From The Principals Office
Welcome Back to 2025 Owls!
I hope you had a wonderful break and were able to enjoy some time to rest and relax with loved ones. My family was able to enjoy downtime, some Avalanche games, and watching the Broncos make it to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years!! As a CO native, my sports heart is happy! It is hard to believe it is 2025! Our first semester was full of learning and fun, and we cannot wait to continue that into this semester. As we return, we will be launching into our new unit of study, "Buildings". It will be fun to watch students return to their newly designed rooms, full of building materials! Students will investigate the following:
"What do buildings in our neighborhood and other places look like?" "Who builds buildings and what tools do they use?" "What are buildings made of? What makes them strong?" "What is special about our Building?" and "What happens inside buildings?" Please encourage your child to tell you what they are learning about and make those connections at home too! The first few weeks, teachers will ask for pictures of your child's favorite buildings. We will wrap up our unit with a community scavenger hunt in mid-February.
We will also begin our Pyramids Social foundational stories and students will meet Tucker Turtle. Please read the letter teachers are sending home for some ideas and tips to help make the school and home connections. Please see the attached 1-page guide for helping your child recognize and deal with anger.
If you do not already, please follow our Facebook page to see updates and activities around our school. Remember, on the first of each month, the students switch playgrounds! While the weather is ever changing, there may be indoor recess.
Reminder: COLD START DAYS:
In an effort to ensure the safety of children and families on days with very cold temperatures, FFC8 Preschool Program locations will begin the following “Cold Start”
· Cold Start is defined as a day that Weather.com reports a “feels” colder than 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
· The school vestibule is open, and families are encouraged to wait in the vestibule area prior to the school start time. Families may also choose to wait in their vehicle. Conrad will have the Snowflake Flags hung up.
· Teachers will support an expedited sign-in process.
· On Cold Start days, children will not be counted as tardy until 10 minutes after the start of the session (8:10 a.m.; 10:55 a.m.).
If you have questions regarding Preschool Cold Start procedures, please follow-up with Mrs. Browning. Thank you for your support with this change!
Please remember to send coats and winter weather items for your child in case we are outside and it is chilly!
In Service of All,
Laura Browning
“Change Happens…such as loss of housing, homelessness, job and need for resources. If this us 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 Promis Bruno, MSW at 719-492-8810 or pbruno@ffc8.org.“
“El cambio sucede... como la pérdida de vivienda, falta de vivienda, trabajo y necesidad de recursos. Si es usted, comuníquese con su enlace de distrito. Hay una serie de recursos que incluyen despensa de alimentos escolares, armario de ropa, noches de recursos para padres y mucho más. ¡Estamos aquí para apoyarte! Comuníquese con Promis Bruno, MSW al 719-492-8810 o pbruno@ffc8.org.“
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ALWAYS have your ID. If there is a sub for your child's teacher, they will be asking for this to compare to the student's approved pick-up adults. All approved adults must be 18 years or older, per DHS guidelines. We will also scan all visitor ID's for any events.***
- If you do not already, please follow our Facebook page to see updates and activities around our school.
- On the first of each month, the students switch playgrounds! While the weather is ever changing, there may be indoor recess. If you do not see your child's class outside at pick-up, you will sign them out at their drop-off doors. Please remember to send coats and cold weather items for your child in case we are outside and it is chilly!
Siblings or children not enrolled as a student at Conrad:
- Siblings and other children are NOT allowed to visit the classrooms during regular school day sessions due to licensing regulations, ratios, potential health concerns, and disruptions to the classroom environment. Please note that this includes the following situations: birthday celebrations, holiday events during the school day, volunteer activities, etc. Additionally, this is relevant for unenrolled children of all ages - including infants and children in strollers/carriers.
- Siblings are welcome to attend outdoor events during the school day (field day, etc.), as well as after-school events such as Family Nights.
To ensure safety of all students, staff, and families:
- No dogs allowed on school property during pick up/drop off times.
- Remember to use the crosswalks and keep your child close to you in the parking lots.
The city of Fountain has put in a cross walk on Jimmy Camp Road by Conrad. The lights will flash when someone pushes the button so please watch for students crossing the street.
Reminder, we visit the library on Wednesday's. Students have an opportunity to listen to stories, as well as check out library books for the week! If you would like to be a Wednesday library volunteer, please visit our website under the PTO tab. You can sign up for any amount of time; it does not need to be an entire day commitment. Books are due back on the following Tuesday.
Please see the flyers below for all upcoming events at Conrad!
Here at Conrad, we all believe in each and every student. Please, reach out if you have any questions in regards to the upcoming events!
From The Office of Nurse Lisa
Happy New Year!
As we enter into 2025 you may be thinking of new years resolutions. I am working on being more mindful and present with my own children and all the students I work with everyday. Sesame street has developed a really fun and thoughtful Mindfulness practice for little ones!
"Join the Sesame Street Muppets as they lead you in five mindfulness practices to help children and staff feel happier, healthier, and more in control. Listen along to practice whole-body listening, self-love, noticing, deep breathing, and body scans."
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/browse/series/mindfulness-practices-children
Whole Body Listening with Elmo
Practice along with Elmo as he shows the mindfulness strategy of whole body listening. This activity can be used to help children focus and prepare for the day or a new activity.
This activity can help children build confidence and practice self-love. Together with children, listen and follow Grover’s instructions.
Listen to Cookie Monster explain how to notice things around us. This activity can help children find grounding and focus.
Take a deep breath with Abby! This activity can help children find calmness and reset.
Follow Big Bird’s instructions and say hello to each part of the body. This activity can be used to help children relax or self-soothe, including during difficult moments.
This month we will collect canned protein such as tuna & chicken to Pack The Pantry! This food will be donated to the Fountain-Fort Carson District 8 food pantry that gives food to students and their families with food insecurities. Please bring canned protein to the front office this month. For more information or about receiving donations for your family please reach out to Nurse Lisa: Lcasper@FFC8.org; 719-304-3500
Conrad will be hosting the 2nd annual Community Resource Health Fair February 19, 2025! We will have representatives from community organizations such as Pikes Peak Library District, The Joint Initiative, Care & Share and the Care Coordinator's from El Paso County Public Health Department. For more information see the flyer below!
From Conrad's Speech Therapists, Jess & Marina:
Here is the Speech-Language Calendar for January with activities to work on with your kids at home to help promote their language!
Jessica Meyer M.S. CCC-SLP Marina Kelly M.S.CCC-SLP
🌟Staff Spotlight🌟 Teacher 🌟
Get to know our staff at Conrad!
Kayla Hondorf
Where were you born?
Pueblo, CO
What is your roll at Conrad?
Early Childhood Special Educator
What is your favorite part of working at preschool?
The kids and the excitement they bring to learning!
Do you have any Pets?
2 Dogs - Sullivan “Sullie” is a Miniature Poodle. He’s named after Sullie from Monsters Inc. Bristol is a Wirehair Pointer Griffon. She is named after Bristol Brewing where my husband took me on our first date.
Do you have any hobbies?
Cooking, it reminds me of my childhood and all the wonderful memories I have of my grandmother and our Italian traditions. Traveling, I love to explore new places.
If you had to enter a talent show, what would be your act?
Hmmm… back when I used to be a competitive dancer but nowadays that would be scary. I think I would be a tough competitor in a cooking competition!
What is your favorite type of food?
Italian and Mexican food
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
Italy! I’d love to see where my grandfather lived, discover all the beauty, and drink lots of delicious wine!!
What is a quote that inspires you?
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away!"
Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I am a boy mommy - I have a one year old named Weston who is my entire world!
🌟Staff Spotlight🌟 Paraprofessional🌟
Get to know our staff at Conrad!
What is your name?
Kathy Melillo
Where were you born?
Bountiful, UT
What is your roll at Conrad?
Paraprofessional
What is your favorite part of working at preschool?
Watching kids to learn and grow and to facilitate in their learning.
Do you have any Pets?
I have two grand dogs. One is a mini pinscher and a Dauschund.
Do you have any hobbies?
Being in nature and Collecting Japanese artwork.
What is your favorite type of food?
Japanese Hibachi.
If you had to enter a talent show, what would be your act?
Cooking a great meal!
If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
Back to Japan. We lived there for 13 years. I love the people and the culture.
What is a quote that inspires you?
"The present moment is the only moment available to us and is the door to all moments" - Thich Nhat Hanh
Is there anything else you want to share about yourself?
I've been married to my better half for 38 years. We have two daughters and one grandson and a granddaughter who bring so much joy!!
Sign up to help in our school library!
Click on the picture to sign up 👉
Parents may sign up to help out on Wednesdays in Conrad's school Library.
- We need one volunteer per week
- Help kids check in & check-out library books
- Clean and reshelve library books
- Wednesdays during the AM or PM session
Reminder: children may NOT accompany the volunteer.
Please review the available slots click on the button to sign up.
Thank you!
