Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Dear Gold Rush Families,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer!  We are already busy preparing for your child’s arrival in August. We cannot wait to start another wonderful school year with your family!

I wanted to provide you with important information regarding the start of the school year.  It is my hope that this information will ensure a smooth start of the year.

Back to School Goal Setting Conference Days
Gold Rush traditionally begins the school year with Back to School Goal Setting Conference, which will be held on August 12 & 13 for students in grades 1-5 and August 12 – August 14 for kindergarten students.  Back to School Goal Setting Conferences are an opportunity for families to meet their child’s teacher.  You will have an opportunity to share your child’s strengths and your child will have a chance to unpack his/her school supplies during conferences.  Please visit our school website for school supply lists.  Please also click here to sign up for your Back to School Goal Setting Conference by July 31. The password is digger. You can access directions for completing the process by clicking here.

First Full Day of School
The first full day of school for students in grades 1-5 is Wednesday, August 14.  This year our kindergarten students will begin school on Monday, August 19.  The later start date for kindergarten will allow classroom teachers to create individualized readiness plans for each child.  Click here for additional information regarding the start of the school year for kindergarten students.

Class Placement
We know that children are eager to know who their new classroom teacher is!  Click here to access the parent portal.  You will be able to view your child’s teacher by clicking on the schedule tab. You can look forward to receiving a welcome letter from your child’s teacher by the end of the month. The letter may be sent to you electronically, by mail or posted on your classroom teacher’s website.

Express Check In
Express Check In will open at 12:01 AM on July 17.  Click here to login. You will provide/update your contact information, pay school fees and sign up for volunteer opportunities using Express Check In. Please note that some of the forms indicate that they will need to be printed and turned in during Back To School Goal Setting Conferences. We ask that you complete the Express Check In by July 31.

Registration Completion
Please plan on completing the registration process with your children on either August 12 or the 13.  Families typically do this before or after their scheduled time for their Back to School Goal Setting Conference. Families will also have the opportunity to meet with representatives from the PTO and our before and after school program (BASE). Your child will also take his/her school picture and you will turn in your Express Check In paperwork at this time.   This is a wonderful time to learn about several opportunities available to our families.

For support with Express Check In, please contact our Student Data and Information Services Hotline at 303-387-0016.  You can direct other questions to our Registrar, Anita Rudman, at anitarudman@dcsdk12.org or our Administrative Assistant, Janis Liccardello, at janis.liccardello@dcsdk12.org.

I wish you a wonderful rest of the summer and I look forward to seeing you in August!

Kindly,

Jennifer Brown
Principal    


ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN PARENTS
We are excited to welcome your child to Gold Rush!  This year we are looking forward to writing individual learning plans for each kindergarten student.  These plans will specifically address your child’s academic, social and emotional needs. 

In order to draft student plans, the beginning of the year will look different for kindergarten students only.  Students will have the opportunity to get to know their teacher during 30 minute Meet the Teacher Conferences on Monday, August 12, through Wednesday, August 14.  In addition to familiarizing students with their new classroom, teachers will administer a variety of assessments at this time.  Families will also register their child for school on either Monday, August 12, or Tuesday, August 13.

  We believe drafting student plans prior to the children’s first day of school on Monday, August 19, will allow teachers to meet your child’s individual needs right from the start.

AUGUST 2013
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
11
12
Meet the Teacher
Conferences
Schedule
 on-line
---------------------
Student Registration

13
Meet the Teacher
Conferences
Schedule
 on--line
---------------------
Student Registration

14
Meet the Teacher
Conferences
Schedule
 on--line

** Students must also register on the August 12 or 13

15
No School
Teachers analyze student data and draft individual plans
16
No School
Teachers analyze student data and draft individual plans
17
18
19
First day of Kindergarten!
Regular schedule begins

20
21
22
23
24
 July: Get Ready
·      Schedule a 30 minute Meet the Teacher Conference on-line on August 12-14. 
·      Identify an additional 30 minutes to register your child on either August 12 or 13.                        If you schedule your conference on August 14 you will also need to register your child for school on August 12 or the 13.
·      Buy all school supplies.

August 12-14:
Teacher Conferences
·      You will meet your teacher in her classroom at your scheduled time.  You will tour the classroom and get to know each other.  You will provide your teacher with your letter about your child at this time.
·      Parents will unpack their child’s school supplies and complete paperwork in the hallway while the teacher assesses your child on his/her basic skills.
Registration 12 & 13 ONLY
·      You will submit your registration paperwork, sign up for PTO activities, have your child take his/her school picture and much more!

August 15 & 16:   No School for Kindergarten Students


August 19:                First Day of Class for Kindergartners