Minnetonka Rotary Club
The Spoke
                                 
The Spoke
 
Weekly Report
(Photographers - Various)
(Reporter - Scott B.)
October 23, 2024
The Marsh, Second Floor, Minnetonka, Minnesota
(Editor - Mike G.)
Editor Notes
 
Member Submissions - See the end of The Spoke.
 
Next Meeting October 30, 2024 - President Olson called the next weekly meeting in person and Zoom at The Marsh, 15000 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN.
 
New Pictures - Send to michaelcglover@comcast.net. Ed.
 
************* See Social and Service Activities Below **************
 
 
From the Members and Archives
IMPORTANT UPDATE to Upcoming Events Below
 
Important - Check with meeting leaders to confirm date, time and location information for all events below. 
 
Free Bikes for Kids (FB4K) - Prep for distribution
Old Dicks Sporting Goods store
Nov. 02, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
 
View entire list
Happy Bucks and Polio Pitcher Donations
 
Please send your Happy Buck and Polio Pitcher donations to Mac  H. as follows:
 
Mac Hardin
Minnetonka Rotary Club
12926 Rutledge Circle
Minnetonka, MN   55305
 
Rotary International Foundation
 
Please send your end of year donations to Chris Rosenlund as follows:
 
          Chris Rosenlund
          8672 Meadowvale Drive
          Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Meeting Minutes - Scott B.
 
Meeting starts at 7:30
 
Guests
 
Emily Wallace Jackson (Our guest speaker this morning from the Hopkins Education Foundation)
 
Amy Rodgers
 
Invocation
 
Don C. read a poem by Maya Angelou that exemplifies the power and spirit of youth (in recognition of our guest speaker today from the Hopkins Education Foundation). Young people are reminded through her words that regardless of their circumstances, they have the strength to overcome any obstacle or adversity.   
 

Pledge

Everyone.
 
4-Way Test
 
Everyone.
 
International Theme
 
Everyone. “The Magic of Rotary”
 
Announcements
 
Alissa S.  – Recognized Alexa R. as it is her birthday today.  There will be a recognition happy hour at Boom Island Brewing (5959 Baker Road), at 5:30 PM.  The group then sang and played Happy Birthday with kazoos.
 
Bob H. – Community service announcements – Bob reminded the group of the coat drive for Resource West.  Please look for and roundup any lightly used coats for donation (youth all ages – K-12). Tracie reported that they need roughly 1,000 coats and are maybe ¾ the way there.  Adult-size coats are welcome as well. Coats can either be brought to our meetings here at the Marsh, or they may be dropped off at the Resource West office (13231 Minnetonka Blvd) between 8:30 and 1:00.
 
There will also be another Free Bikes for Kids volunteer opportunity on November 9 (Please double check should be November 2, I think. Ed.), from 9:00 AM to noon) at the Old Dick’s Sporting Goods Store (Wayzata Blvd just west of Hopkins Crossroad). Whereas the previous volunteer opportunity involved the collection of bikes, this opportunity will involve cleaning and repairing the bikes. Glen J. explained some of the details regarding sign-up online, as the website may be confusing to some.
 
Bob also reported that a mentoring opportunity at Eisenhower Elementary School is in the process of being formed.  More to come, probably after the holidays.
Alexa R. – Reported that Chris R. wants to come to tonight’s happy hour but will need some help getting there as he has just completed his surgery and does not have full mobility yet – if anyone is willing to help.
 
Alexa R. – Reported that Chris R. wants to come to tonight’s happy hour but will need some help getting there as he has just completed his surgery and does not have full mobility yet – if anyone is willing to help.
 
New Member Induction
 
None this week.
 
Rotary Minute
 
None this week.
 
Raffle
 
The winning ticket belonged to Cathy C.  No luck on the draw?
 
Foundation Award Checks or Thank yous
 
Tony N.- presented a check for $1,000 to Scott Searl from ICA. Scott provided a brief update.  Although they are primarily a food shelf (currently serving 1,000 families a month), they also help people find jobs, housing (assistance to keep people in their rental homes), and especially with kids – keeping them in school and in the school district. Food, jobs, and housing is what ICA is about.
 
Happy Bucks
 
Tony N. – Happy for time spent over the weekend in the New London - Spicer area with family. Many sisters, grandkids, nieces/nephews, etc. were present. He and his son both won $200 in pull-tabs at the American Legion!
 
Phil H. – Happy for the 5 days he spent in Massachusetts with his daughter and grandson.  His grandson starred in his first high school play and the grandson also participated as a historic character (deceased soldier?) in a historic haunted trolley tour in the local community.
 
Jenn SC. - Happy for Emily Wallace Jackson (our guest speaker) for being here today and for her work with the Hopkins Education Foundation. Jenn is also happy to be home from lots of traveling.
 
Bob H. – Happy and glad to be home from a family related visit to North Carolina that included golf and a visit to Pinehurst.  A highlight was also visiting the USGA Hall of Fame (golf equivalent to Cooperstown). Space has been set aside there for Bob’s eventual induction.
 
Ann W. – Happy to have returned from Las Vegas.  She was not quite as lucky as Tony was at the American Legion.
 
Alissa S. – Expressed thanks to Alexa and everyone else in Minnetonka Rotary for all that everyone does.  She also expressed thanks to Don C. for covering her (running the meetings), while she is gone for the next couple of weeks.
 
Jerald S. (via zoom) – Happy for time spent at the cabin. Also, thanks to his doctor for helping him overcome some pain he had experienced in his neck.
 
Frank B. – Expressed joy for a young man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that he has supported.  The young man is a traveling musician, married recently, has now just completed the process of becoming a US citizen – over 400 people were present at the citizenship ceremony.  He is also a student studying cyber security at Metro State.
 
Program
 
Today’s speaker (Emily Wallace Jackson, Executive Director of the Hopkins Education Foundation) was introduced by Jenn St. Clair, who previously served in this position. Jenn provided an overview of Emily’s biography (quite extensive and impressive), which has included considerable experience on many boards and commissions in both the Hopkins Community and Hopkins School District.
 
Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF) is a nonprofit partnering with the Hopkins Public Schools community to enrich students with new learning experiences and resources; to “kickstart” learning through grants and innovative ideas. 
 
Main points and take aways from Emily’s presentation:
 
HEF awards grants to teachers and staff for various programs and learning initiatives. Over $141,000 were awarded last year as “Spark Grants”, that are classroom grants for teachers. These grants cover everything from arts to mental health to technology and beyond. They also fund a special project each year, awarded at the annual “Royal Bash”. This past year, $75,000 was awarded for a program related to computer science related work in coding and artificial intelligence, with emphasis on the use of AI ethically and responsibly.
 
A certified nursing assistance (CNA) lab and program was awarded through the Royal Bash last year to assist students to get certified. It is very popular and there is a huge waiting list.
 
2025 will be the 30-year anniversary for HEF; one of the first education foundations in MN.
 
One of the grants mentioned was updating the Royals’ mascot (Lion) with new makeups for both male and female mascots.
 
Other Spark Grants over the past year:
 
History of Shakespeare (Alice Smith Elementary)
Cultural History Celebration (Alice Smith Elementary)
Glen Lake Community Reads – Little Free Libraries for Kids - (Glen Lake Elementary)
Meadowbrook Naturescapes – outdoor learning opportunities - (Meadowbrook Elementary)
Create Your Own Golf Course – design of mini-golf course in gymnasium - (Meadowbrook Elementary)
Solar at North – hands on solar energy projects and activities - (North Middle School)
Physical Therapy Trial Items (Hopkins Schools)
Music Classes – (Tanglen Elementary)
Social Wellness – mental wellness tools - (Gatewood Elementary and Tanglen Elementary)
Gatewood Care Farming Program and Outdoor Education (Gatewood Elementary)
 
There is another category called the “Awesome Fund” where students themselves can submit a grant application. HEF is supported by an endowment that was created by a Hopkins alum who donated $100,000.
 
HWF Annual Events:
 
Royal Bash (3-1-25)
Royal Family Fun Day (Spring 2025)
Royal ‘n Rock (September 2025)
 
Ways to Help:
Volunteer
Donate
Sponsor
 
Other Comments and Responses to Questions:
Support trends: Special Education and Mental Health, and Technology
Although students are encouraged to continue after high school with a college education, it is acknowledged that college is not necessarily right for all students.  As a result, programs that provide job skills and employment opportunities have been created as well. (CNA Program for example).
 
Hopkins School District is very large geographically.  The District touches or includes 7 municipalities, including all of Hopkins and 2/3 of Minnetonka.  The District is very diverse and is comprised of 7,000 students; 19% of that total have special needs and 50% from low-income families. Hopkins School District is well known for its services in Special Education.  Many of these services are mandated and the District has been successful in attaining federal grants related to such.
 
The District’s needs are great, as approximately 80% of the District’s budget goes to teachers. There are not enough funds to cover all needs, and approximately 50% of HEF grant applications are turned down.   
 
Adjournment
 
Today’s Numbers:
 
Happy Bucks and half the raffle - $29
Polio Bucket - $67
 
Adjournment
 
Submitted by Scott B.
Member Submissions
 
 
 
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