Freedom Parent Weekly Newsletter

🍂🍂 Parent Reminder: Students go out for recess when the "feels like" temperature is 16 degrees or above. We are entering into chilly weather. Please send your child with layers as we know the weather in Colorado changes all the time. 🧤🧤

🤎 NOVEMBER 🤎

School Psychology Week

Sunday, 8th

• Diwali- Festival of Lights 🪔

Monday, 9th

• PD Day - NO STUDENTS! 🏡

Tuesday, 10th

• Drawing Club 1st-5th grade 3:00-4:00pm (Rm 211) ✍🏻
• 3rd Grade Battle of the Books 3:00-4:00pm (Rm 200) 📚
• Sports Challenge - Basketball 2:50-3:50pm (gym) 🏀
• Freedom Givebacks Night at Miguel's- 4:00-9:00pm (3604 Hartsel Dr, Ste C, Colorado Springs, CO 80920) 🌮

Wednesday, 11th

• Veteran's Day 🗽
• Soccer Buddies 3:00-4:00pm (field) ⚽
• Girl Scouts Troop 45222 6:00-7:15pm (flex room & lounge) 🍪

Thursday, 12th

• Robotics 2nd-5th grade 2:50-3:50pm (Rm 106) 🤖
• Tech Club 2:50-3:50pm (media room) 💻
• Sports Challenge - Basketball 2:50-3:50pm (gym) 🏀
• Crochet Club 3rd-5th grade 3:00-4:00pm (Rm 211) 🧶
• Scout Meeting 6:30-7:30pm (cafeteria) 🧭
• PTA/SAC Meeting 5:00-6:15pm 💬

Friday, 13th

• 4th Grade Field Trip 🚌
• Veteran's Day Assembly - Veterans Welcome! 🗽

It’s that time of year again! Freedom Elementary is excited to bring back our Original Works Art Fundraiser, where students create their own masterpieces at school that can be turned into custom keepsakes you can wear, use, or give as gifts.

It’s a fun way to celebrate your child’s creativity while supporting our school’s arts program. These one-of-a-kind items also make wonderful gifts for family and friends!

Ordering details and instructions were sent home with students this week. You can also visit www.originalworks.com/parents to learn more.

Order Deadline: November 11

Thank you for supporting our students, their creativity, and our Falcon family!

Warmly,
Ms. Berg
Art Teacher
Freedom Elementary School

The Sports Challenge series is an after-school opportunity for students to reinforce/practice the specific sports skills that they have learned in P.E class and apply them in a game setting.

Basketball sports challenge will be from 2:50-3:50pm on the following days:

FULL* Grades 1-3 --------------- Grades 4-5

-Tue. Nov. 10 -------------------------- Thur. Nov. 12

-Tue. Nov. 17 ----------------------- Thur. Nov. 19

-Tue. Dec. 8 --------------------- Thur. Dec. 10

-Tue. Dec. 15 ----------------------- Thur. Dec. 17

-There is NO charge for Sports Challenge activities!

-In order to provide this opportunity for more students, students in grades 1-3 will participate on Tuesdays and students in grades 4-5 will participate on Thursdays.

-Registration will be limited to 20 students in grades 1-3 and 20 students in grades 4-5. This will be determined by registration timestamp using the link below.

-Please make sure that your student will be able to attend at least 3 of the dates listed for their grade level BEFORE signing them up.

-Due to the lack of spectator space in our gym, siblings, in other grades, will not be allowed to attend.

-Parents must provide transportation for their students at the end of each Sport Challenge session. Please make sure that you are present at 3:50pm to pick up your student. Students will be dismissed from the “Green” gym doors.

REGISTRATION LINK

Attendance matters, and we appreciate all the effort our Falcon families make to get students to school regularly! Every day in the classroom makes a difference, and we’re excited to celebrate our classrooms for their attendance efforts.

Each Monday during morning announcements, we’ll share the previous week’s attendance results with our staff and students, and parents can find the results here in our Friday newsletter. The classroom with the highest attendance percentage each week will earn a special visitor- our Freedom Attendance Goat! He’ll spend the week in the winning classroom before heading to his next destination.

🎉 Congratulations to Mrs. Whitcomb's class for earning an impressive 97% attendance rate!

Thank you, Falcon families, for making regular attendance a priority and helping our students show up ready to learn. Enjoy your week with our Freedom Attendance Goat! ❤️

Did you know that all students at District 11 schools that serve meals in their cafeterias can eat school meals for free, regardless of household eligibility?

Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program provides free meals to students who participate in the National School Lunch Program.

But there’s another important reason to complete the meal benefits application! Even though your student can receive meals at no cost, applying may help your family and our school in other ways:

• 💰 Possible fee reductions for programs both within District 11 and outside of the district
• ☀️ Summer EBT benefits: Qualified households may receive $120 per eligible student during the summer when school is not in session
• 🏫 Additional funding for schools: Completing applications helps provide additional funding to schools, especially Title I schools, and supports District 11 programs and resources

Please take a few minutes to complete the application! Your application can benefit your family and help ensure our school receives the funding it needs to support our students. ❤️💙

https://linqconnect.com/public/meal-application/new?identifier=JX9G3Q

Freedom Elementary PTA is excited to launch a new Business Partnership Program, and we’d love your help spreading the word! Think about the businesses already in your world—your workplace, favorite restaurant or coffee shop, hair stylist, pediatrician, dentist, contractor, family-owned business, or another local company that may be interested in supporting Freedom.

Partnerships begin at just $125 and offer businesses opportunities for recognition and connection with our school community. In-kind partnerships including gift cards, raffle items, and professional services are welcome, too!

Know a business that may be a great fit? Please share our sponsorship flyer or send them to:

https://freedompta.givebacks.com/w/sponsor

Together, we can build new community partnerships that help Freedom soar even higher!

Second-Fifth Grade students have an opportunity to read a non-fiction book and then fill out a bookmark to share what they have learned! Students can enter their bookmarks in for a prize drawing at the end of the month!

Each month, we celebrate a student who shines by demonstrating our monthly character trait:

• November 20th – Compassion 💗
• December 17th – Focus 🎯
• January 28th – Integrity 🌟
• February 26th – Responsibility 📌
• April 2nd (March Award) – Grit 💪
• April 28th (April Award) – Courage 🦅

• May 25th – Leadership 🚀

Our student of the month celebration will be:

Date- November 20, 2026

Time- 2-2:30 PM

Location- Freedom Flex Room

If your student is selected, you will be notified by your child's teacher.

🤎 NOVEMBER 🤎

Monday, 16th

• Tech Club 2:50-3:50pm (media room) 💻

Tuesday, 17th

• 4th Grade Field Trip 🚌
• Science Matters (Freaky Physics) 2:50-3:40pm (Rm 225) 🧪

• Drawing Club 1st-5th grade 3:00-4:00pm (Rm 211) ✍🏻
• 3rd Grade Battle of the Books 3:00-4:00pm (Rm 200) 📚
• Sports Challenge - Basketball 2:50-3:50pm (gym) 🏀

Wednesday, 18th

• 1st Grade Field Trip 🚌
• Soccer Buddies 3:00-4:00pm (field) ⚽

Thursday, 19th

• Robotics 2nd-5th grade 2:50-3:50pm (Rm 106) 🤖
• Tech Club 2:50-3:50pm (media room) 💻
• Sports Challenge - Basketball 2:50-3:50pm (gym) 🏀
• Crochet Club 3rd-5th grade 3:00-4:00pm (Rm 211) 🧶
• Scout Meeting 6:30-7:30pm (cafeteria) 🧭

Friday, 20th

• Student of the Month Celebration- Compassion 2:00-2:30pm (flex room) 💗
• PreK Friendsgiving 9:00am & 1:00pm (cafeteria) 🫶

Monday, 23rd-Friday 27th

• Thanksgiving Break! Enjoy the time with your loved ones- we are SO thankful for our Freedom Falcons! 🙏💞🦅

You can leave a detailed voicemail for our office team, but the fastest way to reach us is by completing the absence form below 👇

(It comes straight to our inbox, while our phone system sometimes takes its sweet time sending us voicemail notifications!)

We’ve added three new clubs to our lineup! Check out the link below for the most up-to-date list of before- and after-school clubs and activities offered at Freedom.

Please note that some details are still being finalized, and dates and times may change based on staff availability. We’ll keep the list updated as details are confirmed.

Take a look, check out the new clubs, and plan ahead! Reach out with any questions.

Art with a Twist has been cancelled due to low enrollment, but we have another exciting session coming up! Join us for Freaky Physics on Tuesdays, November 17, December 1, 8, and 15.

Sign up now to reserve your spot!

https://sciencematters.site/colorado_springs/freedom-elementary/

Adventure Club is looking for additional afternoon support staff!

Interested or want more information? Contact Chris at 719-590-8649 or freedomadventureclub0@gmail.com.

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Doors Open- 7:45 AM

Arrival Bell- 7:50 AM

Tardy- 8:05 AM

Dismissal- 2:50 PM

⏰📅✅🌟📱🙌

This year, we will be working hard to improve our attendance, behavior, and cell phone usage. We need your support to make these initiatives successful!

1. Attendance:

Good attendance is crucial for student success. We will be focusing on improving attendance and need your help to ensure your child is present and on time every day.

• Chronically Absent Students: These are students who miss 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused. This amounts to about 18 days in a school year.
• Habitually Truant Students: These are students who have four or more unexcused absences in a month or ten or more unexcused absences in a school year.

Definition of present/absent for state reporting purposes:

• “Absence” means the scheduled school days or portions thereof are missed by the student.

• “Present” means the student was in attendance of school and school related activities as required by the school.

• D11's policy (linked below) states that a student who shows up to school after 90 minutes (9:20 AM) in elementary school will be marked absent for the morning session. Students who arrive after 8:05 AM, but before 9:20 AM, will be marked tardy.

Please see board policy links below for any additional information you may need:

• Student Absences and Excuses
• Truancy
• Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance

We will be following the district guidelines and the Colorado Compulsory Attendance Law to address attendance issues.

🌟Regular attendance is essential for your child's academic progress and social development.🌟

2. Behavior:

We believe in fostering a positive and respectful learning environment. Our behavior expectations are based on our core values of respect, responsibility, and safety. We will be working together to ensure that all students understand and adhere to these expectations, creating a supportive and productive school community.

3. Cell Phones:

To minimize distractions and enhance the learning environment, we will be implementing stricter guidelines on cell phone usage during school hours. Students are expected to keep their cell phones/smart watches turned off and stored in their backpacks during class time. If a student needs to contact their family during the school day, they can do so through the main office.

🚗🅿️🚦🛑🚶‍♂️⚠️

Please do not park or idle in the bus lane during drop-off or pick-up times. This area must remain clear to keep our buses moving safely and on schedule. Thank you for helping us maintain a smooth and safe flow for all students!

Remember, please be cautious and patient.

Before and After School Traffic:
Traffic can be very heavy during drop-off and pick-up times. Please teach and encourage your child to always use the crosswalk and to be vigilant in watching for traffic from all directions.

Parking Lot Capacity:
Our parking lot has limited capacity. Please note that daycare vehicles and District 11 vehicles have designated drop-off and pick-up spaces. Spaces that are painted belong to Freedom staff, please do not park in those spaces.

Bus Pick-Up and Drop-Off:
All buses will pick up and drop off students in the Freedom parking lot.

Reminder:
Please remember that these are your friends and neighbors, and all of you have children attending our school. We ask that you be patient and extend courtesy to one another as you enter and exit the parking lot or pick up your children. Please drive slowly in and around the school.

Parking Lot Exit:
Please note that exiting the school parking lot is RIGHT TURN ONLY.

Kiss-N-Go Lane:
The "Kiss-N-Go" lane is designated for drop-off and pick-up only. This lane should not be used as a parking spot. Please ensure that students exit the vehicle from the right side, away from traffic. DO NOT park your vehicle in this lane.

Dismissal Information:
All students will be dismissed at 2:50 PM. We encourage parents to pre-plan a pick-up location. Students will have dismissal cards and must turn in their card to the adult on duty.

Kiss-N-Go and Bus Pick-Up/Drop-Off:

• Kiss-N-Go: Located on Butterfield Drive in the street cut-out. To access, please enter Butterfield Drive from Range Ranch and pull to the end of the cut-out.
• Parent Pick Up: Located in the GYM. Parents will enter through the gym doors and wait behind the grade-level cone. Students will enter the gym and line up as well. Once they see their parent, they can greet each other and then hand their card to the adult then exit the gym door.
• Bus Pick-Up/Drop-Off: Located in the loop directly in front of the school.

Parking and Walking Your Child to the Entrance:

• Enter the Freedom parking lot from Butterfield Drive.
• Use the left lane to enter the Family Parking Lot (formerly the staff parking lot).
• Park your vehicle and escort your student to the crosswalk leading to the front doors. Your student will enter through the front double doors.

Preschool and Kindergarten Parking:

• Enter the Freedom parking lot from Butterfield Drive.
• Use the left lane and enter the Family Parking Lot.
• Park your vehicle and escort your student(s) to the crosswalk leading to the preschool door.
• Do not enter the playground until 2:45pm.

Late Pick-Ups:
If you cannot pick up your student within 10 minutes of dismissal, please arrange for a family member or daycare provider to do so. While we understand that delays happen, late pick-ups interfere with scheduled meetings, training, and our ability to use resources effectively. Please note that Freedom staff cannot supervise siblings of students involved in after-school activities, such as tutoring, athletics, or clubs. It is the responsibility of the families to ensure that students not participating in after-school activities are picked up promptly.

Please call the front office in advance so we can ensure a smooth end to the day.

🏫⚠️🔥🚨🔒📢

Safety is our top priority at Freedom Elementary School, and we are committed to ensuring the well-being of all students, staff, and visitors. To this end, we follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to prepare for and respond to various emergency situations.

We conduct monthly drills to practice these protocols, ensuring that everyone in our school community knows what to do in case of an emergency. Here is an overview of the SRP we follow:

🛑 Hold - In Your Classroom or Area

• Directive: "In Your Room or Area"
• Purpose: This protocol is used when hallways need to be kept clear of occupants. Students and staff remain in their rooms or areas until further notice.

🛡️ Secure - Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors

• Directive: "Get Inside. Lock Outside Doors"
• Purpose: This protocol is used to safeguard people within the building by securing all exterior doors. Normal activities continue inside the building.

🔒 Lockdown - Locks, Lights, Out of Sight

• Directive: "Locks, Lights, Out of Sight"
• Purpose: This protocol is used to secure individual rooms and keep occupants quiet and in place. Doors are locked, lights are turned off, and everyone stays out of sight.

🚪 Evacuate - To a Stated Location

• Directive: "Evacuate to [Location]"
• Purpose: This protocol is used to move people from one location to a different location, either within or outside the building. The specific location will be communicated during the drill or emergency.

🏫 Shelter - State the Hazard and the Safety Strategy

• Directive: "Shelter [Hazard] and [Safety Strategy]"
• Purpose: This protocol is used for group and self-protection based on the specific hazard (e.g., tornado, hazmat). The safety strategy will be clearly communicated.

Monthly Drills:

To ensure we are prepared, we conduct monthly drills for each of these protocols. These drills help students and staff practice the appropriate responses and become familiar with the procedures. Your support in reinforcing the importance of these drills at home is greatly appreciated.

Communication:

In the event of an actual emergency, we will communicate with families promptly. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date in our records so that you can receive timely notifications.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school safe. If you have any questions or concerns about our safety protocols, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Together, we can ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all our students.

🔎🧥🎒🧤❓

All Lost & Found items are kept in the school foyer. Families are encouraged to check the Lost & Found regularly throughout the year.

Donation Schedule

To help keep our space organized, unclaimed Lost & Found items are donated at the end of each quarter.

Families Will Receive:

• Advance notice at least one month before donations

• A reminder approximately two weeks before donations

• Additional reminders through student announcements and SMORE

How Families Can Help:

• Please label all student belongings with first and last names.

• Encourage students to check the Lost & Found regularly, especially near the end of each quarter.

Any labeled items will be returned to students whenever possible.

Thank you for helping us keep our Lost & Found manageable and ensuring items make it back home!

If you plan on attending classroom events, volunteering in the school or attending field trips, please take a few moments to register on our visitor/volunteer site. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the front office at 719-228-0800.

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