Mammoth Tracks

December 23 - January 6, Winter Break

January 7, Students Return to School

January 14, Winter Choir Concert 6pm

January 20, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Day, No School

January 22, Spirit Day and Community Night at Bad Daddy's

January 22, PTO Community Meeting MVE Library 6pm

January 27 - 31, PTO Auction

January 28, 5th Grade Music Performance 6pm

January 30, Voices of Color MVE Library 5pm

January 31, Snowball Family Dance

We want to remind all parents and guardians that there is no parking allowed along Tibet Street at any time. Recently, there has been an increased presence of law enforcement in the area to ensure Tibet Street remains clear for the safety and accessibility of our students, families, and neighbors. To avoid unnecessary tickets or congestion, we encourage you to use our efficient drop-off and pick-up loop located directly in front of the building. This system is designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely. Thank you for helping us prioritize the safety of our Mountain Vista community!

Please remember that we have a soft start beginning at 7:45 a.m., and school starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. Do not drop your students off any earlier than 7:45 a.m. as there is no supervision outside the entry doors before then. Keep in mind that frequent tardiness and early dismissals lead to missed instruction and can affect your student’s ability to successfully meet grade level standards and take part in the school community. If you are calling to excuse an absence for your child, we advise you to use the attendance line (720-886-2795) and not the main office line. If you need to pick up your child prior to dismissal, you must do so no later than 2:25 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and 1:25 p.m. on Wednesdays. Thank you for your partnership and cooperation in supporting our students.

If your child will be absent for any reason, please remember to call our 24-hour attendance line,

720-886-2795. Please include following information with your message:

· Student’s first and last name (please spell)

· Teacher name and grade

· Reason for the absence.

· Your name

· Contact phone number

· Brief description of symptoms

Thank you for your partnership as we work to keep our students and staff healthy

All students must be fever-free (fever = 100.4* or higher) without fever-reducing medication for 24 hours and feeling well enough to participate in school.

They also must stay home until it has been 24 hours since their last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea and eating and drinking before returning to school.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact our school nurse:

Mandy Jackson BSN, RN 720-886-2704

ajackson4@cherrycreekschools.org

• CCSD participates in Safe2Tell which allows you to anonymously report any threatening behavior that endangers you, your friends, your family or your community.
• Contact at: www.safe2tell.org or 1.877.542.SAFE (7233)

Congratulations to Kiswa, our 2024 MVE Spelling Bee Champion! Judah and Jeremy will join her at the District Bee in January. We are so proud of all of our MVE Super Spellers and wish Kiswa, Judah, and Jeremy good luck at the next phase of the competition!

Did you know the Mountain Vista Library has already had over 5,000 books checked out this year? We are at about 10 check-outs per student through the month of November. Our students are finding new books and revisiting books they love. With that said, I am asking for your help, many library books are being returned damaged, late or not at all. Please make a plan with your student to keep books in a safe place away from food, drinks, and pets. Also, ask your student what day their class normally visits the library and help them return their book to the school the day before. This lets me get the books checked in before their visit. If a book is late your student may not be able to get a different book until it’s returned.

Also:

I am working on labeling fiction books with genre tags. If anyone would like to help out please email me to set up a time in January to come in as a volunteer.

Thanks,

Mrs. A

candrusyszyn@cherrycreekschools.org

Choir Evening Performance January 14th, 6pm

5th Grade Evening Performance January 28th, 6pm

4th Grade Evening Performance February 11th, 6pm

3rd Grade Evening Performances March 11th, 6pm

Choir Evening Performance April 29th, 6pm

If you have any questions about performances, please reach out to me at selrod@cherrycreekschools.org

Thank you!

Ms. Elrod

Through the months of December and January, with guidance from teachers, MVE students are learning and practicing a variety of mindfulness activities. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of what you're thinking, feeling, and doing in the present moment. It is a powerful skill that can benefit improved self-regulation skills, support managing emotions, and create a sense of calm. Incorporating mindfulness into a daily routine is not complicated or time consuming. Families can support mindfulness at home by incorporating mindful practices into daily routines like mealtimes, bedtime, or even simple activities, focusing on deep breathing exercises, actively listening to one another, paying attention to senses during everyday tasks, and creating dedicated "mindful moments" to intentionally focus on the present moment together.

Here are some simple ways to practice mindfulness as a family:

• Mindful Breathing:

• Sit comfortably together and focus on deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling slowly through the mouth.

• Try counting breaths or using guided meditations designed for families.

• Sensory Awareness:

• During mealtimes, pay attention to the taste, texture, and smell of food.

• Take a "sensory walk" outside, noticing sights, sounds, smells, and textures.

• "Mindful touch" - gently touch different objects and describe the sensations.

• Mindful Listening:

• Practice active listening, making eye contact and fully focusing on the speaker without interrupting.

• Encourage open-ended questions to encourage deeper conversation.

• Mindful Movement:

• Engage in gentle yoga or stretching together, focusing on the body sensations.

• Practice mindful walking, paying attention to each step and the feeling of feet on the ground.

• Create a Calm Space:

• Designate a quiet area in the home for relaxation, with calming colors and soft lighting.

• Use calming tools like soft music, nature sounds, or a small meditation cushion.

• Incorporate Mindfulness into Daily Routines:

• Before bedtime, practice a few minutes of quiet breathing together.

• During car rides, focus on observing the scenery passing by.

• While doing chores, pay attention to the physical actions and sensations.