Cougar Community Connection
Principal, Shannon McPherson
8/30/24
Dear CRUNFamily,
We end this week with our CRUNFamily feeling grateful. Grateful for DCSO and their quick response when we had a need, grateful that no-one was hurt when a car was burglarized and grateful for the outpouring of support and love for our school staff, checking on our wellbeing knowing it was a tough day on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the day after this unfortunate incident happened, as I was monitoring for safety during dismissal, I still witnessed several cars that were left unattended in the fire lane, unlocked and a few that were left running. I cannot stress enough how important it is that we stop this habit. We have evidence that the perpetrators had been scouting our parking lot and for sure gathered intell that many folks in our community are in the practice of leaving their cars unlocked as they drop off or pick up students and the vehicles are left unattended. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE help us stay safe by ensuring that you are following our requests to stay in your car while in the pick up line or parking in the lot and locking your car if you wish to pick up your child from the blacktop of other location in our school. What happened at our school was scary and unfortunate, but with all of us committing to safety protocols while in our school parking lots, we believe we can deter perpetrators from doing this again. Thank you so much for being willing to help us out with this important tightening of safety so we can keep our school community safe.
A Note From PTA
Hard to believe next week will be September!! We are looking forward to kicking off our FUN RUN Fundraiser with you all NEXT WEEK!!
As a reminder - we have switched from several small fundraisers to ONE big fundraiser, our 2nd Annual (In-House) Fun Run. Rather than working with companies that take 40% of your donations, we will handle everything in-house! This will include a CRUN t-shirt, donation-level prizes, set-up, and running of the event. The Fun Run will be on Friday, October 4th, so expect to see fundraising information heading your way!
Thank you to all who became a 24/25 FunRun Sponsor! We are grateful and excited to share all your amazing businesses with our students & parents during our event and for the rest of the year!!
Don't forget to check out our revamped website for all things PTA!
Schedule your Rock reservation, get details of events, and of course donation information: https://sites.google.com/dcsdk12.org/cougarrunparent/?usp=sharing
The PTA is here to help the whole CRUN community. We are always available at crunpta@gmail.com.
Sincerely, CRUN PTA
Spotlight On~ Mr. Jason, Building Engineer
Mr. Jason has become an integral part of our learning community, especially with our students. We all know the talents that Mr. Jason has when it comes to all things building engineering, but the connections that he makes with kids is what sets him apart from most other building engineers in school settings. Jason builds strong relationships with kids and is a trusted adult for so many of our students. We are grateful that Mr. Jason has the engineering talents he has to keep our building functioning at hight levels, but even more grateful for how he connects, supports and loves our kids!
News from HRHS
Hello HRHS feeder schools! My name is Elin Robinson and I am the President of the Choir Boosters at Highlands Ranch High School. Each year after the Homecoming parade, we host a cookout for the community and we wanted to include your families. Pre Order HERE
Homecoming week is September 23-27 this year, with the parade (in the neighborhood near HRHS) on Thursday afternoon followed by the choir cookout and later, the bonfire. The Homecoming varsity football game is Friday, September 27 at 7PM at Halftime Help Stadium.
EBOP- Elementary Band and Orchestra Program 4th-6th Graders
A quick endorsement about this program from Cougar Run-
We value the integration of an elementary band and orchestra program through our high school knowing that igniting this passion early in kids is an incredible way to engage them in learning music at a young age. So many of us at CRUN have had our kids participate in this invaluable program in the past, but right now, due to low enrollment in the program, we are at risk of not having enough kids to run this program this year at HRHS. Please consider registering your child for this great opportunity. We have never had students regret being participants and most went on to become involved in music in middle school and high school.
From HRHS EBOP
Parents!
4th, 5th and 6th Grades- EBOP Instrument Rental Night is Wednesday, August 28th 5-7pm at HRHS. Classes start Tuesday, Sept 3rd at 7:15am! If you can't make it on August 28th, no worries, you can rent your instrument from any local music shop or go to https://goldenmusic.co/ . Last day to sign up is September 26th. Also, don't forget to check out our blog for more information https://hrebop.blogspot.com/. See you soon!
Class Treats
We all love to celebrate occasions and birthdays. With student health concerns in nearly every classroom, the district now requires that there be NO HOMEMADE treats brought to school to share. All shared foods must be store bought with a label. Thank you so much for helping us with this.
Order Your Photos/ Kindy Makeup Photos
Kindergarten and Make-Up Photo Day is Friday August 30- for any students grades 1-6 and any NEW students, that did not have a photo taken at supply drop off, their photo will be taken for the yearbook and for parent purchase. Kindergarten classes are scheduled to go as a class to have their photos taken.
Here is the link for ALL to view and order or to pre-order: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001155615
The online code will be your child’s student ID number.
School Fees Updates
Student Fees- Parents/Guardians should have paid fees through Express Check In. Previous years’ outstanding fees will also show on your child’s account. It is best to always check on your accounts for outstanding fees, they carry over year to year.
Fees for new students have been assessed to student accounts. Please create your account at My School Bucks.
Class field trips will be sent to families throughout the year for purchase.
ROCKS Council Student Leaders Grades 4-6
Cougar Run ROCKS Council is a student leadership opportunity for students in grades 4 - 6. ROCKS Council members will model and promote the core ROCKS traits throughout the building and during the educational day, work together to create philanthropic events that support local and broader communities and organizations, and grow communication and leadership skills through authentic opportunities with peers and teacher leaders. If your child is interested, we have an informational meeting (for students only) on September 5th from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the Learning Commons.
3rd/4th/5th/6th Grade Homework Club
Starting Wednesday, September 4, 2024, students from Cresthill Middle School will provide homework support to 3rd-6th graders at Cougar Run. Teachers will also be there to supervise and help students. Students will be expected to come prepared with their homework, work independently and quietly, and follow ROCKS behavior during this time.
Time: 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Day: Every Wednesday from September 4th to December 11 when school is in session. (A new permission form will be sent home for the Spring semester.)
Where: Cougar Run Learning Commons
Who: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders
**Students must be picked up at 4:00pm
Reach out to Allena Kendall at aakendall@dcsdk12.org if you have any questions.
Volunteer Coordinator~Katie Busch
Special Thank You
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the wonderful turnout at Volunteer Orientation this morning! If you had a conflict this morning, please don’t fret. Feel free to fill out this Parent Volunteer Application and email it to me with an attached picture of you. Once you are in the building, we can give you a quick orientation.
Teacher & Staff Teacher Wish Lists
Please click STAFF & TEACHER WISH LISTS if you would like to celebrate a Cougar Run Staff Member in a special way.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Please check all of them out Cougar Run Volunteer Opportunities
The Giving Tree
Cougar Run is excited to introduce "The Giving Tree" in our school hallway! This tree features apples with lists of classroom supplies written by our teachers. Feel free to pick an apple and help support our classrooms by purchasing or donating the listed items. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and make a big difference in our students’ learning experiences!
Thank you for your support!
Bond Measure on the November Ballot
Please take a few minutes to familiarize yourself on the upcoming Bond measure that will be on the November election. This will positively impact our school with much needed repairs and replacements of things like our windows that are leaking, carpet that needs replacement desperately and many other behind the scenes operational items that are barely hanging on. THE KEY PIECE TO THIS MEASURE IS THERE IS NO, I REPEAT, NO TAX INCREASE TO YOU AT ALL!!!!!!
Upcoming Dates to Remember
September 2nd- No School Labor Day Holiday
September 9-13- No CRUN Bus Service This Week
September 10- Cougar Run Restaurant Night
September 13- 8:45am PTA Meeting in the LC
September 16-19- Parent Teacher Conference Week (Teacher Sign Ups Will Come Soon)
September 20th- No School For Students, Teacher Professional Development Day
September 23rd- Highlands Ranch High School Homecoming Spririt Day, WEAR BLUE AND BLACK
September 25-27- 6th Grade Outdoor Ed Trip
October 4th- Annual Cougar Run Fun Run
October 8- Cougar Run Restaurant Night
October 11- 8:45am PTA Meeting
October 14-18- Fall Break