December 19, 2019
Greetings!
Hello Aquila Families,

Last week we had our first days of inside recess due to the weather being too cold. We like to go outside everyday unless the temperature is below 0 or the wind chill is more than -10. We want our students to be prepared to go outside so we are asking them to come with hats, gloves, mittens and snow pants. If your child needs a hat or glove/mittens, let their teacher know as we have some in the main office. 

We are still collecting clean gently used or new hats, gloves, mittens, jackets, boots, and snow pants if you have any to donate. 

GLOVES are our biggest need!

They can be dropped off in the main office. I want to thank the many families who have already donated to help our students.

The Park Adam Bus Transportation Company wants to remind families to not be in the bus lane during the hours of 8:40-9:00AM and 3:30-4:00PM. Thank you for using the Aquila parking lot.

Winter break officially starts on Monday, December 23. There will be no school Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1. School will resume Thursday, January 2. As we head into winter break, I hope you will find time to do some of the things you enjoy as a family. The first four months of the school year have gone by quickly. All of us at Aquila look forward to continuing our partnership with you in 2020. 


Shelley Nielsen
Aquila Elementary, Principal
Volunteer Spotlight - Meet Charlie!
Ms. Nielsen wants to give a shout out to “Grandpa Charlie” who is a grandparent to a student in Kindergarten. Every day Grandpa Charlie walks his grandson to school and picks him up. At the beginning of the year he asked Ms. Nielsen if he could have lunch with his grandson. She said, "Of course, anytime that works for you." Grandpa Charlie has been coming at least once every week and all the students really look forward to him being there. About six weeks ago, he noticed that a number of our staff greet students in the front foyer as students come into the school. Grandpa Charlie has started to greet students at the door as well. Many mornings you will see Grandpa Charlie opening the front doors and welcoming the students to school. His presence and volunteering have made a significant impact on our community.

Thank you to ALL our volunteers like Grandpa Charlie who share their time with
the Aquila Community.

Winter Break Free Food - Sheridan Story Partnering with YMCA
Free Food Available Over Winter Break!  

When:
December 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020
What:
4-5 pound bag of non-perishable food items
Where:
All Twin Cities YMCA branch locations and additional community sites. 
How:
Simply go to the front desk of your nearest partner location and request a bag of food. 

Membership is not required and no information will be collected. 

To find the nearest location, visit: 
Aquila Staff - Pajama Drive Success
Every year Aquila Staff donate new pajamas to the non profit organization called Pajama Program. This year staff donated 73 items to be donated to the MN chapter.

Mission of the Pajama Project:
"Pajama Program is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine for all children to help them thrive. Every night in the United States, too many children go to sleep uncertain of what tomorrow will bring, compromising their health, school performance, and emotional well-being. We provide cozy pajamas, inspiring storybooks, and critical resources for parents and caregivers. After all, Good Nights Are Good Days."
For more info click here! Thank you staff!
Yearbook - Buy Online Now!
New this year - purchase your Aquila yearbook online! Must purchase by March 13, 2020. Order one today! Yearbooks will be handed out in May. Check that off your to-do list! $14.00

Visit:  ybpay.lifetouch.com  Code: 1524820
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!
AMAZONSMILE
When you shop at Amazon a portion of your purchases can be donated to the AQ PTO using the SmileAmazon.com website. There is no additional cost to you & sign-up is easy. 
Click this link to see how:
ROLLER GARDEN EVENT
Roller Garden Mid-Year Celebration
Thursday, January 23
6:00 - 8:00PM

The PTO and Roller Garden have partnered together to give a discounted night of fun for all Aquila families:
  • $5 per child
  • Parents only pay if they skate. 
  • Free skate rentals for all. 
  • Gift Card giveaways throughout the night.
DOES YOUR COMPANY OFFER DONATION MATCHES?
If they do please consider Aquila PTO. We are a 501(c) charity and thankful for every dollar we can collect for our community.

Aquila Elementary Parent Teacher Organization
8500 34th Avenue South
St Louis Park, MN 55426
Tax ID #46-1661166

Questions? Need a letter confirming your donation? Please contact the AQ PTO Treasurer at AquilaPtoTreasurer@gmail.com or Megan Berry at 612-578-5796 .
Thanks to all of the families, teachers, and staff that came out to Noodles & Co on December 2. The AQ PTO will be receiving $165 from Noodles & Co!
Thanks for your support!  
Don’t want to cook? Too cold to go out? Have Parkway Pizza DELIVER to you while supporting Aquila. Mark your calendar for the next event on Wednesday, January 8th . All food and beverage purchases (even deliveries) on the 2nd Wednesday of each month will be donated to the AQ PTO. 
Somali Family Night
PTO Teacher Experience Auction Items
At the AQ PTO Pancake Breakfast, families were able to bid on Teacher Experience Auction items.
This is a fun way for the PTO to raise money.
Second Grade Teacher Breakfast Experience!

Here are some second graders enjoying breakfast with Ms. Kelly, Mrs. Deming, and Ms. Richardson before school.
Basketball Game Experience!

Ms. Overend and Ms. Eul took six kids to the high school girls varsity basketball game! They beat Edina! After the game, Coach Richardson took them back into the locker room to celebrate the win, listen to the end of the game speech, and then take pictures with the team!
Key School Dates
  • Dec 20: 5th Grade DARE Graduation, 1:00
  • Dec 23-Jan 1: No School
  • Jan 2: School Resumes
  • Jan 8: Parkway Pizza Fundraiser
  • Jan 20: No School
  • Jan 22: Info Night at Middle School for 5th Grade Families
  • Jan 23: AQ PTO Roller Garden Event
  • Jan 24: No School
  • Feb 11: AQ PTO Meeting, 6:30PM
  • Feb 13: Conferences, 4:00-8:00PM
  • Feb 14: No School
  • Feb 14: Conferences, 8:00AM-4:00PM

Reminder