The Eagle's Lair

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight our TEL (The Eagle’s Lair) program at Eagle Ridge Academy.  As many of you know, Eagle Ridge used to contract with the YMCA to provide after school childcare.  This past summer Molly Gerber (ERA Health and Wellness Director), Riley Hoffman (Athletic Director/PE and Health Teacher), and Mandee Rickard (2^nd Grade Teacher) came together to create a program just for Eagle Ridge Academy.  The program is known as the TEL program.  It is a nice combination of homework help, physical activity, and creative arts.  If you are looking for a club or activity for your K-6^th grade student to do after school you might consider having them stay for TEL.  You can get more information on their website: https://sites.google.com/site/theeagleslair/

FYI: Lower School students who have not been picked up from school by 3:30 (They are dismissed at 3:00), will automatically be sent to TEL for supervision.  This is the case even if the students have an Upper School sibling at ERA because we cannot have Lower School students on school property unsupervised by staff at any time.  The first time a student is sent to TEL due to late pick up there is no charge.  Anytime they are sent down after that the $15.00 TEL fee does apply.  

Valentine’s Day parties are coming up before we know it.  We have made a change to the way the parties will be organized this time.  Please read the note below that was sent to classroom parents regarding the parties.  

After much discussion among administration and teachers, it has been decided the K-3 grade classes will follow the schedule below for the upcoming Valentine’s Day parties on February 14^th in the Eagle Ridge Academy Lower School.  Please check in with your class teacher for planning the event.

Kindergarten- 10:15-11:15

1^st Grade 1:30-2:30

2^nd Grade 11:30-12:30

3^rd Grade 1:00-2:00

Fourth and fifth grade classes will have Valentine’s Day exchanges and other activities coordinated by their homeroom teachers.  They will be having a celebration that helps students define the true meaning of Valentine's Day with a healthy snack.  This will also allow them to have their events at a time that is convenient for the class for less disruption to the day’s learning.  The teachers will reach out to you for help with snacks and supplies, but will not need extra volunteers on the day of the party.   Please contact me if you have any questions about this decision.

The Lower School Parent Coffee has been rescheduled.  It will now take place on Monday, February 4^th at 8:00 in the main office conference room (space permitting).

Fifth grade students have been busy presenting their science experiments in class since we returned from winter break.  Not only did they become “experts” on some scientific information, they also worked on their public speaking skills when presenting to their class.  Some of their experiment posters are hanging in the hallway outside the fifth grade classrooms.  Here are some pictures of a few of those posters.  

Notes and Reminders:

• PTO Gala tickets are on sale.  Please consider coming to this important school fundraiser.  It is a wonderful time to raise money for school programs and get to know other ERA parents.  The Gala is on February 23^rd.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier

Roller Skating Perseverance...

 

What does it mean to persevere?  The easy answer is to simply “not give up.”  As you know one of our pillars at Eagle Ridge Academy is perseverance.  On our website we define perseverance as: endure through hardships, focus, don’t give up, and accomplish goals.  We tell students perseverance in action is to: do your best, don’t get discouraged, get extra help if you need it, and ask questions. Many of the people we all admire are those who have stories of perseverance.  

Perseverance is something I don’t often see taught at other schools.  It is natural for all of us to want to rescue children when they are frustrated, but that does not help them learn perseverance or tenacity.  It is easier to start teaching perseverance at a younger age when there are appropriate safety nets in place if a child does fail.  The lesson learned from sticking something out no matter the end result is invaluable in the life of a child.  We try to instill this at Eagle Ridge Academy and truly appreciate all of the parental support in making this happen.  Some way we can work together in this are to:

1.       Praise effort when your child does not give up on something.

2.       In the lower school it is very helpful to emphasize effort. 

3.       Give examples of people who have persevered to make something happen to make connections for your child.

4.       Share or model your own examples or efforts in perseverance.

5.       Make sure you praise the effort rather than the end result and don’t give false praise to make students feel better.

On Thursday evening I saw perseverance in action at the Roller Garden Party.  Students who had never roller skated before were out on the floor figuring out how to make it happen.  They were up and down, but they certainly kept going.  The encouragement given by friends and adults was truly heartwarming.    Thanks to Merry Jo Orr and all of our wonderful PTO volunteers for making the event happen.  Here are some pictures from the party.

This week is Spirit Week at Eagle Ridge Academy.  Here is the list of special days for the week.

ERA Winter Spirit Week – January 22 – 25This week is K-12 Winter Spirit Week! Each day students may either wear their uniform to school OR they can wear what is assigned for the day of the week. *Jeans or uniform bottoms may be worn each day. No leggings, sweatpants or pajama pants. No Hats.

Monday – Jan. 21 – No School (MLK Day & The Presidential Inauguration & Parade)
Tuesday – Jan. 22 – Patriotic Day – Wear Red, White & Blue (in honor of the Presidential Inauguration on Monday -MLK day.)
Wednesday – Jan. 23 – Class Color Day
Teachers & Staff – Pink
Grade 12 – Black
Grade 11 – Red
Grade 10 – Yellow
Grade 9 – Brown
Grade 8 – Blue

Grade 7 – Green
Grade 6 – Orange

Grade 5 – Purple
Grade 4 – Blue
Grade 3 – Green
Grade 2 – Orange
Grade 1 – Red
K – All the crazy colors you can wear!
Thursday – Jan. 24 – College Wear Day
Friday – Jan. 25 – Spirit Wear Day    

The annual Gala for Our Pillars is scheduled for Saturday, February 23^rd at Olympic Hills in Eden Prairie.  Tickets for the Gala are on sale.  Please check out the PTO website for more information: www.EagleRidgeAcademyPTO.org.  The PTO is also currently looking for donations for the event auctions.  The ERA PTO is a 501(c)3 non-profit, which ensures your donation is tax deductible.  You may contact them by email: EagleRidgeAcademyGala@gmail.com.  You may also contact Ann Watanabe, Auction Chair, at 952-300-7482 or Erin Davies at 612-702-5410, should you have questions or to arrange a pick-up of a donation. 

The next Lower School Parent Coffee is on Thursday, January 31^st at 8:00 in the main conference room (space permitting).  Please join us for coffee and conversation.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Baier

Snowy Days

“Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.”
Andy Goldsworthy

Snow is one of those childhood pleasures we often forget to enjoy as adults.  I challenge you to try to take some time to enjoy the snow with your children as opposed to seeing it as the nuisance it can become when we try to do the simple things in life (like commuting or getting the mail).  I did not grow up in an area with much snow in the winter and have enjoyed learning to appreciate it over the past ten years in Minnesota.  Here are a couple of websites with some fun winter activities you can enjoy with your children.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/snow-activities.htm

http://www.parents.com/fun/activities/outdoor/snow-activities-kids/#page=1

Speaking of snow…many of our hallways are decorated with snowmen.  Please check out the pictures below of some snowmen created by various grade levels.

If you need to stay inside during this cold snap and are looking for something fun to do, please consider coming to the Lower School Roller Garden Party on Thursday, January 17^th.  The pertinent information is below.

Where: Roller Garden, 5622 West Lake Street, St. Louis Park (map)

When: January 17^th from 6-8pm

Who: ALL students K-5, their families, Teachers and their families.

Cost: $4 per student

A big Thank you to the PTO for sponsoring this fun event!

The following email was sent to all fourth grade families last week.

Dear Fourth Grade Families,

As you know Mr. Sacha Muller is leaving Eagle Ridge Academy at the end of the semester to spend more time with his family.  We are sad to have him leave, but have been working diligently to fill his position through the end of the school year.  At last night’s school board meeting the board approved the hiring of Kelsey Lindemeier as the long-term substitute teacher from January 22^nd-June 7^th.  Ms. Lindemeier has been the maternity leave sub for both Mrs. MacNevin and Mrs. Madigan this year in fourth grade.  She is well-versed in the fourth grade curriculum and procedures and knows the students very well.  We are happy to have her on board in fourth grade for the remainder of the school year.

Ms. Lindemeier was hired this year as a building substitute teacher at ERA.  Last year she was a special education paraprofessional at Eagle Ridge Academy.  She will finish the year in 4^th grade.

It is the last week of the first semester.  There is, of course, quite a bit of assessment going on this week for report cards.  Infinite Campus will be shut down at the end of the day on Monday (January 14^th), so teachers can begin entering grades and comments.  It will be reopened for parent access by the end of the day on Wednesday, January 23^rd.  

On January 20^th there is a benefit for the Norlander Family.  Please consider coming to support the family.  If you would like more information or are unable to attend and would like to donate, go to www.sharlafamily.org

Where: Biaggi’s Eden Prairie Mall

When: January 20, 2013 4:30-8:00

Cost: $12 for adults, $7 for children (10 and under)

Notes/Reminders

• Please make sure your students have warm winter clothes and boots for recess each day.
•  There is no school on Friday, January 18^th or Monday, January 21^st.  There is TEL available all day on both days.  Please go to the TEL website to register by Wednesday, January 16^th.  https://sites.google.com/site/theeagleslair/

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier