Thursday, April 23, 2015

Earth Day
In honor of Earth Day, members of student council have been collecting classroom recycling each Tuesday.  Student council is also sharing inspirational quotes with their classmates each day.  These quotes talk about how they can protect the earth and why this is important.  I am proud of how thoughtful our students are being in reusing supplies and materials!



Appreciating our Volunteers
We thank our parent volunteers for all the work they do in our classrooms and school!  We thank you for you time and efforts.  Please stop by the main office this week for a token of our appreciation.

Students Display Art Work
The following students have their art work displayed at the Lone Tree Art Center:

Dex Telford
Carson Flowers
Riley Smith
Anna Stahlecker
Brendan Beaudoin
Izabella Klemm
Olivia Brown
Eislyn Howell



We thank these artists for representing our school! 


Procedure for Weather Related Delayed Dismissals
With spring comes unpredictable weather.  I wanted to take this opportunity to review our delayed dismissal procedures that could result from lightening at the end of the day.  You will receive an email and text if you are registered to receive text messages through the District (see the email below) around 3:50.  The message will ask you to come in to the building at 4:00 PM and sign your child out of his/her classroom.  Students who attend BASE or after school activities in the building will attend their regularly scheduled activity.  Bus riders will be called to the gym and will be loaded onto buses when it is safe to do so. Transportation will ensure safe arrival. They will drop off to waiting parents at bus stops or hold students until it is safe for children to depart.  Walkers and bikers will be dismissed when the weather is clear.  If the weather does not clear by 4:15 PM, please come and sign your child(ren) out in the gym. All students must be picked up by parents and/or adults listed on your emergency contact information.

Registering for District & School Text Messages
Douglas County School District and Gold Rush provide parents with emergency information via text message. Parents need to opt-in in order to receive emergency communication this way.  Click here for instructions to set up your text messaging preferences.

Class Placement Process
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a difficult endeavor.  This process involves hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators and other staff members. We take this responsibility very seriously. The process for creating class lists is as follows:
  • Teachers identify the social and academic needs of each student.  Teachers refer to existing data and record pertinent information to assist them in their decision-making.
  • Teachers then meet as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced.  Balanced classrooms meet each student’s academic, social and emotional needs.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic strengths and needs, as well as friendships, when they place each child.  Learning specialists and the specials’ team also collaborate with classroom teachers when creating initial lists.
  • Each grade level team types a draft of their class list, which is then submitted to me.  I review each child’s placement to ensure that all parent input shared with me has been considered.  Classroom teachers approve any additional changes to ensure balanced classes are maintained. 

Class lists are finalized in August to reflect students who enroll in the summer. This process is consistent across grades K-4.  Our fifth grade team collaborates with teachers at Cimarron Middle School to ensure student success in 6th grade.

We strongly believe that this process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes tremendous thought by professionals who know and care about your child.  Please remember that our ultimate goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child.  Please also know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons and that our process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents and administrators, we are reluctant to make changes once this process is complete.  While it may seem difficult to imagine, moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire classroom. 

We do value parent input and welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs and learning style.  We will take into consideration all pertinent information that you share with me either on or before FRIDAY, May 1st.  While we welcome your input, we cannot take specific teacher requests. Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me (Jenny Brown).  I will accept either a hard copy letter or email (jjbrown@dcsdk12.org).

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. As you can imagine, I receive a great deal of parent input and verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as I am ultimately responsible for reviewing final class lists in July when teachers are not in session.

Calendar of Events
·       May 1 @ 6:00-8:00 PM – Talent Show
·       May 1 – Class Placement Parent Input Letters Due to Jenny Brown


Friday, April 17, 2015

The Colorado Symphony Comes to Gold Rush
Members of the Colorado Symphony performed at Gold Rush this week.   Performers took us on a musical journey that stimulated our interest in music.  They highlighted every instrument in the orchestra.  We listened to several classical pieces and pop ones as well.  Student favorites included the themes from several Disney Films and Star Wars.  We hope that this performance will motivate our students to participate in our orchestra and band programs in the future.  We thank our music teacher, Mrs. Petty, for bringing this opportunity to our school.



CMAS Testing
Students in grades 4 and 5 will be given the CMAS assessment, or the Colorado Measures of Academic Success: Social Studies and Science, on April 20, 21 and 22nd.   Students in fourth grade will be assessed only in Social Studies at 1:45 to 3:15 on each of the identified days.  Fifth grade students will be assessed only in Science at 10:30-12:00 each day.  Please ensure your child’s success by having him/her get a good night sleep and healthy breakfast.  We would also appreciate it if you would refrain from scheduling appointments during your child’s testing window.

District Text Message
Douglas County School District provides parents with emergency information via text message. Parents need to opt-in in order to receive emergency communication this way.  Click here for instructions to set up your text messaging preferences.

Class Placement Process
Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a difficult endeavor.  This process involves hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators and other staff members. We take this responsibility very seriously. The process for creating class lists is as follows:
  • Teachers identify the social and academic needs of each student.  Teachers refer to existing data and record pertinent information to assist them in their decision-making.
  • Teachers then meet as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced.  Balanced classrooms meet each student’s academic, social and emotional needs.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic strengths and needs, as well as friendships, when they place each child.  Learning specialists and the specials’ team also collaborate with classroom teachers when creating initial lists.
  • Each grade level team types a draft of their class list, which is then submitted to me.  I review each child’s placement to ensure that all parent input shared with me has been considered.  Classroom teachers approve any additional changes to ensure balanced classes are maintained. 
            Class lists are finalized in August to reflect students who enroll in the summer.
This process is consistent across grades K-4.  Our fifth grade team collaborates with teachers at Cimarron Middle School to ensure student success in 6th grade.

We strongly believe that this process creates learning environments that benefit all students. It is a delicate balancing act that takes tremendous thought by professionals who know and care about your child.  Please remember that our ultimate goal is to create balanced class lists that promote the success of each child.  Please also know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons and that our process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents and administrators, we are reluctant to make changes once this process is complete.  While it may seem difficult to imagine, moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire classroom.

We do value parent input and welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs and learning style.  We will take into consideration all pertinent information that you share with me either on or before FRIDAY, May 1st.  While we welcome your input, we cannot take specific teacher requests. Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me (Jenny Brown).  I will accept either a hard copy letter or email (jjbrown@dcsdk12.org).

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing. As you can imagine, I receive a great deal of parent input and verbal information is nearly impossible to track. Further, please direct all of this communication to me as I am ultimately responsible for reviewing final class lists in July when teachers are not in session.

Calendar of Events
·      CMAS Testing – April 20, 21 and 22nd
·      Friday, April 24 – No School

Thank you!
·       Thank you PTO and Mrs. Golish for an amazing spring book fair!

Reminders
·       Please have your child look through the lost and found by Wednesday, April 22.  We will be donating remaining materials on Thursday, April 23.


Friday, April 10, 2015

Students Learn From the Experts
This week fourth graders had the opportunity to learn from experts in their field.  Students are currently studying cause and effect and the process of inquiry as they explore the solar system.  Fourth grade parent and SAC chair, Christopher Frame, shared his knowledge of space.  He shared what he had to consider when developing artifacts that were then sent to space and how they withheld the new environment.  Kim Ranson, the Colorado state legislative representative for Douglas County, also spoke to students about civic responsibility.  Her insights helped students analyze the characteristics of effective citizenship.  We thank both Mr. Frame and Ms. Ranson for sharing their knowledge with us.






Legend Art Fair
The Legend Feeder art show is running through May 8th at Legend High School.  We are excited that the following students are representing our school:

Lexi Glendenning
Briggs Metcalf
Madelyn Doherty
Dylan Stevens
Malia Adams
Zoie Zeece
Brody Brancato
Brady O'brien
Kai Edwards


We hope you are able to visit the show. Click here for additional information.

Student Council PJ & Read In
Student council is hosting a Read In next Friday, April 17th.  Students who would like to come in their pajamas can bring change in to do so.  All proceeds will benefit our new school garden.
Bullying Versus Normal Conflict
As we work towards promoting student wellness in all areas, we want to ensure that every student in Douglas County gains an understanding of bullying behavior versus normal conflict.  Bullying is defined as repeated, purposeful, serious emotional or physical actions that are done with little remorse or limited effort to problem solve.  Normal conflict is defined as accidental or occasional incidents that are met with remorse. We encourage you to support our efforts by discussing this month’s topic - “helping or hurting someone”- with your child.


Reminders
Lost & Found
Please have your child visit the lost and found.  We have several articles of clothing. 

Drop Off
Morning supervision does not begin until 8:55 AM.  Please refrain from dropping off your child until then.

Upcoming Events
·      Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17 – Book Fair
·      Tuesday, April 14 - PTO @ 6:30-7:30 PM
·      Thursday, April 16 – School Advisory Council @ 5-6 PM
·      Friday, April 17 – PJ & Read In Day

·      Friday, April 24 – No School

Click here for information about upcoming Parent University courses.