Aragon Gator News

We are looking forward to seeing you next year. Please make sure to complete your online registrations for next year starting June 1st. https://www.ffc8.org/families/registration/enrollment

May

🔅ENJOY YOUR SUMMER BREAK🔅

• Summer Activities, Camps, Summer meals, Food pantries and resources posted down below

August

• First day of school August 5th

• Parents for security purposes please bring your driver license for early check out for you child.
• If you have to make any changes to contact information please come to the office and fill out a form.
• *END OF DAY PICK UPS BY 2:00 pm*
• TRANSPORTATION: If there is a transportation change that is different from the regular daily routine, please call the office 719-382-1340 before 1:30 pm.
• Student Apparel: Parents please write your child's name on their jackets and sweaters.
• Summer Learning Institute: OPEN REGISTRATION NOW UNTIL MAY 30th *Parents can register online at the district website. Elementary SLI will be held at Mesa this year.

Free Activities

1. Garden of the Gods

• What to do: Explore towering red rock formations, hike 15 miles of trails, and visit the interactive Visitor & Nature Center.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Park open daily 5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (May–Oct); Visitor Center open 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (summer)
  

• Details: https://gardenofgods.com/

2. Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum

• What to do: Learn about local history through exhibits and participate in the Children’s History Hour.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  

• Details: http://www.cspm.org/

3. Red Rock Canyon Open Space

• What to do: Hike, bike, or rock climb in a scenic red rock setting.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Open daily 5:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (May–Oct)
  

• Details: https://redrockcanyonopenspace.org/

4. North Cheyenne Cañon Park

• What to do: Explore trails leading to waterfalls like Helen Hunt Falls and visit the Starsmore Visitor Center.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Park open daily; Visitor Center hours vary
  

• Details: https://coloradosprings.gov/NCC

5. Paint Mines Interpretive Park

• What to do: Hike through colorful geological formations and learn about the area's history.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Open daily from dawn to dusk
  

• Details: https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/parks-and-recreation/paint-mines-interpretive-park/
  

6. Fountain Creek Nature Center/Bear Creek Nature Center

• What to do: Enjoy birdwatching, nature trails, and educational exhibits.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Open Tuesday–Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
  

• Details: https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/nature-centers/fountain-creek-nature-center/

• https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/nature-centers/

7. Old Colorado City Historic District

• What to do: Stroll through historic streets, visit unique shops, and attend seasonal events.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Details: https://www.shopoldcoloradocity.com/
  

8. U.S. Air Force Academy

• What to do: Tour the campus, visit the Planetarium, and see the B-52 display.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Hours: Visitor Center open daily 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  

• Details: https://www.usafa.edu/visitors/

9. Memorial Park

• What to do: Enjoy sports fields, a skate park, and picnic areas.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Details: https://coloradosprings.gov/memorialpark

10. Free Summer Concerts in the Park

• What to do: Attend live music performances at venues like Acacia Park and Bancroft Park.
  

• Cost: Free
  

• Details: https://www.elpasoco.com/2022-concerts-in-the-park/

Paid Activities

1. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

• What to do: Visit animals and enjoy panoramic views from the zoo's mountainside location.
  

• Cost: $24.75–$29.75 (ages 12+), $19.75–$24.75 (ages 3–11), free for children under 3
  

• Hours: Open daily 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  

• Details: http://www.cmzoo.org/
  

2. North Pole – Santa’s Workshop

• What to do: Enjoy over 25 rides, visit Santa, and explore festive shops.
  

• Cost: $30 per person; free for children under 2
  

• Hours: Open daily 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (seasonal)
  

• Details: http://northpolecolorado.com/

3. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

• What to do: Explore fossil beds and see petrified redwood stumps.
  

• Cost: $10 per adult (ages 16+); free for children under 16
  

• Hours: Open daily 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
  

• Details: https://www.nps.gov/flfo/index.htm

4. Play Street Museum

• What to do: Interactive play space designed for children 8 and under.
  

• Cost: $14 per child; free for children under 1
  

• Hours: Open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
  

• Details: https://coloradosprings.playstreetmuseum.com/

5. Kids Bowl Free program

• What to do: Bowling program for free games
  

• Cost: shoe rental
  

• Hours: Varies please check site

• Details: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/index.php
  

6. Summer Movie Clubhouse

• What to do: Movies for kids
  

• Cost: $1.75 per ticket
  

• Hours: Varies please check site

• Details: https://www.cinemark.com/series-events-info-pages/summer-movie-clubhouse/

I am excited to share with you the digital collateral for Summer Adventure presented by the Friends of Pikes Peak Library District (https://ppld.org/summer), our annual all-ages reading and activity program running June 1 – July 31, 2025. This year’s theme is Color Our World™, inviting participants of all ages to read, create, and explore throughout the summer.

Thank you for being a valued partner in this community-wide initiative!

Emily Koppenhaver

Senior Library Associate

Family & Children’s Services

Pikes Peak Library District

Fountain Library

(719) 531-6333, x6122

ppld.org

The Colorado State Fair is inviting students to their “Back to School Day” held on Thursday, August 28th at 3 p.m. Fair organizers want to offer our families discounted tickets. They are looking for a headcount by the end of the school year and will provide schools with the tickets at the beginning of next school year.

Please send out the message below to your community. I will track all requests for tickets and send them out at the beginning of the school year to schools for distribution to students.

_____________________________________________

Dear Families,

The Colorado State Fair is inviting students to their “Back to School Day” held on Thursday, August 28th, starting at 3 p.m. Fair organizers want to provide students with discounted tickets for that event.

To take advantage of this opportunity, please complete this quick form.

Families who sign up will receive:

• (1) ticket per student redeemable on August 28th for FREE fair admission (Single-day gate admission is normally $7 for kids 5-12 and $15 for kids 13 and older.)

• (1) $25 carnival ride wristband (wristbands are normally $40).

• (1) Parent/guardian discount ticket ($3 discount off gate admission)

Tickets will be distributed at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. Please indicate the school your student will be attending next year in the form.

To receive these tickets, please complete the form by Thursday, May 22.

Sign up now for fun, skills, and team spirit—all under the guidance of FFCHS coaches and student athletes! 🏃‍♀️🏀⚾🎾

🗓️ June–July 2025

🎯 Grades: K–12 (varies by camp)

💰 Cost: Varies by camp

📍 Fountain-Fort Carson High School

Sports include Basketball, Football, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Tennis, Cheer, Track, Drill, Soccer, Wrestling & Swimming!

👉 Register: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/stores/catalog/getlistproducts?selectedProductGroupIDs=group21

📩 Questions? Email Melissa Smalley at msmalley@ffc8.org

Let’s make it a summer to remember! 🔥

https://cdhs.colorado.gov/summer-ebt

Subject: Summer Electronic Transfer Benefit Program (S-EBT) for FFC8 households participating in the National School Lunch Program

FFC8 Families:

What is Summer-EBT?
Summer-EBT is a new program that provides nutritious food to eligible students in the summer months when they are not in school. ($120 per student/one time EBT payment)

Who is eligible for Summer-EBT?
Students who may be eligible for Summer-EBT include:

• Those who have already been processed and qualified for free or reduced-price meals while attending a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).
• Those who are receiving other assistance benefits, including SNAP and Colorado Works.
• You may qualify through Medicaid if your income is within the National School Lunch guidelines.

If you have not already applied or qualified for free or reduced eligibility for the 2024-25 school year, please fill out the Family Economic Data Survey by February 21, 2025 to see if you may qualify for Summer-EBT benefits.

How do I get Summer-EBT?
Many families will automatically receive Summer-EBT if their student qualified for free or reduced-price school meals or if they participate in SNAP, Medicaid or Colorado Works.

An EBT card will be mailed to each eligible student directly by the state. You should keep any existing Summer-EBT cards, if you already have one. Summer-EBT cards will be issued by a State agency and will not be issued by Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8.

To prepare for this, make sure your student's address is correct and up-to-date in Infinite Campus parent portal, as well as parent/guardian information.

If you are receiving SNAP, Colorado Works or Medicaid, you should ensure your case has a current address on file.

When will Summer-EBT be available?
Summer-EBT payments will be sent out during the summer months.

For more information on student eligibility and common questions, visit the Colorado Department of Human Services Summer-EBT webpage.

District questions please contact Nutrition Services at (719) 382-1334.

This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider

W is for Watermelon!

Watermelon is a delicious summer fruit! It helps supports eye and skin health because it is packed with vitamin A! It also helps keep you hydrated on hot summer days because it contains 92% water! Try freezing watermelon cubes overnight, then blending them up with a little lime juice for a delicious sorbet or add some fresh watermelon cubes to your summer salad!

Happy Summer Aragon Families!

Nurse Wendy

Thank you for keeping all our Aragon Alligators healthy!

FFC8 Families

Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 provides no-cost Breakfast and Lunch for all students. It is important for households to still provide income information as qualifying households may be eligible for Summer EBT benefits and students may receive discounted technology fees, summer school fees, college testing fees, and more.

Please fill out the Family Economic Data Survey here:

https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=6ZG8ZT

"Change Happens... such as loss of housing , homelessness, job and need for resources. If this is you, please reach out to your District Liaison. There are a number of resources including school food pantry, clothing closet, parent resource nights and much more. We are here to support you! Contact Wendy Stevenson, MSW, LCSW at 719-382-1568 or www.wstevnson@ffc8.org."

CALL 211 for essential community services such as food, clothing banks, shelters rental assistance, utility assistance and more.

Do you have questions or need to sign up for food assistance or Medicaid?

You can visit the El Paso County Department of Humas Service office in Fountain located inside the Peak Vista Health Center at 350 Lyckman Dr. You can also use the Colorado PEAK website to check eligibility and apply for benefits at https.//www.colorado.gov/curated/search-peak

Do you need help navigating Health First Colorado ( Colorado's Medicaid Program)?

CCHA care coordinators can help navigate the health care system and connect you with medical and non-medical services, 719-598-1540

Is your child in need of clothes or supplemental food?

We all know kids grow so fast and the cost of groceries is astronomical. If your family needs some support with this and more, please contact Ally West, Aragon's School Counselor for more info at allysonwest@ffc8.org

Are you looking for a Local Food Pantry?

• FFC8 hosts a Community Food Pantry at the Fountain Valley YMCA on Wednesdays at 4pm
• Sunnyside Market is a food pantry where you can simply grab a cart and choose the food you want. Make sure you enroll online first at https://sunnysidemarket.org. Sunnyside Market is located at 501 East Iowa Ave. Check online for shopping days and hours or to volunteer
• Fountain Valley Foundations - Salvation Army. The Fountain Valley Salvations Army Client Choice Food Pantry is where you can shop for groceries one time per week. Located at 208 Cunningham Dr., 80911. Operating hours: M, W, F from 9am-3pm, closed for lunch 12pm-1pm

Do you need Housing Assistance?

• Are you at risk of becoming homeless (pending eviction/unable to make rent) or maybe living with others due to economic purposes, contact Wendy Stevenson with FFC's McKinney Vento Liaison and district supports. wstvenson@ffc8.org
• Partners in Housing, https://partnershousing.org provides one year if transition housing and supportive services to families experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless with the goal of achieving self-sufficiency. Approval can take many months so apply ASAP.

For the most up to date information and more, please visit our School Community Resources at https://www.ffc8.org/programs/special-education/parent-resources

· Monday (1200-1400): Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2021 W. Pikes Peak Ave, 633-8711

· Tuesday (1300-1500): Trinity United Methodist Church, 701 N. 20th Street, 633-9295

· Wednesday (1300-1445): Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou Street

· Wednesday (1300-1500): Stratmoor Hills Community Pantry, 2027 B. Street, 389-0759

· Thursday (1200-1400): Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2021 W. Pikes Peak Ave, 633-8711

· Friday (1300-1500): Community Congregational Church, 103 Pawnee Ave, Manitou Springs, 685-5255

Other Resources

· Solid Rock Community Development: Mondays 12-2pm, Tuesdays 2-6pm; 33217 S. Academy

· Mt. Carmel Veterans Center: 719-309-4714, 530 Communication Circle, 80905

· Springs First Church: Thursdays 11am-12pm, First and Third Saturdays 1-3pm; 719-596-5119, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd, Colorado Springs

· Warrior Warehouse (on Fort Carson): Follow on Facebook for the most up-to-date information, hours, and food distribution locations

1. Connections 4 Life Center (Formerly Sunny Side Market) – 501 E Iowa Ave, Fountain, CO 80817 Website: https://c4l-new.homesteadcloud.com/ Phone: (719) 387-9919

2. God’s Pantry Food Bank (In Security, CO) – 30 Widefield Blvd. Suite A, Colorado Springs, CO 80911 Website: http://godspantryco.org/ Phone: (719) 382-0643

3. Fountain Valley Salvation Army (The Salvation Fountain Valley Corps) – 208 Cunningham Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80911 Website: https://fountainvalley.salvationarmy.org/fountain_valley_corps_intermountain/cure-hunger/ Phone: (719) 382-1182

4. FFC8 Summer School Community Meals: FFC8 students and families can join our summer school students and staff for breakfast or lunch. Community meals will be provided at each location.

**Community Breakfast Served: 7:30am – 8:30am Community Lunch Served: 11:30am – 12:30pm**

Locations:

· Elementary School – Mesa Elementary (Town) Mountainside Elementary (Post)

Dates: June 9th – July 3rd Monday-Thursday (No school June 19th)

· Middle School – Fountain Middle School

Dates: June 9th – July 3rd Monday-Thursday (No school June 19th)

· High School – Fountain Middle School

Session 1: June 9th – June 24th (No school June 19th) Monday – Friday

Session 2: June 25th – July 11 (No School July 4th) Monday – Friday

Hey Aragon Elementary School fan!

Heads up! Your NEW 24/7 Aragon Elementary School Sideline Store is officially up and running. You can shop the store by clicking the link below.

http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/colorado/fountain/aragon-elementary

7:10 Students Arrive

7:20 Tardy Bell

2:25 Student Dismissal

Website: https://aragon.ffc8.org/
Location: 211 South Main Street, Fountain, CO, USA
Phone: 719-382-1340
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AragonElementary/