[0:02] [Music] [0:09] [Music] [0:11] greetings students families staff and [0:13] community members my name is dan bitman [0:15] and i have the privilege of being your [0:17] interim superintendent i've joined edina [0:20] since april 21st and have just been [0:22] amazed and impressed by the amazing [0:24] things that are happening throughout our [0:25] district our classrooms and our [0:28] community things that have stood out [0:30] relate to our amazing staff and the [0:32] things that are happening every day in [0:34] classrooms i've had the opportunity to [0:36] visit every single school to visit with [0:38] students to visit with staff and [0:40] administration i also can't help but be [0:43] impressed by our students the things [0:45] that they are doing in the classroom out [0:47] of the classroom and in our community [0:49] the work that they're doing not only [0:51] aligns with our strategic plan but it [0:53] sets a model for everyone else to follow [0:56] they are good human beings wanting to [0:58] make a difference in our communities and [1:00] our schools and throughout the world it [1:02] is impressive beyond belief i also want [1:05] to uh commend our families our community [1:08] members our business leaders for their [1:10] continued engagement in my short time [1:12] here i've had the opportunity to attend [1:14] numerous community events including but [1:17] not limited to various athletic events [1:20] fine arts groups community events like [1:23] the ed fund or the give andgo gala or [1:25] the rotary global scholars even the [1:28] chamber of commerce and in each place [1:31] i've met families parents community [1:34] members who are just 110% committed to [1:37] the success of our students our families [1:40] our staff and our community i can't help [1:42] but be impressed by the number of [1:44] student activities that come with the [1:46] end of the school year our partnerships [1:48] with the city of edina our chamber our [1:50] rotary and countless businesses that [1:53] come to provide amazing opportunities [1:55] for our students we are truly blessed in [1:58] edina public schools and we could not do [2:00] this work without you thank you for [2:02] making a difference each and every day [2:05] in terms of what i've been impressed by [2:08] i can't help but think about how [2:09] grateful i am for the opportunities that [2:11] our students have every single day not [2:14] only in the classroom but to lead this [2:16] work throughout our district in our [2:18] community and oftentimes the state and [2:20] national level i see our students [2:23] traveling throughout the globe looking [2:25] for ways to partner and to unite with [2:27] students and families across the world [2:30] and i can't help but think about the [2:32] work and the good things that they are [2:34] going to bring our future looks bright [2:37] and it's not only because of them but [2:39] it's because of the support and the [2:41] engagement that you provide i know the [2:43] end of the year brings lots of [2:45] opportunities to celebrate we're excited [2:47] about graduation the culmination of the [2:49] work of our staff and families to [2:52] provide amazing opportunities for our [2:54] students this next year will be [2:56] absolutely incredible you think about [2:58] our continued achievement and the [3:00] opportunities that we have both in [3:01] literacy and mathematics you think about [3:04] our worldclass fine arts our choir our [3:07] bands the opportunities we have for [3:09] athletics and activities and most [3:11] importantly our staff the opportunity [3:14] that i will have this next year to work [3:16] in classrooms in schools and in the [3:19] community to represent you and the good [3:21] things that are happening will set a [3:23] precedent for all thank you for [3:26] providing this opportunity for me and [3:28] for our teams throughout edina public [3:30] schools i am grateful to lead with you [3:34] have a great summer