Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe, but here we are—with just four weeks left in the school year! As we head into the final stretch, I want to acknowledge what a busy and exciting time this is for all of us. Please be sure to review the “Save the Date” section carefully so you don’t miss any of the special events, celebrations, and important activities coming up.

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing PTCO for their dedication and hard work in organizing this year’s Spring Carnival. What a fantastic event! It was such a joy to see our students, families, and staff come together for an afternoon filled with fun, laughter, and community spirit. Your time, effort, and creativity made it a truly memorable day. Thank you to all the volunteers who made it possible!

This time of year, we often get questions about class placements and requests for next year. Please review the section below that talks about how we develop class lists and how to make a specific request should you have one. At the end of May, I will send an email with dates and information for the start of the 2025-2026 school year, including information about Meet and Greet and when teacher assignments will be announced.

As we finish the year together, let’s finish the year strong and continue to show our students the power of resilience, kindness, and community!

Warm regards,

Kelsey Jones

Principal

Arrowhead's website is regularly updated with information and upcoming events are found on the calendar. It will always have the most up-to-date information and you can see events that are scheduled across the year, including district events. Please be sure to check the website regularly! Please take note of the following dates and save them on your calendars:

Week of April 28- Last week of After School Activities

May 1- 4th grade field trip to Denver Museum of Nature and Science

May 2- No School (Non-Contact Day)

May 2- Kindergarten Orientation 8:00-9:00 am

Week of May 5- Staff Appreciation Week

May 6- 2nd and 3rd grade field trip to PACE Center

May 6- 5th grade field trip to Buckley Space Force Base

May 8- 2e End of Year Celebration Tea at 1:30 pm in the Innovation Space/Library

May 14- PTCO Meeting 5:30 pm

May 15- Last day of Pre-K

May 16- Field Day: 8:20-11:10 am 3rd-5th grade, 11:40 am-2:30 pm Kindergarten-2nd grade

May 19- Field Day make-up day in case of bad weather

May 22- Kindergarten Celebration at 12:00 pm

May 22- 5th Grade Continuation at 1:30 pm

May 23- Last day of school- 11:00 am dismissal. Report cards emailed home.

In April, we are honoring: National Arab American Heritage Month

In May, we are honoring: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month

On Friday, May 1, our teachers will be working to create class lists for the 2025-2026 school year. When we develop class lists, we take into account students' social emotional and academic needs, as well as dynamics of students who would work well together.

At Arrowhead, we do not build lists based on individual teachers. Rather, we develop class lists and assign teachers to the class based on that individual class' needs. For example, the classroom with a multilingual student cluster is likely going to have a teacher with experience teaching multilingual students. For this reason, we do not accept requests for individual teachers. If you have a prior personal history with a teacher (such as a sibling who had the teacher) and would like to request not to have that teacher, please email Ms. Jones directly at kjones100@cherrycreekschools.org.

We recognize that there may be individual circumstances that you would like to have taken into consideration when assigning your child a class for next year. Examples include students you would like to have your child separated from, whether or not to keep twins together in the same class, etc. In this case, please send a Talking Points message or email to your child's current teacher by Thursday, May 1 with that request. They will then take that into account when placing your child into a class.

It's not too early to apply for free and reduced school meals! Although all students now receive free breakfast and lunch, there are additional benefits for qualifying families who fill out the application. Please fill it out today and get a head start on next year!

If you will be leaving Arrowhead at the end of this school year and your child is in Kindergarten-4th grade, please email our Registrar, Jen Collins, at jcollins2@cherrycreekschools.org. This helps us in our planning for next year. Thank you!

PTCO is looking for volunteers to help make and distribute snow cones for Field Day on Friday, May 16. We have openings both morning and afternoon. Please reach out to arrowheadelementaryptco@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer!

The week of May 5 is Staff Appreciation Week! The PTCO will be providing a Nacho Bar on Friday, May 9. We have plenty of chips and cheese, but could use help with other toppings. Please drop off items at the front office and let them know it is for the Nacho Bar. Thank you in advance for your assistance!

This week (week of April 28) is the last week of After School Activities. Starting next week, please pick up your child at the normal dismissal time. After School Activities will be back in the fall!

Congratulations to our 5th grade teachers, Frankie Corrado, Legend Todrick, and Carlie Kmak for earning the Edu Champion Belt for March! They were selected for continuously demonstrating a growth mindset and willingness to try something new to meet the needs of their students. As a result, they are seeing high academic growth, increased engagement, and a significant reduction in behavioral referrals! Way to go, 5th grade team!

Written by Claire Behrens, one of Arrowhead's School Psychologists

In our fast-paced world, it often feels like we’re constantly racing against time, juggling responsibilities, goals, and deadlines. It can be difficult to carve out moments to unwind, and before we know it, another year has passed. Birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries come and go, often without us fully realizing how quickly time is slipping away.

In the midst of this whirlwind, it’s easy to feel detached from the present moment. But is this disconnection truly safe?

Living a fast-paced, technology-driven life can have serious emotional and social consequences. This doesn’t only affect adults; it’s also harmful to our children. As they develop, children need to establish secure, meaningful connections with trusted adults—preferably family members—to support their healthy growth.

A child’s relationships with caring adults play a crucial role in shaping their brain development. Positive, loving relationships with responsive and dependable adults are fundamental to a child’s well-being. These connections start at home with parents and family and extend to other caregivers, teachers, and community members.

But why is it so important to nurture these relationships with our children and family members?

Emotional connection fosters a sense of belonging and safety. When children feel secure, loved, and heard, they are more likely to thrive emotionally and socially. This, in turn, reduces the risk of mental health struggles and harmful behaviors that could affect the child, their family, or the wider community.

So, how can we build a strong, lasting connection with our children? Here are some ideas:

Ask open-ended questions:

• “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

• “What was the best and worst part of your day?”

• “Tell me about a moment you were brave or kind today.”

• “What are you grateful for?”

• “Who did you help today?”

• “What’s something you’re looking forward to?”

• “What makes you feel scared or worried?”

• “If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?”

• “If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?”

• “What’s something you wish we did differently as a family?”

• “How do you choose your friends?”

• “What’s important to you?”

Take time to engage in their interests: Stay informed about what excites them—be it movies, sports teams, social media personalities, or seasonal events like Halloween.

Spend quality time together: Play games, enjoy meals as a family, and make time for activities that allow you to connect.

Limit screen time: Put away technology and focus on being present with each other.

Put yourself in their shoes: Understanding a child’s perspective is often surprising and can offer valuable insights into their world.

Strong family bonds help children grow emotionally healthy and secure. By prioritizing our relationships with our children, we provide them with the foundation they need to thrive. Let’s take the time to slow down, reconnect, and build those meaningful connections that will shape our children’s future—and our own.

It's that time of year again!

Will your child be 4 on October 1, 2025? If yes, then….

Your child will be in Pre-Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year!

For information on enrollment and updates on Universal Pre-K with CCSD, please visit the Early Childhood Education webpage HERE.

Will your child be 5 on October 1, 2025? If yes, then...

Your child will be in Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year!

We encourage parents to enroll their kindergarten-aged students for the coming school year remotely. Please be sure to select the correct school year enrollment form when enrolling your Kindergarten student for the upcoming school year; incorrect enrollment forms cannot be changed to the correct school year.

Students currently attending a CCSD school in the Pre-Kindergarten program do not need to submit an enrollment request for Kindergarten. All current Pre-Kindergarten students will automatically be enrolled to their zoned elementary school, or a choice school if accepted before the new school year starts.

For more information, please refer to the CCSD Admissions page.

The district has compiled a list of resources for families, including food pantries, immigrant supports, language supports, mental and physical health resources, and supports for unhoused families. You can access the list here.

You can buy Arrowhead spirit wear for your child here! If you have any questions, please reach out to the PTCO.

Did you know that in addition to all the events the PTCO puts on, there are other ways to support the Arrowhead Elementary PTCO?

Questions? Feel free to reach out to your Arrowhead PTCO

arrowheadelementaryptco@gmail.com

arrtreasurer@gmail.com

arrowheadptcosecretary@gmail.com

Kindergarten-5th Grade

8:00 am-2:45 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:00 am-1:45 pm Wednesday

Pre-Kindergarten

AM Session: 8:00-10:55 am Monday-Thursday

PM Session: 11:50 am-2:45 pm Monday-Thursday

Enrichment: 10:55 am-2:45 pm Monday-Thursday

*No PreK on Fridays

If your child is eating breakfast at school, they may arrive at 7:40 am and enter through door 8 on the south side of the school (Cafeteria doors). Students not eating breakfast may arrive between 7:45-8:00 am and should enter through the doors closest to their grade level (see map below). Please note that supervision will not be provided before 7:45 am except for breakfast. The bell rings at 8:00 am and students who arrive after 8:00 am need to enter through the main office doors. Students eating breakfast in the cafeteria will be sent to their classrooms at 8:00.

The school day ends at 2:45 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays, the school day ends at 1:45 pm. Students will exit from the same doors they entered.

If you are interested in our before and after school child care program, please contact Bobbie Smith at 720-886-2853. They open at 6:30 am to provide before school care and are open until 6:00 pm to provide after school care. They can only accept students who have been registered in advance. They accept Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) for families who qualify and give discounts for families who qualify for free or reduced price meals.

All Cherry Creek elementary schools have early release days every Wednesday at 1:45 pm for Kindergarten-5th grade students to enhance professional development and training opportunities for our elementary teachers. PreK students continue to dismiss at their regular time. By having this specific time set aside, there will be less of a need to pull teachers out of the classroom during the day, which creates continuity for students and less of a reliance on substitute teachers. For families who participate in after school child care, the after-school program is extended every Wednesday and runs from 1:45-6:00 pm. You can register for after school care by contacting Bobbie Smith at 720-886-2853.

In Cherry Creek School District and Arrowhead Elementary, our top priorities are your child’s safety, academics, and whole wellbeing. In order to maintain and excel in these areas, it’s critical that our kids come to school every day.

Did you know that 1 in 3 students in CCSD in the 2023-24 school year were chronically absent? Chronic absenteeism is defined by the state as missing more than 10 days in the school year.

Chronic absenteeism has a significant impact on the academic performance of a child and their classroom. Over 4 out of 5 students who miss more than 10% of kindergarten and first grade are unable to read on-level by third grade. By 6th grade, chronic absenteeism is a critical warning sign that a student may not graduate high school. Missing just one lesson or period in class can have a serious impact on a student’s understanding of academic concepts.

We also know that strong attendance improves our students’ Whole Wellbeing. Our students who experience anxiety about school often find care in our counseling staff and their support team in our school building. Missing school often exacerbates anxiety when our students then need to make up work that they missed, causing them to fall further behind.

To improve this process and best support our families, this year CCSD is shifting the way that attendance is tracked and changing the notification process to guardians.

If your child is chronically absent, or misses more than 10 days of school, parents or guardians will receive a letter from the district on behalf of our school notifying them of the issue. You will receive a second letter if your child misses more than 15 days of school. Our hope in automating this process at the district level is to provide our school staff with more time to meet with caregivers and problem-solve if your child or family needs extra support to attend school every day. We understand there can be challenges and barriers that we would like to work together to address.

In order to accomplish our goals of student safety, literacy, and wellbeing, caregivers and staff will need to work together to support our students. If your family anticipates an issue with attendance this year, please reach out to our office and we will make a plan to ensure your student gets to school.

Help Arrowhead receive additional federal funding by filling out a school meal benefits application! While all students now receive free lunch, qualifying families will receive additional benefits, including discounts for CCSD before/after programs and waived activities and athletic fees. It also helps our school qualify for additional federal funding and grants, which we use to support our programming at Arrowhead.

To apply for school meal benefits, please complete this application as soon as possible. You can apply the following ways:

Online: Click here to apply. The application is available in other languages by clicking "Languages" in the top right hand corner.

Pick-up a paper copy at school: We have paper copies available in the Main Office.

Learn more about why attendance matters, the new CCSD policy, and how CCSD can help.

The map below shows where to drop your child off in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day. Students enter and exit doors based on their grade level. If your child arrives after 8:00 am or leaves before the end of the day, they will need to use the Main Entrance regardless of which grade they are in.

All visitors must use door 1 (Main Entrance) no matter the time of day. Visitors must show ID in order to access the building or pick-up a child. There are no exceptions to this policy and we appreciate you helping us keep students safe by bringing an ID every time.

Please help us keep kids safe by following our parking lot procedures. Please refer to the map of our parking lot below for where you can safely drop-off/pick-up.

Drop-Off/Pick-Up (Blue): This is a space for you to quickly drop-off and pick-up at the beginning and end of the day. This is a fire lane, so you must remain with your car at all times. Students should enter and exit the car on the curb side (right side), as cars will be passing in the through lane on the left side of the car.

Red Curve: This is a no parking or waiting zone, as our buses need to be able to get around that curve safely.

Bus Parking (Yellow): Only buses may park here. Cars parked in this space will be asked to move to make room for buses. Once the buses have departed, this may be used as additional space for pick-up/drop-off.

Through Lanes (Green): These lanes should continuously move. Please do not wait or park here and at no time should cars be double parked.

Parking: The only space where you may park is in a marked parking spot. If there is not a spot available, please park on the street and walk in.

Right Turn Only (2:45-3:00 pm, 1:45-2:00 pm Wednesdays): When exiting the parking lot during afternoon dismissal, all cars need to turn right out of the parking lot and loop through the neighborhood. For safety reasons, please do not make a u-turn in the areas around the school (signage indicates where u-turns cannot be made).

Loading Dock (Red): This area is used by pedestrians at the beginning and end of the school day. No vehicles may enter this area or park in the loading dock.

Please help us keep our students safe by driving safely around the school. The streets surrounding Arrowhead (Bates and Ceylon) are no u-turn zones. Please slow down, be vigilant, and do not double park along Bates or Ceylon. Children should only exit vehicles on the curb side and we ask that you pull all the way up to the curb before letting them out. Please model pedestrian safety for your child by using crosswalks.

If you see unsafe driving, please report it to Aurora Police Department. As a school, we do not have the authority to enforce traffic violations.

We understand that birthdays are special days for children and we will celebrate your child's birthday both in the classroom and with a school-wide announcement! While it isn't necessary, if your child would like to bring treats for their classmates, they are welcome to bring non-food items to celebrate. This allows us to be a community that is inclusive of children with food restrictions. Some ideas for birthday celebrations can include:

• Stickers
• Pencils
• Bookmarks
• Small trinkets/toys (school appropriate- no pretend weapons or items that can be used as weapons, no whistles, etc.)
• Goodie bags with non-edible items
• A book donation to your child's classroom (have your child sign the book so the class remembers who donated it!)

Each grade level celebrates birthdays differently and your child will be recognized on their birthday, regardless of whether they bring in something to celebrate with. If you wish for your child's birthday not to be celebrated, please notify their classroom teacher.

Please refrain from sending flowers and balloons to school for your child. Any flowers and balloons that are received will not be delivered until the end of the school day.

Please note that dogs are not allowed on school grounds. If you would like to bring your dog to drop-off or pick-up your child, please remain on the sidewalks around the perimeter of the school or in the field past the last goalpost.

English:

Please contact (name of liaison) at (email) for support with this resource in your language.

Amharic:

እነዝህን መረጃዎችን በተመለከተ በቋንቋዎ ዕገዛን ለማግኘት ከፈለጉ እባክዎን ተሊሌን በዝህ እሜይል ያግኙዋት

thirpa@cherrycreekschools.org

Arabic:

يرجى االتصال بـ )جميعة صباحي أو جاودة العلمي( على ) org.cherrycreekschools@jsebbahi أو

org.cherrycreekschools@jdajanialami للحصول على الدعم مع هذا المورد باللغة العربية.

Chinese:

如有需要,请经由 ctaylor9@cherrycreekschools.org 与凯瑟琳•泰勒联系,以您的语言获得此资源的支持。

Dari:

برای کمک در مورد اين منابع به زبان خودتان با قزافی مهرزاد

لطفا با اييمل org.cherrycreekschools@qmehrzad تماس بگيريد . ً

Hindi:

अपनी भाषा में इस संसाधन के समर्नथ के लिए कृपया जेम्स रसाइथिी को jrasaily@cherrycreekschools.org पर संपकथ करें।

Korean:

귀하의 언어로 이 자원에 대한 지원을 원하시면 (리아 리) 에게 (llee6@cherrycreekschools.org) 로 문의하십시오.

Nepali:

कृपया जेम्स रसाइथिीिाइथ jrasaily@cherrycreekschools.org मा तपाइथको भाषामा यो संसाधनको सहयोगको िागी सम्पकथ

गननहथ ोिा।

Russian:

Пожалуйста, обращайтесь к Ларисе Бака по адресу: lbaca3@cherrycreekschools.org для получения поддержки с помощью

этого ресурса на своём языке.

Somali:

Fadlan la xiriir Omar Nur cinwaanka emaylka onur2@cherrycreekschools.org si aad u hesho macluumaad ku qoran luqadaada.

Spanish:

Si necesita ayuda con este recurso en su idioma, póngase en contacto con Ilse Chavez Maldonado en

ichavezmaldonado@cherrycreekschools.org, Rosa Han en rhan4@cherrycreekschools.org, Carmen Vargas-Ball en

cvargasball@cherrycreekschools.org o Monica Pantoja en mpantoja@cherrycreekschools.org.

Ukrainian:

Будь ласка, зв'яжіться з Зоряною Герман по електронній пошті zherman@cherrycreekschools.org, щоб отримати

підтримку з цього ресурсу на українській мові.

Vietnamese:

Vui lòng liên hệ với Thuý Ngọc tại Lchung2@cherrycreekschools.org để được hỗ trợ về tài nguyên này bằng tiếng Việt.

Email: kjones100@cherrycreekschools.org

Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Arrowhead
Location: 19100 E Bates Ave, Aurora, CO, USA
Phone: 720-886-2800