Gold Rush Elementary

“Foster Growth by Challenging Critical Thinkers to Take Risks,

Honor Differences & Care for Others”

Gold Rush Elementary had a fantastic first full week of school! It was wonderful to see all our students back in the classrooms, and the energy and enthusiasm were truly invigorating.

A special shoutout goes to our Kindergarten students, who did an incredible job adjusting to their full-day schedule. It’s always a big transition, and they navigated it with such eagerness. Our Kindergarten teachers have been impressed with their resilience and curiosity, and we’re excited to see them continue to grow and thrive.

The focus of the first full week of school has been on building effective routines and procedures across all grade levels to support our literacy and math workshops. Daily literacy and math workshops are designed to enhance our students’ learning experiences by engaging them in meaningful work that is specifically targeted to meet their academic needs.

Below are the main components of the workshop model:

• Mini Lessons: Each workshop begins with a brief mini lesson where teachers model a specific skill or strategy that aligns to a state standard. This focused instruction sets the stage for students to understand and apply new concepts.

• Independent Work: The heart of the workshop is the independent portion of the workshop. During this time students have the opportunity to practice the skills and strategies modeled in the mini lesson. This is also a time when they receive individualized coaching and support from their teacher. During the independent portion of the workshop, teachers provide personalized feedback and guidance based on ongoing assessment data. Teachers are currently in the process of gathering baseline data as students learn workshop routines.

• Sharing: All workshops end with a brief share session where students present their thinking and work to their peers. This final step reinforces their learning and encourages collaboration and communication.

As previously stated, students are diving into the structures and routines that underpin our math and literacy workshops. In reading students are practicing stamina by engaging with “just right books,” or texts that are both of high interest and at their instructional level. This helps build their reading endurance and enjoyment. Students are also focusing on how to effectively share their thoughts and work with their peers during the mini lesson and share portions of the workshop. This strengthens their understanding and builds important communication skills.

We are incredibly proud of the way our students are adapting to these new routines and engaging in their learning. Their enthusiasm and effort are truly commendable!

In today’s world, the internet is a huge part of students' lives. Whether it's playing games, chatting with friends, or doing schoolwork, being online is something kids do almost every day. But just like in the real world, there are rules and good habits to follow online. Digital citizenship teaches students positive habits for technology use.

Digital citizenship means being responsible, respectful, and safe when using the internet and other digital tools. It’s about knowing how to protect your personal information, treat others kindly online, and make smart choices in the digital world. Just like being a good citizen in your community means following the rules and helping others, being a good digital citizen means using the internet in a way that is positive and constructive.

Learning about digital citizenship helps kids understand how to navigate the online world, stay safe, and contribute to making the internet a better place for everyone. It’s an important skill that will help them not just now, but throughout their lives as they continue to explore and interact in the digital world.

Next week students in all grade levels will learn about Digital Citizenship by engaging in grade appropriate lessons and activities. They will also have daily spirit activities that align to lesson topics. Please see our spirit days below and click here for more information.

Gold Rush is excited to introduce its newest staff member - Digger! Digger is responsible for leading GRE's first Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) to promote social and emotional well-being.

AAI is a goal directed and evidence based intervention, in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the process. This intervention will include a certified professional that is a school staff member working within their scope of competency. AAI is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning.

While the potential of the program is vast, Digger's interactions will initially be limited to staff and then individual students and small groups. The program may include small group and/or individual interventions focused on social and emotional wellness and humane education. Participating in this program and interacting with a therapy dog is entirely voluntary. Our school will utilize this program as a part of research based practice and interventions specific to the needs of students.

Digger will have a limited work area in the main office; however, she will not have access to the health room or adjacent offices. If and when students interact with the dog they will wash their hands after each interaction. Staff will also be sensitive to children's reactions to the dog.

The therapy dog and its handler have been insured for liability and have undergone extensive training and certifications for Animal-Assisted Interventions. They have been approved by DCSD to work within Gold Rush as a Certified Therapy Dog team.

Please know that in adding any program students’ health needs are of primary importance. Please feel free to contact the school office with any questions regarding this program.

Click here to view Digger's website.

It takes our entire school community to ensure a safe drop off and pick up for our over 600 students. Please note that the bus loop is designed for buses only. Below are a few reminders for the year.

* Pull all the way forward

* Remain in your car

* Do not leave your car parked in the carloop

* Have your child ready to exit curbside

* Use the crosswalk

* Do not cut in front of other cars in the carloop

* Follow the carloop (refrain from cutting down lanes)

* Drop off only in the carloop (do not drop off in lanes)

* Keep dogs at home

Mark your calendars for Back to School Night! This is a great way to get to know your child's teacher and learn about the coming school year.

The principal will share school celebrations and school goals in the gym from 4:15-4:30 PM. Teachers will then present an overview of the school year at 4:35-5:05 PM and 5:05-5:35 PM in their classrooms. Back to School Night is intended for parents only.

We hope you will join us for these informative sessions!

12021 South Swift Fox Way, Parker, CO, USA

303-387-7700

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