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EKA Happenings March 2015 Edition
EKA CALENDAR
March 13 End of 3rd Quarter
March 17 NO SCHOOL
Professional Development
March 23 Parent Conferences
March 30 - April 3 NO SCHOOL
Spring Break
April 17 Spring Carnival
In This Edition… Page 2
From the Superintendent Page 3
Staff Highlights Page 4
Testing Preparation Page 5
From Ms. G. Page 6-7
Elementary Happenings Page 8
Discovery Testing Page 9
From Mr. Keyer Page 10
School Spirit Page 11
Global Projects Page 12
Senior Project Updates Page 13
Things to Know Attachments:
Healthy Breakfast National PTA on SBAC testing
Mr. Webster, our secondary P.E. teacher, is looking for carpet squares for a P.E. unit coming up soon. If you have questions or if you can help him with this endeavor, please email him at [email protected]
As of February 1st, the prices for yearbooks have increased. Please visit http://ekayearbooks2014-‐15.picaboo.com if you would still like to order.
NNOO SSCCHHOOOOLL MMAARRCCHH 3300 –– AAPPRRIILL 33
Parents/Guardians, if you do not have access to you or your students' portal in Infinite Campus, please
contact the front offices for more information. The portal will give you helpful information on your
student's progress during the school year.
Thank you to all of the EKA staff who volunteered to help make
McTeacher Night at the Sunset and
Stephanie McDonalds a success!
EKA Happenings: Superintendent Dear Parents and Guardians, We are closing in on the end of the third quarter and there are so many activities that we have planned for your students it is getting difficult to find room on the calendar!
Third quarter conferences are coming soon. You should be receiving information shortly from your child’s advisor to set up meeting times for the week of March 23rd. At the conferences, you will receive your child’s third quarter progress report and an updated Discovery Assessment report.
The staff has been working hard to make this year a memorable one for our students. This month we will have our second annual Secondary Poetry Slam and the 4th/5th grade are having their American Revolution Play. Both the elementary and secondary campuses will be participating in Fashion Trashion at the end of the month and then there is always the yearly PTSA Carnival that will be held on April 17th this year. Elementary staff is putting finishing touches on their annual Spelling Bee and the PTSA is holding the Spring Book Fair March 23 - 27. Talent shows for both elementary and secondary students are scheduled for May. There are field trips happening at all grade levels and we will be starting a new reading fundraiser, Learn 2 Earn in April. Please watch the school calendar for updates!
This last week, EKA took part in their 6 year re-evaluation of their accreditation status by AdvancEd. The students and staff worked hard to show our visitors all the wonderful unique aspects of EKA. EKA has been an accredited institution since 2007 and is proud to continue to represent some of the best schools in the country. EKA was also acknowledged as a Teacher Powered School this month. You can read more about this national organization at www.teacherpowered.org.
As always, we appreciate your support of our educational programs here at EKA. If you know of anyone that could benefit from attending EKA, please let them know about our upcoming enrollment orientations.
Sincerely, Ms. Mattson Join us on our new EKA Official Parent,
Teacher and Staff Group on Facebook! This is your opportunity to ask questions of EKA staff and
administration, as well as a venue for EKA to ask your opinion on school
happenings. EKA families just need to put in a request to join this closed page! We look forward to using this
new system to improve communications between the school
and our EKA families.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES WEEK OF MARCH 23RD! SIGN UP BY MARCH 20TH
WITH YOUR STUDENTS’S ADVISOR!
From Ms. G...
Elementary Families,
We have many events planned over the next several weeks. I encourage everyone to check the website, advisor newsletters, and our Schoolreach notifications regularly. There are several field trips that are being planned including Disney's Monkey Kingdom (due March 20th) and Click Clack Moo for our 2/3 students. Mad Science will also be presenting an interactive science program to our students next week.
Mr. Mendez' and Mr. Stauth's basketball teams just completed their winter season and
celebrated with a bowling party. The teams developed their skills and represented EKA with great sportsmanship and effort. We will have one team consisting of third and fourth graders playing in this spring season. Students interested in playing must turn in their registration paperwork and fees to the elementary front office. Students in second and third grades are having weekly dance practices after school with Ms. Brown and Ms. Johnston. They are having a great time learning some dance basics and preparing for their performance later this spring. Fifth graders are learning about US history and performing while they have been rehearsing for their play on the American Revolution. Their performance will be later this month.
You will see that once again we are recognizing the outstanding effort of our students on the latest round of Discovery benchmarks and on their Study Island progress. Mrs. Daforno's and Mrs. Snyder's advisories were our leaders this month in each of their respective grade level teams. Parents of students in grades 2 through 5 are also encouraged to allow their children to practice on Study Island at home as well.
Advisors are sending home information on upcoming Parent Teacher Conferences. Please return those as soon as possible so that you will receive one of your first three choices of time slots.
Ms. Gustafson
Explore Knowledge Academy underwent its Accreditation Renewal site visit on March 3rd. Some
of our teams went all out to show their school spirit! Congrats to our First Grade Advisors for
showing our visitors EKA's awesomeness!
EKA Happenings: Elementary
EKA Happenings: Elementary
Karate will continue on Tuesdays, from 3:15 -‐ 4:00 pm for Grades K-‐5 in the MP room in building C.
Dance continues for grades 2/3 on Thursdays, from 3:15 -‐ 4:15 in the MP room in Building C. Ms. Davina Brown and Ms. Stephanie Johnston are the instructors. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Explore Knowledge Academy will be playing in the National Youth Sports (NYS) spring season of basketball. As part of the NYS league students in 3rd and 4th grades are invited to participate as part of EKA’s basketball team coached by an advisor. The season will begin on Saturday, April 11TH with practices being held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays immediately following school running until 4:15. The schedule of game times and locations has not yet been released. Students interested in playing for the EKA team will be required to complete the included registration form and pay $100 (a team shirt is included in the cost). The fees and registration form must be turned in to the elementary front office no later than Friday, March 20th. Note: Team may fill prior to submission deadline.
Be Kind’ers
Alyse L. -‐ Alyse encouraged another student who was feeling down Abigale M. -‐ Abigale helped pick up and organize the brooms in the lunchroom. Gavin B. -‐ Gavin helped clean up a pencil/pen/paperclip holder spill. Jazmyn S. -‐ Jazmyn helped Miss Rachel cary folders back to class. Izabella M. -‐ Izabella helped a friend who dropped her binder and pencils. Maia H. -‐ Helping push in all the chairs
The 5th grade advisories invite all 5th grade
parents to attend their play, “The American
Revolution” March 19th at 1:30pm
In Building C.
EKA Happenings: Elementary
44tthh GGrraaddee Angelina W. with 26 BR Olexa M. with 17 BR Aidan W. with 17 BR Allan H. with 14 BR 55tthh GGrraaddee Karlos B. with 20 BR Layla M. with 17 BR Erica H. with 16 BR
22//33 AAddvviissoorrss Mrs. Snyder – 213 BR Mr. Stauth – 135 BR Mrs. Burchert – 129 BR
22nndd GGrraaddee Casey M. with 51 BR Gracelyn C. with 22 BR Riley H. with 18 BR 33rrdd GGrraaddee Katrina M. with 31 BR Hayden A. with 18 BR Corwin R. with 16 BR
44//55 AAddvviissoorrss Mrs. Daforno - 141 BR Mrs. Lyons – 96 BR Mrs. Maahs – 93 BR
Elementary: Discovery Testing
These students achieved high growth between the first and second round of our Discovery Benchmark assessments. This means that based on a comparison to all students who have taken the test, their growth is above what would be expected based on the first score. Well done, students!
Kindergarten Brannigan B. Reading Phoenix C. Math David D. Math Aiden J. Reading Peyton J. Math Clarence L. Math Julian M. Math and Reading Breanna M. Reading Devin S. Reading
1st Grade Maxmillian C. Math Ryann E. Math and Reading Lillu G. Math and Reading Aaliyah G. Reading Liam H. Reading Maddie K. Reading Talen K. Reading Thomas L. Math Taleen L. Reading Aidan M. Math Racheal R. Math Galilea R. Reading Shemaryah R. Math and Reading Mark S. Math Cole S. Math Naveah W. Reading Liam W. Math Kadin W. Math Madrid Z. Math
2nd Grade Nevia B. Math and Reading Azaria C. Math Joseph C. Math and Reading Daneyella D. Reading Victoria D. Reading Micajah D. Math Gabriel F. Reading Elijah J. Math Cheyenne L. Reading Casey M. Math and Reading Hannah M. Math Alabama M. Reading Fiona M. Math and Reading Adrian R. Math Emma R. Math and Reading Sebastian V. Math Morgan W. Reading Alice W. Math Ashlyn W. Math Andrea W. Math Ethan W. Reading 3rd Grade
Hayden A. Reading Quinn B. Math Naomi B. Reading Elizabeth C. Math Kash D. Reading Gabriella G. Math Julia G. Math Lillian H. Math Travis H. Reading Genesee H. Math and Reading Jorjette K. Math and Reading Dilara K. Math Jade M. Reading Mason N. Reading Chaelyn P. Reading Freyja P. Reading Elijah R. Math Aryss R. Reading Corryn T. Math and Reading BryceLynn U. Math and Reading Brianna W. Math Maia W. Reading Zachariah W. Reading
4th Grade Skylor D. Math Haley E. Math and Reading Hector F. Reading Jessenia F. Reading Gianna F. Reading Loshe G. Math Damani G. Math and Reading Frank H. Reading Erick J. Math Madison M. Math Joshua M. Math and Reading Jonah M. Math Lillian N. Reading Kasey P. Math Ismael R. Math Jose V. Math Julienne V. Reading Angelina W. Reading Aidan W. Math James W. Math
5th Grade Jacob A. Math Ramiro B. Reading Brittney B. Math Sophia C. Reading Joshua C. Reading Rafael E. Math Nigel F. Reading Vibiana G. Math Erica H. Math Ginger H. Reading Sharlett L. Math Emily M. Math Augusta M. Reading Jessamina P. Reading Desert P. Math and Reading Anastasia S. Math and Reading Brianna S. Reading Frieda T. Math Zacharias V. Reading Liliana W. Math Gaije W. Reading
FFrroomm MMrr.. KKeeyyeerr......
BE KIND’ERS ISAIAH B. -‐ DURING SCIENCE, ISAIAH VOLUNTEERED TO CATCH AND RELEASE AN INSECT THAT THE REST
OF THE CLASS WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH! HE DEMONSTRATED COURAGE AND LEADERSHIP!
Thanks for Being Kind!
EKA Happenings: Secondary
SSeeccoonnddaarryy AAfftteerr SScchhooooll CClluubbss::
Chess Club Writing Club Thursday, 3:50- 4:40 Wednesday, 3:50- 4:30
From the Secondary Principal Quarter 3 will end on March 13th and our last seminar for the year is on Friday, March 13th. Our 2nd Parent /Teacher Conferences of the year are coming up the week of Monday, March 23, 2015. You should be receiving more information about this from your child’s advisor. We have our yearly standardized testing for middle school students in the month of April and End of Course exams are scheduled for the high school in May. Please make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and eat breakfast on test mornings! Secondary students had a great time during our second semester Global Project last week. They worked hard to create their own planets after the Zombie Apocalypse. The project assigned was simple on paper, but in practice was a different story. Students were grouped in teams of different grade levels and were sent on their own unique mission. These missions involved creating an original planet, complete with its own unique name, floral, and fauna. On top of that, the planet also had to have its own inhabitants (designed by the group) that were trying to "convince" humans to settle on that planet. After the design phase was over, with visuals and products made as well, students reported to the multipurpose room to convince people to come to their planet in a market-‐bazaar style fashion, using what they manufactured as souvenirs to the visitors of the booths. Whoever attracted the masses and collected the most passports, was the winner of the planets project! Congratulations to Vineville, Rubix, Soonsaroo, and Lunia – our winning worlds! They received a pizza party to celebrate. Our yearly student led, Poetry Slam for secondary will be held in the Multipurpose Room on March 26th from 2:00-‐3:30 P.M. The slam features poems written by our own students and is fun for all. Our annual EKA Fashion Trashion will also be held this month on March 27, 2015 in the Multipurpose Room from 1:45-‐2:15 P.M. Students from both elementary and secondary participate in this yearly event. Mr. Keyer Famous Quote: “Age is no barrier. It's a limitation you put on your mind.”
EKA Happenings: School Spirit
Secondary Student Government February was a fun-filled month with a spirit contest culminating in the Midnight in Paris Dance! Mrs. Perich’s advisory won first place with 100% participation every day! Mrs. Ferguson’s advisory took second place and Mrs. Kinoshita’s took third. Way to show your school spirit! The dance itself was a hit with over 130 students in attendance. In addition, the student body voted for Mr. and Mrs. Knudson to be crowned dance Prince and Princess! Dance photos can be found on the EKA Student Government Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EKASG March has us gearing up for the Pennies for Prom contest. The idea is to have the most positive points in the penny jar by the end of the three-week period from March 10th – 27th. Only pennies are positive points – all other coins and dollars are negative points. The class with the highest positive point total wins a Pizza and bubble wrap POP party! Start gathering those pennies!
EKA Happenings: Global Projects
Hello secondary families, My name is Skyler Morales. As an EKA senior, I have been working on my senior project
involving the Wetlands. The point of this project is to teach my fellow EKA students about the Wetlands. The Wetlands filter and clean the water that comes from our sinks, baths, and even our streets! Without the Wetlands, we would not have clean water. Part of my project involved students taking field trips to the Wetlands. While there, the students learned about invasive species, which are plants that should not be at the Wetlands because they absorb over 200 gallons of water per day. The students also learned about all the plants and animals and how they benefit the Wetlands and nature. This was a great experience for the students, and we hope to do it again soon!
EKA Happenings: Senior Project Update
Jonathan Vivas: Tile Painting
Skyler Morales: Wetlands Park
Hello there! Jonathan continues to work on his Tile Legacy Project every day. All of the tiles have been fired, delivered and are ready to be placed on the walls. Jonathan has spent quite a bit of time laying them out carefully, arranging them just right, then numbering them; and just this week…started placing them on the walls! It’s a very exciting time for the students and staff as they peek in to see where their tiles are being placed!
EKA Happenings: Things to Know
Elementary Office Hours Monday – Closed
Tuesday – Friday 7:20 – 3:30
Secondary Office Hours Monday 8:00 – 3:00
Tuesday –Friday 7:30 – 4:15
Enrollment Hours Building B
Monday – Friday 9:00 – 2:00
5871 Mountain Vista Las Vegas, NV 89120
(702) 870-‐5032
Superintendent Abbe Mattson – [email protected] Secondary Principal Jeff Keyer – [email protected] Elementary Principal Dawn Gustafson – [email protected] Operations Manager Hope Vivas – [email protected]
Help support the
Explore Knowledge Foundation in supporting
Explore Knowledge Academy through the Amazon Smile program. It’s easy! Just sign up at the bottom of the
Foundation’s web page at http://ekafoundation.com
Board Members
President – Jennifer Cook Vice Presidents – Jamie Bartels & Nina Reiss
Treasurer – Kim Rees Secretary – Victoria Hetey
Contact – [email protected]
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/PTSAEKA
