Gold Rush Elementary

“Foster Growth by Challenging Critical Thinkers to Take Risks,

Honor Differences & Care for Others”

At Gold Rush, we believe that all students should have the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning that includes productive levels of struggle. One of the areas where this principle is most evident is in math. We understand that when students are pushed to think critically and work through challenges, they develop essential problem-solving skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

In math, our K-5 students are continually challenged to model and reason. These two skills are foundational to deep mathematical understanding and are emphasized throughout our Envision curriculum. Modeling in math refers to the process of analyzing relationships and using those insights to draw conclusions, while reasoning involves critiquing and refining one's thinking, as well as considering and evaluating the reasoning of others. Both skills are critical in developing mathematical fluency and deeper comprehension.

Our intermediate teachers have been focusing on providing additional opportunities for students to practice these skills through multi-step word problems. These types of problems require students to think beyond simple calculations and engage with more complex thinking. To further support this, our teachers have developed additional practice activities that encourage students to break down and solve problems that require perseverance and critical thinking.

Additionally, we are excited to share that our accelerated math track is giving students who need a greater challenge the opportunity to learn at an advanced pace. Beginning in kindergarten, some students are taught at a grade level ahead to provide them with more rigorous math instruction. By the time these students reach fifth grade, many are already learning sixth and, in some cases, even seventh grade math.

This acceleration is not decided lightly. All decisions are made collaboratively, involving teachers, the gifted and talented coordinator, and parents, based on multiple data points to ensure that students are ready for the challenges ahead.

It's important to note that while some students benefit from this accelerated math track, every student at Gold Rush is given daily opportunities to challenge themselves. Whether through complex word problems, critical reasoning exercises, or collaborative math discussions, we strive to create an environment where all students can grow and thrive.

As you are aware, Gold Rush Elementary implements the Benchmark Reading Curriculum across grades K-5 . Currently, students in grades K-5 are diving into Unit 3, which focuses on the theme of citizenship. This unit provides rich opportunities for our students to explore their roles as citizens in our community and the broader world, while also developing critical reading and analytical skills.

Lower Grades: Learning About Rights and Responsibilities

In grades K-2, students are exploring the concept of citizenship by learning about the rights and responsibilities of citizens. They are reading texts that highlight important civic concepts and practicing how to identify the central idea using nonfiction texts such as headings, captions, and titles. Students also participated in a fun and engaging activity where they voted for their favorite cookie—chocolate or sugar! This activity allowed them to experience the democratic process firsthand and discuss how voting is a part of citizenship.

Upper Grades: Exploring the Foundations of Our Government

Students in grades 3-5 are taking a deeper dive into the history of our nation's government and the early debates that shaped its formation. They are examining the Federalist and Anti-Federalist viewpoints and analyzing historical texts to understand the foundational arguments that influenced the creation of our Constitution. By studying these early perspectives, students are learning to identify and support evidence from texts, helping them better understand how our government was shaped by differing opinions and compromises.

These topics are especially timely, given the local and national events this week that have prompted discussions about citizenship, democracy, and government. We believe these lessons will encourage our students to think critically about their role as citizens and the importance of civic engagement.

As we move forward, our students will continue to explore important themes of citizenship and democracy while refining their reading and analytical skills. In the coming weeks, we will also introduce new ways to engage with nonfiction texts and deepen our understanding of the world around us.

We’re excited to announce that Open Enrollment begins today 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. To help families learn more about our school, we will be hosting a building tour on November 11th at 4:30 PM. This is a wonderful chance to see our facilities and meet our dedicated staff.

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!

12021 South Swift Fox Way, Parker, CO, USA

303-387-7700

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