Yearbook orders

The deadline for ordering a yearbook is almost upon us! Please submit your order by March 7th. Extra forms are available in the office. You can also order the yearbook online by visiting ybpay.lifetouch.com and using the ID code 5732014. A basic yearbook can be ordered for $16. Special features can also be added for an additional cost, such as a hardcover or having the child's name on the cover. All homeroom classrooms will be featured in the 40 page book, along with specialists, candid photos, the yearbook artists, new students, staff, band and choir participants, math masters, spelling bee and science fair participants. The yearbook will arrive the last week of school. If you would like to order, please do so by the deadline to ensure a yearbook is ordered for your son or daughter. Please contact the Falcon Ridge office at 952.758.1600 or Jodi Prchal at 952.758.1663 with questions.

Great parenting strategies

We would like to share three wonderfully simple parenting ideas published in The Power of Moms online community (www.powerofmoms.com). These are ideas that every bucket filling parent should know and practice.

Let's begin with three questions:

1. What are the most important nine minutes during the day that can have the greatest impact on a child?
2. What is the minimum number of touches a child needs during a day to feel connected to a parent?
3. What one daily event is especially important for children?

Answers:

1. The first three minutes at three important times: When they wake up, when they come home from school, and before they go to sleep.
2. Eight touches a day is the minimum a child needs to feel connected to a parent, 12 if they are going through a challenging time. This could include straightening a collar, patting the shoulder, or a simple hug.
3. One meaningful, eye-to-eye conversation between a parent and child every day.

The Power of Moms wraps it up with this bucket filling bit of wisdom: "Let's not worry about doing everything right. Let's just focus on doing one thing right: a little love each day." That's filling a bucket!

Falcon Ridge 5th Grader wins design contest!

Falcon Ridge 5th grader Lindsay Bisek was recently recognized as the winner of the 2014 Gathering of Champions Logo contest. This ceremony will take place at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America where students from across the state will be recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Congratulations on your award-winning design, Lindsay!

4th Annual Creativity Helps Hunger

Last Thursday, Falcon Ridge fourth graders hosted a soup night to raise money for the local food shelf. At the event, students sold clay bowls that they made in art class along with a soup dinner. We served 75 bowls of soup and sold 65 of the 120 clay bowls. So far we have raised over $850! If you missed out on soup night, you can still stop by the Art Room to buy a clay bowl for $5. Over the past four years we have raised over $5,150 for the Peace Center. Great work Falcon Ridge!

Valentines for Vets

For the 25th consecutive year, Veterans at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis will be receiving valentines that have been created by students from the New Prague Area School District. Students from Falcon Ridge created these valentines as a way to reach out and show support for our local veterans. A total of 282 valentines were sent this year!

Preschool Registration Has Started!

Expectations for children entering kindergarten are increasing and preschool is becoming an important part of a child’s school preparation.  A quality preschool experience can provide the foundation for your child’s future social and academic success.  The New Prague Area School District offers preschool classes for 3-5 year olds at three locations.  Traditional 2 or 3 days a week classes are held at the Central Education Campus and the Early Childhood Center in New Prague and at Eagle View Elementary School in New Market.  PM Preschool is a unique evening preschool.  Children attend one night a week. New Prague Area Schools can offer preschool scholarships to eligible families. Call 952-758-1670 to register for preschool or for more information.  Spots are filling quickly.

Jump rope record broken!

Congratulations to Falcon Ridge fifth grader Matthew Zweber who broke the Phy. Ed. jump rope record today by jumping rope continuously for 41 minutes and 55 seconds. This breaks the old record of 41:02. Way to go Matt!

NPAEF Author Visit

On Monday, February 10 the New Prague Area Education Foundation will be hosting international author Brian Freeman at Prairie Pond Vineyard and Winery in downtown New Prague. Freeman is a Minnesota resident and is known for his suspense novels. The event is free of charge and begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit the NPAEF link at http://www.therootstogrow.org/events.php