“As we begin, I just want to make sure that we ground that the update in the is in the the holding view is in the broader scope of our work. Um the academic acceleration is one critical component of the comprehensive Edina Talent Development Framework, designed in tight alignment with our vision and our mission.”

“Um the goal really was to continue um the excellence that Edina is known for. And we wanted to um take a look at what um Edina is doing well within their talent development program, or also kind of be open to looking at those opportunities that we have to continuously improve.”

“Um a need for more robust and like transparent communication about like what we do and why we do it. Um stronger consistency between the elementary sites. Um increased opportunities for first and second grade in rigor to be added, and um more targeted social emotional support for kids um transitioning in and out of in that flexible grouping.”

“My purpose is to see as many kids as possible. My purpose is to see as many kids in third grade as I can. Because the test only shows what they can do on paper, but I can then see what are how do they respond to a challenge? Um and to me that was an opportunity for us to not just look at numbers and say, "Oh, here's all my kids with 99%s. I'll take those 10 kids and move on." Now I have classes of 20 to 30 kids where I can flexibly group them and it's less of a commitment or to have kids that peak early and then by fifth grade they're really overwhelmed.”

“I think it's a little bit yes that um it's a little bit social, right? It's a little bit maybe um perceived it that one class is better than the other, right? And that's maybe more perception-based. Um That's what I meant by the narrative is like creating the narrative about it.”

“I think that we need to directly uh address why we don't have a specialized elementary school. Or um if it's housing, why don't we and how it benefits kids and why it's a specific philosophy we have at United for the Kids schools. Um because it is. It's a specific choice that we've talked about multiple times and we think it's not we think it's in the best interest of students not to do that and I think we just need to say that and not be afraid of saying that.”

“I think for me, looking at it from a parent lens and from a district a strategy lens, the real key here for me is a smooth pathway that are based on a right fit and the social and emotional of our of students. And I think we really need to hammer that to parents in all of our communications um about how this is the backbone of what we're trying to do for students.”

“I can honestly say that I feel like the academics that we provide is equal to if not superior to what a school within a school or a separate school would would provide. And then the kids also have the opportunity of being with their grade level peers for other um parts of their day.”

“Um I'm just really appreciative to be in a district that would re-examine that and say, "No, let's let's get it right. Let's Let's do it even better." Cuz that social emotional piece is it's very important to me um looking at this and I think that we got to understand that the the kids I think they're they're really good at putting on a brave face for school and then when they get home, that comes off and and it's tough.”

“My one question I have as you work through these next steps is um outcomes. Like how will we know that this is success? How will we know that we are serving more students than we are serving better?”

“So, it's been a pleasure working alongside the ELFC team, BTO members, um staff members, current and alumni parents, World Architects, of course. They've been great. Uh and the many different voices and partners who have added to the idea of taking our outstanding staff and programming to another level by positioning the new ELFC as the destination for upcoming families and the foundational cornerstone for Evanston's premier E-12 district.”

“One area that we've explored last two years is spaces both indoors and outdoors. One important note that we'd like to say is on April 2nd at the community leaders meeting, it became clear that the phrase nature-based was creating some confusion in the community. So, we'd like to recreate that vision that the ELC would like to have access to nature, embedding nature within our experiences at the ELC, into our research curriculum that aligns more with STEAM.”

“So, we'd like to say that Edina has a strong need to create a continuum of excellence that we're very proud of here and we are just asking for a building that reflects our rich play-based learning community here at the ELC.”

“And research found that every dollar invested in early childhood comes back to you um and the return rate is $7 to $13.”

“Um moving on to section three, um Edina families here have great choice of where to send send their youngest learners. Most families visit tour spaces and talk to their neighbors. That's what we found out. Um excuse me, when touring, families are looking they're looking at our outdoor spaces or any outdoor spaces at early learning centers. They're looking at the safety of the buildings, um overall space and aesthetics. Um and they're imagining h”