Carrie Martin Weekly

Hello Carrie Martin Families!

What an incredible first few days back at school! It’s been wonderful to see all the smiling faces filling our halls again and to feel the excitement in the air! As your proud principal, I’m confident we’re headed for an outstanding school year, thanks to our supportive families, engaged community, dedicated teachers and staff, inspiring students, and our shared commitment to empowering each student to lead their own learning! This week, we’ve already achieved so much—our staff and students have been building strong relationships, fostering a sense of community, and diving into our Leader in Me 8 Habits. As we move forward, we’ll continue to embody our mission statement, LEARN, LEAD, AND LEAVE A LEGACY, because we believe that everyone has genius and everyone can be a leader. Whether you’re new to Carrie Martin or a returning member, welcome to the 24-25 School Year! Go TIGERS!

Your Principal,

Mrs. Niki Van Essen

September 2 - LABOR DAY - NO SCHOOL

September 3 - TEACHER WORK DAY - NO SCHOOL

Monday - 8:00am - 3:10pm

Tuesday - 8:00am - 3:10pm

Wednesday - 9:00am - 3:10pm

Thursday - 8:00am - 3:10pm

Friday - 8:00am - 3:10pm

*Drop off on M, T, Th, F begins at 7:40am. Wednesday drop off begins at 8:40am. STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PLAYGROUND OR IN THE BUILDING UNTIL THAT TIME.

**Please note that every Wednesday is a ONE HOUR LATE START.

Dear Carrie Martin families,

We are busy gearing up for the new school year and can’t wait to have our students back in the classroom! As part of our preparation we are taking this opportunity to revisit the conversation about your students' attendance.

As you may or may not be aware, Thompson School District has placed a strategic emphasis on Student and Family Engagement to increase positive attendance as part of the Strive 2025 Strategic Plan. Therefore, we have reinstituted and refreshed practices that help us support our students and families with attendance.

The average student at CMES misses about 5 days a year. Here are some strategies that can help ensure a great attendance record this year:

• Prepare the night before (backpack, shower, pack lunch, etc.)

• Find an adult who can support me with friendships

• Find support solving conflict with friends or teachers

• Extra help with school and assignments

• Attendance/tardy incentive plan - i.e. earn prize box or lunch with an adult

• Practice riding a bike or walking to school

• Washing hands, getting plenty of rest, drinking water and staying as healthy as possible

For questions please contact Andrea Nelson, District Student and Family Engagement Specialist at andrea.nelson@tsd.org.

Here's to a great year at Carrie Martin!!

*Attendance Line: 970-613-5790

A student is considered Tardy if they arrive any time after 8:05am (9:05am on Wednesdays). To excuse a Tardy or Absence, call the ATTENDANCE LINE and leave a detailed message. To excuse a medical appointment, please provide a doctor's note.

Transportation website: https://www.thompsonschools.org/page/127

You can apply for bus services through the Parent Portal.

To see if your student(s) are eligible for transportation services*, where your bus stop is located and the times for pick-up and drop-off, go to: FIND MY BUS

For assistance in completing your transportation application, view our HOW TO: https://bit.ly/TSDHOWTObusapplication

Once your application is submitted, contact transportationrouting@tsd.org with questions about eligibility.

The Boys & Girls Club offers after school care this year. They pick up Carrie Martin students after school and bus them to Garfield Elementary, where parents need to pick them up from. If you are interested in more information or for applying for their services, please contact Grace at garfieldsite@bgclarimer.org or call 970-893-5194.

Nutrition Services is excited to share that we have contracted with a new software company to manage our meal and application program. My School Bucks is no longer active but the new software is called Linq Connect and all student balances have been moved to the new software. There are many new features that this program offers which weren't available before so we're sure you're going to love it!

As a reminder, school meals are free for students this 2024/25 school year! We encourage everyone to complete a Free & Reduced application as it provides benefits to you and the district such as grants, program funding and fee waivers.

The Partners School-Based Mentoring Program places positive adults into schools to provide one-to-one mentoring services to youth who may be facing challenges in their social, academic, and/or personal lives. Youth (mentees) are matched with an adult volunteer (mentor) based on the needs of the mentee and on the schedules, personalities, and interests of both the mentee and mentor. Mentors spend 1 hour per week with their mentee and commit for one academic school year. Partnerships spend time together doing various activities that help them build a relationship with one another including eating lunch together, playing games, shooting hoops, working on an art project, or just hanging out and talking. It's all about the connection and overall support of the youth!

Mentoring matters, and YOU can make a major impact in our community by giving a local youth just one hour/week of your time! Getting involved with Partners is a great opportunity for individuals who desire to work with youth, or want to give back to our community in a meaningful way.

If you would like to be the difference in the life of a youth, please consider becoming a mentor. Visit https://poweredbypartners.org/mentoring/ or reach out to Noah Davidson for volunteer/internship opportunities: ndavidson@poweredbypartners.org.

We are excited to announce the huge update to our gym that took place over the summer.....we now have AIR CONDITIONING!! Our Carrie Martin staff, students and families will be in cool comfort for assemblies, meals and events from now on!

All volunteers must be registered in the VITAL system before helping in the school building or on field trips. You can register at the following link: https://www.tsd.org/get-involved/volunteer

Once you have received email confirmation that your registration is complete, you can contact your student's teacher to make plans for volunteering.

As we prepare for the new school year, families will have an opportunity to plan for medications for school use.

If your student requires medication at school, use the attached form links for parents/guardians and the provider to fill out and sign. Once the Action Plan or permission for medication form is completed the health office can accept your student's medication. You will have an opportunity to bring forms and medication to Back to School Night.

As a reminder, forms are good for one year. Medication needs to be in original pharmacy labeled packaging and is NOT expired. Action plans do not need additional medication forms. If your student needs medication outside of the action plan (i.e. ibuprofen, tylenol, benadryl only, ect.) see TSD permission for medication. Please reach out to the health office with any questions or concerns.

Asthma Action Plan

Asthma and Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Seizure Action Plan

TSD Permission for Medication

Aimey Depperschmidt

aimey.depperschmidt@tsd.org

District School Nurse

Carrie Martin Elementary School

Centennial Elementary School

If your child has a food allergy and will require meal modifications for school meals, please request a Meal Modification Form from health staff.

Any students who are NON-MEDICALLY EXEMPT from immunizations need to complete and turn in a new exemption form each school year. You can find more information and the appropriate form at the following link:

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vaccine-exemptions

**Please note that the CDPHE now requires you to watch a short informational module before completing that form. Once the form is completed, you will need to drop off or email a copy of that exemption to the school office.

In each edition, you’ll find a treasure trove of news, events, and opportunities that will not only keep you in the loop but also empower you to actively participate in our vibrant school community. From fascinating stories from our students and educators to updates on upcoming events and ways for you to make a meaningful impact, “PTA Connections” is your compass for navigating the world of Carrie Martin.

Read it here

https://carriemartinpta.org/news/

All communication and registration for our district's early childhood program, including all school EC sites, comes from the EC office. For questions or more information, please contact them at:

https://www.thompsonschools.org/preschool or call them at 970-613-5052.

Carrie Martin Early Childhood Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

AM 7:50 - 10:50

PM 11:25 - 3:00

***NO SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAYS