New Emerson News
August Issue 2025
Dear New Emerson Family,
Welcome to a new school year at New Emerson! I am genuinely so excited for 2025–2026. This year will be all about acquiring the "Tools for Our Learning Adventure!" These tools are the core capacities and dispositions learners need to become students who have agency in their learning and in their lives.
As Dr. Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution, so powerfully puts it:
Education needs to provide all children... with the ability to navigate an increasingly uncertain future. Young people need educational experiences that develop their capacity for lifelong learning... Academic rigor is no longer sufficient... if it reduces the emphasis on learning how to learn, how to communicate, how to problem solve and how to develop your own self.
New Emerson has long held the core belief that learners thrive when they feel ownership of their learning, also known as learner agency. This year, the staff and I are taking a deep dive into helping our learners build the core capacities and dispositions that support this kind of learning.
We are naming the start of each day LEAD Time. LEAD stands for Literacy, Empathy, Agency, and Dispositions. During this uniquely New Emerson time, we will continue to celebrate and strengthen a love for literacy with Early Bird Reading. We will also integrate instruction in empathy, agency, and dispositions through Morning Meetings and monthly themes focused on:
-
August / January – Understanding Our Brain: How it works, grows, learns, and regulates
-
September / February – Developing growth mindsets and embracing mistakes
-
October / March – Learning zones: Understanding how challenge, resilience, and effort toward our goals help us learn and grow
-
November / April – Understanding executive functions and learning strategies to support them
-
December / May – Empathy: What is it? Why is it important? How can I use it to help my community?
Each topic will have a symbol connected to the tools we need for our learning adventure. For example, August’s theme, "Understanding the Brain," will be represented by a compass, because our brain is our body’s compass. It guides us and offers choices in direction. I will also read The North Star by Peter Reynolds to each classroom as a way to talk about the personal north stars we follow. These are the values, goals, and dreams that help keep us going on our journey.
To prepare for this year, our staff engaged in a summer book study, Mindsets in the Classroom by Mary Cay Ricci, about teaching and fostering a growth mindset culture, neuroscience and brain plasticity, and the power of failure and mistakes. We will continue to learn and grow our own capacities with these tools throughout the year. Also, watch for opportunities for families to learn about these important tools as well.
Are you ready for adventure? We are, and we can't wait to see you on the trail!
Take good care,
Aubrey
“[M]ore and more studies and education organizations are communicating the importance of teaching students about their own brains. Increases in motivation, willingness to accept new challenges, and healthier reactions to failure are just a few of the benefits a child experiences when they understand how their brain works.” – Mary Cay Ricci, Mindsets in the Classroom
Below are a few videos to help you talk with your student(s) about what they’re learning about their brains—how they grow when we embrace challenges, and how we learn best when we use strategies to stay calm (regulated) and access the thinking parts of the brain.
Registration
If you have not yet registered your child, please do so through your ParentVue account. Students need updated registration each year, even if your child attended New Emerson last year.
- If your student is returning, you can register through your ParentVUE account (online or on the mobile app).
- If you’re enrolling a new student, you'll begin by enrolling them in their “home school” using your home address, and Shelly will then have them “moved over” to New Emerson. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call her at 970-254-6500.
New Safety and Security System and Protocols
Please see the message below from D51 Safety and Security regarding the updated safety and security system and protocols beginning this school year. I’m working with our Safety and Security team to find a streamlined process for Early Bird Reading and will share more information with families as soon as I have updates.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
District 51 is committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and secure environment for all students,
staff, and families. As part of a districtwide safety upgrade funded by the 2024 Bond, we’ve
implemented a new security system that enhances the way visitors access our buildings.
When arriving at the front entrance, here’s what you can expect:
1. Press the intercom button
2. Wait for school staff to respond
3. Say your name and reason for visiting
4. Listen for directions or for the door to be unlocked
5. Proceed to the front office and check in with a photo ID
Please note: Families will continue to have monitored access to the vestibule during designated
drop-off and pick-up times.
We know this is a big change from past practice, but it’s aligned with our Strategic Plan and
reflects the reality that school safety measures must continue evolving. Across the country, the
landscape around school safety has changed, and this system is one more way we’re doing
everything we can to protect your children and loved ones while they’re in our care.
Thank you for your support and patience as we implement these important changes. Together,
we’re building schools that are not only strong in academics and connection, but also in safety
and security.
Student & Family Handbook
Please take some time to review the important information and policies in the handbook with your learner(s). (Linked here.) Inside you will find calendars, transportation information, lunch times, and other important information to help make this a safe and successful year.
Once you have reviewed the information, including our sportsmanship policy, please sign the last two pages and return them to the office the first week of school.
Arrival and Dismissal Guidelines for Families
To ensure the safety of our students and the smooth flow of traffic during drop-off and pick-up times, please review the following procedures:
Morning Arrival
The parking lot nearest the main office is reserved for staff parking. Families should not use these spaces unless they have been designated as the monthly "Premier Parking Spot" winners through our family feedback survey or PTO drawings. Some staff arrive after 7:30 AM and need these spots available.
Unaweep Avenue is especially busy around 8:00 AM, and there is no designated crosswalk near the school. For safety:
Please park on the north side of Unaweep only.
Avoid parking on the south side of the street.
Do not cross Unaweep on foot, as it creates a significant safety hazard for students and families.
Afternoon Pick-Up
Use the designated parent pick-up lane and pull forward to the orange cone. (See map linked to the image above.)
Remain in your vehicle. Staff will bring your child to you to help keep the line moving.
If your child needs assistance buckling and you are unable to help from inside the vehicle, you may step out briefly to assist.
Please be patient and do not cut into the line. For everyone’s safety, wait your turn to exit, as students may be walking toward their vehicles.
We appreciate your cooperation in keeping arrival and dismissal safe and efficient for all.
Bus Transportation
New Emerson offers busing options through a hub system. Families can drop off students at designated elementary schools throughout the district, where they will be transported to New Emerson. After school, the bus returns students to those same hub locations at scheduled times. (Click on the image to the right for the full schedule.)
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Student Transport of America at (970) 697-1050 or visit their page on the district website.
Reporting Absences or a Change in After School Plans
To Report Absences
Option 1: ParentVUE
If you have the ParentVUE app on a smartphone, this the quickest and easiest method.
- Click on the ParentVUE App
- On the first page, you will see a screen with any of your children registered in D51 schools.
- For the child you are reporting absent, click “Report Absences”
- Click the start date for the absence and the end date
- Select a Reason “ParentVUE Attendance” and put the absence information in the notes. For example, “illness with a fever.”
To Report Absences or a Change in After School Plans*
Option 2: Email
Send an email that includes your learner's teacher and Ms Shelly as recipients (Shelly.Mehrhoff@d51schools.org) This is a great way to ensure everyone who needs the information is informed.
Option 3: Direct Call to the School
You can always call the school directly at 970-254-6500, and Ms. Shelly will share the information with your learner’s teacher.
*The end of the school day is a very busy time for both classrooms and the front office. To help us ensure that changes to after-school plans are communicated accurately and on time, please contact the office no later than 3:45 PM.
Thank you for your understanding and support!
School Supplies
Below, you can find an image and link to New Emerson's student supply list. Some grade levels have shorter supply lists than others. In some cases, this is because we were able to find unused materials throughout the building. In others, it’s because the teacher uses specific items that are not easily purchased locally.
There will be a $30 student fee to help cover communal and consumable classroom supplies, as well as items that are hard to find in local stores—such as science notebooks and specific types or colors of notebooks and folders.
Student Fees & My Payments Plus
This year, we are working to make payments for fees and activities like Lego League easier for families. You can now pay from your mobile device by using the QR code on the flyer below or online through MyPaymentsPlus. (If you have students in middle or high school, you may already be familiar with this.) We will also have a card reader in the office for card payments at Back-to-School Night and throughout the year to save the hassle of writing checks or carrying cash.
As a parent who has used MyPaymentsPlus for years, I highly recommend it.
Eureka STEAM After School Program
We’re excited to host the Eureka STEAM After School Program through the Eureka McConnell Science Museum here at New Emerson on student contact days. The program will run from August 11 through December 18 and is a great opportunity for hands-on learning and exploration.
Eureka requires at least 20 students to be enrolled for the full semester in order to run the program. If that minimum isn’t met by August 17, the program will be canceled and families will receive a full refund.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Eureka team at info@eurekasciencemuseum.org. Flyer linked here.
Ms. Heather - Health Assistant
We’re excited to introduce Heather Williams, who will be joining New Emerson as our new Health Assistant! Born and raised in Grand Junction, Heather brings a strong connection to our local community and a heartfelt passion for supporting others. Her journey into education began when she started volunteering at her child’s school—an experience that sparked her love for working with children and being part of a school family. She’s especially drawn to the warmth of small school communities and looks forward to getting to know our students and families.
Heather’s favorite part of working with children is helping support their health needs with care and compassion. Before stepping into the school setting, she was a stay-at-home mom and provided home health care for her mother during her cancer journey. She and her husband Greg have two wonderful kids, Kylie and Taylor.
In her free time, Heather enjoys crafting—especially making handmade greeting cards and teaching card-making classes. She also loves spending time outdoors running, hiking, and paddleboarding, and cherishes family movie nights with her loved ones.
Heather shared that she’s excited to join the New Emerson team, meet our students and families, and support the health and well-being of our school community. We look forward to welcoming her!
Ms. Michelle D'Agostino - 1st Grade Teacher
We’re delighted to welcome Michelle D’Agostino as our new 1st grade teacher at New Emerson! With 24 years of experience in education—as a classroom teacher, PE teacher, at-risk counselor, and coach—Michelle brings a deep well of knowledge, versatility, and heart to her work with children. Her teaching journey has taken her across the country and around the world, with past roles in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oregon, Colorado, and even Cambodia. She recently renewed her National Board Teaching Certification, a testament to her continued commitment to professional growth and excellence.
Michelle holds a degree in Ecology from Princeton University and a graduate degree in Teacher Leadership from the University of New Hampshire. She was inspired to become a teacher after seeing the positive impact educators can have on a child’s life. A favorite early memory was sitting in her father’s high school science class as a child—an experience that planted the seed for her future in education. Today, Michelle loves seeing students’ joy, curiosity, and resilience, especially when they’re engaged, overcoming challenges, and showing kindness. She also values strong collaboration between families and teachers, knowing that great things happen when everyone works together to support each child.
Outside the classroom, Michelle enjoys hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors, as well as visiting family and friends across the country. She shared how grateful she feels to join the New Emerson community and is especially excited to work alongside such an incredible team of staff and supportive families. Please help us give Michelle a warm New Emerson welcome!
Ms. Noelle - Libratory Teacher
We are thrilled to welcome Noelle to the New Emerson team as our new Libratorian, a unique role that blends the magic of literacy with the creativity of the engineering design process.
Noelle comes to us with over 20 years of experience working with students, including 10 years as a classroom teacher. Her journey in education began with tutoring students in American Sign Language (ASL) and grew into a passion for all things English Language Arts. Most recently, she comes to us from Washington state, though her path has also taken her through Northern California and Hawaii.
Noelle is inspired by the difference she can make in a child's life, especially those moments when a learner begins to believe in themselves and knows they are supported. She values strong connections with families and believes deeply in walking alongside them as partners in their child’s education.
Outside of school, you’ll likely find Noelle with a good book by the water, sipping an iced chai tea latte. She also enjoys flowers, discovering new TV shows, and soaking in moments of peace and reflection.
We are so excited for the energy, care, and creativity Noelle brings to this new role. She is eager to build relationships, foster a love of reading, and help every learner see themselves in the stories they read and the solutions they imagine. Please join us in giving Noelle the warmest New Emerson welcome!
Ms. Shelly - School Secretary
We are thrilled to welcome Shelly as our new school secretary at New Emerson! With 24 years of experience working in District 51, Shelly brings a wealth of knowledge, a kind heart, and a deep love for supporting children and families. A longtime resident of the Grand Valley and a proud graduate of District 51 schools herself, Shelly’s journey in education began when her own children were young. She was inspired to work in schools so she could be near her kids and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Shelly’s favorite part of her role is building positive relationships with students and families. She loves creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported and valued. Outside of school, she enjoys watching movies, crocheting, playing solitaire games, and spending time outdoors with friends and family. She also dreams of traveling more in the future.
Shelly shared that she already feels the warmth and connection of the New Emerson community and is excited to be a part of the incredible work happening here. We’re so happy to have her join our team.
Ms. Susan - Music Teacher
We’re excited to welcome Susan McMahill as our new music teacher at New Emerson! Inspired by her parent’s career in education, Susan knew by 7th grade that she wanted to be a music teacher.
A proud Colorado native, she has spent most of her career teaching here, but her love of travel and adventure has taken her around the world. She spent part of her childhood living in Canada and later taught band in Paraguay, South America.
Outside of school, Susan enjoys biking and riding her UTV with her husband, as well as painting, knitting, and traveling—especially her annual trips to Africa. Susan is most excited to join the New Emerson community and looks forward to sharing her love of music with students and families alike.