Author: Juliana Allen

An Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) student received anonymous threatening text messages directed at him and four other students as they sat in class Friday morning, Oct. 7, according to the student’s father. EPLN has seen screenshots of a text exchange that consisted of various threats from the perpetrator and responses to these threats from the targeted student. One text from the perpetrator read, “I will be coming in the class room with a gun a knife and two kids at 12.15 don’t snitch …” Another read, “someone is dying today.” The texts also appeared to indicate that the perpetrator…

Police have determined that an anonymous threat against an Eden Prairie High School student Friday was not credible, according to an email sent to all Eden Prairie Schools’ families by the school district. The threat resulted in the school being locked down for more than three hours. EPLN has learned that the student’s father did speak with the FBI at the scene, but no further details were available. An Eden Prairie Police representative did not respond immediately to EPLN requests for information. Eden Prairie Schools released its statement at 4:30 p.m. Friday saying that it would not be answering questions…

Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) was placed on lockdown just before 1 p.m. Friday due to a reported anonymous threat. As of 2:45 p.m., an all-clear announcement had not been made and students and staff remained inside the building on “stay-put lockdown,” which means everyone remains in locked classrooms and instruction continues. Students in the school who texted EPLN said they were urgently ushered out of hallways, cafeterias, and common areas into classrooms, and doors were locked behind them. Minnesota State Patrol officers were seen still arriving at the scene after 2 p.m. Eden Prairie police were on site, posted…

Local voters had the opportunity to learn about the upcoming Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) referendum in a town hall hosted Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Central Middle School (CMS). Superintendent Josh Swanson spoke about the current state of the district’s schools, provided an overview of the referendum, showed an informational video, then answered several questions from the small but attentive audience. Attendees also were able to talk with Swanson, district staff, Eden Prairie School Board member C.J. Strehl, and fellow residents before and after the event. Since the event was held over the dinner hour, pizza and childcare were provided. Swanson…

Visitors to the 2022 GIVE Gathering, held Sept. 29 at Central Middle School (CMS), learned ways to give back to their community, plus how to find support if they need it. Organized by the Eden Prairie Schools Community Education (EPCE), Eden Prairie Community Foundation, and the City of Eden Prairie, the annual event was a “one stop shop” where families could learn about volunteer opportunities as well as available resources. Kaleidoscope Teens offered additional planning support. “Traditionally, this has been our community’s volunteer fair,” said Molly Patil, EPCE’s director of adult and community engagement programs. With so many partner organizations…

Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) and the Eden Prairie Police Department (EPPD) will increase security for Friday’s high school homecoming football game. The decision came in response to recent security incidents at Edina and Richfield high schools’ homecoming games. Eden Prairie High School’s (EPHS) varsity football squad will square off against Prior Lake at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at Aerie Stadium. About 6,000 people are expected to attend the game, versus 4,500 for a regular home game. In an email sent Tuesday to families in the district, EPS said, “While we do not expect any problems at Friday’s game, we…

Eden Prairie Schools (EPS) has planned two information sessions to help the community learn more about the upcoming referendum. The first town hall will be held virtually via Zoom at noon Wednesday, Sept. 28. Attendees are asked to register to receive the meeting link, and are invited to submit up to three questions in advance. The second session will be held in person at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Central Middle School (CMS), 8025 School Road. Dinner and childcare for ages 3 and up will be provided. RSVPs are encouraged but not required. Interpretation in Spanish and Somali will…

It’s now safer and more comfortable for baseball teams to play at Eden Lake Park, thanks to Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Life Scout and Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) sophomore Blake Bidwell. In August, Bidwell built two dugout shelters over existing team bench seating at one of the park’s three baseball fields for his BSA Eagle Scout Service Project. Also known as Eagle projects, these are significant community service projects considered the most challenging advancement requirement in Scouting. Bidwell said he raised over $12,000 for the material and tools needed to create the steel shelters. After a year of…

Eight candidates running for the Eden Prairie School Board shared their positions on several topics, including student equity, mental health, treatment of culture and gender, and the upcoming referendum at a Sept. 14 forum. The event was held in the Eden Prairie City Council chambers and was hosted by the League of Women Voters (LWV) of Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, and Hopkins. Peggy Kvam moderated the discussion. The forum allowed candidates to define themselves against their opponents as they compete for five open school board seats. Four of these seats are for full four-year terms. The fifth seat is for a…

Eden Prairie High School (EPHS) drama students are kicking off the new school year with the 38th annual Trajectories show, which is entirely student written, directed, and choreographed. Trajectories is open to all students interested in exploring the high school’s drama program, with no cuts made in the audition process. The show allows students to showcase their creativity and also welcomes incoming ninth graders. EPHS Performing Arts Center manager Jay Asfeld says, “Over the years we have found that it is a great way for freshmen to get involved in our drama group and has made the transition to EPHS…