Northridge Elementary Weekly Blast

PTO In Action

FUN RUN!!

The Fun Run was so fun! We loved watching kids push themselves and have fun with their friends all while raising critical funds for Northridge! We were so impressed with their dedication and great attitudes out on the course (getting squirted with water helped!).

FUN RUN RESULTS:

https://fitmap.app/events/northridge-elementary-fun-run-25/fun-run

Please enter these in your students fundraising page so donors know how awesome they did!

INCENTIVES:

Fundraising continues through September 22nd. So far we have raised over $36,000 of our $60,000 goal! This funding is critical to provide funding for NRE for things like classroom supplies & resources, online curriculums, field trip underwriting, and more. We will host the school wide Prize Day on September 26th. Individual prizes will be delivered by Fall Break. If your student earns the Game Truck and/or Main Event experience, those will take place on October 3rd. Check out all the amazing incentives!

Great job NRE!

Parents! We need your help on Prize Day - Friday, September 26. Sign to volunteer today!

Paint the Rock!

Reserve the Rock to celebrate a special occasion! First sign up for your date here, then make your $20 donation to PTO through MySchoolBucks.

Additionally, PTO has volunteers who are willing to paint the rock for you if you’d like! Follow the steps above, then email PTOpresidentNRE@gmail.com to inquire about volunteer availability. When we find a volunteer who can paint for you, then you can make an additional $50 donation to PTO.

Happy painting!

Opt In To PTO Text Messages

Stay in the loop on all things PTO! Not signed up yet? It only takes 10 seconds— click here.

PTO Corporate Sponsorship Program

PTO is in the process of securing Corporate Sponsors for this school year. If you own a business or are connected with a business that would have interest in knowing more about what this program entails, please email PTOvicepresidentNRE@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

Winter Coat & Halloween Costume Drive

Bring your unneeded winter gear (jackets, gloves, hats, boots, etc.) to NRE starting Friday, September 12. We will have bins in the front lobby to drop off things you no longer need. Also, take a look in the bins for anything you might need! Consider it a swap - give what you don’t need and take what you do need! You do not have to make a donation to take something you need. We want to make sure all NRE kiddos have warm gear this winter!

New this year - we will also collect unneeded Halloween costumes. If you see one in the bin that you can use, please take it!

The Coat & Costume Swap will end on Friday, September 26.

Multicultural Night

One of the most special nights of the year - NRE Multicultural Night - will be on Friday, October 3 from 5:00-7:00pm. NRE families host booths to help us celebrate the diverse cultures represented in our school. Would you like to host a booth and showcase your culture? Reach out to Tiffany Malone at tiffanykmalone@gmail.com to reserve your booth or ask questions!

Booth Ideas:

• Cultural Booths: Traditional clothing, art, or historical artifacts

• Interactive Activities: Host a craft project, game, or storytelling sessions

• Global Cuisine: Small samples of cultural foods - candy, food item or drink

Additionally - the evening will be filled with performances by kids from NRE! If your child would like to share a performance with our community, please email tiffanykmalone@gmail.com for more information.

If you would like to participate in Multicultural Night and need the assistance of a telephonic interpreter, we can connect you to one. Please email Tiffany Malone tiffanykmalone@gmail.com for assistance.

Charleston Wrap: Holiday Gift & Wrapping Paper Fundraiser

New to NRE this year, a holiday gift & wrapping paper fundraiser! Check out this catalogue with several options to get you ready for the holiday season. If students choose to participate in this fundraiser, prizes will be awarded for reaching goals. 40% of sales come back to NRE PTO! The fundraiser will be open from October 10-24. More details coming soon!

Restaurant Nights

Local restaurants host “spirit nights” where a designated portion of the proceeds from your order will be generously donated back to NRE PTO. All you have to do is mention NRE when ordering. It’s a win-win-win: you get a night off from making dinner (or treats), local restaurants get our business, and PTO receives a donation! Stay tuned for more dates - we are adding more to the calendar all the time!

9/12/25: Desert Donuts

9/16/25: Arby's

9/19/25: Kona Ice @ NRE 3:00-4:15

9/30/25: Mici

10/7/25: Mod Pizza

Volunteer Opportunities

Fun Run Volunteers Needed - PTO is seeking volunteers on Friday, September 26 for Prize Day! This is a really fun day to be at NRE! Check out all the ways to help here!

Fall Event Committees - PTO is forming committees for our fall events. If you would like to help plan the Veteran’s Day Breakfast, please reach out so we can get you plugged in! PTOpresidentNRE@gmail.com

Dear Northridge Families and Community,

What a wonderful Friday afternoon here in Highlands Ranch! It’s hard to believe we are already a few weeks into the school year. The energy in our hallways and classrooms is simply fantastic, and it has been a joy to see students settling into their routines, making new friends, and diving into their learning.

One of the biggest highlights so far was seeing our entire community come together for our annual Fun Run this week. It was such a fun day!

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every student, staff member, and family member who participated in, volunteered at, or donated to our Fun Run. The event was a tremendous success! Seeing our Pronghorns cheer each other on while running laps was a perfect example of the supportive and positive community we have here at Northridge.

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we have raised over $30,000, half way to our goal! These funds, managed by our PTO, will go directly toward enriching our students' educational experience this year, including funding new technology for classrooms and supporting grade-level field trips. A special thank you to our amazing PTO for their countless hours of planning and organization!

This week marked the end of our first round of teacher observations cycles for the year. This is one of my favorite times, as it gives me a chance to step out of the office and into the classrooms to see the incredible instruction taking place. It has been so much fun to see all the amazing things happening! From our kindergarteners excitedly learning letter sounds to our sixth graders learning a new mandarin song using cups as a prop, the engagement and deep thinking happening in every room is truly inspiring. I am so proud of the hard work our teachers and students are already putting in.

On a personal note, my family will be celebrating a special milestone this weekend as my oldest son turns 22. It’s a wonderful reminder of how quickly our children grow, and I am so incredibly proud of the kind and thoughtful young man he has become. He has discovered a passion for animals and is currently pursuing his degree as a veterinary technician up in Fort Collins.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. It is an honor to serve this community.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Erin Lehnert

Principal, Northridge Elementary

Mental Health Resources

Below is a list of resources, should you have a concern that a loved one (or yourself) may be experiencing behavioral changes, mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts over the break.

Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to the child or others

• 988 - Suicide and Crisis Hotline

• Call or text “988” any time, 24/7 for free, confidential support.

• Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)

• Trained Crisis Counselor Hotline: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255

• Chat online (open from 4pm-12am daily): Click Here

• Walk-in Locations (open 24/7): Location List

• Information About Types of Services and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Crisis Services

• DCSD Mental Health Intervention website

• Mobile apps for wellness and recovery

• Let’s Talk Colorado

• iMatter (free virtual counseling sessions)

Douglas County has an anonymous reporting system available at all times. Anyone with a concern for someone’s well-being or safety can use Safe 2 Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.