April 20, 2023

Thank you to the AQ PTO for

sponsoring S.T.E.A.M. Night!



Thank you to the volunteers who helped make the evening a success.

Aquila students love science, technology, engineering, art, and math!

María Graver, Aquila Principal

952-928-6502 ~ graver.maria@slpschools.org

Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal

952-928-6508 ~ tolzin.olivia@slpschools.org

Monday, April 24 ~ District Orchestra Festival

Tuesday, April 25 ~ Math MCA - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades (Note Date Change!)

Wednesday, April 26 ~ Math MCA - Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades

Thursday, April 27 ~ ML Family Meeting, 4:00-5:30 PM, AQ Library Media Center

Tuesday, May 2 ~ Aquila Meeting - Possible Boundary Change, 6:00 PM

Thursday, May 4 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center

Wednesday, May 10 ~ 5th Grade Band & 4th/5th Grades Orchestra Concert

Friday, May 12 ~ Carnival

Monday, May 15 ~ AQ PTO Meeting, 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 18 ~ Fourth Grade Elders' Wisdom Event at the Middle School, 6:30 PM

Thursday, May 25 ~ Second Grade Talent Development Showcase, 5:00-7:00 PM

Monday, May 29 ~ No School

Thursday, June 1 ~ Fifth Grade IB Exhibition, 6:00-8:00 PM

Friday, June 2 ~ Field Day

Tuesday, June 6 ~ Variety Show

Wednesday, June 7 ~ Fifth Grade Celebration of Learning

Thursday, June 8 ~ Last Day of School

Thursday, June 15 ~ ASD Family Meetup, 6:00 PM, AQ Library Media Center

Aquila Family Meetings About Possible Boundary Changes

Aquila’s enrollment coupled with increased programming needs have created constraints with the existing building capacity. St. Louis Park Public Schools is exploring ways to address these capacity challenges and would like to meet with families to explore a possible boundary change that, if approved, would move between 100-150 students to a new school beginning the 2024-2025 school year. 

The most likely boundary change options, which will be shared at the meeting, would balance the impact across grade levels, race, and capacity at each elementary school. 

Please join Superintendent Osei and other school leaders on Tuesday, May 2 to learn more about the possible boundary changes. This meeting will help answer questions from Aquila families and provide an opportunity for leaders to understand the impact of this possible change on families and what may be needed to ensure a successful transition, should it move forward. 

Spring Family Engagement Opportunities:

• Aquila All Families Meeting ~ Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 6:00-7:30 PM, Aquila Cafeteria
• Interpreters in Somali, Spanish, and Oromo

• Aquila PTO Meeting ~ Monday, May 15, 2023, 6:30 PM, Aquila Cafeteria (if you are unable to attend the May 2 meeting)

While the meetings won’t be recorded, we will collect all questions and share an ongoing online FAQ with families after the meetings.

Aquila is a close-knit community and this possible change could be a significant change for families who transition to a new school, as well as the families who stay at Aquila without their fellow students and families who are part of our school community. We welcome family feedback before any decisions are made. We also invite families to view the February 28 School Board Meeting Video where the capacity challenges were discussed.

Carnival Silent Auction Donation ~ Last Call!

There’s still time to donate to the Silent Auction!! All items gratefully accepted - see the flyer for ideas or come up with your own.

Aquila PTO thanks Louis Meyer & family for the donation of a Mercy Watson items including books, a stuffed animal & a blanket.

Aquila PTO also thanks Lily & Rose Stevens & family for the donation of arts & crafts items including paint, crayons, wood crafts kits, & more.

To donate to the spring Carnival, please send a message to info@aquilapto.com. 

Confirmation of donations is requested

no later than tomorrow, Friday, April 21.



Thank you! 

Carnival ~ Classroom Basket Raffle

Be on the look out for a flyer and information coming home about donating items to your student's Carnival Classroom Basket. These baskets will be raffled off at the Carnival. Classes will collect theme based donations for their baskets. Send in donations by Friday, May 5. Thank you!

Kindergarten-Stadler/Swedberg/Modjeski -  Art

Kindergarten- Haen/Schladweiler -  Superheroes/Disney

First Grade- Kelly- Summer Fun

First Grade- Rae-Schmidt/Ludens/Her - Crafts

First Grade- Papas/Benson - Family Game Night

Second Grade- Overrend/Deming -  Slime & Fidgets

Second Grade- Richardson/Eul - Lego

Third Grade-Swanson/Bishop - Family Movie Night

Third Grade- Nelson/Osmundson - Mad Scientist

Fourth Grade- Williams - Kids in the Kitchen

Fourth Grade- Hansen/Ikola - Ice Cream Party

Fifth Grade-Mink/Slingluff  - Ultimate snack attack

Fifth Grade-Stern/Stenross -  Outdoor games & sports

Orchestra Festival ~ Fourth & Fifth Orchestra Students

District Orchestra Festival ~ Grades 4-12

Monday, April 24

High School Gymnasium

*4th & 5th Orchestra students should arrive at 6:00 PM

*Concert begins at 7:00 PM

This concert is a showcase of our entire orchestra program in SLP, spanning grades 4-12.

It is an opportunity for our elementary students to perform in a large setting with all of the other elementary Orchestra students in the district. The Orchestra Festival includes

older grades performing more challenging music and highlights

the Orchestra offerings in Middle School and High School, including our Chamber Orchestras.

• ALL 4th and 5th graders need to arrive at 6:00 PM for tuning, seating, and rehearsal, prior to the concert.  
• Students need to bring their instruments, music, and a folding music stand from home. 
• Concert attire for Orchestra concerts is formal black and white. Traditionally, this has meant black pants and a white shirt (button-up, polo, or t-shirt without logos), however students may choose to wear an outfit which is all black or all white, such as a dress, or a suit if they so choose. 

If you have any questions, please contact

Elementary Orchestra Teacher, Tim Binger at binger.timothy@slpschools.org

Health.Moves.Minds.

Fundraiser 2023 ~ Tom Roberts, Physical Education

It is with great excitement that I announce Aquila's Health.Moves.Minds. fundraising event for 2023. This year our charity of choice will be Special Olympics of Minnesota. This is to honor our students with different abilities and to celebrate Aquila being a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. More fundraising details will be forthcoming. Money raised goes towards new PE equipment and to Special Olympics of MN.

TO DONATE ONLINE:

1. Go to healthmovesminds.org
2. Click on "Sign Up"
3. Click on "Donate."
4. Click on the tab "Search For A School Team."
5. Type in Aquila.
6. Click on Aquila (in blue).
7. Click on "Tom Roberts" and click "Donate Now."

TO MAKE A STUDENT FUNDRAISER ONLINE PAGE:

1. Go to healthmovesminds.org
2. Click on "Sign Up"
3. Click on "Donate."
4. Click on the tab "Search For A School Team."
5. Type in Aquila.
6. Click on Aquila (in blue).
7. Click on "Join Team"
8. Click on "Team Member Champion" and follow steps

Tool of the Week ~ Lunge

Each week, students and staff will focus on a tool that helps them with their social emotional well-being. This week's tool is called a move tool called Lunge.

Lunge

-Standing in Mountain, press your feet into the flor.

-Step one leg back. Feel your legs supporting you as you lift your arms up.

-Stay here for 3-5 breaths.

-Come back to Mountain and repeat on the other side.

The mission of the Aquila Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to enhance the educational experience of all Aquila students and support all Aquila community and staff through fundraising and community events. 

AQ PTO INFORMATION ~ LINKS:

*Website

*Facebook

*Send an email

GET INVOLVED ~ LINKS:

*Volunteer Interest Form

*Cafeteria Lunchroom Help Link

Kids Place School Age Child Care Registration Open

For 2023-2024 School Year

Community News ~ Seeds Feeds - THIS SATURDAY!

District News ~ DECA Community Blood Drive

The St. Louis Park High School DECA group will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM at St. Louis Park High School inside the Fieldhouse.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, sign up online at redcrossblood.org with sponsor code, orioles.

María Graver, Principal

Olivia Tolzin, Assistant Principal

8500 West 31st Street

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Phone: 952-928-6500

Fax: 952-928-6466

graver.maria@slpschools.org

tolzin.olivia@slpschools.org

aq.slpschools.org