Cougar Community Connection

Dear CRUNFamily,

It was a great week at Cougar Run. We enjoyed some nice weather, finally, and I guess it was the calm before the storm. Our kids and teachers are full speed ahead, diving into our second semester learning outcomes, attacking the second semester rigor that naturally comes when we are on the downward slope of the school year. What our data showed us at mid year is that our kids have learned a lot and are ready for the increased rigor that the second half of the year brings in order for us to prepare our kids for what comes next in their grade level ahead. There is still lots to learn and we won't miss a beat. Our teachers kicked off the week and ended the week in professional development to sharpen their skills. Monday was embedded PD throughout the day with a focus on writing. Friday during our Professional Development Day with a focus on depth and complexity within our instruction of the learning outcomes. It was time well spent and we all walked away with tools we can implement right away that will immediately benefit our kids. Stay warm, friends, enjoy the extra day with your kids on Monday and we look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday, January, 21st.

As a reminder, we do not have a PTA meeting this month, Please feel free to join our next PTA meeting in February 7th ay 8:45 in person or join on Zoom. We always love seeing new and returning faces! Join the Zoom: HERE

Don’t forget to check out the PTA website for all things PTA, reserve the Rock, and keep up to date on School happenings!

As always, THANK YOU to our business sponsors this year!!! We are so grateful for the community support you provide:

Wanderlust with Laura
AGG Law Firm
Math Tutoring
Dr. Holt Orthodontics
Sunny Party Rentals
Spenga
School of Rock
Bad Boy Boards
Children's Wellness Center of Colorado
Andy's Frozen Custard
McMannis Wealth
Aaron Lebovic, Realtor
Playwell Group
Strive Learning
Master Je Taekwondo

The CRUN PTA

This third grade team is made up of Mrs. Aksamit, Mrs. Dunham and Mrs. Schnepp in the classroom and Mr. Gary does all things intervention. Together this team makes incredible things happen for third graders. When kids enter third grade, it is their first experience with the intermediate grades. They are no longer learning to read but are now reading to learn. The standards are much more rigorous as they are experiencing richer text where they learn to respond to what they read through writing and even have to explain their thinking in math in written form. This jump requires a lot of love and encouragement and this team is just what the doctor ordered. This crew balances academics with love and nurture and ensures that our third graders not only learn a lot but also have boat loads of fun. We couldn't ask for a better team to lead our kids through their first year of intermediate elementary school.

Please be on the lookout for SignUps for the following events:

January 31st: Muffins with Mentors https://signup.com/go/WgkvySy

February - Help with Little Cougar & Kindy Graduation Photos

March - Spring Photos & Family Glow Dance

May - Field Day, Staff Appreciation, & End-of-the-Year Carnival

Early Student Pick Up-

Just a reminder that if you need to pick up a child early, the office will not call the student down until you are physically present at the front desk. We ask that parents not pick up early after 3:15pm. This is a vital time for students to get information for their homework and closing up the day with their class. If someone other than the parent or guardian is picking up your child (even emergency contacts) please notify the office who will be picking them up. You can call the main line at 303-387-6675.

Wish Week at HRHS is Coming Soon!!! January 28-February 4th

Regina is the sweet Wish Week Kiddo that Highlands Ranch High School is raising money for this year to make her wish come true. Cougar Run is partnering with them to help make her wish happen. Watch the Hype video below and get excited for the events to come.HYPE VIDEO

​Highlands Ranch High School Dance and Cheer teams are so excited to offer another combined Cheer and Dance Junior Spirit Clinic.

LINK TO REGISTER

It's time to order your Cougar Run Yearbook! Savor the memories of your child's time at Cougar Run! Place your order by February 28 to get the discounted pricing of $23. After February 28, the price is $28.

Order online at www.dr-photo.com

Select "Order Your Yearbook"

Search for your school

Dear Parents/Guardians,

DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February).

2nd Grade Universal Screen

As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) February 4, 5, & 6. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.

If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.

Kindergarten/ 1st Grade Gifted Identification Referral Testing

• If your child is in K or 1st grade and you believe he/she needs evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.

• NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.

• Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE

• Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.

January 20-No School DCSD Closed Martin Luther King Jr Day Holiday

January 31-7:30 Muffins with Mentors

February 7 8:45 PTA Meeting in the LC (Also Virtual Option)

February 10-13- Parent/Teacher Conference Week (See your teacher's schedule for sign ups)

February 14 & 17- NO SCHOOL PRESIDENT'S WEEKEND HOLIDAY

March 14- 8:45 PTA Meeting

March 14-PTA Family Glow Dance

March 17-21-Spring Break No School

April 7-11- CMAS Testing Grades 3-6

April 11-8:45 PTA Meeting

April 25- No School- Staff Compensation Day

April 28-No School For Students DCSD Professional Development Day

May 2- Field Day

May 5-9- Staff Appreciation Week

May 15- Kindy Graduation

May 23- Last Day Of School/PTA Sponsored Cougar Run Carnival