Author: Jim Bayer

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Jim is a retired teacher currently keeping busy as a reserve teacher, tutor, and Eden Prairie High School softball coach. Jim’s career began as a journalist, photojournalist, and editor before working in healthcare public relations and later earning a master’s degree in special education. Jim and his wife, Sue, a registered nurse, have lived in Eden Prairie for more than 25 years. Their two children, Jen and Matt, graduated from EPHS and live in Eden Prairie. Jim and Sue have four grandchildren.

When my wife and I first started our walks on the beautiful trails of Eden Prairie back in March, the trees were barren and winter wind cold. Snow seemed to disappear as quickly as bad news appeared. A mysterious disease making people sick. Schools closing. Family members that we could no longer hug, or even visit. Walking was our escape, our moment of quiet, and our moment of sanity. We changed up our routes in order to explore the many trails Eden Prairie has to offer. But one became my favorite – a chunk of blacktop, four feet wide, little…

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Eden Prairie Schools Eden Prairie Schools reports updated 14-day COVID-19 cases among students and staff every Friday. EPLN will report that information each week. 11/20 – 12/4 Staff – 4 cases Students – 16 cases (Note: Eden Prairie Schools has 1,825 staff members and 8,768 students. Total staff is all district employees, including coaches, advisors, and reserve staff.) City of Eden Prairie/Hennepin County and Surrounding Cities Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie report 14-day COVID positive rates per 10,000 residents. EPLN will report information for Eden Prairie, Hennepin County and a few cities contiguous to Eden Prairie each…

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The Eden Prairie School Board has concluded that member Veronica Stoltz engaged in actions which were “not ethical, or business-like, and did not display appropriate decorum.” The actions occurred at an August 24 school board meeting that, according to school board documents published by the district on Nov. 23, exposed the school board to “significant risk” of committing a legal violation. The matter will be taken up further at the December 14 school board meeting. November 9, Working Meeting Actions As a result of Stoltz’s actions at the Aug. 24 meeting, the school board voted on Nov. 9 to take…

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Eden Prairie Schools will offer free meals beginning Dec. 4 to families with children up to age 18 who live in the district – even if they don’t attend school in the district. No income qualification is necessary and the program is open to all children. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program was initially scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2020. The program was recently extended until the end of this school year, according to the district’s website. Families may request meals through the district’s website. Parents or guardians can pick up bagged food from 10:30 a.m. to 1…

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Eden Prairie Schools Eden Prairie Schools reports updated 14-day COVID-19 cases among students and staff every Friday. EPLN will report that information each week. 11/13 – 11/27 Staff – 6 cases Students – 21 cases (Note: Eden Prairie Schools has 1,825 staff members and 8,768 students. Total staff is all district employees, including coaches, advisors, and reserve staff.) City of Eden Prairie/Hennepin County and Surrounding Cities Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie report 14-day COVID positive rates per 10,000 residents. EPLN will report information for Eden Prairie, Hennepin County and a few cities contiguous to Eden Prairie each…

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Eden Prairie High School students likely will wake up to a new, later start time in the fall of 2021, according to information presented by Superintendent Josh Swanson at the school board’s Nov. 23 meeting. A 19-member Start and End Time Task Force consisting of parents, staff, community members and administrators began meeting earlier this year to review research on the topic. This fall, the task force completed a report recommending that Swanson explore options for adjusting start times based on current research. Research reviewed by the task force included a three-year study conducted by the Center for Applied Research…

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Eden Prairie Schools Eden Prairie Schools reports updated 14-day COVID-19 cases among students and staff every Friday. EPLN will report that information each week. 11/6 – 11/20 Staff – 6 cases Students – 40 cases (Note: Eden Prairie Schools has 1,825 staff members and 8,768 students. Total staff is all district employees, including coaches, advisors, and reserve staff.) City of Eden Prairie/Hennepin County and Surrounding Cities Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie report 14-day COVID positive rates per 10,000 residents. EPLN will report information for Eden Prairie, Hennepin County and a few cities contiguous to Eden Prairie each…

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Eden Prairie Schools report updated 14-day COVID-19 cases among students and staff every Friday. EPLN will report that information in this location each week. 10/29 – 11/12 Staff – 7 cases Students – 34 cases (Note: Eden Prairie Schools has 1,825 staff members and 8,768 students. Total staff is all district employees, including coaches, advisors, and reserve staff.) (Source: Eden Prairie Schools) City of Eden Prairie/Hennepin County 14-Day COVID-19 Data Hennepin County and the City of Eden Prairie report 14-day COVID positive rates per 10,000 residents. EPLN will report information for Eden Prairie, Hennepin County and a few cities contiguous…

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