Eden Prairie’s multitude of strategies in tackling student achievement appear to be making a difference, atleast when it comes to this year’s batch of test scores.

The results of this year’s MCA II scores show increases in proficiency for almost all grades and striking jump in scores on the 11th grade math test.

In that case, the number of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards jumped from 42 percent in 2008 to 62 percent in 2009.

“We’ve grown and we’ve made progress,” noted Superintendent Melissa Krull.

A hot Thursday afternoon last week saw 2-year-olds frolicking with water toys outside the Eden Prairie Education Center. Across the parking lot, 3- to 5-year-olds took turns riding a miniature horse.
Instructors Colby Ulrich and Anette McCullough led the “Crazy About Horses” class, which had been suggested because Ulrich owns horses. The 3- to 5-year-olds learned the parts of a horse, how to groom a horse and what equipment goes with horse riding. Then they each got a chance to ride the horse – and go for a ride in a cart behind the horse.

Attached to this post are the pages from the Eden Prairie School District budget book that discuss open enrollment.

The following are the top five schools that students who open enroll in the Eden Prairie School District come from: Chaska, Minneapolis, Shakopee, Minnetonka, Hopkins. The top five schools where Eden Prairie students open enroll are: Minnetonka, Hopkins, Edina, Bloomington and Minneapolis.

Source: Eden Prairie School District annual budget

By Karla Wennerstrom

The first time Eden Lake Elementary School’s new principal visited the school was Friday, when she met with staff members. Monday, her first official day of work, she took a tour of the building.
“It’s a beautiful place,” Nanette Yurecko said. “I’m just so excited to be a part of the Eden Lake community. That was kind of like icing on the cake, to finally see the school.”

On Tuesday night, the School Board approved her hire.

The following Eden Prairie residents will be taking the stage this month in “The Wizard of Oz:” Caroline Casey, 13, as Munchkin/Ozian; Taylor Gades, 14, playing the flute; Carly Inman, 13, as Munchkin/Ozian; Jessica Kretzschmar, 11, as Munchkin/Ozian; Michael Kretzschmar, 14, playing the clarinet; Marissa Larson, 14, playing the clarinet; Loren O’Brien as Munchkin/Guard and Ryan Tinklenberg, 14, playing the trumpet.

The following classes are being offered by Eden Prairie Community Education. Call 952-975-6942 to register for the classes, or visit www.epcommunityed.org.

Intro to Access 2007: This class will be held from 8 to 2:30 p.m. July 8 at the Education Center, 8040 Mitchell Road. The cost of the class is $89 and the deadline to register is June 30.

Digital Scrapbooking with Photoshop Elements: This class will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. July 8 at the Education Center. The cost of the class is $49 and the registration deadline is June 30.

The Eden Prairie School board has set a candidate orientation session for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, June 29, at the Administrative Services Center, 8100 School Road.

"In November 2009, three seats on the seven-seat Eden Prairie School Board will be open. Eden Prairie community members who have an interest in candidacy for the Eden Prairie School Board are encouraged to attend a candidate orientation session. The Communications Committee of the School Board will be holding a candidate orientation Session to provide information on" on the following:

* role and purpose of school boards

The following students were appointed to Eden Prairie city commissions during the City Council meeting Tuesday:

Arts & Culture Commission – Eric Wiig and Renee Roden

Conservation Commission – Gretchen Askew, Julia Wang, Michelle Wu and Stephanie Korman

Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission – Mehta Tahnay and Sam Clark

Heritage Preservation Commission – Alexis Smith

Human Rights and Diversity Commission – Adam Liter, Muna Shire, Ali Fardowsa and Julia Wang

"In a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives last night, Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN) congratulated the Eden Prairie girls’ and Minnetonka boy’s Lacrosse teams on their recent state championships," according to a news release.

Video is below. The text of his announcement follows the video.