Cougar Community Connection

Dear CRUNFamily,

We had a great week at CRUN this week. The week kicked off with a fun visit from our Highlands Ranch High School friends doing a pep rally for our school, getting us all excited about HRHS homecoming this week. The HRHS Falcons had a HUGE win last night against Kennedy last night with a final score of 48-7. We hope you were able to get out and join the fun last night at the game. We are in the final stretch of our Fun Run and couldn't be more grateful for all of the support that you have done and continue to do to help fundraise for our school. The Fun Run is coming on on Friday, October 4th WHICH IS THIS COMING FRIDAY!!! Thank you for helping us to push through to try to hit our goal of 65K! See more info below in the PTA section about this weekend's challenges for the kids to earn prizes!!

Hello #CRUNfamily!

WE ARE DOWN TO OUR FINAL STRECH!

Over the weekend we hit 49% of our fundraising goal for this years Fun Run Fundraiser!!

This is exciting, but we still have more to go! So, to up the ante, the first 100 students to donate this weekend will get and EXTRA prize on Monday!!

As a reminder, our benchmark is $175 worth of donations per student, so please reach out to your friends, family, post on social media, send text and whatever else you can do to help support our school! And of course, we want to get your kids their well deserved prizes!

Another way you can help boost your kiddos donation contribution is by seeing if the company you work for does a donation match, you’d be surprised how common it is!

To make it easy for you, feel free to copy and paste the below wording on your social media or send it as a text to anyone you feel may be able to contribute:

Hello friends and family! My kiddos amazing school is doing their one big fundraiser of the year! This money goes towards essential (and fun) programs that students, including my own, are you able to take advantage of year-round. If you would be so kind to follow this link, find my kiddos name and make a donation on their behalf by next Friday, October 4th, we would be so thankful! Plus they can get a fun prize

https://www.givebacks.com/causes/crunpta/campaigns/c863e86efacebd

Thank you all for your continual support and we look forward to giving you a donation update next week!

- Your CRUN PTA

We are so fortunate to have this trio of educators who teach an additional "specials" class that we call "Enrichment". Oncer per week Mrs. Woody, Mr. Barnes and Mrs. Fredrick offer fantastic programming for our kids that enriches their educational pathway here at CRUN. Woody teaches the skills of library research that our students will definitely need as they embark on their learning journey not only at CRUN, but also in their secondary education pathway in middle school and high school. Barnes is all things technology, from robotics to engineering and coding inclusive of some of the other basic skills like typing and navigating digital educational resources that also enrich their general education learning targets. Frederick is our school counselor and her enrichment is deeply embedded into the self regulation and social skills our kids need to have a strong command of just to be resilient and sturdy humans in life. She focuses on skills like how to cope through conflict, how to be resilient through adversity and even things that seem simple, but are actually very complex for kids and that is how to navigate the ups and downs of friendships. This team works hard to bring incredibly enriching opportunities for our kids in the programming they create for our enrichment specials classes.

We rescheduled this night to meet the needs of more interested dads, grandpas and male role models. We hope to see you all on Tuesday, October 1st.

Calling all dads, grandpas and/or male role models.....we are having a "Watch Dog Dad's" informational meeting on Tuesday, October 1st at 5:00 in our Learning Commons. If you are interested in being a part of the extra safety layer at our school as a positive male role model, then this opportunity is for you. Come join us to hear from Mr. Matt Schueneman, our lead Watch Dog Dad and Campus Security Specialist, Shannon McPherson, our principal and our SRO, school resource officer, Deputy Noah, and hear about how safety is focused on in our building and how you can be an additional layer of safety and security in our school. Please use the QR code below to let us know you are planning to attend. We look forward to seeing you Tuesday night!

Watch D.O.G.S Informational Meeting & Celebration (for All Dads, Grandpas, Father-Figures, and Current Watch DOGS)

Interested in helping Cougar Run all while becoming a male role model? We would love to host you at our Informational Meeting, Tuesday, October 1st 5pm-6pm. We will be serving pizza, so bring your appetites too. Please RSVP using the link below.

If you are a current Watch DOG, please come to our informational meeting to enjoy pizza and share your Watch DOG highlights with other Dads, Grandpas, or Father Figures in attendance, and so that we can say thank you for all you do for Cougar Run.

Tuesday, October 1st

5-6pm in the Learning Commons (Library)

Please RSVP for the Informational meeting HERE.

Diwali

The DCSD Diwali celebration on October 28 is at RCHS on Monday, October 28 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.!

RSVP by October 7!

Here is the invitation for students and families.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Conexion is hard at work to celebrate the Hispanic culture.

When: Tuesday, October 22, 6:00-7:30 pm

Where: Legacy Campus, Liniger Hall

Please print the JPEG image above or here is the flier as a PDF format or PNG file.

**We hope you are able to share these respective invitations with families and staff.

People must RSVP on the link below - space is limited:

(https://forms.gle/D55veSiqx9Mcsfxg9)

Join the Conversation - Help Shape the Future of Our School District

Attend an upcoming meeting to help shape the future of the Douglas County School District as we begin conversations about our next strategic plan. Learn more and RSVP for a meeting that is most convenient for you.

LONE TREE

Tuesday, October 1 | 5:30 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

Wednesday, October 2 | 9:30 a.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

Wednesday, October 2 | Noon

DCSD Legacy Campus

10035 S. Peoria Street, Lone Tree

PARKER

Wednesday, October 2 | 6 p.m.

Cimarron Middle School

12130 Canterberry Parkway, Parker

CASTLE ROCK

Thursday, October 3 | 7 p.m.

Castle View High School

5254 N. Meadows Drive, Castle Rock

Please click on the link to - RSVP

CogAT Universal Testing and Referral Information

DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade--a student's final year of elementary school (November).

6th Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in Cougar Run not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) on November 5 & 6. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.

If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.

Gifted Identification Referral Testing

• If your child is in grades 3, 4, 5, and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.

• NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.

• Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE

• Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

Parents,

We are excited to create a memorable keepsake for students this year, but we cannot be everywhere to photograph every event nor every classroom. We have to depend on YOU to submit photos in order to create this keepsake. Please submit your information and photos to this form. You can fill out the form as many times as you would like! Thank you for being the eyes and the photographers to make this successful!

HERE is the Yearbook Submission Form.

DR-Photo will be in our building the morning of October 11 to retake photos for any parents who were not pleased with their child’s school portrait. They will also photograph any students, staff and volunteers who have not yet been photographed.

Student School Portraits DR-Photo has sent all parents/guardians a link to your child’s portraits. The email that came from is no-reply@imagequix.com

Here is the link for ALL to view and order portraits (you will need your child’s student number, which you can find on your parent portal.) https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001155615

The “online code” will be your child’s student ID number.

Mental Health Wellness Night Flyer

Thursday, October 24th at Cresthill Middle School 5-7 pm

Join us for an enriching evening dedicated to supporting your child's mental health and well-being. This FREE event features insightful workshops designed to equip you with practical strategies and knowledge on various

aspects of student mental health.

Our year is off to a great start! Thanks for continuing to send in Longmont Dairy Milk caps. Our bin is full and over flowing! Keep sending in your bagged milk caps to not only do our part in recycling the caps but also helping Cougar Run out. We are in need of a family that would be willing to place the large bagged collection of milk caps on their front porch for pick up when they get a milk delivery. If you can assist with this, please let Lorie Aksamit know at laksamit@dcsdk12.org

Fall is upon us. Do you have clothes your family has out grown? Gently used shoes? How about gently used textiles (towels, sheets etc) drop them off to Cougar Run’s USAgain green bins at the end of the parking lot. For each full bin collected, a tree is planted! Not only do we help the Earth, but we provide others with needed items. Please be sure to bag your items.

Dear Cougar Run Elementary Community,

On August 27, the Douglas County School District Board of Education unanimously voted 7-0 to place a $490 million Bond on the November 2024 ballot.

If passed by voters, this new funding would be used at our school to:

• Enhance safety and security

• Refresh student and staff technology

• Replace main electrical service equipment

• Replace flooring

• Install new intercom system

• Replace sink countertops

• Replace theater and stage equipment

• Upgrade sound system

If passed by voters, a $490 million Bond would be used to upgrade aging schools and facilities; build additional career and technical education pathways; upgrade school safety and security; and construct and expand neighborhood schools. The Bond would provide for two new elementary schools in growing areas of our county, as well as the expansion of one existing middle school.

A $490 million Bond WOULD NOT increase current property taxes.

You can read more about DCSD’s funding challenges on our website. Thank you for being an engaged and informed member of our school community!

Sincerely,

Shannon McPherson

Principal

Cougar Run Elementary School

October 1-5:00 Watch Dog Dads Information Night (Pizza provided)

October 4th- Annual Cougar Run Fun Run

October 8- Cougar Run Restaurant Night

October 11- 8:45am PTA Meeting

October 14-18-NO SCHOOL-Fall Break

October 21-25- NO CRUN BUS THIS WEEK

October 25-Donuts with Grownups

November 8th- PTA Meeting 8:45 in the Learning Commons

November 12- CRUN Restaurant Night

November 18-22- CRUN Book Fair

November 25-29- NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING BREAK

December 2-6- NO CRUN BUS THIS WEEK

December 9-13- CRUN Holiday Shoppe (Hosted by PTA)

December 12- ROCKS Assemblies 9:00 PK-2nd Grade, 2:15-3rd-6th

December 20-January 6- NO SCHOOL WINTER BREAK-School Resumes January 7th