Big T Weekly

Dear Big T Families,

It was great to see our students back after the Thanksgiving break. It’s hard to believe that we have just another 2 weeks before winter break. This week our mid-year testing began for iReady reading and math. This test will provide us with valuable information on our students' growth and achievement thus far. We will use the data to make adjustments in instruction so that we are able to support students to reach their full potential. Please encourage your students to do their best and ensure that they are coming to school well rested.

Food Drive Update: Mr Newman’s class won the pizza party with 262 items donated. As a whole school crew, we donated 759 which might be our best ever! Thank you so much for your support.

Monday, December 12th at 3:30 PM in the gym is our Science Fair. Thank you to the Gilbert family for supporting this learning opportunity. Good luck to all of our participants.

Our Winter Concert (held at Thompson Valley High School auditorium) is Thursday, December 19th at 6:15 PM. It is a lovely way to end our first semester together and celebrate the holiday season. Please look for more information from Leah Witt in the newsletter. See you there!

Reminder: Those who are in the 100 Mile Club: the Wednesday morning runs have ended for the winter and will begin again in the spring. The runs at lunch-recess on Fridays are still going, weather permitting.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Warm regards,

Sarah Walgast

Principal

Reminder: The Wednesday morning 100 mile club is over for the season. It will resume again in the spring when the weather is consistently warmer. We will continue to have the students run on Fridays during lunch weather permitting. Please do not drop your students off on Wednesday mornings to run until further notice.

Thank you!

Dear Parents,

As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

• 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code USNOV50
• 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code USNOV40
• 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code USNOV30

Valid through 12/1/24

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an online account. Don't forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

2025 MLK Celebration Art, Music, and Writing Contest

We’re excited to announce the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration! This year’s theme, “A More Excellent Way, of Love,” honors Dr. King’s belief in justice, unity, and kindness. We invite Pre-K to 12th-grade students to participate in our art, writing, and (new) music contest, expressing their vision for a world filled with fairness and compassion.

Submit your entries by December 11, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be recognized at the Loveland MLK Community Celebration on January 16, 2025, where their work will be featured. For any questions, please contact Andrew Dutch (andrew.dutch@tsd.org). Let’s honor Dr. King’s legacy together through creativity!

• Official Contest Guidelines - English | Spanish

• Contest Entry Form - English | Spanish

Contest Flyer (English and Spanish)

* When your student is absent it is a good idea to reach out to their teacher to get work to do at home. However, still call the attendance line or email the office to excuse the absence. Teachers are busy and may not have time to let the office know that the absence was excused through them.

You can now excuse the absence through the parent portal if that is more convenient for you.

* If your student is absent due to an appointment, please get a medical note from the clinic and send it to the front office. Medical appointments with a note are the only absences the state of Colorado considers as excused for their count purposes.

* Remember, if you need to change how your student normally goes home please call or email the office before 2:30 PM. Stacey.faykosh@tsd.org or 970-613-5600

* Please remember that toys are to remain at home. They can be a distraction in the classroom and there are tears if the toy disappears.

**Small lost and found items are usually kept at the office.

Here is the link to see the club stats: https://chelsiwoodcoxphotography.my.canva.site/big-thompson-running-club

Healthy Kids Club is a program sponsored by UCHealth to promote health and wellness for kids. They offer programs throughout the year including in the summer. Here is the link: healthykidsclub.org

December 9 - Science Fair after school

December 14 - District Science Fair

December 19 - Winter Music program at TVHS

December 23 - January 7 - Winter Break

Email: info.bigt@thompsonschools.org
Website: https://www.thompsonschools.org/BigThompson
Location: 7702 W Hwy 34, Loveland, CO, USA
Phone: 970-613-5600
Facebook: facebook.com/BigThompsonElementarySchoolofNatureandStem

We would love to connect with families through Facebook and Instagram. Give us a like and/or a follow! Stay in the loop on all of the amazing happenings at our school, and get a sneak peek at this year's Chili Supper auction items!

https://www.facebook.com/bigtpta

https://www.instagram.com/bigt_pta/

It is separate from the Big Thompson Elementary School Facebook & Instagram accounts.

If you are Choice enrolled at Big T and your boundry school is not Walt Clark but you would like your student to attend Walt Clark, you will need to do the choice enrollment which opens on November 1st.

If Walt Clark is your boundry school but you would like to attend a different middle school you will need to do the choice enrollment.

If neither of these situations apply to you then you do not need to do anything. Your enrollment will automatically roll over to your boundry school for next year which for most of you is Walt Clark.

School year District Fees have been added to your student's account. See the link below for how to pay online. You can also bring cash or check to the front office. If you bring cash, please bring the exact amount as we do not have change.

School Closure Line

Linea de Cierre Escolar

(970) 613-6788

Pokemon cards, oh my! We need your support. Pokemon cards should not be brought to school. These cards are becoming a distraction to learning and have caused numerous arguments as well as some tears. So, we are asking that Pokemon cards be left at home. If a student brings these cards to school and they are not left in the backpack, the teacher will hold onto the cards until the end of the day. At the end of the day, the cards will be given back to the student to take home and leave at home. If the cards are brought back again (after being told to leave them at home), the cards will be given to the office and will need to be picked up by a family member. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you for your support and cooperation with this matter.

NOCO Emergency Alert

Hi Principals! Larimer County Fire Departments have asked us to share this information. Please be sure to pass this information out to your families. This emergency alert will alert those who sign up for it with emergency notifications from Larimer county. Please text NOCOALERT to 888777.

Save your Morning Fresh milk caps and send them to the school. The PTA turns them in for money.

If you do any purchasing through Office Depot/Max, please use our ID#70018268. We get 5% back through their Gives Back to School Program. Thank you!

You are able to make an anonymous report for anything that concerns or threatens you, your family, your friends, or your community. For more information go to:

https://safe2tell.org/