Reginal Spelling Bee-February 23

Congratulations to Ian Kluegel and Paige Speltz, the top two spellers from Falcon Ridge at the district spelling bee. Ian will represent Falcon Ridge at the Regional Spelling Bee in Mankato on Tuesday, February 23. Th winner of the regional bee moves on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in May.  Best of luck Ian!

Mala Strana-"Be the Love"

A group of Falcon Ridge 5th graders did their best to "Be the Love", by decorating at Mala Strana this past week. Students made signs and hearts and displayed them on the resident doors. The 5th graders had the opportunity to visit and wish everyone well for Valentine's Day.

Newtonian Science Club Information

The New Prague Newtonian Science Club Meetings will be held from 4:15-5:15 in the Fishbowl Room 151 at the CEC for all interested students in 3rd-12th grade. Hands on fun, trivia, and guest speakers. Everything is FREE! Bring a science zinger or demo to share! 

Dates are:

• Tuesday Feb 9
• Tuesday March 8
• Thursday April 28
• Tuesday May 10

Elementary News from Early Childhood for February 2016

Preschool registration for the 2016-2017 school year has started. Sign up and secure your child’s spot today! Call 952-758-1670 for information about preschool or any ECFE event.

Day Time open Gyms  9 sessions January 21-March 17.  Thursdays 12:10-1:10, CEC Gym.  Too cold or yucky to go outside?  Come burn off some energy!  Ms. Sara will be ready for you!  There will be lots of room to run and explore.  Feel free to bring riding toys from home!  Register ahead of time, or just show up.  For ages birth to 5.  $10 per family.

Pizza and Play with Dad  4 sessions on Tuesday evenings:  January 26, February 23, March 22,
April 26, 6:00-7:15 PM, Early Childhood Center. For ages 2-5.  Come enjoy some special time with Dad!  Don’t worry about dinner--we will provide a pizza dinner, and then off to the classroom you go!  Fathers have a direct impact on the well-being of their children.  Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring.  Ms. Jodi will have the classroom ready with great activities for Dads and kids. $40 per family.  Register by January 19.

Music Beat  5 sessions on Tuesday mornings 9:15-10:00, or Tuesday evenings 6:15-7:00.  January 12-February 16.  No class January 26. In this 45 minute class parents and children will sing, dance, and make music.  Explore sounds, rhythm, rhyme, mood and movement. Music experiences benefit your child’s language, social-emotional, and physical development.  Sibling care is available for daytime classes.  Andrea Peeler, music educator and board certified music therapist, will lead this class. For ages 2 ½-5.  $35 for 5 sessions.

Frozen Fun with Elsa and Anna  Saturday, February 27, 9-10 AM at Eagle View.  Elsa and Anna can’t wait to meet you!  Sing, dance, make a frozen fun craft, and take pictures with Elsa and Anna! $10 per family. Register by February 20.

Minnesota Student Survey

New Prague Area Schools will be participating in the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey for students in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11. The survey is conducted across school districts in Minnesota every three years. The survey is given to obtain useful information from students about how things are going at school, how things are going with their peers and about health-related thoughts and behaviors. If you wish to preview the survey, you may visit our District Office at 410 Central Avenue, New Prague. Parents of children in grades 5, 8, 9, and 11, will be sent a letter explaining how to to opt their child out of participation in this survey, if desired.

Science Fair/Math Masters Information

Math Masters

5th Graders...do you have number sense and a love for problem solving? This program challenges students to use critical thinking skills and problem solving abilities in mathematics. Math Masters of Minnesota is open to all area 5th graders from all local schools and home schools. Students will form teams of 4 or 5 and practice as a team and as an individual for the competition that will be held on Friday, April 22 in Lakeville. Students will be excused from school and bussed from New Prague and Elko/New Market for the competition. Questions can be directed to the coach, Jodi Prchal at jprchal@isd721.org. Jodi Prchal and National Honor Society Members will run 7 practices: session dates are January 28, February 18, March 22, March 31, April 7, April 12, April 19. A shirt will be provided at the competition and we will stop for lunch after the tournament (bring money for lunch or bag lunch) Sessions run 4-5 pm. Cost is $40. Practice held at Falcon Ridge Room 131. A minimum number of students are needed to run the team so sign up soon with community education!

New Prague Elementary School Science Fair

Attention Scientists and Engineers in Grades 4-6....

WHERE: New Prague Middle School Commons, Gym and Auditorium. 

WHEN: Saturday, March 12

• Registration/Set-up 11:30 a.m.
• Judging 12:30-2:30 p.m. 
• Open Viewing 2:30-3:00 p.m.
• Awards Ceremony 3:00-4:00 p.m. 

KICK-OFF event  is Tuesday, January 5 from 7-8 pm New Prague Middle School. Enter front or north doors (commons area) Our KICK-OFF event will be meaningful and full of great information to get you started. Display boards can be purchased, packets picked up and questions answered! 

HELP SESSIONS will be held from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the each school's computer lab.  Each elementary school will host a science fair help session that everyone is welcome to attend. Feel free to attend a different school’s session if the dates don’t work for you! A teacher and volunteers will be on hand to help guide the children with project selection, researching, or just pulling it all together. Please send a note with your child to school for permission to stay after and plan to pick up your child at the main door of the school afterward.

Eagle View Tuesday, Jan 19 & Thursday, Feb 11 Karry Helgestad - Instructor 

Falcon Ridge Tuesday, Jan 12 & Tuesday, Feb 23 Jodi Prchal - Instructor 

Raven Stream Thursday, Jan 14 & Tuesday, Feb 16 Cathy Ilkka - Instructor

Sign up for science fair and help sessions through community education. Contact Mrs Jodi Prchal with questions at jprchal@isd721.org or 952-758-1659.

WeDay

A 5th grade group from Falcon Ridge recently attended WeDay, a celebration of youth gathering to dedicate themselves to making a positive difference-both locally and globally. This group has already taken steps to make a difference at Falcon Ridge by helping to mentor and connect with younger students, and in taking a stand against bullying along with creating a welcoming atmosphere for our parents for our conferences. We are fortunate to have such a group of committed students at Falcon Ridge!