Note from the Principal, Kristen Smetzer!
We would like to share with you that our School Office Manager, Amy Wierl, has accepted a new position at the district office and will be transitioning out of her role here at Ryan over the next few weeks. Amy has served as Ryan's office manager for the last 5 years and was the health room para for 5 years prior to that. Additionally, her own children attended Ryan, and she is well loved by so many past and present Ryan students and families. She will be working here at Ryan 1-2 days per week throughout the next month, with her last day at Ryan being May 12. She will be greatly missed, and we will continue to stay in close touch with her.
We have hired our new School Office Manager - Lauren Davis! Lauren is also a former Ryan parent and has been a part of this community for 11 years. She brings a wealth of knowledge with her about Ryan, and her skillset and experience are well suited to her success in this role. Lauren is wrapping up her school year as a preschool teacher at a private preschool in Erie and will be working at Ryan part time until the end of the school year, transitioning to full time at the end of May.
During this transition, you will see a number of new faces in the office as we collaborate to provide front office coverage. Some of this coverage will be in the form of subs and volunteers, and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding in this process.
We are beginning the process of creating class lists for next school year. Keep in mind that class lists are created based on students' needs and strengths, and students/classes are not assigned to a specific teacher. If you would like to provide us feedback about your child and their learning style, please complete this form by next Monday, April 24.
See below for a lot of fun activities that we have planned as we move into our final months of school. Also - be sure to mark your calendars that there is no school on April 21 and 24 for conference exchange days.
Go Rhinos!
Kristen
In this week's update you will find:
- CMAS testing information
- Student Council Happenings
- Lost & Found announcement
- Latest Rhino TV episode
- PTA update
- DeDominces Award nomination details
- Autism Acceptance Month information
- District Choir details
- Medicaid renewal letter information
- Rockies Baseball tickets
- Ryan's got Talent details
- Fitness Fun Day and Ninja Nation announcement
- Garden to Table opportunities
- Festival information in May
- Prearranged Extended Absences instructions
- Many volunteer opportunities, including donating breakfast for Wednesday mornings
- FAQs-past newsletter posts
Go Rhinos!
CMAS testing
This is our final week of CMAS testing!
Our 5th graders will be testing the final science unit and 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be taking make up test sessions as needed. Thank you so much to all the student's efforts and parents for doing your best to make sure your student gets a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast and GETS TO SCHOOL ON TIME!!!
Please read this letter from Mrs. Smetzer.
Click here for standard testing time schedule.
STUDENT COUNCIL HAPPENINGS:
April 18th - Sucker Sales after school. All money raised from this event will be shared with Save the Rhino. The organization exists to save rhinos and grow the global population. https://www.savetherhino.org/what-we-do/protecting-rhinos/
April 28th - MOVIE NIGHT!
You are invited to join us in the gym for a showing of Wall-E. Eats & Sweets HITS THE STREETS will be at the school serving up tasty treats, starting at 5pm. Enjoy your treat on the playground. Doors for the movie will open at 6:30pm. Much like movie night in the park, bring your own blankets to sit on in the gym. Children must be accompanied by their grown-ups to attend this event.
PTA Update
PTA Community Meeting
Our final community meeting of the year will be THIS Wednesday, April 19, at 6:30pm in the Ryan library. Our incoming principal, Ms. Jackman, will be there to introduce herself! Childcare and pizza will be provided for kids. All members of the Ryan community are welcome!
Eats & Sweets Food Truck at Ryan on Movie Night!
Come early to the Wall-E Movie Night hosted by Student Council on Friday, April 28, and enjoy some ice cream! The Eats & Sweets Food Truck will be at Ryan from 5-6:30pm with a selection of ice creams. This will be a Dining Night Out event, and they will donate 25% of ALL sales at the truck back to Ryan! Have fun playing on the playground and have some sweet treats before heading inside Ryan for the movie at 6:30!
Dining Night Out - Liquid Mechanics
If ice cream isn't your style, we'll also be holding our final Dining Night Out event of the year at Liquid Mechanics (297 N. Hwy 287, Lafayette) on Thursday, May 4, from 5-8pm! Liquid Mechanics will donate 10% of ALL beer sales (not food truck) that evening to Ryan—no need to show a flyer or mention Ryan! We hope to see you there!
DeDominces Award
This annual award is given to a Ryan Elementary student, family member, teacher, or community member that best exemplifies strength, integrity and perseverance for our Ryan community. This award is in honor of Al DeDominces, husband of former principal Cameo DeDominces, who lost his battle with brain cancer on April 21, 2022.
Please fill out this form to submit your nominations by April 26th.
Autism Acceptance Month & Spirit Week!
Spirit Week: April 24-28, 2023
April 24 - No School Today
We encourage you to celebrate, learn more about, and empower individuals with autism. Share with those around you how to support, include, and understand people with autism.
April 25 - Red and /or Hearts Tuesday
Love and acceptance go a long way! Wear red or hearts today to show your support and acceptance of people with autism.
April 26 - Wondrous Wednesday
Autism is a neurological variation, which means the brains of people with autism work differently than the brains of allistic (non-autistic) people - and that's wonderful! Celebrate how amazing it is that all our minds work in different ways by wearing a fun hat or wild hair-do!
April 27 - Sensory Friendly Thursday
Some people on the autism spectrum often have a variety of sensory sensitivities. Dress up today in your most comfy clothes or pajamas. Use as much natural light as possible to light up your house or classroom instead of fluorescents, go outside and enjoy the sounds and smells of nature. Wear sunglasses too!
April 28 - Neurodiverse Friday
Celebrate the beauty in the diverse spectrums of the human mind…
wear rainbow and/or tie-dyed clothes to school!
Show your Autism Acceptance this Week and EVERY Week!
For more information and resources:
BVSD Elementary All-District Choir
Friday, April 28, 5:30 p.m.
BVSD Elementary All-District Choir
Monarch High School
329 Campus Dr
Louisville, CO 80027
BVSD 4th & 5th grade students from across the district are coming together to celebrate the joy of connecting through music. They will spend the day rehearsing together, and the event will culminate with a concert in the evening. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Congratulations to the students representing Ryan in this event:
Galia Gomez, Carlos Hernandez, Claire Schreiber, Tula Onyango, Leanna Foote and Maddy MacGregor
Medicaid Renewal Letters Are Coming!
Do you or your children have health insurance through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)? If so, here’s what you need to know.
Be on the lookout for a renewal letter in the mail from the State of Colorado. To ensure you receive this critical piece of mail: make sure your address, email and phone number are up to date with the State of Colorado.
This renewal letter will tell you one of three things:
The State of Colorado is renewing your Medicaid or CHP+ coverage, or
The State of Colorado is ending your Medicaid or CHP+ coverage, or
The State of Colorado needs more information to determine if you or your family member still qualify for Medicaid or CHP+. If so, a renewal form will be included.
Remember: Update your address. We don’t want you to miss this important piece of mail.
Visit CO.gov/PEAK or the Health First Colorado app on your phone, or contact your county department of human services to update your contact information.
Su carta de renovación de Medicaid está llegando. ¡No la pierda!
¿Tiene usted o un miembro de su familia actualmente seguro médico a través de Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)? De ser así, esto es lo que necesita saber.
Esté atento a una carta de renovación por correo del Estado de Colorado. Para asegurarse de recibir este correo crítico: asegúrese de que su dirección, correo electrónico y número de teléfono estén actualizados con el Estado de Colorado.
Esta carta de renovación le dirá una de tres cosas:
El Estado de Colorado está renovando su cobertura de Medicaid o CHP+, o
El Estado de Colorado está cancelando su cobertura de Medicaid o CHP+, o
El Estado de Colorado necesita más información para determinar si usted o miembro de su familia aún califican para Medicaid o CHP+. De ser así, se incluirá un formulario de renovación.
Recuerde: Actualice su dirección. No queremos que pierda esta carta importante.
Visite CO.gov/PEAK o la aplicación Health First Colorado en su teléfono, o contacte el departamento de servicios humanos de su condado para actualizar su información de contacto.
BVSD Appreciation Night at the Rockies Baseball Game!
The Colorado Rockies and the Impact on Education Foundation would like to invite you to Boulder Valley School District Appreciation Night at Coors Field on Saturday, May 13th! A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Foundation’s work in Boulder Valley School District. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a game at Coors Field while supporting your local community.
Saturday, May 13 at 6:10pm vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Discounted tickets starting at $15 - available online only at www.rockies.com/BVSD.
Alternate Dates Available:
Sunday, May 14 at 1:10pm vs Philadelphia Phillies
Saturday, June 10 at 1:10pm vs San Diego Padres
Hurry and get your tickets today, as pricing is subject to change!
Sharing Days and "Ryan's Got Talent" are coming soon!
If your child has a talent to share with their peers and you would like more information please see this link: Sharing Days and Ryan's Got Talent Information and if interested, please complete the online audition form.
Save the Date - Fitness Fun Day AND Ninja Nation, FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023!
Save the Date - Fitness Fun Day AND Ninja Nation, FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023!
Fitness Fun Day is back and it will be combined with Ninja Nation, on FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023! Fitness Fun Day is our school's version of a field day, and all students will get to participate! This year with fitness fun day being combined with ninja nation, your student will be able to participate on the ninja course for half of their time, and participate in fun fitness field stations designed by our very own 5th grade students for the other half of their time. Students will follow their Specials schedule for their field time. See schedule below. We also need volunteers to help make this event a success! Please see the volunteer link below for opportunities to help. We are looking forward to a great event! - Ms. Wehr and Mr. Chavez :) Schedule: 8:40 - 9:30 - 3rd Grade 9:35 - 10:25 - 4th Grade 10:30 - 11:20 - 5th Grade 12:05 - 12:55 - 2nd Grade 1:00 - 1:50 - Kindergarten 1:55 - 2:45 - 1st Grade Click this link to volunteer for Fitness Fun Day Station Help! https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/16/events/10879 Click this link to learn more about Ninja Nation, fill out the participation waiver, and volunteer!
Thank you!! And don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!
Bry :)
In the Garden
Jarabe Mexicano: Fiesta En Familia
May 6th 12pm
Click here for more information and a QR code for free tickets
Vacation/Attendance Reminder
We understand sometimes our students need to be out for an extended period of time, we encourage you to be in touch with your child's teacher as students are responsible for making up missed work upon their return. BVSD policy requires that after 10 absences all absences are marked as unexcused without a doctor's note. If you know your child will be out for more than 3 days or longer, please fill out this form and contact the attendance line at 720-561-7002.
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering is a fun, simple way to get involved within the Ryan community. We have all sorts of opportunities to get involved. Whether you volunteer regularly in your teacher’s classroom or the office copy room or just as needed, the impact can be huge. Not only does it benefit the school but it benefits your kids and families in our community as well! Please take a moment to fill out the background check through raptor: https://www.bvsd.org/parents-students/get-involved/volunteers and click here to see what opportunities we have available Help at School
Please consider signing up to donate breakfast goodies on Wednesday mornings.
https://bvsd.helpatschools.com/schools/16/events/9525
We appreciate your help! Thanks
Ryan Elementary STEAM School
Website: https://rye.bvsd.org/
Location: 1405 Centaur Village Drive, Lafayette, CO, USA
Phone: 720-561-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RyanElemSTEAM