West school briefs: Foundation supports Eden Prairie district's referendum

The board of the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools has endorsed the school district's proposed referendum to appear before voters on Nov. 4.

"We recognize the importance of this referendum and its impact to the quality of education provided in Eden Prairie Schools," said Mary Lenker, the foundation's executive director.

The referendum will include two operating-levy questions that, if approved, will prevent existing funding from expiring next year. If both questions are approved, the district's finances will be stabilized and investments will be made in students at all grade levels, school officials say.

If Question 1 or both questions fail, the district must make $10 million in cuts next year because of the expiring operating levy. Eden Prairie would be the only school district in the metropolitan area without this funding.

The International School of Minnesota welcomes the community to its second annual International Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the school at 6385 Beach Rd.

Participants can pick up passports, programs and maps at the welcome booth outside the main entrance of the school before visiting each country exhibit to view student projects, participate in activities and crafts, sample food, and complete a scavenger hunt. After the scavenger hunt, passports will be stamped and participants will move on to the next country. Concerts and performances will take place throughout the day, with songs, dances, and instruments representing this year's focus nations: Brazil, Chile, Korea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sweden and Turkey. The event will culminate with an international fashion parade which will lead guests to the Performing Arts Center and a final concert.

The school's Parent Connection is hosting the international food court and has organized 18 dishes representing nine nations to be served in the global village.

The Main Street School of the Performing Arts in Hopkins has announced its schedule of more than 40 performances for the 2014-15 school year. All performances are open to the public and begin at 7 p.m. For a full schedule and to buy tickets, go to www.msspahs.org/about/msspa-presents.php.

This year's performances include:

• "No Shame," on stage Sept. 26, Oct. 31 and Dec. 5 at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Hwy. 7, Hopkins.

• A vocal music concert on Oct. 28 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 715 Minnetonka Mills Rd., Hopkins.

• An instrumental strings music concert on Oct. 27 at the Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Av., Minneapolis.

• A fall dance concert Nov. 13-15 at the Music Box Theatre.

• Main Street Masterwork performance Dec. 16 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church.