EPS
EDEN PRAIRIE
SCHOOLS
Inspiring Each Student Every Day
August 2015
2015-2016 Calendar
Sept. 8: First Day of School (K-12)
Oct. 9: No School (Conferences/
Professional Development)
Oct. 15-16: No School (Education
Minnesota Convention)
AVID, a voluntary college readiness program, is entering its second year in Eden Prairie Schools.
New AVID Program Propels Students into College
E
den Prairie Schools has much to be proud of when
considering 87 percent of its high school graduates
go on to college. This statistic is the highest in the
Lake Conference (Edina, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata).
However, the district won’t be satisfied until 100 percent of
its students are prepared. This promise was made when the
district and community wrote a strategic plan that focuses on
each student.
This fall, the district is expanding a program that has proven
results in preparing students for college who traditionally
would not consider it. AVID, Advancement Via Individual
Determination, began at Central Middle School in the fall
of 2014. Eighth grade students were selected to participate
in a voluntary college readiness program targeting those
in the academic middle, and encouraging them to become
involved in their own education.
See AVID/Page 3
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US Postage Paid
Permit # 253
Hopkins, MN
55343
Eden Prairie High School students are
PREPARED
for their future post-graduation.
A
C
% of EPHS Students Meeting
College Readiness Benchmarks
scores
T
ECRWSS
Inspiring Each Student Every Day
8100 School Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
EPHS
SCORES
DEN PRAIRIE
EPS ESCHOOLS
Nov. 12: End of 1st Quarter
Nov. 13: No School (Grading Day/
Professional Development)
Nov. 26-27: No School (Thanksgiving
Break)
Dec. 21-Jan. 1: No School (Winter Break)
Jan. 18: No School (Martin Luther King
Jr. Day)
Jan. 29: End of 2nd Quarter/End of 1st
Semester
Feb.1: No School (Grading Day)
Feb. 15: No School (Conferences/
Professional Development)
March 31: End of 3rd Quarter
April 1: No School (Grading Day/
Professional Development)
April 4-8: No School (Spring Break)
May 30: No School (Memorial Day)
June 9: Last Day of School, End of 4th
Quarter/2nd Semester
For conferences, performances, and dates specific
to your child’s school, check out the online
calendar at www.edenpr.org/calendar.
87%
ENGLISH
MATH
READING
SCIENCE
English: 25.3
Math: 26.0
88%
77%
79%
76%
Reading: 26.3
Science: 25.8
of EPHS graduates attend college
immediately after high school.
95%
25.6
COMPOSITE
Score
National ACT
Benchmark Scores
are between 18-23.
of EPHS graduates continue
into their second year of college.
Inspiring Each Student Every Day
A message from Superintendent Curt Tryggestad
Preparing EACH Student for Graduation
T
he start of school is just a few days away. We look forward
to seeing the hallways and classrooms filled with returning
and new students here at Eden Prairie Schools. We are
committed to ensuring each student is inspired to reach their
full potential and leave here with the knowledge and abilities to
contribute purposefully to our ever-changing world.
I am proud of our continued achievements in preparing students
for college. The National
Student Clearinghouse
Curt Tryggestad (NSC) - the leading provider
of educational data - has again revealed outstanding
graduation statistics for our district. We continue to enroll the highest percentage of
students in college compared to our neighbors, and 95% of those students continue in
college their second year. Our ACT scores are also encouraging, with our average score at
25.6. This was the first year the state mandated all high school juniors take the test.
Preparing each student for college also requires that we put the right support systems in
place for students who are underserved. Our expansion of the AVID program to include
two elementary schools and the high school, in addition to expanding at CMS, gives me
confidence that we will make gains in closing the achievement gap. AVID (Advancement
Via Individual Determination) is the only research-based program that has long-standing,
proven effectiveness in this area. This fall, we are also implementing PBIS (Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Supports), an evidence-based student behavior model at
Cedar Ridge, Oak Point, Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion, and Eden Lake with the
remaining schools starting the program next year. And
finally, this year we will begin a three year curriculum
review cycle for math. A group of preK-12 educators
will research best practices and analyze system-wide
data, which will impact our curriculum and instructional framework across the district.
We also continue to refine and implement our preK-12 English language arts curriculum.
Welcome Back!
Our success can be attributed to a variety of factors, including many of the great support
systems we have in place starting at the early childhood level (more below) and continued
through high school. A system making a difference is Naviance Family Connection, which
is a college and career readiness software system our counselors use with students. Early on,
students use the software to take a variety of career interest assessments. Late sophomore
year, students use Naviance to discover college options based on criteria like location and
size. We encourage juniors and seniors to make a list in Naviance of “colleges I’m thinking
about” and Naviance will email them when colleges on that list visit the high school.
All of this work is done so we can fulfill our promises to you, our community, that each
student is prepared for college or a career by the time they graduate. We believe strong
schools make a strong community - the mantra you heard time and again last fall when
we proposed our two question referendum that promised to not only keep our schools
from $10 million in cuts, but also to make wise investments that would better prepare
our students for college and a career. This fall, those investments will begin to come to
life, and we look forward to seeing great strides. Thank you for your continued support of
Eden Prairie Schools.
Early Childhood Learning Key to Success
Preparing Eden Prairie Students for Graduation at Birth
W
e have heard it time and time again: early childhood education is critical for later
school success. This mantra is for good reason. Over the last decade, researchers
have learned the human brain develops the vast majority of its neurons, and is
at its most receptive to learning, between birth and three years of age. Though most don’t
know which social, behavioral and early academic abilities and knowledge children should
have by the time they are old enough to enter kindergarten.
“Infants playing with books and potentially chewing on them is early literacy,” said Dr.
Shawn Hoffman-Bram, director of community education who also oversees early childhood
programming in the district. “It doesn’t seem like it, but it is one the most effective learning
strategies.”
The district currently serves about 40 percent of the eligible preschoolers in the area. This
means 60 percent of children go to kindergarten without attending our district program.
Some of these students are attending another academic program, and some have never
attended a preschool or literacy program. “Structured preschool at a minimum of 12 hours
a week is the magic number for making sure kids are prepared for kindergarten,” says
Hoffman-Bram.
Eden Prairie Schools has a variety of programming for children from birth to four years that
is designed to give children and their parents the tools they need to ensure students are ready
for kindergarten. New this year, three- and four-year-old students will have access to learn
from an iPad during the school day. Students in the three-year-old classes have access to
share 10 iPads within the classroom. Four-year-olds will have access to an individual device.
Eden Prairie is one of the only districts in the state with this level of access to technology in
preschool. “Child development at this age can vary dramatically,” said Hoffman-Bram. “The
iPads help to not only introduce kids to technology, but they can provide challenge to a
more high functioning child as well as extra support for the struggling learner.”
Early Childhood Special Education
The district also provides Early Childhood Special Education courses that provide
nurturing and fun learning experiences for children who have special needs. Classes are
offered for children from birth to five-years-old. Transportation is provided. For additional
information, contact the Early Childhood Special Education Office at 952-975-6979.
For more information about any of the district’s early childhood programs, please contact
952-975-6940 or visit www.edenpr.org/epcommunityed.
Birth to Two-Year-Olds
Three- to Five-Year-Olds
From birth to three-years-old, classes focus on Early
Childhood Family Education (ECFE). These interactive
sessions are designed to strengthen families and support
children’s healthy growth and development. The classes
meet weekly and provide parenting tips to help
nurture children’s development physically, mentally
and emotionally. Parents have the choice of attending
a 10-week session or for the full school year.
When children turn three, Eden Prairie Schools
offers preschool programming in addition to
ECFE courses. Little Eagles Preschool courses are
aligned to the district’s kindergarten curriculum
to ensure a more successful transition. They
also include a world language component and
monthly parent involvement time.
Birth to 12 Months
Preschool for three-year-olds focuses on teaching
independence, social skills, problem solving,
conflict resolution, working in a group and
getting along with peers, and prewriting and
premath skills.
Beautiful Babies: A relaxing, informative class
designed to be your time to slow down, enjoy your
infant and develop a supportive network with
other new parents.
FREE One Night Infant Classes:
• Baby Sign Language
• Dinner and Baby Story Time
• Infant Massage
• Parent & Baby Yoga
One-Year-Olds
Wonderful Ones: Parents and children learn songs, games, stories and activities
to extend learning at home. A knowledgeable parent educator leads interactive
discussions on feeding, sleeping, safety, brain development, balancing life as a new
parent and more.
Two-Year-Olds
Terrific Twos: Children practice social skills such as taking turns, listening to
the teacher and following in line. Parents discuss topics like tantrums, toilet
training and how to set limits with love. Songs, activities, games and lessons are
incorporated with both parent and child.
Three-Year-Olds
Four-Year-Olds
The four-year-old program focuses on early
literacy including letter recognition, sounds,
sequencing and patterns. Children are assessed
in reading and math. The program is offered a
variety of days and times, and also includes a
full-day option.
Five-Year-Olds
Families who are unsure if their child is ready for
kindergarten or have a child that just missed the age cut-off, can send their fiveyear-old to the district’s K-Prep Preschool. The program provides children with the
tools and experiences to be successful in kindergarten. This new preschool option is
available in the afternoons Monday through Friday.
Just a few Little Eagles Preschool spots are left for the 2015-2016 school year. In
January, registration opens for the following school year.
Inspiring Each Student Every Day
will ensure all students are prepared for academic
success. Within the AVID curriculum, teachers
incorporate a learning technique called WICOR,
which focuses on critical areas in writing, inquiry,
collaboration, organization and reading. Within
these areas, students begin to develop and acquire
valuable skills demanded by their future college
courses and ultimately their employers.
“Our district-wide curriculum ensures our
teachers incorporate WICOR into every lesson
and unit,” said Randi Anderson, director of
personalized learning and instruction. “In our
AVID classrooms, teachers focus more heavily
on this method to better guide students through
complex and advanced material.”
The AVID curriculum incorporates a learning
technique called WICOR, which focuses on
writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and
reading.
AVID (continued from page 1)
Starting this year, AVID will reach more students
in the district including sixth graders at Oak
Point and Eden Lake elementary schools, and
seventh graders at Central Middle School.
Students in the initial eighth grade AVID
program will continue into the ninth grade AVID
program at Eden Prairie High School.
“This program is proven to reach the underserved
and helps to promote achievement, college
attendance and advocates for student success,”
said Melissa Damon, AVID elective teacher at
Central Middle School.
The program has a set of intentional criteria that
students must meet in order to be considered. An
AVID student receives average test scores, earns
between a 2.0 and 3.5 grade point average, yet
has the desire and determination to work hard.
What makes these students unique, and why
they are chosen to be part of this proven method
of learning, is because they tend to stay in the
middle, lacking the necessary support to reach
their full potential.
AVID in the Classroom
“We discovered, after our first year in the AVID
program, that kids want and need AVID every
day,” said Damon. “The continual support AVID
curriculum provides, allows for the greatest gains
in our students.”
Though AVID classroom models will look
different at each grade level, the core components
AVID in the elementary grades will incorporate
the four C’s: communication, collaboration,
creativity and critical thinking, while encouraging
enhanced organizational skills and partnerships
among students. At the secondary level, AVIDtrained tutors facilitate small group student
tutorial sessions, allowing students to work
collaboratively in study and writing groups. In
addition to their coursework, guest speakers in
various career fields are invited to present during
AVID classes, widening students’ exposure to
different opportunities and experiences.
The Success of AVID
Gearing Up for Kindergarten
Introducing students who wouldn’t normally push
themselves beyond their perceived capabilities,
while giving them the support to achieve, is how
AVID makes such great strides in students’ lives.
The team environment and skills taught through
the AVID courses help the students develop
advanced habits and behaviors that will allow
them to successfully apply their skills.
Eden Prairie Schools incoming kindergarteners previewed
the upcoming school year during KinderCamp, which is held
at each elementary school and aims to ease anxiety or nerves
new students may have about kindergarten.
Eighth grade students who participated in the
AVID program during the last school year have
seen significant growth in their GPA scores,
with some going from a 2.2 GPA to a 3.5 by the
end of their first quarter in the program. “AVID
students begin to look toward the future with
greater hopes and aspirations, knowing they now
have the skills to achieve what they only used to
dream about,” said Damon.
Parent and guardian involvement is another
factor that contributes to the success of the AVID
program. The rigorous coursework AVID students
work through requires support from their teachers
and peers, but also from parents at home. Parents
of students in the AVID program are encouraged
to become involved in their child’s progress
within the program as well as attend regular
family events and presentations held throughout
the school year.
This year, more than 400 incoming kindergarteners (nearly
70% of the incoming class), participated in the two-day camp.
Students had the opportunity to experience aspects of a
typical school day all while learning the ins and outs of a day
in the life of an Eden Prairie Eagle!
Eden Prairie MCA Results
Exceed State Averages
E
den Prairie Schools students continue to perform above
the state average at every grade level and across all subject
areas on the 2015 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
(MCAs). These yearly tests, required by state and federal law,
are used as one tool to help gauge students’ progress in meeting
expectations on Minnesota state standards for reading, math and
science.
The district saw increases in the percentage of students proficient
in science (66.1%). Math scores remained flat across all grades
(71.9%). Reading scores (73.2%) had modest increases or were
maintained across grades 3 through 8 and declined in 10th
grade.
Last spring, the MCAs experienced ongoing technical
problems caused by a cyber attack. The strike caused significant
disruptions to the testing process including login errors and
several instances where students were kicked out of the system.
“All of that influences student motivation to do well and the
overall testing environment,” said Conn McCartan, high school
principal. “Any examination of our historic performance level on
these tests has to consider that.”
This fall, the district will have a comprehensive picture
of student performance when the Multiple Measurement
Rating (MMR) calculations are released. The MMR measures
proficiency, student growth, gap reduction and graduation rates.
EPIC Summer with Community Ed
Students participating in EPIC, a youth summer program through EP Schools Community Education, had
numerous options to develop new skills, have fun, and help make the world a better place. With over 100
summer camps to choose from, there was something for everyone. Camp options included Talon Robotics,
Woodworking, Camp H2O and Eagles Give Back.
In the meantime, the district is refining its instructional
practices in English language arts and beginning a new
curriculum review cycle in math. The new AVID (Advancement
Via Individual Determination) program, which focuses on
closing the achievement gap, will expand to sixth, seventh and
ninth grade this year. AVID kicked off last year at the eighth
grade level.
“We remain committed to reaching our goal to prepare each
student for the world ahead,” says Superintendent Curt
Tryggestad. “We will never be satisfied until each student reaches
proficiency.”
Inspiring Each Student Every Day
Around the District
Perfect 36 on ACT
EP Welcomes New Associate Principals,
Director of Continuous Improvement
E
PHS senior Jack Oster received a perfect composite score
of 36 on the ACT test. Oster is the second EPHS student
in the class of 2016 to receive a perfect score. Nationally, less
than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT
earns the top score.
Since 2011, Eden Prairie High School has had at least one
student post a perfect score each year. They include: Isaac
Urbanski (2011), Brandon Barker (2012), Benjamin Spaeth
(2013), Joshua Fourre (2013), Henry Zurn (2013), Jacob
Dungan (2014), Ella Johnson (2014), Sasha Warbritton
(2014), Amy Tan (2014), Lindsey Blanshan (2015), and
Neetij Krishnan (2016).
Molly Hollenbeck
Molly Hollenbeck has been hired as associate principal at
Eden Prairie High School. Hollenbeck replaces Mary JodlErnhart who is now principal at Orono Intermediate School.
Jack Oster
Most recently Hollenbeck worked as assistant director of
student support services at Edina Public Schools. Prior to
that, Hollenbeck worked for Eden Prairie Schools in various
positions from 2006 to 2013. Her experience within the
district includes special education teacher at Forest Hills
Elementary, special education lead teacher at Eden Prairie
High School and as the district behavior specialist from
2012-2013.
Molly Hollenbeck
Gretchen Kleinsasser
Gretchen Kleinsasser has been hired as associate principal at
Oak Point Elementary. Kleinsasser replaces Tony Washington
who is now principal at Concord Elementary School in Edina.
Kleinsasser has worked for Eden Prairie Schools since 2009
in various roles including third and fourth grade teacher, and
Q-Comp team lead at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion. Most
Gretchen Kleinsasser
recently she worked as a Q-Comp observer at EHSI and Oak
Point Elementary.
Eduardo Navidad
Eduardo Navidad has been hired as the director of continuous
improvement and accountability. Navidad replaces Donna
Roper who recently took a position with Edina Public Schools.
Register Today for the FEPS 5K for EP Schools
Join FEPS at the annual 5K for EP Schools on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8:30 a.m. at
EPHS Aerie Stadium. This year, the 5K will be a color run, so gear up for a colorful
day while supporting Eden Prairie Schools. Registration information available on
the FEPS website, www.foundationforepschools.org.
For the past three years Navidad has worked as the assistant
principal and school assessment coordinator at Centennial
Elementary School in Greeley, Colo. He was previously a sixth
grade math and science teacher at Conrad Ball Middle School
in Loveland, Colo. and a sixth through eighth grade bilingual
social studies teacher in Fitchburg, Wis.
Eduardo Navidad
Immunizations Up-to-Date?
A
Connecting Points is published by
Eden Prairie Schools (8100 School
Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344).
State law requires the following immunizations for kindergartners:
The Connecting Points newsletter
is delivered to households and
businesses to inform Eden Prairie
residents about their public schools.
ll students must be up-to-date with required immunizations to attend school
in the fall. Parents of kindergartners and incoming seventh graders must check
their students’ immunizations records to be sure they are compliant with staterequired vaccinations or have a notarized exemption on record.
þfive doses of DTap,
þthree doses of hepatitis B,
þtwo doses of varicella or doctor-confirmed immunity,
þfour doses of polio, and
þtwo doses of MMR.
Editor: Jaclyn Swords, Director of
Communications and Community
Relations, 952-975-7151 or
[email protected]
Seventh graders require the above kindergarten immunizations, plus the following:
Writers/Photographers: Katie Rice
and Jessica Salden
þTetanus-pertussis booster (Tdap) and
þMeningitis vaccination.
Seven Candidates File for School Board
F
our school board seats are up for election this fall as the terms for board members
Karla Bratrud, Dave Espe, John Estall and Holly Parker end in January 2016.
Candidates that have filed for School Board are: Asad Aliweyd, Murshid Barud,
Dave Espe, John Kohner, Greg Lehman, Jeffery Saxton and Adam Seidel.
The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3. The four-year term for the four elected
School Board members officially begins Jan. 4, 2016.
Individuals must meet the following requirements to vote in a school board election:
• Be at least 18-years-old
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be a resident of the school district and maintain residence in the district for 20
days immediately preceding the election.
Residents can find their poll location at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us. Those
voting absentee can do so at the Administrative Services Center, 8100 School Road.
Superintendent: Curt Tryggestad
New EP Schools Mobile
App in Testing Phase
T
he Eden Prairie Schools mobile app is
currently in the testing phase and will
be ready for download this fall. Key app
features will include:
• Instant access to student information,
grades, directory, news, and
emergency notifications as well
as custom notifications for lunch
balance, grade thresholds, etc.
• Instant access to your choice of news,
social media posts and calendars
• Available on iPhone, Android or
Windows Platforms
• Free to download
Eden Prairie School Board:
Ranee Jacobus, Chair
Dave Espe, Vice Chair
Elaine Larabee, Clerk
Karla Bratrud, Treasurer
John Estall, Director
Holly Link, Director
Holly Parker, Director
Learn more about Eden Prairie
Schools at www.edenpr.org.
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