April Newsletter
2024
Dear Tope Families,
Happy 4th Quarter! STEAM @ Tope is BUSYYYYYYYY with so many AWESOME things happening. Stay in tune with Thursday Thoughts and all school-wide and classroom communications! Our new website will go live and the end of the month! Thanks to Kerry Wells, she is working diligently to update it and STEAMify it day by day! I also encourage you to hop on Facebook and Instagram and friend us if possible!
In April alone, we will enjoy our Tope Elevate Track 5K, 5th grade art exhibit at the Art Center, 1st grade’s Music Performance, 4th grade PBL, Kindergarten PBL, 5th grade’s annual trip to Denver for a Night at the Museum, Volunteer Appreciation Week, 5th graders will begin working on their tile project AND they will get to visit their home area middle school for orientation! We will celebrate our staff years of service at our Salute to Staff event, our retirees, and our wonderful secretaries!
I am proud of the hard work and effort that students are putting forth into their CMAS assessments. We all agree that testing is not everything… But, it does provide some critical lifelong skills that learners will need in their future. It is a great opportunity to remind them of many of the STEAM @ Tope Traits and how to apply them to their everyday lives. You can make connections at home with these traits: Honorable, Critical thinker, Problem solver, Resilient, Adaptable, Agile, Understand, Question, Investigate.
Just a little rumor control -- My decision to move to a director position has nothing to do with potential closures or consolidations. I know the same amount of information as everyone else. Additionally, when I leave -- STEAM stays! In fact, our STEAM Design team is diligently working on our STEAM Handbook to ensure sustainability. Additionally, I am hopeful that will be part of my work as a Director. It was a difficult decision for sure and one that I did not take lightly. What I do know is that our HR is working hard to make sure that we hire the best person for this job. A committee is being formed currently and applicants are screened as they come in. I appreciate all of your congratulations; even if it is followed up with “traitor”... :) It is always good to be loved.
Much Love,
Carrie Bollinger
April CMAS Testing Schedule
Easy Ways to Support Tope & the Community
RISTORANTE PANTUSO MINI ME SERVER'S DAY 4/10
APPLEBEE'S DINING TO DONATE 4/11
GET AIR 4/12
LEGO LEAGUE
Counselor's Corner
Hello from Mrs. Ousley,
In April I will have counseling lessons that discuss belonging. In Kindergarten and 1st grade we will discuss different communities that we belong to and also I will show the read aloud of “My Name is Yoon” by Helen Recorvits. In 2nd and 3rd grade we will watch the read aloud of “A Little Spot of Belonging” by Diane Alber and I will also have the students participate in a sorting activity. In 4th and 5th grade we will also watch the read aloud of “A Little Spot of Belonging” by Diane Alber. Then the students will participate in a dice activity where they will answer a question about belonging depending on what number they roll on the dice.
Also, April is child abuse prevention month, so I will be discussing safety with students. We will talk about how to say “no” and the difference between safe touch and unsafe touch. We will also discuss how to be safe in the summer. We will discuss topics such as water safety, sun/outdoor safety, bike safety and stranger safety. I will be showing students videos and powerpoint presentations. Students will also have the opportunity to think about who are trusted adults at both school and at home that they can talk to if they feel unsafe. If you would like more information regarding the videos or powerpoint presentations that will be shown, please feel free to contact me.
As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Laura Ousley,
Tope Elementary School Counselor
970-254-7070 X65137
🗓 April Calendar
April 2024
1 - CMAS Opens
2 - Track Practice 5K
4 - 1st Grade Music program
5 - Hat Day
9 - PTA Meeting 4:15
9 - Final Track Practice
11 - Applebee's Dining to Donate
11 - NO SCHOOL
11 - D51 Preschool Open House
12 - Get Air Day
12 - NO SCHOOL
14 - Elevate Kids 5K Race
15 - 18 - Preschool Home Visits
15 - 19 - Volunteer Appreciation Week
18 - STEAM Night
19 - Kindergarten PBL Panel
23 - Salute to Staff Event
24 - Administrative Professionals Day
26 - Student of the Month Assembly
29 - 5th Grade Middle School visits
30 - 5th Grade Denver Trip
Attention 5th Grade Parents
Reminders
PTA Meeting
Please Join Us! The next PTA Meeting is Tuesday, April 9th at 4:15 pm.
NO SCHOOL
There is no school for students on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12!
Senior Walk 🎓
Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10
There are many ways you can donate and support teachers!
2. Watch for a Sign Up Genius form for snacks and treats needed.
3. Ask the office for a list of your child's teacher's favorite things!