Tuesday, December 16, 2014

We Wish Your Family A Wonderful Winter Break!


* School will resume Monday, January 5. *


Click here for a video from our choir concert.


Accessing Report Cards
We are excited to share the progress your child has made since the beginning of the school year!  You will be able to access your child’s report card on Thursday, December 18 via your parent portal.  Complete the following steps to access this information: Log into parent portal; Click on Select a Student; Choose your child; Click on Reports; Click on EPR

You will notice this year that students did not receive a grade for technology. While all students continue to have technology five days a week, we altered the curriculum two days a week to allow students additional time to practice fundamental skills.  This change allows students to develop a strong foundation in technology basics.  In addition, the technology teacher is working collaboratively with classroom teachers to plan technology activities that can be implemented in the classroom. 

Hour of Code
Students across grades K-5 enjoyed learning how to computer program during our Hour of Code! We were excited to participate in this international event and we look forward to doing it again next year!


"It was a really fun experience.  You can incorporate this in your real life.  
You might grow up to be a computer scientist. "
- Jackson, 4th Grade


Yearbook Photographs
Please send any pictures you have taken that you would like to be considered for the 2014-2015 Gold Rush Yearbook to GREAT at grephotos@gmail.com.  You can also leave a CD in the PTO mailbox directed to Regi Zeece.  Any pictures from any of the Gold Rush School events from this school year are welcome.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Student Highlight
Student Council Food Drive
I was so proud of the amount of food our students donated to the Parker Task Force! Over the course of two weeks students donated 1566 cans of food!  Our second graders brought in the most food with fourth grade in a close second.  We thank student council for organizing this event and all of the families that participated.



Legend Feeder Band and Orchestra Concert




Report Cards
We are excited to share the progress your child has made since the beginning of the school year!  You will be able to access your child’s report card on Thursday, December 18 via your parent portal.  Complete the following steps to access this information: Log into parent portal; Click on Select a Student; Choose your child; Click on Reports; Click on EPR

You will notice this year that students did not receive a grade for technology. While all students continue to have technology five days a week, we altered the curriculum two days a week to allow students additional time to practice fundamental skills.  This change allows students to develop a strong foundation in technology basics.  In addition, the technology teacher is working collaboratively with classroom teachers to plan technology activities that can be implemented in the classroom.  

Drop Off & Pick Up - Safety Reminders
We have asked the Parker Police Department to help us monitor the following drop off and pick up procedures to maintain safety for all students:

·      Cross only at designated cross walks.
·      Remain in car line (do not swerve around cars).
·      Keep your cell phone off.

We thank you for your cooperation!

Promoting Health & Wellness
As we work towards promoting student wellness in all areas, we want to ensure our students know how to develop and utilize healthy habits, self-care and coping skills. This month we encourage students to draw awareness to the many options they have to deal with challenges they may encounter in life.  Based on students’ development levels, teachers will be exploring this topic in the classroom with their students.   

Upcoming Events

·      December 19 – January 5 – School is not in Session / Winter Break

Friday, December 5, 2014

Hour of Code
Next week our school will be joining one of the largest learning events in history – The Hour of Code.  Gold Rush students, like those from across the globe, will be spending one hour coding, or computer programming.  Our efforts are aimed at exposing students to computer sciences.  We all know that technology will play a significant role in your child’s future and we hope to build on their understanding and enthusiasm.  We look forward to updating you on this new event next week. Click here for additional information.

Incoming Kindergarten Registration – Next Thursday



Food Drive
Our students have already donated several cans of food to the Parker Task Force for student council’s December Food Drive.  I was so impressed with the amount of food that has already been donated compared to years past!  We will be collecting one final week so please remember to send in your nonperishable items by next Friday.



Upcoming Events
·      Tuesday @ 6:30 PM – PTO Meeting
·      Wednesday @ 5- 7 PM – Incoming Kindergarten Registration

·      December 19 – January 5 – School is not in Session / Winter Break

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving! 


Enjoy the holiday with your friends and family! 
School will resume on Monday, December1st. 


Thanksgiving Feast
We celebrated the holiday as a school community with our annual Thanksgiving Feast.  We were thankful to have so many families join us!  We thank Charlene Gilbert, Anita Rudman and our parent volunteers for making this event possible!







Math Night
Students and families enjoyed playing math games during our Digits with Digger math nights! Students had the opportunity to explore the main math strands of geometry, measurement, algebra, data and number sense by playing games from our Investigations math program.  A special thank you to Mrs. Gray and Gold Rush teachers for making this night possible!







Student Council Food Drive

Lost & Found
We found a men's wedding band.  Please contact the office if you believe this is yours.  

Friday, November 14, 2014

Students in Grades 2-5 Justify Their Opinions
Is has been exciting to see students in grades 2-5 support their own opinions using reasons and, in the older grades, evidence from multiple sources, research and experts.  Students are learning the structure of opinion writing and drafting opinions of a wide variety of topics.  Our second graders are convincing their classmates to read their favorite book.  Third and fourth graders are writing about why a certain person in their life deserves to be recognized.  Firth graders are researching the pros and cons of having chocolate milk in schools.  This work is the second unit from Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study writing program and it aligns to our school improvement goal that focuses on implementing more targeted writing practices in three genres.  I look forward to sharing our kindergarten and first grade students work on informational writing, or writing about nonfiction topics after break. 

DIGGER'S THANKSGIVING FAMILY FEAST
We are celebrating the upcoming holiday with our own Gold Rush Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, November 20! Please make your reservations for adults and siblings and pre pay online.  Click here to log on to RevTrak.  Choose Field Trips and then select Thanksgiving Feast to purchase tickets for family members.  ***GRE students MUST use their lunch accounts



LUNCH SCHEDULE
11:00-11:20    Steckler, Murray-Close, & Pearne
11:10-11:30    Graham & Woolums
11:25-11:45    M. Lewis & McMillan
11:35-11:55    Martino & Rossi
11:55-12:15    Poli (in the Art room)
12:05-12:25    Kindie Enrichment 
12:10-12:30    Cieply, Shepperd, & Meredith
12:20-12:40    Nolan & Castro
12:30-12:50    Gray, A. Lewis, & Wilson
12:40-1:00     VanDerVeen & Kramer
12:55-1:15     Dalcerri & Hawk
1:00-1:20      Holtzer, Lautenbach, & Rayens

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Click here to help during the feast. You can sign up before or after your child's scheduled lunchtime.

Math Nights
We hope you are able to join us for our primary and intermediate family math nights next week.  The goal of both evenings is for families to play games associated with the five primary math strands so that you can practice these concepts at home.   See the flyer below for additional information. We hope to see you there!




Winter Weather Reminders & Guidelines
The cold weather is upon us! This is just a reminder to drop students off no earlier than 8:55AM and be sure they leave for school with proper clothing. Remember that our weather can change during the day so be prepared for the forecast.

You may want to know the criteria we use to determine conditions suitable for children to participate in recess.  We take temperature and wind chill factor into effect, as well as the sun. Adults are on the playground monitoring conditions and making sure your children are safe.

Student Directory
Our student directory is now available on our website.  The user name and password are the following:
Username: GREDirectory
Password:  digger


Box Tops for Education – Class Contest
Be sure to send in your box tops with your student(s) between now and December 5th.  The class that collects the most Box Tops will win!



THANK You PTO for a wonderful book fair!



Friday, November 7, 2014

Candy for the Troops
Our students donated tubs and tubs of candy to troops who are currently serving over seas.  Students even raised enough money for shipping with their crazy hair day.  We couldn’t be prouder of our kids!



School Advisory Council (SAC)
The SAC committee reviewed our spring TCAP results, our school improvement goals for the year and parent data regarding the beginning of the year events.  We celebrated the fact that we were meeting expectations for student achievement and growth in reading, writing and math.  In math we exceeded in the area of growth.  As you recall, student achievement refers to the number of students who score proficient and advanced where growth focuses on the amount students grow in all categories. 

In an effort to strengthen our practices even further, we set the following school goals for this year:

1) Implement three Lucy Calkins’ units with fidelity (narrative, information, opinion) and naturally integrate the 4c’s (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity) and 21st century skills (financial literacy, civic responsibility, global awareness, problem solving, systems thinking) into instruction.
2) Implement reading comprehension in all content areas (literacy, social studies & science).

These goals will increase the rigor of instruction and allow us to meet each child’s unique needs. Click here for additional information presented at the meeting.

Teachers Plan Writing Together
Grade level teachers have been working as teams to plan students’ new writing genre.  After Thanksgiving break, kindergarten and first grade students will be working on informational writing, or writing about a topic in which they are experts.  Students in grades 2-5 have started opinion writing.  They are crafting their arguments and supporting them with detailed reasons and evidence.  Teachers collaboratively scored students’ preliminary writing and they used this data to alter their instruction to meet their students’ individual needs.  We look forward to sharing their writing with you in the coming weeks!

Thanksgiving Feast- Reservations Required
Our Thanksgiving Feast is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday with your child and school community.  Join us at our annual event on November 20.  You can make your reservation and pay by clicking here to log on to RevTrak. Choose Elementary Schools, E- L, Gold Rush Elementary, Field Trips. Select Thanksgiving Feast to purchase additional tickets for family members.  The cost for adults and siblings is $4.00 per meal. Students MUST use their lunch accounts. Please bring your printed receipt as your meal ticket.

Kindie Round-Up- Save The Date!
If you have an incoming kindergartener for next year, please plan to attend our Gold Rush Kindergarten Registration on Wednesday, December 10th, from  5:00 – 7:00 PM. Building tours will be held at 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.  

Book Fair
Come to Sir Readalot’s Castle to shop for new books.  Our fall book fair is scheduled on the following days and times next week:

Monday, November 10 @ 8:00-5:00
Tuesday, November 11@ 8:00- 7:00
Wednesday, November 12 @ 8:00-5:00
Thursday, November 13 @ 8:00-7:00
Friday, November 14 @ 8:00-5:00

We will have a special event on Thursday Nov. 13 from 4:30- 7:00 PM. Legend National Arts Honor Society will be at the fair doing a free craft with students and their siblings!  Clifford the Big Red Dog will also be there for pictures and hugs!  Click here to sign up to volunteer.


Community Night @ Texas Roadhouse
* Monday, November 10 @ 4:00-10:00 PM
* 10% of sales to GRE 
* You *MUST* have a flyer for your purchase to count!

* Click here to print a flyer