Big T Weekly

Dear Big T Families,

This week, our Student Council leaders facilitated the first cross-grade Crew Circles, an exciting opportunity to strengthen our school-wide climate and culture with students as leaders. These groups bring together students from all grade levels (K-5) to collaborate, build connections, and support one another. It was incredible to see our student’s teamwork and leadership in action!

Helpful Resources & Reminders

📚 Support Early Reading with Sora

Supersonic Phonics and Decodables collections in Sora are leveled collections containing early readers for students that help them practice their early literacy skills! All of the books are available in simultaneous use access so students don’t have to worry about placing holds. informational flyer and check out a new book in Sora today!

🔔 Parent Portal – Stay Updated

As we continue in the winter season, it’s important that your contact information in the Parent Portal is updated to receive any communications regarding school closures or school delays. Please add emergency contacts to your child’s profile also in case you are unable to pick up your child if school is closed early. Information to assist families in updating their children’s contact information in the Parent Portal.

Enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather this weekend—we appreciate your ongoing support!

Warm regards,

Sarah Walgast

Principal

Schools on the Move Challenge

• Healthy Kids 5210 Challenge is a one month program (sponsored by Healthy Kids Club, UC Health) to encourage students, teachers, school staff and families to learn and practice healthy habits.

• Research shows that doing something for 18 days or more can form a habit.

From: February 1-28

For: Students, Staff, and Families

Why

• Research shows that good nutrition, plenty of sleep, and daily activity leads to better concentration, increased attention, improved memory, better moods, less fatigue and improved brain function.

• HEALTHY KIDS LEARN BETTER!

Join the Challenge – practice healthy habits AND GET a FREE T-SHIRT!!

SCHOOL CHALLENGE – Students will fill out the yellow log

FAMILY CHALLENGE – Fill out the blue or white family log

Logs must be entered online by Wednesday March 5. If you would like to have your challenge log entered by a staff member, please send it to school by Tuesday, March 4 They will not take late submissions.

Thank you,

Deb Luithly

PE Teacher

Extra student calendars in Big T front office. Link to extra Family logs.

• Nominations are open for Educator of the Year! Have a staff member you want to highlight and celebrate? Here is the link to nominate some of the increible staff members in our building! https://www.thompsontef.org/educator-of-the-year-award-1

The Elementary Chess Tournament will take place in February. See below for a link to register:

February 8, 2025 - Lucile Erwin Middle School, 4700 Lucerne, Loveland

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/sWZhkEswrnzkeUhq6

If you would like to participate, sign up early. Last year the tournament filled up fast!

Mark your calendars for the annual K.I.S.S. Breakfast. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up to volunteer here: https://bit.ly/VolunteerKISSBreakfast

Spirit Wear Alert! Get ready to rock those school colors! Our online store is stocked with t-shirts, hoodies, and more. PTA will be your personal shopper and deliver it straight to your student.

Order yours online today!

https://bit.ly/bigtspiritwear

We had a great response to our Elementary Spin and Dance Camp last year so we are doing it again! This camp will be a short introduction to the unique activity that is colorguard/winterguard. Students will be introduced to dance and flag choreography. This is open to any TSD or local charter students. The camp will be taught by our amazing Director of Guards, Mrs. Katelyn Kellogg, her staff, and some select high school colorguard students.

The camp will be happening March 10th-11th at Lincoln Elementary (thank you Principal Stotter) and March 12th at Loveland HS where the camp students will get to perform as part of our Winter Ensembles showcase. After they perform, they'll get to see the "big kids" doing the same activity which I'm sure will be a highlight for them and their families. This performance will be free of charge, donations to the LHS Bands program accepted but not expected.

Here is the link to registration

bit.ly/elemguardcamp

The cost of the camp is $35 and includes, t-shirt, pizza dinner, and instruction. We tried to make it very affordable, but we can also offer financial assistance to any families that need it. We want to be fully inclusive. We know that most families and students don't know what colorguard is and we are hoping to change that. It's a really fun activity and they can participate in middle school and high school groups as they get older no matter what school they attend.

* 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

February 12 - PTA K.I.S.S. Breakfast 8:00-8:30 AM

February 12th - 4th grade to CSU Basketball game

February 17 & 18 - No School

February 20 - 4th grade to Colorado History Museum

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

Preschool for 2025-2026

Are you interested in your child being ready for kindergarten? The Thompson School District's Integrated Early Childhood Program provides quality preschool experiences for three and four year olds at 15 different sites around the Loveland and Berthoud area.

If your child will be 3 or 4 years old by October 1, 2025, your child may be eligible to participate in the Thompson School District's Early Childhood Program. We ask all interested families to complete our Preschool Interest Form available on our preschool website. If you have any questions about our program, please call 970-613-5052.

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/