Kay's Creek Connection

Kay's Creek Families,

Happy 3-day weekend everyone! I hope it's a safe and fun one for each of you. We had an amazing week, and we topped it off Thursday with a special visit from a cohort of leaders across Utah who came to observe our teachers and students in the ways we include "Learner Agency" as part of personalized learning. They were not only enthralled with what they saw students doing but were genuinely impressed and intrigued with the level of differentiation and student choice they saw. They repeatedly commented on the self-regulation and collaboration they saw students display and the expertise our teachers showed as they supported students in the work they were doing. One of the directors from a district down south even mentioned wishing her kids could attend Kay's Creek! We truly have the best students and teachers here!

On another note, I want to mention that we have several students arriving at school without coats. In general, unless the temperature is 20 or below including windchill, we will hold outdoor recess.

We have also had an increase in the number of students arriving to school with their "wheelies" engaged on shoes. Wheelies are not allowed at school. They are great for neighborhood sidewalks but not for our floors, carpets, and blacktop. Thanks for helping us with that!

Again, have a wonderful weekend and please note the information below that may be applicable to you.

Principal Bukey

Kindergarten Letter 2025-26

Kindergarten Interest Survey 2025-26 (Feb 28 priority deadline)

What's the power of a smile? Generally speaking, researchers believe smiling boosts our mood, reduces our stress, and improves our health. One other powerful benefit of smiling is it helps us connect with others. When we smile, we generally look happy. This allows us to appear more approachable, people perceive us as kinder and more open. It also builds trust; people are more likely to trust someone who smiles because it conveys positivity. Smiling conveys warmth, empathy, and understanding. Studies also show that people who smile are perceived as more likable, confident, and successful. There are many reasons to smile. Don’t let a moment pass without leaving a positive impression on those you pass by, meet and spend your time with.

Jeremy ​Green, M.Ed.

School Counselor

Kay's Creek Elementary

jergreen@dsdmail.net

5th graders are starting to pass off their Microsoft applications and earn their Junior Microsoft Innovation Expert status! Our first 4 have earned their shirts and have been celebrated by their 5th grade peers. One of the things they have to do to pass each app off is teach someone else by using the app. By spring, the majority of our students will have met this goal and will be ready to celebrate with the community at their showcase event. More to come! Way to go 5th graders!

The Kay's Creek Spelling Bee is a great opportunity for 4th to 6th graders to showcase their spelling skills. Remember, it's happening on Wednesday, February 5th at 9:00 am. Good luck to all the super spellers!

At the end of the year we always have many families who thought they had purchased a yearbook, but hadn't done so. If you would like to purchase a yearbook for your student please log onto your myDSD account and verify that you have purchased one. If you have already done so, it will say item previously purchased in yellow. If it does not show the yellow text then you have not purchased a Kay's Creek yearbook for your student.

If you missed the opportunity last year to order a tshirt in support of our 5th grade student, Isaac Shipp, who has been battling cancer, please click on this link to order a tshirt or sweatshirt.

With the change in the weather, now is the time to order a Kay's Creek Every1 hoodie or crew neck sweatshirt!

Jan 20 - MLK Day, NO SCHOOL

Jan 23 - Community Council 4:15

Jan 30 - 1st grade Red Butte Gardens visit

Jan 31 - Wonder Club begins 1:30; PT Conference Signup Opens

FEBRUARY

Feb 5 - School Spelling Bee 9:00; PTA Mtg 1:00

Feb 7 - 6th Medieval Feast 12:00; Wonder Club 1:30; PT Conference Signup Closes

Feb 12-13 - Parent Teacher Conferences Early Out; Book Fair

Feb 14 - Book Battles 1:30; Wonder Club 1:30

Feb 17 - President's Day NO SCHOOL

Feb 18 - Lock Down Drill with KPD 1:00

Feb 19 - Class Pictures

Feb 21 - Kindergarten Roundup 2:30-3:30

Feb 24 - Family Literacy Night 5:30-7:00

Feb 25 - 6th Grade Field Trip Loveland Aquarium

Feb 27 - 2nd Field Trip Museum of Natural History

Feb 28 - Wonder Club

At Kay's Creek, we require everyone that wants to volunteer in any capacity, including chaperoning field trips, to have a background check. You do not need to have a new background check each year.

WHERE DO I GO? Fingerprinting is available by appointment only.

* Go to https://calendly.com/dsdfingerprinting to schedule your appointment online.

* Or contact HUMAN RESOURCES at 801-402-5722 to schedule by phone. Sometimes cancellations are available.

* Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

We appreciate your help & support to maintain the highest level of safety and security for our students.

• Birthdays are recognized at school by classroom teachers, Principal Bukey, and the PTA. We will not be allowing treats to be brought in from home for student birthdays. This is for the safety of the many students we have with special dietary needs. Instead, we invite you to purchase a book in your child's name for the school library. More information here. Thank you for your understanding.
• Toys should not be brought to school unless a teacher gives permission for a specific purpose. Resin miniatures, such as the little ducks that are so popular, fit under this policy.
• The 2024-25 Belonging & Safe Schools Presentation has been presented to all 1st-6th grade students, with the exception of a few students who were absent. We invite parents of kinder students to view it and determine how you would like to share it with your child.
• Cell phones and smart watches must be kept in students' backpacks, powered down, and not used during school hours for communication. However, if a child needs to contact a parent, they are always able to use a school phone, with teacher permission. Students who require use of either one for a medical or 504 plan are an exception.
• Parents sometimes bring a special lunch in for their child. We ask that the lunches are kept to single servings so that students are not sharing outside food with tablemates.

Click here for more information.

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@kayscreekel on Instagram and Facebook.