Volume 2, Issue 9

E x p l o r e K n o w l e d g e A c a d e m y

IMPORTANT DATES

Classes Resume

Tues., April 2nd

Carnival Tickets go on sale

Tues., April 2nd

New Karate Session Begins!

Wed., April 3rd

Skate Night

Crystal Palace—Wed., April 3rd

PTSA Food Fundraiser—Genghis Grill

Thurs., April 4th

2013-2014 New Student Orientation

Wed., April 10th

K-5 9:00 Building A

6-12 10:30 Building B

Secondary Talent Show

Friday, April 12

Spring Carnival

Friday, April 26

EKA Spring Carnival We are happy to announce that we are having our Spring Carnival at Sports Center of Las Vegas (121 East Sunset Road) on April 26 from 4:30-7:30. There will be game booths with prizes, batting cages, a rock wall, raffle baskets and much more. Be sure to mark your calendars and keep an eye out for information coming home from your advisors regarding donations for the class baskets. Pre-sale tickets will be available the week following Spring Break.

CRT TESTING!!

3rd Grade April 17—19th 4th Grade April 11—13th 5th Grade April 4—5th & 9—10th 6th Grade April 9—10th 7th Grade April 16—17th 8th Grade April 24—26th

Cookie Dough Delivery Update

Cookie dough delivery will not be delivered

until after Spring Break. Unfortunately, we

do not have a definitive date at this time, but

we will provide this information as soon as

possible. Thank you for your patience!

Dear Parents and Guardians, We have sprung our clocks ahead and have begun to welcome the warmer weather. Spring Break is here giving us a much needed week with our families and friends. The end of the third quarter is the 22nd of this month and our students can finally see light at the end of the year long tunnel. Now it is even more difficult for some kids to focus on school work and to complete homework as days are longer and being outside is so much more pleasant. We do not have to give one up for the other though. Many of our advisors are taking classes outside and embracing nature and education simultaneously. I have watched classes holding advisory time, or reading in our play areas. Students are able to stretch their legs, absorb the sunshine and still learn their lessons. This can happen at home as well. Look for innovative ways for your child to complete their homework making it more fun for them. Help encourage your children to make it to the finish line. It will be well worth the effort and a pleasure for everyone to see those final grade reports! Did you know that Nevada is considered among the higher risk areas for earthquakes in the Nation? In an effort to ensure that our school is prepared for such an event, Nevada schools must practice how to be safer during an earthquake. EKA students and staff have been practicing their “Drop, Cover and Hold On”, the steps for earthquake preparedness. We expect that the Las Vegas Fire Department will be by next month to check our progress and we intend to be well prepared. Ask your student about their drills and remind them to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” in an earthquake. They may even want to show you how to be prepared at home! As always, thank you for entrusting your children to us at EKA. Your Executive Director

* EKA is in need of Clorox wipes and paper towels! If you can donate, please drop them off at the front office of either

building.

YEARBOOK Sales It’s not too late to purchase your yearbook! The cost is $40.00. Be sure to turn in your orders to the front office and make your checks out to EKA.

Explore Knowledge Foundation Members Needed

EKF is in need of new members to support the school and the Foundation. Meetings are held quarterly in the evenings. Financial background and fundraising knowledge is a plus.

Friends of EKA family members are encouraged to join! For more information contact Art Vivas—Foundation President at

avivas@ekafoundation.com

Corryn T.– Cleaned up soap someone splashed in the bathroom Amber D.—Helped a student clean up Gavin C. - Tyler H.—Helped a student clean up Ethan B. - Nicolas O.—Turned in a wallet he found Katherine V.– Helped an advisor Sean G.—Helped an advisor Grace A.—Helped an advisor

Jeffrey L.—Helped an advisor Austin W.—Helpful with the substitute Jacob S. -Helpful with the substitute Mina A.—Helpful with the substitute Monica G.—Helpful with the substitute Joslyn M.—Helpful with the substitute Louis F.—Helpful with the substitute Annison H.—Comforted a friend Korbin G.—Picked up someone’s trash Tania G.— Very Kind to a student who was absent. Rylie H.—Very kind to a student who has been absent. Kyla D.—Cleaning up a mess she did not make

EKA Homework Policy

When your child is absent, please be sure to contact their advisor to request any missed assignments. All EKA advisors can be reached via email through our website. Parents are responsible for contacting the advisors. Also, please check back with the advisor when coming in to collect homework to make sure it has been brought to the front office.

Elementary Happenings

Upcoming Important Dates:

Smith Center Field Trip 4th and 5th grade

April 10th

Advisory Basket Donations Due April 24th

Elementary Spelling Bee

May 3rd

Elementary Talent Show May 17th

Elementary Field Day

May 31st

Projects:

Kindergarten - “Animal Habitats”

April 23rd

1st Grade—”Solids, Liquids & Gas” April 10th

2nd/3rd Grades - “Careers”

April 10th

4th/5th Grades - “Matter” April 2nd

Donations Needed The elementary office is in need of some supplies. If you are able to contribute, please send them to the front office. Headphones Lead refills for mechanical pencils Mechanical Pencils (4/5) #2 Pencils (2/3) Glue sticks Hand Sanitizer Kleenex Sanitizing wipes

Health Office News:

Boys sweats and t-shirts sizes 6-12 are needed to have on hand for emergencies. *If you have any clothes that were sent home with your student from the Health Office, please be sure they are returned. Reminder: Please do not send your child to school with open-toed shoes. Also please adhere to the EKA dress code now that warmer weather has arrived.

2/3 Career Day Each advisory in 2/3 is looking for 4 adults who are interested in coming in to share about his or her career. Presentation days are Wednesday, April 3rd and Thursday, April 4th between 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm. Contact your child’s advisor if you are interested.

Elementary Photo Op

Secondary Happenings

Upcoming Important Dates:

Smith Center Field Trip 7th & 8th grades

April 10th

Secondary Talent Show April 12th

Pennies for Prom Drive

April 16th—26th

Spread the Word End the Word Assembly

April 19th

Carnival Advisory Basket Donations Due

April 24th

Spring Formal Dance May 10th

Senior Presentations May 30th and 31st

Harry Mong, the Regional Sports Director from Special Olympics Nevada, would like to further educate the students and staff of Explore Knowledge Academy. “The Spread the Word to End the Word Campaign” is designed to eliminate the use of the word “retard.” Harry Mong is coming to speak to the students about the campaign and also talk about his experiences with Special Olympics Nevada. Having this guest speaker come is a part of Nicole and Lauren Lesniak’s Senior Project. Permission slips for student s to attend this presentation will be sent home soon.

Pennies for Prom Each year, the secondary advisories have a contest which raises money for Prom. This year, Prom will be held at Dragon Ridge Country Club and the students need your help. Send your secondary students to school with loose “couch change” to support the effort. The is a catch though. Pennies are positive and worth +1 point. Coins and dollars are negatives (ex. A nickel is –5 points, a dime –10 and a dollar is –100 points.) Each advisory will be given a bucket to fill over the two weeks . The objective is for the winning advisory to have the most positive points in their bucket. During passing periods, students will be able to put their negative point change in other advisory buckets, while trying to keep as many positive points in their own. In the end, the winning advisory will have a Bubble Wrap Pop and Pizza Party!

Talent Show Talent show auditions were this week and our judges have had a difficult time picking out the top 15 acts. On April 12th, these acts will perform in front of the entire secondary student body to determine the most talented overall. It is truly amazing the depth of talent we have at such a small school. Photos of our winners will be posted in an upcoming newsletter.

National Honor Society and Junior National Honor Society:

Flash Mob

This week during lunch, our NHS and NJHS along with some friends entertained the entire secondary student body with a Flash Mob to the song Conga to promote fitness. It was a great success and everyone enjoyed their hard work. There are plans to take the Flash Mob public and reproduce it at local malls and community locations.

National Honor Society &

National Junior Honor Society When: Wednesday, 11:45—12:15

Advisor: Ms. Keyer Where: Science Lab

Purpose: Members satisfy the needs of the school &

the community through club projects.

Paws For Change When: Thursday at 3:45—4:15 pm

Advisor: Mendoza Where: Ms. Mendoza’s Advisory

A Senior Project to learn about animal rights,

strategize on addressing animal abuse and taking part in animal-related community work.

Student Government

When: Wednesday at 2:30—3:15

Advisor: Mattson Where: Science Lab

To promote school spirit, improve community relations, organize activities and give students

leadership opportunities.

Yoga Club (On Hold until After Spring Break)

When: Thursday at 3:40-4:20 Advisor: Ms. Kinoshita.

Where: Kinoshita Advisory Purpose: All levels are welcome to learn about and

practice yoga postures. Yoga helps manage stress,

improve body image, and improve overall health. Mrs. Kinoshita is a certified yoga teacher.

Sewing Club

When: Thursday at 3:40-4:30 Advisor: Chapman

Where: Chapman Advisory

Sewing club is for beginners and those who are experienced.

Some supplies and sewing machines are available.

For more information contact Mrs. Chapman

kchapman@ekacademy.org

Secondary Club News

Dance: NOW ENROLLING

When: Tuesdays, 3:15—3:45 pm Who: Step Up Academy of the Arts

Where: Multi-purpose room Building C

$5.00 per class

Grades K-5

NEW SESSION APRIL 3RD!

Karate When: Wednesdays, 3:15—4:00

pm Who: Professional Karate Center

Where: Multi-purpose room

Building C $65 per 8 week session

Grades K-5

Art Club:

When: Thursday, Grades 2/3 Where: Lunch Room Building A

Advisor: Ms. Gilbert

Elementary Club News

Congratulations to the EKA Girls Basketball Team on finishing their season undefeated! Players

include Kylie Keyer, Victoria Brown, Jayme Dooley, Kelsey Keener, Valery Keener, Tyler Murphy, Ashley Smith and Kui’Phua Untalan. The team was lead by Ms. Patton. Great job!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS!!!

Early Pick-up

Parents who need to have their children picked up from school early by a person other than the child’s legal guardian need to send in an email or fax with picture ID stating the name of that

individual. We need something IN WRITING or the student will not be released.

Tardies

Please be advised students who arrive late to school will not be issued their IPADs. Excessive tardies not only reduces time learning in the classroom, but also the use of technical learning and

testing.

New Contact Information

If you have recently changed your contact information (email or phone numbers, specifically) please be sure to change them on your student’s emergency cards.

Attendance

Please remember to fill out an Absence Note and turn it into the front office within three days of your student returning to school, otherwise they will be considered truant (unexcused absence.)

PTSA News: The PTSA is looking for officers to sit on the board for the 2013-2014 school year. If you are interested, please contact Jennifer McKeehan via email on the PTSA link. Skate Night: Crystal Palace April 3 from 3:30-6:30 PM Food Fundraiser: Genghis Grill Thursday, April 4th

Executive Director

Abbe Mattson - amattson@ekacademy.org

Secondary Director

Patrick Quinn - pquinn@ekacademy.org

Elementary Director

Dawn Gustafson - dgustafson@ekacademy.org

Office Manager

Hope Vivas - hvivas@ekacademy.org

Finance Director

Susan Stewart - sstewart@ekacademy.org

5871 Mountain Vista

Las Vegas, NV 89120

(702) 870-5032

Elementary Office Hours

Monday 7:30-2:30

Tues - Fri 7:15-3:30

~

Secondary Office Hours

Monday 8:00—3:00

Tues - Fri 7:30-4:30

Entertainment Books

Great News! Entertainment Books are still available and now offered at a reduced cost of $10 while supplies

last!

Explore Knowledge Academy is proud to announce that Master Allen R. Sarac will be offering students the

opportunity to participate in a weekly Karate Club at EKA. Master Sarac is 7th degree black belt and the owner of the Professional Karate Center (PKC) located at:

5455 S. Fort Apache #100 ~ Las Vegas, NV ~ 798-5425

Where: Eight (8) classes held at Explore Knowledge Academy AND eight (8) classes held at the Professional

Karate Center (16 classes total).

Cost per session: $65.00

WEDNESDAYS, GRADES K-5

Session 3: Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6, 20

Session 4: April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15 & 22

Students will be given 8 coupons per session to attend classes at PKC. Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, class times will be handed out for separate age groups. Students may also attend a sparring class on

Saturday from 11:30 am till 12:30 pm.

Special Instructions:

**Students must be picked up by their parent promptly at 4:00 pm.

Please complete the bottom of this form and return it to the school front office if you would like PKC to

contact you to discuss Karate class. NOTE: Your child will receive all 16 classes even if a class is missed due to a late sign up.

[ ] Please have PKC call me to discuss the club.

Student Name: Advisor: Grade: Phone:

Parent Name:

Please complete the back of this form if you want to sign your child up and return it to the school front office. Exact payment must be attached.

PLEASE CONTACT PROFESSIONAL KARATE CENTERS WITH ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THE

KARATE PROGRAM, NOT EKA STAFF. THANK YOU!

Professional Karate Center Sign up form and Medical Release

For Explore Knowledge Academy Karate Club

Child’s Name: Grade: Advisor:

Parent/Guardian Name: Phone: Cell:

[ ] My child will be picked up after class by: (Specific names please, ID required)

Payment Options: [ ] Check: Make checks payable to Professional Karate Center. (There is a $25 fee for returned checks)

[ ] Master Card [ ] Visa Card # Billing Zip Code:

Name as appears on the card:

Cardholders Signature: 3 digit security code

Health History/Special Needs:

Allergies: For ourselves, and on behalf of our child, our heirs, executors, and administrators, I hereby do expressly and forever waive and release the organizers of this event/activity and all their officers,

employees, agents and representatives from any and all liability for personal injuries or damages sustained, incurred, arising from, or connected with travel to and from the activity names above, and all activities related to, or in connections with, said

activity by our child/services recipient.

I hereby authorize the organizers of the event, their agents and representative to take and use promotional photos,

videos and other media source for promotional purposes and understanding that there are no monetary benefits involved.

The health history is correct so as I know, and the person herein described has permission to engage in all prescribed activi-

ties, except as noted by me. In the event that I cannot be reached in an emergency, I hereby authorize the organizers agent or representative and physician they select to hospitalize and/or secure proper treatment for and order injection, anesthesia

or surgery for m y child names above. If medical care or treatment is necessary, I agree to assume full financial responsibil-ity.

Insurance carrier and policy # is:

Emergency contact: Phone: Cell:

I hereby give my permission for my child to attend and participate in the planned activities scheduled by

agents/representatives for this event:

Parent/Guardian Signature Printed Name Date