STEAM LAB SUCCESS

Fifth grade students used robotics to answer the following essential questions:

Pulling: What makes objects move?

Speed: How can a car move faster?

Robust Structures: What other factors make structures earthquake resistant?

Metamorphasis: How do frogs morph?

In collaborative groups students chose one of the questions to examine that was most interesting to them.  Students then created robots to test their initial thinking.  As students continued to work, they made improvements to their robots and tracked how their improvements impacted their results. Students' critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration was remarkable!  All students will have the opportunity to create and explore in the S.T.E.A.M. lab this spring.

CRITICAL THINKING IN LITERACY

Gold Rush believes in fostering growth by challenging critical thinkers.  We know that it is essential for students to think deeply in all content areas.  National reading expert, Stephanie Harvey, affirms that the goal of reading is to comprehend.  She states that we create knowledge by thinking strategically about the information we read (Harvey, 2017).  Gold Rush teachers are committed to explicitly teaching the following reading strategies and creating classroom cultures of thinking. 

Monitoring Comprehension

Activating Prior Knowledge & Making Connection

Asking Questions

Inferring

Synthesizing & Summarizing

Students in all grade levels are using these strategies to better understand the text.  Kindergarten and first grade students identified what they thought they knew about a topic prior to reading and reflected on how their thinking changed after they read.  Second grade students focused on making connections to what they read to better understand characters, problems and concepts presented in the text.

HALLOWEEN PARTY & PARADE ROUTE

Halloween is right around the corner and students are already asking how we will celebrate at Gold Rush.  Halloween breakfast parties will be held on Monday, October 31, from 8:40-9:30 AM.  It is recommended that party treats be balanced with both nutritious options and sweets.  Our school parade will follow at 9:30-9:45 AM.  The parade route is included below.  Students who do not wish to participate in Halloween activities can rejoin the class at 9:45 AM.  We will resume with a normal school day schedule at that time.

We encourage students to be creative with their costumes, but safety remains our number one priority.  Please adhere to the following guidelines when selecting a costume:

* Students should come dressed in their costume and bring a change of clothing.

* Costumes can not be demeaning, offensive or promiscuous.

* Face paint, face masks and weapons are not permitted.

COLLABORATIVE CUP STACKING
Students worked together in Physical Education to creatively cup stack.  Students were challenged to move buckets across the gym and stack them without using their hands.  Students were creative and used their feet and ropes to accomplish this task.  We are proud of their out of the box thinking and team work.

Click here to RSVP

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2018-2019
The Open Enrollment window will be open from November 1st - December 1st. Families that wish to attend, but do not live within the Gold Rush boundaries must apply for Open Enrollment. Click here to apply for Open Enrollment. For more information visit the District School Choice page.

2018-2019 ENROLLMENT CONFIRMATION

It's hard to believe, but we will be starting the planning process for next school year soon.  In order to assist us in this planning, complete the enrollment confirmation survey for your child(ren) by Friday, November 17th.  Please click here for the enrollment survey.  This will help ensure your child's classroom placement for the next year.

UPCOMING EVENTS
* October 31: Halloween Parade @ 9:30-9:45AM
* November 7: No School - Teacher Work Day
* November 15: Celebrations of Learning/Thanksgiving Feast (Grade Level Schedule to Come)
* November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break

ELECTRONIC THURSDAY FOLDER

PEACEFUL SCHOOLS
Legend High School students, members of the Parker Rotary and our first graders participated in a Peaceful Schools program that focuses on character education.  Our older students and Rotarians read students books, such as One and Hey Little Ant, and engaged students in discussions and activities.  Topics that will be addressed over the next month include caring, showing compassion and cooperation, expressing feelings, celebrating diversity and resolving conflict.  This was an experience that benefited all participants.  We look forward to continuing this program in the coming weeks!

HALLOWEEN

Halloween is right around the corner and students are already asking how we will celebrate at Gold Rush.  Halloween breakfast parties will be held on Monday, October 31, from 8:40-9:30 AM.  It is recommended that party treats be balanced with both nutritious options and sweets.  Our school parade will follow at 9:30-9:45 AM.  The parade route is included below.  Students who do not wish to participate in Halloween activities can rejoin the class at 9:45 AM.  We will resume with a normal school day schedule at that time.

We encourage students to be creative with their costumes, but safety remains our number one priority.  Please adhere to the following guidelines when selecting a costume:

* Students should come dressed in their costume and bring a change of clothing.

* Costumes can not be demeaning, offensive or promiscuous.

* Face paint, face masks and weapons are not permitted.

OUR FABULOUS FRONT OFFICE
You may see new faces in the front office.  When Ms. Panico retired prior to fall break Mrs. Schwalick joined our team as the health and office assistant.  Mrs. Dismang is now serving as the school's registrar and Mrs. Rudman is our administrative assistant.  They all look forward to continuing to serve our school community.

LOCKDOWN PRACTICE
We had the opportunity to review our lockdown procedures and practice this drill with the District security team Friday.  After completing the drill, students continued discussions in their classrooms. Students were assured that schools are safe places.  Teachers also reminded students that they should go to the closest room if they are not in their classrooms.  In addition, they discussed remaining in a locked stall with their feet up if they were in the bathroom. 

The National Association of School Psychologists provides some tips for talking with children.  They provide seven suggestions shown below.   Click here for the full article.

1. Assure Children They Are Safe
2. Make Time to Talk 
3. Make Explanations Developmentally Appropriate
4. Review Safety Procedures
5. Observe Children's Emotional State
6. Limit Television Viewing
7. Maintain a Normal Routine

2018-2019 ENROLLMENT CONFIRMATION

It's hard to believe, but we will be starting the planning process for next school year soon.  In order to assist us in this planning, complete the enrollment confirmation survey for your child(ren) by Friday, November 17th.  Please click here for the enrollment survey.  This will help ensure your child's classroom placement for the next year.

UPCOMING EVENTS
* October 31: Halloween Parade @ 9:30-9:45
* November 7: No School - Teacher Work Day
* November 15: Celebrations of Learning/Thanksgiving Feast (Grade Level Schedule to Come)
* November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break

ELECTRONIC THURSDAY FOLDER

CELEBRATING THE DIGGER DASH

We were all proud of students' efforts during the Digger Dash!  We enjoyed running for additional robots for our school's STEAM lab.  On Friday the fastest students at each grade level transformed the Principal and Assistant Principal into ice cream sundaes.  We thank the PTO and our parent volunteers for making this event possible! 

COLLABORATING ON DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Gold Rush administration collaborated with the Parker Police Department, the Town of Parker Traffic Engineer and District Planning and Security personnel on existing dismissal procedures.  While the police were comfortable with our current arrival procedures, we brainstormed several different options for dismissal.  This team reviewed different plans for rerouting traffic during pick up only.  Proposals will be revisited with this planning team and our School Advisory Council when we return from fall break.  

FIRST GRADERS PROMOTE CITIZENSHIP

First grade students are learning about the rights and roles of responsible citizens.  They wanted to share their learning with others and remind students what responsible citizens look like throughout our school.  Students created signs that show what it looks like to Go for the G.O.L.D. in different locations in our building. Their posters include a QR code that explains their thinking.  Check out a few student samples below.

CRAZY HAIR FOR HARVEY

When fifth graders heard about the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey they were driven to act. They organized a crazy hair day to raise money for those affected.  Students and staff enjoyed showing their spirit and supporting a good cause.  Check out some of the crazy hair that showed up on Friday!

GRE ROCKS!

All students and staff decorated rocks for our school garden as a way to show our school pride.  The rocks demonstrate students' creativity and passions.  Click here to see a few samples.

NEW FROM TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is using a new Lets Talk app to respond to questions and comments from the school community.  If you have questions regarding bus routes, Z passes etc. consider reaching out using this tool.  The app can be found on the District website under the transportation page.

Click here for the Dialogue form

Transportation is also promoting the Z Pass + program that allows you to track your child's route. You will receive an immediate text message or email when your child swipes in and out once you register for Z Pass +.  There is no cost to this program.  Click here for more information.

THANK YOU!
A special thank you to our PTO and parent volunteers for our wonderful conference meals.  They were greatly appreciated!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* October 9-13: No School - Fall Break
* October 16: School Resumes
* October 20: School Lockdown Drill Practice with the District @ 1:15
* October 19: SAC Meeting @ 4:30-5:30 in the Gold Mine Room
* November 7: No School - Teacher Work Day

ELECTRONIC THURSDAY FOLDER