News You Can Use!
From Aurora Quest PTA
Dear Quest families,
We are asking for people to sign up to help feed our hard working middle school teachers during conferences on Thursday, September 26th. Please take a look at the sign up link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0444A9AE28A5FC1-51436891-feed
We also need volunteers to help with our upcoming Fun Run on Wednesday, September 25. Come cheer on your kiddo during their run time! If you're available for additional times as well, we would greatly appreciate it!
Look at available slots here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0444A9AE28A5FC1-51396155-quest
Community Eligibility Form
We are very fortunate that our district allows for all students to eat lunch free of cost. The community eligibilty form that was used in the past to determine eligibility is now used as a way to keep track of the changes our school community continues to go through. By taking the time to fill this form out you are helping us get an accurate view as to how many of our families would actually qualify for free or reduced lunch. The information helps us solicit sponsorships, donations and programs for our students and families. Plus it also is a great representation of our parent involvement, which is the best in the district!
If you need help, feel free to call the front office at 303-343-3664.
Parent Portal Check In
Please be sure to do your check in for your students. You can update emergency contacts, phone numbers, home address and give permission for field trips, pictures as well as sign the new technology contract.
If you have problems logging in or in case you have forgotten your Username and/or Password, please, reach out to me and I will provide you with the correct information and help you with resetting your password. CLICK HERE for the link and also to read and discover why it is important and beneficial to have access to ICPP. Do you still have questions? Don't hesitate to call Mr. John Adams, Family Liaison for help with this. The best way to respond to me is replying to this email.
Notes from the Nurse September 20, 2024
Quick note—please bring your child’s emergency medicine(s) with provider orders as quickly as possible.
Please check email and Talking Points for messages about immunizations and emergency medicine.
Car Seat Legal Information
Colorado HB24-1055 Car Seat Safety & Education
Concerning and improving child passenger safety becomes effective January 1, 2025. I have copied and pasted a comparison chart. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at least 11,606 children have been saved using child restraint systems.
Please take the minute required to restrain your child or children before leaving the carpool lane or parking lot. We understand your children are tired and hungry; but please buckle everyone in the car. Proper use of a booster seat and seat belt means the shoulder belt crosses the shoulder and chest (not the neck or face), and the lap belt lies flat across the upper thighs (not the stomach).
I am happy to answer questions or provide additional data on the use of child restraint systems.
Current Law New Law (effective 1/1/25) Rear-Facing Under 1 year of age Under 20 pounds Must be in back seat Rear-Facing Under 2 years of age, and less than 40 pounds Must be in back seat if one is available Can continue to rear-face beyond 2 years of age and 40 pounds if child restraint allows it Forward-Facing At least 1 year of age Over 20 pounds Forward-Facing Under 2 years of age, and over 40 pounds 2-4 years of age, and at least 20 pounds Must be in back seat if one is available Can continue to forward-face beyond 4 years of age and 40 pounds if child restraint allows it Booster Seat At least 4 years of age Over 40 pounds Booster Seat 4-9 years of age, AND at least 40 pounds Must be in back seat if one is available Can continue to use a booster seat beyond 9 years of age Seat Belt 8-15 years of age Must fit in seat belt properly Seat Belt 9-18 years of age Must fit in seat belt properly
What is a Healthy Friendship?
In both Kindergarten classes, students continued reviewing the Zones of Regulation. This is a foundational lesson that promotes students towards recognizing their own emotional states, blue, green, yellow, or red zones, and to take measures to remain regulated. This week students discussed various coping strategies they can access in school to stay regulated. Our breath practice, Smell the Roses, Blow out the Candles is an effective means of gaining emotional regulation. We practice Smell the Roses, Blow out the Candles during each social emotional learning lesson. During this week’s lesson, students discussed the specific area between the yellow and red zones. This is a crucial area because when a student is in the yellow zone they must take steps to regulate, or they will most likely end up in the red zone.
Following this review, students participated in a cooperative learning activity. In small groups, students were told that they’d be going on an imaginary picnic with their small group partners. Students were given a long list of potential items that they could bring on their picnic, however, each group had to work together, and only select three of the items for their picnic. This activity segued into a conversation about compromise.
Dates to be on the lookout for:
~Flyers will be going home soon about our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year Run 4 Funds on
September 25th There will be extra incentive for middle school so be sure and ask!
~Feed the teachers for Middle School Parent Teacher Conference September 26th
~Butter Braids will be start at end of October with a delivery date of 11/20 (volunteers will be
needed for a quick turn around on hand out)
PTA Meeting: Our next meeting is October 8th from 6-7pm with a live stream available via
Facebook. Thank you to all that joined us this month in person and survived our technical
difficulties online!!! We welcome all parents and support parents to join us! If you are
interested in voting rights for decisions that affect how we support the school, membership
is $10. You can become a member on the school website under the PTA tab or at any
meeting or event we are hosting. We would love our teachers to be a part of our meetings
and as a thank you for their time we are doing something new by having parents sponsor a
teacher by paying their dues. As the dues goes to the state, we can’t waive it but we had
many parents at the last meeting suggest and offer to pay for a teacher. If this is something
you’d like to partake in please reach out.
We Have A Facebook Group!
Wondering what is going on? Curious about upcoming events? Wanting to volunteer during
fundraisers but not sure how? This is your one stop shop for how to support the school,
fundraisers and overall school community. Please be sure to answer the questions when
you ask to join. It's a way that we ensure that our Quest information stays within our
community.
www.facebook.com/groups/1743613152521317/
Phoenix Feathers:
Yearly our PTA spends a starting average of $60 per student to provide all or part of your
signature learning experiences at Quest. This includes fieldtrips, student enrichment, and
transportation to name a few. By purchasing a feather for $60 you help chip away at our BIG
goal. Next time you stop into the school be sure and check out our beautiful new Phoenix!
King Soopers Rewards: (EASIEST way to passively fundraise)
Help our school by buying your groceries! This is the easiest fundraiser and takes less than
10 minutes to set up so sign up if you haven't already. A huge THANK YOU to our current
participants!!
Go to: www.kingsooperscommunityrewards.com
Click on Enroll Now.
Sign in to your account.
Click on Community Rewards
Enter Aurora Quest K8 PTA or “BX352”
Shop as usual using your rewards card or alternate ID.
***Be on the lookout for more passive opportunities in the future!***
2024/2025 Aurora Quest K8 PTA Board
Dre Sneddon, President
Nidhi Kotecha, Vice President
Angelica Upton, Secretary
Susan Milo, Treasurer
Much Thanks to our Volunteers!
Thank you to Dre & Angelica and Susan M. for heading up our Run4Funds! Your dedication to making sure our students get the best out of their school experience is so appreciated!
Thank you to the following classroom volunteers Kazy Welch, Kathryn Pottle, Estella Escobar, Julie Johnson and Lynn Vair.
Thank you to my Parent Volunteers who have helped the last few weeks, Krista Pfeifer and Lara Day
- K. Smith
Thank you to Patricia Porter, Lacey Abdel who have helped in the Library! - Jen Colquhoun
Our school needs some Parent Volunteers in the following areas:
Crosswalk:
- 7:20am to 7:45am (be present at 7:15am)
- 2:30pm to 2:50pm (be present at 2:25pm)
Running Coach Volunteers still needed!
Girls on the Run is still in need of coaches to help with the afterschool program.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Reach out to Brynn Weissner at bmweissner@aurorak12.org
BE A VOLUNTEER!
We need chaperones, coaches, team leaders, and more! As you can see we have so much going on for our students that parents can make a huge difference in making sure we continue to offer so much! Our parent volunteers make it so much easier for us to navigate through the school year. If you are interested in volunteering, here is how to get your badge and clearance.
STEP 1: In order to become one you need to complete the Screening Process (Background Check). Click Here
STEP 2: Send Mr. Adams, our Family Liaison an email with a picture of your valid driver's license (front only) and a picture of yourself with a plain background for your badge AFTER you have completed the screening process (STEP 1). Mr. Adams will submit the "Volunteer Approval Form" with both pictures to the Safety & Security Department. Once it arrives he will call you to come pick it up.