The Eagle Eye
Nov. 18, 2021 - Eagle Ridge Academy - Volume 18 | Issue 6
Upcoming Events
Thursday, November 18
Friday, November 19
- Spirit Wear Day
- Gala for the Gryphon Goes Old School: A Progressive 70s, 80s, 90s Dance Party at Hazeltine Golf Club, 6:30-11:00 p.m.
- Movie and Bonfire Night, Eagle Ridge Academy parking lot, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 21
- Cross Country Team Celebration, ERA Forum, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 23
- VIRTUAL School Board Meeting, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 24 - Friday, November 26
- NO SCHOOL and office closed due to Thanksgiving Break.
Wednesday, December 1 - Friday, December 17
Thursday, December 2
- Upper School Winter Choir Concert, ERA Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 3
- Eighth Grade Winter Party, ERA Forum, 5:30-8:00 p.m.
- Junior Movie Night, ERA Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 7
- Upper School Winter Orchestra Concert, ERA Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.
Help Us Fund an Upright Piano for the Auditorium TODAY!
Three years ago, ERA raised $10,000 to fund a baby grand piano. This piano was specifically slated for community use in the event center area and, therefore, cannot be moved. With the increase in events, assemblies, trainings, concerts, and theatre productions in the Auditorium, we would like to have another piano that will be a permanent fixture for these events.
Over the past three years, we have been blessed to have students, staff, and parents grace the halls with their talent. We have enjoyed hearing students playing for pleasure during morning arrival, and practicing between activities after school, parent volunteers playing for special events, and little ones who are practicing their etudes and songs. We want to increase this occurrence by having a second instrument for full school use.
Each music room has an upright piano, but they are aging. When the music department has performances, they must wheel their classroom piano to the stage. With each move, the piano has to be tuned and there is a risk for damage.
Pianos are beautiful and very delicate instruments. Though extremely large, their insides are fragile and the smallest tweak can ruin its sound. When moving a piano, you have to be very careful to ensure that nothing is damaged, both on the outside and the inside of the piano.
There are three reasons for raising funds to purchase another piano.
1. We do not want to damage nor harm the pianos in any way by constantly moving them.
2. Each time you move a piano, it needs to be tuned, which is expensive.
3. It is difficult to move a piano back and forth onto the stage without a portable ramp, which costs up to $10,000. By purchasing a piano dedicated to stage events and performances, we eliminate the need for a costly ramp that needs to be assembled, disassembled, and stored.
The beauty of having this gorgeous instrument on stage at all times is that our music department and theatre have access to it whenever they need it for teaching, performances, or an event.
The full cost of the piano, including shipping, purchase and installation of a Climate Control System to help maintain a consistent humidity level within the piano, and a dolly/cart to will total $12,000-14,000. With your help, we can purchase this beautiful instrument for the entire school's benefit.
Join us for Give to the Max Day on November 18 and you could help us receive $500, $1,000, or $10,000. Just make an online donation on GiveMN.org and your donation will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Golden Ticket every 15 minutes for Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy. Donations will help support the students of Eagle Ridge Academy. Last year, the ERA community helped us raise nearly $24,000 on Give to the Max Day for our new Playscape Project.
Here’s the really exciting part: One donation made on GiveMN.org during the Give to the Max Day campaign will be randomly selected to receive a $10,000 super-sized GiveMN Golden Ticket. Help us increase our odds and make the most of your gift by making a donation on November 18 on GiveMN.org. Together, we hope to raise $12,000 on Give to the Max Day for our new piano! Thank you for keeping music as an integral part of the Classical setting for all to enjoy.
Enroll Now for the 2022-2023 School Year!
Our 2022-2023 open enrollment period began on October 1. If your current ERA student has a sibling or foster sibling that you wish to enroll for the 2022-2023 school year, please make sure to fill out an application for each child you wish to enroll before the deadline 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 Jan. 15, 2022 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 at jgerheart@eagleridgeacademy.org.
This year, grades 2-12 attended Veterans Day assemblies in the ERA Auditorium. Each celebration included a musical performance from our students and speeches given in honor of the occasion. We welcomed LTC David Blomgren as our guest speaker this year.
Families were not able to attend the Veteran's Day assemblies this year due to COVID-19. Kindergartners and first graders also did not take part in the assemblies this year. They participated in other activities to honor Veterans in their classrooms.
To all Veterans in the Eagle Ridge Academy community and beyond, thank you for your service.
Community Updates: School of Grammar
Order Your School of Grammar Yearbook Today!
To purchase a School of Grammar yearbook, please go to the Jostens website. You may contact Jami Kruschke with Lower School yearbook questions at jkrushchke@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Community Updates: Schools of Logic & Rhetoric
Automated Student Unexcused Tardy or Unexcused Absence Notifications Start Monday - Assistant Principal Mrs. P, Schools of Logic & Rhetoric
Dear Families,
In an effort to get students to class on time and increase parental communication about the importance of consistent daily and class attendance, ERA will start sending out daily class attendance notifications. Starting on Monday, November 22, ERA will send out automated Tardy Unexcused (TU) and Absent Unexcused (AU) notifications via text and email if your child was either late to or absent unexcused from any class.
Notifications will be sent to parent accounts listed in Infinite Campus at 3:30 p.m. and only on days when school is in session. If you have questions about your child being marked tardy unexcused (TU), please contact their teacher. All absent unexcused (AU) concerns should be directed to the attendance line. If your child is going to be absent, arrive late, or leave early, parents should contact the school by calling 952-746-7760 ext. 5 or emailing attendance@eagleridgeacademy.org. The complete attendance procedure can be found here.
Minnesota Attendance Laws:
Truancy: MN Statute 160A.02; 120A.22, sud. 8 ; 260C.007, subd. 19
• If a child who is in elementary school has missed 3 days or a child in middle or high school has missed 3 or more periods on different days, they are considered continuing truant.
• If a child is 12 or older, failure to attend school is presumed to be truancy. A child who misses seven days of school or seven class period on seven different days without a lawful excuse can be petitioned to social services as habitually truant.
Mandatory Attendance for minors: MN Statute 120A.22 subd. 5(a) and subd. 1
• It is the primary responsibility of parents or guardians to ensure that their children acquire knowledge and skills that are essential for effective citizenship.
• Children between the ages of 7 and 17 must attend school every day and be on time unless they have a lawful reason for being absent (see excused absences in Attendance Policy in ERA Student Handbook).
Educational neglect: MN Statutes 260C.16,3 subd. 11 and 260C.007, subd. 6; 260C.425 and 260C.335
- A child is educationally neglected if absent from school due to failure of the parent to comply with compulsory education laws and the child is in the need of protective services.
- A parent who contributes to a child’s unexcused absence from school may be charged with a gross misdemeanor that is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $1000 fine, and /or civil action.
Sincerely,
Romelle P.
Annual Art Xpo Logo Designs Due Tomorrow
Order Your Upper School Yearbook Today!
Senior Portraits, Quotes, and Baby Pictures Due December 17
Please fill out this Google form to submit senior portraits, quotes, and baby pictures. If you have any questions, please contact Emma Conner, econner@eagleridgeacademy.org. Please complete the form and do not send the pictures through email.
Notes from the Academic Advising Office - Mary Johnson, College and Academic Advisor
School of Rhetoric Students: a representative from the University of Missouri (Mizzou) will be at Eagle Ridge Academy on Monday, November 22. Please sign up here if you wish to meet with the Mizzou representative.
Seniors: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application opened on October 1, 2021. If you are planning on attending any type of post-secondary education institution (college, university, trade or technical school) after high school, you must complete your FAFSA as part of the application process to the post-secondary institution. Only about 23% of you have completed your FAFSA more than a month after it opened. The sooner you get your FAFSA submitted, the more aid you are likely to receive. Let's get those FAFSAs submitted as soon as possible! Please email me at majohnson@eagleridgeacademy.org with questions or for assistance.
Essay Contests
- The 2021 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. Register and submit an essay at jfklibrary.org/essaycontest. Deadline for submission is January 14, 2022.
- The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education's Free Speech Essay Contest is now open for juniors and seniors. Entries are due by December 31, 2021. First prize is a $10,000 scholarship. For more details visit thefire.org/contest.
Scholarship Deadlines
- Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship - $1,000 - 20 Awards (Deadline: November 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be enrolled or accepted for early enrollment as a full-time student in an accredited institution in the U.S. B) Have at least one parent of Hispanic ancestry and demonstrate financial need.
- Search Is On Scholarship - 2,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: November 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be currently attending high school, college, vocational, or any other accredited post-secondary institution. B) Be 13 years of age or older and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or D.C.
- Dell Scholars Program - $20,000 - 300 Awards (Deadline: December 1, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be on track to graduate from an accredited high school in the current academic year. B) Demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
- Jameela Jamil x I Weigh Scholarship - $5,000 - 3 Awards (Deadline: December 2, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be 16 years of age or older and in good academic standing. B) Be enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States.
- Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship - $5,000 - 5 Awards (Deadline: December 5, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be enrolled in an accredited educational institution (kindergarten through graduate school) in the US. B)Have demonstrated on-going commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services.
- Science Ambassador Scholarship - $40,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: December 13, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a high school senior or an undergraduate student. B) Attend a school in the United States in the Fall of 2022.
- Burger King Scholars Program - $50,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: December 15, 2021). 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 2022-23 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.
- Senior Planning Social Work and Eldercare Scholarship - $900 - 5 Awards (Deadline: Dec. 15, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. B) Be a High School Senior or Undergraduate with less than 90 credit hours.
- Path to Pro Scholarship - 2,000 - 125 Awards (Deadline: December 31, 2021). 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.
- CX Scholarship - $10,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: December 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be 13 years of age or older and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or D.C. B) Be currently attending high school, college, vocational, or any other accredited post-secondary institution.
- Design Thinking Scholarship - $500 - 2 Awards (Deadline: December 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited two or four-year college or university located in the United States.
- Certified Nursing Assistant Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: December 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be currently enrolled, accepted, or applying to be in an accredited CNA program in the United States. B) Write an essay explaining why you have decided to become a certified nursing assistant.
- Thiel High School Fellowship - $100,000 - 30 Awards (Deadline: December 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be under the age of 22. B) Be interested in designing and building things.
- Power of Resilience Scholarship - $1,000 – 1 Award (Deadline: December 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must be in either high school or college (undergraduate or graduate program) and must show good academic standing with a GPA of at least 3.0.
- CC Bank's Young Scholars Scholarship - $2,000 – 5 Awards (Deadline: December 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a US resident under the age of 30. B) Be in good academic standing and carry a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
- Honor a Hero Scholarship - To be eligible for the scholarship a student must be a current high school senior, college student, or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia for the 2022 semester.
- Coolidge Scholarship - The Coolidge Scholarship is a full-ride, four-year, merit scholarship that may be used by recipients for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. Any high school junior who plans to enroll in college in the fall of 2023 and is an American citizen or legal permanent resident is eligible to apply (current high school seniors are not eligible to apply). Winners may use the scholarship to pursue any academic major. The submission deadline is 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 19, 2022.
To receive a weekly scholarship newsletter, click here.
SUPPORT ERA ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES!
1. Register on the ERA Booster Club website (erabooster.org) so the ERA Booster Club has a way to communicate with families based on the sports and activities they choose.
2. Become a Team Coordinator to support the students & 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.
3. Join the club! 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.
4. Order your own ERA face masks and mask-keepers at erabooster.org/merchandise to show your school spirit every day!
Learn more by visiting the ERA Booster Club website (erabooster.org) or by joining the Facebook group today!
Spring Softball Parent Meeting Tomorrow, November 19
Thank you for Coming to See Upper School Play Arsenic and Old Lace
Our talented Schools of Logic & Rhetoric performers put hours and hours of work into their production of Arsenic and Old Lace this fall. Thank you to director Gabriel Berg, the families of the performers, those who donated time and resources to assist with the production, and everyone who came out to watch the performances!
Grades 5-7 ERA Traveling Soccer Team Finishes First Year UNDEFEATED!
Chess Success
The School Chess Association conducted the 2021 Fall Grade level Weekend Chess Tournament earlier this month. Fifth graders Aditi K. and Aarti K. represented Eagle Ridge Academy in the tournament, competing in over four rounds.
Aditi came in 1st place and Aarti came in 5th place, earning 1st place for Eagle Ridge Academy in the 5th grade level. Congratulations, chess players!
Developing Connections
Help Support ERA's Scholarship Program and New Grow Your Own Teacher Program During Gala for the Gryphons Online Silent Auction! - Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
The annual Gala for the Gryphons silent auction is open online now! This year, we are raising funds for our scholarship program and a new Grow Your Own Teacher program. Anyone is welcome to bid, so make sure to send the link to friends and family. There are items for everyone, including beautiful themed gift baskets, sports tickets, theatre tickets, interesting experiences, dining gift cards, handcrafted items, books, and lots more!
Place a bid online today: https://www.32auctions.com/FallGala2021. The auction will stay open until Sunday, November 21, at 11:45 p.m.
If you have questions, please contact me directly at kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org or by phone at 952-746-7760, ext. 1107.
2022 MN Watercolor Calendar by 5th Grade Teacher Nikki Tran
Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret at Chan Dinner Theatre
Two-Night Stay - MN North Shore Weekend: SLEEPS 10
Pampering Spa Basket
Volunteer
We have several opportunities available for volunteers this fall. There’s a job for everyone – let us know if you can help. Sign up to volunteer today.
For more information on how you may participate in the development of Eagle Ridge Academy, please contact Kelly Schiffman 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/.
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. View the ShopwithScrip 2021 Holiday Gift Guide here!
AmazonSmile
November Food Service Information - Brittany Radtke, Chef Manager
Dear Eagle Ridge Academy Families,
Please see below for November menus and information on how to join our team of kitchen heroes. As a reminder, school milk is not free unless it is included with a reimbursable lunch. If a student with a packed lunch takes a milk then they will be charged for it.
Sincerely,
Brittany Radtke
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.
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