Gold Rush Elementary
Principal's Message - February 27, 2026
Social Studies is alive and well in our classrooms and hallways! Students are engaged in a wide variety of topics across the grade levels, including geography, national symbols, historical figures, and history.
Our youngest learners are exploring maps. They are learning about different map symbols and how these tools help us navigate our surroundings. Students will soon apply this knowledge in an upcoming informational writing unit, where they will study animals and identify where they are found around the world.
First graders are studying famous Americans and national symbols. They are researching important landmarks and individuals, including the White House, the Liberty Bell, Susan B. Anthony, and Jackie Robinson. Students wrote about why these places and people are important to our country and how they have shaped our national identity.
Third graders are examining how events from the past influence our lives today. They explored artifacts from long ago (and even from my own childhood!), including cassette tapes, records, and telephones that connect to the wall. As a culminating activity, students conducted interviews with a family member, comparing and contrasting their childhood experiences with their own, and presented their findings this week.
Fourth graders are immersed in Colorado History. They are currently studying the different Indigenous tribes and their important contributions to our state. Students are excited to showcase their learning through an interdisciplinary music performance, where they will share songs connected to Colorado’s history and culture.
We are thrilled to see social studies come alive through research, presentations, performances, and meaningful connections across grade levels!
We are excited to welcome a new member to our school community — our new School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer Holmes!
Officer Holmes joins us with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to supporting students and staff. He shared that he is most excited about building positive relationships and interacting with our amazing students each day at Gold Rush. His presence will continue to support the safe, welcoming environment we value so deeply.
Prior to becoming an SRO, Officer Holmes served in traffic patrol for two years with the Parker Police Department and previously worked with the Arapahoe Police Department. His experience and dedication to public service make him a wonderful addition to our school.
Officer Holmes is stepping into this role as Officer Iranfar transitions to a permanent position at Legend High School. We are grateful for Officer Iranfar’s service to our school and wish him the very best in his new role.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Officer Holmes to Gold Rush! We look forward to the positive impact he will have on our students and school community.
Gold Rush Elementary is committed to providing high-quality, research-based literacy instruction that supports every student in becoming a confident and capable reader and writer. Below is information regarding the state-approved curricula, assessments, and instructional practices currently used at GRE to teach and monitor reading growth across grade levels.
Benchmark Workshop: Reading & Writing
GRE implements the Benchmark Workshop Reading and Writing Curriculum for whole-group and small group literacy instruction. This state-aligned program exposes students to a wide variety of instructional strategies and diverse genres in both reading and writing.
Our literacy block follows the workshop model, which allows students to:
Engage in focused whole-group instruction
Practice and apply new skills independently
Receive small-group or individualized instruction tailored to their specific learning goals
This balanced approach ensures students learn essential grade-level standards while also working toward personalized reading and writing goals based on assessment data.
UFLI: Phonics & Word Study
All primary classrooms implement UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) Foundations, a multi-sensory phonics and word study program grounded in the science of reading.
Students participate in a dedicated daily word study block in addition to their Readers’ and Writers’ Workshop. During this time:
UFLI lessons are taught in a whole-group setting
Students receive explicit instruction in phonics and foundational reading skills
Small-group UFLI instruction is provided during workshop time for students whose data indicate specific phonics goals
While UFLI supports all learners, it is also recognized as a highly effective targeted intervention for students who need additional support in developing foundational reading skills. Click here for additional parent resources provided by UFLI.
Assessments & Student Goal Setting
Teachers use multiple data points to determine each student’s individual academic goals and instructional needs.
As you are aware, GRE administers the i-Ready Reading Diagnostic three times per year. In addition, teachers use I Ready's targeted literacy tasks, i-Ready's Oral Reading Fluency (mid grade 1 and above) assessment and ongoing classroom assessments to:
Monitor student progress
Identify specific skill gaps
Adjust instruction and interventions accordingly
This data-driven approach ensures that every child receives the right instruction at the right time.
We are proud of the comprehensive literacy framework in place at Gold Rush Elementary and remain dedicated to supporting the growth of every reader and writer. If you have any questions about your child’s literacy development, please contact your classroom teacher.
