Back to School Family Newsletter
July 25, 2023
Note from Mrs. Clark
We are absolutely delighted to welcome you to the 2023-2024 school year. The teachers, staff, and I are so excited to see our students and families this fall. This parent newsletter contains information to help you gear up for the 1st Day of School!
Our first day is August 15, 2023
We hope you continue to enjoy the remaining weeks of summer, and please be on the lookout for upcoming communications from our school and district. We send nearly all communications through email, Thrillshare, and our district facebook page. We will be setting up a BUE Facebook page this year too!
We are so excited for all learning and fun we will have this year.
Please join us for our Open House on Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00 p.m. We we will be serving rootbeer floats and teachers are looking forward to meeting their new students.
Our office opens August 2nd and we will be available to answers any questions you may have. You can reach out the the BUE Office at (970) 285-5703.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school! Jeanne Miles and Kim Drinkhouse, our friendly and super helpful secretaries, are in the office Tuesday through Friday and can be reached from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please call the school at (970) 285-5703.
To find out your child's teacher, please call the office and/or attend Open House.
If your child needs to take medication at school, please reach out to the office as soon as possible.
With excitement for the year ahead,
Amber Clark
Principal
Amber Scott
Assistant Principal
Check out our BUE Website
The app provides timely notifications and offers ready access to lunch menus, bus route information, calendar information, and school form access among the many other options. This is a "one-stop-shop."
Download the app now and start customizing your access to your school(s).
BACK TO SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE AT BUE
We hope that you will join us in celebrating the start of the 2023-2024 School Year. You will have the opportunity to meet your child's teacher, take a tour of the school/classroom, and see new classmates and friends!
Tuesday, August 8th, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
🍦🍧🍨ICE CREAM/ROOTBEER WILL BE SERVED 🍦🍧🍨
If this date and time does not work for your family, please call the BUE office.
School Supply Lists
Garfield 16 Overarching Mission Statement:
As a result of our efforts, all students will be successfully prepared for life in a safe and nurturing environment.
Our School Mission:
BUE is a caring community providing students with a meaningful and authentic education.
Our School Vision:
We strive to empower our students to pursue their passions and to be kind, ethical people.
Come Volunteer at BUE
https://www.garfield16.org/page/volunteer-visitor-and-background-check-procedures
SCHOOL HOURS
We are a four (4) day school week
Tuesdays to Friday
1st Morning Bell rings at 7:30 a.m.
End of Day bell rings at 3:15 p.m.
Here are some ways that you can support your child(ren)’s education this year at BUE:
- Make sure your child attends school daily and arrives on time, ready to learn.
- We will send home a Tuesday Folder each Tuesday. Please check this folder every Tuesday and sign the sheet so your child's teacher knows you received the folder for the week!
- Keep a watchful eye on your child’s classwork and contact your child's teacher frequently to partner with them in ensuring your child's success.
- Encourage and support your child to read daily to develop a love for reading and to improve their literacy skills. (We recommend 20 mins of reading at home every day.)
- Ask your child about their school day so you are connected with how they feel about school, friendships, and their learning.
- Limit tech time in the evenings, and remove technology (especially cell phones and chromebooks) from your child's bedroom at night. This is vital for student safety, to ensure healthy communication with friends, and to establish healthy sleeping patterns and habits.
- Trust that we care about your child and your family. Never hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - we are here to help!
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
New students can register at Bea Underwood Elementary School starting Wednesday, Aug 3rd. Registration hours will be Tuesday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch Break for our office staff is noon to 1:00 p.m.
Our school is located at 0741 Tamarisk Trail, Parachute, CO 81635
Parents and guardians only need to register their child if they are new to the district. If your child attended the Center for Family Learning (CFL) as a 1st grade student, they are automatically enrolled at BUE as a 2nd grade student and we have all their information.
If you do not know who your child's teacher is, please call Jeanne or Jenn at BUE. The office number is (970) 285-5703.
BUS ROUTES
If you have any questions regarding transportation, please call the our Transportation Director, Steve Gardener, at the Transportation office (970) 285-5700 ext. 5130.
Children will be able to ride the bus on the 1st day without the form. Last year's bus routes are posted on the transportation website, however there are being updating for this year. Please check the website closer to the 1st day of school, as new bus routes will be updated between now and then.
If you have questions or need any additional information, please call the our Transportation Director, Steve Gardener, at the Transportation office (970) 285-5700 ext. 5130.
BREAKFAST AND LUNCH NEWS
Our free breakfast and lunch program is a yearly grant process. Our district has qualified again for a free breakfast and lunch program for SY 2023-2024.
To continue to qualify for this grant, we need all families to please fill out an application for free or reduced meals, regardless of family income. The application packet will be sent home the first day of school and it can also be found using this link: Nutrition Links. This will help us to continue to qualify for this program for next school year. Thank you!
Breakfast Program: All students can receive breakfast free of charge. It is important that your child arrives at school on time as breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m.
Lunch Program: All students can receive lunch free of charge. If your child brings lunch from home, please make sure it does NOT need to be heated in a microwave as there are no microwaves available.
Please do not send soda pop in your child’s school lunch. We ask that you send a healthier choice such as juice, water, or milk.
Parents wishing to eat lunch with their child may do so, however to be in the school during the school day requires a background check (see the section above on school safety).
Please call the school office by 9:00am if you would like to order a hot lunch. The charge for an adult lunch is $4.25 and for a visiting child it is $2.75. Please remember that the school only accepts cash or a check for payment.
Menus for the new schools year will be found on our school district Nutrition Website. They are not currently updated yet - but staff are working on them.
Meal Prices for Visitors:
Student Lunch $2.75
Milk $0.70
Adult Lunch $4.25
Please keep in mind that menus have the potential to change A LOT depending on staffing issues, and product availability. Our Nutrition Department does their best to honor the posted menus, however they can be heavily impacted for a variety of reasons. If you ever have any questions, please call 285-5701 ext. 4180 with any questions or email jwilliams@garfield16.org
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
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
INFORMATION ON STUDENT OPT OUT FORMS
Student Use of the Internet:
Student Use of the Internet and Electronic Communications (District Policy: JS*) - Given that the benefits outweigh the risks, the District will provide appropriate Internet access to each student, unless that student's parents/guardians have indicated in writing that they prefer to deny their child such access. If you would like to opt your student OUT on internet access please notify the GVHS office at 970-285-5705.
Student Image Publishing:
Student Image Publishing (District Policy: JRA/JRC-E-3-) Classroom activities and school events are sometimes photographed or videotaped by the school or media groups (newspaper, television, university, district public relations, etc.) In addition, the district or school may want to post articles, video, or photography on district or school websites.
If you DO NOT want your child’s photograph, video, and/or electronic image to be published for news media or school publicity purposes, please complete this form, and return it to your child’s school by September 15.
(Public events such as sporting events, theatre productions, etc. are open to the public and are not covered by this form.)
Q: When is the 1st day of School?
A: Tuesday, August 15th, 2022.
Q: What are school start and end times?
A: The first bell rings at 7:30 and the tardy bell rings at 7:35. The end of day bell rings at 3:15. (Note: We have staggered ending times. Bus riders are walked out to the busses at 3:15 and students who walk or are picked up by parents are walked out at 3:17).
Q: Who is my student's teacher?
A: If you need to know who your student's teacher is, please call our office at (970) 285-5703. The Open House is a great time to meet your new teacher!
Q: What school supplies will my child need?
A: Garfield 16 has posted school supply lists for BUE students this year. Families will also need to provide a backpack and appropriate gym shoes for their student(s).
Q: Does BUE offer any specials classes?
A: Yes! BUE offers a nice selection of Personal Wellness, Music and Art to all students.
Q. How much do school breakfasts and lunches cost?
A. At BUE all students benefit from a free breakfast and lunch grant obtained through the efforts of our Garfield 16 Nutrition Department. In order to continue to qualify for this grant, we need all families to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch Packet (F/R Lunch Packet Spanish), regardless of family income.
Q: Can my child ride a bus to school.
A: Yes! We have bus routes for BUE which can be found online using this link: Garfield16 Transportation. Please contact our director of transportation, Steve Gardner, for any questions or for more information at (970) 285-5700 ext 5130.
Q: What kind of technology will my child have access to?
A: All students at BUE will have their own Chromebook. We highly encourage you to purchase Chromebook insurance in case of accidental damage. Technology insurance forms will be sent home with students on the 1st day of school and are also available using this link: Chromebook Insurance. Please return the insurance form and payment to the BUE office as soon as possible. Mr. Nathan Humphrey is our Technology Director. Technology Website
Q: Will there be a back-to-school event this year?
A: Yes! Open House for BUE will be Tuesday, August 8th at 6:00 pm.
Q: I didn't see my question here, whom should I ask?
A: Please call our office at (970) 285-5703. If we do not have an immediate answer, we will find out get back to you as soon as possible.
BUE DRESS CODE
G16 Dress Code Policy JICA
Dressing for school in an appropriate and respectful manner is important to limit distractions, encourage kindness among classmates, and enhance school safety and sense of belonging for everyone. The following items are deemed disruptive to the classroom environment or to the maintenance of a safe and orderly school and are not acceptable in school buildings, on school grounds, or at school activities:
Shorts, dresses, skirts or other similar clothing shorter than three inches above the knee cap
Sunglasses and/or hats worn inside the building
Inappropriately sheer, tight or low-cut clothing (e.g., midriffs, halter-tops, backless clothing, tube tops, garments made of fishnet, mesh or similar material, muscle tops, etc.) that bare or expose traditionally private parts of the body including, but not limited to, the stomach, buttocks, back and breasts
Tank tops or other similar clothing with straps narrower than 1.5 inches in width
Any clothing, paraphernalia, grooming, jewelry, hair coloring, accessories, or body adornments that are or contain any advertisement, symbols, words, slogans, patches, or pictures that:
Refer to drugs, tobacco, alcohol, or weapons
Are of a sexual nature
By virtue of color, arrangement, trademark, or other attribute denote membership in gangs which advocate drug use, violence, or disruptive behavior
Are obscene, profane, vulgar, lewd, or legally libelous
Threaten the safety or welfare of any person
Promote any activity prohibited by the student code of conduct
Otherwise disrupt the teaching-learning process
Hats:
Hats may only be worn outside the building (except for special dress-up days)
Shoes:
Wheelie tennis shoes MUST have the wheels removed
Sandals are ok but you must have tennis shoes for PE
Flip flops are discouraged as they tend to get broken at school. Children trip and fall in them often getting hurt on the playground or going up and down stairs.
Students who wear inappropriate clothing will be required to change clothes (BUE keeps freshly washed options in the office) or they can call home for parents to bring a change of clothes. Please don’t allow children to wear excessive make-up, as it is a distraction in school and has resulted in students being unkind to each other.
Bea Underwood Elementary School
Email: aclark@garfield16.org
Website: http://bue.garfield16.org/
Location: 0741 Tamarisk Trail, Parachute, CO 81635
Phone: 970-285-5703
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Garfield-County-School-District-No-16-216528061787894/