The Eagle Eye
Feb. 24, 2022 - Eagle Ridge Academy - Volume 18 | Issue 11
Upcoming Events
Register Now:
- Spring Activities
- 8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Dash at Eagle Ridge Academy on May 7
- 9th Annual Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament at Edinburgh USA Golf Course on June 21
Monday, January 21 - Friday, February 25
Friday, February 25
- Spirit Wear Day
Saturday, February 26
- Winter Musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, ERA Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. Tickets sold at door for $5; Admission free for ERA staff and students.
Sunday, February 27
- Winter Musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, ERA Auditorium, 2:00 p.m. Tickets sold at door for $5; Admission free for ERA staff and students.
Tuesday, March 1
- National Reading Month
- Spring Musical Wizard of Oz Auditions, ERA Auditorium, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sign up on the sheet located on the auditorium doors.
Wednesday, March 2
- Spring Musical Wizard of Oz Auditions, ERA Auditorium, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Sign up on the sheet located on the auditorium doors.
Tuesday, March 8
- School Board Listening Session, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- School Board Workshop, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Light The Night Virtual Fundraiser Ends Tomorrow!
Eagle Ridge Academy is participating in Light The Night this week, February 21-25. Light The Night (formerly known as Pennies for Patients) raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia and Lymphoma’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
The two Lower School classes and one Upper School Advisory that raise the most money will get classroom parties! Please use this link to get to the virtual fundraiser: https://pages.lls.org/ltn/mn/TwinCiti21/eagleridgeacademy. Upper School families can put their child’s name/Advisor in the comment section. Thank you for supporting this cause with us!
March is National Reading Month
March is National Reading Month! In honor of this, please consider donating a book or even a series of books to our ERA library. Please click here to see a wish list of the most needed additions and replacements.
If you would like to have Donated by (your name) included in the book(s), please include this information in a note with your purchase. You will put smiles on the faces of the over 800 students that visit the library every week!
Happy School Board Recognition Week!
The Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors is a group of dedicated individuals who care about the educational needs of the Eagle Ridge Academy community. We are truly thankful to our School Board members. Please join us in thanking these individuals for their service.
2022 Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors Election - Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors
On behalf of the Eagle Ridge Academy Board of Directors, we are issuing a call for nominations for the 2022 Board of Directors election. Please read on for more information regarding the election process.
Board of Directors Composition:
Currently, the Board is made up of six teacher seats and five parent/community member seats. For the 2022 election, the following seats will be open for election:
- Three teacher seats
- Two parent/community member seats
The Nomination Process:
The Board of Directors asks that you nominate yourself or other individuals with the competence and vision to provide skilled leadership for the Academy. Any member of the corporation, parent or staff, may submit a nomination. To submit a nomination, please complete the Nomination Form. This form is also available on the Eagle Ridge Academy website. Nominations are due on or before Friday, March 25, at 4:00 p.m.
Board Member Election Process:
Once nominations are received, the election process will follow this sequence:
- All nominees will receive an information packet containing a detailed description of the requirements of Board service as well as details for accepting the nomination, including a candidate questionnaire.
- A completed questionnaire, submitted by April 5 at 4:00 p.m., is the individual’s official notification that they accept the nomination.
- An Election Guide with information on all candidates, their qualifications, and their views as stated in the candidate questionnaires will be available on April 8 on the official election site as well as posted on the Eagle Ridge Academy website for review.
- A Candidate Forum will be held on April 21 at 6:00 p.m. (location TBD). This forum will provide an opportunity to meet and question all the candidates who are running for election. All candidates are encouraged to take part in this forum.
- The official election will open on April 21 at 7:00 p.m. All eligible voters will receive an individualized ballot passcode and log-in information as well as further directions via email.
- All votes must be cast no later than April 25 at 12:00 p.m.
- Official results will be announced at the Annual Board Meeting on April 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Community Updates: School of Grammar
School of Grammar Families,
I hope each of you were able to enjoy the warmer weather this past Sunday brought us. For me, it was a good reminder that spring will arrive, even if it takes a bit longer than I’d like. It was fun to see the faces of students I haven’t seen in a while. Earlier, I reminded students that mask-wearing is now optional. I also talked with them about how that means that whatever choices others make about that is okay. I saw a good amount of students and staff in the building both with and without masks. No one I interacted with said too much about it other than checking to see if this was the rule this week to be sure they were following it.
To me, this indicates that the time and effort each of us put into teaching and modeling our Pillars: Citizenship, Integrity, Perseverance, Honor, Excellence, and Respect pays dividends in big ways and small. It’s encouraging to see even our youngest students putting respect, citizenship, and honor into practice as we navigate this new step in the journey of these past two years.
I’m grateful to be able to continue to play a part in contributing to the education of your children. Thank you for the conversations you’ve had with them, each other, and our staff here at ERA. Because we all contribute and work together, our students are able to continue to thrive both in what they learn and how they act toward one another.
Kind Regards,
Janelle Mellgren
Come See the Winter Musical this Weekend!
Come on out to Eagle Ridge Academy this weekend to see the winter musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown! Performances will take place in the ERA auditorium on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5. Admission is free for ERA staff and students.
The cast, directed by Ms. Michels, is comprised of students in grades 4-6. They have been hard at work rehearsing for the past month and are excited to finally share their musical with the ERA community! They performed the song "Beethoven Day" in front of an audience for the first time during the School of Grammar assembly this past Monday.
School of Grammar Yearbooks Nearly Sold Out!
Yearbook orders are still being accepted online until they are sold out. Personalized yearbooks with names and icons are no longer available to order. To purchase a School of Grammar yearbook for only $31 plus tax, please click here. Yearbooks will be distributed at the end of May. You may contact Jami Kruschke with Lower School yearbook questions at jkrushchke@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Community Updates: Schools of Logic & Rhetoric
PSEO Registration & Sophomore College Search Bootcamp - Mary Johnson, College and Academic Advisor
Dear School of Rhetoric Families,
PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Opportunity) registration for the 2022-2023 School year has opened. Please use this link for information regarding the PSEO program.
Sophomore College Search Bootcamp will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, in the Upper School Computer Lab (Room 2132). Please enter through the Activities Entrance at Door 4 starting at 8:45 a.m.
Sincerely,
Mary Johnson
Class of 2022: Graduate Name for Diploma Form and Graduation Fee Due February 25
The Class of 2022 must provide the requested information in the Graduate Name for Diploma form. This form, along with the $70 graduation fee, is due February 25. You may edit information regarding your fall of 2022 plans until May 25. As is tradition, we will be presenting a slide show of the senior class prior to and after the ceremony. Photos may be uploaded to the Graduate Name for Diploma form until May 1. See more information about graduation in the email sent home to seniors and families Thursday, February 9.
Seniors in Winter Activities to be Honored During Tonight's Basketball Game
Show your school spirit, cheer on our Gryphon athletes, and recognize our winter activities and athletics seniors at Senior Night, Thursday, February 24!
Gryphon basketball games start at 5:30 p.m. Seniors will be recognized at halftime during the 7:15 p.m. Boys Varsity game.
Admission to the games is free for ERA students, $6 for adults, $4 for non-ERA students and senior citizens. Concessions will be open during the games – get a hot meal deal for only $5!
Thank you to the ERA Booster Club for sponsoring this event. Learn more about Booster Club at erabooster.org.
Mock Trial Going to State Tournament!
Congratulations to the ERA Mock Trial A Team! The team is heading to the state tournament for the third time over the four years that this program has been in existence. They are undefeated this year and most recently won a hard fought battle against Lakeville North. The State Tournament will be held March 3 and March 4 and involves three guaranteed trials, with the possibility of a fourth. Congratulations to mockers Greta L., Dulce C.-M., Lydia B., Natalie G., Muthu M., Maren F., and Aishwarya R. Go Gryphons!
The ISM / ERA SoR Math Team Wins Meet 5 and Qualifies for State Tournament!
The School of Rhetoric (SoR) Math Team scored 69 points in Meet 5 last week to finish first in Section 2AA for the meet and for the season. The team finished first in Class AA (middle-sized schools). Overall, the team finished 12th out of 163 teams in the state with a total of 426 points. Team recognition occurs within the section. By virtue of their first-place finish within the section, the team received an automatic invitation to the State Tournament on Monday, March 14, at South St. Paul High School. Due to space limitations, only scoring team mathletes and up to two alternates may attend. No spectators are allowed. The following mathletes will represent ISM and ERA at the State Tournament: Carter A. (ERA), Aarya B. (ISM), Aahil G. (ERA), Ariel J. (ISM), Robin L. (ISM), Max P. (ISM), Sam P. (ISM), Simon W. (ISM), Ellie W. (ISM), and Aizada Y. (ERA).
Register for Spring Activities
Spring activity registration is still open: https://era-ar.rschooltoday.com/home. Please note that some activities are listed under Spring and some are listed under All Year. The fee reduction form is available here.
Gryphon Track & Field
- Highly competitive co-op team with ISM, Chesterton, and Groves Academy
- Grades 7-12
- Location: ISM
- Monday-Friday, 4:00-5:30 p.m.; Transportation provided to ISM
- Head Coach: Rob Economy
- Begins March 14
- $200
ThunderGryph Baseball
- United Christian Academy – Eagle Ridge Academy Baseball
- Grades 7-12: Varsity & JV
- Practices in Bloomington or Eden Prairie
- Monday-Friday, 3:45-5:30 p.m.; Transportation provided to practice
- Head Coach: Evan Johnson
- Begins March 14
- $200
Blake (& ERA) Softball
- New this year! We will co-op with Blake for V/JV Softball with the intent of launching ERA Softball in spring 2024
- Grades 7-12: Varsity & JV, no cuts
- Practice at Blake campus: https://www.blakebears.org/softball
- Monday-Friday, 3:45-5:30 p.m.
- Head Coach: Jenna Privette
- Begins March 14
- $200
Ultimate Frisbee
- Ultimate returns to ISM for 2022. It will remain a coop with Chesterton and ISM.
- Grades 7-12: Varsity Boys, Varsity Girls, and Middle School levels planned
- Practice at ISM
- Practices Monday/Wednesday 5:30-7:00 p.m.; No transportation unless participating in track
- Head Coach: James Kittleson
- Begins April 4
- $200
Gryphon Girls Badminton
- Girls Badminton returns with a 12-person roster in 2022
- Grades 7-12: Varsity
- Practices in ERA Auxiliary Gym
- Practices Wednesday/Friday, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
- Head Coach: Abhi Das
- Begins March 16
- $110
Golf
- Golf will be offered through United Christian Academy
- Grades 7-12: Boys and Girls
- Practice location TBD – in Bloomington area
- Practices Monday-Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Begins March 16
- $250
Blake Synchronized Swimming
- Grades 7-12: Girls
- Practice at Blake School
- Practices Monday-Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Begins March 7
- $250
Note: We will add a Boys Volleyball club that meets outside of practice times for varsity sports. Look for registration to open in March.
Go Gryphons!
SUPPORT ERA ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES!
- Volunteers needed for basketball games. Please go to www.ERABooster.org and click on the volunteer tab to sign up.
- 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 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.
- 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!
Developing Connections
Registration Open for 8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Donut Dash and 9th Annual Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament -- Both at New Locations! - Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
Dear ERA Community,
With thoughts of nice weather to come, it’s a good time to start thinking about spring and summer! The Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Donut Dash is on May 7 and the Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament is on June 21 - and both events are at new venues this year!
Ways to Participate:
- Register today: Donut Dash | Gryphon Classic Golf
- Sponsor the events with the donation of a product or financial gift.
- Ask your employer to participate as a sponsor.
- Volunteer to help at the 5K on May 7. We need 50 volunteers – Sign-up coming in March.
- Donate a 100% tax-deductible gift.
- Help promote both events by sharing on your social media or by word of mouth. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues.
Watch for Sprinkles and Cocoa, our DD5K mascot donuts, to make special appearances in the coming weeks! We are also seeking corporate sponsors for both of these events. Check with your employer to see if they might be interested in backing either of these events and supporting your students and their classmates at Eagle Ridge Academy.
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/.
8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Donut Dash Information
We are back IN PERSON this year for the 8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and Mini-Donut 1/2 Mile for Kids with a whole NEW 5K COURSE, leaving and finishing at Eagle Ridge Academy! Whether you are a runner, a walker, or a donut-enthusiast, this is the event for you! Each 5K race registrant receives a 2022 race shirt, post-race refreshment, and DONUTS! Children ages 10 and younger that participate in the Mini-Donut 1/2 mile receive a race shirt, medal, and mini-donuts. There will be Zumba warm-ups led by a certified instructor before the race, complimentary chair massages, rock tape applications, music, and fun youth activities. The event will take place on Saturday, May 7, starting at 8:00 a.m. Visit www.eagleridgeacademy.org/donut-dash-5K to view the race map, see fun photos from previous years, and for more information.
Online registration is OPEN! To register via mail with cash or check (made payable to FERA), please download the registration brochure and return with your payment to Eagle Ridge Academy. All registrations are non-refundable.
5K Pricing:
$35 Adult 5K Registration (on or before April 21)
$30 Student and Alumni 5K Pricing
$40 5K Registration (after April 21 to race day)
Kids Mini Donut Dash 1/2 Mile Pricing:
(Kids 10 and younger)
$15 Mini-Donut Dash Pricing (on or before April 21)
$20 Mini-Donut Dash (after April 21 to race day)
All proceeds from the event will benefit student enrichment at Eagle Ridge Academy. If you do not wish to run but would like to make a 100% tax-deductible donation to Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy to help support student enrichment and Classical Education, please click here.
We cannot wait to have everyone together again for one of our favorite annual events AND to welcome everyone to the new course. We hope to see you there! Questions? Please contact Kelly Schiffman at kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org.
9th Annual Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament Information
We are excited to announce that the annual golf tournament will be hosted at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park for the first time! The event will take place on Tuesday, June 21. Edinburgh USA is a public course and is one of only two courses in Minnesota designed by world renowned architect Robert Trent Jones II, who also designed Chambers Bay, site of the 2015 U.S. Open. Prizes this year are from the Edinburgh Pro Shop.
The annual golf scramble is a fun event that brings people together for a day to benefit the students of Eagle Ridge Academy. The event includes 18 holes of golf, cart and green fees, lunch and social hour by D’Amico Catering, raffle, complimentary drink ticket, and golfer gift.
Last year, proceeds supported the Playscape and Grounds Beautification Project at Eagle Ridge Academy, bringing outdoor learning and enhanced play to our students. This year, proceeds will support a new Grow Your Own Teacher Program at Eagle Ridge Academy.
For more information and to register online: Golf Brochure / Online Registration
Registrations are non-refundable.
Event Agenda
11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. — Check-In, Lunch, and Driving Range
1:15 p.m. — Be ready in your carts
1:30 p.m. — Shotgun
5:30 p.m. — Social Hour and Awards
To sponsor the golf tournament, please view our Sponsorship Flyer for various options and opportunities. Contact: Mrs. Kelly Schiffman, ERA Director of Development; 952-746-7760, ext. 1107; kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org.
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. Learn more here.
AmazonSmile
Thank You, PTO!
The PTO also organized and ran a Used Uniform Sale during conferences. Thank you to our volunteers for stepping up to assist our PTO. We hope that our families got all the spirit wear they need for the Spirit Wear Day on Friday, February 25!
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.
School of Grammar "Goes Back in Time" to Celebrate Twos-Day!
First Graders Celebrate President's Day
Third Graders Celebrate Black History Month
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