MEA Basketball Camp for kids ages 5-14

Edison High School Goes Solar

Minneapolis/St. Paul – CBS EcoMedia Inc. (“EcoMedia”) and Boston Scientific unveiled today a solar project on the gymnasium rooftop at Thomas Edison High School.  The solar photovoltaic system is designed as an educational tool for students, teachers, and administrators and is the first environmental project to be funded as a result of Boston Scientific’s participation in EcoMedia’s ‘EcoAd’ program, which was launched in January.  As a launch partner Boston Scientific purchased advertising on local CBS stations featuring the EcoAd leaf, meaning the Boston Scientific ads would be tied to tangible improvements to communities and the environment.

On hand for the unveiling were Bernadeia Johnson, Superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, Carla Steinbach, Principal of Thomas Edison High School, Susan Thompson, Chief Legal Counsel – Cardiac, Rhythm and Vascular, Boston Scientific, Brien Kennedy, WCCO-TV Vice President and General Manager and Paul Polizzotto, President & Founder, EcoMedia.

The rooftop solar photovoltaic system has been installed on the roof of the gymnasium and is being coordinated as part of a major energy efficiency retrofit in the Minneapolis Public Schools.   It is designed to give students a hands-on learning tool to understand the science of solar energy as part of the broader earth and climate science curricula. The solar impacts of the installation will reduce the cost of electrical consumption, reduce CO2 annually by an estimated 3,000 pounds, and result in annual cost savings.

“We are pleased that Boston Scientific and EcoMedia decided to invest in a solar project with Minneapolis Public Schools,” said Bernadeia Johnson, Superintendent of Schools.  “This project is significant because it provides an opportunity for Thomas Edison to expand its science curriculum to include solar energy and supports one of our key values which is to be environmentally sustainable.”

The EcoAd program provides advertisers, such as Boston Scientific, with the option of purchasing "socially responsible media" that will deliver added value beyond traditional advertising.  With the purchase of every EcoAd package, a portion of the dollars spent goes directly toward funding environmental and clean energy projects, all of which have been identified by local municipalities and public entities as being critical, yet under-funded.  EcoAd advertising packages are available across CBS platforms, including network, local television, radio, outdoor and online.

“Boston Scientific is committed to bettering the communities in which we live and do business. Our support of the EcoMedia project at Thomas Edison High School is just one example of our ongoing effort to protect the environment,” said Susan Thompson, Chief Legal Counsel – Cardiac, Rhythm and Vascular, Boston Scientific. “This project also provides us an opportunity to further advance science and math education in the local school district, another area we support through our corporate citizenship platform.”

All EcoAds advertisements feature the EcoAd leaf which is a visible indicator that the brand is sponsoring important, local environmental projects such as solar installations, energy efficiency retrofits or the ‘greening” of schools, affordable housing and municipal buildings.   “At EcoMedia, our mission is to create healthy communities nationwide; that can’t be done without including children and youth in our efforts,” said EcoMedia founder and president Paul Polizzotto. “Obviously, the next generation deserves a clean environment and green space in which to play and exercise.  But in addition, children need to know the importance of environmental stewardship.  Those values are learned at home, in the community, and at school and we are proud and gratified that the Boston Scientific solar project will help to bring those critical lessons to the students of Thomas Edison High School.  We are grateful to Boston Scientific for the commitment they are making to their community as well as the investment towards improving the quality of life for generations to come.”

Planning for Changing Enrollment in Northeast Minneapolis 

Please attend a community meeting to learn more about enrollment changes in northeast Minneapolis and a proposed enrollment strategy for Sheridan Arts Magnet.

The enrollment proposal for fall 2012 is to make Sheridan a PreK-5 Arts Magnet School with Northeast Middle School as the 6-8 pathway. This program change will increase PreK-5 capacity to address the enrollment increase in the Pillsbury and Waite Park attendance areas.

When: Monday, October 17, 2011
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Where: Northeast Middle school
2955 Hayes Street NE, Minneapolis 55418

Childcare (children over 3 years) and
Spanish and Somali translation provided.

Background Enrollment Information available at: http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/enrollment_planning.html

Students and Staff at Pillsbury Unveil Redesigned Library!

Target and The Heart of America Foundation provided new books, furniture, eco-friendly design and more!

Staff and students from Pillsbury Community School, along with The Heart of America Foundation and Target volunteers, on September 28 celebrated the unveiling of an all-new school library.  After the makeover, the library at Pillsbury Elementary features 2,000 new books, eco-friendly design elements, a complete technology upgrade, as well as new furniture, carpet and shelves.

To commemorate the special occasion, students and staff participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony. After the event, each student and his or her sibling(s) received seven books to take home! As part of the library makeover, Target also launched a Target Meals for Minds school-based food pantry, which allowed the families of Pillsbury Community School to choose from a variety of staple foods and fresh produce to take home.

Joining Target volunteers, students, and staff at the unveiling were MPS Superintendent Johnson, MPS Board Members Jenny Arneson and Rebecca Gagnon, City Councilman Kevin Reich, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback, and State Representative Diane Loeffler.

Zone 1/Area A Parent Meeting: Monday Sept. 26, 6 - 7:30 pm @ Logan Park

Zone 1 – Area A Parent Meeting

Monday, September 26, 2011 6 – 7:30pm

Logan Park - Broadway & Monroe St. N.E.

You are invited to join us to support academic growth for our students.

AGENDA

Introductions – Co-Chairs: Todd Bennington, Troy Parker

Your name, school(s) and what brought you to the meeting tonight.

Community Liaison: Lynne Crockett

Join us to meet the new Associate Superintendent, Michael Thomas

DISCUSSION TOPICS -

Enrollment Planning: Courtney Kiernat, MPS Consultant

Review the proposed recommendations that resulted from community meetings focusing on Sheridan and Jenny Lind-Olson

Go To cards: Meredith Fox, Special Assistant - Operations

Focus on the use of Metro Transit for high school students

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 ! 

Next meeting: Oct. 24, 2011 6 -7:30 - North Commons

Contact Information:

Michael Thomas, Associate Superintendent Michael.Thomas@mpls.k12.mn.us

Lynne Crockett, Community Liaison 612-242-7144 LynneCrockett@clear.net

Co-chairs, Todd Bennington,tizzod@gmail.com

Troy Parker, MNcFree@gmail.com

Enrollment Update - MPS Census Data available & Area A Meeting Scheduled

Census Data

o   The Enrollment Planning team presented 2010 US Census data to the Board August 23, 2011.  The presentation can be viewed online at  http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/background_information.html

 

o   Census data by school attendance area is available online http://mpls.k12.mn.us/background_information.html

·
Community Engagement

o   Recurring themes from the community meetings held this summer are posted online http://mpls.k12.mn.us/recurring_themes.html .

o   Spanish & Hmong language meetings were very successful.  The Spanish language meeting had over 300 parents and community members in attendance. 

 

o   Once the proposed recommendations are complete, additional community meetings will be scheduled to review the proposed recommendations.

o   Enrollment planning will be discussed at all three of the Area meetings in September.  All are welcome to attend, child care and translation available.  A calendar list is available online http://www.mpls.k12.mn.us/index.aspx

Area A/Zone 1- September 26, 6:00-8:00 pm at Logan Park

Edison Homecoming TONIGHT: 9/9/11 @ 5:00 pm vs. North High's Polars

"Pound the Polars!"

Wear your blue/gold and cheer your Tommies on to victory at their homecoming game!

Friday, September 9 at 5:00 pm

Thomas Edison High School

700 22nd Ave NE

612.668.1300

Tickets go on sale at 4:30 pm

Adults $6

Kids $4 (free for Mpls parks football players wearing their jersey)

Under 7 are Free

This is an event for the whole family!  Bring your friends and neighbors and join in the fun!

• bouncy castle
• face-painting
• caricatures
• clowns
• Tommie gear will be available for purchase