
Garfield 16 Gazette
April 2024

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Superintendent Corner
BOE Director Appointments
Thank you for volunteering and working to ensure the success of our students!
Administrative Positions Update
Garfield 16 is pleased to announce the following updates about administrative positions in the school district.
First, with Thom Godfrey's retirement from the GVMS principalship, we are recommending Ms. Kim Davis for the middle school principal position. Kim comes to us from Grand Junction where she has worked in principal and other administrative roles in District 51. Kim will begin on July 1st, but will begin transitioning with the administrative team at the middle school prior to the end of the school year.
Second, Mrs. Amber Clark will move into the assistant superintendent position beginning July 1st. Amber will have a variety of responsibilities in this new role, but her main focus will be on curriculum development K-12. We will begin the search for the BUE principal position in the next few days. The search will include a job posting and focus group discussion with BUE faculty and staff to understand what they hope to see in their new principal.
My warm and sincere congratulations go out to Thom, Kim, and Amber as they take the next steps in the professional and life journeys!
- Dr. Jennifer Baugh
Calling All Parents/Guardians- Join the Grand Valley PTO!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/3goojDkDDqEepN6k9
Regístrate aquí: https://forms.gle/3goojDkDDqEepN6k9
School Happenings
Save the Dates!
Important Upcoming Events:
- GVHS 11th graders CMAS Testing - April 23rd. Please visit https://www.garfield16.org/about/state-assessments for more information on state assessments.
- Administrative Professionals Day- April 24th. Show your administrative professionals some love by bringing gifts/cards/crafts.
- District Accountability Committee Meeting April 25th at 6:30 pm at the St. John’s Administration Building- 460 Stone Quarry Road in Battlement Mesa. All parents are welcome
- Garfield Family Outdoor Day- April 27th at the Grand Valley Challenge Course (high and low ropes course), St. John’s Administration Building 460 Stone Quarry Road, Battlement Mesa CO 81635. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Register before April 26th by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/5awV1iiWVFtzQmHo9
- GVHS Spring Sports Picture- Monday, April 29th at 3:00 pm. Your athlete will bring more information home soon, if you have questions please call 970-285-5705.
- CFL/BUE/GVHS Teacher Appreciation Week- April 30th - May 3. Check each school's website/facebook for information on how they are celebrating.
- GVHS Girls Soccer parent/senior night will be Tuesday, April 30th around 3:30 pm.
- BUE Spring Musical- April 30th 2nd grade at 6:00 pm, 3rd grade and Scilla at 7:00 pm, and May 2nd 4th grade and Drake at 6:00 pm, 5th grade at 7:00 pm.
- Grand Valley PTO Meeting- May 2nd at 6:30 pm. Place TBD.
- CFL PRESCHOOL Raising a Reader Blue Book Day- NO PRESCHOOL. Bring your child to the Parachute Branch Library at 244 Grand Valley Way. AM Preschool & Full Day Classes will begin at the library at 10:15 am. PM Classes will begin at the library at 1:00 pm.
- BUE Spring Bike Derby- May 4, 2024 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
- Student-Led Conferences will be held Monday, May 6th and Monday, May 13th. GVHS will be in session on Monday, May 6th for Finals, all other schools will have student-led conferences from 8am to 4pm. On Monday, May 13th, GVHS will not be in session, there are no finals that day, grades K-8 will have student-led conferences from 11am to 7pm. More information will be sent home from your student’s school.
- GVMS Teacher Appreciation Week- May 6-10
- GVHS Track & Field parent/senior night- Saturday, May 11th around 9:30 am.
- CFL Kindergarten Open Enrollment- May 13th. 11:00 am - 7:00 pm.
- CFL Pre-K Garden Day- May 14th.
- GVMS & GVHS Pops Concert- May 14th 6:30 pm @ GVHS.
- CFL Kindergarten Garden Day- May 15th
- CFL 1st Grade Garden Day- May 16th
- GVMS will have a Theater Performance on Friday, May 17th at 7:00 pm.
- CFL Preschool 3 Year Old Enrollment- Monday, May 20th 9-11 am.
- CFL Kindergarten Parent Night- May 22nd- 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
- GVHS Seniors Awards Assembly will be held Thursday, May 23rd at 1:50 pm. Seniors will have graduation practice on May 23rd at 10:45 am. This will be the last day for GVHS seniors.
- CFL 1st Grade Transition Day (visiting and touring BUE)
- GVHS Baccalaureate- May 24th 7:00 pm.
- GVHS Graduation- May 25th 10:00 am.
- CFL Transition Day- May 28th
- GVMS Awards- May 28th at 2:30 pm.
- GVMS 8th Grade Continuation- May 29th 6:00 pm. Students report by 5:30 pm.
- CFL Field Day- May 30th (PK - 1st)
- Last Day of School PK-11- May 30th.
Online Calendar- Filter by schools, add to your calendar on your device!
Find the G16 online calendars by clicking this link: https://www.garfield16.org/calendar121
News from the Schools
GVHS Theater Co. Production of "Once Upon a Mattress"
On April 11-13, GVHS theater students and a handful of GVMS students performed "Once Upon a Mattress."* According to GVHS Music Teacher and GVHS Theater Co. Director, Abbey Beaton, "Despite its age (premiered in 1959), 'Once Upon a Mattress' has found a PEAceful place in musical history. Most importantly, though, it reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously. In the course of preparing this show, we have spent over 100 hours learning songs, running lines, learning dances, struggling through the first off-book rehearsals, constructing and painting sets ... a lot of work! But, this cast has been dauntless in finding something to laugh about in each rehearsal, and has carried the joy of theater with them throughout this journey."
"GVHS Theatre Co. would like to offer a special thanks to Mrs. Erin Tanner, who has choreographed 14 shows for GVHS over the course of 20+ years." This was Mrs. Tanner's final show. "We would like to thank her for the many years of dedication and love that she has poured into the theater program. We will miss her greatly, and hope that her mattresses will forever be free of peas."
In addition to Abbey Beaton and Erin Tanner, Mrs. Amanda Jones, GVMS Music Teacher, led the students as the piano accompanist.
The cast was comprised of Chloe Gronewoller as Princess Winnifred, Travis Wold as Prince Dauntless, Kaelee Sabata as Queen Aggravain, Brooklynn Millius as Lady Larken, Hannah Vashus as Minstrel, Xavier Gutierrez as Wizard, Nathaniel Madden as King Sextimus, Daniel Gronewoller as Sir Harry, Jordin Carpenter as Jester, Nattie Wisarutchotkul as Lady Rowena, Beau Madden as Minstrel's Apprentice, Cybil Gonzalez as Lady Lucille, Mathilda Richardson as Lady H/Lady Merrill, Hayden Skeen as Lady Mabelle, Trey Hawkins as Sir Studley, Prasaus Sykes as the 3rd Knight, Madison Myers and Princess No. 12, Vivian Arthur as Emily/1st Lady, Aeowyn Castillo as 2nd Lady, and Icess Sheridan as 3rd Lady.
The stage crew consisted of Stage Manager Kadence Rowatt, Alexis Jenkinson on lights, Shaelynn Wallberg, Crystal Roland, Gabe Longhurst, and Bailey Croisant.
Special thanks to First String, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Arthur, Mr. Carpenter, Mike Vogel, Mr. Gregory, Mrs. Eisenach, Mrs. Mendoza, Mrs. Kelly, GVHS staff, and GVMS staff.
* "Once Upon a Mattress" was presented by an arrangement with Concord Theatricals www.concordtheatricals.com. Music by Mary Rodgers, Lyrics by Marshall Barer. Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller.
Outdoor Education News & Highlights
Spring has sprung and it's time to thrive outside. Happy (late) Earthday to all. We hope that you were able to enjoy this past Monday, April 22nd by enjoying something outside. In case you missed it there are plenty of opportunities to connect, play and help out.
Across the district, school groups and our community have been busy.
The GVHS Environmental Science classes visited the Rifle River Stop to learn more about the Colorado Watershed. We were thrilled to partner with Middle Colorado Watershed Council staff to provide a great day of games and activities for kids to learn about water ecology, river uses, variables and conservation efforts for one of our most vital natural resources.
The GVMS 6th and 7th graders both got to take some trips this month. The 6th graders got to explore Rifle Falls and Rifle Fish Hatchery while hiking between the two locations as part of the Riparian Ecology unit. 7th grade visited the Colorado National Monument as part of the geology unit to get their hands dirty investigating rock layers and geologic time.
And high school students partnered with the Student Based Family Resource Center to get their fishing license. We visited Rifle Gap as well as some popular honey holes for kids to show off their fishing and filleting skills.
Coming up for student trips this month and next, we have 3rd grade off to visit Meeker as part of their museum studies. The GVMS Outdoor Class going fishing at Parachute Pond. The BUE 2nd graders will be visiting Rifle Fish Hatchery and Rifle Gap. And we have the Kinder through 1st graders coming out for some end of the year team building.
Throughout the community we have a lot in the works as well. Bring your families out for an open challenge course day on Saturday, April 27th. We will have free access to the challenge course for kids and families to climb, work together and have fun. Please register HERE prior to the event. It does look like we might be having some rain so bring a rain jacket or come on out between the rain storms.
We also have our annual BUE Bike Derby on Saturday, May 4th. All students throughout the District are welcome to bring their bikes between 9:00-12:00 to ride the obstacle course, get the wheels turning, eat lunch with us and win some prizes. Thank you to REI, Alpine Bank, Kiwanis Club and Williams Energy for the generous donations.
May 18th is our 3D shoot fundraiser for the archery in schools program. This is a family friendly 3D archery competition as part of the Rifle Rendezvous. So bring the little ones out, learn to shoot on our kids practice range and enjoy the carnival while you're out there. Admission is $20 for youth which comes with a free Genesis bow rental.
And mark your calendars for Saturday, June 1st for our first annual Parachute Pond Fishing Derby. We will have kids clinics, crafts, lunch and a biggest bluegill competition for different categories. This is the free fishing weekend so young and old are welcome to come and try their hand at catching the big one with or without a fishing licence that weekend. Rods and gear are provided but you're welcome to bring your own equipment as well.
Lots of ways to celebrate, play and connect with nature because there's a little Earth Day in every day.
School-Based Family Resource Center
SBFRC Volunteer Wins "Tireless Passion Award"
Our amazing volunteer, Rosalba Rodriguez Bautista was awarded the "Tireless Passion Award" at the Garfield County Humanitarian Service Awards a couple weeks ago. Thank you for all you do for our community Rosalba! Read more by following this link.
*Photo credit: Safe and Abundant Nutrition.
GVMS Students Tour CMC
The SBFRC took a small group of GVMS students to visit the Spring Valley CMC campus in Glenwood on April 5, 2024. The students learned about the many education programs that they offer, scholarships, and financial aid, toured a dorm room, the gym, the vet tech center, and had lunch on campus.
These trips help our students see the possibilities presented by going to college, and gets them thinking about their futures. Thank you to CMC and all of our students for making it a great day!
The Calm and Connected Home Parent/Caregiver Workshops in Parachute!
Resource Center Contact Info:
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our School Based Family Resource Center for more information.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Claudia Flores Cruz
Center Coordinator
970-285-5262
District Operations
How to Contact Your School Counselor
Garfield 16 provides all students with counseling services through the school counselors. School counselors work with students to support their academic growth and success as well as their social and emotional development. School counselors work closely with teachers, principals, and parents to support students experiencing issues that impact their learning. These issues can be, but are not limited to, declining grades, poor work habits, organizational skills, distracting behaviors, school avoidance, anxiety, trauma, and transient personal or family issues, such as the loss of a loved one or change in family dynamic. A school counselor may work with a student on an individual basis or as part of a group. In addition, school counselors work with the administration to assess at-risk students.
At the elementary level, school counselors provide direct instruction to all students in social and emotional growth and wellbeing. Topics include social skills, recognizing emotions, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. For students who may be experiencing difficulty with social skills, regulating behaviors, or school counselors provide individual and group coaching.
At the secondary level, school counselors begin to support students with college and career planning and decision making. School counselors work with students on their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) requirements. School counselors facilitate college and post-secondary career and workforce exploration. At the high school level, school counselors work with students to ensure they are on pace for graduation.
How to contact your school counselor:
CFL:
- Referral Form
- Call 970-285-5702
BUE:
- Referral Form
- Email Mrs. Sherraden
- Call 970-285-5703
GVMS:
- Parent Referral Form
- Student Referral Form
- Email Mrs. Hoyt
- Call 970-285-5707
GVHS:
- Grades 9 and 11, email Mrs. Largent
- Grades 10 and 12, email Mrs. Paine
- Call 970-285-5705
Health Happenings
Smiles for Students at GVMS April 30 - May 3
Smiles for Students Dental is coming to Grand Valley Middle School April 30th - May 3rd! Parents, please fill out the online consent form, found by clicking this link, for your student to receive FREE dental care! Students must have a signed consent form to receive services. Thank you to Garfield County Public Health and Community Health Services for sponsoring!
Smiles for Students at BUE May 2-10
Smiles for Students Dental is coming to Bea Underwood Elementary May 2-10! Parents, please fill out the online consent form, found by clicking this link, for your student to receive FREE dental care! Students must have a signed consent form to receive services. Thank you to Garfield County Public Health and Community Health Services for sponsoring!
How Sick is Too Sick
Please review the attached guidance from Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment regarding when to keep your child at home due to an illness.
Monthly Vaccine & Immunization Clinic at the School-Based Family Resource Center
Garfield County Public Health and Garfield 16 have teamed up to offer a Vaccine and Immunization Clinic in Parachute! The clinic will be offered on the first Monday of every month, as long as appointments are scheduled. Garfield County Public Health will be stationed at the School-Based Family Resource Center from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, by appointment only. Please call 970-625-5200 to schedule an appointment, stating that you would like to schedule for the Parachute clinic.
Nutritional News
MENUS
Menus can be found by following this link: https://www.garfield16.org/departments/nutritional-services
Free Breakfast and Lunch for all G16 Students!
Our free breakfast and lunch program is a yearly grant process. Our district has qualified again for a free breakfast and lunch program for SY 2023-2024.
Breakfast Program: All students can receive breakfast free of charge. It is important that your child arrives at school on time in order to have time to enjoy a meal before a long day of learning!
Lunch Program: All students can receive lunch free of charge. If your child brings lunch from home, please make sure it does NOT need to be heated in a microwave as there are no microwaves available.
Please do not send soda pop in your child’s school lunch. We ask that you send a healthier choice such as juice, water, or milk.
Parents wishing to eat lunch with their child may do so, please call the school office by 9:00am if you would like to order a hot lunch. The charge for an adult lunch is $4.25 and for a visiting child it is $2.75. Please remember that the school only accepts cash or a check for payment.
Menus for the new schools year will be found on our school district Nutrition Website.
Meal Prices for Visitors:
Student Lunch $2.75
Milk $0.70
Adult Lunch $4.25
Transportation News
Revised Bus Expectations
Our expectations for riding the school bus were revised.
Elementary students should have brought home a hard copy of these expectations last week. Please review this form, sign it, and return it to your student's school.
Middle school and high school parents, a copy is attached. Please review these updated expectations with your student(s). To confirm receipt and the review of these updated expectations, please fill out this google form.
Community Corner
Home Improvement Loan Program
*Garfield County School District #16 is not responsible for, and does not endorse, any statement, sentiment, or opinion published or expressed in this document. This document is not part of, and has not been distributed as part of the District's curricular or extracurricular programs.
Town of Parachute
The Deets from Town Manager Travis Elliott
Get "The Deets"