[0:02] [Music] [0:09] [Music] [0:11] Hola Stoyak and Countryside. Here I am [0:13] at Countryside in a Spanish dual [0:15] language classroom where the magic [0:16] happens each and every day. This month [0:18] has really been spectacular and it's [0:20] been all about engagement. I've had the [0:23] opportunities to work with some of our [0:24] student leaders on our superintendent [0:26] student advisories. I've also had the [0:28] opportunity to visit some of our staff [0:30] meetings. In each of those meetings, I [0:33] continue to see the tireless efforts [0:34] that are happening in our classroom and [0:36] our schools for all of our children. [0:38] I've also been grateful to partner with [0:40] all of our city partners as we continue [0:42] to look for ways to collaborate and make [0:44] things happen for our students, our [0:46] families, and our community. We have so [0:48] much to celebrate in Edina. We've also [0:51] had a number of partnerships and [0:52] exciting things happening with our [0:54] Rotary and our chamber with our key [0:56] communicators group and our parent [0:57] leadership teams. I've had the [0:59] opportunity to learn so much with each [1:01] and every one of you. I had asked the [1:03] school board to identify 50 to 75 people [1:05] throughout our community that I could [1:07] learn more about Edina from. Up to now, [1:10] we've met with over 200 different people [1:12] and I've asked the following questions. [1:14] Three things that people are most proud [1:16] of. two things that they would like me [1:18] to know about and maybe think more about [1:20] in terms of our school district and one [1:22] way that I and our team can support [1:24] them. From that information, we [1:26] identified themes across the district [1:28] and we identified five areas of [1:30] emphasis. Those areas will continue to [1:32] be our focus areas for the school year [1:34] and hopefully you will continue to [1:36] engage, to learn, to guide, and to help [1:39] us with that work. In the middle of the [1:41] year, we will meet with the school board [1:42] to talk about what we're learning and [1:44] the things that we want to be thinking [1:46] more intently about. In addition to [1:48] that, we will be making recommendations [1:50] to the school board in the spring so [1:52] that we can continue to sustain our [1:54] excellence in each of those areas and [1:56] continue to be innovative and the best [1:59] of the best. It's hard to believe, but [2:01] we're already talking about our incoming [2:02] kindergarteners for the next year. [2:04] Tonight starts those information nights [2:07] at our schools. It's such a special time [2:09] for our families, for our community, and [2:11] of our school district to get to know [2:13] our littlest Hornets. We also have a [2:15] number of nights coming up for our [2:16] fourth and fifth grade students and [2:18] their families to learn a little bit [2:19] more about our awardwinning middle [2:21] schools. There's no time quite like it, [2:24] and we can't wait for you to be part of [2:25] that journey. Health and safety continue [2:27] to be a priority, not only in Dina [2:29] Public Schools, but throughout our [2:30] communities. We're so grateful to [2:32] partner with so many organizations. To [2:34] that end, we're going to have another [2:35] event coming up on November 19th from [2:38] 5:00 to 7:00 at Valley View Middle [2:40] School for anyone who wants to come and [2:42] learn about things related to health and [2:44] safety. This time of year is so fun to [2:46] celebrate our students, our families, [2:48] our athletes, our musicians. We hope [2:50] that you get time to come and enjoy some [2:52] of our extracurricular, our fine arts, [2:54] our concerts, and our programs. We have [2:56] so much to celebrate in Adina Public [2:58] Schools. In an earlier video, I thanked [3:00] all of the individuals that it took to [3:02] make sure the beginning of the school [3:03] year started successfully. From bus [3:06] drivers to people in our kitchens to [3:08] people setting up school classrooms and [3:10] curriculum, we're so grateful for that. [3:12] As of late, I can't help but appreciate [3:14] all the work happening in our [3:15] classrooms. I can't help but notice, for [3:18] example, in our elementary classrooms [3:19] the work teachers are doing with new [3:21] curriculum, helping our youngest [3:23] students tie their shoes, get their [3:26] jackets on, and have creative quality [3:27] opportunities to learn innovatively and [3:29] creatively each and every day. As we [3:31] approach November and December, we hope [3:33] that you've continued to enjoy the fall [3:35] and had time with family and friends [3:37] outside exploring the amazing things [3:39] that are to offer in our community. [3:41] Thank you for being part of Edina Public [3:43] Schools.