Dear Cougar Families,
This weekend Megan was able to get her nieces to the park and kick up her boots at the Grizzly Rose. Robin cheered from afar as her daughter’s girls hockey team won the Breckenridge annual pond hockey tournament.
We hope everyone is popping into some great books during The Read-A-Thon! The Read-A-Thon runs now through February 7th - and donations may be made through February 13th. Visit cougarpto.org/read-a-thon to donate, get the forms and learn more. Keep up the great reading - and remember to donate and help us take a few steps closer to our annual fundraising goal! Please enjoy our Read-A-Thon Video!
As winter turns into spring, the sun glare in the morning increases making visibility during morning drop-off more challenging. Please slow down during drop off and pick-up times. Please be aware of students and cross guards in the middle of the street as our first priority is to keep everyone safe!
We have a new weekly volunteer opportunity in the Lafayette main office! Please consider helping our team with copying and organizing information for our Friday Folders. Sign-up today at: https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/32/events/15074
Today, at 8:00 AM the Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences sign-up is live and sent to parent emails listed on Infinite Campus. The email will include a link which will lead families to the sign-up page. We cannot wait to connect with you soon!
Parent Conference Dates:
February 18th (Virtual) 3:00-7:30
February 20 (In-person) 3:00-7:30
February 26 (In-person) 3:00-7:30
We have been celebrating the 100th day of school across grade-levels this week and last! Ms. Rad's kindergarten class is pictured celebrating above!
Go Cougars!
Sincerely,
Megan Weir, Principal and Robin Stone, Dean of Students
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
24-25 BVSD Calendar LINK
***Specials--PE, Art, and Music Rotation Schedules LINK
Please make sure your student has athletic footwear for PE weeks. No Crocs, flip flops, sandals, dress shoes, heels, wheelies, or boots please!
For a complete list of events, please see the CALENDAR on our website.
February 2025 (Character Trait: Kindness)
3 ~ 2nd Gr. DI 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
3 ~ Battle of the Books 2:55 to 3:55 (3rd/4th Gr. in Library & 5th in MPR)
3 ~ Student Council 2:55 3:55 in Ms. Marquez’s room
4 ~ PTO “Chip” cookie fundraiser!
4 ~ 3rd Gr. DI 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
4 ~ Chess Club w/ Mr. Lohn 2:55 to 3:55 in the Art Room
4 ~ Shakespeare Club 2:55 to 3:55 in room 112
4 ~ Curious Cougar News 2:55 to 3:55 in the MPR
4 ~ No Place for Hate 2:55 to 3:55 in the Library
5 ~ Author Visit Kwame Alexander 1:00 to 2:00 in the Gym
5 ~ Choir Club with Mr. Meere 2:55 to 3:55 in the Music Room
6 ~ 5th Gr. DI 2:55 to 3:55 in room 105B & 119
7 ~ Parent Coffee Chat at drop off
7 ~ 4th Gr 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
10 ~ 2nd Gr. DI 2:55 to 4:00 in 105B & 119
10 ~ Battle of the Books 2:55 to 3:55 (3rd/4th Gr. in Library & 5th in MPR)
11 ~ 3rd Gr. DI 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
11 ~ Chess Club w/ Mr. Lohn 2:55 to 3:55 in the Art Room
11 ~ Shakespeare Club 2:55 to 3:55 in room 112
11 ~ PTO Skate City Night 6:00 to 8:00
12 ~ Choir Club with Mr. Meere 2:55 to 3:55 in the Music Room
13 ~ 5th Gr. DI 2:55 to 3:55 in room 105B & 119
14~ 3rd Grade Read with the Buffs
14 ~ KG Music Performance 2:00 to 2:45 in the Gym
14 ~ 4th Gr 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
17 ~ Presidents Day ~ No School!!
18 ~ Professional Development ~ No School for students
18 ~ Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences (Virtual) 3:00 to 7:00
19 ~ Choir Club with Mr. Meere 2:55 to 3:55 in the Music Room
20 ~ Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences (In-Person) 3:00 to 7:00
21 ~ 4th Gr DI 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
24 ~ PTO eat at The Post fundraiser
24 ~ Volleyball Club with Ms. Mischke 2:55 to 3:55 in the Gym
24 ~ 2nd Gr. DI 2:55 to 4:00 in 105B & 119
24 ~ Battle of the Books 2:55 to 3:55 (3rd/4th Gr. in Library & 5th in MPR)
25 ~ Shakespeare Club with Ms. Hambleton 2:55 to 3:55 in room 112
25 ~ 3rd Gr. DI 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
26 ~ Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences (In-Person) 3:00 to 7:00
27 ~ 5th Gr. DI 2:55 to 3:55 in room 105B & 119
28 ~ 4th Gr DI 2:55 to 4:00 in room 105B & 119
Third Grade Music Performance Information
The entire 3rd grade will be presenting a music performance on Tuesday March 11th at 6pm in the gymnasium.
All 3rd grade students will need to be on stage in the gym by 5:50pm on the night of the performance so we can start on time. There is no dress code for this performance, but it is a prime photo-opportunity! The entire show should last about 30 minutes. We really hope that everyone can make it to this special event!
John "Mister" Meere
Lafayette Music Teacher
Sunshine Committee Announcement
This month, the Sunshine Committee is providing a fun + refreshing Beverage Bar for teachers and staff. Please donate a wide variety of beverages/sodas/drinks to keep our staff "chugging" along! Thank you so much for your support. https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/32/events/15075
Kwame Alexander Author Visit
Poet, Author, Producer, & Speaker Kwame Alexander is coming to our school! Students in grades K-5 will attend his presentation in the gym on Wednesday February 5th. Students who have pre-purchased any of his books and bring them to school will be able to attend his book signing in the library that day. (His books are available at the Read Queen, Boulder Book Store, and online). For more information on Kwame Alexander, please visit his website. He will also be presenting at the Lafayette Public Library on Thursday Feb. 6 from 6:30-7:30 if families are interested in attending! (Click here for event details).
Art Message
Dear Families,
I’m thrilled to announce that fifth-graders Ivy Conrad and Annabel Shafton have been selected as our school’s winners for the T2 Dance Company Color Wheel Project! We are so excited to celebrate these talented artists and see the incredible interpretation by choreographer Claire, who is using their artwork as the backdrop and inspiration for lighting, costumes, and movement design. The performance will take place on April 19 at 4:00 PM at the Dairy Center for Performing Arts in Boulder. I’ll be sharing posters and postcards with more details as soon as I receive them.
Additionally, 17 talented artists from Ms. Watson’s fourth-grade class are invited to an art opening at the Boulder Valley School District Education Center in Boulder on February 11 from 4:00–5:30 PM. Their artwork is currently on display and will remain up through the end of February. This event will also feature more than a dozen K–5 artists whose framed pieces will be exhibited in the Ed Center hallways for the next 12 months.
Our fourth-grade ceramic artists featured in the display case for the month of February are:
Maisie Cinco, Ailani Pomeday, Joe Meinke-Segal, Jackobi Bahnfleth, Piper Davis, Ezra Helmuth, Bryn Herman, Corbin Kenny, Charlotte Lungu, Mallory Merrill, Finn Nohe, Dylan Panette, Jackson Park, Elyse Reed, Maddy Stojak, Adrienne Weiss, and Julian Thornhill.
Wishing you all a Happy Lunar New Year!
Warmly,
Jennifer Wise
Clinica Dental Update
Due to ongoing staffing shortages, the Clinica School-Based Dental Program will be placed on pause until further notice.
We understand the importance of dental screening for students, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for your family. The Clinica team is working diligently to resolve the staffing challenges and resume services as soon as possible. In the meantime, please reach out to us if you have any routine or urgent dental needs for your student.
Sincerely,
Alicia Seivers, RN
Medicaid Resource Nurse, BVSD Health Services Department
720.561.5559
Counselor's Corner
Dear Families,
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. For the month of February, our focus in the elementary counseling program will be on fostering healthy friendships and relationships. We believe that these are crucial skills for our students as they grow and interact with their peers.
In addition to building positive relationships, we will revisit important conflict resolution strategies. Teaching our students how to navigate conflicts effectively will empower them to handle disagreements in a constructive manner. We will also emphasize the importance of healthy communication, helping students to express themselves clearly and listen actively to others.
Resources on Conflict Resolution Strategies
To support our students in developing essential conflict resolution skills, here are some valuable resources for both home and school. These materials can help children learn to navigate disagreements effectively and promote healthy communication.
Books for Children:
"The Peace Book" by Todd Parr
"What If Everybody Did That?" by Ellen Javernick
"Don't Laugh at Me" by Steve Seskin and Alan Katz
Online Resources:
CASEL: Offers social-emotional learning resources, including conflict resolution.
KidsHealth: Simple articles on conflict resolution techniques.
PBS Kids: Games and activities that teach conflict management.
Videos:
Sesame Street: Search for conflict resolution episodes featuring familiar characters.
GoNoodle: Songs that engage children in learning conflict resolution.
Programs:
PeaceBuilders: A school-based program promoting positive behavior and conflict resolution.
Second Step Program: Lessons on social-emotional skills, including conflict resolution.
Printable Worksheets:
Conflict Resolution Worksheet: Guides children through problem identification and solution brainstorming.
Feelings Chart: Helps children articulate their emotions during conflicts.
Family Activities:
Role-Playing: Practice conflict resolution scenarios together.
Discussion Circles: Create a safe space for family discussions about feelings and conflicts.
Thank you once again for being an integral part of our school community. Together, we can help our students thrive.
Warm regards,
Anna Gamble, Counselor
Boulder Book Store at Lafayette
What: Boulder Book Store Book Fair at Lafayette Elementary
Where: MPR (back of library)
When: In person shopping Feb. 20 & 26 from 2:50-7:00
Who: Everyone is invited
Why: To shop for great books and raise money for our school library
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help set up, run, and pack up the fair. Click here to sign up. Your help is appreciated!
We want all students to have the opportunity to receive a book from the fair. If purchasing a book is a financial hardship, your child can select one free book from the fair. Please email our librarian (jessica.arment@bvsd.org) to let her know you would like a Scholarship Book for your child.
If you would like to purchase a book for a teacher, you can find their “Wish List” outside the fair with books they would love for their classroom.
Character Trait Television
Each Wednesday, announcements are shown virtually in the classroom and feature our students, their artwork, and other student talents throughout the school. Please enjoy last week’s CTTV: LINK
Parent Teacher Organization
Welcome to February Cougars!
We hope everyone is popping into some great books during The Read-A-Thon! The Read-A-Thon runs now through February 7th - and donations may be made through February 13th. Visit cougarpto.org/read-a-thon to donate, get the forms and learn more. Keep up the great reading - and remember to donate and help us take a few steps closer to our annual fundraising goal!
Don't forget to grab some cookies THIS Tuesday, February 4 between 3 - 8 pm at CHIP in Erie (2930 Arapahoe Road) - and they'll give 20% back to Lafayette Elementary PTO!
Thank you everyone who joined us at our January General PTO Meeting. You can view the slide deck from the meeting (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oFP9hb2Dpj1V347OAQrimCVRPajHE7XVZBG5eJXwhvg/edit?usp=sharing)
We'll have some additional information from our guest Daniel Ryan that he wasn't able to cover at the meeting coming from the school. If you're interested in learning more about the PTO Executive Board positions available for next year, please email Anna (president@cougarpto.org).
Save the Date and plan to join us next week for our Community Skate Night at Skate City in Westminster on Tuesday, February 11 from 6 - 8 pm. Mention Lafayette Elementary School when you arrive - and the PTO will get a portion of proceeds from the night!
Want to support the Cougars while cheering on the Nuggets? Order tickets to the Suns vs. Nuggets game on Friday March 7. 2025 at 8:00PM. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit Lafayette Elementary School. Get them early as they may sell out! Tickets can be purchased at HTTPS://NUGGETS.KSETICKETS.COM/LAFAYETTEELEMENTARY
Keep an eye on Help At Schools (https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/32/events) for Valentine's Party's, Opportunities to help out in the main office, Sunshine Committee sign-up opportunities (there will be 2 in February!) and fun parent led initiatives like the Trash Pandas (https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/32/events/14884)!
Italian Night: Dinner for Teachers During Conferences
It's Italian Night for the teachers during the last day of Parent/Teacher conferences! This dinner will be like a "Pasta Potluck" - please bring a main dish of your choice that is Italian-style. Thank you for feeding our hard-working teachers! https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/32/events/15060
Email: president@cougarpto.org
