News You Can Use!

Saturday, August 24, 2024

• Track & Field Meet @ APS Stadium - 8:00 AM -12:00 PM
  

Monday, August 26, 2024- B Day

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - A Day

• Lifetouch Individual Student Picture Day
• Middle School Girls Track & Field Meet @ APS Stadium - 5:00 PM

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 - B Day

Thursday, August 29, 2024 - A Day

Friday, August 30, 2024 - Professional Release Day - No School for Students

9/2 - Labor Day - No Classes

9/5 - Student Council Meeting, 2:30-3:30 in room 130.

9/10 - PTA Meeting 6:00-7:00 PM

9/12 - NJHS Induction Ceremony 6:00-7:00 PM

9/17 - Track Meet 8:00 a.m. but gates open at 7:00 a.m.

9/18 - Run4Funds Virtual Assembly

9/19 - Fathers/Male Guardians Only Coffee 8:00 a.m.

9/23 - Last Day to sign up for Track & Field

9/25 - Run4Funds Fun Run

9/26 - 7th STEM Field Trip- 9:30-1:30pm

9/26 - Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences 3:15-7:15 PM

9/27- Professional Release Day- No School for Students

If you need to let the school know about an early pick-up, late arrival or an absence, you can do so using the School Dismissal Manager app. If you need help getting connected to the app, please contact the main office.

Good afternoon –

It has been brought to my attention that Aurora Public School's unique calendar has numerous weekdays where schools are closed and childcare services are necessary for families. As such, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver is working to support our Club members and families on these occasions. We will share a list of dates detailing when our Aurora Clubs will be open despite school closures for the 2024-25 school year.

In the meantime, please note that Aurora Quest, Dalton, Dartmouth, and Tollgate Boys & Girls Clubs will be closed next Friday, August 30.

We are working internally and closely with Aurora Public Schools to ensure we are serving this community during school closures. We anticipate being able to support Aurora Quest, Dalton, Dartmouth, and Tollgate Boys & Girls Clubs with programming during school closures in the future, as we know our Club members are enjoying our enriching Club experiences.

Thank you so much for reading through this note, and please let me know if you have questions.

Paul Pierce II (he, him, his)

Associate Chief of Club Operations

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

2017 W. 9th Ave. Denver, CO 80204

O: (303)892-9200 x #152| D: (785)764-2218

paulp@bgcmd.org | www.bgcmd.org

WHO: This is for 4th-8th graders!

Please note: 1st - 3rd will have a separate session that starts in January called FIRST® LEGO® League Explore

WHAT: FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL) is a fun, exciting program designed to ignite enthusiasm for the discovery of the basic principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The club is limited to students in 4th – 8th grade.

Each year, a themed challenge is introduced. This year’s theme is SUBMERGEDTM. Teams compete in four key areas:

1. Core Values (Teamwork): The Core Values are the fundamental elements that distinguish FIRST LEGO League from other programs of its kind. Participants learn that friendly competition and mutual gain are not separate goals and that helping one another is the foundation of teamwork.

2. Project: Teams research the challenge, select a real-world problem and create an innovative solution. They present their solutions as part of the competition.

3. Robot Design: Teams design, build and program a robot using LEGO Mindstorms to score points on a themed 4’ x 8’ playing field.

4. Robot Performance: Teams compete on a themed 4’ x 8’ playing field.

Schedule: Practices will be on Thursdays starting September 5th 2:30 – 4:30 pm in Mrs. Johnsons classroom. Students who want to attend Quest sports after school, will still be able to do so.

The first few weeks will be spent learning the current challenge and project research. Mandatory attendance is required for one regional tournament date decided on by individual teams. Those are on Saturdays in November. The State Championship is December 7th (for teams that qualify).

Register: Please use the following link to register your student(s). STUDENT REGISTRATION. Please DO NOT send in payments until you have received an email that your student(s) have been accepted. Emails will go out Labor Day weekend. Registration will be closed August 28th at midnight.

Fee: The cost per student is $100. This includes national registration with FIRST, regional tournament registration, competition field kits, and supplies. Not included are state registration fees, for the teams that qualify and move on from regionals.

Parent/Volunteers: Each team requires two registered coaches that undergo a youth protection screening process. Coaches DO NOT need any technical experience. In FIRST LEGO League, the children do the work! Please consider the amazing opportunity to have a lasting impact upon Aurora Quest youth. We will try to have as many teams as we have coaches! If there aren’t enough coaches for your child to be on a team your registration will be refunded. We also have limitations with space constraints this year.

Expectations: Please keep in mind that Lego Robotics is a sport (of the mind). Students are expected to attend every meeting where possible. Please discuss with your student the level of commitment they are willing to put forth.

Reema | Coordinator

Aurora Quest K-8 Robotics

questrobotics@gmail.com

FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to create a generation of young people who are passionate about science and technology, and help foster self-confidence, learning, and future success.

Permission slips went out for the 6th Grade Ropes Course set for Thursday, October 3rd.

The Ropes Course waiver is one and the Aurora Public Schools is the other permission slip that must be filled out. We have gotten a few back but still need a lot more. If your student did not bring theirs home, feel free to come by the front office to get your copy. They will not be able to go on the field trip without it.

The cost is $10 and you can pay with check or cash.

Parents! Please join us for a virtual meeting next week to see how you can give your child the gift of travel! All 5th-8th grade students can sign up for travel with us! See the flyer to get specific information.

EF Meeting 2025-26 Trips

Wednesday, August 28 · 6:00 – 7:00pm

Time zone: America/Denver

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jvg-nwkk-dse

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 316-975-0116‬ PIN: ‪582 118 991‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/jvg-nwkk-dse?pin=6759862952135

A Caroline D. Bradley Scholar is a young student who excels academically, displays a genuine quest for knowledge, thrives in the discovery process, is a leader among peers, and embraces the ideals of integrity, service, and honesty. CDB targets exceptionally gifted young people who seek a rigorous, diversified high school program but need assistance finding or attending the appropriate learning environment that will help them work towards and achieve their full potential.

Through a highly selective, in-depth portfolio application and interview process, CDB annually identifies exceptional 7th grade students from across the country who best meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrates exceptional academic ability and achievement
• Has scored in the top tier in one or more of the major academic areas of school-administered, nationally-normed standardized test for the past two years
• Strives for excellence and continually seeks more rigorous academic challenges
• Demonstrates leadership abilities
• Exhibits creative thinking
• Is extremely curious and has a thirst for knowledge
• Exhibits a passion for learning
• Is highly motivated
• Embraces the merits of integrity and honesty
• Demonstrates a high level of maturity and a strong sense of self
• Seeks an accelerated, diversified high school program
• Is a U.S. citizen who is going to attend a high school program based in the U.S.

While applications aren't available yet for 2025, this is a competitive program and if you are interested you should start looking into the requirements and application process now. For more information about the program and the application process, please click here.

Please use the following information to help your child/children access the health clinic appropriately. Daily up to 25-40 children come through the clinic with issues ranging from wanting a band-aid for an old injury to management of a severe injury or chronic illness. If a child has a minor scrape or cut, they can ask their teacher or paraeducator for a bandage. This helps decrease the amount of time that students are out of class.

All children are welcome in the clinic, but I try to see the well children fast to decrease exposure to the fall viral and bacterial infections.

Children should come to the clinic for:

BLEEDING: This is BIG bleeding. Children do not need to come to the clinic for paper cuts, old, picked scabs, minor scrapes, or abrasions from recess. These injuries need to have the area washed and MIGHT need a band-aid (available in classrooms and with staff on the playground).

Nosebleeds

BIG bleeds need to come to the nurse. A smear on a tissue can stay in the classroom. I see children with “bloody buggers” from nose picking.

BREATHING BAD: This child should come to the clinic, or the nurse will come to the child. This child may have trouble breathing, color may change, or responsiveness may decrease.

BROKEN: A child with a broken bone should come to the clinic or the nurse will go to the child. A broken bone means the child will go home and likely to a personal provider. The nurse might wrap a minor twisted or rolled ankle, buddy wrap fingers, or wrap a wrist and hand. If the injury is beyond minor, the child will go home.

BARFING: The child should come to the clinic. This is REAL vomiting/puking/barfing NOT burping up food or coughing up a plug of mucous. REAL vomiting/puking/barfing means the child goes home. The child should stay home for a minimum of 24-hours after last vomiting.

BURNING UP: The child should come to the clinic if the child looks or feels feverish. Remember-a fever is 100.4. If the child has been at recess or PE, let the child cool, provide hydration, and remove a layer of clothes if possible. The temperature will increase with dehydration so please hydrate!

BEE STING: The child who has a bee sting should come to the clinic. People have life-threatening allergic responses to bee stings. In addition, they hurt.

BIG BUMP: Come to the clinic for blows to the head. Sometimes (more often in the P Pod) children collide heads. This is usually not a Big Bump. Falling from playground equipment, any fall where the child lands on their head, or any fall when the adult wants the nurse to evaluate the child, the child will come to the clinic with an adult escort, or the nurse will come to the child.

A headache is often relieved with hydration and a snack. Sometimes a short rest is helpful for a headache. If the headache is still there after a big drink of water, and a bit of time, I evaluate for pain management. Starting about 9:00 AM every day, I see children who complain of headaches because they did not eat breakfast or had highly processed sweet foods.

For big and little bumps to the head try W. O. W. Water, Oxygen (just breath), Wait.

BOWELS: A child who has had more than two episodes of diarrhea should come to the clinic. Sometimes people think a “loose” bowel movement indicates illness when it may be the result of drinking morning coffee, too many simple carbs, sometimes even from eating soup.

A person with a stomach ache may need a bathroom break, a snack (if the person has not eaten), or hydration.

Other important reasons to see the nurse:

EMERGENCIES always call the nurse! Use the radio and the nurse will come to the child. Examples of emergencies include allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), a seizure, fainting, and diabetes changes.

CALL THE NURSE

Anxiety/depression/panic attacks: Come to the clinic. The nurse can call other members of the team as needed.

As your school nurse, I want to know and connect with each child at Quest.

If you have questions about your child, please call or email me anytime.

~ Susan Golden MSN RN & Aurora Quest School Nurse

In Ms. Haley’s 1st grade classroom, students listened to a book read aloud. The title of the book, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, helped foster conversation about the value in learning from mistakes, and that anxiety associated with making mistakes can prevent one from having a growth mindset, being open to trying new things, experiencing new ways of learning, and feeling calm. Students were introduced to and discussed the term, perfectionism. Classroom discussion questions included: Because Beatrice was a perfectionist, what activities did she miss out on? Why did Beatrice sleep better than she ever had the night after the talent show after having made a mistake? Students finished the lesson with lively conversation sharing ideas on how to manage perfectionism and how to learn from and bounce back after having made a mistake.

~ Rob Lipson, Aurora Quest K-5 Counselor

In Ms. Smith’s 2nd grade classroom, students discussed the difference between reporting a concern to a teacher and tattling. Learning goals for the classroom SEL lesson included, when should I let my teacher or counselor know that I am having a problem with a classmate? What is tattling? When should I try to manage the problem before seeking adult help? A student takeaway was that the intention of tattling is to get someone into a degree of trouble whereas reporting is about self-advocacy and keeping oneself emotionally and physically safe. Students were presented with a variety of school scenarios during which they were asked to identify whether the scenarios represented self-advocacy or tattling.

In Mrs. Kenfield’s 2nd grade classroom, students had an SEL lesson focused on managing external conflicts. Students identified common conflict triggers that occur in school such as one’s perception of fairness, one’s tone of voice, timing, and tact. Students learned about and discussed three types of conflict styles: passive, aggressive, and assertive. Students were able to identify that the assertive conflict style allows one to express themself while still maintaining self control, and that this specific style, compared to the other, lends itself to a healthy resolution. Students discussed the importance of compromise as a common part of the conflict resolution process.

Good Afternoon Middle School Parents!

I am delighted to be working with your students this year, and would like to extend an invitation for you to reach out to me any time with anything that I can help with. I will have all my contact information listed below weekly, and it can also be found on our school website.

I want to extend a special welcome to any parents that are new to Quest! I have been making the rounds to all Advisory classrooms and introducing myself this past week. We have a wonderful new group of 6th graders joining our crew, and I would like to do what I can to help them navigate Quest, and connect with new peers. One of the tools to assist with the latter effort, are our weekly Lunch Groups, and information about that is below:

Lunch Groups

Lunch Groups are a casual time for students to build community while playing games, eating lunch, and talking with each other and myself. The format is loose, and students may come and go as they wish session to session. There is no pressure to speak in front of a group if they prefer not to. Some students use the time to read a book, or do something else quiet. The Groups are designed so that both Extroverts and Introverts alike will feel welcome, and enjoy some low-key time in the middle of a busy day! :-)

Lunch Group Schedule:

6th grade Lunch Groups

Wednesdays: Students that are new to Quest this year

Fridays: Returning Quest students

7th Grade Lunch Group

Thursdays: All students welcome

8th Grade Lunch Group

Fridays: All students welcome

*For 6th graders, Mrs. Veen will meet students on the playground blacktop area during Recess (holding a “Lunch Group” sign). Once gathered, the group then stops to buy lunch in the cafeteria, and makes their way to the Enrichment Room.

Please note: 7th and 8th grade students can make their way to the Enrichment Room on their own if they like, as their recess is after lunch (Ms. Veen will also come to the Cafeteria and hold up a lunch group sign, for any new students, or other kids that are ready to go).

*If your student could use some support from our Middle School Counselor, please do not hesitate to reach out to Shauna Veen at: (303) 326-2000 x23727, or: snveen@aurorak12.org

Please remind your students to check lost and found often.

Also, please talk to your student about taking an item left outside to the lost and found. We have had a some items thrown in the trash by other students. The rule is "treat other people's lost items as you would want your lost items treated." Thanks for your help with this!

We Have A Facebook Group!

Wondering what is going on? Curious about upcoming events? Wanting to volunteer during

fundraisers but not sure how? This is your one stop shop for how to support the school,

fundraisers and overall school community. Please be sure to answer the questions when

you ask to join. It's a way that we ensure that our Quest information stays within our

community.

www.facebook.com/groups/1743613152521317/

Phoenix Feathers:

Yearly our PTA spends a starting average of $60 per student to provide all or part of your

signature learning experiences at Quest. This includes fieldtrips, student enrichment, and

transportation to name a few. By purchasing a feather for $60 you help chip away at our BIG

goal. Next time you stop into the school be sure and check out our beautiful new Phoenix!

King Soopers Rewards: (EASIEST way to passively fundraise)

Help our school by buying your groceries! This is the easiest fundraiser and takes less than

10 minutes to set up so sign up if you haven't already. A huge THANK YOU to our current

participants!!

 Go to: www.kingsooperscommunityrewards.com

 Click on Enroll Now.

 Sign in to your account.

 Click on Community Rewards

Enter Aurora Quest K8 PTA or “BX352”

Shop as usual using your rewards card or alternate ID.

***Be on the lookout for more passive opportunities in the future!***

PTA Meeting: Our next meeting is September 10th from 6-7pm. We welcome all parents

and support parents to join us especially as we have several items on the table to vote on at

this meeting. If you are interested in voting rights for decisions that affect the school

membership is $10. You can become a member on the school website under the PTA tab or

at any meeting or event we are hosting as well as at the meeting. We are hoping to go LIVE

at this meeting so it’ll be easier for more to access.

Dates to be on the lookout for:

~ September 25th - Run For Funds is our BIGGEST fundraiser of the year and we are hoping that if we all do this to the best of our ability we can lower the frequency of future fundraising this year! We need 3-4 volunteers for each run. We don’t have a schedule yet but wanted to get a date out ASAP.

~ Butter Braids will be going live end of Oct with a delivery date of 11/20 (volunteers will be

needed for a quick turn around on hand out)

2024/2025 Aurora Quest K8 PTA Board

Dre Sneddon, President

Nidhi Kotecha, Vice President

Angelica Upton, Secretary

Susan Milo, Treasurer

We need chaperones, coaches, team leaders, and more! As you can see we have so much going on for our students that parents can make a huge difference in making sure we continue to offer so much!

Our parent volunteers make it so much easier for us to navigate through the school year. If you are interested in volunteering, here is how to get your badge and clearance.

STEP 1: In order to become a PV for this school year, you need to complete the Screening Process (Background Check). Click Here to be directed to the Aurora Public Schools' website for the screening process.

STEP 2: Send Mr. Adams, our Family Liaison an email with a picture of your valid driver's license (front only) and a picture of yourself with a plain background for your badge AFTER you have completed the screening process (STEP 1). Mr. Adams will submit the "Volunteer Approval Form" with both pictures to the Safety & Security Department.

STEP 3: After approval from the Safety & Security Department, your volunteer badge will be sent to the school and you will be informed so that you can pick it up.