Thursday, January 31, 2019

Week of January 28, 2019

Thursday Folder Flyers:

 Reflection on Our Year So Far:
Wow! It has been an incredible year for our students and staff! This year, we implemented a Student of the Month based upon our monthly values and honor these students each month in front of our entire school community and families. It is one of the best mornings and I look forward to it each month, as does our staff. It is such an honor to work with these amazing students! Our students of the month so far this year (including January) are:
I would also like to thank the community for coming together to support reading and IHE teacher needs through our Read-a-Thon. What an fantastic event! I loved talking with so many students and their parents about the increased desire to read and the amount of time spent reading books. Through this event, PTO was able to fund the following (all requests from our staff) which will be purchased within the next month to six weeks (with the exception of the Social Studies curriculum):
  • RAZ Kids for grades K and 1
  • Headphones for grade 1
  • Literacy Footprints for grades 2, 3 and 4
  • Social Studies Curriculum (to be determined based upon the new Colorado Academic Standards) for grade 5
  • Ukeleles for Music
  • Skillastics Sets for PE
  • Self Portrait Mirrors and Rulers for Art
  • Pencil Grips, Mr. Mouths, and other supplies for the Special Education Department
  • Charging Stations for multiple grades to store chromebooks and ipads
  • New playground equipment (as requested from the students)
We could not have done this without you! 

 Finally, I cannot wait to share with you all about our Staff Experiences raffle that will begin on Monday! Iron Horse staff has developed several different experiences for students. Students can purchase chance tickets ($5 each) for a variety of experiences with different staff members including: manicures, dart warz, bedtime stories, bike rides, Bigfoot hunting, a night at the symphony, pizza and movies, cooking class, dinner and a movie, and SO MANY MORE. Tickets will be drawn and the winners notified on February 14th. Please see the packet in your child's Thursday folder today for more details. 

 I am so blessed to be a part of this community, this school, and your families' lives. We truly are a family and nothing brings me greater joy than this school!

 Resources for Furloughed Employees:
While the government shutdown has been lifted for the next two weeks, in the event that we experience another shutdown, here are some available resources: 
CDE sent out resources for families who are being affected by the federal shutdown. 

In addition, 2-1-1 has a very comprehensive list of community resources available – just dial 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 webpage. It has great information about how furloughed workers can file for unemployment benefits, food assistance programs, and offers of help from many local and national businesses. 

Legend Feeder Wish Week:
We are excited to support the Legend Feeder Wish Week, which begins on February 8th
and concludes on February 13th. Wish Week is an opportunity for our schools to raise 
funds to support a child's Make A Wish "wish". This year, we are raising funds to support 
our wish kid, Kenzie, travel to Australia. We will be selling Wish Week shirts for $20. These
shirts allow students free entrance to the following events:

1. Feeder School Festival on Feb 9th at Cimarron MS from 4:30-6:30. If you wear your
Wish Week shirt, you will get 5 free tickets for the carnival games! 
2.  Who Done it? Photo Scavenger Hunt at Legend on Monday Feb 11 at 6:00pm. Wear 
your t-shirt and form a team of 4. Get in for free! Great prizes will be given to the winners! 
3. Legend Teacher Talent Show on Tuesday, Feb 12th at 7pm. Come see teachers 
showcase their talents!

Students can also participate in our spirit days across the feeder:
Monday, February 11: Cow Day (our Wish kid loves Chick-Fil-A)
Tuesday, February 12: 80's Day! ( our Wish kid loves the show Stranger Things)
Wednesday, February 13: Outback Day! (our Wish kid wants to go to Australia and loves
the ocean and outdoors)
Thursday, February 14: Wish Week Shirt Day! 
Nutrition Services Update:
Nutrition Services has an exciting promotion called "Eat Healthy, Play Healthy" coming to 
Iron Horse. In collaboration with the Denver Nuggets, Tyson Foods, and Dannon, we will 
be holding two contests that could win IHE a chance to have lunch with Rocky 
and/or win a $500 micro grant that will go towards lunchroom and kitchen improvements.  
(Dates Rocky will visit are: Elementary- Tuesday, February 12, 2019 and Middle Thursday, 
February 7, 2019.)

To have Rocky come to Iron Horse for lunch, our school needs to get the most votes.  
To do this, students, parents and staff can submit their votes to 
https://www.k12-promo.com/douglas Voting opens 1/28/19 and closes 2/1/19.  Only 
one vote is allowed per person per day. 

Parking Lot: 
As we are entering the second half of the year, please remember the following parking
lot procedures and rules:
 - Pull all the way forward to the mobiles when dropping off/picking up
 - Do not exit your vehicle when dropping off/picking up - if your child needs extra support, 
please park and walk them to the front entrance
 - Do not drop off students in the parking lot or allow students to walk across the
crosswalk without an adult (from either side)
 - Do not use your cell phone while in the drop off/pick up lane
 - There is no entry into the gravel lot from the North entry point - this is only for 
exiting traffic
 - The gravel lot will be closed at approximately 8:15am and 3:15pm for student safety 

Parents Night Out:
The Legend DECA club will be hosting a Parents Night Out at Iron Horse on Friday, 
February 8 from 7:00-10:30pm. The first child is $20 and each additional child is $5.
Further information is listed in the flyer at the top of this post. 

Staff News:
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Cyndi Reddy, our Health Assistant. 
She will be greatly missed and our new assistant will have very big shoes to fill! 
We are currently reviewing potential candidates and hope to fill the position soon. 
Please see below from Mrs. Reddy:
After a great deal of reflection and discussion with my family, I have made the 
difficult decision that the time has come for me to resign my position at Iron Horse. 
I have truly enjoyed the time I have worked here.  You are all part of an amazing 
group of people whom I refer to as "my other family". I feel it is now time to focus 
my efforts on taking care of my mom and putting my finance degree to work.  
Coming to this decision has not been easy, and I will truly miss the friendships 
that have blossomed here at IHE. 

Upcoming Events:
FEBRUARY:
February 4: Teacher Experience Raffle Begins
February 5/6: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm
February 8-13: Legend Feeder Wish Week/Spirit Days
February 14: Teacher Experience Raffle Ends
February 15: NO School - Teacher Training Day
February 18: NO School - President's Day
February 20: PTO Meeting 3:45-4:45pm, SAC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm
February 21: Tokyo Joe's Restaurant Night for IHE

MARCH:
March 12: Spring Conferences 4:00-6:00pm
March 14: Spring Conferences 4:00-8:00pm
March 16-24: SPRING BREAK
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Thursday, January 24, 2019

Week of January 21, 2019

Thursday Folder Flyers: 
McTeacher Night:
We had a fantastic night with your families at McDonald's last night! We were able to raise over $500 for our school. Thank you SO much for your support and attendance! 
 
Winter Family Art Nights:  
Join Ms. O'Hara in the art room to create wonderful family memories while creating something you can use for years to come. We’ll be making a Japanese Stab Binding Book that can be used as a gratitude journal, a “family moments” journal, or a gift for a loved one. There will be two different two day sessions, from 5pm to 7pm.  You may not need the whole time each day but I wanted to give people time each day to work around work schedules if needed. The first day will include glueing any photographs and decorative papers you’d like to glue on the front and the second day will be putting it all together after the glue has dried.  If you’d like to bring any images you’d like to permanently attach to the book, feel free to do so. The Cost will be $15 per item to cover costs for the art supplies.   The deadline to sign up is Monday, January 14th. Please go to My School Bucks below to sign up.


Upcoming Events:
JANUARY:
January 29/30: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm

FEBRUARY:
February 4: Teacher Experience Raffle Begins
February 5/6: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm
February 14: Teacher Experience Raffle Ends
February 15: NO School - Teacher Training Day
February 18: NO School - President's Day
February 20: PTO Meeting 3:45-4:45pm, SAC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm
February 21: Tokyo Joe's Restaurant Night for IHE

MARCH:
March 12: Spring Conferences 4:00-6:00pm
March 14: Spring Conferences 4:00-8:00pm
March 16-24: SPRING BREAK
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Thursday, January 17, 2019

Week of January 14, 2019

Thursday Folder Flyers: 

McTeacher Night:
Please join the IHE Staff at McDonalds for great conversation and food! Staff will be at the Mainstreet and Parker Road McDonalds from 4:00-7:00pm on Wednesday. Come have some dinner, talk with the IHE staff and raise funds for our school. We hope to see you there! 

Winter Family Art Nights:  
Join Ms. O'Hara in the art room to create wonderful family memories while creating something you can use for years to come. We’ll be making a Japanese Stab Binding Book that can be used as a gratitude journal, a “family moments” journal, or a gift for a loved one. There will be two different two day sessions, from 5pm to 7pm.  You may not need the whole time each day but I wanted to give people time each day to work around work schedules if needed. The first day will include glueing any photographs and decorative papers you’d like to glue on the front and the second day will be putting it all together after the glue has dried.  If you’d like to bring any images you’d like to permanently attach to the book, feel free to do so. The Cost will be $15 per item to cover costs for the art supplies.   The deadline to sign up is Monday, January 14th. Please go to My School Bucks below to sign up.

Session A: My School Bucks - Winter Family Art Night
Session B: Family Art Night Session B - February 5 & 6, 5-7pm

Student Winner for the Read-a-Thon:
Congratulations to Ryan Lizardi, our winner of the $50 shopping spree to Target. Ryan and I had a great time driving to Target and picking out his favorite toys. We had a wonderful time! 

 Upcoming Events:
JANUARY:
January 18: NO School - Teacher Training Day
January 21: NO School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 23: McTeacher Night at McDonalds - 4:00-7:00pm (Mainstreet Location)
January 29/30: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm

FEBRUARY:
February 4: Teacher Experience Raffle Begins
February 5/6: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm
February 14: Teacher Experience Raffle Ends
February 15: NO School - Teacher Training Day
February 18: NO School - President's Day
February 20: PTO Meeting 3:45-4:45pm, SAC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm
February 21: Tokyo Joe's Restaurant Night for IHE

MARCH:
March 12: Spring Conferences 4:00-6:00pm
March 14: Spring Conferences 4:00-8:00pm
March 16-24: SPRING BREAK
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Thursday, January 10, 2019

Week of January 7, 2019

Thursday Folder Flyers:
No Flyers this Week
WELCOME BACK! We are excited to begin the second semester with your students! 

Attendance Line:
If your child will be absent from school, arriving late, or leaving early please call the attendance line and leave a message at 303-387-8527.  Thank you!

Yearbook Photos:
Calling all parents! Please send in any photos you may have to classroom teachers for yearbook.  Several teachers still do not have a parent yearbook volunteer. If you are willing to volunteer as a yearbook parent volunteer, please reach out to your teacher.

Raptor for Safety:
Douglas County School District (DCSD) recently rolled out the Raptor Visitor Management system at our school. This system is used by many schools throughout the district and state, and will give us an additional layer of safety for our students. We are committed to protecting everyone at Iron Horse and this system helps support this commitment.
Here is how the system and our process will work:
Everyone who is visiting classrooms, joining kids for lunch, or attending a meeting or an event will have their ID/driver’s license scanned. The ONLY database that the Raptor system checks IDs against is the sexual predator database. This system does NOT check any other databases.

All DCSD schools will be using this same system very soon. Once you have scanned your ID at any school location, you will be saved in the system. Therefore, if you forget your ID in your car, DCSD schools that are utilizing Raptor will be able to look you up by your name.

All guests will be given a sticker to wear while they are in our school that is printed by this system. This sticker will have your name, the photo from your ID, and the date and time. For our frequent guests, we will try to save printing costs by placing your Raptor ID in a protective badge sleeve so you can reuse the sticker throughout the year.

Each new school year (in August) we will rescan all IDs for the current school year

This system will be in place beginning Monday, January 14, 2019. Please remember to bring your ID with you so we can scan it and get you logged into our system. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office and we’ll work to find an answer for you. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our students and staff safe!
January Art Room Happenings:
Congratulations to our January Artist of the Month Oliver Lemon!  IHE Artist of the month artwork can be found on my web page : https://photos.app.goo.gl/wFK8XvaRNAFJCU5R9

Late Orders for Original Works are expected mid January.  Don’t worry, there’s Valentine’s Day, Easter, Birthdays, and the just because you’re awesome days ahead to give your purchases as gifts.

Google Doodle Contest:  Students have a chance to win a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 Technology Grant for Iron Horse.  A link to contest web page for contest rules and details can be found on my web page under January 7th, 2019 on my calendar or by clicking here:  https://doodles.google.com/d4g/

Winter Family Art Night:  I would love to have you join me in the art room to create wonderful family memories while creating something you can use for years to come. We’ll be making a Japanese Stab Binding Book that can be used as a gratitude journal, a “family moments” journal, or a gift for a loved one. There will be two different two day sessions, from 5pm to 7pm.  You may not need the whole time each day but I wanted to give people time each day to work around work schedules if needed. The first day will include glueing any photographs and decorative papers you’d like to glue on the front and the second day will be putting it all together after the glue has dried.  If you’d like to bring any images you’d like to permanently attach to the book, feel free to do so. The Cost will be $15 per item to cover costs for the art supplies.   The deadline to sign up is Monday, January 14th. Please go to My School Bucks below to sign up.

JANUARY:
January 16: PTO Meeting 3:45-4:45pm, SAC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm
January 18: NO School - Teacher Training Day
January 21: NO School - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 23: McTeacher Night at McDonalds - 4:00-7:00pm (Mainstreet Location)
January 29/30: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm

FEBRUARY:
February 4: Teacher Experience Raffle Begins
February 5/6: Family Art Nights 5:00-7:00pm
February 14: Teacher Experience Raffle Ends
February 15: NO School - Teacher Training Day
February 18: NO School - President's Day
February 20: PTO Meeting 3:45-4:45pm, SAC Meeting 5:00-6:00pm
February 21: Tokyo Joe's Restaurant Night for IHE

MARCH:
March 12: Spring Conferences 4:00-6:00pm
March 14: Spring Conferences 4:00-8:00pm
March 16-24: SPRING BREAK


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