The Eagle Eye
Nov. 4, 2021 - Eagle Ridge Academy - Volume 18 | Issue 5
Upcoming Events
Saturday, November 6
Fall Enrollment Extravaganza at ERA, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Upper School Play - Arsenic & Old Lace, ERA Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 7
- Upper School Play - Arsenic & Old Lace, ERA Auditorium, 2:00 p.m.
Monday, November 8
- Driver's Ed Classes Begin - Please register in advance.
Tuesday, November 9
- VIRTUAL School Board Listening Session, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- VIRTUAL School Board Workshop, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Friday, November 12
- Senior House Movie Night, ERA Auditorium, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Monday, November 15
- Gala for the Gryphons Online Silent Auction Goes Live (More information coming soon.)
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.
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.
Do you know a family interested in learning more about ERA? Invite them to our Fall Enrollment Extravaganza this Saturday, November 6, 9:00-11:00 a.m.! The Enrollment Extravaganza is an opportunity to learn what we’re all about! Hear from our teachers and current families, see the building, experience the curriculum, and ask your questions. Find more information and register here.
Please contact Admissions Specialist Janice Gerheart with questions at jgerheart@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Volunteers Needed this Weekend!
Quarter 1 Progress Reports Available to View
Quarter 1 progress reports are available to view in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Please see the steps below to view progress reports.
- Log into your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
- If you have more than one child, choose the child you wish to view the progress report of from the drop down menu at the top of the page.
- Choose Documents from the left index.
- Choose Quarter One Progress Report.
- Questions about your child's grades should be directed to the teacher issuing the grade.
- Please print copies for your records of the reports from the 2021-22 school year. Reports will be visible in the portal until June 30, 2022.
School Portrait Retakes Now Available to View and Order
School portrait retakes are now available to view and order through JostensPIX. You will need your child's student ID number to view the photos. VIEW AND ORDER PHOTOS HERE. Photos not appearing in your gallery? Find your child's photos using the event codes below.
- School of Grammar Event Code: FE64521
- Schools of Logic & Rhetoric Event Code: FE64621
Substitute School Nurse Needed - Celia Pearson, School Nurse
Dear ERA Families and Community Members,
We are looking for a substitute school nurse to occasionally help in the Health office. Please reach out if you are interested and have a valid MN Nursing License.
Thank you,
Celia Pearson
Community Updates: School of Grammar
Order 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
Come See the Upper School Play this Weekend!
Arsenic and Old Lace, directed by Mr. Gabriel Berg and featuring Schools of Logic & of Rhetoric students, is a comedy about the demons of a seemingly sterling family. Performances will take place in ERA’s auditorium on Saturday, November 6, at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 7, at 2:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at Door 4 for $7.
A+ Driving School Offering Driver's Ed to ERA Students in November
Who: A+ Driving School is a licensed, bonded, and insured company that has been teaching the vital skills required of young drivers in the Metro area for over twenty-five years.
What: A+ Driving School will perform the 30 hours of class and 6 hours behind the wheel required of novice drivers in order to qualify for a Minnesota driver’s license. Class is offered to students 14-17 years of age.
When: Class starts after school and runs from 3:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Class dates are the weeks of November 8 and November 15, Monday through Friday. If day(s) are missed, students can attend class at one of our other locations or online.
Where: Class will be held after school in Room 1228.
How: Sign up through our office by calling 952-469-4656 or online at www.aplusdrivingschool.net. Class size is limited, so call soon to reserve your spot!
Cost: The total cost is $390. Upon enrollment, students will mail a $100 deposit to reserve their spot to the address listed below. The remaining balance of $295 is due by the fifth day of class.
A+ Driving School
http://www.aplusdrivingschool.net
20908 Holyoke Avenue
Lakeville, MN 55044 952-469-4656
Annual Art Xpo Logo Designs Due November 19
Freshmen House Hosting Movie and Bonfire Night on November 19
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
Dear Students and Families,
The deadline to register for all AP Exams is Wednesday, November 10. Juniors and seniors register here. Freshmen and sophomores register here.
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.
College News
- The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has extended their Early Action Deadline for the application fee and form to November 8, 2021.
The University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is hosting a Meet UWEC event in Eden Prairie on November 10. For more information, click here.
DePaul University is hosting an online workshop called Application 101: Tips and Tricks for applying to college. Register here.
November Scholarship Deadlines
- Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards - $3,500 – 180 Awards (Deadline: November 14, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the spring of 2022. B) Have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale.
- Concerto High School Musicians Scholarship - $2,500 – 3 Awards (Deadline: November 15, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a high school musician (grades 9-12) enrolled during the 2021-2022 academic year. String, piano and harp players are eligible for this year's competition.
- Overachievers Student Grant - $12,500 – 1 Award (Deadline: November 15, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be in middle school or high school and be a person who is making a difference in others' lives outside of the classroom.
- 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.
- 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. Click here to apply.
Sincerely,
Ms. MJ
Cross Country Athlete Greta L. is Going to State!
Sophomore Greta smashed her personal record at the Cross Country Section 4A Championship at Highland 9 Golf Course in St. Paul on October 26. Thank you to her father (and number one fan) Paul for capturing the moment. Greta will race again at 1:00 p.m. on November 6 at St. Olaf.
The Girls Cross Country team finished 5th overall--the highest we have ever had a team finish! The Boys team finished 11th of 18 teams. View the full results here. Congratulations to all of our runners for an excellent season! We hope to see you race again during the Track & Field season. Given that we had no seniors on our teams this year, we look forward to continued improvement in the future!
Congratulations to both of our Varsity Cross Country teams for earning Academic Gold Level for their work on the course and in the classroom. To earn Gold Level, a team must have a Team GPA of 3.75 and above. Special shoutout to Thorn K. and Greta L. for earning Academic All State honors. To qualify for this award, the athlete must finish in the top 15 at sections and have a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
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!
Register for Grades K-12 Basketball Before Practices Start!
Gryphon Youth Basketball
Who: K-6 students interested in learning fundamental basketball skills in a fun environment.
When and Where: 6 Saturdays: Dec 4-18 & Jan 8-22.
- Grades K-1: 9:00-9:45 a.m. on Court 3.
- Grades 2-3: 9:00-10:15 a.m. in Main Gym.
- Grades 4-6: 10:20-11:40 a.m. in Main Gym.
Coaches: Boys & Girls Varsity & JV players will be back to coach.
Director: Kris Babler; Please reach out with any questions: kbabler@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Cost: $80, which includes a shirt.
Boys Basketball (Grades 4-7)
Who: 4th-7th grade boys looking to play competitive travel basketball; 7th graders will be placed on these teams after Nov. 22-24 tryouts.
What: We are forming teams to participate in a LIST league that runs from Dec. 1 to Feb. 11. Teams will also participate in at least one weekend MYAS tournament; we are planning for two teams: one for grades 4-6 and another for grades 6-7.
When: Practices will run twice a week for the 4th-6th grade teams, 7:15-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays with games on Wednesday nights. The 6th-7th grade teams will practice Tuesday-Thursday evenings with games on Fridays.
Where: ERA Gym; Committing to the team means being at all practices.
Cost: $200 for 4th-6th grades.
Transportation: Parents will be responsible for transportation to games and players are expected to go home after the school day.
Coaches: We rely on parent coaches who will be trained at the appropriate grade level. Student participation fees are waived for parent coaches. Please reach out to the Director to volunteer.
Boys Basketball (Grades 7-12)
Who: 7th-12th grade boys looking for competitive team placement.
What: Varsity, Junior Varsity, and C team
When: Tryouts begin Nov. 22; practices will generally be 3:20-5:30 p.m., M-F, and we will also be meeting over breaks and on some Saturday mornings.
Where: ERA Gym; PLEASE review the game/practice calendar prior to committing to the team as practices are mandatory.
Cost: $280 for 7th-8th and $345 for 9th-12th.
Head Coach: Kris Babler; Please reach out to kbabler@eagleridgeacademy.org with any questions.
Girls Basketball (Grades 4-7)
Who: 4th-7th grade girls looking to play competitive travel basketball; 7th & 8th graders may be placed on these teams after Nov. 15-17 tryouts.
What: We are forming teams to participate in a LIST league that runs from Dec. 12 to Feb. 11; teams will also participate in at least one weekend MYAS tournament. We are planning for two teams, one for grades 4-6 and one for grades 6-7.
When: Practices will run twice a week for the 4th-6th grade teams, 7:15-8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays with games on Wednesday nights; the 6th-7th grade teams will practice Tuesday-Thursday evenings, with games on Fridays. Committing to the team means being at all practices.
Where: ERA Gym
Cost: $200 for 4th-6th grades.
Transportation: Parents will be responsible for transportation to games and players are expected to go home after the school day.
Coaches: We rely on parent coaches, who will be trained at the appropriate grade level. Student participation fees waived for parent coaches. Please reach out to the Director to volunteer.
Girls Basketball (Grades 7-12)
Who: 7th-12th grade girls looking to play competitive basketball.
What: Varsity & Junior Varsity
When: Tryouts begin Nov. 15; practices will generally be 5:30-7:00 p.m. M-F, plus some practices over breaks. Committing to the team means being at all practices.
Where: ERA Gym
Cost: $280 for 7th-8th grade and $345 for 9th-12th.
Thank You for Coming Out to See the Lower School Play Last Month!
Developing Connections
Eagle Ridge Academy's Largest Fundraiser of the Year is Only Two Weeks Away! - Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
Time is running out to register for Gala for the Gryphons Goes Old School: Progressive 70s, 80s, 90s Dance Party - don't miss out on one of the most fun events of the year!
View the digital invitation here and make sure to register online today or download the RSVP card and mail it in to pay with check or cash.
- Are you interested in honoring a teacher or staff member? Consider purchasing a ticket in their name so they can attend compliments of your family! You may offer the ticket to specific people or else we’ll throw it into a lottery for interested staff.
- Do you own a business, work for an organization, do crafts, or have a connection to anyone that would like to donate an item or experience to our silent auction? We’d love to include as many items as possible and recognize our donors as supporters of education.
If you have questions, please contact me directly at kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org or by phone at 952-746-7760, ext. 1107.
Activities Offered at this Year's Gala for the Gryphons
- Dance floor and DJ
- Professional photo booth
- Spin the Bottle for craft beer from breweries around the Twin Cities
- Roll the Dice to win tickets to go into one of three drawings for large prizes
- Twister Corner
- Spirograph Station
- Heads or Tails Game
- Retro display tables perfect for photo ops
- Retro candy and dessert table
- And more!
Thank you to House of Dance instructors Joseph "Godsent" James and Jake "Boogie B" Riley for the dance lessons this month! We can't wait to show off our new moves at the gala.
Gala for the Gryphons Online Silent Auction
The Online Silent Auction goes live November 15 and will stay open until November 21. Stay tuned for the auction link to be sent out next week!
Help Us Fund an Upright Piano for the Auditorium on Give to the Max Day on November 18!
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 $22,000 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.
Volunteer
We have several opportunities available for volunteers this fall: outdoor ERA grounds clean up, Gryphon Garden winterizing, parent ambassador help at the Enrollment Extravaganza, in addition to our Volunteer Wednesdays! 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.
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!
Sincerely,
Brittany Radtke
Thank You, PTO!
A massive thank you to the Eagle Ridge Academy PTO for generously providing food for all teachers and staff on-site during fall conferences! Teachers and staff were treated to coffee and baked goods (including delicious scones and cinnamon rolls) in the morning and a taco bar at lunchtime. The PTO also stocked the lounge with snacks and drinks.
Our PTO has worked diligently to keep traditions up in light of a challenging two years. They are committed to enhancing the ERA experience and providing support to our incredible teachers and staff. Thank you PTO!
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.
October Field Trip Photos
Our kindergarten students had the opportunity to visit Gale Woods Farm last month for a field trip. In class, kindergartners had been learning about living and non-living things, such as the plant life cycle and plant parts, crops, and farming. While on the farm, our youngest gryphons fed grass to the chickens, tried their hand at milking a “cow,” and learned about farm animals and the different jobs on a farm.
For the main event, they each got to harvest their own produce, wash it, and eat it! The trip ended with a special visit from the barn cat. Overall, our kindergartners had a lovely time at the farm. See more photos here.
Uniform Reminders
Before conferences, several of our staff members dressed in uniforms for Free Dress Day. Each staff member had at least one uniform violation and students in the School of Grammar earned pillar stickers for correctly pointing out what needed to be fixed on each staff member's outfit. The students did an amazing job pointing out the uniform violations. How well can our parents do?? Find the dress code and uniform guides here.
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