

Solid Gold
Freddie Fresh
Heatbox
The Histronic

Massive light show, aerial performers, live performance painters and a balloon drop at midnight!

Doors:  7 pm
Show:  9 pm
18+

General Admission Tickets: $25
VIP: $75 or FREE with approved instrument donation
*trade used instruments for VIP passes at any Schmitt Music location

VIP includes: complimentary horderves, champagne and beer, meet-and-greet with Solid Gold, special late night after party with DJ Freddy Fresh (1 am - 2 am), and more!

To purchase tickets online, click HERE

For more information, click HERE