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Greetings Aquila Community,
As the leaves unfurl and welcome the sun, we're reminded of the endless possibilities that come with each new season, as each is a season of learning! Whether our learners are diving into a new book, practicing a skill, or exploring other interests, learning is a journey that enriches our lives and fuels our passions.
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Just this past week, our community had the opportunity to enjoy the Aquila Carnival (Thank you, Aquila PTO!!) and to acknowledge that we stand on the knowledge of the elders in our community at Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song (Thank you elders, students and Ms. Bottolene!). In the next weeks, Aquila will continue to enjoy the joy of learning in all its forms, including our fifth grade Celebration of Learning on June 5th. | |
Aquila is a community that embraces curiosity, asks questions, and seeks out new experiences; as all are opportunities to expand our horizons. We look forward to continuing on this journey with each of you!
Paz,
María & Olivia
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María Graver, Aquila Principal
952-928-6502 ~ graver.maria@slpschools.org
Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal
952-928-6508 ~ tolzin.olivia@slpschools.org
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May 5 - May 9 ~ Aquila Staff Appreciation Week
Thursday, May 8 ~ Girls on the Run (GOTR) Practice 5k - 2:15-3:45 PM
Tuesday, May 13 ~ ASD Family Meet Up - 6:00-7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 14 ~ Middle School Rally Night - 6:30-8:00 PM
Thursday, May 22 ~ Talent Development Second Grade Showcase - 5:00-5:45 PM
Wednesday, May 21 ~ 5th Grade Track Meet
Wednesday, May 21 ~ IB Exhibition - Fifth Graders & Families - 6:00-7:30 PM
Monday, May 26 ~ No School
Friday, May 30 ~ Aquila Variety Show
Wednesday, June 4 ~ Aquila Field Day
Thursday, June 5 ~ Fifth Grade Celebration of Learning - 12:45 PM
Friday, June 6 ~ Last Day of School
Click here for the District Calendar
| | Aquila Staff Appreciation Week | | Middle School Rally Night for Aquila 5th Graders | | |
Get Ready for an Exciting Rally Night ~
Your chance to dive into the exciting world of middle school!
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Rally Night is your chance to dive into the exciting world of middle school!
We’ll kick off the evening in the Performing Arts Center with a warm welcome and helpful insights into the transition to 6th grade. After that, families will have the opportunity to:
- Connect with 6th grade teachers, school counselors, and our administrative team.
- Explore before and after school programs, including Middle School Athletics.
- Discover more about our Extended Spanish Program and/or the IB Middle Years Programme.
- Experience a live 6th grade CPM Math lesson—just like our students do!
- Take a tour of the school, led by current students who know it best.
- Purchase Park spirit gear at our pop-up STORiole!
| | Library Media Center Update | | |
Students have been busy in the Library Media Center. Remind your students to return their Aquila Library books so they can get new books. Beginning Friday, May 23 there will be no more book checkouts for the school year, but students will still come for class.
Reading a book together with your child nurtures their curiosity and helps them gain background knowledge on a wide range of topics. Reading together boosts a child’s confidence and does not have to involve a screen. Don’t forget to visit the Hennepin County Library to get stashes of new books. Visit Reading Rockets to get all kinds of information about literacy.
We have enjoyed some new books including books about real people doing extraordinary things. Library learning highlights include students using PebbleGo and Encyclopedia Britannica to find and verify information. Kindergarteners will begin using Dash Robots. First graders were color scientists in the Library. They used eye droppers and water color paint to make new colors. Second graders created a ChatterPix with an animal fact. Those are posted in Seesaw. Third graders completed a wild pet Google slide project. Fourth graders will begin to explore Tinkercad to create a name keychain that will be printed using our 3D printer. Fifth graders played a variety of Interland games reinforcing ideas from Google’s Digital Citizenship Curriculum. Fifth graders are continuing to learn about criteria that make resources reputable and how to cite resources.
The ABCya login will no longer work at your homes. I will keep you posted if that changes for next school year.
Please contact Library Media Specialist, Joanne Bongaarts with any questions.
952-928-6494 or bongaarts.joanne@slpschools.org
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Mark Your Calendars!
The 5th Grade PYP Exhibition at Aquila
Wednesday, 5/21, 5:30-7:00pm
The PYP Exhibition is a meaningful and exciting experience for our fifth graders at Aquila, marking the culmination of their journey in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Throughout the Exhibition process, students work together to explore real-world topics they are passionate about. They ask thoughtful questions, conduct in-depth research, and take meaningful action. The experience ends with students sharing their learning with families and the school communit - a celebration of who they’ve become as IB learners: curious, caring, knowledgeable, and ready to make a positive impact on the world.
| | Aquila Carnival Memories. . . | | |
The carnival, thoughtfully planned and supported by our amazing PTO and families, was a tremendous success thanks to the efforts of so many!
Heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who made last Saturday such a fantastic event. Special shout-outs to our community partners and our many volunteers whose contributions made the games and activities truly memorable. And once again, a big thank you to parent Joe Stevens, who beautifully captured the spirit of the Aquila Community in photos, which can be found here.
We look forward to seeing you again next year!
| | A Note from the Health Office | | |
Do you have new or gently used clothes that your children have outgrown? Consider donating them to our Health Office to help support students who may need a change of clothes during the school day.
Items especially appreciated include:
Boys & Girls Pants Sizes 6-7-8
Boys Underwear Sizes 5-6-8
Girls Underwear Sizes 5-6
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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.
AQ PTO Yearlong Calendar - Click here
AQ PTO Website - Click here
AQ PTO Facebook page - Click here
AQ PTO Volunteer Interest Form - Click here
| | Aquila PTO May/June 2025 Events | | Aquila PTO 2024-25 Calendar | | District News ~ Family Beach Bash | | |
Join us for a free family swim day on Saturday, May 3, from 12:30-2:30pm at SLP Middle School - appropriate for first time swimmers, as well as experienced swimmers!
We’ll have water safety activities and swim tests for anyone wanting to swim in the deep end. Swimmers can bring coast guard approved life jackets or puddle jumpers. Sorry, no arm bands or inflatables allowed.
Registration required at 2025 Beach Bash Family Swim Day
| | District News ~ Strategic Plan Focus Groups | | |
St. Louis Park Public Schools is building its next 5-year strategic plan (2025–2030), and we need your input to ensure it reflects the lived experiences of all families.
While we’ve received valuable input from many community members, we recognize the critical importance of including more perspectives from our Black, Asian, and Indigenous families.
PINK Consulting, LLC invites Black, Asian, and Indigenous families to participate in a confidential focus group to share how the last strategic plan – centered on racial equity – impacted you and your student(s).
Confidential Focus Group Registration Links:
Black Families: Focus Group is May 1 at 6 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Mx873G7pSZqW6aTPKD1b9A
Asian Families: Focus group occurred on April 29 at 6 p.m.
Indigenous Families: Focus group occurred on April 30 at 6 p.m.
If you did not have a chance to participate, email Tracy Duran and Phyllis Braxton to set up a confidential time to discuss your experiences.
| | District News ~ Strategic Plan Family Share Out | | |
Over the past several months, we've gathered insights from students, staff, families, and community members to help shape the future direction of St. Louis Park Public Schools.
Join us Thursday May 8, 2025, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. as PINK Consulting shares out the strategic plan findings to the community. This event will highlight the key themes, priorities, and feedback gathered, and offer a chance to see how your voice is informing our next steps.
Access the meeting
| | District News ~ Support St. Louis Park Kids | | |
The PPS&CF is a partnership of school, business, and community that enhances the excellence of our St. Louis Park public schools and youth programs throughout the community. The PPS&CF raises money and makes grants to (1) St. Louis Park public school teachers to fund special projects in pre-K through 12th grade and (2) non-profit organizations serving kids’ vital needs in St. Louis Park.
We rely on students’ families and our broader community to fund the exceptional work our grants make possible!
Please help us support our schools, community and kids this coming year with a gift today by visiting www.slppscf.org
| | District News ~ Spring & Summer Youth Enrichment | | |
Check out our new Spring/Summer Community Education catalog for a wide range of exciting opportunities, including family activities, summer camps, and Kids Place childcare programs.
Whether you're looking for ways to keep your child engaged, or interested in fun, educational activities for the whole family, there's something for everyone. Be sure to explore all the fantastic programs we have to offer this season!
Registration for youth programs begins on February 17; all other catalog registration begins on February 24.
View our catalog at slpcommunityed.com
| | Aquila Breakfast & Lunch Menus ~ May 2025 | | | | |
