NYCU Newsletter
Week of October 3, 2026

Dr. Haddock's Communication
We π our Vounteers!
Thank you to the following volunteers who helped our school run smoothly throughout the day and during our Run4Funds event.
David Byrd, Dre Montez-Sneddon, Maria Sandoval, Martha Hernandez Rojo, Jugbeh Charles, Brianna Koshak, Yuliya Libin, Ryand and Krista Pfeifer, Nathan Sumner, Amanda Pampuro, Jenna Sais, Ludmila Tataru, Susana Hernandez, Tori Mai-Nguyen, Debbie David, Ashley Ensign, Amira Williams, Lynwood Nobles, Frank Faist, Beth Ann Faist, Nina Cerescu, Caroline Gillan, Lois McGinnis, Estella Williams, Bre Forkes, Jordan Sanguyo, Sophia Butler. You are the best!
3rd Grade Teacher Natalie Johnson recognized by Superintendent Giles!
Week at a Glance π
Monday, October 5, 2026 - A Day
Clubs
- Chess Club 2:45-3:45 pm Rm. 217
- Girls on the Run 2:40-4:10 pm
Sports
- Girls Soccer Practice 2:40-4:30 pm
- Boys Volleyball Game 4:00 pm Quest vs. Mosley @ Quest
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 - B Day
Clubs
- Anime Club 2:50-3:50 pm Rm. 306
- Art Club for K-3rd 2:40-3:40 pm - Art Room
- Choir Club 2:40-3:45 pm - Music Room
- New Class - Art w/a Twist (see flyer below to sign up) Science Matters 2:45-3:45 pm - 217
Events
Accountability Committee 5:00-6:00 pm Library
PTA Meeting 6:00-7:00 pm Library
Sports
- Girls Soccer Practice 2:40-4:30 pm
- Boys Volleyball Practice 2:40-4:15 pm
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - A Day
Late Start Wednesday- School starts at 8:55 AM
Clubs
- Art Club 6th-8th 2:40-3:40 pm - Art Club
- Band Club 6th-8th 2:40-3:45 - Music Room
- Girls on the Run 2:40-4:10 pm - Room 104
- Hip Hop Class Begins! Sign up below 2:40-4:10 pm - Lobby
- KidStage 2:40-4:10 pm - Library
- Robotics 2:40-4:40 - Rm. 121
Events
- Individual School Photo Retake Day AM only
- Kindergarten Alphabet Fashion Show, Gym 1:45
- KidStage Production of the Lion King 6:00-7:30 pm, Gym
- Prospective Parent Night 6:00-7:30 pm
Sports
- Girls Soccer Practice 2:40-4:30
- Volleyball Practice 2:40-4:40 pm
Thursday, October 8, 2026 - B Day
Clubs
- Girl Scouts Meeting 2:40-3:40 pm Rm. 104
- Student Council Meets 2:40-3:40 pm Rm. 217
- Taekwondo 2:40-3:55 Music Rm.
Events
- Run4Funds Prize Day
Sports
- Girls Soccer Practice 2:40-4:30 pm
- Volleyball Practice 2:40-4:15 pm
Friday, October 9, 2026 - NO SCHOOL - Educator Workday
- Last day of Quarter 1
π10/12 -10/16 - Fall Breakπ
Mark Your Calendars π
10/20 - 1st Qtr. K-4th Character Awards 1:45 pm
10/21 - 1st Qtr. 5th-8th Character Awards 1:45pm
10/23 - NJHS M.S. Dance 2:30-4:00 pm
10/26-11/2 - Book Fair (various times)
10/26 - NJHS Thanksgiving Food Drive begins
10/26 - Sports Picture Day ( Girls Soccer, Boys Volleyball, Wrestling) 2:30-3:30 pm
10/27 - Prospective High School Night 5:30-7:00 pm
10/29 - Gr. K-5 Parent-Teacher Conf. 3:15-7:15 pm
10/29 - Kona Ice/Student Council Mt.
Qdoba Dining Out - 1180 Buckley Rd, Aurora 4:00-8:00 pm
10/30 - Conference Exchange Day
Chromebook Refresh at Quest!
Parents, we need your help!
Quest will be receiving all new chromebooks so students will need to make sure their chromebook is in their class cart in order to receive a new device.
If they have a plastic cover on their chromebook they should bring it to the front office so we can make sure their new device gets covered as well.
How you can help: Please remind your student that their chromebook must be at school at the end of the day, October 7th.
Picture Retakes with Dorian Studios
Picture retakes for students who were absent for picture day or for students who would like to retake their picture is on Wednesday, October 7th first thing in the morning during Advisory.
We will make an announcement so that students will go directly to the Tech lab to take their picture.
If you would like your student to retake their picture, please be sure to send back the pictures you are dissatisfied with and they will gladly take your student's picture.
If you didn't purchase one but would like to purchase a packet, order forms can be found in the front office.
Run4Funds Update!
The Run 4 Funds is a resounding success for Aurora Quest and our communityβwe have surpassed our goal, and the total is still climbing! On behalf of the entire PTA board, we thank all of you for your tremendous support. From donations to volunteering, everyone has helped make this event a success, setting our students and teachers up for a fantastic year ahead.
We are set for an amazing day of prizes and celebration on October 8, 2026, at the school, and we would love to have volunteers help ensure our students have a safe and fantastic day. If you can spare an hour or so of your time, please sign up to volunteer for the Run 4 Funds celebration.
2026β2027 Aurora Quest K-8 PTA Board
Maria Sandoval, President
David Byrd, Vice President
Martha Hernandez, Secretary
Raymond Armstrong, Treasurer
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"
~Helen Keller
Upcoming Clubs
Hip Hop
Hip Hop
Wednesday 2:40-3:40
8 Class Meetings $126
Session Dates: 10/7/26, 10/21/26,
10/28/26, 11/4/26, 11/11/26, 11/18/26 - No Meetings: 10/14/26
Art with a Twist - Science Matters
Science Matters is over but we have some new classes coming up. Take a look at the attached flyer.
Oct. 6, 20, 27 & Nov. 3 - Art with a Twist
Nov. 10,17 - Dec. 1,8 - Freaky Physics
Upcoming Events
Spelling Bee coming this Fall
Students in grades 3-8 are invited to participate in their Classroom Spelling Bee the week of November 9-12.
Top spellers in each grade will be invited to compete in the Schoolwide Spelling Bee on December 10.
The top 3 spellers from Quest will go on to compete in the District Spelling Bee on January 30.
Here are the Classroom Spelling Bee Study Lists.
For questions please contact Kim Opferman (kjopferman@aurorak12.org) or Ellen Kruschwitz (emkruschwitz@aurorak12.org)
Culture and Climate Updates
RISE & Guiding Principles
Our Quest scholars are focusing on Integrity this month as part of our RISE guiding principles, and we'll shift our focus to Service and Strength in October. We're also excited to kick off our first Buddy Room on Friday, October 23rd, where students will build connections across grade levels.
SLEEC (Student Leadership Equity Engagement Committee)
Starting in October, SLEEC will give middle school students a place to name an issue they're facing or seeing at Quest. Students who join the committee will have the chance to name it, frame it, and help fix it. More details to come as we get closer to launch.
Show Your Quest Pride!
Want to represent Quest at sporting events or for School Spirit Fridays? Quest swag is available now! Grab a shirt, hoodie, or other gear for your student to wear while cheering on our teams or showing school spirit. Shop here.
Aurora Public Schools - Health Science High School Groundbreaking
All are invited to join Aurora Public Schools for the groundbreaking of our new Health Science High School! We arenβt just opening a school; we are launching a movement. Through a unique partnership with UCHealth and CCA, our mission is to bridge the gap between clinical theory and academic mastery, preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to lead with equity, innovation, and compassion in the heart of Aurora, Colorado. Click here to learn more about this school in English and Spanish.
DATE & TIME: Thursday, October 8, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
LOCATION & ADDRESS: 23rd and Peoria (SW corner of the intersection), Aurora, CO
π» Boo at CUπ
Dear Aurora and Denver community,
I hope this email finds you well! We are excited to invite the students, families, and staff of Aurora Public Schools and Denver Public Schools to our third annual "Boo at CU" (formerly Safe Halloween). Boo at CU is hosted by the CU School of Medicineβs Office of Health Opportunities and Professional Engagement (HOPE). This family-friendly event is designed to provide a fun and safe Halloween experience for children and their families!
Date: October 29th
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Education 2 North Building, 13120 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045
The event will feature:
Trick-or-treating
Hot cocoa, apple cider, and snacks
Interactive science stations
Games and activities
Music and more!
Itβs a fantastic opportunity for kids to enjoy Halloween and Trick-or-Treating in a safe environment, while also participating in engaging and educational activities. Weβd love for you to share this event with your students and their families! Feel free to use the flyers attached for any newsletters or communications.
To help us prepare, please RSVP using the QR code on the flyers attached. All minors must be accompanied by an adult during the event.
Please reach out to me and amber.l.young@cuanschutz.edu with any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Warm regards,
Diemmy Nguyen
MS4 Vice President | Co-Director of Community Outreach
MD Candidate | Class of 2027
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus