Gold Rush Elementary

Principal's Message -November 15, 2024

“Foster Growth by Challenging Critical Thinkers to Take Risks,

Honor Differences & Care for Others”

HONORING GOLD RUSH VETERANS

On Monday, Gold Rush Elementary came together to honor and celebrate our nation's veterans and active military personnel during our annual Veteran's Day Celebration. It was a moving and memorable event, where students had the opportunity to express their appreciation for those who have served and continue to serve our country.

The celebration featured heartfelt songs of gratitude, as well as powerful poems and words of wisdom shared by our students. These expressions of respect and admiration were a true reflection of the deep appreciation our school community feels for the sacrifices made by our veterans.

We were privileged to have many members of our extended GRE family in attendance, including local veterans and military families. Their presence made the occasion even more meaningful, and it was an honor to celebrate this important day with them.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success and to all those who have served or are currently serving. Your dedication and sacrifices are greatly appreciated.

FOURTH GRADERS PREPARE FOR YOUNG AMERITOWN

Our fourth graders are excitedly preparing for their upcoming field trip to Young Ameritown, an interactive learning experience where students step into the roles of citizens, business owners, and leaders in a simulated community. This hands-on adventure will give students the opportunity to experience how businesses operate and how they can contribute to a functioning society.

At Young Ameritown, students will take on roles within various businesses, earning and spending their own "money" as they go about their day. In addition, they will have the chance to assume leadership positions within the community, gaining valuable insights into responsibility, teamwork, and decision-making.

As part of their preparation, this week our fourth graders held their grade-level elections for mayor and judge. Students who were elected by their classmates participated in a spirited election process. Candidates wrote detailed speeches to share with their peers, highlighting the character traits that made them the best candidates for the job—qualities such as responsibility, hard work, strong communication skills, and leadership.

We are incredibly proud of the thoughtfulness and enthusiasm our students put into the election process and are looking forward to seeing how they apply their leadership skills during the field trip. This experience will not only help students understand the workings of a community but also provide them with a deeper appreciation for civic engagement and the importance of contributing positively to society.

We can’t wait to share all the exciting details of this immersive learning experience when our students return!

OPEN ENROLLMENT & INTENT TO RETURN SURVEY

We’re excited to announce that Open Enrollment is currently open across the District. This is a great opportunity for families to enroll their students at schools outside of their designated neighborhood. At Gold Rush, we have limited open enrollment spots available for the upcoming school year.

Please note that current open enrolled families do not need to reapply for the Open Enrollment process. However, families whose students will be transitioning to Cimarron Middle School for 6th grade will need to complete this process.

Our goal is to maintain small class sizes, and knowing your family’s intent to return for the 2025-2026 school year is crucial in helping us determine the grade levels where we can accept new families. We kindly ask that you complete the Intent to Return survey as soon as possible—only one survey is needed per family. Click here for the survey.

Please note that the login process for accessing the EngagED Parent Portal has recently changed. Parents/guardians must now add @p.dcsdk12.org after their current username when logging into the EngagED Parent Portal. For example, if you have previously accessed with a username of absmith, you will now use absmith@p.dcsdk12.org for your username along with your district password which has not changed. If you need to change your district password and/or manage your account, you can do so on the DCSD website here. If you run into difficulty logging in to EngagED using the new login process outlined above, please contact the DCSD IT Department by clicking here, or calling 303-387-0001.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we plan for another successful year!