Author: Juliana Allen

Amid rising mental health concerns post-pandemic, Eden Prairie Schools enhances its focus on student well-being, investing in in-school mental health resources and support.

The community is invited to the International School of Minnesota (ISM)’s upcoming production of “The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon,” a family-friendly comedy show where fairy tales are turned on their heads. Performances are at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2, and Friday, Nov. 3, at ISM’s Leila C. Saad Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the door. This is a family-friendly production recommended for ages 8+. The synopsis: “The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm are turned on their heads in this fast-paced, rollicking ride as two narrators and several…

Impressive costumes, great music, and a fun atmosphere entertained a packed crowd at Eden Prairie High School’s (EPHS) annual “Night at the Movies” concert on Friday, Oct. 27. Led by teachers Angelique Rowell and Karin Moreaux, the school’s Symphonic, Concertino, and Concert orchestras played songs from favorite films like “Harry Potter” and “Pinocchio.” Student conductors were Aleta Dockter (“Beauty and the Beast”), Jameson Drieslein (“The Godfather”), Caroline Larsen (“Linus and Lucy”), Lily Lawinger (“The Little Mermaid”), Anvesha Mallik (“Phantom of the Opera”), Lilly Mattison (“Rattatouille”), Laura Schiveley (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), Brooke Tape (“Wizard of Oz”), and Alana Wasserman (“Ghostbusters”).…

If pumpkins are the classic symbol of Halloween, Eden Prairie High School sophomore Ella Schumacher is more than ready for the holiday. On Oct. 29, Schumacher wrapped up a four-week, 37-show run playing a pumpkin called Hay in Stages Theatre Company’s production of “Spookley the Square Pumpkin.” The musical is based on the film “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” by Joe Troiano and Tom Hughes and Troiano’s book “The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin.” Schumacher first saw the production in 2017 as a fourth grader. Now, as a 10th grader, she’s moved from the audience to the cast. She said…

It’s time to dress up as your favorite film character for Eden Prairie High School’s (EPHS) “A Night at the Movies” concert. This fun, free, family-oriented concert takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, in the high school’s South Commons. The symphonic, concertino, and concert orchestras will play songs from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Ghostbusters,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Ratatouille,” and “The Little Mermaid.” Everyone in the orchestras will be dressed up and they encourage everyone who attends (especially younger kids) to dress up, too. Special highlights will include face painting and photo backdrops. Save…

Amid rising youth mental health concerns, this article explores the challenges faced by students and the efforts to support them.

Follow the yellow brick road with Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) Drama in their fun and family-friendly fall musical, “The Wizard of Oz.” Laurie Nebeker, who is the show’s director as well as an EPHS teacher, said, “Those familiar with the 1939 film will enjoy the nostalgia of these characters and the delightful musical numbers. Those new to the story will be introduced to the magical world L. Frank Baum created in his series of Oz books over a hundred years ago.” Performances will be in the EPHS Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10-11 and 16-18. There will…

Eden Prairie Schools is looking for a new home for its TASSEL Education Center, after the City of Eden Prairie terminated its current lease at 8040 Mitchell Road. Starting with the 2014-15 school year, TASSEL has occupied the City Center space that had been previously occupied by C.H. Robinson. However, the school district said it needs to move out of that space by the end of the year to make way for expansion of Eden Prairie Police Department facilities. Dirk Tedmon, executive director of marketing and communications for Eden Prairie Schools, said, “This spring, we learned the City of Eden…

Considering applying to college this fall? Throughout October, students can apply for free to 26 colleges and seven universities in the Minnesota State system, plus get free college financial aid planning advice. To make it easier and more affordable for students to attend college, this month the Minnesota Office of Higher Education is promoting a two-pronged statewide information campaign called “Minnesota Goes to College!” College Knowledge Month: Visit campus, apply for free The first prong is the annual College Knowledge Month. The stated goal of College Knowledge Month is to provide every graduating high school senior with the preparation, opportunity,…

Eden Prairie High School’s (EPHS) girls swim and dive team celebrated its six seniors at a home meet against Minnetonka High School on Thursday, Oct. 12. Although Minnetonka won the meet 114-42, head coach Bill Bloomberg said the significantly smaller EP team had strong swims and showed its competitive spirit. “We put up a great fight against Minnetonka — a team twice our size — on senior night,” Bloomberg said. “We had superb swims that included 16 swimmers with personal best times.” Bloomberg also highlighted the 200 free relay swim from the foursome of seniors Ella Drewes, Keira Fogarty, Elizabeth…