Big T Weekly

Dear Big T Families,

This week was certainly an interesting one with the observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday and the two-hour delay on Tuesday! It seems we’re out of the deep freeze for now, but as we all know, Colorado weather is nothing if not unpredictable. Please continue to ensure your child comes to school prepared for winter conditions with hats, gloves, coats, and boots (especially when there’s snow).

Exciting Sustainability News

As we move into the second semester, we’re thrilled to share some exciting updates about our sustainability efforts! In late April or early May, we will be receiving new composting bins made by students in Thompson Valley High School’s Geometry and Construction class. This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our commitment to sustainability while partnering with our local high school students.

To make these composting bins even more impactful, we need your support! The high school students will build the bins, but we need to provide eco-bricks for insulation.

What Are Eco-Bricks?

Eco-bricks are plastic bottles tightly packed with clean, non-biodegradable waste to create sturdy building materials. If every Big T family makes five eco-bricks, we’ll meet our goal of 1,000 eco-bricks by May 1st!

Materials Needed to Make Eco-Bricks

1. Clean and Dry Plastic Bottles: Any size works, but 16-20 oz bottles are ideal.

2. Non-Biodegradable Plastic Waste:

• Plastic wrappers (from snacks, candy, or packaging)

• Plastic bags

• Straws

• Bubble wrap

• Plastic film (e.g., bread bags or packaging materials)

• Styrofoam pieces (cut into smaller pieces if needed)

3. A Stick or Rod: To compact the materials tightly into the bottle (e.g., a wooden dowel or the handle of a wooden spoon).

How to Make an Eco-Brick

1. Start with a clean, dry plastic bottle.

2. Fill the bottle with non-biodegradable plastic waste, ensuring each piece is clean and dry.

3. Use a stick or rod to tightly compress the waste into the bottle. The tighter the packing, the stronger the eco-brick.

4. Continue filling and compressing until the bottle is completely full and dense (it should feel rigid and not easily squeezed).

5. Seal the bottle with its original cap.

Collection bins for completed eco-bricks and/or materials to make the eco-bricks will soon be available at the main entrances of the building. Thank you for helping us make a difference and supporting our sustainability efforts at Big T!

Wishing You a Wonderful Weekend

We hope you have a fabulous weekend, possibly filled with some snow-filled fun. As always, thank you for being part of our amazing Big T community!

Warm regards,

Sarah Walgast

Principal

• Nominations are open for Educator of the Year! Have a staff member you want to highlight and celebrate? Here is the link to nominate some of the increible staff members in our building! https://www.thompsontef.org/educator-of-the-year-award-1

Here is the video that was to have run during the winter program in December. Unfortunately during the program, last year's video was shown instead.

Mark your calendars for the annual K.I.S.S. Breakfast. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up to volunteer here: https://bit.ly/VolunteerKISSBreakfast

Spirit Wear Alert! Get ready to rock those school colors! Our online store is stocked with t-shirts, hoodies, and more. PTA will be your personal shopper and deliver it straight to your student.

Order yours online today!

https://bit.ly/bigtspiritwear

We had a great response to our Elementary Spin and Dance Camp last year so we are doing it again! This camp will be a short introduction to the unique activity that is colorguard/winterguard. Students will be introduced to dance and flag choreography. This is open to any TSD or local charter students. The camp will be taught by our amazing Director of Guards, Mrs. Katelyn Kellogg, her staff, and some select high school colorguard students.

The camp will be happening March 10th-11th at Lincoln Elementary (thank you Principal Stotter) and March 12th at Loveland HS where the camp students will get to perform as part of our Winter Ensembles showcase. After they perform, they'll get to see the "big kids" doing the same activity which I'm sure will be a highlight for them and their families. This performance will be free of charge, donations to the LHS Bands program accepted but not expected.

Here is the link to registration

bit.ly/elemguardcamp

The cost of the camp is $35 and includes, t-shirt, pizza dinner, and instruction. We tried to make it very affordable, but we can also offer financial assistance to any families that need it. We want to be fully inclusive. We know that most families and students don't know what colorguard is and we are hoping to change that. It's a really fun activity and they can participate in middle school and high school groups as they get older no matter what school they attend.

* When your student is absent it is a good idea to reach out to their teacher to get work to do at home. However, still call the attendance line or email the office to excuse the absence. Teachers are busy and may not have time to let the office know that the absence was excused through them.

You can now excuse the absence through the parent portal if that is more convenient for you.

* If your student is absent due to an appointment, please get a medical note from the clinic and send it to the front office. Medical appointments with a note are the only absences the state of Colorado considers as excused for their count purposes.

* Remember, if you need to change how your student normally goes home please call or email the office before 2:30 PM. Stacey.faykosh@tsd.org or 970-613-5600

* Please remember that toys are to remain at home. They can be a distraction in the classroom and there are tears if the toy disappears.

**Small lost and found items are usually kept at the office.

Here is the link to see the club stats: https://chelsiwoodcoxphotography.my.canva.site/big-thompson-running-club

Healthy Kids Club is a program sponsored by UCHealth to promote health and wellness for kids. They offer programs throughout the year including in the summer. Here is the link: healthykidsclub.org

January 28 - SAC Meeting 5:30 - 6:30

February 12 - PTA K.I.S.S. Breakfast 8:00-8:30 AM

February 17 & 18 - No School

February 20 - 4th grade to Colorado History Museum

Email: info.bigt@thompsonschools.org
Website: https://www.thompsonschools.org/BigThompson
Location: 7702 W Hwy 34, Loveland, CO, USA
Phone: 970-613-5600
Facebook: facebook.com/BigThompsonElementarySchoolofNatureandStem

Preschool for 2025-2026

Are you interested in your child being ready for kindergarten? The Thompson School District's Integrated Early Childhood Program provides quality preschool experiences for three and four year olds at 15 different sites around the Loveland and Berthoud area.

If your child will be 3 or 4 years old by October 1, 2025, your child may be eligible to participate in the Thompson School District's Early Childhood Program. We ask all interested families to complete our Preschool Interest Form available on our preschool website. If you have any questions about our program, please call 970-613-5052.

School year District Fees have been added to your student's account. See the link below for how to pay online. You can also bring cash or check to the front office. If you bring cash, please bring the exact amount as we do not have change.

School Closure Line

Linea de Cierre Escolar

(970) 613-6788

Pokemon cards, oh my! We need your support. Pokemon cards should not be brought to school. These cards are becoming a distraction to learning and have caused numerous arguments as well as some tears. So, we are asking that Pokemon cards be left at home. If a student brings these cards to school and they are not left in the backpack, the teacher will hold onto the cards until the end of the day. At the end of the day, the cards will be given back to the student to take home and leave at home. If the cards are brought back again (after being told to leave them at home), the cards will be given to the office and will need to be picked up by a family member. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support and cooperation with this matter.

NOCO Emergency Alert

Hi Principals! Larimer County Fire Departments have asked us to share this information. Please be sure to pass this information out to your families. This emergency alert will alert those who sign up for it with emergency notifications from Larimer county. Please text NOCOALERT to 888777.

Save your Morning Fresh milk caps and send them to the school. The PTA turns them in for money.

If you do any purchasing through Office Depot/Max, please use our ID#70018268. We get 5% back through their Gives Back to School Program. Thank you!

You are able to make an anonymous report for anything that concerns or threatens you, your family, your friends, or your community. For more information go to:

https://safe2tell.org/