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

Art in Life

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” ~Degas

Our Lower School office has been awash in art throughout the school year.  Mr. Anderson does such a wonderful job sharing the artwork of our Lower School students and how it connects to things they are learning about in their other classes.  I have shared many of his displays in this blog this year.  In preparation for the Art Expo this weekend, I would like to share the latest.  I hope seeing some of these beautiful works of art inspire you to attend the Expo on Friday or Saturday.  Check out the ERA website calendar for exact times. 

First grade students have been learning about texture (both actual and implied).  Students drew animals with basic shapes and used their texture knowledge to make them stand out.  Check out the final products on our office wall and in the pictures below.

Second grade students have been studying and sharing about different cultures.  In their study of India, they learned about Mehndi.  Mehndi is the painting of hands and feet that started thousands of years ago in India.  Students created their own designs and have them displayed on the corner of Integrity Avenue in the Lower School.

Saturday is Eagle Ridge Academy’s first annual Donut Dash 5K.  I am excited so many families have committed to come and participate.  We always have room for more volunteers and cheerleaders along the course. Contact Kelly Schiffman if you would like to volunteer or sign up to run or walk at this link.  http://donutdash5k.weebly.com/ I know I will appreciate some words of encouragement when I am slowly running by…it’s all about perseverance.  I feel this is an opportunity for me to model that very important Pillar for our Lower School students!

Have a great week!

Mrs. Baier

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