HPE Weekly Update 1/26/2025

Happy lifelong learners. Passionate and positive in every way!

Happy Sunday, Harris Park Families!

It was wonderful to see so many of you at conferences! We deeply value and appreciate your partnership in supporting your children’s education.

Celebrating Our Students

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s Spelling Bee and Science Fair! We’re incredibly proud of each of you for your hard work and dedication.

Special recognition goes to the following students advancing to the district competition on February 8th:

• Spelling Bee:

  • Elizabeth M. (Dragons)
  • Sawyer S. (Dragons)

• Science Fair K-2:

  • Leslie B. (Yeti)

• Science Fair 3-5:

• Elizabeth M. (Dragons)
• Declan P. (Sasquatch)
• Louis F. (Dragons)

Best of luck to our Harris Park representatives at the district level—we’re cheering you on!

Safety Reminders for Drop-Off and Pick-Up

To ensure the safety of everyone in our community, please review and follow these guidelines:

• Use Crosswalks: Always use designated crosswalks. Avoid walking across the front parking lot where there are no crosswalks.

• Preschool families: Park in the back of the school to drop off and pick up your child at the preschool door.

• Drop-Off Guidelines:

  • Remember, Winona has stop signs, while 75th does not.
  • If staff are holding stop signs for crossing, all vehicles must stop. Please wait for staff to safely clear the street before proceeding.
  • Stay in your car during drop-off. Our staff are there to assist your child. This keeps traffic flowing efficiently and minimizes delays.

• Pick-Up Guidelines:

  • At the Winona Ct. and 75th intersection, all four vehicles must stop and wait to be waved forward in a rotation.
  • While waiting on Winona, please use your turn signal when turning into the school to help us recognize community traffic.
  • Students should only load into vehicles in the designated pick-up zone where an adult can safely escort them to your car.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and organized process!

2025–2026 Enrollment is Now Open!

Register your child for the upcoming school year today! Early enrollment helps us plan for staffing and class sizes. Check your email for the enrollment link, or call the office at 303-428-1721 for assistance with Infinite Campus or resetting your password.

Preschool Enrollment

Do you or someone you know have a child who will be 3 or 4 years old by October 1? They’re eligible for preschool! Visit the district registration page and click on “Preschool Registration” to secure a spot—spaces fill quickly!

Update Your Information in Infinite Campus

When enrolling, please make sure your family information is up to date:

• Family details
• Address
• Emergency contacts
• 
  

Accurate information helps us share important updates and events with you. If you need help with the Parent Portal, call the office at 303-428-1721.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and thank you for being such an important part of the Harris Park community!

Love,

Mrs. Mills (Richey)

For the 2025-2026 school year, enrollment opens on December 11, 2024.

Families who live in-district

Click here to view the in-district enrollment page.

Who should register for In-District enrollment?

• Families who live in our district boundaries and want to continue at their same WPS school for the next academic year.

• Families who live in our district boundaries and need to choose a new WPS school because their student has reached the highest grade level at their current school. (Example- 8th graders who need to choose a high school or 5th graders who need to choose a middle school or PK-8).

• Families who live in our district boundaries and want to switch their student from one WPS school to another.

• Families who live in our district boundaries and want to enroll their student(s) for the first time in a WPS school.

Families who live out-of-district

Click here to view the out-of-district enrollment page.

Application Process

Each year, Westminster Public Schools accepts School Choice applications during two separate open enrollment windows. At the end of each enrollment window, WPS will complete a review of the student’s education records to determine the student’s enrollment eligibility, including residency, appropriate grade level placement, and programmatic enrollment criteria. This review will also help the District determine whether the choice school(s) can meet the student’s educational needs.

General Information

• Approval of School Choice enrollment is based on available space, programming, and staffing at the requested school. When the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, students will be selected by a random selection lottery. Each School Choice window will have its own capacity limits by school.
• When an in-district resident student has been enrolled in any school under the School Choice program, that school becomes the “school of attendance” through the highest grade offered at the school.
• Out-of-district resident students must apply for a School Choice space on an annual basis.
• Students enrolled in a school rather than their district-designated neighborhood school are responsible for their own transportation. If space is available on an existing transportation route, parents/guardians may apply for the district’s ridership program.
• In addition to space and program availability at the selected school, enrollment may be denied based on attendance/truancy and/or behavior.
• Applicants for School Choice enrollment are initially accepted without regard to educational disability. However, if an accepted student has an IEP or Section 504 plan, the District will request a copy during the registration process, which occurs after acceptance but before enrollment. The District will use the IEP or Section 504 plan to determine whether the requested school can meet the requirements of the current IEP or 504 plan with existing staff and program elements. If not, an IEP or Section 504 team will be convened to determine whether the student can receive a free, appropriate, public education (“FAPE”) in the requested school notwithstanding the limitations at that school. If the IEP or Section 504 team determines the student cannot be provided FAPE in the requested school, then enrollment will be denied.
• Denial decisions about School Choice enrollment may not be appealed.

This year's average daily attendance goal is

This week's average daily attendance was

Monday, January 27

• 4:30-5:00 Music Program, Sasquatch

Monday, February 3

• 7:35-1:40 Early Release Day, student pick up at 1:40 PM
  

Friday, February 7

• Preschool - No School

Tuesday, February 11

• 4:00-4:45 BAAC / PTA Meeting, Library

Friday, February 14

• No School

Monday, February 17

• No School

Monday, February 24

• 4:30-5:00 Music Program, Ms. Potts

Tuesday, February 25

• Class Pictures, Picture Day

Monday, March 3

• 7:35-1:40 Early Release Day, student pick up at 1:40 PM
  

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, March 4, 5, and 6

• 3:15-5:15 Scholastic Book Fair

Monday through Friday, March 3-7

• Dr Seuss - Spirit Days!
• Monday - The Cat in the Hat - students may wear hats
• Tuesday - Green Eggs and Ham - Wear Green

• Wednesday - Wacky Wednesday - wear many colors
• Thursday - Fox in Socks - wear silly or mismatched socks
• Friday - The Sleep Book - wear school appropriate PJs

Monday, March 10

• 4:30-5:00 Music Program, Phoenix and Yeti

Tuesday, March 11

• 4:00-4:45 BAAC / PTA Meeting, Library

Monday, March 17

• 7:35-1:40 Early Release Day, student pick up at 1:40 PM

Monday, March 24 through Friday, March 28

• No School, Spring Break

Wednesday, April 2

• Wear Blue for Autism Awareness

Monday, April 7

• 7:35-1:40 Early Release Day, student pick up at 1:40 PM

Tuesday, April 8

• 4:00-4:45 BAAC / PTA Meeting, Library

Monday, April 14

• 4:30-5:00 Music Program, Ms. Myers & Mr. Giffen

Monday, April 21

• 7:35-1:40 Early Release Day, student pick up at 1:40 PM
  

Monday, April 28

• 4:30-5:00 Music Program, Ms. Nelson & Ms. Myah

Monday, May 5

• No School

Tuesday, May 13

• 4:00-4:45 BAAC / PTA Meeting, Library

Monday, May 19

• 12:00 - 1:15 Field Day
• 7:35-1:40 Early Release Day, student pick up at 1:40 PM

Thursday, May 22

• 1:45-2:30 Reading Partners Celebration
  

Friday, May 23

• Final Day of School for 2024-2025
• 1:00-2:30 5th Grade Continuation and Music Performance, gym

Remote Learning Day Options

On a remote learning day, students have two options for engaging in learning (they do not need to do both; choose one):

Option 1: Remote Learning Folders

Students can complete their remote learning day folders provided by their teacher. These folders must be returned to the teacher on the next school day to count the student as present.

Option 2: Remote Learning via Zoom

Teachers will provide live instruction on an adjusted schedule using Zoom.

• Accessing Zoom:
  Zoom links can be found on students' Clever pages, accessible from any computer through the district website here. Students will need their email address and password to log in. These details will be sent home with the remote learning folders.

• Start Time:
  All students will begin Zoom classes at 10:00 AM.

• K-5 Schedule Overview:

  • 10:00–10:35: Class 1
  • 10:45–11:20: Class 2
  • 11:50–12:25: Class 3
  • 12:35–1:10: Class 4
  • 1:10–1:45: Intermediate only – Class 5
• Preschool Schedule:
  

  Preschool classes will also begin at 10:00 AM and follow an adjusted schedule designed to be age-appropriate.

Your child's teacher will send additional details, including the specific schedule for their class.

Westminster Public Schools (WPS) has a two-hour delayed start as an option on days when snowy weather conditions make for a dangerous morning commute.

Harris Park Information

• If your child rides the bus, add two hours to when the bus usually picks up
• Students may enter the building beginning at 9:30am
• The school day begins at 9:35am
• The school day ends at 2:50pm
• There will be no after school activities on days when we have a late start

How will I be notified of a delayed start?

• The decision to close schools or to open with a delayed start will be communicated as early as possible, but no later than 5:30 a.m.
• If the decision is made for a two-hour delayed start, but worsening weather requires the closure of schools, an announcement will be made by 8 a.m.
• As in the past, parents and employees will receive a phone call in the early morning, and information will also be shared with local TV stations and posted on the WPS and all school social media pages.
  
  

Update Your Contact Information

• It is important for schools to have accurate contact information for all families and employees. If your phone number or email address changes, please share that information with your school's main office as soon as possible.

It is very important that we have current contact information for every parent or guardian. We use multiple methods to communicate with our Harris Park families. The primary way we communicate with you is through Sunday phone calls and emails. You will also receive a monthly newsletter by email. Teachers will use Class Dojo, email, and phone calls. Our office team will primarily use phone calls.

Please be sure that we have current phone numbers and email addresses for you. The best way to update your contact information is through the Parent Portal in Infinite Campus. If you need assistance with your Parent Portal, please call 303-428-1721. We can provide you with your user name and reset your password for you.

For the most up-to-date information about everything that is going on at the Dan Vallez center, please visit their website here.

• Breakfast and Lunch Menus: Click here
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application: Click here
• Family Handbook and Important Forms: Click here
• HPE Calendar: Click here

B: Brain & Body Posture: Focus and think. Sit up nice and straight.

E: Eye Contact: Eyes on the action. Track the speaker.

S: Speech: Know when to talk and when to listen.

T: Tone: Be Respectful and speak clearly.

Safety: Personal safety and safety for others.

Teamwork: Leadership of self, in small groups, & with peers.

Attitude: Positive scholastic and can-do-it attitudes.

Respect: Of your space, classroom, school, yourself & others.

★Responsibility: Personal, academic, and for the school.

Email: nmills@wps.org
Website: https://harrispark.wps.org/
Location: 4300 West 75th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Phone: 303-428-1721
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HarrisParkElm/
Twitter: @WPSNewsNow

Happy lifelong learners. Passionate and positive in every way!