Greetings Aquila Families!
Gratitude
Aquila Community, in this season of gratitude, Ms. Tolzin and I want to recognize the stolen Dakhóta land upon which St. Louis Park sits. Over the next week, as you gather to break bread, please take time to acknowledge the land that we all have in common, Dakhóta land, that holds homes and schools, fields and lakes, land where memories are built. Consider how to model care and stewardship of the land, with both the gratitude and respect that it is owed. Consider the stories that are shared and the voices that are lifted when talking about the history of Mnísota Makhóče.
Restorative Practices
At Aquila Elementary, we are working to be a Restorative Practices School. This means that we are making choices to foster a peaceful and racially just community that uplifts and honors our identities and voices. We are doing this because we are committed to creating a strong community in which individuals build relationships with one another and are invited to show up as our authentic selves. We also recognize that humans make mistakes, and we view these mistakes as opportunities for growth.
What does this mean for my child?
This means that we will continue to teach our students how to identify and express their thoughts and feelings in ways that build relationships and strengthen community bonds. When mistakes are made, we will teach and practice taking ownership of words or actions that may have caused harm to members of our community, and find a way to repair the relationship. We will continue to teach that every person, every voice, is important and we will work to be in community with one another.
What does this mean for our staff?
Teachers may design lessons specifically around building community, identifying feelings and repairing mistakes.
How can we support at home?
Continue to talk about the big ideas of community at home. We may call you to be part of a restorative conversation to talk with Aquila staff and your child about thoughts, actions and feelings.
Look for future information about Restorative Practices in the AQ Communicator.
Paz,
María
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Important Dates:
Wednesday, November 24 - No School
Thursday, November 25 - No School
Friday, November 26 - No School
Wednesday, December 22 - Sunday, January 2 - No School
Monday, January 3 - School Resumes
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María Graver, Aquila Principal
Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal
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Aquila Scholars are awesome.
There are lots of adjectives on a bright hallway bulletin board to describe our students.
Here are some of the words: observant, enthusiastic, curious, leaders,
accurate, innovative, persistent, and thoughtful!
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Mr. Nelson's ABC Bootcamp Fashion Show |
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The Kindergarteners in Mr. Nelson's room started ABC Bootcamp at the end of September. They learned about each letter, their sounds and how to write them. The kids worked really hard and celebrated with a fashion show! They picked a letter and decorated a grocery bag vest with things that start with that letter. They had a blast putting it all together!
Thank you to Mrs. Rae-Schmidt for helping to develop ABC Bootcamp.
Her Kindergarteners had a great time at ABC Bootcamp as well!
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Aquila Musical AUDITIONS ~ Madagascar - A Musical Adventure JR. |
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Students (Grades 2, 3, 4, 5) who have discussed trying out for the musical and have read this informational packet WITH their families or guardians, should bring a note to school stating which day they have permission to stay after school for the audition.
*Families will be in charge of transportation home at 4:00PM.
*There is no sign up for audition days.
*Students/Families should pick one of the audition dates.
*Families should write a note to the classroom teacher stating which date the student has permission to stay after school for the audition.
Audition Dates:
Tuesday, November 30 ~ 2:30-4:00 PM
Thursday, December 2 ~ 2:30-4:00 PM
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SORA ~ EBOOKS & AUDIO BOOKS! |
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Sora is available online or via an app that allows students to access ebooks and audiobooks on devices. Can't find a book in print at the library, try Sora!
Libby by OverDrive is available from the public libraries with a public library card. Sora is by OverDrive as well and can be accessed with school Google accounts. Students can add their public library card into their Sora account and have access to the ebooks and audiobooks from our school library and the public library. Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 tried Sora last week during Library Media time. At home they can access Sora with most any device. If you have questions about Sora, contact Joanne Bongaarts, Library Media Specialist. bongaarts.joanne@slpschools.org
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Kindergarten Information Nights ~ Class of 2035 |
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Do you have a student or know of a family who has a student who will be eligible to start Kindergarten in the Fall of 2022? Save the dates to attend two virtual Kindergarten Information Nights on November 30, 2021 and December 2, 2021.
The event on Tuesday, November 30 will focus on the Kindergarten experience at the District's three neighborhood schools (Aquila, Peter Hobart and Susan Lindgren) that offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme curriculum. The event on Thursday, December 2 will focus on the Kindergarten experience at the District's Spanish immersion school, Park Spanish Immersion Elementary School.
Click here to complete the Enrollment Interest Form to ensure you receive all of the 2022-23 enrollment information, mailings and emails.
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New Winter After-School Enrichment Opportunities |
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YEP is excited about our winter afterschool enrichment opportunities. Below are 2 of our BRAND new clubs beginning in December. Transportation is available for both programs (requires advance registration).
Passage to Planet ROG engages children in an exciting journey through space to a distant planet. Through a series of challenging missions, from establishing an outpost to making clay sculptures, students practice creativity, collaboration, and communication as they develop solutions to explore this new place and then return home to Earth.
Wednesdays, December 1 - February 2 ~ 2:15-3:40 PM
Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Sliding Scale Pricing: $49/$59/$69/$79
Do you want to learn more about the organizations and services in your community? Do you like helping out in any way you can? If yes, then Community Service Club is for you! Join just to research, put together, and carry out community service projects, big and small!
Tuesdays, December 7 - March 22 ~ 2:15-3:40 PM
Grades 3, 4, 5
Sliding Scale Pricing: $29/$39/$49/$59
Questions about Enrichment Programming?
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Aquila PTO ~ Parent, Teacher Organization |
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The Aquila PTO partners with families to
enhance the education experience
of all Aquila students, families and staff!
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*AQ PTO Meeting: Monday, December 13 - 6:00 PM
*For more information about the AQ PTO:
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