Blevins Bulletin
December 8th , 2023
Hello Blevins Families,
I hope that you had a restful and joy-filled Winter Break! The time was certainly refreshing for us as a staff, but we were so excited to see our Bruin students return on Tuesday. It has been a fun week, getting back into the swing of things, and the students have hit the ground running into this second semester.
With this new semester, students have new electives and ELOs. I'm thrilled to share that all ELOs are now focused on Project-Based Learning. Many teachers have created new ELO courses that provide students with the opportunity to engage in PBL, such as Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Sewing, Rollercoaster Building, and Intro to Technical Theatre Production. While teachers of returning ELO courses are adding new layers to their classes that increase student ownership and hands-on learning in a PBL environment. This is a significant milestone in Blevins' journey as a Project-Based Learning school. I encourage you to ask your child how they are enjoying their ELO class.
I hope that the three-day weekend treats you well as we recognize Martin Luther King Day on Monday. I speak for the Blevins community when I say that we are continuously grateful for Dr. King's legacy and efforts in life that have made the pursuit for equality significant every day.
Proudly,
Joe Zappa, Blevins Principal
Important Dates
Monday, January 15th: NO SCHOOL/Martin Luther JR. Day
Tuesday, January 16th- 19th: Girls Basketball Tryouts 2:55-4:30 (See Information Below)
Wednesday, January 17th- PTO Dining Fundraiser @ Qdoba 4:00-8:00pm (See Flyer Below)
Friday, January 19th: 8th Grade Find Your Future College & Career Day @ CSU 9:00-2:00pm (See Information Below)
Tuesday, January 23rd: Parenting a Middle Schooler Presentation in the Blevins Library 6:00-8:00 (See Information Below)
Friday, January 26th: RMH Counselors at Blevins to talk to 8th Graders about High School Registration. (Students should be coming home with the 9th grade registration form with information on courses available to them next year)
(See 9th Grade Registration Information Below)
Monday, January 29th: 9th Grade Registration Q&A for parents and students @ RMHS 6:00-7:00
RMHS 9th Grade Registration Information
Friday, February 2nd: 8th graders will up for their high school courses in StudentVue. Students need to bring their completed registration form on this day. (See 9th Grade Registration Information Below)
Monday, February 5th- Friday, February 9th: National School Counselor Week
Tuesday, February 6th: Student Vision and Hearing Screening. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (See Information Below)
Tuesday, February 6th: PTO Meeting 5:30 in the Blevins Collaboration Café (Room 221)
Tuesday, February 6th: 7th & 8th Grade Band Performance @ RMHS 7:00-9:00
Wednesday, February 7th: High School Counselors at Blevins to meet with 8th graders and check high school course requests in StudentVue. (See 9th Grade Information Below)
Thursday, February 8th: Music Tours to Elementary Schools
Monday, February 12th-Friday, February 16th: Classified Staff Appreciation Week
Tuesday, February 12th: SAC Meeting 5:30 in the Staff Collaboration Room (221)
🏆Saturday, February 17th: Math Counts Competition
Monday, February 19th: NO SCHOOL (Office Closed)
Thursday, February 22nd: Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences (Watch for More Information)
Thursday, February 29th: Orchestra Concert 6:30pm, Choir Concert 7:30pm
CONGRTATULATIONS Spelling Bee Winner
Congratulations to 6th grader Eisley Wight who is our 2024 Blevins Spelling Bee champion. Eisley will go on to represent Blevins in the district spelling bee on Friday, January 19th. Runner up was 8th grader Zack Kuretz. Congratulations to all of our spelling bee finalists and good luck to Eisley as she goes on to represent Blevins.
CONGRATULATIONS December Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following students for being chosen as our December Students-of-the-Month. Students will get to enjoy a lunch with Mr. Zappa.
6th Grade Polar Den: Maya Coulson
6th Grade Panda Den: Bri Pighetti
7th Grade Kodiak Den: Kadee Cruz McGinnis
7th Grade Grizzly Den: Eliza Ryken
8th Grade UNC Bears Den: Darrell Bridges
8th Grade Bearcat Den: Emily Thorngren
Bruin Club Information for 2nd Semester
Even if your student does not need homework help, we encourage them to attend this drop-in program to meet other students, engage in fun activities, or to have a safe space to hang out after school. Please see the list of additional fun programs that are offered along with Homework Help.
Bruin Club Information Winter/Spring Session Dates: 1/9/24 – 4/18/24
*Please note, programs do not run on holidays, school out days, or when PSD has early dismissals or cancellations*
Daily Schedule Monday - Thursday 2:45pm-5:45pm Students meet and sign-in, Blevins Library
Student Check- In (Library 2:45)
Homework Help 2:45-3:15
Program of Choice 3:15-4:45 (See List of Daily Programs below)
Homework Help/Community Building (Library) 4:45-5:45
Daily Programs Offered 3:15-4:45 (Student Picks 1)
Monday
-E Sports with Mr. Sachtleben & Mr. Breeden
-Video Announcements with Ms. Richardson
-Team Sports/Games with Ms. Lipplegoes
-Improv with Aliza
Tuesday
-E Sports with Mr. Sachtleben and Mr. Breeden
-Video Announcements with Ms. Richardson
-Dungeons and Dragons with Mrs. Garcia
-No Place for Hate with Mrs. McCain & Mrs. Boschert
(Engaging students and staff in dialogue and active learning on the topics of bias, bullying, inclusion and allyship that matter most to our community.
-Cooking with Ms. Clarke
Wednesday
-E Sports with Mr. Sachtleben and Mr. Breeden
-Video Announcements with Ms. Richardson
-Art in Action with Ms. Lipplegoes
-Art with Ms. Tirrell
Thursday
-E Sports with Mr. Sachtleben and Mr. Breeden
-Chess Club with Mr. Schulz
-Photography with Jacobson
-GSA with Ms. Lee
Information: If your family will need transportation or you have questions about Bruin Club please contact:
Izzy Crume
email: icrume@psdschools.org cell: (970) 657-6612
Bruin Club # after 3:00pm- 970-488-4014 or 970-657-6612
FREE Breakfast and Lunch
Did you know that your student can have a free breakfast
and lunch each school day?
Studies have shown that students who are not hungry perform better in school. All students enrolled at Blevins may participate and receive one daily breakfast and lunch for free!
Breakfast:
7:30-7:45am
Lunch:
6th Grade: 11:00 – 11:30
7th Grade: 11:50 – 12:20
8th Grade: 12:45 – 1:15
Blevins PTO
Happy National Hot Tea Day from the Blevins PTO! This is Eric Bowman, your PTO President! With cool weather settling in, maybe guzzle a pint of hot tea today!
Next Wednesday, January 17th from 4-8pm, we have a dining night fundraiser at Qdoba, located at Drake and Shields. Please stop in, mention the information located in this Blevins newsletter, and 25% of your purchase goes directly back to Blevins. Go ahead and order extra chips and queso. You deserve it!
BELIEVE IN BLEVINS!
Eric Bowman,
303-885-9734
SRO Corner
Happy New Year from the SRO team! As we ring in the New Year, we want to discuss the important topic of mental health.
As School Resource Officers, we regularly collaborate with PSD’s Mental Health Professionals within our schools. We also team up with the Fort Collin Police Services Mental Health Response Team. Our goal is to be able to best support and serve our student and school community. SRO’s have received and complete ongoing training on mental health, particularly related to adolescents. As Police Officers, we can place individuals on mental health holds, if certain legal criteria are met. We have access to and utilize a variety of resources within the community.
It may or may not be easy to spot if an adolescent is struggling with their mental health. It is important to remember what your child’s baseline and “normal” looks like for them. Some signs your child might be having mental health difficulties could include:
- Overt mood swings, irritability, anger, or tearfulness.
- Notable changes in sleep, weight, or eating habits.
- Withdrawing more than usual from friends, family, and community.
- Loss of interest in the things they usually love or suddenly quitting activities they enjoy.
- Signs of drug, substance, or alcohol use.
- Signs of self-harm such as cuts, burns or bruises that your child hides or cannot explain credibly.
- Increase in or suddenly partaking in high-risk behavior.
- Recent decline academically.
As always, please reach out to an SRO or Mental Health Professional with questions. We are always here to help!
IMPORTANT RESOURCES:
· 911 (In case of emergency)
· 970-221-6540 (FCPS Non-Emergency Phone Number)
· 988 (National Crisis Line- Call or Text)
· 970-676-6955 (Imagine by Northpoint- for adolescents aged 13-17)
· 844-493-TALK or text “TALK” to 38255 (Colorado Crisis Services- Statewide)
· 970-494-4200 (SummitStone Crisis Services Acute Care Facility- available 24/7)
9th Grade Registration Information
The time for 9th grade registration has begun! No matter the high school your 8th grader will be attending, we will be working at Blevins to best support students in the big transition ahead. We wanted to make sure we communicated our plan, as well as provide resources for the registration process at each high school. Please see our 9th grade registration information page on the Blevins counseling website for important upcoming dates and additional information.
Attention 8th Grade Families!
Our Blevins 8th graders will attend the PSD Find Your Future College & Career Day at CSU on Friday, January 19th! Field trip permission forms were sent home with your student on Friday, December 8th. Please get these back to the school as soon as possible. We are looking for parent volunteers to help chaperone that day. Please reach out to Erin McCain at emccain@psdschools.org if you are interested!
Blevins PTO Dining Fundraiser January 17th @ Qdoba
Invitation to Parenting a Middle Schooler Presentation
Wrestling 2023-2024 Season Information
This is a non-cut sport available to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.
Students will need their silver card prior to the first official day of practice 1/16/24. When the season begins, practice will be from 3:00pm-4:30pm on school days.
Emails have been sent to all parents of students who expressed interest in wrestling. If your student is interested, but you have not received an email regarding wrestling, please reach out to Nicole West, nicolew@psdschools.org.
Coaches Contact Info
Ben Rees brees@psdschools.org
Silver Cards are required to participate in all sports. To obtain a Silver Card, students will need to complete the following 3 steps:
- Students must have a hard copy of the Physicians Certification form on file in the Front Office.
- Students must have paid the athletic fee. Payment can be made through Schoolpay at https://psdschools.schoolpay.com or cash and check payments can be made in the Front Office. If it is a cut sport then you would pay to tryout then be refunded if your student doesn't make the team.
- Students must have completed the online registration at https://www.psdathletics.org/msreg or complete and return registration packet to the Front Office.
Want to see the most up to date athletic schedules, click below:
https://www.psdathletics.org/page/show/3194418-middle-school-athletic-schedules
Girls Basketball 2023-2024 Season Information
Tryouts: 1/16/24-1/19/24 2:55pm-4:30pm in Gym 201; There will be a total of 32 athletes assigned to the 4 teams (16 V/JV, 16 C1/C2)
**Please pick up promptly at 4:30pm
**Remember to bring basketball shoes, athletic clothing, and a water bottle.
**Cuts will take place on 1/19/24.
** There will be a scrimmage on 1/24/24. Parents may attend. Students may NOT attend.
Varsity/JV Coach-Trey Cormia
C1/C2 Coach-Ken Hartley
Silver Cards are required to participate in all sports. To obtain a Silver Card, students will need to complete the following 3 steps:
- Students must have a hard copy of the Physicians Certification form on file in the Front Office.
- Students must have paid the athletic fee. Payment can be made through Schoolpay at https://psdschools.schoolpay.com or cash and check payments can be made in the Front Office. If it is a cut sport then you would pay to tryout then be refunded if your student doesn't make the team.
- Students must have completed the online registration at https://www.psdathletics.org/msreg or complete and return registration packet to the Front Office.
Want to see the most up to date athletic schedules, click below:
https://www.psdathletics.org/page/show/3194418-middle-school-athletic-schedules
Girls Basketball Game Dates
GO BRUINS
1/24 Varsity/JV Scrimmage @ Lesher 3:30 (No Officials, No Scoring) (Parents??)
1/24 C1 & C2 Scrimmage vs. Lesher @ Blevins 3:30 (No Officials, No Scoring)
1/29 Varsity/JV @ Webber 3:30
1/29 C1 & C2 vs. Webber @ Blevins 3:30
1/31 Varsity/JV vs. Lincoln @ Blevins 3:30
1/31 C1 & C2 @ Lincoln 3:30
2/5 Varsity/JV vs. Lesher @ Blevins 3:30
2/5 C1 & C2 @ Lesher 3:30
2/7 Varsity/JV @ Preston 3:30
2/7 C1 & C2 vs. Preston @ Blevins 3:30
2/12 Varsity/JV vs. Kinard @ Blevins 3:30
2/12 C1 & C2 @ Kinard 3:30
2/14 Varsity/JV @ Wellington 4:15
2/14 C1 & C2 vs. Wellington @ Blevins 3:30
2/21 Varsity/JV vs. Boltz @ Blevins 3:30
2/21 C1 & C2 @ Boltz 3:30
2/26 Varsity/JV @ CLP 3:30
2/26 C1 & C2 vs. CLP @ Blevins 3:30
2/28 Varsity/JV vs. Timnath @ Blevins 3:30
2/28 C1 & C2 @ Timnath 4:15
3/4 Varsity/JV First Round District Championship Bracket (TBD)
3/6 Varsity/JV Second Round District Championship Bracket (TBD)
Wrestling Meet Dates
GO BRUINS
1/26 Blevins @ CLP 3:30
1/30 Blevins @ Webber 3:30
2/3 Wellington Invitational @ Wellington 8:00am
2/6 Blevins vs. Lesher @ Blevins 3:30
2/13 Blevins @ Lincoln 3:30
2/20 Blevins vs. Timnath @ Blevins 3:30
2/24 Timnath Invitational @ Timnath 8:00am
2/27 Blevins vs. Preston @ Blevins 3:30
3/2 District Championships @ FCHS 8:00am
Vision and Hearing Screening
Bruin Gear
Sports Clinic Opportunities
Little Lobos Dance Clinic
Girls Lacrosse Clinic
Blevins Yearbook
“Students are back at school making new memories with their friends! Be sure to order the one book that captures the activities, spirit, and unique qualities of your child’s school. Visit www.jostensyearbooks.com to order the 2024 Yearbook now so your student does not miss out!
¡Los estudiantes están de regreso en la escuela creando nuevos recuerdos con sus amigos! Asegúrese de pedir el libro que capture las actividades, el espíritu y las cualidades únicas de la escuela de su hijo. ¡Visite www.jostensyearbooks.com para pedir el Anuario 2024 ahora para que su estudiante no se lo pierda!”
Support Blevins
Thank You Blevins Sponsor
Thank you to Ed Carroll Motor Company for Sponsoring our Lego Robotics Team.
We appreciate your support!
Who To Contact
Joe Zappa, Principal
970-488-4004
Dusti Sanger, Assistant Principal
970-488-4002
Scott Schreiner, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
970-488-4036
Michele Trujillo, Office Manager
970-488-4004
Anna Burris, 7th Grade Counselor & 6th Grade Panda Den Counselor
970-488-4091
Meg Stump, 8th Grade Counselor & 6th Grade Polar Den Counselor
970-488-4010
Erin McCain, Academic Dean* & School Counselor
*Guidance for academic supports for Blevins students
970-488-4009
2023-2024 Calendars
Information from PSD
Due to the frigid temperatures expected on Monday, community organizers have made the decision to cancel the march portion of our celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We will still come together as a community at the Lincoln Center to hear speeches and see performances.
The new schedule is as follows (everything will take place at the Lincoln Center, 417 West Magnolia Street):
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Day of Service (for those who signed up)
- 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Continental Breakfast and Community Mingling
- 12:30 PM – approximately 2:30 PM: Celebration Program
All updates will also be posted on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration website by the end of business Friday.
Curriculum Engagement Night Invitation
Affordable Health Care
CANCELED DATES FOR PACK PANTRY (See Flyer Below)
Gary Bamford Pack Pantry is a community resource for anyone in Northern Colorado in need of: Clothing, Food or Toiletries