Garfield 16 Gazette

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Since June of 2025, Garfield 16 and PBMPRD have been working with Land + Shelter Architecture Studio, Ford Architects, Dynamic Program Management, and FCI Constructors, Inc. on the building design for the childcare center, offices, playground, general grounds, and parking lot. The construction for the project will be mainly funded through grants. Thus far, Garfield 16 has received grant funding for design work from the Aspen Community Foundation and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Garfield 16's requests for Congressionally Directed Spending from Congressman Jeff Hurd and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper recently advanced to the next round of consideration.

The childcare center will help to address the lack of childcare options for working parents in the region. Garfield 16 and PBMPRD plan to develop partnerships with regional employers for reserved slots for their employees. These reserved slots will support the recruitment and retention efforts of local employers.

Specifically to the Parachute and Battlement Mesa communities, the childcare center will create up to 21 jobs, many of which are entry-level jobs. As a licensed childcare center, a number of trainings are required by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood; therefore, employees will receive the training they need.

Both Garfield 16 and PBMPRD provide services to the community, ranging from preschool through 12th grade education, before and after school childcare, and various programs for children and adults throughout the year. Helping to address the lack of childcare, creating new jobs, and supporting employers and families is just one more service both Garfield 16 and PBMPRD can do.

The Garfield 16 School Board approved a new math curriculum for grades 2-5 on May 12th. Math and You from Big Ideas Learning will be implemented in the 2026-27 school year at Bea Underwood Elementary School. The teachers reviewed many math curricula programs throughout the year. They found that Math and You is straightforward with hands-on manipulatives to help students understand math concepts. Grand Valley Middle School and Grand Valley High School implemented a Concepts and Connections, also from Big Ideas Learning, for the high school and Math and You for the middle school this school year. Teachers believe that bringing Math and You to the elementary students will provide continuity in math language and practice as they move onto the secondary schools.

Important Upcoming Events:

• May 15: GVMS Theatre Performance 7PM

• May 17-19 GVHS Gifted and Talented Trip to Denver

• May 18: GVHS Key Club to Journey Home in Rifle

• May 19: GVMS Night at the Museum 5:00PM

• May 20: GVHS Senior Sunset 7PM

• May 21: Last school day for GVHS Grade 12. End of 4th Quarter

• May 21: GVMS Choir and Ukulele Concert 6:30PM

• May 22: GVHS Baccalaureate 7PM

• May 23: GVHS Graduation 10AM

• May 25: Memorial Day- School-Based Family Resource Center Closed

• May 26: GVHS Track and Field Team Banquet 6PM

• May 28: GVMS 8th Grade Continuation 10AM

• May 28: Last Day of School PK-11

• May 30: GVHS Athletics Golf Tournament Fundraiser 9AM. Email aparks@garfield16.org or mmendoza@garfield16.org to register.

• June 1-4 GVHS FFA State Convention in Pueblo

• June 6: Fishing Derby at Parachute Ponds 9:30am - 3:30pm

• June 8: G16/PBMPRD Summer Camps Start. Find more info by following this link: https://www.garfield16.org/programs/summer-programs

• June 9: Board of Education Meeting 5:00 pm. 460 Stone Quarry Road, Battlement Mesa, CO 81635. Find agenda at https://go.boarddocs.com/co/garfield16/Board.nsf/Public

• June 28-30 GVHS Art Club to Anderson Ranch

Garfield County School District #16, the Parachute/Battlement Mesa Parks and Recreation District, GVHS Athletics, and Theatre Aspen have partnered to provide Cardinal Camps for the Summer of 2026.

Cardinal Camp has been designed for students entering 1st through 8th grade for the 2026-2027 school year (students currently enrolled in grades K-7), with one program, Theater Aspen, for students entering grades 4-12. The cost of the programs are $50 per week, per child. Theatre Aspen and English Language Learner programs are FREE.

Pay before May 29, 2026 for June Camps and before June 19, 2026 for July Camps. See this website for more information: https://www.garfield16.org/programs/summer-programs

Please fill out one registration form per child. Register now by following this link. Spaces are limited. Register before May 22, 2026 to reserve your child's spot.

The six-week program includes one-week sessions around a theme, such as arts and crafts, sports, outdoor education, etc. Families can sign up for the weeks that best meet their needs.

Cardinal Camp will be Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A calendar of all camps offered is attached and can be found on the registration form.

Cardinal Camp is available to Garfield 16 students, as well as children who are not registered with the school district.

Garfield 16 programs will be held at Bea Underwood Elementary (BUE 0741 Tamarisk Trail, Battlement Mesa, CO 81635) or Grand Valley High School (GVHS 800 Cardinal Way, Parachute, CO 81635). Grand Valley Recreation Center programs will be held at Grand Valley Recreation Center (398 Arroyo Dr., Battlement Mesa, CO 81635)

All programs will provide lunch and a snack.

Download our app and easily see events for all schools, or just selected schools, and add events to your device (phone) calendar!

May

• 19th-22nd ~ Challenge Course
• 20th~ All School Crew
• 28th ~Field Day
• 28th ~Last Day of School

The School-Based Resource Center is here to support you! We are open Tuesday–Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Mondays by appointment.

Our services include student mental health support, substance education, family resources, help with government assistance, adult education classes, legal aid, a clothing closet, and a food pantry. Stop by and see us at 251 Parachute Avenue, or give us a call at 970-285-5700 ext. 5190 to learn more.

What an incredible day at MayFest 2026!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate, support, and enjoy the fun with us. We estimate more than 1,200 people joined the event as participants and spectators, making this year’s MayFest one to remember!

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsors for helping make this event possible, especially Aspen Community Foundation, Jonathan D + Mark C Lewis Foundation, and Town of Parachute.

We are also so grateful to all of the nonprofits, vendors, volunteers, and community partners who brought energy and excitement to the day. Special thanks to:

• Alpine Bank
• Western Slope Suites
• Gonzales Music
• KDNK Community Radio
• Battlement Mesa Park and Recreation District
• Grand Valley Recreation Center
• Suicide Prevention Coalition of Garfield County
• PEO IW Chapter
• American Family Insurance Gina Welker Agency
• Housing Resources of Western Colorado

• Youth Band 1st Place: The Halfsies
• Youth Band 2nd Place: Camden Cardiac 5:00 Nutters
• Youth Band 3rd Place: Shlawgaholics
• Adult Band 1st Place: Neurotica
• Adult Band 2nd Place: Jon Medrano
• Adult Band 3rd Place: Fox River Drifters

Thank you for making MayFest 2026 such a fun and memorable community event!

Check out the SBFRC Facebook photo album!

FACEBOOK

WEBSITE

Please do not hesitate to reach out to our School Based Family Resource Center for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Claudia Flores Cruz

Center Coordinator

970-285-5262

cflorescruz@garfield16.org

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, we would like to inform you about the resources available for accessing information on registered offenders. At the beginning of each school year, we provide written details on where and how you can obtain this information from local law enforcement agencies. This information is also posted on the district’s website for your convenience.

We believe it is crucial for parents and guardians to have access to this information to stay informed about their community and to take any necessary precautions to protect their children. By keeping you informed, we hope to foster a safer environment for all our students.

You can find the Garfield County Sheriff's Office Offender Search here: https://www.garcosheriff.com/sex-offender-search/

Garfield 16 provides all students with counseling services through the school counselors. School counselors work with students to support their academic growth and success as well as their social and emotional development. School counselors work closely with teachers, principals, and parents to support students experiencing issues that impact their learning. These issues can be, but are not limited to, declining grades, poor work habits, organizational skills, distracting behaviors, school avoidance, anxiety, trauma, and transient personal or family issues, such as the loss of a loved one or change in family dynamic. A school counselor may work with a student on an individual basis or as part of a group. In addition, school counselors work with the administration to assess at-risk students.

At the elementary level, school counselors provide direct instruction to all students in social and emotional growth and wellbeing. Topics include social skills, recognizing emotions, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. For students who may be experiencing difficulty with social skills, regulating behaviors, or school counselors provide individual and group coaching.

At the secondary level, school counselors begin to support students with college and career planning and decision making. School counselors work with students on their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) requirements. School counselors facilitate college and post-secondary career and workforce exploration. At the high school level, school counselors work with students to ensure they are on pace for graduation.

How to contact your school counselor:

CFL:

• Referral Form
• Email Ms. Landry
• Call 970-285-5702

BUE:

• Referral Form
• Email Mrs. Sherraden
• Email Mrs. DeMaio
• Call 970-285-5703

GVMS:

• Parent Referral Form
• Student Referral Form
• Email Mrs. Hoyt
• Call 970-285-5707

GVHS:

• Email Mrs. Paine
• Email Mrs. Largent
• Call 970-285-5705

• All students and their families.
• Fill out the referral form, found by clicking this link.
• Drew Hogan- SBFRC Counselor
• Leslie Pinaire- SBFRC Counselor

Did you know that we can administer medication to your students if they have a need. What we need from you is a doctor's order/care plan, that needs to be signed by the doctor and by you as the parent. Parents then need to bring in medication to the school and we have trained staff that are able to administer medications. If you have any questions please call the district nurse at 970-285-5707

Find information about G16's Health Services by clicking the link below. Information includes: recommended immunizations, what to do if your student needs medication at school or has a severe allergy, and vision and hearing screenings by grade.

Garfield 16 is excited to participate in the Healthy School Meals for All program approved by Colorado voters, which provides all students in our district with access to free, nutritious breakfast and lunch.

Just like in previous years, families should continue to provide their household income information by filling out the Free/Reduced Meals Application. While meals will be provided for free to all students in participating schools, it's important to continue gathering this information in order to receive full access to federal funding, which goes directly back to schools to help cover the cost of meals and support after school and other nutritional programs.

Thank you for your support in helping maximize federal funding for our district and schools.

Healthy School meals for all cde webpage resources

If you need to contact transportation for any reason, including a missing student, please call the Transportation Office at the number below:

Office: 970-285-5701 ext. 5133

The school bus is an extension of the school building. All of the rules and expectations in school apply while riding a school bus or waiting at a bus stop.

1. Students should be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the scheduled pick up time.

2. Students should enter the bus and immediately sit in the seat.

3. Students must remain seated at all times. This is to ensure the safety of all students in case of a sudden stop, and standing is distracting to the driver.

4. Students must keep their hands and heads in the bus at all times.

5. Students should keep the bus aisle clear at all times.

6. Students should use indoor voices while riding the bus. Shouting and load noises are not allowed.

7. Students are not allowed to eat or drink on the bus.

8. Students must follow the directions of the bus driver and bus monitor at all times, without exception.

9. Students should collect any trash they have and throw it into the trash can when exiting the bus.

10. Kindergarten and first grade students must be met at the bus stop by a responsible adult to exit the bus. If a responsible adult is not at the bus stop, the students will be returned to the Center for Family Learning for the parent/guardian to pick up the student.

All six branches of the Garfield County Libraries will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. The libraries will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 26. You can still browse and request books, movies, and more on our website, www.gcpld.org, during the closure. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Your Garfield County Libraries are excited about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge and will hold five kick off parties to celebrate! Some events will involve popsicles, crafts, music, water activities, or a movie and all the events will be loaded with fun and the ability to sign up for Summer Reading. The first three events will be held on Wednesday, June 3 starting at 11 a.m. at the New Castle Branch Library and at 2 p.m. at the Carbondale and Silt Branch Libraries. The next event will be at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5 at the Rifle Branch Library. The final event will be at the Parachute Splash Pad at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. They are free and open to everyone. For details about each individual event please call the associated library or visit www.gcpld.org/summer-reading for more information.

Pre-teens and teens are invited to the Parachute Branch Library each week this summer for a different activity including movies, STEAM activities, escape rooms, and more! The series will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Mondays in June and July and is free and open to all. For more information call the library at 970-285-9870.

Teens are invited to the Parachute Branch Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Mondays in March to take some great books and make the covers even better through the magic of bedazzling. All supplies will be provided during this 5-week workshop, but you are welcome to bring your own book(s) to bedazzle It’s free and open to all teens. For more information call the library at 970-285-9870.

Young children and their accompanying adults are invited to the Parachute Branch Library every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for stories, activities, and music with friends! It's free and open to all. For more information call 970-285-9870.

Find information about rental counseling, prepare to buy a home, receive pre-purchase counseling, find help with closing costs, reverse mortgage counseling, financial counseling, help for those facing foreclosure, and help with home repairs. **

**Garfield County School District #16 is not responsible for, and does not endorse, any statement, sentiment, or opinion published or expressed in this document. This document is not part of, and has not been distributed as part of the District's curricular or extracurricular programs.