Posted October 16, 2024
Happy Fall Break Columbine Community,
After our final night of conferences, I want to express so much gratitude to our teachers. They plan for conferences with a great deal of intentionality, thoughtfulness, and focus. Conferences are long days and late nights for our teachers but they always walk away with so much love and gratitude for the time and space to connect with you all as families. I hope you were able to learn more about your child’s school experience, ask questions, and gain an understanding of their learning journey for the year. You may have walked away with even more curiosity about our curriculum, instructional approaches, and program models. Great news! We have our 24-25 Academic Night coming up at the end of this month!
On Wednesday, October 30th from 5:30-7:00 pm we will host a Columbine Academic Night. The design of this night is a multi-session, differentiated option approach so families can select content that is most meaningful for them. We will have sessions focusing on Foundational Early Literacy Skills, EL Literacy, Math, English Language Development, iReady Assessment/Instruction, Gifted and Talented, and Special Education. Our goal is for families to gain a better understanding of the curriculum and instructional approaches we use for learning as well as learn what they can do at home to continue learning and support their children outside of school. We hope you will join us! Childcare and dinner will be provided.
Well done to all who participated in our Walk/Roll to School Day! We had SO many walkers and rollers that we decided to pull 8 students for lunch with the principal raffle!
Coffee with Corey☕ – Thank you to all who attended Coffee with Corey on Monday. We had a great discussion that mostly focused on the regional engagement sessions on the School Consolidation process. To learn more about what is happening in these conversations, please see this information or attend an upcoming regional engagement session. We also discussed my maternity leave which will begin after Thanksgiving Break. The process for principals on maternity leave is the district will place a full-time interim principal while I am out. These interim principals are usually retired principals that are willing to stay engaged to support schools with temporary leaves. Our District support team is hopeful to have an interim identified by the end of October so that we have some time to overlap before I go on leave.
☕Our next Coffee with Corey will be on Tuesday, October 22nd. Following that, Friday, November 8th, Thursday, November 21st. ☕
Finally, Monday, October 14th is Indigenous People’s Day. ‘ Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. The day is centered around reflecting on their tribal roots and the tragic stories that hurt but strengthened their communities.’ Get involved in the history and experiences of Native American people right here in Denver.
I hope you all enjoy a wonderful and safe fall break! We will welcome you and all our students back on Tuesday, October 15th! Additionally, please stop in the front lobby on Wednesday after drop off for our first 🍩‘Donuts at Drop-Off’🍩 of the year. This is a time for families to connect, meet new community members, and enjoy a sweet morning treat.
In Crew,
Corey Jenks
Principal
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
As October is National Bullying Prevention Month, I wanted to share some important information and resources regarding bullying awareness and prevention. National Bullying Prevention Month takes place each year in October to bring global awareness to the issue. October 7, 2024, was the 18th annual World Day of Bullying Prevention. Organizations like Stomp Out Bullying sponsor special events on this day to help spread the word. October 16, 2024, is Unity Day, a time to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Please utilize these resources to increase your awareness, and begin bullying prevention efforts. Thanks to our community resources team for these resources.
Additionally here are DPS resources and information on Bullying prevention from their campaign #Belonging2Blooming
📚Our Library is OPEN!! 📚
Our first (short) week of library was a success! Many of our crews visited the library this week and learned how to checkout books. Thank you so so much to our library volunteers. Truly, this is such a wonderful support for our students and teachers to experience.
Columbine CSC
Meeting Minutes 9/30 – Spanish
Our next meeting will be on October 23rd at 5:00 followed by PTA at 6:30
🍂Fall Festival – October 19th!🍂
Get excited and mark your calendars for our annual Fall Festival on October 19th. This is SUCH a fun and special event at Columbine. Our teachers will have booths set up for kids to come and play games, win prizes, take pictures, and have FUN! Food will be provided and tickets will be up for purchase. Please see PTA newsletter for more information!
We’re excited to share some amazing EL experiences happening at Columbine!
Community Call Out for Upcoming Modules
We need your help! If you have a resource, connection, or contact for any of our upcoming modules, please reach out to the EL Committee. Specifically, we’re looking for:
Your support can help bring these exciting topics to life for our students! Please email columbinecougarspta@gmail.com if you have ideas.
Upcoming Events
| October 14th: Conference Comp Day – NO SCHOOL for studentsOctober 16th: Donuts at Drop OffOctober 19th: Fall Festival 11-2October 22nd: ☕Coffee with Corey @ 8:00amOctober 23rd: Kindergarten Celebration of Learning 9:00amOctober 23rd: CSC @ 5:00 and PTA @ 6:30 – PTA Dine Out at Chipotle October 25th: Student of the Month Assembly (2nd-5th 8:15-8:45)(ECE-1st 2:45-3:15)October 30th: 1st Grade Celebration of Learning 2:45-3:30 pmOctober 30th: Columbine Academic Night 5:30-7:00 pmOctober 31st: Halloween Parade November 6th: 5th Grade Celebration of Learning 1:30-2:30November 8th: 4th Grade Celebration of Learning @ Whittier Cafe 9:30 am |
| Community Resource Team If you are looking for resources, book recommendations, and entry points into the essential learning about race, gentrification, cultural competency, and racial history in our country, the CR team has compiled a recommended book list. Book List Here The CR Team will host another Plant Exchange & plant raffle on the 4th of October! More details to come via Bloomz. |
Columbine Cougars PTA Update
Please see the Columbine Cougars PTA Newsletter here!
Looking to stay in touch? Follow some of our Columbine Elementary social media accounts. columbine_cougars dadsofcolumbine columbinecougarspta |