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SCE Principal/Weekly Blast

October 9, 2026

SCE Principal/Weekly Blast October 9, 2026
SCE Principal/WeeklyBlastOctober 9, 2026

Principal Note Principal Note

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October 9, 2026


Dear SCE Families,


A big thank-you to all the families who attended parent-teacher conferences this week! We loved seeing so many of our wonderful families connecting with our amazing teachers.


In case you missed the notice sent out yesterday afternoon, please review the information below regarding upcoming adjustments to our school’s start and dismissal times. Beginning Monday, October 19 (right after Fall Break), our school’s bell schedule will be adjusted by five minutes.


This means our new school bell schedule will be as follows:


Monday-Thursdays:
Doors Open - 8:25 AM
Tardy Bell - 8:40 AM

End of Day - 3:35 PM


Fridays (Late Start Schedule):
Doors Open - 9:10 AM
Tardy Bell - 9:25 AM
End of Day - 3:35 PM


This time adjustment is being made to six different elementary schools in our region to help better align our school bus transportation schedules to ensure safe, reliable transportation for all students. Our school buses run high school and middle school routes before moving to elementary school routes. One delay can have a domino effect for many schools. Many times this year, high school students have had minimal time to catch their buses after school, and elementary school buses often arrived late – resulting in students waiting for their bus to arrive.


As we enter Colorado’s snow season, when driving conditions will be much worse on some days, we want to be sure our students’ wait time at bus stops is as minimal as possible. The five-minute shift for the most-affected schools will give our drivers more time to ensure safe, timely transportation while fully satisfying Colorado’s statewide instructional-minute requirements.


We appreciate your partnership and understanding as we make this adjustment to our school’s start and dismissal times.


Please remember there is no school next week, October 12–16. Students will return to school on Monday, October 19, following the new bell schedule.


Have a wonderful Fall Break!!



Proud to be an Eagle!

Pamela Pekarek

Principal, Sand Creek Elementary

Important Dates and Information Important Dates and Information

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Oct 12th-16th: Fall Break (No School)

Oct 15th: Fundraising Night at Papa John's Pizza | All-Day

Oct 23rd: Fundraising Night at McDonald's | 4:00 - 8:00pm

Oct 19th-23rd: No busses this week!

Oct 26th: Apple Award Nominations Deadline

Oct 27th: Student Picture Retakes | 9:00-11:00am

Oct 27th: MVHS Trunk or Treat

Oct 30th: Fall Parties | Costume Parade

Oct 30th: Boo Bash | 5:30pm - 7:30pm


REMINDER!

Every Friday is a PLC Friday Late Start | Doors Open at 9:10am | Tardy Bell at 9:25am

Student Picture Retakes Student Picture Retakes

OCTOBER 27th | 9:00 - 11:00am

Click here to sign-up your student for picture retakes.

PTO PTO

CALLING ALL SPOOKTACULAR PARENTS!

Our annual Boo Bash is right around the corner, and as you know, the kids look forward to this spooky-fun event all year long!


To make it a huge success, we need a little magical parent power. If you’re planning to come hang out anyway, why not lend a hand for just one hour? You can run a fun game, welcome folks at the check-in table, or help us set up/clean up—and then enjoy the rest of the bash haunting the halls with your kiddos! Games, check-in, setup, cleanup... there’s a slot for everyone!


Take a peek at the Sign-Up Genius link to grab your favorite 1-hour slot. It takes a village (or a coven! ) to pull this off, and we truly couldn't do it without you.


Sign-Up Genius Volunteer Link


Thank you for helping us make this the best Boo Bash yet!

BOO BASH

October 30 | 5:30 - 7:30pm

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WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Thank you for supporting Sand Creek!

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Sand Creek Elementary Clubs/Activities Sand Creek Elementary Clubs/Activities

SCE FALL CLUBS 🍁

**NEW!** Kickball Grades K-2 | CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

**NEW!** Kickball Grades 3-5 | CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

Choir Grades 2-5 | Mondays 7:30-8:20 - Starts August 24 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

Garden Club Grades K-5 | Alternating Mondays 3:30-4:30 PM - Starts Aug 17 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

Flag Football Grades K-2 | Thursdays 7:30-8:20 AM - Starts August 27 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

Flag Football Grades 3-5 | Wednesdays 7:30-8:20 - Starts August 26 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

Lego Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Tuesdays 7:30-8:20 AM - Starts August 25 CLICK HERE TO SIGN-UP

EXTERNAL CLUBS AT SCE

**NEW!** Createry Art Club | Grades K-5 | Starts Oct 19th

Orchestra | Grades 4-5 | Tues & alternating Thurs 7:25-8:25 AM

Band | Grades 4-5 | Tues 3:30 - 4:45 PM

🌱 GARDEN CLUB 🌱

Our Small But Mighty Garden Club!


Along with a couple of wonderful parent volunteers, our Garden Club gathered the final tomatoes, pulled tomato plants, and collected some of the remaining flowers while spreading seeds for a winter crop.


And impressively, our tallest sunflower is 2½ second-graders tall! 🌻


Small but mighty gardeners, indeed! 💚

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Counselor's Corner Counselor's Corner

🎄 SAND CREEK CARES GIVING TREE 🎄

The Sand Creek Giving Tree is here to help make the holiday season a little brighter for our families! We are offering holiday gift assistance to Sand Creek students and their siblings who may benefit from additional support this season.


If your family could benefit from this support, please CLICK HERE for the Giving Tree Sign-Up Form. All information shared will be kept confidential!


Thank you for helping us make the season brighter for every child at Sand Creek!! 💚

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Apple Award Nominations Apple Award Nominations

🍏 Don't forget to nominate a Sand Creek Elementary Staff Member! 🍏


Over the years, the annual Apple Awards has evolved to engage the entire community, resulting in thousands of nominations every year for teachers and staff across the district.


Click here, or scan the QR Code below, to find out more and to nominate a Sand Creek Elementary Staff Member!

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SCE Specials Monthly Newsletter SCE Specials Monthly Newsletter

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  • Each month, our Specials Team will share highlights from Art, Music, PE, and STEM
  • Please click here below to view the SEPT/OCT edition of our Specials Newsletter.

Yearbooks Yearbooks

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Don't miss out on preserving this year's memories! The Sand Creek 2026–2027 Yearbook is officially on sale for $22. Yearbooks are a wonderful way for students to look back on their favorite school events, friends, and special moments.


Sales end on February 28th, 2027. Make sure to order your copy today before time runs out!


👉 Click here to order your 26-27 yearbook! Enter your username and password from last year, or click on "Sign up" to create a new account.

Celebrate 40 Years in Style Celebrate 40 Years in Style

Commemorative 40th Anniversary spirit gear is still available. Grab a T-shirt or other Sand Creek gear and show your Eagle pride as we celebrate 40 Years of Excellence this year! Orders will be delivered directly to your home, so get your order in today! Click Here to shop 40th Anniversary Spirit Gear and other spirit wear!

SCE BASE SCE BASE

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The SCE B.A.S.E. Program is a child-care program available to all students who attend Sand Creek Elementary School grades Kindergarten through Fifth. We offer our program before school and after school, as well as a full-day option during breaks.


Click here for more details about and how to register.

Mountain Vista Feeder Happenings Mountain Vista Feeder Happenings

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2026-2027 School Year Bell Schedule (Effective 10/19/26) 2026-2027 School Year Bell Schedule (Effective 10/19/26)

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Monday–Thursday:

  • Doors Open / Soft Start: 8:25 AM

  • First Bell: 8:30 AM

  • Tardy Bell: 8:40 AM

  • Dismissal: 3:35 PM


Friday (Late Start Schedule):

  • Doors Open / Soft Start: 9:10 AM

  • First Bell: 9:20 AM

  • Tardy Bell: 9:25 AM

  • Dismissal: 3:35 PM


This schedule aligns with surrounding schools and supports families with students across grade levels. Thank you for your partnership!

Communication Device Expectations Communication Device Expectations

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EMAILS going to SPAM? EMAILS going to SPAM?

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Are @dcsdk12.org Emails Landing in your Spam Folder?


To ensure you receive important updates regarding school safety, grades, and events, we recommend checking your Spam or Junk folder periodically.


If you find an email from @dcsdk12.org in your spam folder, please mark it as "Not Spam" or "Move to Inbox." This simple action helps "train" your email provider to recognize our communications as safe, ensuring our future messages reach you directly.


Thank you for helping us stay connected!

State Mandated Testing State Mandated Testing

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Beginning May 29, 2026:

Access Your Student’s CMAS Score Reports through Pearson’s Family Portal.


Click Here for Directions to view your student's scores.


Click here for 26-27 District Assessment Dates


The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS): Colorado's standards-based state summative assessment system is designed to provide a picture of student performance to schools, districts, educators, parents and the community.


The purpose of the assessments is to indicate the degree to which students have mastered the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) in mathematics, English language arts/literacy, science and social studies at the end of the tested grade level or content area. CMAS results provide one measure of a student's academic progress relative to the CAS.


For more information on CMAS, visit the Colorado Department of Education. For answers to frequently asked questions, visit the State Testing FAQ's page.


  • DCSD Board Policy IK: State Mandated Assessments
  • SCE HB15-1323 (Updated September 2025)
  • 26-27 District Assessment Dates
  • State Assessment Excusal Form Walkthrough Parent/Guardian
  • 25-26 SCE CMAS Schedule


Students who qualify for the paper-based assessment must have:

  • an active IEP/504 plan
  • a documented disability that directly impacts their access to computerized technology and therefore prevents their access to the digital assessment (e.g., epilepsy, other seizure disorder, neurological disorder that prevents access computerized technology, etc.) HB 25-1278
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