Welcome Back Newsletter

Welcome back! It is hard to believe we are in the midst of our second week of the 2018-2019 school year. Where does the time go? Our buildings received much-needed updates for the second straight summer. It is amazing how great our learning spaces look. None of the renovations would have been possible without the support of the community. Thank you so much for making a difference for our learners.

Instructionally, our staff will continue to develop and implement engaging programs of study to meet the needs of all learners. We will resume our focus on primary proficiency in math and reading, as well as continue to create exciting learning pathways for our students. As a zone, we are focusing on equipping our teachers through research-affirmed professional learning opportunities. In our pursuit of excellence, it is about doing whatever it takes to help students succeed.

Recently, our schools have collaborated with staff, students, and the community to develop a strategic plan for our zone. As an organization, the Sand Creek Zone is dedicated to pursuing excellence in serving students, family, and staff. Please take a minute to review the plan.

In the event you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. The best way to reach me is via email at sdorsey@d49.org. I will respond within 24 hours…usually sooner. Have a great day.

In January of 2018, Air Force JROTC selected 120 students from across the nation to attend civilian flight schools to get their private pilots license. Daniel Roach, a senior Air Force JROTC student at SCHS, was selected and awarded a full scholarship this summer and was able to complete the 8 week program. Normally, the costs of a Private Pilots License is approximately $12,000. Congratulations to Daniel on this wonderful accomplishment! Learn more about Daniel's training here!

The Sand Creek Zone Art Teachers won an award through the Arts Business and Education Consortium along with the Pikes Peak Arts Council this past April! The Annual Zone Art and Design Expo received the Youth Recognition Award, given in recognition of a specific performance, exhibition, or special project by middle or high school students that exemplifies outstanding achievement by student artists. Congratulations Zone Art teachers and thank you for your dedication to our students! Check out the full article here!

Interested in seeing art from your Zone teachers? Kelly Chaplin from HMS and Lisa Cross from SCHS have art on display at the "Old School New Art" 2018 Faculty Show currently located at 1604 S Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO through September 29th!

On May 29th, volunteers from the military and local community helped teachers move their classrooms at Remington Elementary. We appreciate your help and love having our community members in our schools!

Sand Creek High School was updated this summer with new flooring and paint throughout the entire school. The commons was renovated to accommodate more students and to have a more open feel. The football field turf is almost complete and they will also receive a brand new track. Construction was also completed on the new athletic wing of the building.

Springs Ranch received new carpeting throughout the school. Also, brand new playground equipment was added to the campus for students to enjoy. Currently, they are working to refurnish the library which should be completed this fall!

1. Reach out to your kids' teachers Attend meet-the teacher night, orientation, or other welcome events, but don't stop there. Make a point of introducing yourself and learning about class activities and expectations for the year. Find out how each teacher prefers to communicate. Many use e-mail as the main form of contact, but phone calls and conferences (make an appointment first) are usually welcome, too. For more advice on building a parent-teacher relationship that will last the entire year, go to parenting.com/success.
2. Get in the groove Establish healthy at-home routines for school days, such as consistent waking times and getting-ready patterns. Decide on a regular homework time, and create a comfortable, quiet work space. Set bedtimes that allow elementary-age kids to get 10 to 12 hours of sleep; teens should get 8½ to 9½ hours.
3. Commit to volunteering With help from parents like you, your school can offer many more programs and services for your kids. Join your school's PTA or SAC (School Accountability Committee) and ask about volunteer opportunities in the school community and your children's classrooms. National PTA's “Three for Me” campaign encourages parents to pledge to volunteer at least three hours during the school year. Go to three4me.com for more information.
   

https://www.ed.gov/parents/countdown-success

Parents should have received an email with how to log in and set up your account in PowerSchool. Check out the Guide here!

Avoid the hassle of writing multiple checks or sending cash to three different departments.

https://payschoolscentral.com/#/user/login is the updated website where families can pay all fees (lunch, transportation, and school) in one convenient location. If you used PayForIt last year, you will use the same username and password to login to Pay School Central. If this is your first time, you will need to register to create an account.

Per Board Regulation, JQ-R, families who meet eligibility requirements can have their fees reduced or waived. Visit our Nutrition Services Website to apply https://www.d49.org/Page/923.

If your family qualifies, please provide a copy of the eligibility letter to your school.