The Eagle Eye
Jan. 27, 2022 - Eagle Ridge Academy - Volume 18 | Issue 9
Upcoming Events
Thursday, January 27
- Sixth Grade Movie Night, ERA Solarium, 3:45-7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 28
- NO SCHOOL and office closed due to Staff Development
Monday, January 31 - Tuesday, February 2
- CANCELED - Sixth Grade Field Trip to Eagle Bluff. More information coming soon.
Tuesday, February 1
- School Board Meeting, Zoom and ERA Forum, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 3
- School of Rhetoric Blanket Tying Service Project, Mr. O'Brien's Room, 3:15-5:10 p.m.
Friday, February 4
- Marilyn Strand Memorial Games, ERA Gymnasium, 4:15-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 8
- VIRTUAL School Board Listening Session, Zoom, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- School Board Workshop, Zoom and ERA Forum, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Board of Directors Approves Latin Instruction Change - Susan Bloomgren, Academic Director
On January 25, the Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors approved the adjustment to Latin instructional minutes as proposed by the CISA (Curriculum, Instruction, Student Achievement) work group. The instructional minutes of 6th grade Latin will be increased to better align with the recommended pacing provided by the Latin Cambridge curriculum, as well as provide students with integrated Latin and grammar instruction. Latin instruction for grades K-2 will be replaced with a Classical Enrichment class that integrates literature, history, and science into the development of speaking and writing skills.
For additional information, please refer to the December 9, 2021 Eagle Eye issue.
Classical Parent Engagement Sessions Coming Soon! - Missy Madigan, Classical Coordinator
The Eagle Ridge Academy Classical Co-op is in the final stages of relaunching Classical parent education and engagement sessions. At Eagle Ridge Academy, we firmly believe that the strength of the partnership between school and home has a profound impact on a student’s education. Whether you are brand new to Classical Education or are a fierce advocate yourself, we have sessions tailored to meet you where you are and to share more about what is true, good, and beautiful in a Classical Education. Look for more information in the next Eagle Eye.
“At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.” – Jane D. Hull, former educator and politician
Health Office Substitutes Needed - Celia Pearson, School Nurse
Dear ERA Families and Community Members,
We are looking for a substitute school nurse to occasionally help in the health office. Please reach out if you are interested and have a valid MN nursing license.
Thank you,
Celia Pearson
Community Updates: School of Grammar
Order a School of Grammar Yearbook by this Friday!
To purchase a School of Grammar yearbook for only $31 plus tax, please go to the Jostens website. Yearbooks will be distributed at the end of May. You may contact Jami Kruschke with Lower School yearbook questions at jkrushchke@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Congratulations, Eagle Ridge Academy Spelling Bee Champion Aditi K.!
Twenty-two spellers battled it out for over an hour to crown our Eagle Ridge Academy spelling champion for 2022. It was a hard-fought battle with the final two going back and forth for 10 rounds. Fifth grader Aditi K. finally out-spelled the runner up, sixth grader Ramcharan Athur B. The winning word this year was gusset.
Aditi will take a 50-word test to try to qualify for the state spelling bee in March. The winner of the state competition will then go on to compete in the national competition in Washington, DC. Congratulations to all of our spellers for a great competition and good luck to Aditi on her journey to qualify for the state competition!
Ananya B. (4)
Jack S. (4)
Mimi P. (4)
Srisashank L. (4)
Vineet A. (4)
Vahin M. (4)
Aditi K. (5)
Dipannita G. (5)
Havish K. (5)
Karthik P. (5)
Sourish M. (5)
Vivaan R. (5)
Arnav S. (6)
Kevin B. (6)
Karthikeyan S. (6)
Pranav P. (6)
Ramcharan Athur B. (6)
Svaksha J. (6)
Graysen L. (7)
Rithick A. (7)
Rohan S. (7)
Saisha P. (7)
Sofia M. (8)
Community Updates: Schools of Logic & Rhetoric
Order an Upper School Yearbook by this Friday!
Notes from the Academic Advising Office - Mary Johnson, College and Academic Advisor
Dear Families,
Course Requests 2022-2023
The 2022-2023 Course Catalog and registration packets are available to view online and print here: https://www.eagleridgeacademy.org/school-of-rhetoric-registration/.
9th and 10th Grade Students and Families
Freshmen and sophomores will take the CLT 10 on Thursday, February 3. To receive your scores and be able to share your scores with prospective colleges and universities, please go to https://www.cltexam.com/signin/ and, using the username and password that was given to you in Advisory, create a profile or update your profile if you have taken a previous CLT exam. Email Ms. MJ with questions.
11th Grade Students and Families
Juniors will take the CLT exam on Thursday, February 10. To receive your scores and be able to share your scores with prospective colleges and universities, please go to https://www.cltexam.com/signin/ and, using the username and password that was given to you in Advisory, create a profile or update your profile if you have taken a previous CLT exam. Email Ms. MJ with questions.
12th Grade Students and Families
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education, Minnesota Department of Education, ECMC's The College Place Minnesota, and Minnesota Goes to College are launching a series of financial aid webinars for students and families as they prepare for the college-going process. All sessions will have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong. Participants who attend 4 out of 5 sessions will be eligible to win a $500 scholarship.
The series, which runs February 8 - March 1, will focus on a variety of topics, including general financial aid information, details on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Minnesota Dream Act for undocumented students, and other ways to pay for college.
- February 8, 2022, 7:00 p.m. — Financial Aid Overview
- February 15, 2022, 7:00 p.m. — Complete the FAFSA
- February 17, 2022, 7:00 p.m. — Complete the MN Dream Act
- February 22, 2022, 7:00 p.m. — Understanding Your Offer Letter
- March 1, 2022, 7:00 p.m. — Scholarship Search
To register for any of the webinars using Zoom, visit https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6hrjIqG4mCsdrn5Tv. Visit https://www.ohe.state.mn.us/ for information about each of Minnesota's financial aid programs. Questions can be directed to the state's financial aid hotline: (651) 642-0567.
Scholarship Information
- The Bridging the Dream Scholarship for High School Seniors: The Sallie Mae Fund will award 25 $10,000 scholarships to high school seniors who plan to enroll in a two- or four-year degree professional certificate or vocational training program. Seniors who excel inside and outside of the classroom and demonstrate financial need can apply NOW through Feb. 28 at www.salliemae.com/landing/bridging-the-dream.
- The Completing the Dream Scholarship: The Sallie Mae Fund will award 185 gap scholarships worth up to $2,500 each to minority students and those from underserved communities who are on track to graduate but are at-risk of not completing due to financial emergency or unpaid school bill. Students can apply NOW for the Completing the Dream Scholarship at www.salliemae.com/landing/completing-the-dream.
Sincerely,
Mary Johnson
SUPPORT ERA ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES!
- Volunteer at the Boys and Girls Basketball Home Games! Volunteers are needed in concessions and admissions/ticketing. Go to www.ERABooster.org and look for the volunteer links on the home page.
- Become a Booster Club Member! Memberships range from a free Patron member to a Gryphon member that provides access to all home games, a free concession snack, a free ticket to the end-of-year awards ceremony, and more. Show your school spirit and become a member today. Go to www.ERABooster.org and look for the "Become a Booster" button on the home page.
- Attend the Marilyn Strand Memorial Games on February 4 to show your school spirit and cheer on all of our basketball teams. Proceeds and freewill donations from this game will support the Marilyn Strand Memorial Scholarship fund. Not able to attend the game? You may still support Mrs. Strand’s legacy scholarship! For information about the opportunity to donate, email Ms. Schiffman: kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org. We hope to see you on this special evening to honor and remember Mrs. Strand’s legacy at Eagle Ridge Academy. See the flyer below for more information or visit www.ERABooster.org.
- Come on out to Gryphon Senior Night on February 24 to cheer on our Gryphon athletes and celebrate all our winter activities and athletics seniors!
- Become a Team Coordinator to support the students and coaches of a particular sport or activity. See https://erabooster.org/form/m/164170 for more information or to volunteer as your student's sport/activity Team Coordinator. Currently, the Debate Team and Robotics Team are both in need of a Team Coordinator. If you have interest and/or questions, please email GaraStrot@gmail.com.
- Join the ERA Booster Club Board! The ERA Booster Club is looking for parents interested in contributing to the growth and excellence of letter-eligible activities. Leading a committee for the Booster Club takes 7-10 hours per month. We currently need parents with an interest in fundraising, sponsorship, or communications. Email us at erabooster@gmail.com.
Learn more by visiting the ERA Booster Club website (erabooster.org) or by joining the Facebook group today!
Marilyn R. Strand Scholarship
Music Listening Club Invited To State Competition in February
Eagle Ridge Academy's Music Listening Club, led by Orchestra and Choir Director Ms. Finnes, had so much fun at their first ever music listening competition last Friday, January 21!
At the competition, a series of classical music excerpts were played. Students then had to answer questions about the excerpts, such as the year the pieces were composed, the composer, the time period, and the historical context. Our team had an impressive performance and have been invited to compete at the state competition in February. Congratulations, Music Listening Club!
Aquarium Club Trout Have Hatched
Join Spring Choir Club!
Students in grades 3-5 are invited to register now for Choir Club, led by School of Grammar music teacher Ms. Freund. Choir Club allows students that like to sing to experience being part of an ensemble. Students will learn about concert preparation and performance etiquette and have the opportunity to perform as part of a large group.
Choir Club will run on Mondays in Room 1609 from 3:30-4:15 p.m., February 14 - April 18. The Session 2 performance will take place on April 18 at 4:00 p.m.
Developing Connections
Thank You, ERA Community - Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
Dear Families,
I’d like to thank each of you for your kind support of Eagle Ridge Academy! Throughout the year, families generously give back to Eagle Ridge Academy through donations of time, talent, and treasure. Each and every gift to the Academy means that our students and staff have opportunities that would otherwise be unmet. I want to share with you some information that shows how your gifts, in every form, impact the work we do at Eagle Ridge Academy, provide a high quality education and opportunities for our students, and support our teachers and staff.
Since August 2021:
- Volunteers have contributed 336 volunteer hours to the Academy, helping with a wide variety of tasks. Each volunteer hour allows our resources to go towards educating our students. Volunteering not only provides needed assistance to the school, but it allows for relationship building and meeting new people. It’s been a pleasure having our families back in the building to help in the classroom with teacher and school projects, support events, grounds clean-up, lunchroom assistance, and other miscellaneous projects.
- More than $50,000 has been donated to the Academy to be used for areas of highest priority, including the new Grow Your Own Teacher program, an upright piano for the auditorium, the ERA scholarship program, Gryphon Garden, our library, and miscellaneous areas of importance. This amount does not include the more than $20,000 in pledges that are in place. As a public charter school, we receive 30% less per pupil than traditional public schools, so fundraising is essential to keep high-quality educational opportunities, state-of-the-art facilities, and stellar staffing in place.
- Talent is something we don’t often talk about, but if you look closely at our clubs and extra curriculars, you’ll find our parents volunteering not only their time but also their talent in areas such as theater/drama, Chess Club, Robotics/LEGO League, and other activities. Parents who have a passion for these areas lend their expertise in order to make the experiences rich for our students. These clubs and activities, often led by a staff member, rely on the expertise of our parents and community members to deliver the highest level of instruction, motivation, and experience that our students deserve.
I hope you know how very impactful your contributions are. You have made and continue to make a difference. Please consider how your personal contribution might impact a student. Thank you for your kindness. I am full of gratitude.
For more information on how you may participate in the development of Eagle Ridge Academy, please contact me at 952-746-7760, ext. 1107 or by email at kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org. Visit our website for online giving and other important information at https://eagleridgeacademy.org/giving/ways-to-support-era/.
Registration Coming Soon for 8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Donut Dash!
Eagle Ridge Academy's 8th annual Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Donut Dash will take place on Saturday, May 7. We are excited to announce a new route, which will begin and end at Eagle Ridge Academy! Stay tuned for more information and registration links next week.
Volunteer this Winter!
We have several opportunities available for volunteers this winter. There’s a job for everyone – let us know if you can help. Sign up to volunteer today.
Pledge Your Support
Pledge your annual support to Eagle Ridge Academy with an affordable monthly gift, broken down into smaller amounts, which makes giving easier and allows a predictable revenue source for Eagle Ridge Academy. Click here to pledge your annual support.
Corporate Match Programs
Do you work for an employer who has a Matching Gift Program or supports community events as recommended by the employee?
Consider reaching out to your Community Relations or HR department to ask about their community support and employee giving opportunities. Many organizations match employee gifts up to 100% (essentially doubling the impact of your gift to the Academy), donate to charities of choice based on volunteer hours, and sponsor events financially or with in-kind donations. Search this website to see if your workplace matches. Be informed by asking today!
Shop with SCRIP
Eagle Ridge Academy offers SCRIP, a gift card program that gives back to Eagle Ridge Academy with purchases on everyday items such as groceries, restaurants, retail, and gas. Buy gift cards at face value from more than 750 retailers and SCRIP donates a portion of all purchases back to Eagle Ridge Academy. Orders go in on Friday, with delivery to ERA the following Tuesday. The last order of the year will go in on December 13. Orders placed after this date will be processed after Winter Break. Learn more here. View the ShopwithScrip 2021 Holiday Gift Guide here!
AmazonSmile
Used Uniform Sale During Winter Conferences
Join us for the Winter Used Uniform Sale! To buy items, shop in the ERA Forum during conferences on Friday, February 18, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
To donate uniform items for this sale, just drop them off in the school office. Proceeds from donated uniforms benefit a long list of PTO events and services.
If you would like to sell your items, please click here to view instructions.
Uniform items will be accepted through Monday, February 14, for this sale. Anything received after this time will be placed in our next sale.
If you would like to volunteer to help us set up, run the sale, or clean up, please click here to be taken to our SignUpGenius. Thank you!
Spirit Wear
If you are looking to purchase spirit wear, we have received additional inventory. Please order online and pay an emailed invoice. You may pick up spirit wear items in the office.
Family Contributions
We appreciate the family contributions to the PTO fund that have brought us halfway to our goal for the year. You can always make a donation online or mail a check to PTO at the school's address. The donations go toward building community and providing fun events for the children to enhance their school experience.
Share Your Contact Information in the Family Directory
Since our school is unable to publish or otherwise share family contact information, we want to encourage families to share their contact information in the school directory via Membership Tool Kit. Doing so makes it much easier to communicate between families, share classroom opportunities, publicize grade level get-togethers, and assist one another with homework and uniform questions.
Membership Tool Kit gives you control over what information you share and is available both online and as an app. Create an account here.
If you already have an account, use the same link to access it through your mobile app or computer and update your family information including teacher or advisor name.
Stay Connected!
Sincerely,
Your 2021-2022 PTO Board
President – Elena Ryabinin
Vice-President – Poornima Pelluri
Treasurer – Tina Loutsch
Teacher Liaisons – Lindsay Thomas (1st grade teacher) and Jessica Bergeron (9th grade Latin teacher)
Community Engagement – Gretchen Stone; Carolyn Sommers Tillotson
Feel free to reach out to PTO via email pto.eagleridge@gmail.com.
Support ERA Through Box Tops for Education and Coca-Cola GIVE Programs
See It… Save It!
Did you know that you can support Eagle Ridge Academy through your everyday purchases with the Box Tops for Education and Coca-Cola GIVE programs? These programs are free and simple to use. Not only that, but anyone can participate—grandparents, neighbors, and friends—so check out these programs today, and while you’re at it, get a couple of friends on board too!
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education (BTFE) helps families earn money for Eagle Ridge Academy with products they already buy. It only takes minutes to get the Box Tops app through the app store on your phone and follow the prompts to set up your account. Be sure to enter ERA as your school. Once you have the app set up, it’s a snap to use it to scan your receipt every time you buy groceries. The app automatically finds eligible items and credits them to ERA! You can even see in the app how much money has been given to our school this year and what products have special Box Tops promotions going on. Visit boxtops4education.com for more information.
Coca-Cola GIVE
To contribute through Coca-Cola GIVE, Simply look for a code on Coke products. It can be found under screw tops or inside the boxes of 12- and 24-packs. When you see one, head to us.coca-cola.com/give/schools/ and search for Eagle Ridge Academy. Enter or scan the code and you’re done! Visit us.coca-cola.com/give/ for more information. Email seeitsaveitera@gmail.com if you have any questions about either program.
Light the Night Fundraiser February 21-25
Eagle Ridge Academy
Email: info@eagleridgeacademy.org
Website: https://www.eagleridgeacademy.org/
Location: 11111 Bren Road West, Minnetonka, MN, USA
Phone: 9527467760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EagleRidgeAcademy/
Twitter: @eagleridgeacad