Summit Elementary

Over the last several years we have been so fortunate on the day of the Walk-a-Thon! We have been greeted with warm sunshine, blue skies, and dry land! This year however, the scene was slightly different! Despite my early request for another perfect day, we were met with a gray, cloud-covered sky! The ground was soggy, sloppy and muddy! And the temperature was cool!

The day after the Walk-a-Thon our weather was picture perfect! Someone said to me, "We should have had the Walk-a-Thon today!" My first inclination was to agree, but NO! Our Walk-a-Thon was perfect in every way! The cool temperatures meant our students didn't overheat! The cloudy sky meant I didn't get a sunburn! And the mud?! What could be more fun than MUD?!

As I get older, I find myself desiring to have things realign the way that they have always been! When I find the sweet spot, I want to replicate that experience. Yet, I think our Walk-a-Thon was the perfect example of why we need to allow ourselves to not dwell on what isn't, but rather relish in what IS! We cannot get caught up in trying to recreate something when we are given the opportunity to create something new and wonderful!

Thank you for creating a new and wonderful year with us and our children! Each day we are given the opportunity to see what we have before us and make something amazing!

Katie Rexford, Principal

How is September in our rearview mirror already?! Time goes fast, so mark your calendar with these upcoming events so you don't miss a thing! Here are a few big items coming up in October and early November!

October 1...Ink-tober begins! Details below!

October 2...4th Grade Field Trip to the top of Pikes Peak

October 3...Open Gym from 5:00 - 7:00

October 3...Walk-a-Thon envelopes are due - CLICK HERE if you need a new copy!

October 8...Visit from the Divide Fire Department for grades PreK - 2nd

October 9...Fire Drill and Lockdown Drill Practice

October 9...School Accountability Committee (SAC) from 5:00 - 6:00

October 13...SOS Meeting at 4:00

October 15...Walk-a-Thon Wrap Up Assembly at 2:15

October 15...Hat Day! Bring 75 cents and wear your favorite hat all day!

October 16 - October 20...No School!

October 16...Parent Teacher Conferences

October 16...Volunteer Training at 12:00pm

October 21...Special Education Parent Academy at Central Office 6:00 - 7:00 - FLYER

October 23...Learning Together from 6:30 - 8:00 at Summit

October 25...Treat Street at the Jr/Sr High from 4:30 - 6:30

October 31...Halloween Parade at 2:15! Details below!

November 6...Elementary Math Night at Columbine from 5:00 - 7:00

November 7...Open Gym from 5:00 - 7:00

November 10...Volunteer Training from 3:15 - 3:45

November 11...Veterans Day Assembly! Details to come!

November 17 - November 21...BOOK FAIR!

November 20...Family Fun Night! Details to come!

Remember to check your e-mail and GOLD folders! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions! The best way to reach me is by e-mailing me at krexford@wpsdk12.org. You can also call the front office at 719-686-2401! I am looking forward to making the most of every day and every opportunity we have together!

We have a fun opportunity for any child who is interested! Through the month of October a new word is given every day. Participants are encouraged to draw the prompt each day! We want children to get their creative juices flowing and be inspired! I will share the word of the day during the announcements each morning. Along with the words, I will share a definition! Let's increase our vocabulary, think outside of the box, and sketch!

Students who choose to participate will be given a small sketchbook and a pen! We will have student work on display during our Halloween Parade on Friday October 31st! We are working on ways to print large versions of their favorite sketches for friends and family to purchase through donation! Details to come!

We encourage parents, siblings, families and friends to get in on the fun and sketch with us! This is a great way to ignite conversation and spark discussion! Click the button below to see the word list for the month of October! While this is promoted through Instagram, we will not be posting any student work on Instagram. This is only for our enjoyment and personal growth!

The first Friday of every month we are offering open gym from 5:00 - 7:00! This is an opportunity to come and play catch, throw a frisbee, shoot some hoops, kick the soccer ball around, or whatever you choose to do with your child! We want families to have a safe, wind-free, and flat space to play!

Come any time between 5:00pm and 7:00pm! You will enter through the doors by the gym (to the right of the main doors) and parents must stay with their child. Come and play!

Join us Friday October 3rd!

Tryouts begin on Monday October 13th! Things to know:

• Practice is Monday - Friday from 3:45 - 5:45
• Here is a LINK to the game schedule
• Bus transportation is available to students to get them from Summit to the Jr. High for practice and games
• Parents/guardians are responsible for pick up from practice and games
• Students must have a sports physical on file to participate
• LINK to sports physical form
• Athletes must be registered through Arbiter - CLICK HERE to register
• There is a $45 participation fee! If this is a concern, reach out and we will find funding to support your child!

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the athletic secretary at the Jr. High. Her name is Julie Wilson and her e-mail is jwilson@wpsdk12.org.

If your child needs to go home with another family (for a play date, sleepover, child care, etc.), your first step is to contact the front office and make us aware of the change. This is not new! The number for the front office is 719-686-2401.

Then you give the front office the car tag number of the family that your child will go home with! For example, if your car tag number is #155, but you want your child to go home with the Rexford's, you would give the Rexford's car tag #411. This is new!

The office will then call to the classroom at the end of the day and say, "Please send 'child A' home with car tag #411."

We only want to send students to vehicles with the correct car tag number! Each family was given 3 car tags at the beginning of the year so alternate vehicles (grandparent/babysitters/etc.) can have the correct signage at pick up. We do not want individuals to pull up and simply request to have student numbers sent out. If you do not have the appropriate car tag, please park and come in so we can verify pick up!

Thank you for your help in keeping our children safe and our system running smooth! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me at krexford@wpsdk12.org.

The first quarter is almost coming to an end! This means Parent Teacher Conferences are coming and report cards will be heading home! Important information to have on your radar...

As a district we are moving from standards based reporting to traditional grade reporting for grades 3rd-12th. This decision was made and communicated last spring. However, this is the first report card cycle with the new system. What does it mean?!

• We are teaching the same things as before!
• We are grading materials the same way based on the same standards!
• We are simply reporting grades on a traditional A - F scale instead of 1 - 4!

Why the change? Grades should communicate how students are doing in a class or subject area. The 1-4 system did not always get the correct messaging across! So what can you expect...

• Kindergarten through 2nd grade along with Specials (Art, Music, PE, Library) and Executive Functioning Skills will still be graded in a primary manner. They will receive the following marks:
• EE = Exceeding Expectations
• ME = Meeting Expectations
• AE = Approaching Expectations
• UN = Unsatisfactory
• 3rd - 6th Grade will earn A - F in academic areas
• A = accurately completing 90 - 100% of grade level work
• B = accurately completing 80 - 89% of grade level work
• C = accurately completing 70 - 79% of grade level work
• D = accurately completing 60 - 69% of grade level work
• F = accurately completing less than 60% of grade level work

Teachers have been marking papers with percentages and you should see graded work coming home. If you are seeing incomplete work coming home or work is completed inaccurately, their grades will reflect this work. If you have typically seen 1's or 2's on your child's report card, you may see C's, D's or F's. Our job remains the same! We are working to understand where students are in their learning and help them grow! If you want to support your child, some simple steps would be:

• Keep reading together at home!
• Work towards building work stamina and help them finish tasks!
• Complete unfinished work that comes home!
• Check over work and correct errors!

We are a team in learning and I am excited to continue working together to help our children reach their academic potential!

We meet the 2nd Monday of every month. Our next meeting is Monday October 13 at 4:00 and everyone who wants to support Summit is invited! Children are welcome! Our goal is to come together as a school community to support Summit in all aspects! We will look ahead at future opportunities and work together to provide the very best for our children! See you there!

Can't come in person?! Join us remotely! CLICK HERE

Thank you to everyone who has connected with their Grade Level Links! Once you have signed up, your information is shared with your grade level!

We have already had some wonderful opportunities to connect families with learning and with each other! Let's keep the connection strong! Please let me know if you need anything! If you are new to Summit, be sure to click the link below and get connected with your grade level!

If your child missed our first picture day have them ready for retakes on Wednesday October 22! Pictures you ordered in September should be coming home soon! If you are not satisfied with those pictures, you can bring that photo package in on October 22 and have them retaken!

You can still order photos online by going to Inter-State and entering our event code!

• Inter-State
• Event Code: 0241BFF

Thank you for your feedback and input! Based on the survey results I have set up the following opportunities for us to learn together! Our first session is this month! Come to once, twice, come to them all!

Thursday October 23 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Screens

Thursday December 4 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Math

Thursday February 12 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Reading and Writing

Thursday April 30 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Routines and Structure

My plan will be to have some information to share and then we will have an open forum discussion with each other! I will also plan on recording the sessions and share them in the following newsletter. I am excited to engage in some learning with the fabulous folks of Summit! Click the button below and let me know if you can come!

Click the button below to access a copy of the school lunch menu! This version only includes the main entrée and the alternative. Our children are offered fruits, veggies, and milk with every meal. You can always check the menu online!

• October Lunch Menu
• October Breakfast Menu

Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge for all children! Your family may qualify for additional support with school fees! If you complete the application and you qualify, everything from bus fees to activity fees can be waived! To complete the application...

• Log into the Parent Portal through Infinite Campus - CLICK HERE
• On the left hand side click MORE
• Go to Meal Benefits
• Complete the Meal Benefits Application

You must complete a new application each school year! If you have already received an email about being directly certified through the state, you do not need to complete the meal benefits application.

Parents are always welcome to join their child for lunch! It can be a nice way to surprise your little one and engage with them in their school environment. Check the list below to see when your child has lunch. We currently have SELF PORTRAITS on display in the cafeteria! Now is a great time to have lunch with your child so they can point out their portrait to you!

• Preschool ~ 11:35 - 11:55
• Kindergarten ~ 11:35 - 11:55
• 1st Grade ~ 12:00 - 12:20
• 2nd Grade ~ 12:25 - 12:45
• 3rd Grade ~ 12:25 - 12:45
• 4th Grade ~ 11:10 - 11:35
• 5th Grade ~ 10:45 - 11:05
• 6th Grade ~ 12:50 - 1:10
• EA ~ 12:50 - 1:10

All visitors must check in at the front office and go directly to the cafeteria! Thank you for help in maintaining a safe and productive learning environment.

We know that it is a fun time for many students! It is our intention to embrace the fun while still maintaining space and opportunity for learning! Here is what you need to know...

• We will have a parade at 2:15 on Friday October 31 through the school and around the gym!
• Students ae allowed to change into their costumes between 1:45 - 2:00 prior to the parade. Please do not come to school in costume.
• Costume Protocols:
• No weapons or gore
• No masks during the parade
• Follow school dress code (nothing revealing or too mature)
• Students should be able to get in their costume with minimal assistance
• Save elaborate makeup for afterwards
• If students need a costume, we have spares! Just let us know!
• Families are invited to join us in the gym and enjoy the costume parade!
• Our Summit Singers will lead the parade and perform in the gym!
• Students are welcome to leave with families following the parade!
• Keep it fun and simple!

This year as an added bonus, we will have student work from Ink-tober on display! We are hoping to potentially make larger prints of some of the work so families can purchase them for a donation to go towards more art supplies! We are still hammering out the details! However, plan on being wowed with some fabulous sketches inspired by our daily prompts throughout October!

Each month we focus on character traits in our morning meetings, our weekly lessons with our counselor and woven within our school day! As we move into October, our focus will be RESPECT!

"We don't need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful." ~ Taylor Swift

Respect is one of the expectations at Summit! In order for our children to learn how to do this, we must model it!

The holidays are right around the corner and it is never too early to start planning! Our Sheriff's Department offers a tremendous program - Shop with a Hero! They take our children shopping for gifts! If you are interested in having your child participate in this event, please click the button below and complete the simple form! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at krexford@wpsdk12.org or our school counselor, Rebekah Ross at rross@wpsdk12.org.

As the holidays approach, if you could use some help, let us know! We want everyone to have an enjoyable season!

We want students here! The benefits of regular attendance are undeniable! Absences 0ccur for a variety of reasons! I understand that sickness happens, appointments are necessary and family needs arise! However, the more we can prioritize attendance, the better off our children will be!

Not only are we helping our children with their learning NOW when they have regular attendace, but we are training our children for the future! We are helping them to understand their commitments!

From the start of school through the end of September, we have 89 students that have PERFECT attendance! No tardies! No early releases! No missed days for any reason! Great job!

My challenge to everyone in the month of October is to have over 100 children with PERFECT attendance!

Each school has a School Accountability Committee (SAC)! This committee comes together about once a quarter to hear about the happenings of school while also sharing input and insights on things like budget, safety, and family engagement! This year our meetings will be on the following days:

• Thursday October 9th from 5:00 - 6:00
• Thursday November 13th from 5:00 - 6:00
• Thursday January 22nd from 5:00 - 6:00
• Thursday March 19th from 5:00 - 6:00

Thank you for all those who applied! The official committee will be approved by the school board on Wednesday October 8th. Anyone who wants to come to he meeting, is welcome to listen in! Please let me know if you have any questions!

On a 2-hour delay students will complete a short activity to get in the 'learning' frame of mind!

I want to include photos of our families in upcoming newsletters! Send me photos of your family/child out and about in their Summit gear!

Our school bus company - Durham - is looking for additional drivers! There are so many reasons to join the Durham team! CLICK HERE to go to their career center website!

There's an APP for that! Download the BoxTops app, scan your receipt and support Summit!

We have learning opportunities that allow our children to run, paint, create, and explore! Each specialty may require a little preplanning so you child is set up for success! Know when your child has what!

Click the button below to access our family handbook! If you have any questions please send them my way at krexford@wpsdk12.org.

Need childcare before school, after school, or during breaks? Champions can help! Contact them at heather.lintner@discoverchampions.com.

K-Kids is still collecting those pop tabs, so keep them comin'!

Want to get some Summit gear?! Click the link and start shopping! LET'S SHOP

Check out flyers for numerous activities around the school and around the town by going to the DISTRICT VIRTUAL BACKPACK!

If you want to come into the school, please have your ID ready to scan!

Want to get updates and highlights from the school?! Follow us on Facebook!

WPSD - Summit Elementary School

Please try and schedule your family fun with school in mind! CLICK HERE

• Summer Newsletter
• August Newsletter
• September Newsletter