THE EAGLE’S NEST
Eden Prairie High School’s Monthly Family Newsletter
Volume 25, Issue 9
April 2015
April Calendar
Principal’s Perspective
6—Start of Term 4.
April Testing
13—Vocal Showcase, 7-9pm:
Auditorium
There have been several changes to the Minnesota testing landscape this year and
those changes will impact EPHS in April. Allow me to provide some details.
18—ACT Test, 8am-noon
18—Booster meeting, 9am:
Staff Lounge
21—Extended Connections
21—Prairie City Limits Jazz
Concert, 7-9:30pm: East
Commons
23/24/25—Spring Showcase
Performance, 7:30-10pm:
PAC
28—ACT Testing for
Juniors, 7:50am
28—NO IN-SCHOOL
session for grades 9, 10, 12,
but there will be digital
instruction online
30—Graduation Speech
Auditions, time TBD
30—Regular school day for
all due to change in testing
30/1/2—”The Night
Theoreau Spent In Jail ,”
7:30pm: Auditorium
ACT Test
All Minnesota juniors will be taking an ACT test on Tuesday April 28th. This
requirement is based on Minnesota Statute 120B.30, which is intended to ensure
all students are college and career ready. EPHS will be facilitating this statewide
ACT during the school day starting at 7:50 a.m. All juniors will be able to take the
same ACT test that is administered nationally. Scores are college reportable and
the test is offered at no cost to the student. Students must take the ACT on April
28, even if they have already taken a paid version of the ACT test. The ACT test
will include a writing component. There is no need to register for this test. We
anticipate the testing to be done around 1:00 pm and juniors will be dismissed
from school when the test is completed. Buses will run to bring juniors to school
and to take them home at the conclusion of the test. The breakfast lines will be
open before school, but lunch will not be served on the 28th.
Seniors, sophomores and freshmen will not report to school on April 28th. Despite
this, we are conducting a digital instructional day. Our teachers will be providing
school work via Schoology, Moodle or some other digital means. We are asking
that students complete any work that is digitally assigned on April 28th.
MCA Tests
MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) tests are administered on-line this
year. Our original plan was to administer these tests to the entire junior and
sophomore class on April 30th. We have learned that the on-line parameters for
the test won’t allow us to test that many students at once. So Thursday April 30th
will be a regular school day for us. Our plan now is to test students in groups
following this schedule:
Week of April 13th – Juniors will take the MCA Math Test
Week of April 20th – Sophomores will take the MCA Reading Test.
We will communicate the schedule of testing to students and they will come out of class and report to the
Lakeside Lab to test during their designated time during the week. These tests typically take around 2 hours to
complete.
Families can expect more communication around these tests as the month progresses. Our hope is that families
will encourage their students to take these tests seriously and do the best they can on them.
Conn McCartan, Principal
SCHOOL WIDE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
https://sites.google.com/site/ephsvolunteers/home
Put your time and talents to good use! Many volunteers are needed to help with events right around the start of
the next school year as well as throughout the year – we would like to start getting these positions filled now.
There are many different opportunities – find one that interests you! This is your chance to be part of EPHS in
an area you enjoy. Resource Centers, Business Department, Media Center, Music, the list goes on!
PTO Needs YOU in 2015-2016
Support your school and community by getting involved with the EP High School PTO. Several leadership roles
are open and we are looking for parents who want to be involved. If you want to part of the action - working
behind the scenes and in “the know,” the EPHS PTO needs you! If you want to actively support teachers and
administration and improve the parent-teacher relationship – then the EPHS PTO is what you’ve been looking
for! Work with a great team of parent volunteers organizing meetings, assisting with staff appreciation events
and supporting teachers by raising funds. We need your great ideas, high energy, and wonderful enthusiasm.
This is a fun and positive way to be part of your child’s life at EPHS!
Specific openings include:
President and Vice President : These leadership roles are open. Functions include identifying and meeting the
needs of parents, helping to coordinate events (like “A for Activities”), coordinating and leading board
meetings and keep organization on task to accomplish organization goals. Participating in the Eden
Prairie School District 272 PTO group to share best practices and support each PTOs in the district.
Join with a friend, job shadow the role of President now and in the fall. The Vice President job is open
immediately, be part of our planning for next year. Past President support is available and that person
will assist next year.
Fundraising/Marketing : Identify additional items we can bring to the students/parents of EPHS and raise
funds for our budget to support our teachers.
Volunteer Coordinator : We need 1-2 parents to help work with our database of parent volunteers for all areas
of EPHS. Recruit will be held this spring and very early fall, information is coordinated through Google
docs. It is all set up, we would like someone to take charge!
Planters/Environment: Responsible for coordinating students to help with the four large planters at our south
entrance – 3x a year (August, November and March). Small budget available from PTO, you could also
work to find possible donation sources.
Student Directory (job shadow 2015/2016): Responsible for coordinating electronic or paper EPHS family
directories. This product is in a transition mode, we are looking at all options.
Questions about time commitment and responsibilities? Roxane Gilje, President at [email protected] or
Elaine Larabee, Past President at [email protected].
May 15th – Event to Welcome Parents of Incoming Freshmen (9th grade parents in 2015-2016)
Join us at 8:30 a.m. in the EPHS Staff Lounge (across from Student Center South) for a special introduction to
the EP High School. A student panel provides insights and answers your questions about how to help your
child succeed at EPHS.
At your fingertips: Digital Student Directory
This new digital version of the EPHS directory is a WIN WIN! It helps YOU find contact information for
EPHS families, and it helps the PTO gather funds to help teachers. Senior parents, order now for ease in
addressing your graduation announcements.
Purchase the directory and register here: https://ephs.mobilearq.com/school_directory_phone_register.html
New EPHS Tech Gear shows your EPHS Spirit
Here’s another great way to support your school and the PTO! We’re working with students to promote our
phone cases - five great designs are available. Watch for further fun products and designs and view our current
tech offerings at: http://widgetwah.com/site/product-tag/ephs/
Keep Those Donations Coming!
Our final all staff appreciation café will be held on May 5. Feel free to make cash donations at any time.
(Checks payable to EPHS PTO and dropped off with Martha Nordmann or mailed to: Martha Nordmann,
EPHS PTO, 17185 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55346.) The signup genius link will be provided in a
Blackboard email soon.
Target Red Card
Don’t forget to designate EPHS as your school of choice. Funds are awarded back to the teachers! Over
$20,000 was awarded back to our EPHS teachers in grants for this academic year.
More Sources of Information for Parents
Parent Teacher Organization: http://www.edenpr.org/domain/266
Thank you for your support! Eden Prairie High School Parent Teacher Organization
Counselor’s Corner
The following courses will NOT be offered in the 2015-16 school year. Communication will be going out to students to
notify them of these changes. Students will be asked to fill out a form to return to the counselors in Student Center East
by Friday, April 17th.
If a student would like to add a different, available course (a course not listed below), they will add the course to the form
and return to Student Center East. The deadline for registering for a different course is Friday, April 17, or we will assume
a student did not want to add a class. If a student has any questions, they should see their counselor during a walk-in
time. The walk-in schedule is posted in the Student Center East and on the counselor website.
ART:
Painting III
Sculpture I
Sculpture II
Jewelry II
AP Art
Science
Adv Physics: Special Topics
AP Physics II A and B
BUSINESS:
College Level Accounting
WebDesign2.com
FAMILY/CONS. ED
Interpersonal Communication
Teen Life
ENGLISH:
Lyrics in Literature
Topics in Lit: Sports
Topics in Lit: Cont Fiction
Speech Communications
Journalism and Media Studies
PHY ED:
Adv. Dance Performance
Outdoor Team Sports Plus
Winter Outdoor Adventure
Adv Weight Training/BFS
Weight Training II
Social Studies
American at War Post WWII
Beatniks to Baseball
World Language
German I A and B
German IV A and B
German V A and B
German VI A and B
Chinese 1 A and B
IT’S NOT TOO LATE!
Think you’ve missed your time to volunteer at the high school? It’s not too late, we can still use you!
Do you cringe at the word “volunteer”? Does enjoying one morning (or afternoon) a month catching up on the
latest high school events sound better?
Join over 50 other parents that spend a few hours (or more!) in the high school resource centers!
The Resource Centers are for students to work on homework and connect with their teachers; volunteers are
needed to make sure the five centers remain open for students to access them.
Come join us!
More information and to sign up: https://sites.google.com/site/ephsvolunteers/resource
Community Ed
Eden Prairie Community Education and ZAPS are sponsoring an ACT preparation course on Sunday, April
12 from 12:30-6:00 pm at EPHS. Students will learn strategies for improving in all four subtests, take
shortened practice tests that mirror the actual testing experience, and get suggestions for individualized
study in the days leading up to the new mandatory ACT test for all juniors in Minnesota on April 28, 2015.
Attendees receive a comprehensive Study Guide and 24 practice test workouts with detailed answer
explanations. Cost is $89. For additional information and to register online, go to
www.epcommunityed.org.
Class of 2015 Senior Party!
Planning and preparations are now fully underway for the class of 2015 Senior Party, taking
place on Friday, June 5th, immediately following graduation ceremonies.
Last month, registration packets were mailed home to every senior family at EPHS.
Registration fees are $75.00, and increase to $85.00 starting May 1st. Please note that
confidential scholarships are available. Please contact your student’s counselor for more
information.
Don’t delay in sending in your registrations! If registered before April 14, 2015, your senior’s
name will be entered into a drawing for one of five $20 gift cards. Registration packets are
available on the Senior Party website at: http://epseniorparty.org/registernow.html
Please visit the Senior Party website often www.epseniorparty.org for streamlined access to
all current information available about the party, including fundraisers, donation needs
(PROP Service Project as well as party), senior standouts, etc.
For parents of Seniors, join our Facebook group page
at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/809495585738401/ for the most up-to-date
announcements as they come in. Students and parents alike can also follow us on Twitter
at: https://twitter.com/EPHS2015party
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CLASS OF 2015 SENIOR PARTY!
Don’t miss The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail
Come see The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, authors of Inherit
the Wind. This play run April 30th, May 1st and 2nd at 7:30 in the EPHS Auditorium.
Co-Directed by Rolf Olson and Cindy Olson, set design by Rolf Olson.
Light design by Michael Anderson, sound design by Lizzy Crosby, and student construction
coordination by Callan Bock (all seniors).
CAST
Henry Thoreau—Jake Anderson
Deacon Ball—Ryan Lippert
Ralph Waldo Emerson—Jon Melhaus
Ellen—Elsa Jane Schacht
Lydian Emerson—Brooke Seaver
Sam Staples—Alex Hennen
Edward Emerson—Trevor Lang
Henry Williams—Malik Harris
Mother Thoreau—Kayla Bergeson
Grant Matzke, Jesse Nebeker, Navid Baysudee,
Tyler Schwab, Maxx Bandy, Becca Buse, Clarissa
Geske, Rihanna Picht—Townspeople
John Thoreau—Andrew Wright
Bailey—Joey Larabee
Box Tops = Money for EP Schools
EPHS is making an effort to support the fundraiser of
collecting Box Tops for Education. Each box top coupon that
you clip, save, and drop in the box is worth 10 cents!!
Collection boxes are at the main entrances to the high
school.
Thank you for your support!!
Help your community through The Prop Shop
The PROP Shop, a non-profit resale store in Eden Prairie, is looking for:
**Consistent and committed store/warehouse volunteers ages 14 and up, on Saturdays.
**Volunteers who are able to lift and haul furniture on Saturdays, 10:00-1:00 and occasional weekday
evenings, 5:00-7:00.
**Donations of sheets, blanket, pots and pans, to be dropped off at PROP Shop donation door
If interested, please contact Alicia at [email protected].