The Eagle Eye
Sept. 16, 2021 - Eagle Ridge Academy - Volume 18 | Issue 2
Upcoming Events
Thursday, September 16
- Girls C Volleyball match vs. PACT Charter at ERA, 4:45 p.m.
- Girls JV Volleyball match vs. PACT Charter at ERA, 6:00 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Volleyball match vs. PACT Charter at ERA, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 17
- Spirit Wear Day
- Boys Varsity Soccer game vs. West Lutheran at The International School of Minnesota (ISM), 4:15 p.m.
- Boys JV Soccer game vs. West Lutheran at ISM, 4:15 p.m.
Saturday, September 18
- Cross Country Invitational at Round Lake Park, 10:40 a.m.
Monday, September 20
- Boys JV Soccer game vs. PACT Charter at ERA, 4:00 p.m.
- Girls JV Soccer game vs. PACT Charter at ERA, 5:45 p.m.
- VIRTUAL School Board Listening Session, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- VIRTUAL School Board Workshop, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 21
- Gryphon Conversation, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
- Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Heritage Christian Academy at Heritage Christian Academy, 4:15 p.m.
- Girls C Volleyball match vs. ISM at ISM, 4:30 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Brooklyn Center at Brooklyn Center High School, 5:00 p.m.
- Girls JV Volleyball match vs. Heritage Christian Academy at Heritage Christian Academy, 5:30 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Volleyball match vs. Heritage Christian Academy at Heritage Christian Academy, 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 23
- Girls Varsity Soccer vs. United Christian Academy at United Christian Academy, 4:00 p.m.
- Girls JV Volleyball match vs. North Lakes Academy at ERA, 5:30 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Volleyball match vs. North Lakes Academy at ERA, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 24
- Boys Varsity Soccer game vs. Legacy Christian Academy at Legacy Christian Academy, 4:15 p.m.
- Boys JV Soccer game vs. Legacy Christian Academy at Legacy Christian Academy, 6:00 p.m.
Monday, September 27
- Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Heritage Christian Academy at ISM, 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, September 28
- IN-PERSON Special Board Meeting, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- Boys Varsity Soccer game vs. North Lakes Academy at ISM, 4:15 p.m.
- Girls C Volleyball match vs. West Lutheran at ERA, 4:15 p.m.
- Girls JV Volleyball match vs. West Lutheran at ERA, 5:30 p.m.
- Girls Varsity Volleyball match vs. West Lutheran at ERA, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, October 1
- NO SCHOOL due to Staff Development.
Saturday, October 2
- Rockin' the Ridge at ERA, 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Please Complete Tempus Online Academy Enrollment Application by September 22
We are so excited to have all our students currently in person at Eagle Ridge Academy! Classical Education is best delivered in person as it allows teachers to have the most authentic learning relationship with their students. And, since returning just a few weeks ago, we have witnessed amazing interaction between the students and staff.
We believe that our safety protocol provides the students of Eagle Ridge Academy with a safe environment to attend school. Even with our safety protocol in place, we understand that there is a significant number of families that remain uncomfortable with in-person learning. We recently sent an Initial Interest Form to our families with children in grades 1 through 6. We had more than 200 students indicate initial interest. Thus, we are working toward the opening of the Tempus (meaning "time or season" in Latin) Online Academy (TOA).
Our goal is to open TOA by October 25, 2021. This letter serves as an introduction to the formal enrollment application for TOA. This form must be completed by next Wednesday, September 22, 2021 so so we can finalize student schedules and staffing. Enrollment will be determined by our ability to hire teachers. If we are not able to hire a sufficient number of teachers to meet the level of interest, there may be a lottery to fill the rosters of TOA.
These plans are pending Board approval. The Board will discuss TOA at the workshop on Monday, September 20 and then consider/approve on September 28, 2021.
Another Gryphon Conversation will be held on September 21, at 12:30 p.m. to inform you of the latest updates regarding Tempus Online Academy. Please join us!
Notes from Executive Director Jason Ulbrich
Dear Families,
Citizenship is the first of the Eagle Ridge Academy Pillars. An ERA tradition that exemplifies citizenship is our weekly flag detail. The flag detail is about more than raising and lowering the flag. We honor the American flag for all the people that have sacrificed their lives. Raising the flag is definitely an honor and a privilege, especially knowing that other people around the world do not share the freedoms that are represented in our flag.
I am organizing two flag details at ERA. We will need an assigned detail leader for each team. The flag detail is open to all grades. We raise the flag each Monday at 8:00 a.m. and lower the flag at 3:00 p.m. on the last day of each school week.
Please email me by Monday, September 27, if your child would like to participate in the flag detail. Please specify if you would like to be a leader (grades 6-12) or a participant. I will need your grade, name, and homeroom/advisory teacher. Again, all grades are welcome to participate.
The flag detail will report to the Executive Director and be responsible for ensuring that the flag is properly and correctly displayed each day. They will assess the weather and the daily beat concerning the display of the flag. They will ensure the flag is properly recovered, inspected, folded, and returned to its resting spot. The flag detail is an example of selfless service to the community and well-motivated, patriotic citizens.
Sincerely,
Jason Ulbrich
Individual 2020-21 MCA Scores Sent Home
Individual student MCA scores were mailed home on Friday, September 10. Students new to Eagle Ridge Academy will receive their scores from their previous district.
Parent Canvas Accounts Delayed But Coming Soon!
We are experiencing a delay in connecting parent accounts with students. We are working as quickly as possible to resolve the issue. We apologize for the delay and will send account information out as soon as it is available.
Can't wait for assignment and grades info? Check in with your child to review his/her planner and check grades on his/her Canvas account. Thank you for your patience!
Spirit Wear and Free Dress Days 2021-2022
Spirit Wear Day is a day that students in grades K-12 can wear any Spirit Wear and Uniform combinations. (No street wear & the shoe policy still applies.) The first Spirit Wear Day of the year will take place on Friday, September 17.
Additionally, four times each year, students have the option to pay $5 in advance to wear what they choose (within ERA guidelines on appropriate attire) on Free Dress Days. Students may pay $6 on Free Dress Days if they choose not to pay in advance. The funds collected on Free Dress Days are designated for specific teacher projects.
View spirit wear and free dress information here.
September 17
October 8
November 19
December 10
January 21
February 25
March 11
April 22
May 13
Free Dress Dates 2021-2022
October 15
December 17
March 25
May 27
Open Enrollment Starts October 1!
Our 2022-2023 open enrollment period will begin 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 am 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.
More information about open enrollment is coming soon. Please contact Admissions Specialist Janice Gerheart with questions at jgerheart@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Sign Up for Fall Conferences Starting October 6
Save the Dates! Fall Conferences will take place on October 18, 12:00-8:00 p.m. and October 19, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Families will be able to choose whether they would like to meet teachers in person in their classrooms or virtually on Zoom.
The sign-up session for conferences will open at 8:00 a.m. on October 6 and close at 10:00 p.m. on October 14. An email with instructions and the password to the online conference scheduler will be sent out on Monday, October 4.
Community Updates: School of Grammar
Community Updates: Schools of Logic & Rhetoric
Schools of Logic & Rhetoric Notes - Erin Johnson, Principal
Schools of Logic & Rhetoric Families,
Thank you to the families who joined us for Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 9, 2021. We enjoyed meeting with you and sharing what your children will be learning this school year. Please mark your calendars for conferences in October, where you will have a chance to meet individually with your child’s teachers. Conferences will be held October 18-19, 2021. More information will be coming soon.
The school year is now well underway as we are finishing our fourth week of school already. Students are working hard and developing their habits and routines. The fourth week also marks mid-quarter; please check on your students’ progress by looking at their grades, contacting teachers, and diving deeply into their assignments and assessments so we can work together to help students if they are struggling. Parents can see all of their children’s assignments and assessments through the Parent Observer Account in Canvas, or have your child log into their Canvas account and show you.
Please encourage your children to join a club, activity, or sport. We truly believe that our Pillars are shown in many ways and extra-curricular activities provide many avenues to continue to develop these. Learn more and register for fall activities and athletics here. Go Gryphons!
Sincerely,
Erin Johnson
Senior Erik T. Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Erik came to Eagle Ridge Academy during his freshman year and has made a significant contribution to the school during his years as a School of Rhetoric student. He is known for being the voice of the morning announcements, filling the hallways with the sounds of the school piano, working as an editor on the student newspaper The Citizen, creating the podcast Around the Academy, being involved in Student Senate and National Honors Society, and so much more. He has completed several media projects for the school, such as virtual tour videos, instructional videos, and taking graduation and activities photos. Erik T. embodies the pillars of the school (Citizenship, Integrity, Perseverance, Honor, Excellence, and Respect)and has changed Eagle Ridge Academy for the better. He will certainly leave a legacy behind after he graduates. We are grateful to have him as part of our community and are excited to see what he accomplishes in the future. Congratulations, Erik!
National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title.
High school juniors entered the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
From the approximately 16,000 Semifinalists, about 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference. Good luck, Erik!
Notes from the Academic Advising Office - Mary Johnson, College and Academic Advisor
Dear Students and Families,
Please see below for college information and upcoming deadlines.
ACT Testing
The next National ACT testing date to be held at ERA is Saturday, October 23, 2021. The deadline to register for this test date is Friday, September 17. Students need an ACT account to register and may sign up for an account and register for the test at my.act.org.
Information from Dordt University
Eagle Ridge Academy continues to welcome college and military representatives to visit our School of Rhetoric students in-person this year to provide information about their institutions and answer questions. Dordt University will have a representative visiting ERA during Advisory next Wednesday, September 22. Students in grades 9-12 will sign up in advance to attend this session via Signup Genius using the link provided to them in their ERA student email account.
Information from the University of Wisconsin - Madison
The University of Wisconsin - Madison's application for Fall 2022 is now open! Early action deadline is November 1 and Regular Decision deadline is February 1. Students can apply through the Common App or UW System app. The details of their process and requirements can be found here. UW-Madison is offering guided on-campus tours at a limited capacity (which fill up fast) and a self-guided tour on campus. They also still have a number of virtual presentations including a student-led virtual tour, an admissions counselor-led information session, financial aid presentations, and many program-specific sessions. Students and their families can register for tours and info sessions on VisitBucky. New this year, UW-Madison is hosting a virtual event called Minnesota Meets Madison. Tuesday, September 28 at 7:00 p.m., they will be hosting a live panel event on Zoom with information about admissions, student life, and more. They will include a representative from the Office of Student Financial Aid who will share more about reciprocity and BANNER, a program that covers the full cost of attendance for students who qualify. You and your student can register here.
Information from Vassar College
The Office of Admission is excited to announce that their application for the annual Vassar View program is live and currently accepting applications! Vassar View provides an in-depth understanding of the college to high school seniors from backgrounds that have often been overlooked and underrepresented at the nation’s most selective colleges and universities, such as students from ethnically diverse backgrounds, students who will be the first in their family to complete a college education, and those from families with limited financial resources. The virtual program will be held on Saturday, October 30, 1:00-4:30 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to meet current students, hear about campus resources, and learn more about what makes Vassar unique. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 1.
Scholarship Deadlines from September 30-November 30:
- Be Bold Scholarship - $25,102 - 1 Award (Deadline: September 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be in Grade 12 and plan on enrolling in college by the fall of 2022. B) Have a GPA of at least 2.5.
- Good Fortune Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: September 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a high school student planning to attend college in September 2022. B) Answer the essay question on the company’s website.
- CollegeXpress Scholarship - $10,000 – 1 Award (Deadline: September 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 a resident of the United States.
- Nitro Scholarship - $2,000 - 12 Awards (Deadline: September 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be currently enrolled as a high school senior or a student enrolled at an accredited college or university located within the United States. B) Have a GPA of at least 2.5.
- SP High School Scholarship - $10,000 - 10 Awards (Deadline: September 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a high school student planning to attend college in September 2022. B) Answer the essay question on the sponsors website.
- Women's Ministries Scholarship Program - $20,000 – 49 Awards (Deadline: October 15, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a woman who would not be able to attend college without financial help. B) Be a woman who is committed to serving the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who would otherwise be unable to afford a college education.
- NACME Scholarships - $5,000 - 100 Awards (Deadline: October 30, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic-American, or Native/American Indian. B) Be planning to study in the fields of engineering or computer science.
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program - $20,000 – 150 Awards (Deadline: October 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a current high school (or home-schooled) student who will graduate in 2022. B) Be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, Asylee, Cuban-Haitian Entrant, or Humanitarian Parolee - based on the guidelines utilized by U.S. Department of Education.
- Duckett Local Conservation Scholarship - $1,000 – 1 Award (Deadline: October 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be in good academic standing with their current educational institution with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. B) Be able to demonstrate a commitment to environmental conservation using past and present volunteer, professional, or educational experiences.
- Pursuing a Positive Impact Scholarship - $3,000 - 1 Award (Deadline: October 31, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good overall academic standing. B) Submit a 1,000-word essay response to the prompt: In what ways do you try to activate positive change in your community and what inspires you to do so?
- Builders' Association Scholarships - $3,000 - 28 Awards (Deadline: November 1, 2021). To be eligible for the scholarship a student must: A) Be a full-time college student in the Fall 2022 or Spring 2023 semester studying in a construction-related program (construction management, engineering, or architecture).
- 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.
Sincerely,
Ms. MJ
Growing Up Fast - Kris Babler, Activities Director
Dear Families,
I have been meaning to write about this senior class for a while. I feel like, too often, spring is when these pieces get published and I want to make sure their story is written and repeated often. All our students have faced hardships and setbacks over the last two years. In the face of this, the Class of 2022 will set a standard here at Eagle Ridge Academy that will be difficult to surpass.
I came to ERA with this group when they were freshmen. So, as far as groups of students go, this is the group I have grown to know the best. They lead. They have led everything – from a student newspaper and morning announcements, to being out front to launch athletic and co-curricular groups and persevering through that, to showing up to lead our youth programs on Saturday mornings, to winning state championships, and more.
This is a special group of people. I hope this senior year is their best year yet – and I hope our underclassmen see the opportunities to continue to grow at ERA – opportunities that have been forged through hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of those that came before you. A new standard is being set. Let’s enjoy it this year and raise the ceiling beyond that.
Updates:
- The Fall Play is Arsenic and Old Lace and it has been cast.
- Our first 5th-7th grade Gryphon travel soccer team has launched.
- Fall Club and Co-Curricular registrations are open and filling up fast.
- Girls Varsity Soccer is 2-2-2 and looking strong with a 1-0-1 conference record.
- Boys Varsity Soccer is 2-4-0 and has been competitive in every match with a young roster.
- Girls Volleyball is better than their 3-5 record – dropping 3 of their 5 losses in the 5th set.
- Cross Country is off to a strong start with 30 runners and has seen girls finish top 2 in multiple races.
Go Gryphons!
Kris Babler
Register for Fall Clubs Today!
- Chess (grades K-12)
- Discover - FIRST LEGO League (grades K-1)
- Explore - FIRST LEGO League (grades 2-3)
- Fall Play (Lower School) (grades 2-6)
- Choir Club- Session 1 (grades 3-5)
- Challenge - FIRST LEGO League (grades 4-6)
- Math Team (grades 5-12)
- Middle School Robotics - FTC (grades 6-8)
- Junior Classical League (grades 6-12)
- Music Listening Club (grades 6-12)
- Nerd Coalition (grades 6-12)
- Yearbook (grades 6-12)
- Debate (grades 7-12)
- E-Sports (grades 7-12)
- D&D Club (grades 8-12)
- Climbing Club (grades 9-12)
- High School Robotics - FRC (grades 9-12)
- Mindfulness for Inner Strength (grades 9-12)
- National Honor Society (grades 10-12)
Learn more about each club and register here today: https://era-ar.rschooltoday.com/home.
Lower School Fall Play Video Auditions Due September 20
Nerd Coalition Informational Meeting on September 22
Mock Trial Informational Meeting on September 27
Four Easy Ways to 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.
3. Become a Booster (erabooster.org/packet/33) and choose from a variety of support levels, including the FREE Patron level.
4. Order your own ERA face masks and mask-keepers (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!
Developing Connections
Ways to Get Involved and Give Back - Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
Dear Eagle Ridge Academy Families,
As a tuition-free, public Charter School and a school of choice, Eagle Ridge Academy receives state funding on a per pupil funding structure – determined by MN State legislature. Per pupil funding follows every Minnesota student to the public school the student attends. Both traditional public school districts and public charter schools receive the same per pupil funding rate. But unlike traditional public schools, charter schools do not receive any funds from local voter-approved levies which, for Eagle Ridge Academy, equates to nearly 30% less funding per year than our neighboring school districts. Therefore, in order to sustain the Academy into future generations, enhance programming, make facility improvements and additions, and offer a competitive compensation plan to our teachers, we must raise funds to close the funding gap.
Funds are raised at Eagle Ridge Academy through several areas of outreach:
· Events
· Corporate Partnerships
· Matching Gift Programs
· Individual Giving
· Employee Giving
· Give to the Max
· Major Gifts
· Capital Campaigns and Year End Appeal
· Grants
· Sponsorships
· Volunteer Match Programs
· Miscellaneous programs such as SCRIP, AmazonSmile, Microsoft Rewards, etc.
Eagle Ridge Academy is fortunate to have its own foundation, Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy (FERA), a certified 501(c)(3) whose purpose is to support and sustain Eagle Ridge Academy for future generations of scholars and through which donated funds to the Academy are made.
There are several ways to participate in giving at Eagle Ridge Academy. Creating additional revenue sources and building community is important as we strive to create the best possible educational experience for our students while staying true to our mission. Enjoy giving from the heart for a good cause with the benefit of receiving a tax deduction.
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/.
Volunteer
Eagle Ridge Academy views parents and students as integral contributors and active participants in our school. The Academy is most successful when parents and students work together with the teachers and staff to create and sustain the best possible learning environment.
There are many opportunities for volunteerism for every taste, talent, and time-commitment. Consider “Giving 5” by signing up for the area(s) of your interest here.
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
Save the Date! Eagle Ridge Academy is celebrating Give to the Max Day on November 18!
What if you could help our school receive $1,000 just by giving $10 or more?
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. Starting in October, donors may "schedule" their gifts ahead of time. Please watch for more information.
Help us increase our odds and make the most of your gift by making a donation on November 18 on GiveMN.org. Search for Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy, then make your donation. Together, we hope to raise more than $10,000 on Give to the Max Day and you can help us reach our goal!
Join us for Zumba for the Ridge on October 9!
Get your Zumba on with this fun event for all ages! Zumba on the Ridge will take place 9:00-10:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, in the Eagle Ridge Academy gymnasium. ERA parent and Zumba®/HIIT instructor/Certified Personal Trainer Eryn Stennes will lead this high energy and fun work out to jammin’ music! Register here today.
Gala for the Gryphons Goes Old School with "Progressive Dance Party: 70s, 80s, 90s”
SAVE THE DATE! This year, the Gala for the Gryphons goes Old School with Progressive Dance Party: 70s, 80s, 90s! DJ Jeffrey B will spin tunes under the disco ball at Hazeltine National Golf Club on Friday, November 19, 6:30-11:00 p.m. Tickets include group dance lessons in disco and hip hop in October. Invitations and registration coming in September.
Would you like to be part of this fun planning team? Join in to meet new people and lend your voice and talents. Email Director of Development Kelly Schiffman, kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org.
House of Dance instructor Joseph "Godsent" James
House of Dance instructor Jake "Boogie B" Riley
September Food Service Information - Brittany Radtke, Chef
Dear Eagle Ridge Academy Families,
Please see below for September menus and information on how to join our team of kitchen heroes! October menus will be available in the September 30 issue of the Eagle Eye.
Sincerely,
Chef Manager Brittany Radtke
K-5 and Families: Join us at Rockin' the Ridge on October 2!
We’re new to ERA. What’s RTR and should we come?
RTR is our wildly popular annual school carnival event for K-5 families, taking place on
Saturday, October 2, 2021, 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the school!
We will pull out all the stops to create a fun and memorable evening for the whole family. Older or younger siblings of K-5 ERA students are welcome! We do require a parent/guardian/adult chaperone to be present at the event to supervise students and siblings—no drop-offs allowed. We’re excited to bring back many well-loved events including the game truck, inflatable slide and obstacle course, carnival games, face painting, crazy hair, henna tattoos, and so much more!
Are masks required?
Yes.
Should we come hungry?
We recommend it! RTR is famous for GREAT food and this year is no exception. Here’s our
lineup:
- Spicy Minerva: Indian cuisine featuring vegetable samosas, paneer, egg puffs, vegetable/or chicken dum biryani and authentic Indian masala chai.
- Purple People Feeder: Hot dogs, mini-burgers, wings, pulled pork sandwiches, cheese curds, and fries.
- MedBox Grill: A full menu of Mediterranean delights including gyros, falafel, kabobs, and wraps.
- Culver’s Custard: Pick your toppings!
- Popped Corn: A Minnetonka favorite—gluten-free, dairy-free popcorn!
- PTO-Sponsored Concessions: Soda choices and bottled water.
- Lemonade Bottles: Be sure to check out our all new BPA-free collector water bottles with ERA logo, full of lemonade for $7 (with 1-free refill during RTR). Only 300 available!
My kids love to have fun! How can we get the most out of RTR?
Our most popular option is the UNLIMITED FUN WRISTBAND! This wristband guarantees unlimited entry into all of our games and events (food/beverages are additional).
Wristbands can be pre-ordered for $23 and picked up at will-call near Door 2 on the night of the event. Otherwise, they are $27 at the door. Adults who are supervising children but not participating in games or events can freely enter without a wristband. Order wristbands online here.
A second option is a 10-punch card for $5. These cards can be purchased at RTR (no pre-order) in any quantity and shared among family members.
Point values vary between events:
2-point events: Bingo, Putting Challenge, Select Carnival Games
4-point events: Glamour Nails, Crazy Hair, Henna Tattoos, Face Painting, Photo Booth
6-point events: Game Truck
FREE EVENT: Basketball with Junior Varsity Team in the gymnasium.
Do you need help with Rockin' the Ridge?
YES, WE DO! RTR is staffed almost exclusively by wonderful parent and upper school student volunteers — over 300 total! It’s a great place to meet other ERA parents, log some volunteer hours (Volunteer 5 commitment), and have fun while doing it! Many opportunities take only two hours of your time. Please sign up for your volunteer slot here.
Questions?
Please direct your questions to pto.eagleridge@gmail.com.
We hope that your family will join us!
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.
Show Your School Spirit!
Show your school spirit on upcoming Spirit Wear days, Rockin' The Ridge, and other wonderful events! We have opened the online ordering for more sizes. Please order online and Elena Ryabinin will schedule a pickup time with you when we receive inventory from the vendor.
Stay Connected!
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.
See below for instructions on how to connect through ''My School Anywhere' App
Step 1:
- Create an account at eagleridgeacademy.membershiptoolkit.com.
- If you already have an account from last year, using My School Anywhere, you can use the same email and password to login. You can then confirm or edit your information.
Step 2:
- Click verify my email and check your email for a link to complete the process.
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