ERATS Reaches Out to Eagleview

Amy Hendrickson, start-up director for East Range Academy of Technology and Science, very generously offered to share information from the ERATS charter application and lessons learned as they go through the process of opening an entirely new school in fall of '07. Yesterday, in a phone interview, she shared info on their tentative salary schedule, experiences in charter school meetings in the twin cities, and plans for participating in the FIRST Lego League Robotic competition.

Although ERATS is a high school, Hendrickson said they plan to have an after school program for younger students to participate in the robotics competition. We even discussed some friendly inter-school competition.

Come see the Lego Mindstorms NXT Robot kit on display at our next Foundation meeting! (January 11, 2007 at 6:30 in the Music Room at school)

Eagleview in the News

Marie Nitke, the Grand Rapids Herald Review's education reporter, covered the December 18th school board meeting and followed up with interviews to get a good picture of what's happening with our request to convert to a charter. (Click on the bold text to read the full article)

Eagleview hopes to soar into new

Volunteer Position Open

Regular attendees at our monthly meetings know that the Foundation needs someone to step forward and take on direct mail duties. This position would require the volunteer to print out and mail letters to potential new members, and old members, urging them to join or renew membership. The Foundation will pay the postage. The best part, the volunteer can choose to write the letter or can use a draft we've already done. Having a computer, printer, and e-mail are required to do this job.

We have grown from 6 dues paying members in August to 42 as of our December meeting and have some good leads for potential new members. If you are reading this, isn't it time you made time for an effort where one person really can make a difference?

Click on "contact the foundation" at right for more info.

Community Library Has Books!

The Northome Library, still in search of a home after last summer's downtown fire, graciously donated a pick-up load of books to the Foundation's library committee yesterday. The Committee will be culling the donated items for duplicates and space considerations so look for a book sale some time this spring.

Many thanks to Judy LaTrace, Andy LaDuke, and Connie Vesey for coordinating the donation, as well as loading and unloading all those books!

School Board to Discuss Charter Conversion

Plan to attend the next ISD 318 School Board Workshop session on December 18th at 5:15 PM in the Administrative Services Building. Superintendent Joe Silko anticipates that the board will then vote on the issue at the regular meeting that evening which is scheduled for 7:30 PM. There is no time set aside for public input during workshop sessions but in the past board members have asked questions of audience members in attendance.

We really need to show up in force for this meeting but if you will be out of the area please take a few minutes to write or call the individual members of the board. Please emphasize the goals of our charter-a better education for current and future students, and becoming the school of choice for parents looking for the right fit for their kids.

Tom Peltier, Chair
18581 Sugar Lake Trail
Cohasset, MN 55721
Phone: (218) 327-0951

Mary Ann Olson, Director
1604 East Highway 169
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 327-9488

Paul Meyer, Clerk
33077 South Shoal Lake Road
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 327-2333

Lynda Ross, Director
20483 Mishawaka Shores Drive
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 326-6284

Harvey Hietala, Treasurer
33277 South Shoal Lake Road
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 326-4027

Clifford Schroeder, Director
34404 Wolf Pack Path
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 326-2087