Welcome Back

“Spoon feeding in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.” ~ E.M. Forster

The above quote continually reminds me why the mission of Eagle Ridge Academy is always at the center of everything we do here.  We always challenge our students to achieve their best by encouraging them to persevere and learn things on their own.  While sometimes this is difficult and there are easier ways to teach students, we do them no favors as they will not internalize their knowledge. We do not spoon feed our students knowledge.  We teach them truths and how they can use those truths to further their own understanding of the world each day.

Last week I enjoyed hot cocoa with our December Pillar ticket winners listed below.  January’s drawing will take place on January 31^st.  The five winners of this drawing will enjoy time with janitor Steve learning more about the inner workings of Eagle Ridge Academy. 

December Pillar Ticket Winners

Rachel M.

Carter S.

Livia B.

Ananya S.

Madison C.

It was an honor to watch our 4^th and 5^th grade contestants in the first annual Eagle Ridge Academy Spelling Bee on January 9^th.  It was quite the contest.  After 17 rounds of action, the winner was 8^th grader Tharun R.  Congratulations to him!  We look forward to hearing how he does on the next step of the competition.  A special thanks to Mrs. Karen Pettinger for organizing the spelling bee and gathering volunteers to make it possible!

Please note that boots are not a part of the dress code in the Lower School this year.  This includes the tall tennis shoes (not regular high-top tennis shoes) and Ugg boots.  Thank you for your help in making sure your children abide by the uniform policy.

Students in second and third grade have been working on resolutions for 2014.  The second graders are thinking about what how they can get better and new things they can read.  The third graders in Mr. Schloesser’s class have reflected about things they have enjoyed so far and something they might want to improve on in the New Year.  You can see their work in the few pictures below and hanging in the hallways outside the classrooms. 

Mr. Dan O’Brien from the Upper School came down last week to speak to the second grade students about his experiences in Japan.  The second graders are currently learning about the geography and culture of Japan.

Last week our 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th grade students took the OLPA test in mathematics.  The OLPA is a practice MCA test to help us identify how students may score on the actual MCA mathematics test in the spring.  We will finish the testing this week and hope to communicate results to parents by the end of the week.  

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier