Paw Prints🐾
Walnut Hills Elementary Weekly Newsletter 10/30/2026
RSVP By Nov 5th To Attend Our Veterans Day Celebration Thu Nov 12th!
Dont Forget to Submit Your Veteran's Photo!
Our Veterans Celebration will include a patriotic slideshow honoring our veterans! If you have a veteran you would like us to recognize, email their photo to Mrs. Hager at: jhager2@cherrycreekschools.org.
Photos need to be submitted to Mrs. Hager by Tuesday, November 3rd!
Kindergarten Star Reports for Fall 2026
Kindergarten Star Reports for Fall 2026 are now available through your Parent Portal. Instructions on how to access the reports are below. Translated instructions can be found here
What is Star?
Star Assessments are short tests that provide teachers with personalized learning data for each student. Star tests are computer-adaptive, which means they adjust in difficulty to each answer students provide. Students will take a Star test for math and reading in the fall, winter, and spring. Teachers analyze the data they receive from Star Assessments to learn what students already know and what they are ready to learn next, to monitor student growth, and to determine which students may need additional help. Star Assessments are research-based and scientifically proven to help teachers guide each student on their unique path to proficiency.
Guidance on how to read the Star Student Report is available here and is also translated.
Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences November 2-6!
Conference Week Schedule
By now that they should have been contacted and scheduled. If you have not signed up for a conference time, please reach out to your student's teacher.
Mon. Nov. 2nd After School In Person 3-4
Tues. Nov. 3rd After School In Person 3-5
Wed. Nov. 4th After School In Person 2-5
Thurs. Nov. 5th After School In Person 3-7
Fri. Nov. 6th All Day 8-3
📚Scholastic Book Fair!✨
The Fair will be open November 2-6 during the following times:
- Monday 11/2
- 7:30-8AM, 10:30AM-1:25PM, 2:30-3:15
- Tuesday 11/3
- 7:30-8AM, 10:30-12:30PM
- Wednesday 11/4
- 7:30-8AM, 10:30AM-1:25PM
- Thursday 11/5
- 10:30AM-12:30PM, 3:30-6:30PM
- Friday 11/6
- 8AM-12PM
CCSD November Food Drive!
Walnut Hills is hosting a Donation Drive to support students and families this month! Cherry Creek High and its feeder schools will be collecting individually-packaged snacks, shelf-stable items, and toiletries to stock our school-based community pantries until Friday, November 27th.
Announcement(s) From Our Amazing PTCO💜
Head to Sweet Play and Support Walnut Hills! | Friday, November 6
Looking for a fun way to give back to our school? Head to Sweet Play on Friday, November 6, anytime from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for a day of family fun! 30% of proceeds will benefit Walnut Hills Elementary when you mention our school at check-in. Bring your friends and help us make the most of this fun fundraiser!
📍 Sweet Play: 7969 E. Arapahoe Rd., Unit B, Greenwood Village
Trivia Night | Wednesday, November 4, 7–9 p.m.
Calling all Walnut Hills parents! Put your trivia skills to the test at Resolute Brewery for a fun, adults-only night out. Tickets are just $5 per person, and Meaty Boyz will be serving dinner, with a portion of proceeds supporting our school. There will even be a costume contest, so come ready to compete! Register Here!
Next PTCO Meeting | Tuesday, November 10, 6–7:30 p.m.
Want to get more involved or hear what's happening at Walnut Hills? We'd love to see you at our next PTCO meeting on Tuesday, November 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the school library. All parents and caregivers are welcome, and childcare will be provided!
Can't attend in person? Join us virtually via Microsoft Teams.
🚨 IMPORTANT REMINDER: BRING YOUR PHOTO ID! 🚨
Walnut Hills Families, for the safety and security of our students and staff, ALL visitors must present a valid form of identification when entering the building.
We have had an increasing number of visitors attempting to enter without identification. Please remember that you will NOT be permitted into the building without a valid form of ID.
Acceptable forms of identification include:
- Valid state-issued driver's license
- State-issued identification card
- U.S. or foreign government-issued passport
- Military ID
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Tribal government-issued ID
A few important reminders:
- Please bring your ID EVERY time you visit.
- All visitors must check in using the visitor management tablet located in the front vestibule.
- Please have your ID ready when checking in.
Whether you're volunteering, attending an event, or checking out your student, these procedures apply to everyone.
Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep Walnut Hills a safe and secure place for our students and staff! ❤️
LOST & FOUND IS OVERFLOWING!
Walnut Hills Families, our Lost & Found is FULL, and we need your help!
Coats, jackets, water bottles, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, and more are waiting to be reunited with their owners! If your student has misplaced something, now is the perfect time to stop by and take a look.
Please take a few minutes to check the Lost & Found and claim any belongings that belong to your family. You might be surprised by what you find!
Let's help get these lost items back home where they belong. Thank you for helping us keep our Lost & Found under control! ❤️
Dress Up Day!
In honor of our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair, we are hosting a special schoolwide dress-up day!
- When: Wednesday, November 4th
- What: Students and staff are invited to come to school dressed as their favorite book character.
We want this to be a fun, stress-free celebration of literacy. Dress up attire does not need to be elaborate or store-bought. DIY, recycled, or closet-assembled attire are highly encouraged! If your child has a copy of the book their character is from, please have them bring it along to share with their class.
A Few Quick Guidelines for School Safety:
- Dress up attire must be comfortable enough to wear all day during lessons and recess.
- Students must be able to use the restroom independently in their costume.
- For safety, please no full-face masks or toy weapons of any kind.
We can’t wait to see our hallways transform into a living library! Thank you for supporting your child's love of reading.
Thank you! Have a great weekend!
Hearing & Vision Screenings!
👀 Eyes & Ears! November Screening Dates
Our schoolwide vision and hearing screenings are coming up in November! Here's what families need to know.
Who will be screened?
All students will be screened except 4th graders. Fourth grade students will be screened if they have an active IEP, are new to the district, or have hearing or vision concerns.
👓 Vision Screenings | November 4th
If your student wears glasses, please make sure they bring them to school on screening day!
🙋 We Need 3 Volunteers!
We are looking for a few extra helping hands to keep our vision screenings running smoothly! Volunteers will help bring classrooms to and from the screening area, pass out screening forms, and help keep everyone on schedule.
No medical experience needed! We have three shifts available, with one volunteer needed per shift.
👂 Hearing Screenings | November 16th Our District Audiology Team will be at Walnut Hills to complete hearing screenings.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me in the Health Clinic at 720-554-3807.
Thank you so much for your help and support! We really appreciate it!
Nurse Jamie
Need A Place To Get Rid Of Your Extra Halloween Candy? WE WILL TAKE IT!💗
Our amazing teachers run on love… and chocolate! They’d be over the moon for a little sweet treat to keep them smiling through the day.
Found some leftover Halloween candy hiding at home? Snagged some clearance goodies after the holiday? Don’t let those sugary treasures go to waste—bring them to the front office and make a teacher’s day!
Thank you for helping us sprinkle a little extra sweetness into our teachers’ lives! 🍬✨
Share Table!
Dear Walnut Hills Families,
We are excited to announce that our school will soon be launching a Share Table program in the cafeteria to help reduce food waste while ensuring all students have access to extra nutritious food during the school day! To make this program a success, we encourage all students to continue coming through the breakfast and lunch lines to select a full, balanced meal and take only what they intend to eat. A select list of unopened, factory-sealed items or whole fruit they choose not to eat can be placed in our designated share bins, where classmates who need a little extra food can enjoy them, free of charge.
Please be aware that share tables can present an exposure risk for children with food allergies. If you have any specific concerns regarding your student's food allergies, please reach out to nurse Jamie at 720-554-3807.
The Little Free Library is temporarily closed for full refurbishment!
Cub Scouts Pack 257, in collaboration with the Walnut Hills Elementary School's administration team, is giving the little free library in front of the school entrance some TLC so it stays clean, sturdy, and weather-proof for all our neighborhood readers.
Removal Date: Saturday, October 24th
Reopening Date: Sunday, November 8th
What's Happening? Repairs, Repaint, Artwork
Any books placed inside prior to removal will be safely returned once we reopen.
Thank you for your patience and support!
For any questions regarding the little library, please contact Kali Williams (kwilliams109@cherrycreekschools.org).
If you'd like to help out with the refurbishing project, please reach out to Quang Tran (denverpack257@gmail.com)
LAST CHANCE! Preorder by 10/31 To Save 10%!
AMAZING NEWS! This years yearbook will now include Pre-school! 🎉
Pre- order your student(s) copy!
More Than Free Meals: Additional Benefits for WAL Families!
Did you know that the Student Benefit Form can help connect families with additional resources and benefits beyond free school meals?
While breakfast and lunch are free for all Cherry Creek students, families who qualify may also be eligible for discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utility assistance, Summer EBT benefits, and more!
Completing the form also helps Walnut Hills receive funding and qualify for additional school and community programs, including resources that support the health and well-being of our students.
We encourage families to take a few minutes to see if they qualify. Providing this information helps ensure eligible families and our school have access to available resources!
Learn More:
Click this link to fill out application: Complete the Student Benefit Form / Completar la solicitud
Spanish-language application options may be available after selecting Cherry Creek School District.
Es posible que haya una opción en español después de seleccionar el Distrito Escolar Cherry Creek.
Thank you for helping us support our WAL students and families!
Cougar Shout Outs!
COUGAR NEWS IS STILL HAPPENING ON TUE 11/3!
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL IS STILL HAPPENING ON WEDNESDAY 11/4!
CHOIR IS STILL HAPPENING ON THURSDAY 11/5!
Student Council Meets:
November 9,23
December 7,14
January 11,25
February 8,22
March 8,22
April 5,19
May 3- EOY Celebration!
Cougar Club 🐾
Hello Families,
Attached is the newsletter for Cougar Club for this week!
Please be sure to check out the survey for Family Day: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/QwFV4y8ihk
ECS Family Handbook
Walnut Hills Community Handbook!
October "Empathy & Perspective Taking"
October 30th Report Card (Sent home electronically via document delivery)
November "Gratitute & Generosity"- hearing and vision
November 2nd- 6th Fall Conferences
November 2nd- 6th Scholastic Book Fair
November 4th Vision Screenings
November 6th Non-Contact Day- NO SCHOOL
November 12th Veteran's Day Celebration
November 16th Hearing Screenings
November 19th KG Field Trip to Don't Let The Pigeon Drive
November 19th 1st Grade Field Trip to Don't Let The Pigeon Drive
November 20th 3Cs Awards Assembly
November 25th Non-Contact Day- NO SCHOOL
November 26- 27th Thanksgiving Break
December "Relationship Skills & Inclusion"
December 1st Fall Picture Re-takes
December 14th Spelling Bee 8:15a
December 21st Community Service Project & Classroom Parties
December 21st- January 1st Winter Break
District Announcements!
School Daze- West's Newest Play!
This is a great opportunity for 5th graders who are coming into West next year to experience a little bit of the play, but it can also be fun for all grades!
Our play is called School Daze, and it's a comedy about the troubles of middle school, and it's sure to bring many laughs.
Admission is 8 dollars per person, and the show is October 29th-30th from 6:30-about 7:45. It will be at West (5151 South Holly Street) and you can buy tickets at:
https://www.msbtickets.com/westmiddleschool2/event/b2o0t3x1 for the 29th and https://www.msbtickets.com/westmiddleschool2/event/p9p4j3p0 for October 30th.
Adults English Second Language (ESL) Classes
Language Translation Resources
Families who need Walnut Hills communication translated, please contact the liaison listed:
English:
Please contact Kati Brinks at kbrinks@cherrycreekschools.org for support with this resource in your language.
Amharic
እነዝህን መረጃዎችን በተመለከተ በቋንቋዎ ዕገዛን ለማግኘት ከፈለጉ እባክዎን ተሊሌን በዝህ እሜይል ያግኙዋት thirpa@cherrycreekschools.org
Arabic:
يرجى الاتصال بـ (جميعة صباحي أو جاودة العلمي) على (jsebbahi@cherrycreekschools.org أو
jdajanialami@cherrycreekschools.org للحصول على الدعم مع هذا المورد باللغة العربية.
Chinese:
如有需要,请经由ahan10@cherrycreekschools.org,与韩馥联系,以您的语言获得此资源的支持。
Korean:
귀하의 언어로 이 자원에 대한 지원을 원하시면 (리아 리) 에게 (llee6@cherrycreekschools.org) 로 문의하십시오.
Russian:
Пожалуйста, обращайтесь к Ларисе Бака по адресу: lbaca3@cherrycreekschools.org для получения поддержки с помощью этого ресурса на своём языке.
Somali:
Fadlan la xiriir Omar Nur cinwaanka emaylka-onur2@cherrycreekschools.org si aad u hesho macluumaad ku qoran luqadaada.
Spanish:
Si necesita ayuda con este recurso en su idioma, póngase en contacto con Ilse Chavez Maldonado en ichavezmaldonado@cherrycreekschools.org, Rosa Han en rhan4@cherrycreekschools.org, Helena Gognat en hgognat@cherrycreekschools.org o Milagro Nuanes en mnuanes@cherrycreekschools.org
Vietnamese:
Vui lòng liên hệ với Thuý Ngọc tại Lchung2@cherrycreekschools.org để được hỗ trợ về tài nguyên này bằng tiếng Việt.
Contact Information
Email: kwilliams109@cherrycreekschools.org
Website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/walnuthills
Location: Walnut Hills Elementary School, East Costilla Boulevard, Centennial, CO, USA
Phone: (720) 554-3800
Walnut Hills Elementary Office Manager
