Highlights
of the Week
The students
did a wonderful job during their first full week of school! It was clearly evident that the children in
all grades were settling into classroom and school routines. The students were even charged with
practicing safety routines this week with our first fire drill.
Teachers value
these first few weeks of school because they are a wonderful opportunity to
explicitly model expected behaviors throughout the school. This social skills instruction is done in
many different ways. As stated in last
week’s newsletter, new teachers modeled what it looked like to Go for the Gold during our
opening assembly; or Give respect, Own our actions, Listen and learn and Do our
best everyday! Teachers also engaged the children in conversations about what
it looks like to demonstrate Going for
the Gold in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, on the playground and
in specials. Children’s literature is
another wonderful resource for discussing positive behaviors.
Gold Rush
staff uses a behavior matrix that collectively defines expected behaviors for
each of the areas of the school. Click
here to see our school’s positive behavior matrix. This is important so that all adults
consistently reinforce the same positive behaviors. Gold Rush students are also recognized and
rewarded for demonstrative positive behavior by being presented with a golden
ticket. The names of students who
receive golden tickets are placed in a drawing.
The most coveted prize you wonder….a weekly pass to use our school
elevator! See our golden ticket winners for this week below.
Coffee Chat
I enjoyed
meeting with parents this week for our first coffee chat of the year. It was wonderful to share our many
celebrations from the start of the year with the families that were able to
attend. I was also able to share my
values, which include educating the whole child, or fostering their social,
emotional and physical development in addition to their academic growth. I also shared my style of visiting students
in their classrooms as much as I can. I
reassured parents that I will call if I were to talk with children for any
reasons other than discuss their learning or interests. The coffee chat was also a great opportunity
for me to hear what parents valued most about the school. I proudly report that the unanimous response
was our dedicated, compassionate and talented staff!
Several topics
were raised that I hope to continue to talk about further in monthly coffee
chats. One of the issues raised that I
wanted to draw your attention to was the safety of the cross walk on Chambers
Road. I have contacted the town of
Parker to see if they can increase the safety of the road for our
students. Please note that that traffic
is traveling at a high speed on this road.
It is highly recommended that you accompany your child across that
street to ensure their safety.
Weather
Impact on Dismissal Procedures
Being
new to the state I have quickly learned that the weather can change instantly
in Colorado and it typically does around dismissal time. In the event of unsafe weather conditions
during dismissal (lightning, torrential rains or the threat of a tornado) I may
decide to delay dismissal at the end of the day until it is safe. A red flag will be raised on the flagpole to
designate that we are holding the students indoors due to unsafe conditions. In
the event that a red flag is raised all parents must come into the building and
sign their child out of school if they wish to do so before the all clear
announcement has been made.
Friendly
Safety Reminders
· In accordance with Douglas County School District Policy dogs
are not allowed on school grounds.
· Students should walk their bikes and scooters on school grounds.
· Supervision is only provided at 8:55am-4:10pm.
Student
Activities/ Events
Thursday Folders
· Please
check your child’s Thursday folders each week for additional school
information. School-wide information will be sent home only with students who
are the youngest in their family or an only child. Please contact your child’s teacher if you
did not receive one.
Gold Rush Running Club
Calling all Dads and Kids for Bowling
· Our
Dad’s club is hosting a Bowling event Saturday, August 25, from 1-4pm $17.95
for shoes and fun! RSVP to Keith Lundquist by August 22
Gold Rush Web Store
4th & 5th Grade
Band & Orchestra
· Students
from the high school will visit our fourth and fifth graders on Monday to share
more about feeder opportunities. Additional information will be sent home on
how to enroll next week.
Fifth Grade Girls Basketball
· Cimarron Middle School - Mondays @ 6:00-7:40 starting August 13th 5th grade students - cost $100
Calling For
Seconds!
We have a program your children may know
as “Seconds”….If your child wants an additional entrée he/she may pay an
additional $1.50 for a second entrée serving and $.50 for milk. We understand
that not all families want their child to have this option. Click here to access a form that will prevent your child from
receiving seconds.
PTO
·
Help kick off the year at the first PTO meeting
on Tuesday, August 21st, from 6:30-8:00pm in Gold Rush’s Gold Mine Room.