Best Version of You!

 “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

I read a book in 1^st grade last week called  Why Am I Here?.  It was given to me by a parent and I love the message it imparts, that we are all in this world to “Be the Best Version of Ourselves.”  As you can guess it repeats this message over and over and the students really latch onto the words. They are excited to say them with me as I read the book.  For a first grader becoming the “best version of him/herself” is simple, but not always easy.    It is making good choices with their actions and words.  Choosing to take turns, doing homework instead of playing, cleaning up instead of leaving a mess.   First graders begin to learn that making those good choices makes them feel good inside.  The book also lets children realize they are not perfect and they don’t always make those good choices, but they should try each day to get better and better. 

The more I think about the book, the more I realize it is that simple for all of us (but not always easy).  We should always try to be the “best version of ourselves” because the “best version of ourselves” makes things better for everyone (not just ourselves).   We are never too old to strive to be better in our interactions with each other and the choices we make.  Expecting perfection from each other is an impossible standard to uphold and to hold others to each day. Becoming a superior self is always possible and as Ernest Hemingway said, certainly something noble to reach for in our lives. I'm going to try to think about it in my everyday choices and hope you do, too. 

Second grade students have been studying synonyms.  The teachers created a fun project to go with their study.  Try saying this one several times quickly (or in my case one time slowly) correctly…Synonym Cinnamon Rolls!  While the creation of them didn’t fill our hallways with that yummy cinnamon roll smell, the students created lovely projects that showed their understanding of synonyms. Here are a few pictures of those finished projects.  

Next week there is no school on Friday (10/2) for a teacher Professional Development Day.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier

Community Spirit

“One can acquire everything in solitude except character.” ~Stendhal

There was certainly no solitude at Eagle Ridge Academy last Friday evening.  Community spirit was in the air at Rockin’ the Ridge.  What a wonderful time to come together and share experiences!  Thank you for taking the time to bring your family to the event.  It felt so energizing to see people come out, despite the rain to bond with others in the Eagle Ridge Academy community.  A special THANK YOU to the PTO for all of their work in planning and carrying off the special event.  I know I am looking forward to our next community event to make connections and feel that sense of belonging.   Here are a few pictures from Rockin’ the Ridge to brighten your day!

Kindergarten students have been learning about plants.  They have learned the different parts of plants and found out that all parts of plants can be edible.  They even had a special day to gain first-hand experience on what different parts of plants can taste like.  Check out these pictures from Mrs. Palm’s class.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier

Connecting Learning

If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.  ~ Unknown

It has been a great week of collaboration in learning at Eagle Ridge Academy.  We certainly want our students to go far and are always looking for ways to connect student learning to real life and bring others, whether from the school or the community, together for learning.  At Eagle Ridge Academy, teachers work together (across grades and disciplines) to make learning meaningful for students.  They also look outside to the local community to make those connections.  The African proverb of “It takes a village…” is certainly true and our teachers understand the importance when it comes to the education of your children.  Read more of my blog to see what has been happening at Eagle Ridge Academy this week in regards to community, learning together, and making connections.

Fourth grade students have started the school year with a science unit on meteorology.  They have been learning about air pressure, weather fronts, severe weather (and its effect on our environment), along with many specific meteorological terms.  Mrs. Madigan reached out to local meteorologist Chris Shaffer (WCCO) to let him know what our fourth graders were studying and how they had been challenged to watch the weather each night to make note of the terms the meteorologists were using.  Mr. Shaffer was so impressed he highlighted our school at the beginning of his weather report on Thursday, September 10^th.  You can see his report at this link:

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/show/wcco-4-news/#.VfIFg46PM_w.email

By doing this Mr. Shaffer made a real life connection for our students and shored up the importance of what they are learning for them.  Thank you to Mr. Shaffer and the fourth grade teachers for making this learning extra meaningful to our students!

Mr. Anderson turned his classroom into a cave.  Why on earth did he do this?  I can think of a couple of great reasons.  First of all, the 1^st grade students have been studying the cave paintings in Lascaux during art this year.  They have learned about the different animals that lived in caves and during the time of these cave paintings.  The 1^st grade students also study habitats in science and while caves are not a habitat they dive into, the connection Mr. Anderson made will extend their learning further.  The art/science/history connection is another way to make learning meaningful.  Check out the pictures below to see the cave paintings the students made (Authentically by painting on their paper on the wall not on a table, I might add.).  Thank you Mr. Anderson for the experience!

Next week is our first formal dress day of the year.  Students are expected to wear their formal dress uniform on Wednesday, September 16^th.  We have picture retakes that day, so students who need their pictures taken or retaken will be in their formal dress already!  Please make sure you review the formal dress requirements on the website.

I look forward to seeing you on Friday evening (September 18^th) at Rockin’ the Ridge.  It is an exciting community event that runs from 6:00-10:00.  The PTO is still looking for some volunteers, so please check out the opportunities on the website.  In honor of Rockin’ the Ridge, we will have our first spirit wear day for students and staff on Friday.  Students can wear Eagle Ridge Academy spirit wear.  They should not wear jeans, but can wear any Eagle Ridge Academy bottoms or their regular uniform bottoms.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier

Being the best version of yourself

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do.  Attitude determines how well you do it.” ~ Lou Holtz

Everyone has different abilities at the many things we try to do in life.  While I am at a high ability level when it comes to understanding and playing tennis, golf is much more of a challenge for me.  Students at Eagle Ridge Academy also have differing levels in all things they are learning to do at school.  Teachers work hard to meet students’ individual needs in the classroom setting.  In the primary grades the students work at their own pace to develop their reading skills with teachers setting expectations for growth along the way.  The same thing occurs in all grades for math.  Students are placed in classes according to their current ability levels (while still offering a challenge) by their teachers. We do not call these classes high, middle, and low.  All math classes in the School of Grammar are either at grade level or slightly above grade level moving at differing paces.  These are flexible groups and students move from class to class, as needed at different points in a school year or from year to year (when they have mastered particular skills).  It would be helpful if you talked to your child about math class just being math class, not high math or low math.  There is no prize or award for being in one class instead of the other.  Please help your child understand their math and reading classes are based on his/her needs at the time to help him/her become “the best version of him or herself!” 

Thank you to all parents who remembered that Monday was the first day to let your child walk down to the classroom on his/her own.  It is a step toward independence and learning to be responsible.  We still have people in the hallways in the morning to help the students who need assistance down to the classroom.  Remember your child needs to be seated in the classroom ready to learn by 8:00 each morning.  If your child is eating breakfast, you can drop them off at 7:30, so there will be enough time to eat and get to class. 

Don’t forget about Curriculum Night next Thursday, September 10^th for grades 1-5.  First and second grade homeroom teacher presentations are from 6:00-7:00 in your child’s classroom.  Specialists will present in the Commons from 7:00-7:30, and third through fifth grade homeroom teacher presentations are from 7:30-8:30.  We look forward to seeing you at this parents-only event.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Mrs. Baier

Words to Live By

Welcome to the 2015-16 school year!  It has been a beautiful Minnesota summer.  Our staff has explored the world in their quest for life-long learning.  I hope your family is ready to experience the awe and excitement of the beginning of a new school year.

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you know I usually start with a quote. In looking for a quote to begin the new school year, I remembered the multitude just outside my office door.  Our welcome back bulletin board in the hallway is entitled “Quotes to Lead By” and staff members have shared quotes meaningful to them.  Quotes are important to me because it is often someone else’s words that give us pause or cause us to reflect.  My love affair with quotes has also made me much more aware of the impact of my own words.  While I don’t expect to be quoted on a website, I do hope that some of the things I say have meaning and impact on others in a positive way. 

I decided to let all of our bulletin board quotes start our new year.  Perhaps you will find one that is meaningful to you or causes you to shift your thinking or perceptions in some way.  If you do, I know the staff members would love to hear about the impact of their quotes on you.  Or perhaps, you would like to share a quote with us.  Please feel free to do either.  I collect quotes and love to receive more!

Don’t forget to make arrangements to attend Lower School Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 10^th.  This parents-only event is a time for you to get to know your child’s classroom teacher, hear from specialists (art, Latin, music, and physical education), and learn more about the grade level routines and curriculum.  We look forward to seeing you!

Have a wonderful first week!

Mrs. Baier

Living in the moment and creating memories

“Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going.” ~ Tennessee Williams

I recently received a blog post email entitled “Eighteen Summers.”  Without even reading the post, I thought immediately about the eighteen summers of childhood.  You are preparing to embark on another one of those summers with your child. Remember this time is finite.  I hope you take some of it to build some memories together.  It is not always the big events I remember best from childhood, as I look back.  The simple gift of time together can sometimes create the best memories. 

My goal this summer is to experience awe and wonderment.  We talked about this as a staff at our last professional development day.  Disconnecting and truly being with those around me and looking at things without distraction is the order of my summer.  I hope you are able to do the same through your own eyes and your child’s eyes.  Don’t let those present moments flicker by too quickly.  Savor the moment and file it away to remember another day!

The last few weeks of the 2014-15 school year have been busy with trips and projects.  The kindergarten students took their 1^st ever field trip to Sea Life at the Mall of America.  It tied in nicely with their study of fish in the classroom.

The 5^th graders got to take their overnight field trip to the Science Museum.  While always tired upon their return, the experience is amazing for students and chaperones.  Last year was the inaugural year and we have decided it make it an annual event due to the overwhelming positive feedback we have received about it.

Third grade students had an author visit recently.  Mrs. Murray’s mom is the author of a book called Hollow Earth.  The 3^rd grade teachers have been reading it to students as a read-aloud in class.  The interaction between our students and Ms. Barrowman was truly unique.  The background knowledge needed to truly understand the book is something our students gain each day in Latin and history.  We really appreciate her taking the time to come and speak to our students.

Have a wonderful last week!

Mrs. Baier

Feedback Loop

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchill

We are coming to the time when we send out surveys to families to get an overview on how we are performing as a school in various areas.  Being proactive in seeking out feedback and being receptive to feedback received is important for the growth of individuals and our school, as a whole.  We are seeking feedback from you to help us continue to grow in the future.  Teachers will be personally sending you links to the teacher surveys to gain feedback from you. You will receive other short surveys about both the Lower School and Upper School.  We have tried to be succinct in all surveys and have designed questions that will identify areas of improvement, but also give you the opportunity to share compliments.  Please take a few minutes to provide your candid thoughts…both the glows and the grows when you receive your surveys.  Thanks!

Second grade students have been studying contractions.  In an effort to liven up what some might think of as a slightly less than exciting topic, the second grade teachers allowed students to perform contraction surgery!  Cutting words apart and putting them back together on the operating table is not for the faint of heart.  Contractions complete with band-aids to promote healing are hanging on their classroom doors.  Check out the pictures below. 

Congratulations to kindergarten student Ambrose S. for winning the Principal’s Award at the Art Expo last Friday.  His winning picture will be framed and hung outside my office.  It will remain there for the entire 2015-16 school year. 

There is no school for students on Friday, May 22nd or Monday, May 25th.

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier