Welcome Lou Zankey! Lou was born March 10th at 2:43 am. He was 5 lbs 11 oz and 19 inches long. Mom and baby are doing well!

This Week

Monday

* Libby READ meeting

Tuesday

Wednesday

* 7:30 Staff meeting in the Gold Mine room
* CMAS testing

Thursday

* Jenny feeder meeting

* CMAS testing

Friday

* CMAS testing

Reminders

* We will have a staff meeting on Wednesday morning at 7:30 in the Gold Mine room. 

* Please run the garbage disposal before starting the dishwasher. This will prevent overflow. 

* Please remind your students to walk quietly in the hallways during testing. 

* Primary Teachers: Please check the Technology Extra Plan Time Schedule for your time this week! Intermediate Teachers: As a reminder, your times will be after the CMAS window.

CMAS TESTING GRADES 3-5

Please make sure all devices are charged each day.

After students log out of the test they MUST shut down their computer or chrome book. 

Please share the following information in classroom blogs: 

Students in grades 3-5 will begin their state testing when we return from spring break.  Students in the intermediate grade will be assessed in literacy and math using the state CMAS assessments, or the Colorado Measures of Academic Success.  Fifth graders will take an additional science assessment. The testing schedule is shown below.  Please refrain from scheduling outside appointments during all testing times.  We also recommend that students get plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast during the testing window.

March 28, 29 & 30 CMAS English Language Arts Assessment 

9:00-10:30 3rd Grade

10:15-12:00 5th Grade

1:30-3:00 4th Grade 

April 2, 3 & 4 CMAS Math

9:00-10:30 3rd Grade

10:45-12:15 5th Grade

April 9, 10 & 11 CMAS Math & Science

10:00-11:45 5th Grade - Science

1:30-3:00 4th Grade - Math 

Happy Birthday

Jeannette Shepherd - March 27th
Molly Trent - March 27th
Gail Golish - March 29th
Karen Petty - March 31st
Shelbi Westra - March 31st

Go For the Gold

• Thank you Gail Golish for a great book fair!
• Thank you for all of the time and preparation that went into conferences!
• Thank you Stacie Martino, Catherine Graham, and Jenn Poli for helping with interviews!

Golden Nuggets:

Morning announcements: Lautenbach

Lounge duty: Anderson/Graham

MARCH

This Week
Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday
* 3rd grade plan day
* Parent/teacher conferences
* 4:30 SAC meeting

Friday
Happy Spring Break!

Reminders
* All staff, please do not enter the parking lot through the exit lane. We have numerous parents complaining about this.

* Please take down your door decorations from Kindness week. They are a fire hazard. 

* Due to the Book Fair, we will not have Library classes this week.

* All testing must be done and entered into CITE 6 by May 1 at the latest. We will have a CITE 6 data entry help session on April 25 before school – only take the days after this if you feel comfortable entering data on your own.

* Two 5th grade students want to do something nice for our police officers. They came up with the idea of thanking them with 'Cards for Cops.' If you would like your students to participate, please have them make cards this week during Book Buddies or rolling start. The students will collect them on Friday.

Book Fair

Monday       3/12  7:30 am – 4:30pm

Tuesday      3/13  7:30am  – 6:30 pm

Wednesday  3/14  7:30 am – 4:30pm

Thursday     3/15  7:30am  – 6:30 pm

Friday         3/16 7:30 am – 2:00 pm

Online fair March 7-20 - link:     www.scholastic.com/bf/goldrushelementary1

Happy Birthday
Jessalyn Russell - March 14th
Robin Carmack - March 16th
Amy Jay - March 25th

Kindie Technology CoTeaching
Kindergartners researched African Animals using the app, Epic Books this week. They were so excited to independently access just right books and video clips to build schema about different African Animals. As students analyzed the digital resources they determined importance and recorded their new learning through pictures and words on chart paper and individual think sheets.

Go For the Gold
* CONGRATULATIONS Betsy Zankey on the birth of your beautiful baby boy! Pictures and more details to follow.
* Thank you teachers for a great, first night of conferences!
* Thank you Stephanie Braden, Stacie Martino, Stephanie Brown, and Jamie Marchese for helping with interviews!
* Thank you Cindy Bell for covering crosswalk and a class last week!

Golden Nuggets
Morning announcements: Rayens
Lounge duty: Roon/Wilson

MARCH

This Week

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

* No staff development

Thursday

* Parent/teacher conferences

* 4th grade plan day

Friday

* 4th grade Young Ameritowne

Reminders

* Please let us know if you would like Jenny or Libby to attend any of your upcoming parent/teacher conferences.

* Please make sure all READ plans have been shared with parents. 

* Sign up for DRA/F and P testing in the lounge.

1)  Because of CMAS testing, some of the dates need to be reserved for intermediate only or primary only.  Please pay attention to this as you sign up!!

2)  All testing must be done and entered into CITE 6 by May 1 at the latest.  We will have a CITE 6 data entry help session on April 25 before school - only take the days after this if you feel comfortable entering data on your own.

3)  As we usually do - if you prearrange a sub, send the info to Kristi so she can enter it.  If you choose to take any sub available, enter it yourself and use the code "Planning time".

4)  Subs are SO tight at this time of year.  Please know that if a sub doesn't fill for the day, you will have to be in your classroom as we have no other option!  Thanks for understanding. 

Book Fair

The book fair will be March 12th - 16th. Please sign up for a time for your class to preview the book fair. The sign up will be in the lounge on March 5th and the preview will be March 12th. Remember to send pictures of your pets to Linda at Lgen4@yahoo.com by Monday!

1st Grade Technology CoTeaching
First graders demonstrated their skills as mathematicians and coders this week. Using Dash, students were asked to demonstrate their understanding of measurement, skip counting by tens, and programming Dash. Students started by using Dash to discover how many tens are in a meter stick. From there we had two different tasks where students designed playgrounds for Dash and then programmed him to travel along a specific path.

Go For the Gold
* Thank you Karen Petty, Karen Warner, and Kerry Dazzio for the last night of performances!
* Thank you Megan Fleet for organizing and bringing in our Google Expedition. Students LOVED it!
* Thank you Kristi Barta for facilitating Google Expedition in the library!
* Thank you teachers for attending your students' performance!

Golden Nuggets
Morning Announcements: Dalcerri
Lounge Duty: Martino/Robart

FEBRUARY/MARCH

This Week

Monday

* 7:45 - 8:15 Google Expedition training for teachers 2-5

* Google day for grades 2-5
      See the link below for the schedule.
* Library Closed due to Google Expeditions

Tuesday

* 1st/2nd grade performances

           6:15-6:45         Roon/Steinher/Graham

           7:15-7:45         Robart/Meier

Wednesday

* No staff development

Thursday

* Jenny admin meeting

* 5th grade plan day

Friday

Reminders
* Please be on time to pick up your students after lunch recess.

* Teachers grades 3-5, we will have CMAS administration training during your plan day. Click here for the practice tests and other helpful links. Please let Libby know if you hear of any students opting out.

* Please remember to have your classroom door locked at all times. If you need a white stopper, please see Libby

* Please remember to send a picture and the name of your pets to Linda at lgen4@yahoo.com by March 5th.

Google Expedition AR
Our Google Expedition AR day is quickly approaching. On February 26th, students in grades 2-5 will have a 30 minute Google Expedition Augmented Reality experience that enhances classroom curriculum content. Please see the documents below for your scheduled time, location, and for a copy of the discussion questions and agreements we brainstormed during our last technology planning day. Any questions can be directed to Megan.
Schedule

Second Grade Technology CoTeaching
Forces and motions came to life for Second Graders this week. Using little legos, second graders built various types of catapults, cars, and gears that each showcased a different motion in response to the forces of pushes and pulls. Students captured the similarities and differences within still pictures and video clips that they will be able to refer back to and add their new scientific learning from their unit. 

Happy Birthday

Stephanie Brown - February 27th
Mary Beth Steinher - February 27th

Go For the Gold

* Thank you Karen Warner, Karen Petty, and Kerry Dazzio for great performances!

* Thank you Gail Golish for all of the time and effort you put into the 4th and 5th grade design thinking challenges!

* Thank you Fat Friday team for all of the delicious chocolate!
* Thank you 1st and 2nd grade teachers for attending your students' performances!
* Dear Soap Fairy, we don't know who you are, but you are amazing! Keep up the good work!

Golden Nuggets

Morning Announcements: Hawk

Lounge Duty: Padrnos/Zankey

February

This Week
Monday
No School

Tuesday

Wednesday
* SD: Team Planning

Thursday
* Kindie plan day
* 1st/2nd grade performances
   • 6:15-6:45 Martino/Anderson
   • 7:15-7:45 Wilson/Woolums

Friday
* Fat Friday - Chocolate Fever!

Reminders
* Teachers grades 3-5, if you have not done so yet, please email Libby the names of any students who you would like tested in a small group.

* You received information regarding the TELL survey in your mailbox.  This public survey provides information on Jenny's leadership. 

* Please send a picture and the name of your pet to Lgen4@yahoo.com by March 5th for our Book Fair match game.

Google Expedition AR
Our Google Expedition AR day is quickly approaching. On February 26th, students in grades 2nd-5th will have a 30 minute Google Expedition Augmented Reality experience that enhances classroom curriculum content. Please see the documents below for your scheduled time, location, and for a copy of the discussion questions and agreements we brainstormed during our last technology planning day. Any questions can be directed to Megan.
Schedule

Third Grade CoTeaching
Third graders collaborated to meet multiple Lego challenges this week. We investigated how we could collaborate creatively while completing specific tasks. For example they used 14 random legos to create a tree. Then they used those same 14 legos to create an animal with only their non dominant hands. Lastly, students were challenged to collaboratively create an object that would move without using any words! It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!  After groups identified key pillars in collaborating creatively with their partner, they tackled various Lego WeDo programming tasks. All student built and programmed a Science Rover with a motion and tilt sensor, and then they chose if they would like to build and program a race car or investigate force and motion by creating and programming a pulling creature.

Happy Birthday
* Becca McMillan - February 22nd
* Tammy Simpson - February 25th

Go For the Gold
* Thank you for an amazing PLC day! Our staff is wonderfilled!
* Thank you teachers for hosting great Valentine's Day parties!
* Thank you Karen Warner for hosting indoor recess!
* Thank you Kindie team for hosting Betsy's baby shower!

Golden Nuggets
Morning Announcements: Broecker
Lounge Duty: Rossi/Marchese

February 2018

This Week
Monday
* Sports Wear
* Lunch Love from the PTO - Chick Filet 

Tuesday
* Rainbow Wear

Wednesday
* Superhero Day - No Masks
* Valentines Parties
* No Staff Development
* Love Lunch Provided by Jenny, Kristi & Lbby - Mad Greens

Thursday
* GRE Spirit Wear
* 2nd Grade Plan Day

Friday
* PLC Day

Reminders
* We are looking forward to a meaningful and fun PLC day Friday! Click here for the agenda.  We will spend the afternoon celebrating our great work at an Escape Room at Outdoor Ed.  We have allowed for travel time and lunch will be provided at the site.
* Please update your blog for February.  You may want to include any Investigations videos that align to your current math unit.  These help parents tremendously!
* If you have not done so already, please complete the plans for next year survey.
* Please continue to track accommodations for CMAS. Click here for the building schedule.

* Please let Libby know if you have students who should test in a small group.

* Please try to avoid needing a sub on Fridays as they are hard to come by!

* You received information regarding the TELL survey in your mailbox.  This public survey provides information on Jenny's leadership.

* Legend's Wish Week is February 12th-15. This year the proceeds benefit a senior at Legend High School.  Click here for a video for more information on this student.  Students will bring change each day to participate.  Please send the information down to the office each day.

At the end of the week (Thursday, Feb. 15th), we will have our optional door decorating contest. Your class can decorate your door in a way that represents kindness. We will have judges walk around in the afternoon on the 15th and pick a winner for K-2, and a winner for 3-5. These will be announced, and the winning classrooms will receive a treat! 

Each teacher will have a class set of the Kindness Checklist to pass out to students on Monday, Feb. 12th. (These will be in your copy box in the workroom). Students will be challenged to complete as many of these acts as they can throughout the week. Please let Bev or Kylee know if you have any questions!

Book Fair Fun!

Scholastic has a fun idea for a book fair activity. We would like the name(s) of your pets and a photo. We will create a "match game" where students will try to match the staff member to their pet. We will use this on Tuesday and Thursday nights as one of the fun activities. Please send a picture of your pet and his/her name to Linda at Lgen4@yahoo.com by March 5th!

Budget Information
We are excited that our enrollment is remaining the same for next year and we are not having to reduce staff.  Our consistent enrollment is a testimony to your great work and collective comittment to our students and school! Go GRE!!

Here is some basic information regarding our budget and our sections for next year.  Jenny is more than willing to provide more detail about budgets and enrollment.  She will put a presentation in the parent blog next week that will be included in the Barker.  Feel free to see her prior if you have any questions.

* Average teacher costs include benefits (Darn!).

Google Expedition AR
Our Google Expedition AR day is quickly approaching. On February 26th, students in grades 2nd-5th will have a 30 minute Google Expedition Augmented Reality experience that enhances classroom curriculum content. Please see the documents below for your scheduled time, location, and for a copy of the discussion questions and agreements we brainstormed during our last technology planning day. Any questions can be directed to Megan.
Schedule

4th Grade Technology CoTeaching
This week 4th graders authentically collaborated and problem solved as they built and programmed Lego WeDo robots. Students did such an incredible job collaborating creatively, being open and courageous to explore new tasks, and redefining Lego builds and coding programs to better meet the identified challenge.

Happy Birthday
Naomi Meredith - February 14th
Kathy Brown - February 18th

Go For the Gold
* Thank you Leadership Team for a great meeting!
* Thank you Karen Warner for your efforts with Jump Rope For Heart! We are amazing that we raised just under $10,000!

Golden Nuggets
Morning Announcements: Lautenbach
Lounge Duty: Rayens/ S. Brown

February

This Week
Monday

Tuesday
* 7:30 Leadership Team meeting

Wednesday* Staff Development: Team Time

Thursday
* 2nd Grade Plan Day

Friday

Reminders

* Please continue to track accommodations for CMAS. Click here for the building schedule.

* Just a friendly reminder to update your blog for February.  You may want to include any Investigations videos that align to your current math unit,

* Please let Libby know if you have students who should test in a small group.

* Legend Titans Wish Week is February 12th-15. Click here for the spirit wear themes if students would like to participate.  Students will bring change each day to participate.

5th Grade Technology CoTeaching
Fifth graders analyzed and demonstrated their learning about renewable energy sources in multiple ways. They looked at digital articles, videos, and articles and analyzed how solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower energy sources were harnessed, captured, and converted. Students synthesized their learning about energy sources within a google slides presentation that they shared with their class. After having a greater understanding of each energy source, students individually had to apply their knowledge to complete a performance task. Students were asked to make a recommendation on where to move our company within the US and they had to include which renewable energy source could be used that is native to that area. Within the two samples below, you will find the description of the performance task students completed, their individual persuasive writing responses, and then animations that depict how their chosen renewable energy source works including the machinery needed to harness, capture, and convert. (MEANING...please scroll down to the bottom of their documents! They worked very hard on both the writing and their animations!)

Slides Samples: Group #1: Wind Energy & Group #2: Biomass Energy

Performance Task: Written Response & Animation Student Sample #1 & Student Sample #2

Go For the Gold
• Thank you teachers for your flexibility during Access testing.
• Thank you to all of our staff members who attended the Sock Hop!

A huge thank you to Lauren Meier who wrote a grant and received over $2,000 worth of books!

Golden Nuggets
Morning Announcements: Rayens
Lounge Duty: Hawk/Lautenbach