Northridge Elementary Weekly Blast

September Dates:

10 - Fun Run PRIZE Day

11 - DBC Meeting 8:45am

18 - PTO General Assembly (all are welcome)

20 - No School/Professional Development Day

25 - SAC Meeting 8:45am - 10:15am

27 - Multicultural Fair 5:00pm - 7:00pm

NRE Academic and Mental Health Resources

Please be prepared for more morning and afternoon traffic and plan for a couple more minutes for drop-off. Thank you for your attention to this matter to keep everyone safe.

I’m Andrea, and I’m excited to be joining the Northridge team as your new school counselor. While I’m new to the school, I’ve been in the field of education for over 11 years, working with children and adults with special needs. I’ve previously worked as a special education teacher at a facility school, and most recently, I’ve been at home raising my two children (ages 4 and 2) while earning my MA in school counseling.

In my free time, I love being outdoors—hiking, skiing, camping, paddleboarding, and rock climbing with my family and our dog. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, staff, and families at Northridge!

My name is Halie Snider and this is my second year as a counselor at NRE. I graduated with my Master's in school counseling from DU 2 years ago and I have had the privilege of starting my career at NRE. It has always been my dream to work with kids (even when I was a kid) and I enjoy every minute of it!

I was born and raised in San Diego, but have lived in Colorado for about 3 years. In my free time, I love being outdoors and exploring new places with my dog, Coors.

My name is Valerie Newsum and I am excited to be a school counseling intern here at NRE. I have a MA in clinical mental health counseling and am a licensed professional counselor. I look forward to the exciting opportunities that come with being a school counselor. Relationship building is one of the most rewarding aspects of counseling for me, everyone needs a safe person. Everyday is an adventure and I love experiencing the energy that an elementary school brings. I look forward to meeting you all and being a part of this wonderful community.

My favorite people are my family, and we love traveling, going to movies and finding new food to experience. On the weekends you will find me baking, playing board games and reading a book on my porch swing.

My name is Cassie D’Orazio and I am thrilled to be starting my 3rd year as the School Psychologist at NRE and my 17th year in the profession. I was born and raised in Middleton, Wisconsin (Go PACK) and my love of psychology began during my studies at the University of Wisconsin where I also competed on the women’s dive team. In 2010 my husband and I moved to Colorado and have built a life here that we absolutely love.

I am delighted to be at NRE where my two boys (2nd grader and kindergartener) also attend. During our free time, my family and I love to ski, mountain bike, and spend time at the lake. I have been blessed in my career to work with so many amazing students, families and educators and I am looking forward to another great year of growth and learning.

Meet the Social Worker aka ‘Feelings Teacher’

Welcome to another new school year. My name is officially Ms. Vasseur, but the students call me Ms. Nicole. I have been in the field of Mental Health since 1997, and in the school setting since 2007.

A little about me...

I grew up in Minnesota, and am a midwestern at heart. I moved to Colorado to pursue my graduate degree in Social Work the Denver University. Prior to that I received my BS in Psychology from the

University of Wisconsin at La Crosse. When not teaching I enjoy biking, water sports, nature, and reading. I am also a parent to two adult children, ages 21 and 18, this still throws me for a loop at times.

I am excited to be working with your child and their teachers; and getting to team with you to best support your child’s success. As part of the support provided to help your student develop social-emotional wellbeing and learning skills, a pre-survey, post-survey (that may/ include: parent, teacher, and student surveys and/or interviews, as well as observations), and/or progress monitoring will be used. This information helps determine your child’s initial skill level, progress throughout services, and acquisition of the skills identified as needing further development.

Contact

I appreciate parent/guardian communication and partnership, so if you are ever interested in meeting/talking please let me know. E-mail is the best way to contact me. My email address is nvasseur@dcsdk12.org. My office number is 303-387-6545. I am looking forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Nicole Vasseur, LCSW

Fun Run

Congratulations on an amazing Fun Run campaign Pronghorns! We raised nearly $52,000 which goes directly back to our school, teachers, and students. Prize Day is Tuesday! Please encourage students to dress appropriately for bouncing on inflatables and running around! Don't forget to bring water bottles/ wear sunscreen. Individual incentives will be distributed in October (Fall break at the latest).

Coldstone + Dinner Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who came out for Coldstone Night on Wednesday! A HUGE thank you to our teachers who scooped ice cream! We had an amazing turnout! Also, thanks to those who grabbed dinner at one of four participating restaurants - Highlands Indian Cuisine, Wahoo’s, Papa Murphy’s, and Capriotti’s. Highlands Indian Cuisine is now a Bronze Corporate Sponsor too, thank you for their generous donation back to the school!

Upcoming Events

Ongoing Impact: Year - Round Fundraisers

October 9th 4-8pm Lansdowne Arms

https://www.lansdownearmsco.com/

20% back to NRE PTO

King Soopers Rewards

Enroll in the King Soopers rewards program - every time you shop at King Soopers Northridge will receive a small donation! Directions in the below flyer.

Check out our new PTO Facebook and Instagram pages to stay up to date with events and announcements. Details to access the pages are in the flyer below. Also visit the PTO website for information on upcoming fundraisers and events.

Opt in to receive text message reminders about NRE events and happenings. Scan the QR in the flyer below to sign up!

Volunteer Opportunities

Fun Run Prize Day Volunteers - September 10

Multicultural Night Volunteers - September 27

Upcoming SAC meeting dates for 2024-2025 school year:

• September 25,, 2024
  

• November 13, 2024

• December 11, 2024

• January 29, 2025

• February 26, 2025

• April 30, 2025

• May 14, 2025

Where: In Person and by Zoom (you choose)

Please reach out to our SAC Chair David Emge at nre.sac.email@gmail.com with any questions.

Dear NRE Families,

What a delightful week it has been! Despite the unpredictable weather trying to shake things up, we managed to squeeze in some fun and excitement. On Wednesday night, we braved the storm to serve ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery, and what a sweet success it was! The line stretched out the door, and we loved seeing so many happy faces enjoying their treats. A big thank you to everyone who came out to support us—there were smiles, sprinkles, and sticky hands all around. This was my 7th year hosting this event (we missed it in 2020), and it’s always heartwarming to see the joy on our students' faces as they interact with our staff. We even had a full rainbow appear to help us enjoy the event.

In other news, we had the Vision and Hearing team from the district visit us at NRE at the beginning of the school year. Over just two days, they screened 420 students, referring 32 to eye specialists and 25 to the district audiologist. We are incredibly fortunate to have these resources available because good vision and hearing are essential for optimal learning. I can personally attest to the importance of these senses; without my glasses and the ability to read lips, navigating the world would be a lot more challenging. It’s a reminder of how crucial it is to ensure our students have the best tools for their education.

Looking ahead, we're gearing up for our Fun Run Prize Day on Tuesday. Please make sure your child brings a water bottle and wears sunscreen, as the weather is expected to be quite warm. If your child has allergies, rest assured we’ve made alternative arrangements to ensure everyone can enjoy the festivities.

While we celebrate and have fun, it’s also important to recognize the incredible work of our Mental Health Department, especially during Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. These dedicated professionals bring patience, kindness, and unwavering support to every student they encounter. They work hard to teach coping strategies and build resilience, helping students understand that challenges are opportunities to grow stronger. As my mom always says, “What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.” It’s a tough lesson, but one that’s crucial for our children to learn. Remember, we’re all in this together, and I’ll continue to share resources in the Weekly Blast to support our community.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs help. It truly takes a village, and together, we are stronger.

Stay safe and Be Kind.

Love,

Katie

Equity Advisory Committee Seeking Members

DCSD is seeking parents, staff, students, and community members with a variety of backgrounds and expertise to serve on the Equity Advisory Council (EAC).

Per Policies ADB and ADB-R:

The District is committed to maintaining the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The EAC is a committee that will coordinate with School District Leadership to support and advise the full and systemic implementation of the DCSD Educational Equity Policy.

The Equity Advisory Council meets monthly throughout the school year. The EAC is currently looking for a variety of community members to serve on the EAC, including:

• Parents/Guardians from DCSD alternative education and charter schools.

• School level staff from DCSD neighborhood schools.

• Secondary level student from Castle Rock and Parker region schools.

• Secondary level student from DCSD charter schools.

If you are interested in serving on this council, please complete the Equity Advisory Council Membership Application. For membership and other meeting details, see the Educational Equity page on DCSD’s website. The application will remain open, and vacancies will be filled on an as needed basis.

Bus #53

• Sept 23-27
  
• Nov 4-8
• Dec 16-20
• Feb 3-7
• Mar 10-14
• Apr 21-25

Bus #58

• Sept 9-13
• Oct 21-25
• Dec 2-6
• Jan 21-24
• Feb 24-28
• Apr 7-11
• May 12-16

Below is a list of resources, should you have a concern that a loved one (or yourself) may be experiencing behavioral changes, mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the child or others

• 988 - Suicide and Crisis Hotline

  • Call or text “988” any time, 24/7 for free, confidential support.

• Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)

• Trained Crisis Counselor Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255

• Chat online (open from 4pm-12am daily): Click Here

• Walk-in Locations (open 24/7): Location List

• Information About Types of Services and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Crisis Services

• DCSD Mental Health Intervention website

• Mobile apps for wellness and recovery

• Let’s Talk Colorado

• iMatter (free virtual counseling sessions)

Douglas County has an anonymous reporting system available at all times. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well-being or safety can use Safe 2 Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.