The Eagle Eye
April 28, 2022 - Eagle Ridge Academy - Volume 18 | Issue 15
Upcoming Events
Friday, April 28
- Middle School Spring Fling, ERA Gymnasium, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Monday, May 2
- Donate for Donuts Food Drive Begins
- Seniors may wear College Wear in honor of Decision Day.
- First day of Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.
Tuesday, May 3
- Eight Essential Principles for Families, ERA Library, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
- School of Grammar Fine Arts Festival, ERA Auditorium, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 5
- Battle of the Books Round 2, ERA Forum, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
- School of Grammar Fine Arts Festival, ERA Auditorium, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 6
- FREE Free Dress Day for all Staff and Students in Honor of Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
- Upper School Art Xpo, ERA Auditorium, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 7
- 8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and 1/2 Mile Mini-Dash, Eagle Ridge Academy, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
- Second Annual Evening Around the World, ERA Upper School, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 10
- School Board Listening Session, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
- School Board Workshop, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11
ERA Children’s Choir National Anthem Performance at Target Field, 4:30 p.m.
PTO Quarterly Meeting, ERA Forum
Thursday, May 12
- Upper School Art Class Field Trip to Mia, 9:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Eagle Ridge Academy Ranked #3 in Minnesota High Schools in 2022 U.S. News & World Report
Eagle Ridge Academy earned high national and metro-area rankings in 2022 Best High Schools, which U.S. News released this week.
Eagle Ridge Academy is ranked #266 in the National Rankings. Schools are ranked according to their performance on state-required tests, graduation rate, and how well they prepare students for college.
All Rankings
- #266 in National Rankings
- #3 in Minnesota High Schools
- #3 in Minneapolis, MN Metro Area High Schools
- #67 in Charter High Schools
Honoring Teachers and Staff During Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week - Jason Ulbrich, Executive Director
Dear Families,
As of today, we have 22 days of school left for this school year! To me, however, it seems that the next 22 days signify the end of the last two plus years of Covid Craziness. For educators, Covid Craziness has put a heaviness on everything that we do. Everything has seemed more difficult for both students and staff. Yet the staff at Eagle Ridge Academy have worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students and have done this work with a great attitude. This cannot be said in many schools across the nation. We hear weekly about angst and discord on school boards, teachers leaving the profession mid-year, and staff walkouts. Your ERA teachers and staff have been dedicated to ensuring that students receive a high-quality education.
Next week, ERA will honor our staff throughout the week. The PTO will provide meals, administrators will provide breakfast, and we hope that students and families will take the time to find a way to thank our staff. On Friday, May 6, we will have a Free Dress Day for all students and staff to honor these professionals. Instead of paying for free dress, we ask that you find time to thank the teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, food servers, and many more.
Jason Ulbrich
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week May 2-6
Hello Eagle Ridge Families,
May 2-6 is Eagle Ridge Academy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! It’s so exciting to be able to offer some form of appreciation every day of the week. We hope that the teachers and staff will feel the immense gratitude we all have for everything they do to keep our kids safe and flourishing. They dedicate so much time to enrich our kids’ lives with unparalleled education and character development. We are forever grateful!
We would love to partner with you to help make this week a rousing success! Here are a few ways you can help:
- Sign up here to provide treats and snacks planned for the week.
- Use this link to donate money to help purchase these planned items.
- Use this link to write a note of appreciation to teachers and staff (past or present).
- Use this link to volunteer for a time to help us execute our plan to thank all our teachers and staff.
The teachers love your notes of appreciation so much! If you can only do one thing, please consider writing a note to an ERA teacher, assistant teacher, or staff member.
If you have any questions or want to reach out to us directly, please e-mail Jodi Hogan at jodihogan@q.com.
Thanks so much!
Emily Gilbertson, Sarah Sindelar, and Jodi Hogan
Community Updates: School of Grammar
School of Grammar Fine Arts Festival May 3 and May 5
The Lower School music and art departments are beyond excited to invite you to the ERA School of Grammar Fine Arts Festival. This affair is presented over the course of two evenings, where audience members will have the opportunity to hear songs prepared in music class and view the art works created in art class.
Tuesday, May 3
- 6:00 p.m. – Kindergarten Informance
- 6:45 p.m. – Grade 2 Informance
- 7:30 p.m. – Grade 4 Informance
Thursday, May 5
- 6:00 p.m. – Grade 1 Informance
- 6:45 p.m. – Grade 3 Informance
- 7:30 p.m. – Grade 5 Informance
Volunteer or Donate Toward Camp Read-a-lot! - Carolyn Sommers Tillotson, School Librarian
Dear Families,
During the weeks of May 2-6 and May 9-13, the library will be set up like a campsite. Students get to read books with flashlights in tents and have a campfire snack! It is the fun way in which we return books and close out library visits for each year. Sign up to help with your child’s class here.
Thank you,
Carolyn Sommers Tillotson
Community Updates: Schools of Logic & Rhetoric
Over 100 Books Donated to School of Logic by Young, Black, & Lit Nonprofit
Young, Black & Lit is a nonprofit organization committed to increasing access to children's books that center, reflect, and affirm Black children. Each month, the nonprofit chooses a few organizations to donate books to. Upper School Science teacher Ms. Johnson applied on behalf of Eagle Ridge Academy and received over 100 books for our middle school students! Each book focuses on Black characters and/or authors. Ms. Johnson will be donating the books to the school library and there is already a list of students signed up to check out the books.
Thank you to Young, Black & Lit for this incredible donation and to Ms. Johnson for applying for it! Our middle schoolers cannot wait to start reading all of these new books.
School of Logic Spring Fling Friday, April 29
2nd Annual Donate for Donuts Food Drive Starts Monday, May 2
Eagle Ridge Academy Upper School Art Xpo on Friday, May 6
Join us for our annual celebration of Eagle Ridge Academy student art! Artworks created by students in grades 6-12 will be displayed outside of the ERA gymnasium from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6. The awards ceremony will take place in the ERA auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
2nd Annual Evening Around the World on Saturday, May 7
ERA National Honor Society is pleased to invite you to their 2nd Annual Evening Around The World on Saturday, May 7, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
At this free event, guests will view student cultural presentations at tables, enjoy a multi-cuisine dinner, and listen to a religious panel discussion featuring distinguished speakers from many faiths.
In sharing traditions, food, and faith, the ERA National Honor Society hopes to uncover the common values that unite us as humans. If you’d like to join them, sign up here: bit.ly/2ndAnnualEveningAroundtheWorld.
P.S. Come dressed in your finest cultural clothing!
Eagle Ridge Academy Presents Wizard of Oz on May 13, 14, and 15
Join us at Eagle Ridge Academy for the theater department’s spring musical: Wizard of Oz!
There will be three performances, featuring students in grades 3-12:
- Friday, May 13, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 14, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 15, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Tickets will be sold at the door for $10.
Volunteer at the National Honor Society Career Fair on May 19
Dear Families,
The Eagle Ridge Academy National Honor Society is hosting a career fair for students on Thursday, May 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m. This event will be hosted at ERA and all Upper School students and parents are welcome! Students will have the opportunity to connect with professionals from various career fields throughout the event, allowing them to explore occupations that interest them or learn about a field that they are unfamiliar with.
We are searching for a diverse group of professionals to share their unique work experiences and occupations. We are also looking for parents to volunteer at the career fair as chaperones. Students will engage in demonstrations and presentations and seek advice from qualified experts in a variety of industries. We are not looking for specific careers and professionals; this is open to all parents who are willing to share!
If you are interested in being one of the presenters or volunteering at the event, please complete this form. You may contact NHS members Abdirashid Abdi and Lydia Blatzheim with any questions or concerns.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
ERA National Honor Society
Register for 2nd Annual ERA Activities & Athletics Awards Celebration by Sunday, May 1
We are so pleased to invite students, coaches, families, and co-op partners of all Upper School Eagle Ridge Academy activities to the 2022 Activities and Athletics Awards Celebration on Sunday, May 22! Please register here by Sunday, May 1.
The Activities and Athletics Awards Celebration is an opportunity to honor our students through awards, letters, and good food. The event will be held at at ERA from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22. Here is what you can expect:
Who: All students (including co-op schools), family, coaches, and friends of ERA Activities and Athletics are invited.
What: Activities Letters will be distributed, awards will be given for each activity, and great food will be provided. Tickets are $25 per person
When: Sunday, May 22, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Dinner will be served via food trucks in the parking lot and the Awards Celebration will take place in the gymnasium.
Sign up today at https://erabooster.membershiptoolkit.com/celebrate!
Pack the Theater for Senior Night on May 13
Enjoy a wonderful performance, cheer on our spring seniors, show your school spirit, and have a chance to win giveaways!
SUPPORT ERA ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES!
- Volunteer during spring games and matches. Please go to www.ERABooster.org and click on the volunteer tab to sign up.
- Become a Booster Club Member! Memberships range from a free Patron member to a Gryphon member that provides access to all home games, a free concession snack, a free ticket to the end-of-year awards ceremony, and more. Show your school spirit and become a member today. Go to www.ERABooster.org and look for the Become a Booster button on the home page.
- Join the ERA Booster Club Board! 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.
Learn more by visiting the ERA Booster Club website (erabooster.org) or by joining the Facebook group today!
Developing Connections
All 2021-22 Volunteers Invited to Volunteer Appreciation Night on May 17
Dear Families,
Last week was National Volunteer Week and Eagle Ridge Academy thanks its community members for everything they do for us! We are fortunate to have an abundance of caring families, staff, and students who donate their time and talents selflessly to make Eagle Ridge Academy a better place. Every single minute donated 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 May 17 at Eagle Ridge Academy. The program will highlight the wonderful work you have done this school year and honor you for your many talents and time given. A reception of delicious foods from around the world, dessert, and refreshments will follow.
All who have donated their time this year in any capacity are welcome to attend!
Please see the invitation below. We ask that you kindly RSVP at this link by May 10.
Thank you for making an impact on everything Eagle Ridge Academy and for allowing us to deliver the best education possible to our students.
Sincerely,
Kelly Schiffman, Director of Development
Donut Dash Registration Closes Wednesday, May 4
Don't forget to register for the 8th Annual Donut Dash 5K and Mini-Donut 1/2 Mile for Kids with a whole NEW 5K COURSE, which will leave and finish at Eagle Ridge Academy for the first time ever! Whether you are a runner, a walker, or a donut-enthusiast, this is the event for you!
There's a lot more to the 5K than the race, however!
- DJ Chad with Trivia Stash will be spinning tunes all morning to pump up the crowd!
ERA parent and Zumba®/HIIT instructor/Certified Personal Trainer Eryn Stennes will be joining us to lead the crowd in a high energy and fun Zumba workout!
Complimentary chair massages and rock tape applications will be available, compliments of Health Source Eden Prairie!
Each 5K participant and Kids Mini Donut Dash 1/2 Mile participant will receive free donuts!
Chick-fil-A – St. Louis Park will have their food truck on site selling breakfast sandwiches. Every 5K finisher will receive a free Chicken Biscuit!
Fun youth activities run by ERA teachers Coach Kenny and Mrs. Sheppard!
And so much more!
The event will take place on Saturday, May 7, starting at 8:00 a.m. Visit www.eagleridgeacademy.org/donut-dash-5K to view the race map, see fun photos from previous years, and for more information.
Online registration is OPEN! 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 non-refundable.
*Due to supply chain issues, we had to put our shirt order in on April 8. Any registrants after April 8 are not guaranteed a race shirt or one in their preferred size. We will do our best to accommodate demand with the overages we ordered.
5K Pricing:
$35 Adult 5K Registration (on or before April 21)
$30 Student and Alumni 5K Pricing
$40 5K Registration (after April 21 to race day)
Kids Mini Donut Dash 1/2 Mile Pricing:
(Kids 10 and younger)
$15 Mini-Donut Dash Pricing (on or before April 21)
$20 Mini-Donut Dash (after April 21 to race day)
We are grateful for our generous sponsors, who make this event possible! Thanks to Bester Bros. Transfer & Storage, Boston Scientific, Burn Boot Camp, Chick-fil-A – St. Louis Park, Costco, The Dental Specialists Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, HealthSource of Eden Prairie, Holaday Circuits, JB Realty, KwikTrip, Richfield Blacktop, Sam’s Club, Stieg Strand / RE/MAX Results, TC Running Company, Hopkins VFW Post 425, and Universal Cleaning.
All proceeds from the event will benefit student enrichment at Eagle Ridge Academy. If you do not wish to run but would like to make a 100% tax-deductible donation to Friends of Eagle Ridge Academy to help support student enrichment and Classical Education, please click here.
We cannot wait to have everyone together again for one of our favorite annual events AND to welcome everyone to the new course. We hope to see you there! Questions? Please contact Kelly Schiffman at kschiffman@eagleridgeacademy.org.
Help Support the Donut Dash and Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament!
Running, walking, and golf not your thing but you still would like to be involved? See below for opportunities to help with our spring and summer fundraisers!
- Sponsor the events with the donation of a product or financial gift.
- Ask your employer to participate as a sponsor.
- Volunteer to help at the 5K on May 7. We need 50 volunteers.
- Donate a 100% tax-deductible gift.
- Help promote both events by sharing on your social media or by word of mouth. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues.
For more information on how you may participate in the development of Eagle Ridge Academy, please contact me 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/.
9th Annual Gryphon Classic Golf Tournament Information
We are excited to announce that the annual golf tournament will be hosted at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park for the first time! The event will take place on Tuesday, June 21. 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 are from the Edinburgh Pro Shop. All golfers will receive an Edinburgh golf hat (pictured below)!
The annual golf scramble is a fun event that brings people together for a day to benefit the students of Eagle Ridge Academy. The event includes 18 holes of golf, cart and green fees, lunch and social hour by D’Amico Catering, raffle, complimentary drink ticket, and golfer gift.
Last year, proceeds supported the Playscape and Grounds Beautification Project at Eagle Ridge Academy, bringing outdoor learning and enhanced play to our students. This year, proceeds will support a new Grow Your Own Teacher Program at Eagle Ridge Academy.
For more information and to register online: Golf Brochure / Online Registration
Registrations are non-refundable.
Event Agenda
11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. — Check-In, Lunch, and Driving Range
1:15 p.m. — Be ready in your carts
1:30 p.m. — Shotgun
5:30 p.m. — Social Hour and Awards
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.
Volunteer this Spring!
We have several opportunities available for volunteers this spring. There’s a job for everyone – let us know if you can help. Sign up to volunteer today.
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
PTO Looking for 2022-2023 Board Members
Join the PTO Board for the 2022-2023 school year! Please nominate yourself or another person here.
We are looking for engaged and enthusiastic ERA parents, teachers, and staff to join us to fulfill our mission of creating fun student events and supporting our teachers. No experience necessary - just a desire to have fun, meet others, and serve our community!
You can find the description of each of the PTO Board roles under the tab PTO Board Responsibilities. Please note that this is only a guide, as our group thrives on flexibility, teamwork, and fun!
Nominations are due by May 1, 2022, and the new Board will be voted on by attendees at our PTO Quarterly Community Meeting on May 11, 2022.
Upcoming PTO Events
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week May 2-6
Help our PTO shower Eagle Ridge Academy teachers with love and appreciation during Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! See the top of this Eagle Eye issue for more information on how you can help.
Grades K-8 Invited to Disney/Marvel-Themed School Skate Night on May 19
The PTO is excited to bring back their grades K-8 school skate! Join them at Skateville (201 River Ridge Cir. S, Burnsville, MN 55337) on Thursday, May 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. for skating, games, prizes, and music! Roller skate rental is $6/person, inline skate rental is $3/person. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult. It is not a drop-off event. Come dressed in your favorite Disney or Marvel costume and you might win a prize for best dressed!
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.
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
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