The Eagle Eye
December 14, 2023 - 2023-24 Issue 7
Friday, December 15
Tuesday, December 19
Wednesday, December 20 - Tuesday, January 2
Thursday, January 4
Friday, January 5
Please Note: No Gryphon Activities information is included on the calendar this issue. To see a list of Gryphon games, matches, and practices, please view the Activities Calendar.
$5 Free Dress Day Tuesday, December 19
Next Tuesday, December 19, is a $5 Free Dress Day! Four times each year, students have the option to pay $5 to their classroom or first hour teacher to wear what they choose (within ERA guidelines on appropriate attire) on $5 Free Dress Days.
The funds collected on $5 Free Dress Days are designated for specific teacher projects. Tuesday's funds are designated for the second grade field trip to Children's Theatre, the fifth grade field trip to the Science Museum, a piano accompanist for the School of Grammar Fine Arts Festival and the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade choir, and the School of Rhetoric field trip to hear the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall.
District Updates
School Closing and Late Start Decision-Making Process - Jason Ulbrich, Executive Director
Dear Families,
We live in Minnesota and, on occasion, it will be necessary for Eagle Ridge Academy to cancel or start school late because of snow or severely cold temperatures. As an administrator for the past 19 years, I have had much experience with making the decision to stay open, close, or start late because of inclement weather. As we recognize and appreciate the fact that every family has a different situation, we realize that our decisions will not meet the needs of all. Therefore, I’d like to clearly communicate ERA’s decision-making process when cancelling or starting school late.
For cold weather, most school districts use a wind chill chart to determine the danger zone of the wind chill. If the wind chill is forecasted to be 35 degrees below zero, then you will see schools start to cancel. Every district has individual circumstances to consider. For example, ERA does not have students who walk to school and our bus riders generally do not wait for the bus outside but in a warm vehicle. This would cause some to assume that Eagle Ridge Academy students have less exposure and risk. However, if a bus breaks down, it would take a minimum of 45 minutes to replace the bus. That is too long for our students to be in the cold. Some schools, especially those outside the metro area, will often run a two-hour late start. I generally do not believe this to be a good option but realize we may need to use this strategy from time to time. For example, the two-hour late start is effective if the temperature warms between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m.
For snow accumulation, many other factors exist. These factors include total accumulation, time of the accumulation, progress of snow plows according to the DOT, and the continued weather forecast. Generally, southwest metro schools collaborate with each other to make decisions. Eagle Ridge Academy is in a special circumstance in that we have students from many cities. While Eden Prairie and Edina may receive little snow, Shakopee and Chaska may receive large amounts. In cases like these, we may hold school as usual; however, we will excuse students who were not able to safely travel to school.
All cancellations and delays will be reported on WCCO, Facebook, text, and email. Our goal is to have the information communicated by 6:00 a.m. for the convenience of families yet give the Administrative Team time to make the best decision. I truly understand the inconvenience of school cancellations to families, student learning, and scheduling. Know that the decisions we make always place student safety first and we are willing to accept the inconvenience, knowing that your children are out of harm’s way.
Sincerely,
Jason Ulbrich
Voices - Celebrating 20 Years of ERA: School Founders and Leaders
Over the last week, first and second grade students have been learning more about the school as we celebrate its 20th year. In order to do this, students transformed into reporters to interview a variety of individuals that have been instrumental in creating, growing, and sustaining the school. This shared effort was accomplished partly in class and partly during choice time, as many students came together to write interview questions, decide the method of gathering responses for each individual, conduct interviews, and pick out their favorite responses to share. There were so many beautiful things that came out of this endeavor! We will be sharing excerpts of their interviews in installments. Our first installment: School Founders and Leaders. As we celebrate 20 years of ERA, here are a few of the gems that came from this set of student interviews. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
School Founders (Interviews Conducted Via Email Exchange)
Why did you want to make ERA Classical?
"We decided on a Classical education because we believed it is the best method for teaching students how to learn and think. Students get to read the best books, study the best works of art and music, and learn about the most important events in history as well as study the sciences and how our amazing world works." - Cindy Ripple, Founder
"There was a feeling that students needed to have a solid foundation in the basic tenets of education which could be found in the classics." - Ken Greener, Founder
What rules did you start the school with? Why did you choose these rules?
"I think the most important rule was having the students wear uniforms. We chose this rule to put the focus on learning and so students would be known and appreciated for their character, not their clothes." - Cindy Ripple, Founder
What are the most important things you wanted all students to know?
"Education is a gift. Get as much out of it as you can and keep learning your whole life!" - Cindy Ripple, Founder
School Leaders (Interviews Conducted In-Person)
What do you think Eagle Ridge does well?
"I think there are so many things Eagle Ridge does well. We get a chance to learn from other schools and other schools love to learn from us. They see Eagle Ridge as a really good school. I think a lot of it has to do with the students who choose to come here. I think the teachers here are the best teachers. My daughter is in first grade at Eagle Ridge too and I wouldn’t choose to send her anywhere else." - Susan Bloomgren, Director of Academics
"I think there are a lot of things Eagle Ridge does well, but I’ll just talk about a couple. First thing I think we do well is we care for students. I think your teachers really care for you and that’s important. Number two, we take education very seriously." - Jason Ulbrich, Executive Director
What do you want the future to be like for Eagle Ridge?
"It would be a dream of mine if all kids that started in kindergarten chose to graduate because I believe that what we do here is best if kids stay here the whole time." - Susan Bloomgren, Director of Academics
"Here’s the future–it’s not so much for Eagle Ridge as an organization, but for you as an individual. There are three main things I want students to have. Number one, I want you to be able to self-govern. That means you’re able to be in charge of yourself–your behavior and your decisions…The other thing is that you’re going to learn more after you leave school if you love learning. I want you to love learning…Lastly, I want everyone here to be a leader. I want you to lead companies, schools, I want you to lead your family, because then you make a difference in this world." - Jason Ulbrich, Executive Director
What is your favorite thing about working here?
"My favorite thing about working here is that I get to have schole with people I care about, people I enjoy spending my time with. We get to have rigorous conversation and debate and discourse, and we get to dream about what to do next. (After students were surprised that he said he daydreamed:) Yes we do, we dream. But here’s the difference between a daydream and a vision. A vision–you make things happen. A daydream, you just dream about it all day and you never make it happen. A vision is when you make it happen and I get to work with a team where we get things done." - Jason Ulbrich, Executive Director
Eagle Ridge Academy Carpool Interest Form - ERA Parent Teacher Organization
Interested in carpooling?
Carpooling happens when families share transportation to and from ERA, whether regularly or occasionally. Getting a carpool started takes a little effort, but the savings and benefits can be substantial: saving time and money, helping the environment, and getting to know neighbor ERA families.
The Eagle Ridge PTO would like to help you and your neighbors start a conversation about whether a carpool might make sense for everybody. To put interested neighborhood parents in touch with each other, we need to find out who’s interested and (generally) where you’re located. Specifics are always left up entirely to the parents; often two or more families’ parents split the driving and alternate bringing both families’ students to ERA and home on mutually agreed days and times, but there are many other arrangements that can make sense for families to consider.
Why consider carpooling?
- If you drive every day and can find just one other family to partner with, you could save several hours per week (and cut your gas cost in half) with a shared everyday carpool– not to mention connecting socially with other ERA families in your neighborhood.
Even if you’re currently happy with driving every day (or your student regularly rides an ERA-provided bus), being part of an every-once-in-a-while carpool is a great backup to your main method of transportation (in case your student misses the bus, you or another neighborhood parent has an important early-morning or after-school appointment, or anything else that might make it hard to follow the daily routine).
Occasional carpools are a very smart way to get students home at the end of afterschool activities like sports, theater, and clubs – making it a lot easier to say “yes” to participating in these great extracurriculars.
Finally, investigating whether a carpool will work for your family’s needs is a great way for your students (and you) to build community by making new friends who live close by, even if you decide that a carpool won’t work for your family right now.
How can you find out more?
If you’re interested in finding out more about carpooling, please send an email to carpool@erapto.org with your preferred e-mail address and general area (Bloomington, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, North Minneapolis, etc.) so we can put you in touch with other local parents. Please note that sending this email is just an expression of interest in finding out more; you’re not promising to participate and there’s no need to share your exact address or students’ names/ages at this point. (Your family’s directory profile on Membership Toolkit also has a checkbox to indicate your interest in carpooling; if you haven’t filled that out yet, now would be a great time to do both.)
We already have more than 40 families on the interest list across all areas of the Metro (including Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, North Minneapolis, Shakopee, Chanhassen, etc.); add yours today!
Finally, if you’re successfully carpooling already, we’d also really like to hear from you – not only to find neighbors but to share your tips on carpool success with the whole community.
Email us to express interest or share your carpooling experience: carpool@erapto.org
Family Profile: Eagle Ridge Academy - Home Page (membershiptoolkit.com)
More information about PTO: Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) > Eagle Ridge Academy
Join the ERA Booster Club January 5 for Pack the Stands/Celebrate State/ Alumni Night!
EVERYONE is invited to ERA on Friday, January 5, to pack the stands! This double header basketball game night will have entertainment, 3-Point Shooting Contests, a Meal Deal, ERA alumni, and a recognition ceremony for the 2023 Girls Ultimate Frisbee team for their success last June placing 2nd in state! The theme is BLACKOUT. Wear all black to cheer on the Gryphons!
- 4:30 p.m.: Girls JV and Boys JV games
- 5:00-7:00 p.m.: Hot Meal Deal (while supplies last)
- 6:00 p.m.: Girls Varsity game with 3-Point Shooting Contest (bring $1 bills!) with prizes and Dance team performance at halftime
- 7:15 p.m.: 2023 Girls Ultimate Frisbee team recognized for earning 2nd place in State!
- 7:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity game with 3-Point Shooting Contest (bring $1 bills!) with prizes and other entertainment at halftime
Volunteer at this fun event! Sign up here: www.ERABooster.org/Volunteer. Join the ERA Booster Club on Facebook for activities updates and check out erabooster.org for more information and to register as a booster.
Consider a Year-End Gift to Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy
In the spirit of giving, please consider a year-end gift to Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy (FERA). Donations will fund the Grow Your Own and New Teacher Mentoring Program at Eagle Ridge Academy and will continue to support scholarship funds for our graduating seniors, creating opportunity for future generations of Eagle Ridge Academy scholars. Every donation matters to the students, faculty, and staff of Eagle Ridge Academy, no matter the size! Thank you for your support.
Ways to Give Back this Season
Eagle Ridge Academy is tremendously grateful to all those who supported us this year. Whether you gave a gift of precious time, supported us with a financial gift through monthly donations, Give to the Max, the Gala for the Gryphons, or through Corporate Matching Programs, we are deeply moved by the generosity of our community.
There is still time before the end of the year to support the staff and students of Eagle Ridge Academy with a 100% tax-deductible gift. Every gift demonstrates a commitment to the future of Eagle Ridge Academy.
Ways to give back this season:
- Financial gift through cash, check, or credit card
- Set up a monthly gift, which allows predictable revenue for the Academy
- Charitable gift through your donor-advised fund (DAF), allowing you to recommend a grant or recurring gift to the Academy
- Qualified charitable distribution (or IRA rollover)
- Transfer of stock or appreciated securities
- Already donated in 2023? Ask your employer if they have a matching gift program that matches your charitable contributions. Gifts are most often matched 100%, doubling the impact of your gift.
All gifts are invested for long-term, creating a permanent source of funding for our Student Scholarship Program and Grow Your Own Teacher/Teacher Mentor programs. Donate today HERE.
Gifts may also be sent via check to:
Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy
11111 Bren Rd. W
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Tax ID: #47-5542621
Questions may be directed to Kelly Schiffman at kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Eagle Ridge Academy Alumni Association Update
Eagle Ridge Academy’s Alumni Association was launched last year after much research to locate 15 years of ERA graduates. It’s slowly building, but we could use your help in a few areas:
- Did your student graduate from Eagle Ridge Academy? We’d appreciate you sharing the survey and encouraging them to update us on their activity since graduation. We are still looking for more than half of the former students. If they have already filled it out but want to give us an updated job, career, schooling, life change, address, etc., it’s always open for feedback.
- We held our first all-alumni picnic last June and are planning this year’s event, hoping to have a casual, fun trivia night at a local restaurant, bar, or other event center. Does anyone own a restaurant or have a connection or recommendation to a fun place where we could hold an event for up to 50 people? We’d love any and all ideas!
- We are prepping our next issue of The Link Alumni Newsletter. If you know of something cool that any of our alumni are doing, we’d love to hear about it!
Check out everything ‘alumni’ at https://www.eagleridgeacademy.org/alumni/.
Any information can be sent to Allison Brady at abrady@eagleridgeacademy.org, FERA Board Chair and Alumni Coordinator.
Open Enrollment Ends January 15 - Applications MUST be Submitted for Siblings New to ERA
Eagle Ridge Academy's 2024-2025 open enrollment period will end at 12:00 a.m. on Monday, January 16, 2024. If your current ERA student has a sibling or foster sibling that you wish to enroll for the 2024-25 school year, please make sure to fill out an application for each child you wish to enroll before 12:00 a.m. on January 16 to ensure that they will be included in the Enrollment Lottery on January 18.
All ERA student siblings will receive sibling preference in the lottery as long as the application is submitted in a timely manner. All applications received at or after 12:00 a.m. on January 16, 2024, will NOT be included in the lottery. They will be added to the grade level waitlist in the order that they are received. Please contact Admissions Specialist Janice Gerheart with questions jgerheart@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Please Share: Winter Enrollment Extravaganza Thursday, January 4
Do you know a family interested in joining the Eagle Ridge Academy community? Invite them to join us and learn what we're all about at our Winter Enrollment Extravaganza on Thursday, January 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Our Enrollment Extravaganza is an opportunity to hear from our teachers and current families, see the building, experience the curriculum, and ask questions. Register here.
Open enrollment for the 2024-25 school year is open now through January 15, 2024. Invite families to connect with us today to learn more: www.eagleridgeacademy.org/apply. Questions can be directed to enrollment@eagleridgeacademy.org / (952) 746-7760.
Yearbook Orders Due Friday, January 26
This year, give the gift of memories. Friday, January 26, is the LAST DAY to submit 2023-2024 yearbook orders, but you could win a $100 gift card for purchasing this week!
Yearbooks will be distributed to students in May. We cannot guarantee availability at yearbook distribution - yearbooks must be preordered.
Classical Corner
Classical In-Action Parent Night Registration Deadline Friday, December 15
If you haven't already, make sure to register for Classical In-Action Parent Night on Wednesday, January 10, at 5:30 p.m. During this event, parents will sit in on one of ten Classical classes, getting to experience how their children work through mental math strategies, respond in seminars, apply oracy skills, and more. At the end of each session, teachers will share simple ways to extend this learning at home.
You must register ahead of time for this event. The deadline to register is THIS FRIDAY, December 15. Please select your top classes to attend here. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to see our mission and vision in action. We look forward to having you in class!
Join the Classical Parent Book Study
As we look forward to the new year, we have another way to come together as a community of learners. Join us for our upcoming Classical Parent Book Study. The book study will be on two works that complement each other–T.S. Eliot’s What is a Classic and Mortimer Adler’s How to Read a Book. This gives parents a great opportunity to not only come together in scholé, but also to consider how our understanding and practice of classic literature can help foster a love of reading and learning at home. We will distribute books in January and gather together in February to discuss. Sign up here to join the book study!
Sincerely,
Suzannah Toso
Classical Enrichment Teacher K-2
Classical Coordinator K-12
Community Updates: School of Grammar
Community Updates: School of Rhetoric
November Pillar Award Winners
CIPHER (Citizenship, Integrity, Perseverance, Honor, Excellence, Respect) is more than a motto, it’s what we strive to follow in our actions with fellow Gryphons.
The Schools of Logic & Rhetoric hold monthly Pillar Assemblies in which six students from each grade level in the Schools of Logic and Rhetoric are recognized for displaying CIPHER throughout the month. Each student is nominated for a Pillar Award by one of their teachers, who writes a short paragraph describing how the student exemplified their pillar, which is shared with the student body.
Congratulations to our November Pillar Award recipients! Thank you for demonstrating CIPHER every day and for being role models at Eagle Ridge Academy.
Notes from the Academic & College Advisor
Course Registration 2024-25
The School of Rhetoric has begun the process of registering for the 2024-25 school year. Please take time to review the course offerings and return the registration forms the week of January 23. Find more information on the School of Rhetoric Resources page.
Upcoming Essay Contest
The 2024 Profile in Courage Essay Contest is now open for 9th-12th grade students. First-place prize is $10,000. Access curriculum materials, past winning essays, criteria for judging, and more online. Deadline for submission is January 12, 2024.
Scholarship Opportunities
Burger King Scholars Program - $50,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: December 15, 2023). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. B) Plan to enroll full-time, without interruption, for the entire 2024-25 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.
Path to Pro Scholarship - $2,000 - 125 Awards (Deadline: December 31, 2023). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a high school senior, high school graduate, or have a GED equivalent. B) Plan to enroll, or be enrolled, in an approved trade-related program at an accredited two-year school (technical/vocational school or college) in the United States.
Kind regards,
Mrs. Kaiser
Come Cheer on Gryphon Basketball Teams this Season!
There are many opportunities to support Gryphon Basketball December through February. Take a look at our spirit wear themes chosen by ERA's Student Section and join the ERA community at a game!
HELP! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
ADULT & STUDENT* VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for concessions and admissions. Many dates and times available. This is a fun way to get involved and help support ERA Activities & Athletics! Sign up here: www.erabooster.org/volunteer.
*Students should be 14 years old to volunteer at concessions and admissions without an adult.
Thank You for Donating to the Annual Festival of Treats
Thanks to the generosity of our families, teachers and staff were gifted a large variety of sweet and savory treats this week. We are grateful to the ERA community for your constant support of our hardworking teachers and staff. You all help make our school community even more special. Thank you!
PTO Meeting Monday, January 8
Purchase PTO Spirit Wear!
On Spirit Wear Days, all staff and students K-12 can wear any spirit wear and uniform combinations. The remaining 2023-24 Spirit Wear dates are January 18, Feb. 23, March 8, April 26, and May 10. Learn more and purchase PTO Spirit Wear here. All spirit wear proceeds benefit PTO events, services, and teacher support.
Share your opinions on this year's spirit wear by completing this quick survey.
Family Contributions
We appreciate the family contributions that have already been made to the PTO fund this year. You can always make a donation online or mail a check to the PTO at the school's address. Donations go toward building community and providing fun events for the children to enhance their school experience.
Stay Connected!
- Follow the ERA PTO on Facebook!
- Join the K-12 Parent Directory! This is a one-stop app that will help families search, sign up, and connect through our PTO web and mobile app. PTO encourages you to register. Create an account here: eagleridgeacademy.membershiptoolkit.com.
- Email the PTO Board at pto.eagleridge@gmail.com.
Developing Connections
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 departments 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 RaiseRight
Eagle Ridge Academy offers RaiseRight, 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 RaiseRight donates a portion of all purchases back to Eagle Ridge Academy. Orders go in on Fridays, with delivery to ERA the following Tuesday. Learn more here.
Support ERA Through Box Tops for Education and Coca-Cola GIVE Programs
Box Tops for Education
Box Tops for Education helps families earn money for Eagle Ridge Academy with products they already buy.
- Download the Box Tops for Education app on your phone.
- Follow the prompts to set up your account. Be sure to enter ERA as your school!
- Scan your grocery store receipts in the app. 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.
Eagle Ridge Academy
Website: https://www.eagleridgeacademy.org/
Location: 11111 Bren Road West, Minnetonka, MN, USA
Phone: 9527467760
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EagleRidgeAcademy/