April 2021
Kindergarten Countdown: 4 Months
Countdown to
Kindergarten
Welcome to the official Edina Public Schools Pre-K newsletter. We are excited that you will soon be joining the EPS family. In this newsletter you will find helpful tips, resources, and advice from kindergarten experts at all of our elementary schools that will ease your child’s transition into kindergarten. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us with Countdown to Kindergarten in the subject line.
On the Shelf
Recommended Books by Countryside Elementary Media Specialist, Kathy Koepp
My Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate, illustrated by Ashley Wolff

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come by Nancy Carlson

Ask an Educator
Technology in a kindergarten classroom
by Normandale Elementary Kindergarten Teachers
In a kindergarten classroom, technology is intentional, supervised, and it provides an opportunity to build school-to-home connections. We are conscious of the needed balance between screen time and real life experiences and make sure to use technology with purpose and with moderation. We have developed a variety of digital resources to be used both within the classroom and the distance learning environment.

Applications like Seesaw, a student driven digital portfolio, are used to provide a window into our classroom, and answer the age-old question, “What did you do in school today ?” We frequently post photos of classroom events through Seesaw and later in the year the kindergartners themselves post work and create content on Seesaw.

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Ask a Parent
EPS Parent, Catalina: How a cultural liaison helped me feel connected at EPS
Forming connections at school can be challenging when you are from a different culture. To help meet this challenge and to ensure all families feel welcome, Edina Public Schools has three cultural liaisons. They help engage and enrich the academic experience of students and families from the district’s largest bilingual/multi-lingual demographic student groups.

EPS parent, Catalina, credits Blanca Diaz De Leon, Spanish-speaking cultural liaison, for helping her get connected at EPS and making the transition less difficult. Catalina shared her experience to encourage current Pre-K parents to contact the cultural liaisons when they need assistance or have questions.

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Community Ed Registration
Summer Fun 2021

Community Ed is back for summer 2021, with a full menu of programs that help keep kids safe and engaged while meeting the needs of busy families. If you're looking for school age care, Community Ed is expanding their programs to include incoming kindergarten students. They also offer enrichment camps and classes that will inspire creativity and curiosity.

Click to learn more.
Stay Connected