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Aquila Families,
We hear the word "ubuntu" to describe our community, "I am, because we are." The first part of that phrase, "I am" is extremely important. We must know ourselves and who we are as individuals in order to fully see and appreciate others.
To help us accomplish this, one of the International Baccalaureate organizing themes that each student at Aquila inquires into is "Who We Are." In this unit of study, our students explore:
-nature of the self
-beliefs and values
-personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health
-human relationships including families, friends, and communities
-cultures rights and responsibilities
-what it means to be human
Our fifth grade students led an assembly two weeks ago honoring and celebrating each of our identities. This bulletin board was created by our fourth grade students, each writing a piece of their identity that they wanted others to know about them. As many of our students have finished this unit of inquiry, it is our hope that you have seen evidence of learning about ourselves and others in your conversations at home.
In community,
Olivia and María
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Saturday, November 12 ~ Aquila Gives ends!
Thursday, November 17 ~ Aquila Musical Auditions, 2:30-4:00 PM
Thursday, November 17 ~ AQ Kindergarten Talent Development Night at Aquila, 5:00-7:00 PM
Wednesday, November 23 ~ No School
Thursday, November 24 ~ No School
Friday, November 25 ~ No School
Friday, December 2 ~ No School
Thursday, December 22 - Monday, January 2 ~ No School
Tuesday, January 3 ~ School resumes
Monday, January 16 ~ No School
Friday, January 27 ~ No School
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Aquila Gives is still going strong through the weekend! Donations can still be made at our GoFundMe site - please encourage family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to support Aquila.
If you haven't had a chance to dine out to support Aquila, there is still time!
Thursday's dine out partner is La Bodega Taco Bar, and Friday's dine out partner is Roti (near the West End).
CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
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Don't forget to check into company match options!
Most employers only need the identification number to match!
Aquila PTO EIN:
46-1661166.
Aquila parent Anna Thoen shares, "Through the donation match program at my employer, I am able to maximize my contribution to Aquila Gives every year. The process to request the match is simple and can be completed online. The matching funds are sent directly to the Aquila PTO from my employer."
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Aquila Gives provided last year's entire third grade class the chance to visit the Minnesota Zoo, which tied in with their learning unit at the time and provided a much-needed community building event for the entire grade level. Pictured are Adriana, Keandra, Kylie, Kali,and Nora taking a balancing break. Student admission and transportation costs were fully paid for thanks to the generous support of our community. | |
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Filling the thermometer with
Aquila Bucks
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Parent/Guardian Connect Opportunity | |
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If you are interested in joining our newly-forming parent/family group, connecting monthly to share the joys and challenges of raising children on the autism spectrum, please reach out to María Graver ([email protected]). We'd love to start meeting soon.
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Back Row: Michele Purdy - Education Evaluator, Gaminee Sura - Occupational Therapist, Katie Lail - School Psychologist, Brenna Driscoll - Resource Room Teacher, Meghan Settingsgard - Resource Room Teacher,
Maddie Anderson - Special Education Teacher, Dana Baumeister - School Social Worker
Front Row: Melissa Wieneke - Occupational Therapist Assistant, Kristina Doyle - Speech Language Pathologist,
Erin McChesney - Special Education Teacher, Kayla Roste - Resource Room Teacher,
Allie Nerison - Special Education Teacher, Jennifer Wurdell - Speech Language Pathologist
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Aquila Musical Auditions ~ Rachel Haen & Grant Nelson | |
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Aquila Theatre Arts will be performing Honk! Jr. at the
St. Louis Park Middle School’s auditorium.
Honk! Jr. Summary:
Based on the classic tale The Ugly Duckling, this musical is about Ugly who hatched from an egg unlike the others in the nest. Ugly is a curious looking duckling. The other animals around him are not kind to Ugly. A great tale of self-discovery and transformation.
Audition Info:
*Thursday, November 17, 2022 2:30-4:00 PM
*Auditions are open to ANY students in grades 3, 4 and 5.
*Please click on this audition script to prepare for the audition.
Mandatory Form:
All students auditioning must complete a commitment contract in order to audition. Click here for the contract. Please return the form to Rachel Haen in Room 128 or Grant Nelson in Room 149.
Students may not audition without a completed commitment contract.
Students received a paper copy of the script and contract at school to bring home.
Additional Information - Thursday, November 17:
Auditioning students will gather in the foyer at dismissal time. If you are a Kids Place student, please check in with Kids Place first, and drop off your gear in the cafeteria. Students will need a ride home at 4:00 PM after the auditions. Cast will be announced on Tuesday, November 22.
Contact Rachel Haen with any questions at [email protected].
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Yesterday fourth and fifth graders had the opportunity to listen to Laughing Fox, a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa located in Northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. His performances consist of stories, culture, history, and music of the Anishinaabe peoples. | |
Operation Recess ~ Pros of the Rope | |
Aquila had its final week of Operation Recess last week. We want to thank Coach Jonny from Pros of the Rope for all of the fun and energy he has brought to our Tuesday recess periods. A big hats off to all the students who participated, observed, and were recognized as leaders during Operation Recess - we hope you had fun!! Operation Recess was sponsored by Aquila Elementary PTO with funds raised by Aquila Gives and was generously supported by the St. Louis Park Family Services Collaborative. | |
First graders Luke and Sufyan shake hands before another round of pickup basketball. Teamwork and fair play were evident in all the Operation Recess activities! | |
Kindergartener Semaj jumps right in on the Double Dutch Challenge! Cheering him on and waiting to jump in were Abdinasir, Theo, and Abdulkadir. | |
Aquila's Tool Of The Week ~ Legs On Chair/Legs Up The Wall | |
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Each week, students and staff will focus on a tool that helps them with their social emotional well-being. This week's tool is a rest tool called Legs On Chair/Legs Up The Wall.
- Lie on your back with your legs on a chair, cube or resting against the wall.
- Breathe slowly for 1-3 minutes.
- Just let yourself be.
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Winter weather will be here soon! Families, need some help getting your students to put on their winter gear in a practical order? Try using this song (click here) provided by Gaminee Sura, AQ's Occupational Therapist. Students who can quickly get on their winter gear optimize on their playing time outside here at school. | |
Leadership Opportunity for Community Members | |
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Our SLP Emergency Preparedness Committee held its first meeting on October 12, 2022. At that meeting we reviewed the Emergency Preparedness documents and checklist. Each site is forming an Emergency Preparedness Audit team. The audit is adapted from the Minnesota School Safety Center. The purpose of the audit is to begin to surface common gaps in the district’s emergency preparedness that we can begin to address. We would like for our team to be racially and culturally diverse, and are also hoping to involve students and community members. We have until December 1 to complete the audit.
If you are interested in being on our team, or would like to recommend a student, please email Principal Graver at [email protected].
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National Community Education Day | |
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National Community Education Day is celebrated in Minnesota and nationwide on the second Thursday of November each year.
In honor of this day, we are sharing a special gift with you! Enroll in a Youth or Adult Class/activity today and receive 20% off your registration. Offer available on 11/10 only. Use code: CE22
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Winter Youth Enrichment Clubs & Classes | |
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Engineering for Kids Jr Engineering/STEM Club (Click to register)
The Engineering For Kids Jr Engineering/STEM Club brings fun, hands-on lessons every week to introduce engineering concepts at a young age.
Mondays, January 9-February 13
2:15-3:15 pm
$129
Chibi Art Drawing Class (Click to register)
The students will learn how to draw kawaii (cute), Japanese-inspired chibi characters!
Thursdays, Jan. 12-February 9
2:15-3:24 pm
$109
LEGO Club (Click to register)
Join us to spend the afternoon immersed in your own LEGO land.
Wednesdays, January 18-March 22
2:15-3:30 pm
Sliding Scale Pricing: $29/$39/$49/$59
Cooking Club (no bake edition) (Click to register)
Learn how to make new no-bake recipes each week while learning the basics of cooking, ingredients, and baking.
Thursdays, January 19-March 23
2:15-3:30 pm
Sliding Scale Pricing: $49/$59/$69/$79
To view the Ultimate YEP Winter Guide with all of the winter offerings, click here.
Questions? Contact Kelleen at [email protected] or 952-928-6399
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Aquila PTO ~ Parent, Teacher Organization | |
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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.
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High Rates of Illness at School | |
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Stay Home When Sick and Slow the Spread of Illness
We are seeing unusually high rates of illness in multiple SLP schools, in particular, influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). These viruses can be easily spread through close contact when people cough, sneeze, and talk.
Please help partner with us in an effort to prevent the spread of illness by following our illness guidelines:
Situations when your child should stay home:
- Fever of 100 degrees or more. The student should stay home for 24 hours after their temperature returns to normal without the use of fever reducing medication.
- Vomiting or diarrhea. The student is to stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
- Any uncontrolled cough.
- Rashes with unknown causes. Check with your family physician/clinic before your student returns to school.
- If feeling ill/unwell and the student is unable to fully participate in school activities.
If your child displays symptoms of influenza or RSV, you can reach out to your child’s health care provider to see if testing for these illnesses is recommended. For information about influenza and RSV please refer to the Parent Fact Sheets from Hennepin County Public Health:
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Influenza information can be found HERE
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RSV Information can be found HERE
Thank you for helping to prevent the spread of illness.
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Get Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests At School | |
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Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available to SLP students. If you need one, an adult or student may pick it up in the health office.
St. Louis Park Public Schools will continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regarding COVID-19 during the 2022-23 school year. View the MDH Guidelines/Flowsheet and the CDC Isolation guidelines
Students and staff will be required to wear a face covering if 5% or more of the students and/or staff who attend or work at their school site test positive for COVID-19. Students and staff can choose to wear a mask at any time.
View the COVID-19 webpage for more information on COVID-19 guidance.
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