A Word From Mrs.Moyle

Dear Redstone Families-

I hope you all had a wonderful fall break and were able to relax, reconnect and spend time with family and friends. My break was a bit of a whirlwind this year as I started with a 50th birthday trip with my college sorority sisters to Cape Cod and ended the week in Cabo with my husband and some dear friends. In the end, I may have packed in a little too much, but it was worth it. This weekend we had a blast at parents weekend at CSU with our son Mason and enjoyed dinner with our daughter Maddie. These moments together as a family are not frequent enough these days, but always treasured and appreciated. Time just seems to continue to fly by at home and school.

Our students jumped right back into learning after break and it is so fun to walk the building and see how engaged they are in learning each day. Our teachers have been working hard this year to apply new ideas and strategies to create more rigor in our classrooms through problem solving and student discourse. Our students are digging deep into reading, writing, math and are making amazing growth and progress each day. I hope you were able to celebrate your child’s successes with their teacher at fall conferences before break.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to our entire community for your generosity through our Rockin’ Run fundraiser this year. We exceeded our school goal by raising over $54,000. This money will all go directly back to our students and RSE in a variety of ways. We are excited to make progress on our playground refresh and of course our students have lots of great ideas. We will be gathering a group of parents to help plan and prioritize. Please reach out if you are interested in being a part of this group. We are so grateful to our Rockin’ Run coordinators. Every detail was perfectly planned from start to finish and the event would not have been a success without them.

Our fall festival was the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season. We loved seeing so many families having fun together. Again, thank you to our event coordinators for planning an unforgettable event. Our students had a blast and we appreciate opportunities to bring our RSE community together.

We look forward to seeing many of you this week at our annual Halloween costume parade. Parents are invited to join us in town center or the gym to watch the parade. Thank you in advance to all of our parents who are busy planning classroom parties and donating items for these special celebrations.

Thank you for being such an important part of our RSE family!

💕Amy

Key message: Habit 3:Putting first things first means spending time on what’s most important. We can focus on our highest priorities and the activities that represent our mission, roles, values, and high-priority goals. Habit 3 aligns with the principles of focus, integrity, discipline, and prioritization.

Our students will have the opportunity to see a special assembly on October 31 called the NED Show. NED’s Resiliency Ride is filled with storytelling, humor, illusions and amazing yo-yo tricks where our kids learn the hidden message in NED's name: Never give up, Encourage others, Do your best. The assembly is being performed at RSE free of charge. As a way to give back, we are asked to offer Ned’s special yo-yos to our students. Here is an order form for students that are interested. Yo-yos will also be available for purchase after school on October 31 and in town center from 8:20-8:40 on November 1-6th.

Veteran’s Day Celebration at RSE

We are excited to honor and celebrate the special Veterans in our students’ lives on Monday, November 11th. Please click here for more information and details.

In addition to celebrating our Veterans, our Student Lighthouse team is organizing a community service project to give back. They will be collecting the items below to donate to Buckley Airforce Base.

Kindergarten Registration for 24/25

Kindergarten registration for students that live in our RSE attendance area is December 2-6. Please remind your friends and neighbors to register during this window so that we can appropriately plan for staffing and sections for the upcoming school year.

Holiday Family Support

Backpack Society is offering Thanksgiving Family Meal Boxes to our families needing assistance. Click the link below to sign up:

www.backpacksociety.org/thanksgivingprogram

To help Backpack Society reach their goal of providing 200 Thanksgiving Boxes, click the link above to learn more.

Our RSE staff loves to support our own families during the holiday season. If your family could use a little support this season, please complete this form.

• No Bus Week

October 31

• 9:00 Halloween Parade

November 1

• Open Enrollment for 24/25 Begins

November 7

• 4-5:30-School Accountability Meeting

November 9

• Choir Feeder Festival at RCHS

November 11

• 8:15-Veterans Coffee in Library

• 8:50-Veterans Day Celebration Assembly

• Red, White & Blue Day

November 13

• RSE Night at Urban Air 4-8 pm

November 15

• 8:45-Principal’s Coffee & PTO Meeting

November 25-29

• Thanksgiving Break

December 2

• Bronco/Sports Spirit Day

December 2-6

• Kindergarten Registration for 24/25

December 11

• Choir Holiday Concert 6:30

December 12

• RSE Shopping Night at Kendra Scott

December 9-13

• No Bus Week

December 16

• Spelling Bee-9:00

December 19

• Winter Class Parties

December 20-January 7

• Winter Break

Upcoming Election Information

Funding Needs in our School District
Did you know that the Douglas County School District has 92 schools and a $300 million backlog of capital investments that are needed in these buildings – this includes our school! Please take a couple of minutes to watch this brief video where our Superintendent explains in more detail. Learn more at https://funding.dcsdk12.org/bond-overview Video Link: https://youtu.be/os2m5hlXYIE?feature=shared

Have You Turned in Your Ballot?
Election Day is fast approaching. Please be sure to turn in your ballot by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. You can track the status of your ballot and find the locations of ballot boxes and other polling centers at www.DouglasVotes.com. Remind your friends, family and neighbors to turn in their ballots as well!

DCSD Open Enrollment

The district open enrollment process for the 24/25 school year begins on November 1. Incoming kindergarten siblings of RSE students who do not live in our attendance area need to apply for open enrollment. If your child is in 5th grade and plans to attend Rocky Heights Middle School next and this is not your neighborhood school, you will also need to apply for open enrollment. Once your child is accepted and enrolled at RSE, you do not need to apply for Open Enrollment again until middle school. Here is the link to apply and for more information about this process.

The Redstone Spirit Rock is a fun way to spread any kind of positive message. Rent the rock to help celebrate a student's birthday, thank a teacher or staff member, wish good luck on competitions and tournaments, recognize milestones, etc.

Please note that profanity, advertising, political, and religious messages are NOT permitted. We reserve the right to paint over inappropriate messages.

Rock reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Reserve the date or dates you want using this sign-up! You may begin painting at 4pm ON THE DAY PRIOR to your reservation. Your rock reservation is from 4pm the day BEFORE you sign up until 4pm the day of event or until the next rock reservation.

You will typically need four cans of spray paint for the base (1 primer/covering coat and 2-3 for base color) and any additional paint for your design. Better brand of paint, better coverage. For more intricate designs, craft paint, foam brushes and stencils may be used. In the case of inclement weather, the rock can be towel dried. The paint will adhere even in the rain/snow, if you want to brave the elements. If painting in the rain or snow is not your thing, revisit the calendar and pick the next available date.

Payment is due at the time of reservations. Cost is $10/per day.

All proceeds go directly into our PTO fund account. These funds support teacher resources, student learning, and community events.

Any questions, please contact Redstone PTO and redstonepto@gmail.com

Click here to reserve the spirit rock

PTO Fundraising Opportunities

• King Soopers Rewards: Please enroll your rewards card under Redstone Elementary. Click the link below - it will require you sign into your account (or register if you have never done so) and search for Redstone Elementary PTO or use our number YB132 under the Community Rewards Section. https://www.kingsoopers.com/account/communityrewards/

• Box Tops: No more clipping - just scan your receipt. See how at: https://www.boxtops4education.com/

• American Furniture Warehouse - shop online or in store, and use promo code SCHOOL with the school ID RES032

Become Part of the PTO Family for 2024/2025

Redstone Elementary's Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) wants you! There are opportunities for everyone to get involved. Can you only help from home? Want to spend more time in the school building? We have a spot for you! Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved next year by filling out the form below:

Click to fill out PTO interest form

Please do not hesitate to reach out any time with questions or concerns. Here are a few ways to connect:

• Email: amy.moyle@dcsdk12.org

• Redstone Website

• Follow us on Facebook-Redstone Elementary School

Our Colorado weather always keeps us on our toes; especially during afternoon dismissal time.

When lightning is in the area (8 miles from the school or less), we are not able to release students as we normally would. Our procedure is to move to a delayed dismissal. During this time, parents can come into the building to sign students out and take them at their own risk, but we are not able to release students until the storm passes. As a school and district, our first priority is always the safety of our students and staff members.

During a tornado watch, we are keeping a close eye on the weather and continuing with learning and business as usual. During a tornado warning, we move to a shelter in place. During this time parents are not able to sign students out from the building until the weather safely passes and the warning is expired.

Lightning Dismissal Procedures

Distance and Danger

A lightning delay will be called when lightning is within an 8 mile radius and students cannot be released safely from school. Students will be released and the delay will be lifted when there is no longer lightning in the area for at least 15 minutes.

Pick Up & Drop Off Procedures

While we cannot release students to leave on their own during a lightning delay, parents/guardians or other adults over the age of 18, who have been given permission in Infinite Campus, may pick up their children/younger siblings during a lightning delay at their own risk.

If lightning is within 8 miles close to our departure time and students cannot be safely released, we will call a lightning delay. Parents will receive notification through our Infinite Campus messenger system via text, email and a phone call. Once you receive this notification, you can come to the front door and go directly to your child’s classroom to sign them out.

For safety, parents are also welcome to come into the building and seek shelter until the storm passes. Siblings under the age of 18 coming to pick up a younger sibling will be asked to stay in the building and will NOT be released until the weather has passed.

Departure From School

Once conditions at the site are considered safe, walkers and bus riders will be released. We cannot guarantee the lightning in relation to all students’ final destinations and parents are encouraged to call and/or come pick students up if they do not want them released.

Communication Plan

We will try to make a decision about a delay as soon as possible; however, as you are aware the weather changes very quickly in Colorado and at times we may need to make a last minute call to keep our students safe. In the event of a weather delay, we will send an IC message by text, phone and email. Once the message is received, parents are welcome to come into the building and begin to sign students out. When the storm has passed and students are released, we will send another message to let you know.

While we love to see your sweet furry friends, our district policy is that animals are not brought on school grounds. We have many children with allergies and animals can also act in unpredictable ways when they are scared or surrounded by many people. If you want to bring your pet when you pick up your students we ask that you stay on the sidewalk above our parking lot and have your child walk up to meet you.

Please help us teach and model safety when crossing paths or intersections. At places where we have a staff crossing guard, we ask that all traffic including parents wait to be directed by the staff member.

Just a reminder that our soft start time this year is 8:30. We do not have staff supervision outside before this time so please do not leave students unattended until you see the front doors open at 8:30. Students seem to be arriving very early after being dropped off, riding bikes or walking. We will be asking students who arrive early to come and call parents for pick up as it is not safe for students to be out front unattended. Thank you for helping us to keep students safe in the mornings by not leaving them before 8:30. Our BASE program is a great option for parents who need to get to work and drop off before 8:30.

If your child arrives at school after our tardy bell at 8:40, please walk them to the front door to sign them in. This additional security layer is to be sure students get into the building and staff are aware they have arrived.

Drop off and pick up is a very busy time of day at Redstone. We need your help to ensure that our drop off/pick up runs safely and smoothly. Please review the items below:

1. Please stay in your car. Do not get out to open the car door for your child. Our staff members will help children in and out of cars.

2. Pull all the way through the crosswalk and as far up the Kiss ‘n Go lane as possible before stopping.

3. Do not let your child exit your car on the driver's side.

4. Please do not drive through our bus lane or do u turns in the school zone.

5. If you need to get out of your car for any reason (to give your teacher a note, to talk to a bus driver, to help your child put their backpack on), please park in the upper parking lot and walk your child through the crosswalk.

6. Have your child/ren ready to exit your car quickly (coat on, backpack ready, shoes on…)

7. If your child is unable to exit your car independently, please park in the upper parking lot.

8. Do not motion for your child to walk unattended through the crosswalk to the upper parking lot.

9. Walkers, please wait for the crosswalk attendant to acknowledge you before crossing.

10. For our students and staff safety, please stay off your cell phone while driving on school property.

11. Thank you for cooperating and being respectful to our staff who work so hard everyday to make sure your children are safe and our Kiss 'N Go Lane moves efficiently.

Please pass this message on to grandparents, babysitters, siblings etc….

1. Cars arriving for pick up in the afternoon will form two lanes in the kiss and go lane. Cars will not be released until all cars in both lanes are loaded with students.

2. Please put your car tag with your family name on your rear view mirror. You can pick up a car tag at meet and greet.

3. Please stay in your car and wait until staff motion you to pull away. Again no cars will be released until both lanes are loaded.

4. If your child is a car rider, please remind them to come quickly out to the front pick up area when the afternoon bell rings so traffic is not delayed. Students will line up on the red dots on the sidewalk to wait for their car to arrive.

**If you will be using the car lane for afternoon pick up, please get a car tag to hang on your mirror to help our staff quickly identify families.

Having our students at school on time and for full days is always a priority. Classroom routines are in place and learning is happening from the moment students arrive until the end of the day. Scheduling appointments outside of the school day when you are able to is always ideal. If students are arriving late or being checked out early, please follow the procedures below.

• For late arrival-Students after 8:40 parents must walk students to the door and ring the bell. Our Campus Security Specialist, Mr. Dave, will have a sign in for students.

• For early dismissal, please call the front office (303-387-7300) when you are on your way to pick up your students. The office staff will call them out of class. When you arrive, you can call to ask your student to be released or ring the buzzer to let them know. Office staff will walk students to the door and make sure they connect with their parent. Parents are asked not to come into the building to check students in or out to limit school traffic.

• When students are ill or will be absent from school, please call the attendance line (303-387-7302) and leave a message or fill out the Attendance Google Form which is also linked on our RSE website homepage. The office staff will review attendance each morning and make calls home when students have not been called out and are not in attendance. Students’ safety is always our top priority so letting us know when your child is absent helps to make this process go much more quickly to ensure all students are accounted for each day in a timely fashion.

Any father figures (or moms) are welcome to sign up to be Watch DOGS. The goals of our Watch DOGS program are:

1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrated by their presence that emphasizes how education and commitment in school is important.

2) To provide an extra set of eyes and ears to school security

Watch Dogs are asked to sign up for a shift from 10:45-1:15. During this time, our WDDs are helping to supervise and interact with students at lunch and recess. We really appreciate the extra set of eyes and hands during this busy time of day and students love playing with our Watch DOGS on the playground.

On your Watch Dog day, dads can bring lunch from home or purchase a school lunch from the cafeteria for $5.00. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle too as the kids will wear you out on the playground 🙂. Please bring your ID and check in at the front office when you arrive.

WDD coordinator- Casey Hall

School breakfast and lunch will continue to be free for all students this year through the Healthy School Meals for All program (Proposition FF) in Colorado.

Breakfast

Students who wish to eat breakfast at school can enter through the cafeteria doors starting at 8:15. They will be supervised in the cafeteria by staff and then will head to class at 8:30 when soft start begins. Students will not be able to come for breakfast if they arrive after 8:30 as the tardy bell rings at 8:35.

Lunch

Students are welcome to eat school lunch or bring lunch from home. School lunch consists of at least two main dish choices including a vegetarian option. There is also a harvest bar daily where students are able to access unlimited fresh fruits and veggies. Lunch is free of charge for students. If students want to get a second entree or snacks, these are available for purchase. You can find the daily lunch menu at the RSE Menu website.

We love celebrating and recognizing students’ birthdays at RSE. Due food allergies and restrictions, we ask that families not bring in food treats for student’s birthdays. Our priority is always to keep our students safe and it is just too challenging to monitor all of the ingredients in birthday treats.

Students’ birthdays will be recognized and celebrated on our morning announcements and on the outside marquee. Teachers will also recognize birthdays in their classrooms. Teachers will let you know how they recognize birthdays and if you are able to send in non food treats if you choose to do so. Parents are also welcome to rent our PTO spirit rock to celebrate student birthdays.