The End Is Near...

I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the end.
Abraham Lincoln

We are reaching the end of the school year.  As I have said before the teachers are diligently keeping our students going until the very end.  Every day is a precious day to enrich each student with knowledge and we take advantage of each of those days that you entrust your children to use to do just that.

Second graders spent a great amount of time learning about different authors this spring.  Each student became an expert on an author and that author’s work.  The pinnacle of this unit was to host a Readers Café.  The lunchroom was a flurry of activity of students reading and sharing what they had learned with families and staff members at ERA.  I was fortunate enough to have multiple students read books to me and was so impressed with their reading fluency and depth of knowledge.  Check out a few pictures from this great event.

Speaking of reading, the study never ends.  Fourth graders have been reading Treasure Island this spring.  They are planning a Treasure Island Readers Theater to go along with their study of the book.  Each class has been practicing and preparing.  Ms. Lindemeier was able to take advantage of a nice spring day to get her students outside to do their practicing in groups.  If you are interested in seeing the Readers Theater, it will be on Thursday at 1:30 in the lunchroom.  Don’t be late or you may have to walk the plank!

The kindergarten students have been learning about fish in science.  They have made observations of goldfish and guppies in order to compare and contrast them, as well as learning fish facts.  Mrs. Palm’s class made their own fish to hang in the hallway and shared facts they had learned about them.  See the pictures below.

Your child’s teacher will be sending home an order form this week for Summer Skills Books.  Many parents have asked for something to work on with their children over the summer.  I have used these books in the past and believe they fit the rigor of Eagle Ridge Academy.  You may want to chat with your child’s teacher to see which level he/she would recommend.  If you order the book it will be sent directly to your house.  We will not be coordinating the ordering of books, but wanted to provide a suggestion to those who were looking for something.  Here is the website for the books for more information:  http://www.summerskills.com/

Just a reminder, if your child is going to be absent the office staff cannot facilitate getting home work for you.  Please make sure you check websites for homework.  It is difficult for teachers to give homework in advance, as what they plan to do each day may or may not be covered based on a myriad of factors.  It is much easier for students to make up work once they return to school.  If your child is out multiple days, you may contact the teacher who can then leave the previous day’s work with Mrs. Strand or Mrs. Twetan.  Thanks!

Notes and Reminders

-The State of the School address is this evening (5/21) starting at 6:00pm.

-Friday is a spirit wear day.

-Upcoming Field Trips

            May 30^th- 4^th Grade Children’s Theater Trip

            May 31^st- 1^st Grade Como Zoo Trip

                             5^th Grade Fort Snelling Trip

-The Kindergarten and 1^st Grade Informances are on June 4^th starting at 6:00 and 7:00 respectively.

Have a wonderful week and a Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Mrs. Baier

Spring Happenings

Excitement is in the air at Eagle Ridge Academy!  The weather has finally changed (for the better) and the end of the year activities have increased.  There are lots of field trips and chances to take learning outside.  Read about some of the exciting happening and work being done below.

Eagle Ridge Academy is proud to have a 2^nd Place finisher in the Minnesota Charter Public Schools Essay Writing Contest.  Our own Evan N. wrote a delightful essay and was selected to read his essay on the steps of the State Capitol on Thursday, May 9^th.  To make the day even more eventful our Lower School Choir Club was asked to sing at the presentation.  The event was intended to be held outside, but rain forced it indoors.  It seems there is a rule that does not allow singing inside the rotunda at the Capitol.  Our choir was able to sing outside as people were entering the Capitol. Evan did a wonderful job reading his essay.  After the essay presentations were complete, the students were able to visit Senator Melisa Franzen in her office.  She was kind enough to take the students to the Senate Chambers and explain what happens there.  It certainly was a day to remember for the students, teachers, parents, and principal.  I had never been on the Senate Floor and was honored we were able to visit.  See all the great pictures and video of the day below.

Second grade students have been studying about the weather.  They have been learning about the different types of clouds.  Below are some pictures outside Ms. Hudak’s rooms demonstrating what they have learned about clouds.

Fifth grade students have been reading and writing poems, poems, and more poems.  Below are a few of the poems they have written about spring.

Kindergarten students have been working hard on sentences.  They are learning parts of speech and have been writing some great sentences.  Below are a few of the sentence people they have hanging outside their classrooms.  

Notes and Reminders

-The ERA State of the School Meeting is on May 21^st at 6:00pm.

-Kindergarten and 1^st grade Informances are on June 4^th.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier