January Mid-Month Reminders

Good Afternoon Hillcrest Elementary Families and Friends!

 

I hope that this message finds you doing well - it looks like we have a couple of cold days ahead so just a couple of timely reminders as well as some updates as we look ahead to next month!

 

INCLEMENT WEATHER AND INDOOR RECESS

Recess is an important time for our students to participate in physical movement and take a break from the day.  That being said, we provide an indoor recess when the weather outside includes:

• Active precipitation (rain, snow, sleet)

• A temperature with the wind chill below 20 degrees 

• Or the playground conditions are poor (mud, standing water, etc)

Please make sure that students are well prepared for cold weather and have coats, gloves, hats and boots so that they are able to be warm and comfortable when outside on some of our colder days.  If your child is in need of warm clothing, please reach out directly to our family liaison, Lina Mendoza at 720-972-5380 for assistance.  

 

CMAS practice assessments for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders

As you may know, all students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade are required to take a standardized state test called “CMAS” that is given to students in April.  In the upcoming weeks, we will be giving all students in grades 3, 4 and 5, two practice tests; one in reading/writing and one in math.  The purpose of these practice tests is to give students practice with the digital tools within the online assessment and give us timely information about what students are able to do in relation to the assessment.  

 

LOOKING AHEAD - FAMILY TEACHER CONFERENCES

In February, we will be hosting our February Family Teacher Conferences on February 10th and 12th from 3:15-7:15.  Teachers will be sending out a “Sign up genius” form  on Friday, January 30th for you to sign up for a conference time where you will hear more about your child’s learning as well as strategies that we can all use to support increased learning throughout the rest of the year.  

 

Valentine’s Day

On Friday, February 13th, teachers will be hosting small classroom parties for Valentine’s Day..  The parties are intended for classroom communities only and will not include parents. Teachers value the time to spend with students in non academic ways and this allows them that time to build relationships with students. 

Teachers may send out a sign up for snacks to enjoy in the classroom and although we typically don’t allow “sweet treats” in the classroom for any other occasion (such as birthdays), we will be allowing them for holiday parties.   Please remember that no handmade items (cookies, cakes, etc) are allowed and cannot be brought to share with classrooms. 

 

Upcoming Dates:

• February 10 and 12, 3:15-7:15 - Family Teacher Conferences

• February 13 - Valentine’s Day parties in classrooms (see above)

• February 16 - No School, President’s Day

• February 17 - No School, Staff workday

 

As always, we are grateful for your continued support and partnership with us.  If you have any comments, questions, feedback or compliments, please feel free to reach out directly to me. 

 

Sincerely, 

Erika Fiorenza