February 20, 2020
Greetings!
Hello Aquila Families,

It was great to see so many of you at conferences last week. As partners in your child’s education we value the time to meet with you personally and talk about your child. If you were not able to make it last week, please call your child’s teacher so they can set up a time to connect with you.

I want to give a shout out to all our students and families who were part of the school musical. Over 100 students participated and countless families supported the play by volunteering for important tasks. In addition, we had middle school and high school students volunteer their time and talents to help make this a great production. We are so fortunate to continue this opportunity for our students with community and PTO donations. Thank you to everyone who was a part of the musical.

We saw an increase in influenza and influenza-like cases among our students last week. This pattern followed what many schools saw in the last few weeks. Please see the message below from our school nurse. In addition, we are encouraging hand-washing at school and wiping down door knobs, drinking fountains and sink handles daily. This past weekend we had a group in to disinfect all hard surfaces in the school. One thing you can do to help us is to make sure your child is fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before allowing them to come back to school.
As you walk into our school, you will notice student work related to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have A Dream” speech. Ms. Robinson’s Fourth Graders started the display with written work posted.

In the picture you can see Mrs. Ludens's First Graders working with Ms. Robinson's Fourth Graders to create writings for a timeline of notable African Americans and Civil Rights events. Other classrooms have continued to share their learning. You can see students' reflections on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work and also their dreams for our world and our future. Our students' voices are powerful and their hopes for a more peaceful world where we can appreciate our unique differences and work together is inspiring. If you have a chance, please stop in and look at the student work up in our hallways. 

We have many great events coming up in the next month. Please look over this newsletter carefully as many of those events are highlighted here. You can also find the events listed on the Aquila website. 

In partnership,

Shelley Nielsen, Aquila Principal
Health Office Precautions - Mrs. Angela Nelson, School Nurse
We wish to share with you these important reminders regarding health precautions:

Influenza and influenza-like illnesses (ILI) are  increasing in our school. These illnesses include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. We encourage lots and lots of hand-washing for our students and staff.
 
Please keep your student at home and consider seeking medical attention if they have typical flu symptoms as listed above or any of the following:

  • Fever of 100 degrees or more. Students need to stay home for 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
  • Vomiting or diarrhea. Students need to stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
  • Any uncontrolled cough with or without a sore throat.
  • Any rash for which you do not know the cause. Check with your family physician/clinic before sending the student to school.
  • Strep Throat. May return 12 hours following the first dose of antibiotics, if fever free and well enough to fully participate in school.

Thank you for your understanding!
Second Grade - Arboretum Visit
The Arboretum Staff came to Aquila's second grade classrooms to guide them in an
exploration of adaptations of desert plants. All the second graders got to plant their own juicy jade and take it home.
PE Teacher for the Day





Salman was PE teacher for the day for reading the most minutes for grades 3rd-5th
during
Aquila READ$.

Way to go, Salman!



HealthMovesMinds Assembly & Fundraiser Info
On Wednesday, February 26, Aquila will be having our HealthMovesMinds kick off assembly. During the assembly we will be honoring our students with different abilities, displaying the Double Dutch rope jumping skills of our students, and talking about the school-wide socio-emotional learning as it relates to HealthMovesMinds.

The fundraising information for HealthMovesMinds will also go home with students. Students are encouraged to raise money to help purchase new Physical Education equipment.

Aquila will be donating a portion of the funds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to honor Aquila's very own fourth-grader Clara who is fighting a courageous battle with muscular dystrophy. We will also be honoring other brave students with different abilities. Be looking for the fundraising information in your student's backpack!

Thanks for your support!
AQ PTO - Parent Teacher Organization
The Aquila PTO partners with families to enhance the education experience of all Aquila students, families and staff! If you are interested in being involved, please contact AQ PTO President Rachel Bohn at rrbohn@live.com. Please click here to visit our Facebook page !
AQ PTO Parent Social Club Meet Up

Come hang out and get to know some other AQ parents!
We hope to see you there!
Thursday, February 27
7:30PM
Park Tavern
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the Book Fair a success! Thank you to families and community members for your purchases. Money raised goes to purchase new books and online resources for the Aquila Library Media Center!
IMAGINATION FAIR - MONDAY, MARCH 9
The annual Aquila Imagination Fair will be held on Monday, March 9 from 6:30-7:30PM.

ALL STUDENTS are invited to let their imaginations run wild and create something epic to share with friends and families at the fair. What interests you? Is it an invention? A science project? A family tradition? Art? Other inspirations? The PTO Volunteers will provide a table space for students to display their work.

Registration forms were sent home. Click here for the form.
Forms are due by Monday, March 2!

Have any questions? Please send an email to aquilaimaginationfair@gmail.com
BINGO NIGHT!

Aquila BINGO Night
Friday, March 20
6:00-8:00PM
FREE!
Aquila Cafeteria
Service Club - Pennies For Patients
Thank you for your contributions to the Pennies For Patients Drive!
Over $3,055 was raised!

1st Place: Third Grade
2nd Place: Kindergarten
3rd Place: Second Grade

 Thank You! Aquila Elementary Service Club
Career-A-Palooza
Music Concert
Mark your calendars for the Grade 2 & 3 Music Concert! It will be held on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00PM in the Aquila Gymnasium.
Note this a date change from previous communications.
Free Parenting With Purpose Speaker - Vaping
St. Louis Park Family Services Collaborative together with PrairieCare are providing a free presentation on vaping on
Thursday, February 27 at Lenox Community Center
from 6:30-8:00PM.
Key School Dates
  • March 6: No School
  • March 9: Imagination Fair, 6:30-7:30PM
  • March 10: 5th Grade Band Students - District Band Festival Concert, 7:00PM High School
  • March 12: Kindergarten Information Night (Incoming Fall 2020)
  • March 19: Career-A-Palooza
  • March 19: Music Concert Grades 2 & 3, 7:00PM
  • March 20: BINGO Night, 6:00PM
  • March 27: No School
  • March 30-April 3: No School
  • April 6: School resumes
  • April 7: 4th and 5th Grade Students - District Orchestra Festival, 7:00PM High School
  • April 14: PTO Meeting, 6:30PM
  • April 22: Incoming 6th Grade Rally Night - 6:30PM, Middle School