Gold Rush Elementary
2020-2021 School Year
WELCOMING ALL STUDENTS BACK
Second graders have been recording their “attitude for gratitude.” As I listened to students read their work I shared that I too am grateful for my family, friends and pets. I also shared how appreciative I am to have them all back at school five days a week! Seeing classrooms full each day has been a tremendous gift.  

Students' genuine excitement for meeting new students and being back is contagious. Morning meetings have been dedicated to building a larger classroom community. For example, third graders shown above interviewed those from the opposite cohort and celebrated their similarities and differences. Students also had a natural inclination to continue safety procedures and classroom routines learned in the hybrid model. Students didn’t skip a beat as they settled back into reading, writing and math workshops and wore their masks, washed their hands and socially distanced.

Gold Rush students’ agility continues to astound me. They returned to full in-person learning willing to keep our community healthy and ready to learn. I could not ask for a better student body! 
HALLOWEEN FESTIVITIES
We are excited to celebrate Halloween in a safe way next week! Students are welcome to start their day in their costumes. They will enjoy a class game and craft with their teacher. Students are also welcome to bring their own snack.

While parents are unable to enter the building for class celebrations, families are able to attend our outdoor parade (weather permitting). We will stagger our parade times and lengthen our route to ensure visitors are able to socially distance. Please see grade level parade times below:

8:45-9:00 Grades K & 1
9:15-9:30 Grades 2 & 3
9:45-10:00 Grades 4 & 5

Parents are welcome to watch anywhere along the route. We ask that all visitors wear a mask at all times while on school grounds (parking lots and sidewalks included). We also ask that families spread out along the route.

We encourage students to be creative with their costumes, but safety remains our number one priority. Please make sure that students have a costume that fits over their clothing. Students will be asked to change out of their costumes independently at 10:30 AM when our regular school day resumes. Please note that face paint, costume masks and weapons are not permitted and students will need to wear a mask.

We are looking forward to the festivities!
PREFERENCE FOR SECOND SEMESTER
Families who wish to change their child’s learning preference (i.e. switching from Hybrid/In-Person to eLearning or vice versa) for second semester can do so between Friday, October 23 and Sunday, November 11 in the EngagED Portal. Changes to learning preferences will become effective in January 2021 and continue through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

The deadline to make changes is Sunday, November 1, at 11:59 p.m. If you wish to continue with your child’s current learning preference, you do not need to complete the Learning Preference Update process for the second semester.

How to Update Learning Preferences:
  • Go to the EngagED Portal and select Learning Preference Update
  • Select the Hybrid Learning/In-Person Learning Preference or 100% eLearning Preference for Your Student(s) for second semester (changes will be effective January 2021 through the end of the 2020-2021 school year).
SAFETY PRACTICES
Click here to read about classroom/school safety practices that we will continue to implement. 

The District is continuing to ask students to wear masks with the exception of lunch and recess. We will also continue to require parents and visitors to wear masks at all times when they are on school grounds (sidewalks and the parking lot included).
EFFICIENCY DURING ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
This year we revised our arrival and dismissal procedures to ensure social distancing. We ask that K-2 parents who walk up to drop off and/or pick up their child to meet them at their teachers' designated area on the blacktop rather than the main entrance of the school. Please see teachers' cones for their exact location.
Thank you for helping make our car loop lines as efficient and safe as possible by doing the following:
 
Please:
  • Display your family’s name car tag on your mirror

  • Have your child’s materials ready
  • Backpack, Lunch, Water Bottle, Coat & Mask 

  • Have your child exit the car independently at 8:20 AM
  • Pull all the way forward
  • Remain in your car at all times
  • Do not pull around other cars
 
As always, your cooperation and patience is appreciated!
CALENDAR
Click here for the 2020-2021 District Calendar
Click here for the 2021-2022 District Calendar

October 29: Legend High School's Trunk or Treat

October 30: Outdoor Halloween Parade (weather permitting)
  • 8:45-9:00 Grades K & 1
  • 9:15-9:30 Grades 2 & 3
  • 9:45-10:00 Grades 4 & 5

November 3: No School - Furlough Day

November 4 & 5: Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences
Gold Rush Elementary | 12021 S. Swift Fox Way Parker CO 80134
Main Line 303-387-7700 | Fax 303-387-7701 | https://gre.dcsdk12.org/