Namaqua Weekly Update

To continue keeping our school community safe, all parents, visitors, and volunteers are required to show a valid ID at the front door camera before entering the building. Please have your ID ready when you ring the buzzer so our office staff can verify your identity quickly and efficiently. You may be asked to present ID again to front office staff once you are in the building. Anyone entering the school beyond the front lobby will also be required to sign in and will be given a visitor or volunteer badge. These must be visible at all times while on campus.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain a secure environment for all students and staff!

11/2-12/3 Philo Food Drive

11/20 Classroom Gratitude Celebrations (Information Coming Soon!)

11/23-11/27 Thanksgiving Break

We wanted to share a quick, friendly reminder about our morning drop-off routine for students arriving late.

If your child arrives after the bell, an adult must escort them into the front office to sign them in.

Please avoid dropping students off at the curb and driving away before they have entered the building.

Because our exterior doors remain locked during the school day—or in the rare event of a temporary safety hold or security event, having an adult walk them to the door ensures they get inside safely and aren't left waiting outside alone.

Thank you so much for your partnership and for helping us keep all of our students safe and accounted for each day!

Wildcats Unplugged: No-Screen November 🐾🍁

What does it mean to unplug? Take a break from screens you use for fun! 📵

Why try it? Make time to move, create, and play together. 🏃‍♂️🎨

Try a screen-free activity! 📖 Read a book ✏️ Draw a comic 🧱 Build with LEGO 🃏 Play cards 🚶 Take a walk 🥗 Help make dinner

📅 Challenge Details: • November 14–19: 30 screen-free minutes each day • Bring back your signed calendar on November 20.

Check your Friday folder for your calendar.

Attention 5th grade families! Walt Clark will be hosting a Hype Night on Thursday December 3rd! See the attached flyer below for details!

We need to talk about the Lost & Found mountain currently taking over our hallway. At this rate, we’re three water bottles away from it declaring independence and applying for its own ZIP code.

If your household is missing:

A single left shoe (where is the right one? a mystery for the ages)

A jacket your child swore was "definitely in their backpack"

A water bottle that has been missing since September

A solitary glove living its best life alone is almost certainly residing in our pile of abandoned treasures.

Please drop by and claim your family's belongings before Friday, November 20th.

On Friday afternoon, all remaining unclaimed items will be packed up and donated to local charities. Help us reunite these lost items with their rightful owners before they head off to new homes!

Thank you for helping us reclaim our hallway!

​Dear Namaqua Families,

As the holidays approach, we often find ourselves getting caught in the holiday stress of our own families. At times, we lose sight of all the people that are struggling to make it. We feel that this is a critical time in your child’s life in terms of looking at the world outside of the four walls of home.

Each year, our Namaqua school community accepts cash donations to help families in need. Staff identifies families and a few individuals go shopping for items that will help to bring joy to our underserved students. We are proud of how our school community steps up each year to ensure that students have a few presents for the holiday.

If you would like to donate to this endeavor or if your family needs assistance, please contact Mrs Geraghty or Mrs Stewart by calling (970) 613-6600 or you may email at angela.geraghty@tsd.org or suzanne.stewart@tsd.org

How to donate:

Friday, December 11th – All donations are due

*(Please send cash or a check made payable to Suzanne Stewart– (the office cannot accept checks made payable to Namaqua)

*or VENMO Mrs Stewart @Suzanne-Stewart-3 Last four digits are 7384 (please include “holiday giving” in the description in VENMO–thanks!)

Thank you in advance for your support and compassion.

❤️ Help make the holiday season brighter for neighbors in our local community!

From Monday, November 2nd through Thursday, December 3rd, bring canned or packaged food directly to your school. All food collected stays right here in Loveland and Berthoud to support local families in need.

📦 High-Priority Items NeededPlease consider donating any of the following canned or packaged items: Pantry Staples & Grains: Cereal, rice, pasta, baking mixes, stuffing, pie crust, and filling. Proteins & Meals: Canned meat, peanut butter, soup/broth. Fruits & Vegetables: Canned fruit and vegetables. Drinks & Snacks: Juice, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, snacks, and condiments. Essential Non-Food Items: Personal hygiene items, toiletries, and all baby products.

Important Note: Please check expiration dates before donating! Do not donate expired food, as it cannot be distributed.

🤝 Making an Impact TogetherSince 1918, the Philo organization and local schools have partnered to provide holiday food baskets to families across our community. In 2025 alone, over 13,000 pounds of food were collected, helping hundreds of families enjoy a warm holiday dinner and a stocked pantry.
Let’s keep the tradition going and share what we can this year!

Disclaimer: Thompson School District neither endorses nor sponsors the organization or activity represented in this document.

As the chilly autumn air turns into frosty winter mornings, please help us keep our learners warm, cozy, and ready for outdoor fun! Recess and outdoor activities happen every day whenever weather permits, so coming dressed for the weather makes all the difference.

Here is a quick daily checklist before heading out the door:

• 🧥 Coats & Jackets: Zip up for maximum warmth!

• 🧣 Bundle Up: Don’t forget hats, gloves, or mittens, and scarves.

• 👢 Sensible Shoes: Warm socks and sturdy boots keep toes warm during outdoor playtime.

• 🏷️ Label Everything: Adding your student’s name to tags helps lost jackets find their way back home!

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe, warm, and ready to learn each day!

Dear Namaqua Families,

As we work together to keep our school community safe, we are reaching out to ask for your immediate assistance and cooperation regarding traffic safety at Namaqua.

Recently, we have noticed a concerning increase in traffic violations around our campus. These include vehicles failing to come to a complete stop at stop signs, driving above the speed limit, making illegal U-turns, and parking in restricted No Parking and Fire Zones.

The safety of our students, families, and staff is our absolute highest priority. To ensure everyone arrives and departs safely each day, we ask all parents and drivers to strictly obey all traffic and parking regulations at all times, including:

* **Stop Signs:** Come to a full and complete stop at all designated intersections and crosswalks.
* **Speed Limits:** Maintain low speeds and stay alert for children who may step off the curb unexpectedly.
* **No U-Turns:** Avoid making U-turns, which create unpredictable and dangerous traffic patterns. If you need to turn around, please follow Namaqua Ave to the west parking lot and pull through that lot to exit back onto Namaqua Ave.
* **One-Way Signs:** Follow all posted directional signs at all times.
* **No Parking & Fire Zones:** Do not park or leave your vehicle unattended in designated fire zones, red zones, or temporary loading areas.

We have attached a map for your reference to help illustrate the proper traffic flow, signage and parking areas.

Please remember that extra time and patience go a long way in preventing accidents. Every traffic sign is in place to protect our young learners and keep our campus secure.

Thank you for your partnership and dedication to keeping our campus safe for all!

Warmly,

Namaqua School Administration

Hug & Go/Traffic Map

🍦 October Attendance Stars & A Sweet November Ahead! 🍦

We are so proud of our students' commitment to showing up every day ready to learn! Check your student’s backpack: all students who achieved 95% or higher attendance in October will be receiving a special Dairy Queen reward coupon coming home!

The fun doesn’t stop there—we are keeping the momentum going for November! We’re thrilled to announce that Culver’s is sponsoring next month’s attendance incentive.

Every day counts, and every day present is a step toward success. Let’s finish November strong—see you at school! 🎒✨

Supporting Strong School Attendance: A Guide for Families

Consistent school attendance supports students’ academic performance, social development, and future success. We understand that illness, emergencies, and family challenges happen. If you need support, please reach out. Every day matters - because when You’re Here Today, You’re Ready for Tomorrow!

What Families Can Do

• Make school attendance a daily priority

• Talk with your child about the importance of being in school

• Schedule appointments outside of school hours when possible

• Communicate with the school when your child will be absent

• Keep your contact information up to date so we can reach you

What the School Will Do

• Take attendance daily and monitor student absences

• Notify you if your child is absent and we have not heard from you

• Share information about your child’s attendance record

• Reach out if attendance patterns become a concern

• Partner with you to support your child’s regular attendance

• Provide help and resources if challenges arise

When Your Child Is Absent

For all absences, please contact the school as soon as possible to let us know:

• The reason for the absence

• When your child is expected to return

Absence types have been updated in Parent Portal to align with Board Policy. Documentation and/or principal approval is required for excusal of recurring treatment (ie, orthodontia, counseling), pre-arranged absences (ie, travel, preventative medical care), family emergencies, extended period for disability or disorder, and legal absences. Additional requirements may exist when students are habitually truant or chronically absent.

If Attendance Becomes a Concern

If your child begins to miss multiple days, we will:

• Reach out to better understand what may be impacting attendance

• Work with you to identify solutions and supports

• Develop an Attendance Support Plan if needed

Our goal is to partner with you, not to assign blame; we understand that illness, emergencies, and family challenges happen.

We Are Here to Help

We understand that challenges can affect attendance. If your family needs support with:

• Transportation

• Mental or physical health concerns

• School anxiety

• Family or housing challenges

Please contact us. We will work together to find solutions.

Please use the Infinite Campus Parent Portal to update your contact information for the new school year, or feel free to contact us with any questions.

For more information, see Board Policy JH/JHB and Exhibit.

Gratitude Grams

'Tis the season to show appreciation for the wonderful people in our lives.

Important Reminders:
Complete both Gratitude Grams.
Return them to your teacher in your Friday Folder.
All Gratitude Grams must be turned in by Monday, November 16th.
Our PTA will collect and deliver the Gratitude Grams so we can spread kindness and thankfulness throughout our school!
Let's make someone's day a little brighter!

Festive Family Night

Friday, December 11th 4-5:30 in the small gym

Bring the family to shop, feast on cookies and hot cocoa and take pictures with Santa!

We strive to make this an event that every family can enjoy in some way.

If your family celebrates a Winter Holiday that you feel is not traditionally represented, please reach out.

Reminder: We will have a drop box for Namaqua's Holiday Giving program run by Suzanne Stewart.

Winter Market

This beloved Namaqua Tradition allows students to shop for friends and families using their own money,

even if they were unable to attend Festive Family Night.

But this is not limited to students, many parents and staff members shop as well.

All items are $5 or less. Cash, check and cards are accepted.

Onsite wrapping supplies are available at no cost.

All items were purchased or made by our lovely PTA members and all profits go to Namaqua.

Store Hours:

Tuesday December 15th 3:10-4 PM

Wednesday December 16th 8:30-9 AM

Thursday December 17th 3:10-4 PM

Friday December 18th 7:30-8 AM (50% off day)

Join our Shop to Give program and automatically power donations when you shop or dine at over 25,000 participating merchants—at no cost to you!

Simply sign up, link your card for in-store offers, and add the desktop and mobile browser extensions for online offers.

Sign up here: https://www.givebacks.com/causes/namaqua

100 Mile Club: Keep on Running!

Our 100 Mile Club runners are doing an AMAZING job! We love seeing our students lace up their shoes, get moving, and work toward their mileage goals. Keep those feet moving and keep cheering each other on! Every lap counts, and we are so proud of our hardworking runners!

Congratulations to Eddie D for running 75 miles! Congratulations to Izzie C for running 50 miles! Congratulations to Declan K, Kamrey T, Lillian M, Josie T and Rosie D for running 25 miles!! Congratulations to Ryan R, Josie T, Braden P, Rowan L, Meadow T, Sarah V, Elsie T, Levi C, Cal G, Karsten M, Mauricio V, Huck R, Angie R, Beaux P, Keldon M, Brynlee G, Felix V, Emerson L, Sofia A and Hazel K for running 10 miles!

Thanksgiving Break:
Keep those feet moving over Thanksgiving break! We are excited to announce that students can track up to 9 miles during Thanksgiving break and add them to their 100 Mile Club totals!

We are asking THANKSGIVING BREAK MILE TRACKING FORM If you prefer a paper copy, you can pick one up at the school office.

The form will also give you the opportunity to let us know if your child would like to participate in a Winter Session, which would begin the week after Thanksgiving break.

• If there is enough interest, we will jump right into our Winter Session the week after break!

• If not, we will take a little winter pause and pick things back up again in the spring!

Please take a moment to fill out the form so we can plan accordingly. We appreciate your continued support and love seeing our students stay active, healthy, and motivated!

A BIG THANK YOU! Our club wouldn’t be possible without our wonderful parents and volunteers. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and time. Whether you’re helping behind the scenes, cheering from the sidelines, or encouraging your student to keep going, you make a difference! Let’s keep encouraging our runners, celebrating every milestone, and showing our students that every step takes them closer to their goal! Keep up the great work, 100 Mile Club!

Enroll Today: Free Preschool for 3- and 4-Year-Olds!

Looking for a fun and engaging place for your child to learn and grow? Preschool programs are FREE for qualifying families with 3- and 4-year-olds!

Program Highlights:

• Convenient Locations: Classrooms located across the district.

• Expert Educators: Taught by licensed early childhood teachers.

• Nutrition: Healthy food provided daily.

• Options Available: Programs include Head Start, Universal Preschool (CO UPK), Special Education, and Tuition-based slots.

2026/2027 meal applications are now available. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students this year!

All families are still highly encouraged to fill out an application.

Why?

The Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program is funded in partnership with federal nutrition programs that rely on income information to support meals for all students. Other state and federal grants are awarded based on free and reduced meal eligibility rates.

Additionally, families that qualify may receive discounted or waived fees for programs inside and outside of the school district. Applications are available to all households at school sites and online at linqconnect.com. Applications need to be completed annually (after mid-July) for the new school year. The information provided on the application is confidential and is not shared without your consent.

26-27 Meal Application: https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new

Please send 2026/2027 immunizations and health records to gabriella.guillen@tsd.org

Resources for Vision:

• Medicaid will often pay 100% for exam and eyeglasses

• Eye Center of Northern Colorado

• Works with Medicaid

• Families can call and ask for an appointment and share medicaid number

• Often get new patients in within a week

• Lions Club

• Free eyeglasses can be provided by the Lions Club OneSight program. This was created as a partnership between various non-profits, including the Luxottica Group Foundation, and it has been operating since the 1980’s. The program is committed to improving vision- it offers education, outreach, and free prescription eyeglasses to those who qualify, including children.

• https://lovelandlionsclub.com/eye-exams-and-glasses/

• America’s Best

• Provides glasses and eye exams for families for those who need assistance

• There’s a location at the marketplace at Centerra in Loveland as well as locations in Fort Collins & Longmont.

• All Children See

• allchildrensee.org

• See flyer attached

Organization: Ann Jenson's Thanksgiving Dinner

Date: Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 26, 2026

Location: Associated Veterans of Loveland (305 N. Cleveland Ave, Loveland)

Website for receiving a meal: https://www.annjensonthanksgiving.com/receive-a-meal

Options:

• Dine In: In person for Thanksgiving dinner at the Associated Veterans of Loveland (no time was listed on website)

• To-go Meals: Meals available for pickup at 1pm on Thanksgiving Day

• Home Delivery: Request up to 5 meals for delivery between 11am and 2pm within the City of Loveland

Join us for the FACE Center Open House! Meet other families from the district, grab some food, and learn more about the McKinney-Vento Program.

📅 Date: November 19 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM 📍 Location: 860 E 29th Street, Loveland, CO 80538 (At Mary Blair Elementary)

What to expect: 🧴 Basic needs items will be available 🧣 Winter accessories giveaway 🤝 Family connections & food

Hosted by the TSD Programs for Access, Transition, and High Mobility (PATH) Team / McKinney-Vento Team.

Ease back-to-school anxiety with I Matter’s free therapy.

School is back in session, and changes to routine, new classes, and friends can

sometimes be overwhelming for students. Students can get mental health

support for free through I Matter. I Matter offers six FREE private therapy

sessions for Colorado youth 18 and younger (or 21 and younger if receiving

special education services).

It takes about 10 minutes for youth to be matched with the right therapist.

Parents and guardians can also fill out the questionnaire for their child if they

are 11 or younger.

If you or a young person in your life is having a hard time with their mental

health, I Matter can help. Visit IMatterColorado.org or YoImportoColorado.org

to learn more about free therapy and to get started today.

KidsPak is a weekend hunger-relief program for students in the Thompson School District including Berthoud. KidsPak is made up entirely of community volunteers. NEARLY 1 IN 7 Colorado kids (14%) do not always know when or where they will get their next meal. NEARLY 1 IN 6 COLORADO HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN (16%) REPORT AN INABILITY TO AFFORD ADEQUATE FOOD. Our goal is to lower those statistics substantially. We partner with each school in the Thompson and Berthoud School District to provide much needed weekend food that meets the nutritional requirements from children.

You can sign up using the link below.

https://kidspak.org/get-food-assistance

Families can also receive a KidsPak at the Loveland or Berthoud Public Library during normal business hours or the Family Center at Stansberry by calling 970-613-6808.

The mission of the Family Center is to provide a safe, inclusive space for our TSD families to:

-learn about what the district and the community have to offer.

-connect, network, and learn from one another.

-access resources to meet needs.

Gaby Salvador, Family School Community Partnership Specialist (FSCP)

Phone: 970-613-6808 (Office) or 970-460-8680 (Google Voice)

Email: gaby.salvador@tsd.org or family-center@tsd.org

860 E 29th St Loveland Co 80538

Email: suzanne.stewart@tsd.org
Website: https://www.thompsonschools.org/namaqua
Location: 209 North Namaqua Avenue, Loveland, CO, USA
Phone: 970-613-6600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NamaquaSchool/