PLE Updates
January 23, 2025
Pine Lane Crew,
We are now three weeks into the third quarter. January has definitely been a cold month so far. It looks like next week may be a bit warmer. I am looking forward to that.
Teachers are working diligently to leverage our iReady assessment data to adjust instruction to better meet the needs of our students. We are also continuing to dive into what good writing looks like, specifically how to use what we read to communicate. To support your child in this, see if they can tell you what a “Gist” statement is and how to use the acronym “TIDE” to organize their writing.
At North, we are also starting a school-wide initiative with our classes to improve student culture and behavior. Mr. Spencer has created an incentive program to encourage our crew to Practice Safety, Accept accountability, Work hard, and Show Respect. Our overall goal in this is to improve school culture and minimize behavior incidents. This initiative will run through Spring Break. We will be tracking behavior data during this time and comparing it to last year through the same period of time. If this is successful, we will look to run the same program with our South campus as well. We also hope that you too can tap into this work at home and that it is supportive of your parenting as you seek to develop strong community members who are capable and able to maintain strong interpersonal relationships.
As we consider the collaborative responsibility that families and schools have in equipping and empowering the next generation, Dr. Daniel Amen’s work has been highlighted for me. He has focused on raising mentally strong kids and has worked with Dr. Charles Fey at Love and Logic. Here are a couple of clips of his work that might be helpful to you as parents: Interview on the Jay Shetty Podcast and #1 Foundation to Raising Mentally Strong Kids. He too has lots of content concerning brain development and brain health on his YouTube Channel: AmenClinics. This is content that I have always been curious about and will continue to explore. I hope it is helpful to you as well.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and next week is a full 5 day week of school!
Sincerely,
Chris Stairs
Principal
Pine Lane Elementary
- January 29th: PLEA Freddy's Spirit Night 4-8pm 11140 S Twenty Mile Road
- February 4th -6th: 2nd Grade CogAT Testing
- February 7th: Love and Logic Parenting Class
- February 10th - Deadline to order Valentines Grams
- February 10th -12th: 6th Grade PLUM
- February 13th: Classroom Celebrations
- February 14th: No School Students Staff
- February 17th: President's Day no school
- February 18th: PLE Talent Show Rehearsal
- February 19th: PLE Talent Show
- February 26th: PLE SAC Meeting
Save the Date - May 22nd 630pm
6th Grade Continuation:
Once again, this year, we ar planning a special celebration for our 6th graders as they transition to the next phase of their academic journey.
We will host a continuation ceremony at Sierra Middle School on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 6:30 PM to approximately 7:30 PM
- January 27th - (no cancellations)
- February 3rd - 146 & 186
- February 10th - 145 & 183
- February 18th - 141
- February 24th - 142
PLE Talent Show is Coming!!!
Submit Your Audition Video By
Friday, January 31, 2025
Do you love to sing, dance, play an instrument, tell jokes, do martial arts, gymnastics or are really great at some other talent? Upload a video of your talent show audition to this Google Form. (or scan QR Code) Audition submissions should be 3 minutes or less in length. Google Sign up and video submission must be turned in by midnight, Friday, January 31st.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to judge the STEM Fair!
WE need volunteers to judge the STEM fair on
FRIDAY March 7 from 11 - 4 at both campuses.
We are looking for any adult who can use a rubric, college students, and HS students who need volunteer hours
February 4th, 5th & 6th
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade in February.
As part of this process, ALL students in 2nd grade who have not been identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) on Tuesday, February 4th, Wednesday, February 5th, and Thursday, February 6th from 9:45-10:45 am. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with more detailed information about this process.
Please see the following for additional information linked below:
CDC - January 2025 Letter
We know there’s nothing more important than making sure your children stay healthy and learning all year long. Getting vaccinated is an important part of keeping kids in school, as it prevents them from catching and spreading diseases that can make them sick. The letter below includes important information about Colorado’s school vaccine requirements, as well as other resources. Please take a few minutes to review this information.
Recess is an integral part of school, and all students will be expected to participate. During periods of inclement weather, please be sure your child comes to school with appropriate clothing, including boots, hats, gloves, socks, coat, etc. Children will go out unless there is precipitation, lightning, or the temperature (with wind chill considered) falls below 20 degrees.
Upcoming Field Trips
- February 12th - 4th Grade History Colorado Center - (rescheduled from November Snow Day)
- March 6th - 1st Grade Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- March 25 - 5th Grade Colonial Lady (Onsite presentation - This fee is included in Ameritown)
- April 2nd - Discovery Ameritowne
- April 10th - 3rd Grade Denver Mint
- April 21st - 5th Grade Ameritowne
Please ensure to register students in a timely manner and by the Deadlines to ensure your studnets are able to participate.
Complete details and registration links are available using the link below:
North and South Office Contact Information
In order for us to serve you in an efficient and timely manner, please make sure you are contacting us using the numbers below and saving Pine Lane North or Pine Lane South in your contacts.
If you google Pine Lane you are only being giving the North Campus office.
- South Campus - Pre K - 3rd Grade
- Office: 303-387-8325
- Attendance: 303-387-8327
- North Campus 4th - 6th Grade
- Office: 303-387-8275
- Attendance: 303-387-8277