The Eagle Eye
March 9, 2023 - Eagle Ridge Academy - 2022-23 Issue 12
Upcoming Events
Friday, March 10
Tuesday, March 14
- Virtual School Board Listening Session, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- Special Board Meeting and Workshop, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15
- ERA Booster Club Meeting, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 16
- Classical Education Series: Parenting with a Classical Heart & Why Principles are Vital, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
- School of Grammar Variety Show, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21
- Sixth Grade Pillar Assembly - FORMAL DRESS REQUIRED
Wednesday, March 22
- Seventh and Eighth Grade Pillar Assembly - FORMAL DRESS REQUIRED
Thursday, March 23
- School of Rhetoric Pillar Assembly - FORMAL DRESS REQUIRED
- Board of Directors Candidate Forum, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Please note: only home games and matches for Gryphon Activities are listed on this calendar. To see a full list of Gryphon games, matches, practices, and meetings, please view the Activities Calendar.
Board of Directors Election Schedule
On Tuesday, March 14, a Virtual Board Listening Session will be held on Zoom, 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Board Listening Session will be followed by a Special Board Meeting and Board Workshop, 6:00-9:00 p.m. The topic of the Special Meeting is moving the date of the Annual Board Meeting.
The Board of Directors 2023-24 nominee questionnaire due date has been extended to this Friday, March 10, at 4:00 p.m. The Election Guide will be shared with the community prior to Tuesday, March 21.
Please mark your calendars to attend the Board Candidate Forum on Wednesday, April 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m. This date, originally scheduled for March, was rescheduled due to an oversight with the Board calendar. During the forum, the candidates running for the open seats on the ERA Board of Directors will answer questions from ERA stakeholder groups. Immediately following the Board Candidate Forum, the Board Election will open and will remain open until Monday, April 24, at 12:00 p.m. The official election results will be announced at the Annual Board Meeting.
Please contact the Board with any questions at board@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Donate Books to the School Library During 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. A wish list including the most needed additions and replacements can be found here.
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 more than 800 students that visit the library every week!
Information from the Health Office Regarding Absence Due to Illness
Students who become ill in class are required to proceed to the Health Office or front office for parental notification. Cell phones are NOT ALLOWED in school, with the exception of School of Rhetoric Lunch. Students who contact parents without permission to go home ill will receive an unexcused absence.
Guidelines for Deciding if a Child is Too Sick to Attend School:
- If your child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher in the past 24 hours, keep them home from school until 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
- If your child has vomited or had diarrhea, the child should stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
- If your child has had any rash that may be disease related or if you do not know the cause, check with your family physician before sending the child to school.
Please Note:
A maximum of 10 absences will be excused per school year with the exception of prior approval from an administrator, absence accompanied with a doctor’s note, and/or special circumstances. All absences without prior approval from an administrator after the 10th excused absence will be considered unexcused.
ONLY ONE MONTH LEFT to Guarantee Your 9th Annual Donut Dash 5K and Mini-Donut 1/2 Mile for Kids Race Shirt!
Each race registrant will receive a tech shirt, post-race refreshment, and DONUTS! Online Registration ends May 10 at 4:00 p.m. 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 nonrefundable.
Due to possible supply chain delays, we will place our shirt order on April 14 to ensure timely delivery. While we will order extras, please be sure to register no later than April 13 to ensure a shirt in your preferred size.
Start and Finish at Eagle Ridge Academy!
Free Chick-fil-A!
In addition to DONUTS, all of our 5K finishers will receive a FREE chicken biscuit, compliments of our sponsor Chick-fil-A Knollwood! Chick-fil-A will also be on site with their new food truck selling chicken sandwiches. Buy one to get a coupon for a free sandwich in their store.
Unlimited Mini-Donuts!
Ways to Participate in the 9th Annual Donut Dash 5K and Mini-Donut 1/2 Dash
- REGISTER someone over the age of 10 for the 9th Annual Donut Dash 5K!
- REGISTER a child 10 years of age or under for the Mini-Donut 1/2 Mile Dash!
- VOLUNTEER for one of the many Donut Dash volunteer opportunities available!
- Sponsor: Sponsorship opportunities available – ask your employer!
- Donate products for the post-race event: snacks, beverages, etc. - contact Kelly Schiffman!
- Support financially: Donate to ERA!
- Promote: Share the event on your social media!
Classical Corner: Sign Up Now for Classical Education Series!
Dear Families,
We are excited to announce our Classical Education Series that will run this spring. The purpose of these sessions is to help parents learn more about Classical education and how the different elements can be applied to parenting with a Classical heart. Have you wondered about how to work awe and wonder into your daily lives? How to help your child feel success even in the face of adversity? How to make learning fun with light-hearted games that foster a sense of wonder and depth of inquiry. How the arts and physical education play an important role in Classical education? If so, this series is for you! Our spring series offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Classical education, connect with other parents, and build a deeper understanding of the mission and vision of ERA.
Please follow THIS LINK to show your interest and receive email updates about the sessions. Sessions will be held at ERA on Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you!
Sincerely,
Suzannah Toso
Classical Enrichment Teacher K-2
Classical Coordinator K-12
Spring Classical Education Series Schedule
Eight Essential Principles of Classical Education
Parenting with a Classical Heart & Why Principles are Vital
Thursday, March 16, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Wonder & Curiosity
Thursday, March 30, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Festina Lente–Make Haste Slowly
Thursday, April 13, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Multum, Non Multa–Much, Not Many
Thursday, April 27, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Schole, Contemplation, & Leisure
Thursday, May 11, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Embodied Learning
Thursday, May 25, 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Schools of Logic & Rhetoric News
Info for Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors - Linda Kaiser, College & Academic Counselor
Dear School of Rhetoric Families,
Sophomores: Register for the College and Career Search Boot Camp on March 11
The Sophomore College and Career Search Boot Camp will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, in the Upper School Computer Lab (Room 2132). This boot camp will be a time to self-assess interests, skills, and personality types and search for careers and colleges. Sophomores may register here by Friday, March 10.
Juniors: Register for the ACT on April 25
Eagle Ridge Academy will offer the ACT with Writing to juniors only during the school day on April 25. The Department of Education previously reimbursed schools for the cost of administering the test during the school day. New legislation has eliminated this funding except for students receiving educational benefits. It is our desire that all students continue to take the exam. To make this opportunity accessible to families, Eagle Ridge Academy will cover half of the test cost and additional administration fees incurred. The cost to families will be $44. Note: If your child receives free and reduced lunch benefits, the exam is free. Registration and payment are due on Tuesday, March 21. Please use this link to register for the exam. Feel free to email Linda Kaiser at lkaiser@eagleridgeacademy.org with questions.
Seniors: Complete your FAFSA ASAP
Seniors who still need to complete the FAFSA, please do so as soon as possible to receive the maximum aid package from your college or university. Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete your FAFSA today.
Scholarships
ERA Scholarships - Deadline: March 24, 2023
Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship
$10,000 (200 Awards)Science Without Borders Scholarship Challenge
Deadline: March 31, 2023
University of the Aftermarket Foundation Scholarship
$10,000 (80 Awards)
Deadline: March 31, 2023
$5,000 (20 Awards)
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Airmen Memorial Foundation Scholarship Program
$500 (14 Awards)
Deadline: March 31, 2023
Educational Theatre Association Scholarships
$2,000 (8 Awards)
Deadline: April 1, 2023
Sincerely,
Linda Kaiser
We are looking for new faces to join the ERA Booster Club. Please join us at our next meeting to find out more!
- An ERA Booster Club Board Meeting will be held at the Hopkins Library (22 11th Avenue N., Hopkins), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- All are welcome to attend: parents, students, teachers, coaches, grandparents, and friends!
- Come see what the Booster Club is up to and how you can get involved.
SAVE THE DATE:
- The 3rd Annual ERA Activities and Athletics Awards Celebration will take at ERA on Sunday, May 21, 4:00 p.m.
- More info coming soon!
Join the ERA Booster Club on Facebook for activities updates and check out erabooster.org for more information and to register as a booster!
Register for Spring Activities
Registration for Spring Activities is open. Learn more about the activities available below and register here today.
Track & Field (7-12)
Who: All 7th-12th grade students are eligible to try out for the varsity and JV track teams
Where: ISM track when weather permits; transportation to ISM is available via bus
When: Practices begin March 13, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Head Coach: Rob Economy
Cost: $225
Baseball (7-12)
Who: All 7th-12th grade students are eligible to try out for the varsity and JV baseball teams
Where: Dred Scott Field; transportation to the field is available via bus
When: Practices begin March 20, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Head Coach: Evan Johnson
Cost: $225
Girls Badminton (7-12)
Who: We are growing the Badminton program this year and will be rostering as many as want to participate
Where: ERA Aux & Main Gym
When: Practices will run Mondays & Thursdays, 3:30-4:45 p.m. & Saturday mornings 8:00-10:00 a.m. starting March 20
Head Coach: Abhi Das
Cost: $150
Ultimate Frisbee (7-12)
Who: All 7th-12th grade students are eligible to try out for the Ultimate Frisbee program; we hope to field a Boys Varsity, Girls Varsity, and MS team this year
Where: ISM Field
When: Practices begin when weather permits, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Head Coach: Jim Kittleson
Cost: $225
Girls Softball (7-12) via Blake
Who: All 7th-12th grade students are eligible to try out for the varsity and JV softball teams
Where: Blake Middle School in Hopkins; transportation to the field is available via bus
When: Practices begin March 20, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Head Coach: TBD
Cost: $225
Girls Synchronized Swim (7-12) via Blake
Who: All 7th-12th grade students are eligible to try out for the Blake Synchro Team
Where: Blake Middle School in Hopkins
When: TBD
Head Coach: TBD
Cost: $225
Advanced Competitive Chess Session 3
Who: 3rd-12th graders
When: Thursdays, April 13-May 25, 3:20-4:45 p.m.
Where: Room 1227
Director: April Grabanski
Cost: $125
Improv Club
Who: 9th-12th graders
When: Mondays and Thursdays, February 27-May 25, 3:30-5:00 p.m.Where: Room 2107
Director: Betsy Bixby
Cost: $60
ERA Spirit Wear Store Open 24/7 Online
Developing Connections
Volunteer Appreciation and Recognition Night - Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
Eagle Ridge Academy is fortunate to have an abundance of caring families and staff who donate their time and talents selflessly to make Eagle Ridge Academy a better place. Every single minute donates makes a difference in what we can do for students.
In appreciation for each moment given in volunteerism to Eagle Ridge Academy and its community, I’m pleased to invite you to a Volunteer Appreciation Event on April 18 at Eagle Ridge Academy. It will include a program highlighting the wonderful work you have done this school year and honoring you for your many talents and time given. We will follow the program with a reception of hearty appetizers, desserts donated by A Forgetful Baker, and refreshments.
All who have donated their time this year in any capacity are welcome to attend!
Please see the invitation below. I ask that you kindly RSVP through the link in the invitation by April 7.
Thank you for making an impact on everything Eagle Ridge Academy and for allowing us to deliver the best education and experiences possible to our students.
Kind regards,
Kelly Schiffman
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For more information on how you may participate in developing 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://www.eagleridgeacademy.org/volunteer/.
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you have an hour or two to help? We have upcoming volunteer opportunities for which we are seeking assistance:
We have four more Volunteer Wednesdays, our monthly day for teachers and staff to be helped with their projects. Feel free to sign up for any or all of them.
Donut Dash 5K - Saturday, May 13
Although not until May 13, our Donut Dash 5K needs more than 60 volunteers for the event to run smoothly. You are welcome to sign up now. We will be sharing this often as we near the race.
Thanks for your great help and willingness to give back!
Register Now: 10th Annual Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament Monday, June 19!
Eagle Ridge Academy is proud to host its 10th charity golf tournament, a four-person scramble that brings the community together to raise important funds for the Academy! Enjoy an afternoon of golf and camaraderie on the course while playing for a good cause. The event includes 18 holes of golf, cart and green fees, lunch and social hour by D’Amico Catering, complimentary drink ticket, golfer gift, and social hour/dinner.
The golf tournament will once again be hosted at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park! 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 from the Edinburgh Pro Shop.
Last year’s proceeds supported Eagle Ridge Academy’s Grow Your Own Teacher and Teacher Mentoring programs—thank you for making these important programs possible! This year’s proceeds will continue to support these programs.
Whether you are an avid golfer, never picked up a club, or want to come out to volunteer, we welcome you to be part of our Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament.
Event Agenda
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. — Check-in, Lunch, and Driving Range
12:45 p.m. — Be ready in your carts
1:00 p.m. — Shotgun
5:30 p.m. — Social Hour and Awards
For more information and to register online: Golf Brochure / Online Registration
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.
Pledge Your Support
Pledge your annual support to Eagle Ridge Academy with an affordable monthly gift. Broken down into smaller amounts, it 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 (formerly known as SCRIP)
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.
Order 2022-23 Spirit Wear!
On Spirit Wear days, all staff and students K-12 can wear any spirit wear and uniform combination. The remaining 2022-23 Spirit Wear dates are April 20 (Thursday) and May 12.
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. The 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 2022-23 PTO Board at pto.eagleridge@gmail.com.
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.
Third Grade Field Trip to Bell Museum
School of Grammar third graders have been learning about the phases of the moon and the different planets in our solar system during their astronomy unit. To expand on their knowledge, they took a field trip to the Bell Museum in St. Paul last week.
While there, students watched a planetarium show, investigated the phases of the moon, and experienced what it would be like to land on Mars and fly through the rings of Saturn. Students also discovered their favorite planet, learned what makes a planet a planet in the first place, and completed a lab that helped them learn about Mars. Thank you to the Bell Museum for the exciting learning opportunity, our parent chaperones for joining us, and our third grade team for organizing this unique experience for our scholars!
Share Your Talent Days
School of Grammar students in first-fifth grade had the opportunity to share a special talent during their music classes last week for Share Your Talent Day! Students sang, played instruments, did magic tricks, performed dance numbers, and more. Great job persevering at your talents, Gryphons!
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