High Plains Elementary

Dear High Plains Community,

Happy New Year! It has been so exciting to welcome students back from the break and to see their energy and enthusiasm filling our hallways once again. We’re looking forward to a fantastic semester of learning and growth together.

This past week, we had the honor of celebrating Ashley Wilson as our Exceptional Volunteer. Ashley’s dedication to High Plains is unmatched, from organizing events to stepping in wherever there’s a need. Her commitment and care make our school and community a better place. Thank you, Ashley, for all you do!

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we are incredibly grateful for the amazing women who volunteer their time and expertise to guide Cherry Creek School District. Their dedication ensures that our schools continue to thrive.

We’d like to give special recognition to Kristen Allan, one of our outstanding school board members who also happens to be a part of the High Plains community. Kristen not only serves on the board but is also a parent in our community, bringing valuable insight and care to her role. Thank you, Kristen, for your unwavering support and commitment to our schools and students.

Thank you, High Plains families, for your continued partnership and support. Together, we make our school an incredible place to learn and grow.

Warm regards,

Robert Romero
Principal, High Plains Elementary

• We know it is cold outside, but please do not use the loop in front of the school for student pick-up or drop-off. This space is reserved for ride-shares and buses. The loop on the west side of the school is for student pick-up and drop-off.
• We have hired a new crossing guard for the afternoon at Havana and Maplewood!
• Breakfast starts at 7:30! Please bring students to school early if they are going to eat breakfast. We want to avoid food in the classroom during instruction as much as possible.
  
• Please do not allow students to play on the playground or field after school
• Before & Aftercare (GTG) needs access to the playgrounds and field after school.
• They are not able to be in spaces with non registered students, it is a violation with their licensing.
• No Dogs on Campus!
• While we love our furry friends, please do not bring dogs on school property
• Please see breakfast and lunch menus here

• 1/20 - No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• 1/27 - Hearing Screening

Congratulations to our Exceptional Volunteer of the Year, Ashley Wilson. We had the opportunity to celebrate Ashley's contributions this week. We appreciate all of her work on the PTCO, school auction, stuffing Friday folders, just to name a few things. Ashley - High Plains is an amazing place because of your dedication to strengthening our school community!

Thanks to our community's support of the 2024 bond and mill measures, the expansion of

the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) is officially underway! The CCIC was recently

recognized as one of the top 100 most impactful, innovative programs in the world and one of

the top ten in the United States.

The expansion project will allow the program to serve 70% more 10-12th grade students from

across the district. The CCIC will have new and expanded pathways in the 2025-26 school year,

including:

• Aerospace Engineering

• Advanced Electronics

• Creative (Film, Production, Motion Design)

• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)

• Veterinary Medicine

• Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

• Welding

• Baking and Pastries

• Expansion of Auto Mechanics and ManufacturingIn addition, the new facility will feature a 500-person events center which will be used to

expand the Culinary and Hospitality pathways for hands-on learning opportunities for students.

The economic impact of the CCIC is estimated at $4.1 million annually, which includes the cost

savings for students in certifications and college credits as well as grants and service to the

community such as the tiny home project. Today’s groundbreaking is the first of many projects

to get underway as part of the 2024 bond measure, including the rebuild of Holly Ridge and

Holly Hills, Laredo Middle School, and Phase I of the Cherry Creek PK-12 Campus rebuild project.

Read more about the expansion here!

High Plains was the recipient of a $2000 grant from the Sprout Healthy Communities Foundation! We were honored to be nominated by one of the managers at our local Sprouts for this grant. We look forward to using this grant to promote healthy foods and snack in our school.

We have partnered with the Colorado Rapids to reward and incentivize attendance here at High Plains Elementary school by giving students with no tardies and no more than 2 absences from January 20th - February 21st , a complimentary ticket to a Colorado Rapids match with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Students who qualify will receive a ticket link voucher to redeem their complimentary ticket with purchase of additional discounted tickets. Vouchers will be redeemable for qualifying Spring 2025 games.

Share your photos for the yearbook

Did you snap a photo at or around school this year? Anything fun from fall festivities, Trunk-or-Treat, the book fair? Please share them with our yearbook coordinator!

Simply email your photos to: highplainsyearbookphotos@gmail.com

Parents - we need you to make sure your household information is updated in our school directory, Membership Toolkit! Please log into membership toolkit and update your family information, what contact info you want in the directory, and your child's teacher. This will ensure families can reach you through the school directory, that you receive HP PTCO updates (events, reminders, etc.) and that you'll receive messages from your room parents for teacher celebrations, class parties, and more. Check out the attached flyer for more information on how you can update your information and stay in the loop!

If you have questions or events you'd like to add, contact us at HighPlainsPTCO@gmail.com.

Quick and easy ways to donate to High Plains, visit the below links and start giving!

• Minted use code FUNDRAISEHIGHPLAINS *NEW this year*
• American Furniture Warehouse *NEW this year*
• King Soopers
• Box Tops
• Spirit Wear - Stock up on Spirit Wear- shirts, hoodies, sweatpants that share some Hawk spirit! Order year round and it's shipped directly to you!
• Milk Caps for Mooola

• PTCO Events Calendar can be found here
• Want to connect with someone? Our school directory can be found here
• School Lunch Calendar/Menu can be found here

A big thank you to Christofferson Commercial Builders, Inc. for supporting High Plains Elementary!