Aquila Communicator

January 16, 2025

Greetings Aquila Community,

We hope that you are staying warm through these cold and icy days. We wanted to draw special attention to a couple of upcoming events.

Next week, Aquila will be closed on Monday, 1/20, in observance of the life and contributions of racial justice hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As you honor Dr. King's legacy on the 20th, please see below for an opportunity to gather and enjoy the racial and cultural beauty of our community at Westwood Nature Center.

The following week, we hope that you might join us at our 1/27 PTO Meeting. During this meeting, we will share updates about our community's progress towards meeting the academic and social-emotional goals of Aquila's continuous improvement plan, as well as construction updates, and upcoming PTO opportunities.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Paz,

María & Olivia

María Graver, Aquila Principal

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

Olivia Tolzin, Aquila Assistant Principal

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

Key Dates

Monday, January 20 ~ No School

Monday, January 27 ~ AQ PTO Winter PTO Meeting - 6:00-7:30 PM

Tuesday, January 28 ~ Dine Out For AQ, México City Café

Thursday, January 30 ~ 6th Grade Information Night - 6:30-8:00 PM

Friday, January 24 ~ No School

Saturday, February 1 ~ AQ Annual Pancake Breakfast - 9:00-10:30 AM

Tuesday, February 11 ~ ASD Family Meet Up - 6:00-7:30 PM

Friday, February 14 ~ No School

Monday, February 17 ~ No School

Monday, February 24 ~ AQ Winter Bingo Night ~ 5:30-7:00PM

March 28 - April 4 ~ No School

Click here for the District Calendar

Cold Weather Reminder

Students will always go outside unless the regular temperature is below 0 degrees or the windchill temperature is -10 degrees or below. We will watch the temperature to keep our students safe.

We are always in need of gently used or new winter gear, especially waterproof mittens and gloves.

If you are in need of winter gear, please contact our Social Worker, Janaki Vivekananda, at vivekananda.janaki@slpschools.org

Aquila Girls On The Run (GOTR)

Aquila is thrilled to be able to host one Girls on the Run (GOTR) team this spring!

Registration will be open from February 1-7 with a lottery held for a team of 20 participants in grades 3-5. You must register between February 1-7 to participate in the lottery. Please only register for the lottery if your child is able to regularly attend practice both days of the week.

The spring GOTR program is 8 weeks long. Specifically, practice will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:15-3:45 pm from April 8-May 29 with a celebratory 5k held the weekend of May 31-June 1.

Financial aid is available! Please contact Jacey Cassem, parent volunteer head coach, at jaceycassem@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Aquila Annual Pancake Breakfast

Please join us for our annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, February 1.

No need to cook, instead start your weekend by having breakfast made for you. We'll have chicken sausage, breakfast beverages, gluten-free options - something for everybody!

Wanna flip?! You don't need to be an Aquila Dad!

Aquila PTO Information

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

Please join us for the final PTO meeting of the school year on Monday evening, January 27. We will have free childcare and snacks and it's an opportunity to chat with a St. Louis Park School Board member and our principals, as well as work on special events and activities. We hope to see you there!

Aquila PTO January 2025 Events

Aquila PTO Needs You!

If you haven't filled out the PTO Volunteer Interest Form, now is your chance! We have many opportunities available to make memories at PTO events for the remainder of the school year:

Aquila PTO Volunteer Interest Form 2024-2025

Do you have any special skills or interests you'd like to put to use to support Aquila while your little(s) are in elementary school? Please let us know!

We are looking for a temporary PTO Board member for a few months, and it's a great opportunity to see if this fits into your life longer term.

Send an email to communications@aquilapto.com or ask a board member!

Aquila PTO 2024-25 Calendar

Winter Youth Enrichment Classes At Aquila

District News ~ Community Education Winter Catalog

Winter Season is Here!

Discover fun and inspiring classes, workshops, and experiences for the whole family in our Community Education Winter Catalog! Exciting opportunities for all ages await! Physical copies of the catalog will be mailed to SLP residents in mid-December.

District News ~ Strategic Plan Survey & Upcoming Event

Make Your Voice Heard: Take the Community Survey on the Strategic Plan

We are moving forward with our strategic planning and are warmly inviting families and community members to share their feedback by taking the survey. Their input is a crucial part of the process because we want to ensure that every family's voice is heard and valued.

We are also inviting community members and families to participate in the upcoming in-person community engagement session on Monday, January 27 from 5-7 p.m. at the District Office (6300 Walker Street). There will be another session specifically for teachers with students in the district at a later date.

Learn more about the strategic plan process

District News ~ Free Upcoming Family Events

School’s out, but we’re open!

Join our Community Education team on Friday, January 24 at the Lenox Community Center for TWO free family friendly events that are sure to add some sparkle to your day. Kick off the noon hour with our second Book Giveaway & Cocoa Bash from 12-4pm because who doesn’t love free books and hot cocoa? Then, grab a seat for a special screening of Coco - it’s like a movie fiesta for your soul!

Both events are free, but space for the movie is limited, so be sure to register at slpscommunityed.com. Let’s make it a Friday to remember!

District News ~ 6th Grade Online Info Night

Discover What 6th Grade at SLP Has to Offer!

Discover what's in store for your 6th grader! Join us on January 30th from 6:30-7:30 pm for our virtual 6th Grade Information Night. Meet the principal, interact with teachers, and explore the 6th-grade curriculum.

Don't miss this chance to get a comprehensive overview of the upcoming academic year. Find out more at ms.slpschools.org/incoming-6th-grade-families. We look forward to seeing you!