News You Can Use!
Future Doctors Program - A Great Opportunity for your Student!
The Future Doctors Program provides a one-of-a-kind medical-experiential learning experience for high school students aspiring to become leaders in the medical field. Spread over two weekends, this program enables students to explore essential topics such as Genetic Inheritance, Hormones, Immunology, and Organic Chemistry while acquiring the critical 21st-century skills needed to succeed in healthcare.
Why This Program?
Insightful Learning: Students will gain a deep understanding of what it’s like to study medicine, exploring medical specialties and various diseases.
Expert Guidance: Participants will receive mentorship from qualified Harvard Student Agencies mentors, offering valuable insights into the path to medical school and beyond.
Real-World Application: Engage in discussions on genetics, immunology, and organic chemistry, and tackle ethical debates, such as the use of CRISPR technology.
Skill Development: Enhance critical thinking, research, and teamwork skills through project-based learning and the dissection of medical papers.
Certificates: Receive a certificate from Harvard Student Agencies, along with access to all Learn with Leaders webinars and masterclasses, boosting your academic profile.
Program Overview
The Future Doctors Program is available in two cohorts in October and December 2024, providing flexibility to join the session that best fits your schedule. Over two weekends, students will immerse themselves in the medical field, gaining knowledge and skills that will set them apart as future leaders in healthcare.
Apply for the October Cohort: https://t.ly/7C9GO
Apply for the December Cohort: https://rb.gy/ld0j8d
Key Details
Format: Online via Zoom
Program Time: 9 am – 12 pm ET (both cohorts)
Eligibility: Grades 8–12
Duration: 2 weekends
Program Fee:
Early Applicant Fee: USD 300
Regular Program Fee: USD 400
Cohort 1:
Start Date: 12th October 2024
Early Application Deadline: 20th September 2024
Regular Application Deadline: 30th September 2024
Visit website here: https://www.learnwithleaders.com/certificate_programs/future-doctors-level-1-program/
Cohort 2:
Dates: 7th December 2024
Early Application Deadline: 15th November 2024
Regular Application Deadline: 30th November 2024
Visit website here: https://www.learnwithleaders.com/certificate_programs/future-doctors-level-1-program-hsa/
APS Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey
Aurora Public Schools Parents and Guardians of Students in Grades 3–12:
In Aurora Public Schools (APS), students are valued, seen, safe and thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Key factors that contribute to a student’s well-being include having a connection with a trusted adult, a sense of belonging and the ability to manage their emotions. These factors not only help students form and maintain healthy relationships but also contribute to their academic success.
To further support our students, APS will be conducting a voluntary, online Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Survey for students in grades 3–12. Survey results will help us improve students’ educational experiences by ensuring they feel seen, heard and understood.
Schools will choose a date between September 9–20 for students to complete the survey during class. You may review the survey questions here. In addition, we will ask periodic "pulse-check" questions to monitor our progress in providing meaningful SEL supports.
Please be aware that students’ email addresses will be collected to offer personalized support based on their responses. Participation in the survey is optional and students may skip any questions they don’t understand or feel comfortable answering.
Students will not receive school credit for completing the survey and there will be no penalty for students who do not participate. Instead, they will work on regular school assignments during the survey time. If you prefer to opt your child out of the survey, please print, sign and return the opt-out form to your school’s front office.
Thank you for your continued support,Aurora Public Schools
On Saturday, Sept. 14, join observers around the world in celebrating International Observe the Moon Night. This annual, worldwide public engagement event encourages you to learn about lunar science and exploration, make celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon.
M.S. Soccer for Girls Informational Meeting
Middle school girls interested in playing soccer, please plan to attend a brief informational meeting Monday after school. We will meet after school in Coach Mural's classroom, room 302, until 2:50. Please plan to be picked up no later than 3:00. If you are unable to attend please check in with Coach Mural prior to your first practice on Tuesday.
Practices are daily until 4:30 and you must be fully cleared to play by Coach prior to attending practices.
Thanks,
Coach Mural
WRESTLING STARTS
Tuesday September 17th
Practices at Hinkley HS
4:00-5:30pm
Aurora Quest – East MS – Mosley
(AKA - APS Triple Threat)
For more information see Mr. Johnson
Or Contact Coach Cortez @ 720-828-9954 or email rlcortez@aurorak12.org
Meeting Set for September 23rd at 5:00pm
Due to the interest from the family survey, Samantha Cornella, Dean of Students will be hosting a parent education night on Monday, September 23rd, from 5:00-6:00 PM at Quest. We will be discussing how to navigate parenting in our digital age, including cell phone reforms that have shown to improve pre-teen and teen mental health. Please join us! If you have any questions, please let me know.
To ensure that we reserve an appropriate space for the size of our group, please indicate on this form if you will be attending.
Community Eligibility Form
We are very fortunate that our district allows for all students to eat lunch free of cost. The community eligibilty form that was used in the past to determine eligibility is now used as a way to keep track of the changes our school community continues to go through. By taking the time to fill this form out you are helping us get an accurate view as to how many of our families would actually qualify for free or reduced lunch. The information helps us solicit sponsorships, donations and programs for our students and families. Plus it also is a great representation of our parent involvement, which is the best in the district!
If you need help, feel free to call the front office at 303-343-3664.
Parent Portal Check In
Please be sure to do your check in for your students. You can update emergency contacts, phone numbers, home address and give permission for field trips, pictures as well as sign the new technology contract.
If you have problems logging in or in case you have forgotten your Username and/or Password, please, reach out to me and I will provide you with the correct information and help you with resetting your password. CLICK HERE for the link and also to read and discover why it is important and beneficial to have access to ICPP. Do you still have questions? Don't hesitate to call Mr. John Adams, Family Liaison for help with this. The best way to respond to me is replying to this email.
What is a Healthy Friendship?
K5 News:
In Mrs. Pock’s kindergarten class, students began their work towards understanding the Zones of Regulation. This is a foundational SEL lesson that we return to throughout the school year. The Zones of Regulation deepens students' understanding regarding recognizing one’s own emotional state. Students learn what it means to be in the blue, green, yellow, or red zones as a way to identify their own emotional states. Please consider using the Zone of Regulation to share your own emotional state while at home. Using the same terminology and role modeling the practice, will support students towards doing the same.
In Mrs. Morris’ kindergarten classroom students continued to work on their cooperation skills through LEGO building. The challenge given to each table group is to cooperate in order to build a single structure, rather than individual structures. In this week’s classroom students had two minutes to plan, and to make a group decision whether they would construct a single ship, or tower. Students then had fifteen minutes to collaborate and build. As you might imagine, some students were able to more easily listen to others’ ideas and compromise. We know that when students are able to cooperate with their peers, they enjoy school and experience social success.
In Mrs. Smith’s second grade classroom, worked on their cooperation skills through LEGO building. The challenge given to each table group is to cooperate in order to build a single structure, rather than several individual structures. In this week’s classroom, students had two minutes to plan, and to make a group decision whether they would construct a single ship, or tower. Students then had fifteen minutes to collaborate and build. We added a twist to this exercise, having students change groups mid-work as a means of stretching our cognitive flexibility. As you might imagine, some students were able to change groups more easily than others. This led to a discussion about at home experiences during which we must stop an activity we are enjoying, and change to a less preferable activity. We know that when students can develop their cognitive flexibility, they are better able to manage transitions.
In Mrs. Kenfield’s second grade classroom, students continued their work on Zones of Regulation and managing conflict. Students identified transitions and specific activities during the school day that trigger students towards the blue or red zones. Students discussed managing conflict through compromise and working to create win-win resolutions.
In Mrs. Bousquest’s fifth grade classes, students discussed the executive functioning skill, prioritizing. Students discussed strategies associated with prioritizing specific to completing in-class and homework assignments. Students also learned to connect prioritizing as a means to alleviate or lessen anxiety.
Middle School
6th Grade Signs of Suicide (SOS) Lesson
At the end of September, every 6th grade student in our district will be involved in our Signs of Suicide training, developed by the district, and taught by our middle school counselor. With the suicide rate among adolescents increasing every year, the district decided a number of years back to implement the Signs of Suicide curriculum to help students understand warning signs in others and themselves, and what to do/whom to tell, should these signs occur. If you would like some more information, please feel free contact Shauna Veen (Middle School Counselor) at: snveen@aurorak12.org, or by phone: (303) 326-2000, x23727. She can meet with you on Parent/Teacher Conference Night (September 26th), or arrange for another time to connect. Attached is a letter with more information, and an opportunity for you to opt your child out of this training, should you choose. Please return this letter (or send an email) to Shauna Veen by Friday, September 20th, should you wish to opt your student(s) out. District Letter and Opt-out Form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/152abBq3qZx70tmRc79-xyX2WtfhCgiolE99Mar7L_XQ/edit
Fathers / Male Guardians Only Coffee Thursday, September 19th at 8:00 a.m.
Elementary counselor, Robert Lipson and Family Liaison, John Adams, will host 4 sessions of the Fathers/Male Guardians Coffee this school year. Sessions focus on How Dad’s engagement in their child’s education supports academic and social success, The Strengths of Father’s Presence as well as other topics. Engaged fathers/guardians provide a strong foundation for their child’s well-being in school. Research demonstrates that students of engaged father/guardians maintain strong attendance and grades and develop adaptive social skills. During this conversation, fathers/guardians will discuss what it means to engage in your child’s education, the value in role modeling pro-social problem-solving skills, Zones of Regulation, and much more. Each conversation starts with socializing and getting to know one other while enjoying a cup of coffee with bakers’ confectionary.
Please email Mr. Lipson rclipson@aurorak12.org and Mr. Adams jadams@aurorak12.org to sign up. A notification/reminder will be sent out later.
Dates to be on the lookout for:
~Flyers will be going home soon about our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year Run 4 Funds on
September 25th There will be extra incentive for middle school so be sure and ask!
~Feed the teachers for Middle School Parent Teacher Conference September 26th
~Butter Braids will be start at end of October with a delivery date of 11/20 (volunteers will be
needed for a quick turn around on hand out)
PTA Meeting: Our next meeting is October 8th from 6-7pm with a live stream available via
Facebook. Thank you to all that joined us this month in person and survived our technical
difficulties online!!! We welcome all parents and support parents to join us! If you are
interested in voting rights for decisions that affect how we support the school, membership
is $10. You can become a member on the school website under the PTA tab or at any
meeting or event we are hosting. We would love our teachers to be a part of our meetings
and as a thank you for their time we are doing something new by having parents sponsor a
teacher by paying their dues. As the dues goes to the state, we can’t waive it but we had
many parents at the last meeting suggest and offer to pay for a teacher. If this is something
you’d like to partake in please reach out.
We Have A Facebook Group!
Wondering what is going on? Curious about upcoming events? Wanting to volunteer during
fundraisers but not sure how? This is your one stop shop for how to support the school,
fundraisers and overall school community. Please be sure to answer the questions when
you ask to join. It's a way that we ensure that our Quest information stays within our
community.
www.facebook.com/groups/1743613152521317/
Phoenix Feathers:
Yearly our PTA spends a starting average of $60 per student to provide all or part of your
signature learning experiences at Quest. This includes fieldtrips, student enrichment, and
transportation to name a few. By purchasing a feather for $60 you help chip away at our BIG
goal. Next time you stop into the school be sure and check out our beautiful new Phoenix!
King Soopers Rewards: (EASIEST way to passively fundraise)
Help our school by buying your groceries! This is the easiest fundraiser and takes less than
10 minutes to set up so sign up if you haven't already. A huge THANK YOU to our current
participants!!
Go to: www.kingsooperscommunityrewards.com
Click on Enroll Now.
Sign in to your account.
Click on Community Rewards
Enter Aurora Quest K8 PTA or “BX352”
Shop as usual using your rewards card or alternate ID.
***Be on the lookout for more passive opportunities in the future!***
2024/2025 Aurora Quest K8 PTA Board
Dre Sneddon, President
Nidhi Kotecha, Vice President
Angelica Upton, Secretary
Susan Milo, Treasurer
Much Thanks to our Volunteers!
Ms. Schowinsky, Ms. Pottle, Mr. Wagner (library volunteers), - Thank you for all of the library support so far! I appreciate it so much and could not get it done without your support. :))) If I am forgetting anyone, I apologize. Your mark in the library does not go unnoticed! :) - Jen C
Our school needs some Parent Volunteers in the following areas:
Crosswalk:
- 7:20am to 7:45am (be present at 7:15am)
- 2:30pm to 2:50pm (be present at 2:25pm)
Running Coach Volunteers still needed!
Girls on the Run is still in need of coaches to help with the afterschool program.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Reach out to Brynn Weissner at bmweissner@aurorak12.org
BE A VOLUNTEER!
We need chaperones, coaches, team leaders, and more! As you can see we have so much going on for our students that parents can make a huge difference in making sure we continue to offer so much! Our parent volunteers make it so much easier for us to navigate through the school year. If you are interested in volunteering, here is how to get your badge and clearance.
STEP 1: In order to become one you need to complete the Screening Process (Background Check). Click Here
STEP 2: Send Mr. Adams, our Family Liaison an email with a picture of your valid driver's license (front only) and a picture of yourself with a plain background for your badge AFTER you have completed the screening process (STEP 1). Mr. Adams will submit the "Volunteer Approval Form" with both pictures to the Safety & Security Department. Once it arrives he will call you to come pick it up.