Good Stewards of the Earth

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous" Aristotle

Last week,  Lower School students celebrated Earth Day in many different ways. At Eagle Ridge Academy students show citizenship by taking care of their environment every day, not just on Earth Day.  Teachers use the day to have students reflect on how they have or will care for the earth and their community.  We want our students to become good stewards of the earth and always see the beauty in nature. 

This year grade levels highlighted the day in different ways. For example, kindergarten students went outside and picked up trash that had accumulated around the school. First grade students made some pledges for helping the Earth. Second grade students wrote poems about the beautiful Earth. Here are some pictures of their activities.

First, third, and fifth grade students had their annual music Informances last week. The students showcased all they have learned in music this year and how it connects to the learning they do in other classes. Thanks to Mrs. Nimchuk and all of the students for such wonderful performances!

Have a wonderful week
Mrs. Baier

Making Growth

Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.  ~Benjamin Franklin

Next week Lower School students will begin their annual standardized testing.  Standardized testing occurs on various dates in April and May.  Your child’s homeroom teacher will communicate the actual days your child will be testing this year.  In the Lower School students in grades 3-5 take the MCA (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment) and students in grades 1-5 will start taking the ERB (Educational Records Bureau) Assessment this year.  These assessments are designed to show the achievement and growth of students from year to year.  There is nothing you need to do to prepare your child for the test.  You can help make assessment days a success by making sure your child gets plenty of sleep the night before and has a healthy breakfast in the morning.

The next Lower School Parent Coffee is on April 28^th at 8:00 am in the Main Office Conference Room.  At that event, I will go over a sample ERB parent report.  If you have a child in grades 1-5 and have never seen an ERB parent report before, you may want to come to see what it is like and have a better understanding of it prior to your child’s coming home later in the year. 

Over spring break, Mr. Anderson had an art drawing challenge.  Over 50 students completed the challenge, and Arjan (3rd gr.) and Jasmine (Kinder) were randomly selected in the prize drawing! Way to go ERA Artists!

March Pillar ticket winners had snack and free time outside with Mrs. Baier this week.  Here are some pictures of some of them enjoying their time outside.  Winners were:  Meghan B., Molly D., Aniket G., Adhiraiyan K., and Navya N.

Next week is the first of the music Informances on Thursday, April 23^rd.  Students in grades 1, 3, and 5 will be sharing what they have learned in music this year.  Times are listed below for each grade level.  They will be in the ERA Gym and all students should come in formal dress (complete with black or brown dress shoes).  This is one of those times when we are teaching children the difference between regular and formal dress for special occasions.  

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier

Passing of Time

"There is so little time for us all.  I need to be able to say what I want quickly and to as many people as possible.  Time passes so slowly if you are unaware of it and so quickly if you are aware of it."

~Marc Bolan

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful spring break.  We have jumped right back in and started the 4^th quarter of the 2014-15 school year.  I always lament on where has the time gone, but it is so amazing to look at our students and see the growth they have made in so many ways.  Many culminating events are taking place in the next couple of months to show the connections they have made, and the new abilities they have developed through the year. There are music informances, readers’ theaters, a reader café, and the Art Expo coming up (just to name a few).  I hope you are able to attend those events and take part in the celebration of accomplishments!

Second grade Latin students have been using their new-found Latin knowledge to create very specific “monsters.”  They used their vocabulary and some even used Roman numerals to explain their monsters.  They are currently displayed outside the Lower School Latin classroom.  Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment.

One of the positive aspects of a kindergarten-12^th grade school is the ability to bring students of differing ages together to share their knowledge.  Upper school students have been coming down to the Lower School a couple of days a week during advisory time to read with some of our kindergarten and 1^st grade students.  They have made some wonderful connections and have given the younger students another opportunity to practice their reading skills.  It is a pleasure to watch them interact together in the Forum area on Mondays and Fridays. 

A while back I posted about Mrs. Lewandowski posting some logic puzzles outside her reading room door.  Students have loved trying to solve her puzzles.  They are now working on making puzzles of their own for other to solve.  Here are a few that have some to her.  See if you can solve them!

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Baier