Eagle Crest Family Newsletter

Hello Eagle Crest Families!

Welcome to a wonderful new school year at Eagle Crest! For those who I might not have had the pleasure of meeting yet, I'm Amanda Holden, your principal here at Eagle Crest 🌟🦅. I'm entering my third year in this role, and I'm humbled to say that this marks my 20th year as a public educator. When I'm not at the helm of the school, I'm enjoying the lovely Longmont community with my husband and our two amazing children – Brady, who is nine and all about soccer ⚽, and Alexandra, who's four and keeps us on our toes 👧. Our family thrives on outdoor activities, and Colorado's beauty certainly makes that easy. Whether it's hitting the soccer field in fall, or hiking 🥾, biking 🚴‍♀️, and skiing 🎿 throughout the year, we love every moment outdoors.

Before we dive deeper into the school year, I want to extend my genuine congratulations to all the parents 👏. The summer-to-school transition can be quite the journey, and your support in preparing our students for another year of learning and growth is invaluable. As we step into the new academic year, let's keep our school motto in mind: "We are leaders, we help build a better world." 🌎🌱

Together, we'll continue to foster a culture of leadership that empowers our students to be the best versions of themselves. Thank you for entrusting us with your children's education and for being such an integral part of the Eagle Crest family. Here's to a year filled with discovery, progress, and the pursuit of excellence. 🎉✨

Warmly,

Amanda

P.S. Today, we sent home our new 2023-2024 school shirts! Both students and staff will be wearing their shirts tomorrow for a great first Spirit Day. Also, this year’s shirts are white because the GRAND PRIZE for Laps for Leadership this year will be tie-dye! We can’t wait to see the fantastic colorful shirts later this fall!

Amanda Holden

Principal

Eagle Crest Elementary School

holden_amanda@svvsd.org

Hello Eagle Crest Families!

Your Infinite Campus Parent Portal is an important tool to keep your family connected throughout the school year. This platform allows you to manage your student and family contact information, as well as access student report cards each trimester, pay annual fees, and digitally sign annual permissions.

📌Here are the most important IC Parent Portal Tasks for the Beginning of the School Year:

1. Student Code of Conduct: Every year, St. Vrain Valley Schools prints an up-to-date version of the Code of Conduct for students and families to review. This important document guides students and school staff regarding what expectations for school conduct and the consequences for behaviors that fall outside of those expectations. It is important that families review this information every year and acknowledge their receipt and understanding of this document. Here is an electronic version of the Student Code of Conduct and instructions on how to submit your acknowledgement in the IC Parent Portal.

2. iPad Insurance: Our iPads are incredible tools for learning, but accidents happen. We encourage all families to opt-in to iPad insurance each year to avoid costly fees later. Replacement for a lost or damaged iPad can be upwards of $525. IPad Insurance is just $25 and even less for families who qualify for reduced fees. You can even opt-in with $1 cash payment to the Main Office and pay the rest throughout the year.

3. Materials Fee: Our school supply list includes a $10 Materials Fee for each student that can also be paid in your IC Parent Portal. This fee allows us to purchase specialized materials for projects or help finance exciting activities throughout the year.

Here are further instructions for submitting your Student Code of Conduct acknowledgement, and how to pay fees in your IC Parent Portal.

Accessing Your IC Parent Portal:
⛬ Visit: https://ic.svvsd.org/campus/portal/parents/stvrain.jsp
🔑 Forgot Your Password? No worries! Use the "Forgot My Password" button or contact the friendly faces at our front office for assistance.
📞 Need Help with Your Username? Reach out to us, and we'll gladly assist you in finding it.

Your time and commitment to completing these tasks at the start of the year mean a great deal to us. If you need any guidance or support, please don't hesitate to reach out.

All the best,

Lindsey Cheney

Dean of Students

Eagle Crest Elementary School

cheney_lindsey@svvsd.org

August 18th - 1st Day of Kindergarten

August 18th - PTO First Friday Celebration with Popcorn (free) & Kona Ice Truck (for purchase), 3:10pm

August 21st - 1st Day of Preschool

September 4th - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

September 6th - Late Start Wednesday, 11:05 am Arrival

September 8th - Silver Creek Homecoming Parade, 2:30pm

September 8th - Welcome Back to School Picnic, 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Dear Eagle Crest Families,

At Monday’s Meet the Teacher Night, we were thrilled that so many families joined the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) meeting and stopped by our table! If you were not able to attend, we welcome you to sign up for our newsletter to learn more about what the PTO does and stay up-to-date on our fun family events!

FIRST FRIDAY PARTY IN THE BUS LOOP

Join us for our first community event of the year tomorrow, August 18. Our First Friday celebration will include FREE popcorn for all students and a photo opp with our rainbow arch and welcome back sign! Additionally, families can purchase Kona Ice, and a portion of proceeds come back to us! If you have an hour to spare on Friday, August 18, please sign up to help set up and fill small popcorn bags from 2-3 PM.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PICNIC

Please save the date for our annual back-to-school picnic on Friday, September 8 at 5 PM. Bring a blanket, food, and your family! While children get some energy out by climbing the playground and running in the field, parents can enjoy music and (re)connect with other families. PTO will coordinate orders from Papa John’s for families choosing cheese or pepperoni pizza. Please use this link to order your large pizza(s) for $14 each. The last day to order is Friday, September 1 by noon. Additionally, we hope to have a food truck or two at the picnic; expect more information in next week’s family newsletter.

CLASSROOM NEWS & GRADE LEVEL DIRECTORIES!

Many of you have asked for an easier way to share contact information with other families, and we are pleased to bring you the chance to opt in to a directory this year! Families can use these directories to plan playdates, send out birthday invitations, and connect with other parents. Sign up to receive class news and to be included in the directory.

ROOM PARENTS NEEDED!

Another exciting addition this year is that Eagle Crest Elementary School and the PTO are restarting the room parent program! Room parents will build connections and community, coordinate teacher requests for volunteers and supplies, and update parents on class and school-wide events. If you might be interested in serving as a room parent, please complete this short form.

To learn more about other volunteer opportunities, please visit our website. We need and appreciate parents who are able to volunteer once a year or once a week!

Sincerely,

Katie Lancaster, PTO President

We just wanted to touch base with a quick reminder about our furry friends. 🐶🐱 We absolutely adore our four-legged pals, but for the safety and well-being of everyone, we kindly request that we keep our building and playground pet-free zones during school hours. 🏫🌳

Please help us out by not bringing any animals onto the school premises during the day, we really appreciate your help. We totally get that drop-offs and pick-ups can be busy times, but let's aim to leave the pet parade for another time, shall we? 🐾

Of course, there's always an exception to the rule, and that's our incredible service animals like seeing-eye dogs and police dogs. They're the real superheroes, and they're always welcome to join us.

Thanks a million for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. Let's work together to keep our school a safe and happy place for everyone, kids and critters alike! 🌈🐕🐈

100 Mile Club registration is now open! Click HERE to see the details for this year's club. Click HERE to register. If you have any questions you can email Katy Schwirtz at schwirtz_katherine@svvsd.org, or call (303) 485-6073 x22379.

A unique part of Eagle Crest is that we are a neighborhood community school and all families can walk, bike, or drive for arrival and dismissal. Help us keep everyone safe (and the flow efficient) by following these guidelines.

Arrival - Our first bell rings at 8:35 and outdoor supervision begins at 8:25. At 8:35 children can enter the building to access their classrooms. When students arrive at school they are expected to line up outside by their classroom doors. The playground equipment is not open at this time. Our late bell rings at 8:40am. If a child arrives after this time, they must check in at the main office.

• Breakfast - If you would like your child to receive breakfast before school, please have them at the front entrance at 8:15am. This allows students plenty of time to eat and to arrive to class on time. We do not have adult supervision before 8:15am, so please wait with your child until they are welcomed into the building.

• Walkers/Bikers - Families are welcome to walk students to their classroom doors between 8:20 and 8:35am. If you are driving to school, and want to walk your student to the classroom, please plan to park on Clover Basin Drive, and walk up. There is very limited parking in our staff lot and parking is not permitted in the Hug and Go.

• Drivers - Families are also encouraged to use our Hug and Go drop off lane right in front of the main office. This is truly a “drive through experience” in which ECES staff will open your back door and help unload kids so that you can drive off and get on with your day. Drivers are asked to remain in their vehicles.

Dismissal - Our final bell will ring at 3:10pm and students will be dismissed through their classroom doors. Families are welcome to meet students at those doors. If you are driving for pick up, please park on Clover Basin to avoid congestion in front of the building.

While students will no longer be charged for lunch or breakfast, we encourage all families to complete the Free & Reduced Fees Application. This not only benefits your family but also supports our school in terms of funding, staffing, and reduced fees for activities. Remember to renew this application annually for access to various benefits.

Apply for free and reduced fees today to take advantage of these opportunities!

Family volunteers are part of the rich tradition in our community focused school, and we are eager to welcome everyone in to support student learning at Eagle Crest!

This year, we will be offering volunteer training throughout the month of September. This training will be required for adults who would like to volunteer in our classrooms or chaperone on field trips. It will be an opportunity for us to review safety protocols, confidentiality expectations, and some of the routines and procedures in place to help everything run smoothly.

These trainings will be offered at a variety of days and times. We will include Webex Links and more information as we get closer.

• September 11th, Virtual - 6:00pm

• September 12th, In Person - 9:00am

• September 12th, Virtual - 9:45am

• September 15th, Virtual - 2:00pm

• September 15th, In Person - 2:30pm

Classroom teachers will begin reaching out with their volunteer needs through their regular newsletters. When we have opportunities to help in the library, Specials classes, or other areas of the school we will share those opportunities in this weekly newsletter.

You can now find the monthly Lunch Menu at LINQCONNECT. This online system allows you to filter for allergens and see the Breakfast Menu. You change between Breakfast and Lunch in the upper left hand corner.

Eagle Crest's specials follow a three-day rotation: RED, YELLOW, PURPLE. Every month, a new calendar is provided, outlining the rotation. This helps your family plan and ensure the right shoes are ready for PE activities.

Make a meaningful impact in the lives of students. Become a paraeducator in St. Vrain Valley Schools, where you’ll play a vital role in assisting students in various classrooms. Our paraeducators enjoy working within a positive culture among a group of passionate and caring professionals who are all working to support student success. No experience required. St. Vrain Valley Schools equips staff members with the required training to serve as paraprofessionals and compensates them for training hours. If you are interested in joining one of the most highly effective and supportive teams of professionals in the country, please contact our Department of Human Resources at humanresources@svvsd.org.

* Eagle Crest is currently seeking a part time paraprofessional! Contact us for more info! *

Email: holden_amanda@svvsd.org
Website: eces.svvsd.org
Location: 4444 Clover Basin Drive, Longmont, CO, USA
Phone: 303-485-6073
Facebook: facebook.com/EagleCrestES
Twitter: @EagleCrestES

Have questions about anything covered in this newsletter? Reach out via email to holden_amanda@svvsd.org or cheney_lindsey@svvsd.org.

Need support in Spanish?

Contact Natalie Boggess at: boggess_natalie@svvsd.org , 303-702-7872

OR

Fiorella Martinez at: martinez_maria@svvsd.org , 303-702-7896