Freedom Falcon Parent Newsletter
September 30th
#FalconFamily!
What's Happening at Freedom this week!
September
Monday, 30th
- Strength and Conditioning 7AM
- 2nd/3rd Grade Volleyball 2:50-3:50PM
October
Tuesday, 1st
- Count Day! PJ day! Special prize for everyone who is on time!
- Tech Club 2:50-3:45PM
- 2nd/3rd Grade Volleyball 2:50-3:50PM
Wednesday, 2nd
- Choir Practice 7AM
- 4th/5th Grade Open Gym - Boys 3-4PM, Girls 4-5PM
Thursday, 3rd
- Tech Club 2:50-3:45PM
Friday, 4th
- 1st Grade Field Trip to Cheyenne Mtn Zoo
Saturday, 5th
- COSILOVEYOU DAY @ 8:00 AM-See sign up below.
COSILOVEYOU DAY-Oct. 5th-Volunteers Needed!
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Age Requirements: All ages. Adult supervision required for minors.
Is this project appropriate for those with limited mobility? No
Project Date: Saturday, October 5
Timeframe: 9AM-Noon
Address: 5280 Butterfield Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
What to expect at this project: Volunteers will be washing staff cars, painting bathrooms/classrooms, assisting with yard work, and creating posters.
What to bring: Gloves, rakes, trash bags, water bottle.
What to wear: Comfortable clothing that can get dirty
Parking: Please park in the school lot.
Where to meet: In front of the school
Who are you meeting at project: Rochelle Williams, 719.228.0800
COSILoveYou Contact: Gina Schmidt, gina@cosiloveyou.com
As a CityServe Day volunteer you represent COSILoveYou - please demonstrate willingness, flexibility and care. The leaders at the project are excited to have you!
On October 5, you will have access to discounts around the city. We would love for CityServe Day volunteers to consider investing in local businesses by grabbing a meal or stopping by for a coffee! Visit this website when the date is closer https://cosiloveyou.com/discounts/
Fall Parent/Teacher Conference 2024
Freedom Families, Please use the link below to sign-up for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Make sure to look at the tabs to find the correct grade level!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805044DA8AC2AA6F94-51689290-kindergarten#/
Parent Teacher Conference Taco Bar Potluck
A Message from the Nurse
There is a new car seat law going into effect Jan. 1 2025. This new rule requires that all children up to the age of 9 are supposed to be in a car seat/booster seat. Follow the link below to find out more. https://www.codot.gov/safety/carseats/colorado-child-passenger-safety-law-1
We Need Your Help
We are restocking our SOAR store. To have lots of options, we thought we would ask the following.
1. If you have lightly used toys that you were planning to donate, donate to us!
2. If you would like to donate non-perishable snacks to us in their original packages.
3. If you have books, games, or puzzles you would like to donate, donate to us!
Please bring them into our offices. Thank you!
You can also purchase items from our wish list on Amazon!
Alternate Entrance- Beginning Sept. 3rd
Please be advised that beginning September 3rd, our main entrance will be under construction. Students will enter through the gym doors instead of the front doors during the short construction period. To ensure student safety, if parents need to enter the building during the day, we ask that you review the above map. All entrances will continue to remain locked throughout the construction.
Save the Dates!
What's Happening at Freedom (Looking ahead)
Monday, 7th
- Strength and Conditioning 7AM
- Book Fair Preview Day
- Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser starts 5PM
Tuesday, 8th
- Book Fair Open
- Tech Club 2:50-3:45PM
Wednesday, 9th
- Choir Practice 7AM
- Book Fair Open
- 4th/5th Grade Open Gym - Boys 3-4PM, Girls 4-5PM
Thursday, 10th
- Book Fair Open
- Tech Club 2:50-3:45PM
- SAC/PTA Meeting 5:00-6:00PM
- Cuddle up to a good book 6:00-7:30PM
Friday, 11th
- Book Fair Open
- Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser ends 5PM
Monday, 14th - Friday, 18th
- NO SCHOOL!
Tuesday, 15th
- Parent/Teacher Conferences 7:30AM-7:30PM
- Book Fair Open
Monday, 21st
- 4th/5th Strength and Conditioning 7:00AM
Tuesday, 22nd
- Preschool Pumpkin Patch Field Trip 9:15-11:30AM
- Tech Club 2:50-3:45PM
Wednesday, 23rd
- Choir Practice 7AM
- 1/2 Day - Dismissal at 11:50AM!
Thursday, 24th
- Tech Club 2:50-3:45
Friday, 25th
- Coffee and Conversations with the Principals 8:00-9:00AM
- 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat 5:00-7:00PM
SAVE THE DATE- 2ND ANNUAL SNUGGLE UP TO A GOOD BOOK!
SAVE THE DATE! Parent Teacher Conferences-Oct. 15th!
Freedom Trunk or Treat
Back by popular demand, Freedom will be hosting our 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat on Friday, Oct. 25th.
Want to be apart of our 3rd annual Trunk or Treat?! Sign up below to be added. Can’t wait to see the themes this year!
https://form.jotform.com/222598523395062
In saying this, we will not do anything school-wide on Oct. 31st, which includes dressing up. My message is that it is up to classroom teachers if they want to do a small classroom party at the end of the day. I will allow our teachers to make the best choices for their classes.
Candy Donations Wanted
We will have a drop off box at the “front desk” (temporary location at side door by the soccer field).
We will accept none candy donations as well. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/JV3V024NGWSB...
Still Hiring!
7.5 Hour Falcon Club Coordinator
Free and Reduced Meal Application
Under the Healthy School Meals for All program the State of Colorado provides free meals for all D11 students. Please take a moment to fill out our Free and Reduced Meal Application regardless of whether you think you would qualify or not. This program benefits the school as well as your family. Our goal is 100% participation. As a reminder, Freedom is a free lunch school. We do not serve breakfast at this time. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the front office.
https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=JX9G3Q
OLD INFORMATION BUT STILL GOOD TO REVIEW!
****New D11 Cell Phone Policy****
Student Cell Phones and Smart Watches
Must be kept in students backpack.
Attendance, Behavior, & Cell Phones
District Initiatives: Attendance, Behavior, and Cell Phones
This year, we will be working hard to improve our attendance, behavior, and cell phone usage. We need your support to make these initiatives successful!
Attendance:
Good attendance is crucial for student success. We will be focusing on improving attendance and need your help to ensure your child is present and on time every day.
- Chronically Absent Students: These are students who miss 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused. This amounts to about 18 days in a school year.
- Habitually Truant Students: These are students who have four or more unexcused absences in a month or ten or more unexcused absences in a school year.
We will be following the district guidelines and the Colorado Compulsory Attendance Law to address attendance issues. Regular attendance is essential for your child's academic progress and social development.
Behavior:
We believe in fostering a positive and respectful learning environment. Our behavior expectations are based on our core values of respect, responsibility, and safety. We will be working together to ensure that all students understand and adhere to these expectations, creating a supportive and productive school community.
Cell Phones:
To minimize distractions and enhance the learning environment, we will be implementing stricter guidelines on cell phone usage during school hours. Students are expected to keep their cell phones/smart watches turned off and stored in their backpacks during class time. If a student needs to contact their family during the school day, they can do so through the main office.
Freedom Important Traffic and Parking Guidelines
Remember, we have 100 additional students; please be curious and patient.
Important Traffic and Parking Guidelines
Before and After School Traffic:
Traffic can be very heavy during drop-off and pick-up times. Please teach and encourage your child to always use the crosswalk and to be vigilant in watching for traffic from all directions.
Parking Lot Capacity:
Our parking lot has limited capacity. Please note that daycare vehicles and District 11 vehicles have designated drop-off and pick-up spaces. Spaces that are painted belong to Freedom staff, please do not park in those spaces.
Bus Pick-Up and Drop-Off:
All buses will pick up and drop off students in the Freedom parking lot.
Reminder:
Please remember that these are your friends and neighbors, and all of you have children attending our school. We ask that you be patient and extend courtesy to one another as you enter and exit the parking lot or pick up your children. Please drive slowly in and around the school.
Parking Lot Exit:
Please note that exiting the school parking lot is RIGHT TURN ONLY.
Kiss-N-Go Lane:
The "Kiss-N-Go" lane is designated for drop-off and pick-up only. This lane should not be used as a parking spot. Please ensure that students exit the vehicle from the right side, away from traffic. DO NOT park your vehicle in this lane.
Dismissal Information:
All students will be dismissed at 2:50 PM. We encourage parents to pre-plan a pick-up location. Students will have dismissal cards and must turn in their card to the adult on duty.
Kiss-N-Go and Bus Pick-Up/Drop-Off:
- Kiss-N-Go: Located on Butterfield Drive in the street cut-out. To access, please enter Butterfield Drive from Range Ranch and pull to the end of the cut-out.
- Parent Pick Up: Located in the GYM. Parents will enter through the gym doors and wait behind the grade-level cone. Students will enter the gym and line up as well. Once they see their parent they can greet each, other and then hand their card to the adult then exit the gym door.
- Bus Pick-Up/Drop-Off: Located in the loop directly in front of the school.
Parking and Walking Your Child to the Entrance:
- Enter the Freedom parking lot from Butterfield Drive.
- Use the left lane to enter the Family Parking Lot (formerly the staff parking lot).
- Park your vehicle and escort your student to the crosswalk leading to the front doors. Your student will enter through the front double doors.
Preschool and Kindergarten Parking:
- Enter the Freedom parking lot from Butterfield Drive.
- Use the left lane and enter the Family Parking Lot.
- Park your vehicle and escort your student(s) to the crosswalk leading to the preschool door.
Late Pick-Ups:
If you cannot pick up your student within 10 minutes of dismissal, please arrange for a family member or daycare provider to do so. While we understand that delays happen, late pick-ups interfere with scheduled meetings, training, and our ability to use resources effectively. Please note that Freedom staff cannot supervise siblings of students involved in after-school activities, such as tutoring, athletics, or clubs. It is the responsibility of the families to ensure that students not participating in after-school activities are picked up promptly.
Safety
Safety is our top priority at Freedom Elementary School, and we are committed to ensuring the well-being of all students, staff, and visitors. To this end, we follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to prepare for and respond to various emergency situations.
We conduct monthly drills to practice these protocols, ensuring that everyone in our school community knows what to do in case of an emergency. Here is an overview of the SRP we follow:
Hold - In Your Classroom or Area
- Directive: "In Your Room or Area"
- Purpose: This protocol is used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. Students and staff remain in their rooms or areas until further notice.
Secure - Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors
- Directive: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors"
- Purpose: This protocol is used to safeguard people within the building by securing all exterior doors. Normal activities continue inside the building.
Lockdown - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight
- Directive: "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"
- Purpose: This protocol is used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place. Doors are locked, lights are turned off, and everyone stays out of sight.
Evacuate - To a Stated Location
- Directive: "Evacuate to [Location]"
- Purpose: This protocol is used to move people from one location to a different location, either within or outside the building. The specific location will be communicated during the drill or emergency.
Shelter - State the Hazard and the Safety Strategy
- Directive: "Shelter [Hazard] and [Safety Strategy]"
- Purpose: This protocol is used for group and self-protection based on the specific hazard (e.g., tornado, hazmat). The safety strategy will be clearly communicated.
Monthly Drills:
To ensure we are prepared, we conduct monthly drills for each of these protocols. These drills help students and staff practice the appropriate responses and become familiar with the procedures. Your support in reinforcing the importance of these drills at home is greatly appreciated.
Communication:
In the event of an actual emergency, we will communicate with families promptly. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date in our records so that you can receive timely notifications.
Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school safe. If you have any questions or concerns about our safety protocols, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Together, we can ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all our students.
Parent Resource
Order your spiritwear here!
Visitor/Volunteer Registration
If you plan on attending classroom events, volunteering in the school or attending field trips, please take a few moments to register on our visitor/volunteer site. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the front office at 719-228-0800.
Lunch Menu - subject to change
GreatSchools.com
A message from our Freedom Elementary's School Accountability Committee (S.A.C.)
At Freedom Elementary, we care about your children's developmental needs! That is why our mission is to ensure that each and every student has access to the learning tools and programs they need to succeed in school, and in life. We strive for a higher standard of excellence and take the time to focus on those who need extra support. Joining our S.A.C. is a fantastic way to keep up to date with the initiatives our school has put in place to better our learners, and to also voice your opinions and concerns!
We look forward to the bright and brilliant future under the leadership of Rochelle Williams, and welcome her to the Freedom Family!
If you are interested in joining Freedom's SAC committee, please reach out to Justin Edmisson @ 719-332-3615 or justin.edmisson@gmail.com.
Looking for a way to connect and get involved at Freedom?
Contact Justin Edmission at 719-332-3615 or justin.edmisson@gmail.com.
If you are interested. Come be a member and have a voice in Freedom's PTA.